My Favorite Things/Top 10 for 2009

Ok, so I'm inspired by a few of my friends to do a favorite things list, so......... here goes and in no particular order.

1. Bath and Body Works Lemongrass and Cardamom - I love it! I have everything from the body butter to shower gel and bubble bath.

2. TIGI Hair Products - I have thick, wavy, for the moment, short hair and TIGI makes my actually love my hair at times! This is my new favorite - spray pomade. And it smells KILLER!

3. I have an obsession with Mrs. Meyer's Basil scent ANYTHING! I love it all! The laundry detergent is a guilty pleasure for me - I only wash my clothes in it!

4. My new UGG slippers. So, yeah, I just got them but, oh how I love thee!

5. I heart Melissa & Doug! I love the creative toys they make and love that my kids have so much fun with them. We have everything from the train set and train table to the art easel and magnetic paper dolls (best invention EVER!!)

6. My Happy Lite. I'm sitting in front of it right now and I seriously feel better than when I woke up. If you live in the NW and don't have one, you should get one!

7. Ok, I feel a bit snobbish but I love my Coach bags. I've gotten them for my birthday the last couple of years (isn't my hubby rockin awesome??) and I love that I can fit everything I need to in them

(I hate carrying a diaper bag!!)

8. My Silpat - if you bake/cook at all, you must have one!

9. I've blogged about this bread before and I LOVE it! And no, not just because it comes from my hubby's company, but because it is REALLY good! The 15-Grain is the best!

10. Keen boots - comfortable, cute (I thinks so!), waterproof - enough for me!

Thanksgiving

thanks·giv·ing:
1 : the act of giving thanks
2 : a prayer expressing gratitude
3 : a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness

I give thanks for my healthy family, happy children, wonderful husband, thoughtful friends, comfortable house and good, secure employment. Thank you God for all that you have given to me and help me to be thankful daily, for all that I have.

Better Days

I have been so uninspired to blog lately. I don't know what it is - being sick, maybe??? We've had the 'crud' and I'm going on a full week of feeling crappy and am afraid I may have a sinus/ear infection. Whatever, I don't have time for this!!! All three girls have been sick in some way or another. Zoe has the cold and finally went to school on Friday. Teagan was throwing up all day Wednesday and now has the cold. Harper waited until Thursday night to start feeling crummy, thus, the last 3 nights have not been restful for either of us.

Let's hope next week has better days for us...

Meat Free Monday

We started doing Meat-Free Monday at our house. It's sort of fun because I get to try new vegetarian recipes (if you have good ones, PLEASE share!!!) and I find that I am way more conscious about what I'm eating.

Why did we do this, you ask??? My hubby, who isn't known for the love of reading books, is totally into David Suzuki's Green Guide, where he talks about Meat-Free Monday's as a way to cut down on carbon emissions.

Check out this link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/15/paul-mccartney-meat-free-monday (Even though I'm not a vegetarian, I want the t-shirt Paul's wearing!) We thought it was a fun challenge and a great way to eat less meat as well. My only problem is that I don't think about what to make until Monday morning and then I'm rushing to come up with something that doesn't require 6-8 hours for beans to soak then cook! Oh well, it's still a fun challenge - you should try it!!

So Big

I'm getting so big! I can roll over from my back to my tummy then sometimes back to my side! I make all sorts of jabbering noices and I laugh once in awhile.

I'm 3.5 months old and at the doctor today I weighed 15 pounds 3 ounces and I am 26.75 inches long - I'm off the charts!

Dr. Epstein said I look just like my daddy but a lot like my big sisters too!

All things Fall

We have had such a busy October and I feel like I haven't posted in forever! Life is busy with three girls. I've been trying to do some sewing projects and other things for Christmas, so my creativity has been else-where. I can't believe it is the end of the month and Halloween is this weekend. Some of the things we have done this month are:

• School activities - Zoe had her first homework last week and was so excited! Both Teagan and Zoe had school pictures and we are all waiting to see how cute they turned out! Parent-Teacher conference was today and Zoe is doing great! She is a hard worker and really getting into reading and writing! We are SO proud of her!!


• We visited the pumpkin patch with our friends and neighbors, the Fazio's. The kids had a great time running around in the hay maze and picking just the perfect pumpkin.


• Pear and Apple picking - our friend Shannon and Ryan have a bunch of apple trees that they have been so gracious to share the crop with us! Ryan's grandma had pears that we picked on a very windy, chilly day! I spent 2 days processing pears for fruit leather and baby food. I have to get going on the apples so I can re-stock my freezer with applesauce!

• Deciding on our Halloween costumes - the girls kept changing their minds and both finally decided they wanted to be Kitty Cat's - stay tuned for pictures!


• The 6th Annual Girls Get-Away Weekend - once again, a great time with the women in my family. It is so fun to see the little girls growing up and just getting to relax, eat great food, and enjoy the time with family.

Ok, can you tell these two are related???? My niece, Izabella, is 7 months old and is adorable.

Harper flung her arm over and her thumb did make it into Izabella's mouth! She got the funniest look on her face, as if she knew it wasn't her thumb but she'd suck it anyway!

I love this picture because they are holding hands - I had just set Izabella on the floor next to Harper and grabbing her hand was the first thing they did. I can only hope that they are best buddies growing up!

New Favorite

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you have to try the new, organic bread from Green Earth Baking. My favorite, by far, is the 15 Grain but the whole wheat is fabulous too. It's hearty, chewy, has great flavor and is great for you! Check out their website too: http://www.greenearthbaking.com/

NO...

I have not given up on blogging. It's just hard to find the time sometimes! Zoe and Teagan both have school in the mornings, I work Tuesday afternoons (and starting this week, some Saturday afternoons), I'm overhauling our diet (which involves more cooking on my part) and I'm forcing myself to get back into the whole walking/running routine. Needless to say, I feel busy and am glad for the time at home because it is giving me great time with my kids and an opportunity to do work on some projects I enjoy (again, not that I find that much time to do some of them!) So, with that, I must go since I have cookies to make, art to paint, a craft desk to clean-up so I can create and some sewing to do. Oh yeah, and nurse a baby, put away the big girls summer clothes and do some laundry!

Recipes

Ok, so for awhile now, I've been thinking about posting some of my favorite recipes. I find myself wondering what to make for dinner (now that I'm home full-time, it's breakfast, lunch AND dinner) and I always ask others for ideas, so I figured I'd start posting recipes that I love, are crowd-pleasers or are just fun. So I'm going to start with what I made for dinner last night, since I had several requests from friends via Facebook last night!

California Pizza Kitchen's Thai Chicken Pizza

Ingredients:
***Dough*** (or any pre-made dough you like)
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

***Topping***
3 1/2 tablespoons peanut butter
3 tablespoons brewed tea
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons chili oil
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
2 teaspoons honey

2 tablespoon green onions
1/2 poundchicken breast, cut in 1/4-inch strips
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 carrot, shredded
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Directions:
For the dough: In a small bowl, dissolve the honey in the warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and stir until it dissolves. Let the yeast mixture stand for 5 minutes, until a layer of foam forms on the surface.

In a large bowl, combine the flour and the salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the olive oil and the yeast mixture. Stir the flour into the wet ingredients, until all the flour is incorporated. If its too dry, add more water. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 15 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.

Shape the dough into a ball and put in a well-oiled bowl. Cover with a moist towel and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk (about 1-1/2 hours).

For the topping: Combine peanut butter and next 7 ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Set aside.

In the meantime, season chicken strips with red pepper and salt. Sauté in 2 tablespoons olive oil, until done (about 7 minutes). Coat chicken with 2 tablespoons peanut sauce. Set aside in the refrigerator.

Punch the dough down, and divide into 2 equal portions. Roll out each portion into an 9-inch flat circle. Spread 1/4 cup peanut sauce over the surface of each of the doughs. Distribute 1/2 of the cheese over the sauce. Repeat with other pizza. Distribute 1/2 of the chicken and green onion over the cheese. Repeat with other pizza. Place the pizzas in the oven (on top of pizza stones). Bake until crust is crispy and cheese is bubbling (8-10 minutes). Remove pizzas from the oven and sprinkle each with carrot and cilantro.

I usually add a bit more cheese and chicken because we are eating it for a meal. I also add bean sprouts too!

Quick Lemon & Garlic Quinoa Salad

Quinoa has an excellent nutritional profile (10.5 grams of protein per cup). This unique whole grain, which was the staple food of the Incas, is also rich in calcium and iron. (from Feeding the Whole Family cookbook - AWESOME whole food recipes!)

Salad:
1 cup dry quinoa
1¾ cups water
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup carrots, chopped
1/3 cup parsley, minced
¼ cup sunflower seeds
Dressing:
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1-2 tablespoons tamari/shoyu/or soy sauce

Rinse quinoa with water and drain. Place rinsed quinoa, salt, and water in a 2-quart pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer 15-20 minutes, until all the water is absorbed. Tip pan to the side to make sure all the water has been absorbed. Let stand for 5-10 minutes then fluff with a fork.

Prepare vegetables and dressing. Place cooked quinoa in a large bowl. Add carrots, seeds, and parsley to quinoa. Mix thoroughly. Combine garlic, lemon juice, oil and tamari or shoyu; pour over quinoa and toss well. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Bike Riding

So, the day before school started, Zoe wanted to go out and ride her bike. She's been having a hard time with letting go of the training wheels and it's been sort of frustrating all the way around. Duffy was out with her, just watching, while Zoe was riding on Teagan's bike (a bit smaller and seems to make her feel more confidant) when the neighbor kid, Iaan, rides over on his bike. Iaan is 6 years old and 2x Zoe's size. We asked him to give Zoe some pointers. Next thing you know, he is telling her to take her training wheels off (which she did) because she doesn't need them. She does a few pedals here and there and is gaining more confidence. Next thing you know, Iaan is telling her she is the worst bike rider he has ever seen! And off she goes - she was riding her bike!! All it took was getting the neighbor to tell her how horrible she was????? Why didn't we invite him over sooner??? Needless to say, Duffy and I just sat back and watched in amazement as Zoe kept practicing, riding and letting Iaan tell her how bad she was. She told me later that it was okay, she told him to say that and she was just ignoring him! Nothing like a little reverse psychology from a peer to get you going!

First Day of Kindergarten

Zoe had her first day of kindergarten yesterday and she did GREAT! Her teacher is awesome and seems really good and directing the kids and making things fun and interesting. Zoe was a little timid at first but had so much to talk about when we picked her up yesterday. When we were talking about the fact that she gets to go to school everyday, she was concerned when she would get a day off! Duffy is off this week, so he took her this morning and we can't wait to hear all about her 2nd day! She, all of the sudden, seems like a bigger kid.

Stuff

Wow - I can't believe 4 weeks have gone by since Harper was born! She is doing great and is a great addition to our family. Both Zoe and Teagan adore her, checking on her all the time. Teagan still hasn't figured out the whole touching/poking part yet and we are constantly having to remind her to be careful. Zoe is quite the little "mother" and always wanting to help, with Harper and Teagan both! Some of Zoe's adjusting has been taken out on Teagan, so the last couple of weeks have been trying in many areas, not just getting used to a newborn again.

School starts in a couple of weeks and both girls are getting so excited. I am looking forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays when they are both at school in the morning - ahhhh, a bit of peace and quiet maybe??? I doubt it!

We haven't been sitting around at home all this time though. We've enjoyed some trips to the park, a picnic at the beach and a trip to Seattle. We took the girls to the Space Needle and it was a big hit. This next weekend, the girls and I are heading south to my family reunion in Montesano. It will be the first time for all of my extended family to meet Harper and spend some time with all the grandparents and cousins. We are also going to visit Nathan's Grandma Ingrid in her new place and introduce her to Harper. Should be a busy, fun-filled weekend!

Birth

Ok, I'll spare you any gross details, but I wanted to write about Harper's birth, more to recount it for myself and if anyone really cares, read on!

I had to be induced. I've been induced with all three girls, so it was sort of a bummer that I didn't get to experience going into labor totally on my own, but it just isn't meant to be! The morning started for me at 5am when I woke up to Teagan wanting to get in bed with me. Once she climbed in, Zoe showed up. I didn't feel like sharing my bed, so back to their room we went. As I was getting Teagan back into her bed, she started making these funny noises and I realized she had thrown up in her bed (before coming to my room). We rushed into the bathroom, trying not to wake my in-laws in the next room and trying to wake up Duffy, sleeping on the couch (he said I was snoring!) so he could help me. We get Teagan cleaned up and moved to our room, then have to deal with Zoe not wanting to be in her room alone - DRAMA! Teagan continues to be sick every 15 minutes or so and by now, it's 6am and time to call the hospital to check if we are supposed to be there at 7:30am. Duffy calls and we get the green light. Teagan is continuing to be sick, as we wake up my mother-in-law to give her the heads up before we leave. Talk about stressing me out - I hated leaving Teagan but I wanted to get this show on the road!

We got to the hospital at 7:40am - we were supposed to be there at 7:30 but Duffy HAD to stop at Starbucks. We get all checked in and head up to the OB floor. I had been in a week earlier for a Non-Stress Test, so I was pretty much set for everything. My Dr. was already around, so they started me on Cervadil by 8:40am. With Cervadil, you have to be laying down for 2 hours, hooked to the fetal monitor before you can move around, etc. Contractions started towards the end of the 2 hours and I was ready to be out of bed. Duffy and I walked the main floor and the OB floor a few times then back to the fetal monitor. By then, contractions were about 2 minutes apart but not unbearable. They took the Cervadil out and I was only dilated to 3, so we waited to see if I would continue having contractions on my own. The contractions kept coming but I wasn't progressing at all. All the while, Harper was doing just fine and didn't seem in too big a hurry to make an appearance! When my Dr. checked be around 4pm, I still wasn't dilated much past 4cm and Harper hadn't dropped enough to break my water, so we talked about starting a low dose of pitocin to move things along.

Ok, I wasn't too thrilled with the idea of Pitocin, but I also didn't want to be laboring with no progress either. They started the Pit around 6pm and my contractions changed immediately - at first, they weren't really painful, just different. I knew within 1 minute, every time they increased the Pit because the contractions would get more intense and eventually, more painful. Harper kept hiding from the fetal monitor, so that was a constant struggle finding just the right place for it, while letting me labor wherever and however I was comfortable. My nurse was awesome (she was my nurse when Teagan was born too!), very patient but not overbearing or passive. At some point we discussed pain medication and I made it clear I did not want an epidural and unless things dragged on and on, didn't want any pain medication. Around 10pm thing got going enough for the nurse to call my Dr. in (he had been at home and I swear, he must have ran from the parking lot up because he was out of breath!). My contractions were getting longer and harder yet I wasn't at 10cm yet and not ready to push. I couldn't get comfortable and my back was killing me, something that had never happened with Zoe or Teagan. My water finally broke but I still wasn't dilated enough to start pushing.

Since I was Strep B positive, I was being pumped full of IV fluids and antibiotics and I remember around 11:25pm feeling like I really had to go pee. Duffy went in with me and I swear I peed for a minute straight. As soon as I was done, I had the strong urge to push. Everyone was moving rather quickly to get me situated to deliver and with 3 pushes in 5 minutes, at 11:34pm, Harper was born. She came out with her right hand up by her face, part of the reason it took so long for her to drop down. She loves her hands up by her face and we are curious to see how if that is something that she will continue to do throughout her life.

I do remember asking Duffy at some point near the end, why I didn't want pain meds but I'm really glad I did it without. I feel, as I did with Teagan's birth, that I was more aware of what was going on with my body and felt so much better in the days after their births. The nurses I had were wonderful and so encouraging and helpful. Duffy kept making jokes, that I found hilarious and helped take my mind off of everything, the entire day, so I'm sure they think we are totally crazy but I caught them laughing most of the time!

My Dr. is WONDERFUL! He is not only my OB doc but our family doc and pediatrician as well. I decided right before Harper was born that I wanted him to be the kids doctor because he is so laid-back, patient, kind and down-to-earth that it just made sense. It is so nice having one doctor to deal with everything for our family. I love that he is open to alternative medicine and that he treats the whole person.

Ok, so there it is, in it's condensed form. I'm glad it's over and Harper is here with our family. I think Zoe and Teagan will be great big sisters and Duffy is now, totally surrounded my girls! I think it's good for him though!

Harper Finley Moore

She has finally arrived!

Harper Finley Moore was born on Tuesday, July 14th at 11:34pm. She weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces (the biggest of the 3 girls!) and is 20 inches long.

She is doing great and we are glad to be home. Labor was long and tiring and I'm glad it's over. I remember asking Duffy at one point why I had said "No" to pain meds but not long after, with 3 pushes in 5 minutes, she was born!










We are home and getting settled before Duffy goes back to work on Monday - I'm dreading that day!

What I woke up to today

When I woke up this morning, this is the child that I found. At first I thought it was just a trim in spots......

















.....until I really looked at the back.....

....and side views! We called Katie, our stylist extraordinaire, and were lucky to get in at 10:30am!

And boy, did she make it look beautiful! Katie blended all the chopped up parts right in (even the bangs that I didn't notice until we were at the salon) and now, Teagan looks like a big kid!

I think she likes it! She asked if this meant she didn't have to wear ponytails anymore! She also told my mom she wanted to look like Zoe!

***Excuse the weird layout - Blogger is so frustrating sometimes with getting things to line up and look good!***

Baby Update

Ok, in an attempt to keep everyone informed and up to date on Moore Baby #3 - here goes:

Due date was Saturday, July 4th. Obviously, no Independence Day baby for us. I went to the Dr. this morning and I'm still dilated to almost 2 (which is where I was 2 weeks ago!). We talked about things and discussed inducing - I was induced with Zoe and Teagan both - and the earliest he would even consider would be this coming Friday, if there was room at the hospital, otherwise it would be sometime the next week.

I headed up to hospital for an NST (non-stress test) and hung out, attached to the monitor for 45 min. and baby is just fine - seems pretty content in there and isn't the least bit stressed out! I don't think I had a single contraction the whole time! While there, the nurse confirmed that my Dr. had call and tentatively scheduled an induction for NEXT Tuesday, which is the day after my next Dr. appointment and the earliest they can take me, being a non-critical case.

So, that is where we are. Of course, baby could decide to come early and that would be great. I'm just not thinking it will be that way. The one positive thing about all of this is that my mother-in-law is in the process of getting her mother all ready to go into an assisted-living facility and I think it would be great if that was all taken care of before the baby came. That way, my in-laws would be able to be here and know that Grandma is taken care of and situated, etc.

If anything happens, I'll post again!

9 days....

9 days and counting - well, not really. I'm not really holding my breath that this baby is going to come early. It would be nice, but unlikely! I haven't even packed anything for the hospital, which amazed my Dr. as I am the one who likes all things in order, all the time! It's just that I packed a bag early on with both of the girls and since I was induced, there wasn't that need to have it packed and ready to go when we didn't go running out the door.

Instead, I keep coming up with all sorts of projects for myself. I've been doing some sewing (I just bought more fabric on Tuesday and plan to have a few things done in the next few days), baking, cleaning, playing with the girls and the ongoing, dreaded task of keeping my craft space clean and organized! It is out of control because every time I sit down to organize it, I make something instead and it stays messy. So, before I am letting myself start the next sewing project, I have told myself I have to organize my desk and have it all nice and clean.

Oh, yeah, I decided to blog first....

Patience, Grasshopper

This is me, rather dark - thanks honey! with only 3 weeks to go! I feel great, most of the time, but am ready to meet the new addition. The girls still debate if it is a boy or a girl, but are excited none the less! If you are lucky, I may try and post a better picture - we'll just have to see how I feel about that! I hate pics of myself!!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Today you turn 35! Wow - were did the years go? When we met, you were the ripe old age of 22 (I was 19!) and it seems just like yesterday! I have so enjoyed spending the last 13 birthdays with you (lots of BBQ's with your parents, camping, enjoying a brand new baby) and look forward to so many more. You are the greatest husband and father. Thank you for being so caring, helpful, compassionate and thoughful!

Hope you have a wonderful day (sorry you had to get up at 3am!) and know how much we love you!!!

Lying

So, my kids have picked up a great trait from their Uncle Jordan - lying! (You know I love you little brother!!) Zoe isn't very good because she chooses to lie about the dumbest things and half the time tells you the truth then back tracks. Example:

Me: Zoe, why did you hit your sister with that toy?
Zoe: Well, I didn't mean to do it.
M: But I saw you hit her and it was because she wouldn't move out of your way.
Z: I didn't hit her! She hit herself with the toy!
M: So, I didn't see you hit her?
Z: No, I didn't do it!
This usually ends with a time-out where Zoe is freaking out the whole time, holding onto the idea that she didn't really hit her sister - even though Teagan is crying with a red mark on her face and I saw the whole thing.

Teagan takes a different approach - she just blames everything on Zoe! We came home on Monday after a weekend out of town. I was putting stuff away in the girls bathroom and kept getting this scent of pee - like it had been there for a day or two. Mind you, I cleaned the bathroom on Friday and we left the house on Saturday and we hadn't had any little boys over to visit. So, I start looking around the toilet and realize as I look over the edge of the tub, that someone had peed in the bathtub! It was on the inside of the tub and dried around the drain - GROSS! I come into the living room and ask,

M: Who peed in the tub?
Z: Not me - Teagan did it. (Totally what I figured)
T: (Pausing for a moment) Nuh-uh - Zoe did it.
This goes back and forth a few times until I say,
M: Well, if nobody will admit to it, you are both in trouble.
Zoe starts crying (which I knew would happen!) and Teagan just sits there with a very guilty look on her face.
M: If nobody did it, how did it get into the bathtub?
T: Mommy, it just came that way!

It was all I could do to not burst out laughing - but she still had to help me clean the bathtub!

Happy Birthday Teagan!

Happy Birthday Teagan Macie!!

So, it was actually yesterday but this is the first chance I've had to blog anything! We had a great weekend filled with family, a parade, a new slide and lots of fun!

I am having a hard time realizing that my "baby" is 3! It goes by so fast and she is such a joy to have around. She has a great sense of humor and wants to grow up faster than she is - she asked the other day when she got to go to Zoe's new school (heck, lets just skip pre-school and move on to kindergarten!!) She is working on writing her name and so far, we have the "T" down, though it is sometimes written upside-down! She adores Zoe and follows her lead all the time. Right now, Zoe has figured out that Teagan will do almost anything she asks which makes my job just a bit harder. Teagan thinks that she can talk to the baby through my belly-button and is constantly pulling up my shirt and telling Baby how much she love them!

Happy Birthday Teagan - you make our lives so much fun and it is a joy being your mommy! Continue to be adventurous and not afraid and don't forget you "broccoli" shoes!

Funny Ha-Ha

The other day, while driving with the kids, Zoe was practicing snapping her fingers. Here is the conversation I hear:

T: What are you doing Zoe?
Z: I'm snapping.
T: Oh, I can do that.
Z: ummm, no, you can't.
T: Yes I can, I'm just not doing it right now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last week, while putting laundry away in the girls room, they gather a few things and prepared to leave the room.
Z: Mom, we are playing that we are going to spend the night in a hotel.
Me: Sounds fun.
As they are walking out the door, this is what Teagan adds -
T: Oh, she's alright to be at my house (their room) when we leave. She is just cleaning it for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feels like summer

So, Duffy came home with a Slip n' Slide for the girls today - it was the funniest thing to watch! They totally got into it and keep calling it their "Slipping Slide" or "Slippy Slide". I kept waiting for Duffy to take a turn...

Ok, check out the girls play house in the background - isn't Duffy AWESOME! It was going to be a tree house but this way is the best of both worlds - they have an enclosed house, complete with windows and flower boxes and they can climb up on top and be in the tree and Teagan is getting a slide for her birthday - shhhh, don't tell!