We now have an Arizona native living with us. Our good friends daughter has left the nest and come out to try life in sunny San Diego. She will be helping me with K and hopefully working to pay for the gas she plans on putting in this car.

Yep, this b*tch got herself a BMW for her first car. This was my dream car in high school, it’s the car Kelly drove on 90210, it was the epitome of awesomeness in the 90’s.

I wanted to introduce you to Kiah as now she will probably be appearing in my blog posts and pictures. I didn’t want you to be all “who is this chick who is always at their house.”  So now you know. I think it’s going to be a culture shock for her, living with an almost 2 year old isn’t glamorous as she has already learned not to leave a hot straightener on the floor where little hands can get to it. K has two little blisters on her fingers now.

I hope she meets some great friends and loves living out here, I mean who wouldn’t? It’s been in the mid 70s this past week and we are six miles from the beach, zoo, SeaWorld and all that good stuff. She has the world at her fingertips, I am a little envious.

After Shane, my dad is the hardest person to shop for. What do you get a man that has everything? Well, this year, he gets cookies. Chewy ginger cookies to be exact, these have ground ginger, fresh ginger and carmalized ginger in them, it’s a triple ginger delight.

If you were to ask me if I would like a cookie, I will only oblige it its peanut butter, chocolate chip, Oreo or maaayyybe an oatmeal, other than that, no thank you. But every time I have a ginger cookie, I am all’ hmmph that’s pretty good” However I never think I like them, it’s like my memory erases after I eat it…anyhow I made my dad these cookies and people, they are GOOD. I think I can now say I do like ginger cookies and I hope my memory doesn’t escape me of this deliciousness.

*recipe adapted from Bon Appetit

CHEWY GINGER COOKIES

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 cup butter- room temperature

1 large egg

1/2 cup robust molasses

1/2 teaspoons finely grated peeled ginger

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger

1 cup raw sugar

Directions

Preheat to 350°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or baking sheets.

Whisk flour, ground ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat brown sugar and butter in a large bowl, scraping down sides halfway through beating, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add egg, molasses, grated ginger, and vanilla; beat just to blend. Add flour mixture; beat on low speed just to blend. Mix in crystallized ginger (dough will be very soft and sticky).

Place raw sugar in a shallow bowl. Using a tablespoon measure, scoop out dough. Using a second spoon, scoop dough from tablespoon measure into bowl with raw sugar; turn to coat well. Roll into ball. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are firm and centers appear cracked, 10–12 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks and let cool.

Yesterday Kaili and I headed over to Rady Children’s hospital for her speech/language evaluation. What did I learn? Not much more that we already know. Kaili was given a diagnosis of expressive language delay secondary to unknown etiology.  The therapist didn’t think her speech delay has anything to do with her difficult birth given how incredibly smart she is in all other areas. She was truly impressed with Kaili’s cognitive skills and the way she follows directions. It really was neat to sit back and watch Kaili interact with a stranger, carefully listening and following directions. It makes this whole situation a little sweeter. The therapist was impressed with how well she can communicate nov-verbally, although I do regret not teaching her sign-language, but the past is the past and we can only move forward.

Now what? It is recommended that Kaili see an individual speech therapist twice a week for 6 months, progress at that time will determined. Sometimes I think Kaili has the ability to talk but is timid about trying. Shane and I both think it will all click one day but for now we will seek help. Nothing harder than trying to help a frustrated child, that is why early intervention is always best. I have had countless people tell me “why do you want her to talk? Once she starts you are going to wish she never started”. I can tell you that I am really tired of hearing that, and I promise I will never say that.

Today we went back to the Dr. for her growth check. In November her weight and height had plateaued. I was almost positive it was because she had gotten a bad cold back in October and really wiped out her appetite. Two months later she has gained a pound and her height has jumped up quite a bit. I mean she is still itty bitty but the Dr. was happy to see things moving in the right direction.

Operation “fatten up baby” success! Now we wait to hear back about her speech therapy.