Where are we today?

We just had or 3rd anniversary as a website. When using the Internet as a ruler, that is a very long time to be around. We have grown from an initial membership of around 20 people to a site that has 1600 members of which 700 are fairly active users. We have seen a lot of change in those 3 years. Some of it bad, but most of it very good. Like any family we have had a few times that weren't pleasant, but most have been very good times. We have had several members who have had babies and kept us informed. We have had younger members that have transitioned from high school to college and have stayed with us. We have had a few members that have gone through some very unsettling medical times. It's things that people experience in the real world. We are still a family and will continue having these kinds of things happen to our friends.

The biggest change to the site during all of this time has been the acquisition and installation of our own server that is housed at my ISP, and we currently are there rent free. What this does is reduces the cost of running the site to almost nothing. That insures us that we will be here for some time to come. This is good because we are currently in the baby boom of 2004 and need AIH to keep us informed as to how all the new mommies are doing.

I'm excited about a new release of the AIH newsletter. I have seen a mock up copy and it looks very nice. I know it's not an easy job and I hope everyone who reads it will let the people who have contributed to the newsletter know how much you appreciate their hard work.
  - Dilbert

AIH Baby Boom

As we all know, there has been quite a Baby Boom around our online community lately. Is there something in the water? Is AIH actually an aphrodisiac? It has been suggested that our very own Jr_Fan had quite a bit to do with the sudden burst of reproduction. However, while I'm sure not many of the ladies on AIH would mind having his baby, I think he and Wild_Sunshine have their hands full with the three they have already.

The Ask-It-Here Baby Boom began on September 8, 2003. On that day, star_gazer gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Paige Victoria. Shortly after giving birth to her first daughter, star_gazer said, "The truth is...even though I have only been a mommy for 11days, I couldn't imagine doing ANYTHING other than what I am doing. I can't imagine going back to my old life, I can't imagine being anything other than a mommy to this little girl. It just fits. Life before seemed so meaningless, now it is for something. It means something. It's worth something." I think I can speak for everyone on AIH in saying that we are all enjoying hearing updates and seeing new pictures of little Paige and her mommy.

The next to experience this Baby Boom first hand was none other than DbowieGirl. On February 25, 2004, she gave birth to her first child, a son named Benjamin Andrew, who will go by Drew. While her labor was not as smooth and effortless as she hoped and imagined it would be, she stopped in to inform us that she and Drew are both doing well.

The Baby Boom's next victim was whiskybran. This pregnancy was somewhat unexpected for her family, since she already has a 12-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son. But on March 22, 2004, Mackenna Rachel was born. "I am so lucky to have the older kids to help out. My daughter (12) is like a little second mother. Her and my son (10) are so proud of Mackenna, she is going to be spoiled rotten." Whiskybran is in no rush for Mackenna to grow up and join her other children in their independence. "I remember wanting the other kids to walk and talk etc., but now with the baby, I know that before I know it she will be 12 like my oldest daughter so I am savouring every moment!" Adjusting to a new baby is hard for anyone, and this family is certainly no exception. "It will sure be a change of lifestyle for us. We were just getting a little more freedom with the kids getting older. Now we are starting all over again. Since she was a surprise, I thought it might be a big shock to the system when she arrived. It just seems natural, it was meant to be." However, since Mackenna's siblings are 10 and 12 years older than her, whiskybran has expressed some concern about the possible effects that the age gap could have on her new baby. "My biggest worries are that she will be like an only child, as her siblings will be gone to University when she'll only be 6 and 8."

Alixx was next on the list for the Baby Boom. Melissa Bridget was born on March 29, 2004. "My labour was pretty fast. It caught us all a little off guard. Luckily I had just enough time to get the pain relief." What a relief that is! When asked about her new daughter, Alixx said, "Melissa is wonderful! She is so quiet during the day. She does have a bit of a cry-fest every night, which seems to be a good time to visit AIH!" Well, at least she has her priorities in line!

Ask-it-Here will have a short break in the Baby Boom until the beginning of May, which is when edaj is due to have her first baby. She says she would like to know the sex of her baby, but doctors have not yet been able to determine it. However, she does know that the baby will be named Shannon Elise if it is a girl. She has no names picked out yet for a little boy. Her pregnancy has been a little rough. "I started getting morning sickness at 13 weeks and I am still getting it. The worst part of my pregnancy has been having my gallbladder removed at 22 weeks. That was pretty painful." She says that the best part of her pregnancy has been seeing and feeling her baby move inside her. Only a few more weeks and AIH should have another little baby!

The final member of the AIH Baby Boom - as of right now - will possibly be the new AIH mascot. PeachEKeen, who is Dilbert's daughter and god's sister, and NiteOps are due to have their first child on July 10, 2004. Like edaj, PeachEKeen and NiteOps are interested in knowing the sex of their baby, but have not yet been able to determine it. Since NiteOps was born and raised in Sweden, he and PeachEKeen have made an important decision about how they will raise their child. "My husband and I have decided to raise our child in a bilingual household. I will only speak English to the baby and he will only speak Swedish." PeachEKeen has admitted to having an easy pregnancy, with the exception of some minor back pain at night.

Could this be the final baby in the AIH Baby Boom? I suppose only time will tell. Unless, of course, Jr_Fan knows of any details that have not been announced?

In any case, I would like to speak for all of the Ask-It-Here community in congratulating star_gazer, DbowieGirl, whiskybran, and Alixx on their wonderful new babies. May you live happily and healthily for years to come, and have the patience, strength, and love to bring your children up to be wonderful individuals. Also, good luck to edaj and PeachEKeen! May the remaining weeks of your pregnancy go smoothly and quickly, and may your labor and delivery be just as smooth and quick.

We hope to see Paige, Drew, Mackenna, Melissa, baby edaj, and baby PeachEKeen / NiteOps on AIH in the future!

Cooking Ethnic Style

 
Baked Kafta and Potatoes
(Lebanese Lamb, Serves 4, Main Dish)
 
2lbs lamb
1 cup finely chopped parsley
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 tsp mixed spice*
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp ground cinamon
1 tbs oil
4 potatoes, sliced thin
4 large tomatoes, crushed with juice
1 cup water
1 tbs tomato puree
*Mixed Lebanese spice is Allspice, Black pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves, 
Nutmeg, Fenugreek and Ginger. Mix  equal amounts of spices in a jar 
and keep for later recipes.*
 
Spread oil in the bottom of a glass baking dish. Combine the lamb, 
parsley, onion, spices, paprika and cinnamon in a bowl, mixing well. 
Spread it evenly in the bottom of a glass baking dish and bake at 350f 
for 20 minutes.While your lamb is baking, combine the tomatoes, tomato 
puree and water. After your lamb bakes for 20 minutes, remove it and 
add the tomato mixture. Lower the heat down to 250f and allow to cook 
for 40 minutes.Meanwhile, fry the potato slices until a little crispy.
When lamb is done, put potato slices on top and put back in the oven 
for 10 minutes. Remove and serve.
 
 
Ba Mee Nam
(Thia Noodle and Pork Soup, Serves 6, First Course)
 
1 cup bean sprouts
1 1/2 cups egg noodles
6 peeled, garlic cloves
6 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup ground pork
1/2 cup dried shrimp
12 lettuce leaves
6, 1/2 inch thick, 6 inches long pieces of port
12 green onions, thinly sliced
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup peanuts, roasted and ground up
1 tsp dried chilli flakes
1 tbsp vegetable oil
 
Blanch the bean sprouts for 1 minutes, set aside on paper towel to 
drain. Boil the noodles in 6 cups of water for 4 minutes, drain them 
and set aside.Brown the ground pork in a sauce pan, add chicken stock 
and dried shrimp. Stir the mixture well and bring to a slight boil. 
Fry the garlic in the vegetable oil until crisp, remove the garlic and 
fry the pork strips until done. Place the blanched sprouts in the 
bottom of a large serving bow, add the cooked noodles and add the 
fried garlic and pour the remaining oil over the noodles. When the 
chicken stock mixture boils, tear the lettuce up and add it to the 
stock, remove the stock from the stove and pour it in the serving 
dish over the noodles and sprouts. Garnish with the pork strips and 
the green onions. Sprinkle in the peanuts, chile flakes and sugar. 
Serve.
 
 
Ciuperci Umplute
(Romanian Stuffed Mushrooms, Serves 8, Appetizer)
 
1lb chicken livers
1 medium onion
1/2 cup chopped parsley
2 egg yolks
16 medium mushrooms
1/2 a stick of butter
1 bottle of dry wine
 
Boil the livers in dry wine for 20 minutes. Grind the livers in a 
large mixing bowl, add the onion, parsley and egg yolks. Mix well. 
Clean and stem the mushrooms, placing a very small amount of butter 
inside each cap. Stuff with liver mixture and then place in glass 
baking dish. Add another small amount of butter on top of liver mix 
and bake at 300f for 40 minutes. Serve while hot.
 
 
Butternut Salad
(Vegan, Serves 8 if Side Dish, 4 if Main Course)
 
1 large butternut squash, diced
2 small onions, chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
2 cups fresh green beans, broke in half
1 leek, sliced thin
1/4 cup mustard seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 tsp herb salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups olive oil
 
Cook the squash until tender, yet firm, let it cool. Add the mustard 
seeds to a pre-heated frying pan and toast lightly, add three tbsp of 
the olive oil and then add the onions. Saute the onions for a short 
time and then set the mixture aside to cool. Combine all the 
ingredients in a large serving bowl, mix well and allow to chill over 
night. Serve cold.
 
 
Date Haroset
(Jewish, 20 Servings, Dessert)
 
1/4lb chopped dates
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup kosher red wine
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup confectioners's sugar
 
Cook the dates, raisins and wine in a small sauce pan over low heat, 
stirring occasionally until the fruit becomes a soft paste. Allow it 
to cool and then stir the nuts and cinnamon. Roll paste into bite-size 
balls then roll in confectioners' sugar. Refridgerate and serve cold.