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Breastfeeding

March 4, 2014 //
2

I am getting ready to head back into the world of all things baby and newborn. I really haven’t been there for 3 years. I have been so consumed with toddlerhood lately that my focus on what is going on in the world of infants was non existent. I know a lot can change in just 3 years, so I have been familiarizing myself with things.

In particular I have started to focus on all the breastfeeding news out there. I nursed Jacky for over a year. I didn’t pump. It was all me all the time. I have to admit that I am afraid to get into that again this time. I will have an almost 4 year old by the time this one comes around. An almost  4 year old that is a HUGE momma’s boy. So my attention to sitting around with a baby on my boob all day might not be quite so easy to navigate. Which has given me some apprehension and nervousness, hence the constant reading of all news breastfeeding. I am not sure what that will change, but I am a Historian and slightly (a lot) type-A, so reading and researching is in my blood (or brain or neuroses).

As usual I am appalled by the amount of backlash nursing moms get for nursing in public. Most recently the whole Delta Airlines scandal caught my attention and my utter disgust. I got into a lengthy debate on my Facebook over it. I am in the camp of a mom should be able to nurse when/where/how she wants. Bottom line. There is no wiggle room on this for me. I am a staunch advocate for that.

Here is why:

With Jack I was terrified of facing criticism from people in public. I spent a good amount of time ALONE nursing him. In bathrooms, bedrooms, corners, where ever. I regret it. I did do it in public from time to time. By the time he was around  5 months old and we were in the SUMMER at that point, a cover was unacceptable for him. He hated it. I hid a lot. I spent a lot of lonely time while out and about trying to find somewhere no would be offended by me. How absurd is that? Offended by feeding an infant? Hindsight is 20/20. I remember sitting there feeding him for the millionth time. Alone, wishing I had someone to talk to. Listening to the laughter in another room from other people. Scrolling my phone hoping something distracting and hilarious popped up on my Facebook feed so I too could laugh. Often, it did not happen.

At the time I didn’t think to myself “I will never be this way again.” No. It didn’t come until I started my Type-A reading being pregnant this time. The feelings of loneliness came flooding back. I can definitely say I won’t be lonely again. Not that I think Jack will allow me to. When I say he is a momma’s boy, that is an understatement. I doubt I will get the opportunity to nurse privately. I won’t miss out on things with him for that. I won’t miss soccer games because someone thinks I should sit in a nasty port a potty and feed this little one. No. It won’t be happening this time.

As I have grown as a parent with Jack I have gained confidence. My parenting style has developed over the last 3 years. We are very upfront with Jack about all things. I talk to him like he is an adult. I explain things to him like he is an adult. I have explained the benefits of fiber on the digestive system. I have explained how protein helps grow his muscles. I tell him his penis is his penis. I have a vagina. He asked “One day you will have your own penis?” “Oh no sweetheart. I am a girl and girl’s have vaginas and boys, like you, have penises.” I have explained what boobs are and what they are for when he pushed mine and said “what are these?” A few days later he asked if he could have some milk from them. I laughed so hard because that ocean dried up a long time ago. I told him it was all gone. I am honest with him. I didn’t think when I was dreaming of having babies that this was how I would approach subjects with my kids. That came as the questions started flooding in. I can be honest and he can learn from me or I can sugar coat and give cutesy names and he learns even worse and derogatory names from his peers. I want him to learn from his dad and me. So that is my approach on parenting. What does that have to do with nursing? When someone says “but think of the CHILDREN!” regarding nursing in public, I want to scream! I absolutely want to tear my hair out and say “what about the children? That is what our breasts are for! To feed babies and we should be honest and open about that. This isn’t a lingerie runway show. This is nourishing a helpless infant.” It makes me crazy to hear that argument. I would rather my kids know what boobs are for and have the respect for what women are capable of than learning from their friends that these are”tits” and are just sexual. Not in my house. Not in my family. They will have honest communication about these things.

Jack has given me the best gift he could have over these last 3 years. The confidence in my parenting styles and techniques when it matters most. I am not perfect. I have bursts of frustration and lose my shit and yell at him. But when it matters, with things like this, I feel a lot more confident than I did 3 years ago. I will stand up for my kids. I will nurse where I want to, when I want to, and how I want to. All that matters is what is right for me and the baby and my little family unit. Not what someone at the table over thinks. Look away if it is so bothersome to see a baby eating. I have said it before and I will say it again. I don’t want to watch someone stuffing their face with McDonalds. That makes ME sick and uncomfortable. I can’t throw a fit if I see someone doing that in public though. No. But someone can do that about an infant drinking milk his/her mom is working so hard to produce? Come on. Priorities people.

I came across this lovely article on the HuffPost (I really enjoy them!) A restaurant manager wrote about how they will never tell a mom to stop nursing at his restaurant. It is what reignited my passion for this today. It is a great read. I couldn’t help but think as I read it that the person complaining about a baby is the exact person that would complain about all of the other things they complained about. Chicken not being crispy enough! Maybe I am hardline on this. Maybe I come off as militant. Oh well. If you choose and are able to nurse, then legally you have the right to do it where/when/how you want. You shouldn’t be marginalized because you chose that over formula. I would never scoff at a mom feeding her baby formula. We all have our reasons for our choices when it comes to that, but we should support one another. We shouldn’t make each other hide in a dirty bathroom to feed our babies. No matter the medium we have chosen to nourish those tiny ones.

 

Categories Baby food, Breastfeeding, Childhood, family, Fit Pregnancy, Healthy Living, Healthy Pregnancy, Momommahood, motherhood, nursing, parenthood, parenting, Pregnancy, toddler

Banana strawberry sandwich

June 20, 2012 //
0

I made a rather tasty and healthy dessert yesterday. Jack was calling it cake cake cake after he had one! There was not an ounce of added sugar in it.If he calls something CAKE that means he thinks it is a deliciously sweet dessert.

My son has his priorities.

Car

Cat

Ball

Cake

HA!

I made Frozen Stuffed Banana Sandwiches!

The full recipe can be found at the link above the photo. But I only sort of followed it.

Essentially I just cut up two bananas and a few strawberries, sliced them.

Then I smeared a little all natural (nothing added whatsoever) peanut butter on the bottom banana. I use Krema peanut butter. Jack and I are huge fans of that peanut butter.

Then I placed a sliced strawberry on the peanut butter. I topped it with another banana slice. Then I poked a toothpick through.

On half of them I rolled them in plain Fage Greek yogurt.

I won’t add the Greek yogurt again. I didn’t try one of those but Jack had a plain one first and loved it. Squealing cake over and over. I ate the plain ones too. When he had one with the yogurt he wasn’t as into it. So plain for us it is!

HOW SIMPLE IS THIS DESSERT/SNACK?!?!?! It took me less than 10 minutes to make. Maybe around 5 minutes. And now that I know how simple it is I bet I can whip it up in under 5!

Jack had a hard time with the toothpick. I think I may use a larger stick for them next time for him. With a blunt edge and a little longer of a handle. He is only 16 1/2 months. But he did well. I was just worried about the sharp part poking him.

It is a great healthy summer snack. I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as ours does!

Categories Baby food, family, fitness, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, preschool activities, Recipes, Reviews, Toddler activities, toddlerhood

Adventures in toddler lunchtime

June 1, 2012 //
0

I know a lot of my posts have been about toddler things lately. Not as many fitness ones. I promise I am still working out regularly. Still going to my Barre class. The one thing that has changed is I haven’t gone for a run in 2 weeks! YIKES! Part of that is the stomach issues I have been battling. Part is I have been enjoying the break from it. I was really pushing myself for a while with my runs. I was ready to try Wednesday and Thursday but it has been nonstop rain around here. Wednesday my hubby wanted to workout when he got home so I worked out in the morning. The elliptical has been my friend lately.

Anyway. Back to toddlerhood. Trust me, running around after a 27lb almost 16 month old is a workout too. Also, he is a huge momma’s boy, which means I am constantly picking him up and holding him. The child knows how to walk and enjoys running but he really loves snuggles with his momma.

I have been having some fun with lunches. I enjoy making shapes and scenes and creatures for him.

This one is a little older. I had spelled out Jack and he ate the C before I got the photo.

A little face. Don’t worry, he is welcomed to have more food if he is still hungry after this small amount 🙂

Apple/grape cars. Held together with peanut butter

Jack is obsessed with cars and vehicles in general. So I thought this would be fun for him to have cars to eat. I use all natural peanut butter. No added sugar, salt, or anything. Just roasted peanuts. It is YUMMY!

Two lanes of cars, driving past a forest

That was my intention with this scene. He thought the green apples were a bit tart so I switched to red delicious apples. Looking back I should have used cheese for the lane markers! Next time!

Teddy bear

These were teddy bear cheese sandwiches. Whole grain crackers with cheese in between. I used a small circle cookie cutter to make a perfect circle of cheese. The rest was just decorated with fruits. Jackson promptly took apart the bear and devoured the cheese! He also was a big fan of the strawberries. The previous day he had been all about grapes.

He is becoming more and more picky. Mostly he doesn’t like to try new things, especially if the texture feels weird in his hands. So I have been trying to have fun and make lunch time silly. When he saw the bear he got a huge smile. That made me happy.

I will continue to share our adventures in toddler lunchtime. I am not sure what I will create today, but I will create something! I have a set of 101 cookie cutters, the creativity is endless.

 

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Categories Baby food, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, Recipes, toddler, Toddler activities, toddlerhood, working out

Green Mac and Cheese

February 29, 2012 //
0

Today I decided to make some healthy homemade mac and cheese for my little man’s lunch. It was a hit! I have been working on expanding his pallet. Trying new flavors and combo.

Today’ recipe I originally found through the Baby Bullet cookbook. I altered it a bit. I added spinach for added veggies and nutrition.

  • Whole grain pasta shells. I used Barilla. They said a cup of cooked but I just guessed and sprinkled some in the boiling water.
  • Steamed, one yellow squash
  • 1/4 cup mild shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup ricotta
  • 3 tablespoon whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • handful of organic baby spinach (not cooked)
  • When the squash was tender I combined it with the cheeses, milk, butter, and sspinach. I pureed that all together to create the cheese sauce. I then put it in a small sauce pan to heat through. Only for a few minutes.
  • When the noodles were done I combined it with the cheese sauce in a bowl and stirred together until it was all well coated/mixed.

Green mac and cheese

It looked a little greener in person, but you get the idea. As you can see below I served it with some strawberries.

mmm momma!

I didn’t hear much of a peep from him during the entire meal. He loved it so much. He was covered in cheesy goodness by the time he was done. Every time I looked at him he would just smile at me. That is how you know a man loves his meal, he is quiet and if you do make eye contact he smiles!

cheese face

I tried some of the sauce. I make a habit of trying the meals I make for him. That way I can understand his tastes and know if there is a reason behind his hatred for certain things! Sometimes I thoroughly disagree with his protests and sometimes I think oh yes, this is awful. This sauce was yummy. I think I am going to make it into a family dinner soon. My hubby could use the sneaky veggies as much as Jack can!

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Categories Baby food, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, Recipes, toddlerhood

I am on the quitting breastfeeding ledge

November 8, 2011 //
0

I think I need to be talked off the ledge. The quitting breastfeeding ledge. I am fairly certain I either have about 4 or 5 clogged ducts or I am developing mastitis again. This time on the left side. I am in excruciating pain. At times the entire left side of my upper body hurts. I don’t have any flu symptoms this time though. There may be a red splotch but I also just tried pumping (rather unsuccessfully) and I have been massaging it.

Jack is 9 months old. I have never given him any formula. He has been strictly breastfed and now his solids. But he is always a fan of nursing and getting his milk. I want to go until a year but I am just tired and feeling particularly stressed about dealing with this now. Our household was sick for nearly a month. We all had various viruses. We are finally feeling better and getting back into our routine and now THIS? What? Why can’t I just have a few weeks of not feeling like crap? I know there are worse things in the world but I am having a why me moment! I am and I admit it. I just don’t feel like dealing with it. Is that selfish? Sure. But it really hurts. My boob is even shaped differently than normal. It feels as if there is a solid cylinder in there. Too much info? Perhaps, but if you have never had mastitis or clogged ducts you have no idea how it feels.

I have let Jack nurse the last two nursings on the left side. Before bed and then to try to settle him around 11pm when he woke up screaming. Turns out he had some gas. No help, no relief.

I just tried pumping. First thing in the morning. He is still asleep. I didn’t even manage to get an ounce out. I wasn’t striving to get a full bag of milk. I had no expectation of that. I just wanted to help get something out to relieve this pain. That did not happen.

So I think I need to be talked of the ledge. Because as of this moment I want to throw in the towel. I know that I will be angry at myself later if I give up now, but it is hard to see past the stabbing feeling I am experiencing as I just sit here upright, typing.

Jackson has his 9-month well visit today. We are seeing the nurse practitioner, whom I love! I think I am going to talk with her about this. I have a feeling she will talk me down. She has a way of just explaining things so well. She always makes me feel awesome when I leave there. Even if I am having a good day already. She is so encouraging.

But extra support from stepping back off the ledge is always helpful. Jason says if I do decide to give up now we will get through it as a family. That I have done an amazing job already. I am trying to tell myself that. But a little thing about me, I have incredible mom guilt. I always want to make sure I am doing my best for Jackson. I am a bit of a perfectionist with most aspects of my life. I have always been hard on myself and the mothering department is no exception.

For example, lately I have been giving Jack instant oatmeal. Plain instant oats, instead of old fashioned ones, cooking that, then putting it in trays, freezing it, then defrosting it each morning. Instant oats are the same just less work when I have a 9 month old demanding his cereal. I feel SO guilty that I am taking the easy way out. I still make all of his food. Last night I prepared fresh for him this zucchini, yellow squash, and tomato puree. I served it over turkey with some cheddar/jack cheese. Along with whole grain all natural Italian bread. On the menu to make today, homemade whole grain banana bread, probably some broccoli, sweet potato fries, and maybe these broccoli cheddar baked fries…from scratch. But I still feel guilty that each morning I microwave his oatmeal and then mix it with homemade apple sauce or pears or plums etc. Which I am aware is ridiculous of me. The kid eats like a king constantly. I work very hard to keep track of and prepare all of this food for him.  I am just kind of hard on myself with the mom guilt. My mom told me to not feel guilty about the oatmeal, that I do so well with his food. But this morning when I am getting his food ready I will feel just a tinge of guilt. I know it!

I know down the road I will be mad at myself. Oh, so that should make the decision easy, right? Don’t quit then! No, because as I sit here, even after taking advil, it feels like the pain is getting worse. My energy to deal with it is non-existent.

So here is my ledge rant. I want to  be done and just not deal with this right this second. I want to feel good for a while before dealing with the next crappy feeling moment. I don’t think that is too much to ask, but perhaps I am wrong.

 

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Categories Baby food, Breastfeeding, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, nursing, parenthood, parenting

Yo ho Mateys! Arrrrrgggg

September 20, 2011 //
4

Have you ever had one of those days where you just had no desire to work out? I had one of those yesterday. I mean I wanted to workout because I always want to get one in. But when it came down to actually doing it I struggled. I tried a dvd and I found it boring and repetitive. I turned it off halfway through. It was annoying me and it just wasn’t fun! So then I tried to do some pilates and I got through about 3/4 of that workout. I probably did about 20 minutes total of workout. It wasn’t my best effort though. I finally just stopped and decided to shower.

I didn’t go for a run because it was dreary out and rainy. I could have but then Jackson woke up late and only because I went and got him up. We had to be at a hotel at 12 to look at the room there for his birthday party.

I don’t think I will be working out this morning. I definitely won’t be going for a run. We have something being delivered between 8-11 so I need to get in the shower soon and at least be showered before 8. If not, I possibly cannot take on until after 11! yikes!

We may go for a run later in the day. If I am feeling more motivated. It seems that there was an ultimate reason. The lovely monthly gift has returned. This is the first time since I got pregnant! April 2010 was the last time. I was a little shocked this  morning when I woke up. I guess my laziness yesterday is well explained. Well I was only lazy with exercise. I did an incredible amount of stuff.

It was international talk like a pirate day. So Jack and I dressed up like pirates. We watched one of his favorite shows Jake and the Neverland pirates. It was a lot of fun!

Cap'n Jack

A couple of silly pirates

Then we went to the hotel to look at the room. I like it a lot. I think we are going to use it.

After that we went right to the grocery store. Did you know there is a shortage of canned pumpkin? It has been this way since 2 weeks before Christmas last year! I learned this while looking for some for a new pasta recipe. I spoke to the manager and he filled me in. Just a little piece of info in case you’re a big pumpkin recipe family this fall!

I reorganized and cleaned out our pantry. That was much needed and well over due! It looks so nice now.

I spent 2 hours cooking/preparing food for Jackson. It took that long because I had to keep stopping to do things with him. He wanted me to hold him or this or that. I kept telling him “I promise momma isn’t just sitting around doing nothing, I am making you lots of yummy food!” I  made some chicken for him for the first time. He was not a happy camper when he ate it. It was no cheese experience!

Then I started our dinner. My healthy take on Chicken Cordon Bleu, with sweet corn, and baked sweet potatoes.

In between starting our dinner and finishing his food we sat on the couch and cuddled. It felt great. He watched the end of a show of his while I rested my body and eyes. Then when that was over we just goofed around together. Playing with his monitor, my camera, the remote, a paper plate, and one of his little play balls. The things kids love to play with!

So while my exercise was ehhh at best the rest of my day was very productive.

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Categories Baby food, Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, pilates, Recipes, Running, weather, weight loss, weightloss, working out

Nursing until 1 year

September 18, 2011 //
0

The past couple of runs have been a bit rough. My allergies tend to be bad in the fall. I believe it is the ragweed. The last 3 runs have been bad. Between my allergies and pushing the stroller and baby, I get winded quickly. I am limited on what allergy meds I can take because of nursing. I was telling my hubby on our Saturday run/walk that I am looking forward to next fall when I can take my good meds and breathe easy. Sometimes I feel like I am a football player with having to push about 45lbs while running. I even repeat to myself “dig dig dig” when we are heading up a hill. How lame! HA! It is certainly not easy to jog with your baby. It is fun and incredibly rewarding. However, it is tough, hard work, and can leave you exhausted and sore. It is kind of like mommahood in general!

I have come to a final decision regarding nursing. I am feeling good about it. I am going to nurse him until he is a year. Then I will stop. I am not sure how I will go about weaning. I do not want to ever give him formula. That is my goal. He tends to be rather flexible with eating. He enjoys eating. We feel that he won’t reject regular milk when we begin giving it to him after a year. I may stop cold turkey and try the cabbage in the bra trick. I had considered nursing longer than a year. I was recently thinking that overall I will be ready. A year is phenomenal! 6 months is phenomenal! I am nearly at 8 months and I fully believe I will make it to a year. I think my milk supply was dropping a bit but I have been taking some Fenugreek, and it has been helping. So with dedication I think I will make it to a year.

It was a hard decision to come by. I know I have time. With the holidays though things will fly. He will be a year on February 4th. Halloween is around the corner, then Thanksgiving hits you, and after Thanksgiving you blink and Christmas is here! My hubby’s birthday is in the beginning of January and I will be planning Jacks first birthday extravaganza (I am serious about that, I have already begun planning it. I think I am more obsessed with this than our wedding) So I came to the decision now. I will be ready for us as a family to move on. My husband and I need to spend some more time together. Since Jack has been born we have gone on 4 dates alone. Two being this week. I love doing things as a family. LOVE IT. If push comes to shove I prefer us all going out and doing things together. But sometimes it is nice for us to get out just the two of us. Not often and not for anything crazy, but for example we went to eat and bowling. Last night we went to a real sit down restaurant. Which we have not done since he was about two or three months old.

I am not saying I want to get away from him. I had a miserable time for the first part of our date because Jackson had a fit when I was leaving. My dad finally said, “Go, you coming back in here over and over is making it worse. He will be fine, just go!” I obliged, heavyhearted, and we headed to the bowling alley.  My mom finally texted me and said he was happy and even sent me a smiling photo of him. Separation anxiety is hard on me too! I felt awful for leaving him so upset. I did say good bye, I didn’t sneak off, which was hard, but I did it.We are rarely apart, once in a while, I am told, it is good for both of us! HA! So at a year I will be ready as I can be for us as a family to move on to the next step. I will still be emotional about it all. Between nursing ending and him turning a year, I will be a wreck. I started crying yesterday talking about it! I asked my hubby to be patient and understanding in February. It will be a bittersweet month. I love that child more than I can even express. My whole world revolves around him. Every move I make depends on his needs.

I talked about this all with Jason and my parents yesterday. They all agreed that it is ok for me to be ready to move on when he is a year. That it is good for me to have more flexibility. That someone can watch him overnight without us worrying about his feeding schedule. He has never spent the night anywhere but with me and Jason. As a collective family we feel confident that this is the best decision for us.It was nice to have their unconditional support.

I am not sure if some people would consider this decision selfish. Those I know do not. I am sure there are some die hard BF advocates that may. But I try to not judge the decisions other moms make, unless they are downright abusive, so I hope I receive the same respect. It was a tough decision to come to. I have been thinking about this for a few months. I feel I will be ready to move on then. I am feeling good about it. I stared out on this journey just wanting to give it a shot. Then I wanted to go at least 3 months, then I wanted to go at least 6 months. Then once I got close to 6 months I thought I can do this for a year!

It feels good to have finally reached a final goal and decision. I was on the fence for a while but something in my heart this week just told me that this is the best choice for us all. That I will be ready to go on to the next adventure in our lives together. I am feeling good about this all!

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Categories Baby food, Breastfeeding, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, nursing, parenthood, parenting

Just a few things

September 13, 2011 //
0

I am planning on a run this morning. I was planning on one yesterday but it didn’t happen. Jason locked my keys in the Xterra. Our jogger was also in the Xterra. I was stranded for a good portion of the day. Thankfully at home.

I have decided to try a new running app. iMapMyRun+ It looks really neat. It was time for an upgrade. I was using this very basic and archaic app. Lately I have noticed significant differences in the mileage from the same exact route! I have had it and I want to track things a little more accurately. I am really excited to use this, so I hope we get to go for a run. The last time we ran, which was Friday, Jackson had a fit during the run. It turned into a walk. I also ended up having to hold him and push the stroller home. At least I was carrying about 18lbs of baby, right?

I have begun using my new DVD. I tried it yesterday, one of the workouts. I enjoyed it. It was challenging. I have not used all of the options yet so I am not going to write specifics. I will save that for a review. So far it is looking food. I am very happy with the amount of arm work.

I tried a new baby food recipe yesterday. I just put it all together for Jackson and it was a hit. It was 4 tablespoons of cantaloupe, 2 tablespoons of nectarine, about 1/2 of an avocado, and 2 tablespoons of yogurt. He absolutely loved it.

We went Sunday football snack shopping on Sunday before the  Bears game. I also picked up some fruit for Jackson and myself while we were there. I made salsa too. The cashier commented “you guys are a really healthy family!” What a nice compliment! We are certainly not perfect. Really only Jackson eats a perfect healthy diet. But I really try to make sure that Jason and I eat healthy 90% of the time. I try to cook each night and make healthy decisions. Sometimes hearing it from other people is just a nice sound.

I hear Jack man, time to go get my precious little man!

Categories Baby food, Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, Recipes, working out

The kid loves fruit

September 6, 2011 //
0

Jack man is becoming quite the little foodie. I am fairly certain all of his favorite foods are orange/yellow foods. Check out him eating a nectarine for the first time. I was munching on it while holding him and he kept trying to get at it, so I thought, what the heck I will let him have a taste.

The nectarine was bigger than him!

The photo does not do his reaction justice. The video is much better. But he loved it and was fascinated by how delicious it is. He also loves cantaloupe and sweet potatoes. These three are his favorites. Each time he tried these three foods he did not turn away. He instantly loved them. Everything else, it took a few times of introducing it for him to enjoy it. So that is how we know he actually loves it. We are huge fruit lovers and he is very clearly our son. I don’t think I am going to ever have a problem getting him to eat his fruits. I am very excited about this.

Last night was a night my hubby has been counting down to. He is from Wisconsin and loves loves loves cheese. And that is still an understatement. Jackson tried cheese for the very first time. Melted in his sweet potato, green bean, and yellow squash meal. I had some shaved Parmesan and decided to throw it in his meal. It was nice and melted. mmmm I tasted it and I thought it was pretty yummy, like a veggie casserole! It may have inspired me for a new side dish. Jackson liked it. I will put some more in there tonight.

It has been beautiful running weather lately. I have been enjoying getting out in the morning for a refreshing run. I bought the cover for my jogger that keeps him warm and dry in poor weather. He doesn’t care to be all bundled up. It is going to be a long winter. I hope this mild weather sticks for a couple months and the cold stuff stays away until at least December.

Tomorrow we start swim lessons. As of this week our schedule becomes bananas. Monday we can attend Baby bistro, Tuesday is free, Wednesday swim lessons, Thursday Gymboree, and Friday Play Tots. Both play tots and baby bistro require no registration or payment so those are just depending on how our day goes. I start school again in 2 weeks tomorrow. I have a BA in History from Loyola University Chicago. I got pregnant shortly after Graduation. I always knew I wanted to stay home with our baby, so it was easy for me to just do that. I didn’t have a job yet to leave. I have decided to take some photography classes online. In case I ever want to take some photos part time here or there down the road. I have been encouraged by my mom and mother in law and I finally decided to just try. I have loved photography since high school. I have taken a couple courses in the past but all were film classes. The classes I found are all digital. I am excited. Even if it just improves my skills for taking photos of my family and friends! It is something I enjoy and I am finding time to do something for myself.

Our fall and winter are going to be busy! I am excited though.

Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook!  I have been posting fitness, health, and diet links there as well as my blogs. Sometimes with time constraints it is easier to share shorter blurbs there!

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Categories Baby food, Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, Running, weather, working out

Taking time…

September 3, 2011 //
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Today my plan is to get out and about without Jack man. I want to go shopping by myself. He hates being at the mall and hate being in the dressing room. I cannot really blame him. It is probably very boring and not very engaging. I am still feeling guilty about times when I am not with him. Last night I was even feeling guilty about all the time I spent making him food this week. At least once a day for the past 3 days I have made him some food. I totally have that “I have to do it all” mentality. I keep telling myself I can’t feel guilty for not playing with him because I am making dinner or making him baby food or cleaning up the kitchen or washing clothing! I am taking care of him by doing all of that. It is not like I am sitting around letting him cry while I just nap or ignore him. And I am not abusing him like that 21 year old “pot mom” Who spanked her 10 month old (I am entirely against spanking in any way, shape, or form, so this is especially upsetting to me) and blew marijuana smoke in this poor child’s mouth! This story had me near tears this week. Also, a warning, the spanking is on the video in the article so if you find that very upsetting I would skip watching it. I happened to see it on a news clip on the TV.

So I try to take time each night, if I am feeling bad that he wanted to play all day and I had to get a few things done so he had to entertain himself, to remind myself that those things are making his quality of life better. He is also very all about momma. He always wants to be in my arms. Which can make getting things done a bit tough. I told Jason on Thursday night that I just needed a couple hours to myself to get out of the house for a breather. So I can get new fall clothing without having to sing songs while half dressed in the dressing room. My mom told me that this is perfectly normal. That it is GOOD for Jack and I to have some time apart. I am not a bad mom for wanting one afternoon to myself. I am still trying to convince myself of that. Last Sunday was so fun getting out with the girls. Jack lit up when I got home. That feeling was nice. He missed me and I missed him. I will keep that thought in mind today.

I mentioned that I have been a baby food cooking machine the past few days. Here is my latest culinary masterpiece. I am not joking either. I considered snacking on his food last night after he went to bed. But I resisted since I ate a good deal of it while preparing it.

mmmm they are so delicious and healthy!

Baked Gala apples with cinnamon sprinkled on them! The recipe called for butter, but I omitted it. I have given him yogurt but I did not want to introduce butter at such an early age. He doesn’t need it. I don’t use butter a lot in my cooking, so there is no need for him to get accustomed to that in his food already. There is lots of time in life later for him to want butter! I cored the apples, placed them in the pan, filled it with a generous amount of water, and sprinkled with cinnamon. I then baked them at 400 for 40 minutes. I did include some of the skins when pureeing them. But I cut some off and snacked on the parts that were “scraps.” OH MY were they yummy! This kid eats like a king. I also finished off the extra applesauce. There was a nice amount left in the blender but not enough to fill up an entire freezer tray so I ate it.

We also had a first yesterday. He was successful at eating finger food himself! I milled some cheerios into “dust” then sprinkled it on his sweet potato chunks. He was able to grab them and scoop them into his mouth. I was so proud of him. I couldn’t contain my excitement. I was calling people and chirping all about his awesome accomplishment. He was so excited to be able to do it too. It was like he was trying to eat popcorn! I videoed it, so no pics sorry! But he did awesome and I am so proud of my big guy! He is developing so well!

Do you have “guilt” about momma things? How do you remind yourself that you are doing a great job? Are you able to take time for yourself? If so, how often? Do you feel guilty when you do?

What are some other “finger foods” you found went over well with your little one?

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Categories Baby food, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting
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