Vacation...

I feel the need for a vacation. Trying to remember when last we actually took a vacation...the weekend to Niagara Falls perhaps? Camping was a 'kinda-sorta' vacation, but not as much. My top picks (aside from my longing to go to Ireland) would be Florida to see the fam, and/or VA Beach-where we took our honeymoon. Must be the snow and cold weather getting to me. I'd love to take Kian to see all the family in Florida too. I guess I made it to the ball drop, better wake up Kevin to watch it. Maybe I should get Kevin on an eat, sleep, work schedule so he's not napping at odd times hehe.

my final thoughts on babywise, ever to be posted, ever

I hadn't realized blogging could be so controversial and such a debate. This is the last thing I will ever say about Babywise on here, from now on all my opinions will have to be put on private myspace I guess so I can just air my opinions more freely. And because I made this more for friends and family to know what's going on in our household than to debate. I thought I could just post some opinions on there without randomness...

Here's my thing: I never put Kian on a schedule. I never forced feedings or naps. I didn't have to. Around 8 weeks, after doing the same thing daily (ie: me showering, eating around the same times, daily housekeeping, etc.) I realized he was already putting himself on a routine. In the first month I'd say he was up about 3 times a night to eat, and by three months he was going about 8-10 hours before needing to eat. I don't know what is so horrible about that? He was and still does able to go about 3-more like-4 hours between feedings. At his 4 month appt asked about when/how he eats, it was about 6 times a day. Babywise would be telling me to get rid of that 1 or 2 extra feedings. What happened to nursing as a bonding experience, instead of just for food? I do not ever feel guilty for my baby falling asleep while nursing, I never feel guilty for rocking my child to sleep if he needs it. And my son is thriving, he's ahead developmentally. He's the happiest baby I've known, and he's brought us so much joy.

And Gasp! I'm a Christian! I believe in discipline, I believe in the Bible, I believe in it's commandments. However, this does not, to me, spew biblical discipline and wisdom. Tell me again how Mary had baby Jesus on a strict eat, sleep, play schedule? Tell me again how Mary made baby Jesus wait for his meal, and forced him to take naps at times convenient to her? Wait, Ezzo would say that Mary didn't have time to sit around in her bathrobe and be waited on, so things were more his way. Oh, but guess what, in that day and age, as in many countries still today--those babies were worn, like in a sling! That's against the 'rules' too...right? And my other headache? This Ezzo 'foundation' is for-profit.

http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/1998/08/cov_06feature In 1997, approximately 100 health-care providers, including nationally
known experts and 20 fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics, sent a
"letter of concern" to the AAP regarding Ezzo's child-care advice. Wall Street Journal reported on the growing controversy, the AAP's own District IV Chapter Convention passed a resolution calling on the AAP to investigate "Babywise" and its effects on infant health.

The great controversy stems in large part from the fact that the "Babywise" approach represents a harsh throwback to decades-old and widely discredited child-care manuals in which mothers were advised to watch the clock rather than their babies' signals in determining when breast or bottle should be offered. Today, in response to extensive research into infant nutrition and growth, experts strongly advise against "scheduling" and in favor of feeding, preferably breast-feeding, according to a baby's cues. American Academy of Pediatrics emphatically "reaffirms its stance that the best feeding schedules for babies are the ones babies design themselves." The alert went on to say that "scheduled feedings designed by parents may put babies at risk for poor weight gain and dehydration."
"Babies' feeding needs are extremely variable. You should nurse your baby when she's hungry or shows signs of being hungry, no matter when she last ate."
Ezzo disagrees. With a self-coined term, "Parent Directed Feeding (PDF)," Ezzo continues to advocate feeding-by-the-clock, suggesting, among many other things, that infants breast-fed in the manner advocated by Dr. Baker are "confused," "uncomfortable" and insecure." Further, Ezzo recommends that night feeds should generally be phased out by approximately 8 weeks of age, as infants of this age should be sleeping seven or more hours at a stretch if his program has been implemented properly. Ezzo writes that "Between seven and nine weeks, parents [who have followed "Babywise" recommendations from birth] can expect [baby's] nighttime sleep cycles to be a continuous 7-8 hours. After three months of age, that time is extended to 9-11 hours each night. This nighttime sleep is in addition to ... regular nap times during the day. This means bliss for everyone. Mother. Baby. Father. Siblings. Perhaps even the family pet."

For example, babies who resist the prescribed napping and bedtime components of the "Babywise" regimen are left to wail alone in their cribs for up to an hour at a stretch in order to "train" them. Play time is highly structured, with ever-increasing portions of a baby's day spent in solitary "roomtime" or "playpen time." According to Ezzo, skills such as "creativity," "mental focusing" and a "sustained attention span" may be "seriously delayed if your child misses out on structured playpen time."
"Once parents have their infant's eating and sleeping patterns under control, it's time to do the same with waketime activities," writes Ezzo. "Playpens are necessary to help parents optimize a child's development."
After babies reach only 6 months of age, parents are instructed to begin punitive disciplinary measures such as "squeezing or swatting" of the child's hands or "isolation" in the crib for "rebellious" infractions including "foolishness," "malicious defiance" or even playing with food on the highchair tray. Ezzo explains to parents that the use of "pain" and "discomfort" can be essential disciplinary tools. After age 2 and a half, children who have a toileting accident are required to clean themselves up.

As one example, GFI parenting classes disallow any debate concerning the course materials. Some parents who have taken the courses say that they were instructed by GFI representatives not to discuss what they learned in class with anyone who has not themselves completed GFI parenting training. GFI's Web site message boards are similarly intolerant of any disagreement. Those who are not deemed to be "like-minded" have had their Web access permanently blocked from what GFI calls its Internet "Family Room." (In my own case, after I requested an interview with the Ezzos and registered to log on to the forum in order to research this article, GFI's Web site forum administrator informed me via e-mail that she had "checked me out" at the request of Anne Marie Ezzo. She wrote that she had made the determination from information found on my family's personal home page that I am "not in agreement with [GFI's] beliefs and so I have denied you access." This is despite the fact that I had never posted or attempted to post to GFI's message boards. The forum administrator further cited privacy concerns. Not surprisingly, I was also denied an interview with the Ezzos.)

snow ball fights!

So I thought about writing about something NON controversial tonight I guess. Haha. Kenny & Kiara have been here all day and two nights. Sunday my parents, the kids, Patrick & Savannah came up and we made lasagna and had a nice dinner. Here is Kian sleeping through that nice dinner. Yes, I know I'm a horrible mother who lets my child sleep with not only one blanket, but two and a stuffed animal, in his face. ha! Except that I take the elephant away (it's name is P'nut-a ty beany) after he's fallen asleep, I move it. He likes the softness on his cheeks as he goes to sleep. The kids stayed over, spent the day today and over again tonight. Tomorrow we'll meet my parents at Eastview. Weeeee! I haven't been to Eastview in ages and it's my most favorite mall ever, ever, ever! Need to use some of those gift cards from Christmas too! It snowed overnight only and inch or so, but enough to get some icy snowballs made. We spent the day shoveling (hey they're good, free labor -haha)

lunch, playing with Kian,

some art stuff, then Kevin came home and we all went outside.
Then the three of them had an hour long snowball fight/hide-n-seek snowball war.

Kian got to try his first sled. Somehow, a small mound of shoveled snow on our driveway somehow doesn't do justice to a real sledding hill experience.

Please do note the PINK and RED house behind them. No it's NOT ours. It's our neighbors. I have no idea, so don't ask. All I know is that they have red lights, red jeep, pink tree stump, pink and red pool deck out back. Yeah. Like I said, don't ask cuz I don't know! But it's a great way to tell people where we live ha! Well it's now 10:13 and Kian just decided to join our "new year's eve party" (meaning: Kevin and Me in front of the TV with some crackers & cheese, possibly wine or champagne.) I best get him back to bed. Happy New Year!

Babywise

I just have to proclaim my disdain for this so called "method". I know people who use/have used it, and claim success. But on the other hand and perhaps my own personal opinion (altho I've seen research to back it up) it's not a great way to 'parent' let's say. Over the last year, being pregnant and such, I did so much research, so much reading, my coworkers used to actually yell at me and Kevin would just learn to nod his head at whatever I said. So, I have researched both and a lot, I'm not just saying things off the top of my head.
First, let's start with Babywise. My first problem is that it is written by a guy (Ezzo). Yep, just a guy. No pediatrician, no psychologist, no child developmental specialist, no doctor, no teacher, no nothing, not even having any education or courses in any child development, education, counseling, NOTHING. That's my first issue. Yes, having your own children can give you experience, but only so much. And just because one thing worked with your children does not in any way make it right for the rest of the population.
Second, the premise of the book is that children are evil and manipulative, infants are trying to manipulate their parents. Why that evil 2 week old child is manipulating you right now! For the love of Pete! It's not even possible, children have no clue about right and wrong, or manipulation for awhile. Yes they learn cause and effect but not right and wrong and such, until years down the road. (even the law says so, children cannot testify in court unless they can identify a lie, right/wrong, which is at the earliest 5 years old). So he basically is making these parents think they have to 'discipline' their tiny babies.
Third, he enforces a strict schedule on newborns. There's an eat, play, sleep schedule that parents are to strictly adhere to and enforce. If the baby wakes up from nap early, it stays in the crib and cries until the parents say nap time is over, this way the baby learns to obey the parents and follow the rules. If the child is hungry before it's feeding time, too bad, you can give a pacifier but not feed the child. Major, MAJOR problems with that. A. it does not account for growth spurts in a rapidly growing infant. B. not all babies can go 4 hours without feeding. C. there are too many numerous factors to account for in this scenario, I don't have time for that. D. This also affects the breastfeeding mother, milk is a supply and demand thing. Lengthening time between nursings is telling your body your baby doesn't need that much, it may make less, or you can become engorged, clogged, etc.
Fourth, This does not encourage good bonding time with that baby. I think it makes that baby feel even more helpless. It makes that poor baby think that no matter how hoard it cries you are not going to respond unless YOU are ready, unless YOU say it is time. Talk about manipulating and controlling.
But the thing I have the most disgust with is this: it explicitly tells parents to ignore their feelings of anxiety, wanting to help their child, guilt, sadness, to ignore baby's cues, etc. when that baby cries; it tells parents to not discuss this method with other people because 'other people wont understand what you're trying to do'; and it tells them that they should be ready for attacks by other people about this method. Now, if you have to premise your theory with that, that tells me that something is extremely wrong and it makes me think of a cult-like setting.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I'm sure there's some who absolutely love this whole series. But, when I read books that tell me to slap my 7 month old's hands for dropping food on the floor, for making my toddler say 'obey' all the time, I can't see how that's beneficial. I want my child to obey, to not be a brat, to learn right from wrong, to have a routine, but not be so stuck in it, to not have a single, creative idea in his head, I don't want him to be a robot dictated by how I say he should think, act and feel. I want him to obey and to listen, but know that he will make mistakes, and that's okay.
Ok that was the longest post ever, and now that I got my rant of the week out, I better get ready for the final Christmas party.

Sleep?

What's that? Really? Sigh. We had such a good bedtime routine and sleep pattern going. Kian used to just go to sleep after I laid him in bed, and sleep for a good 9 hours. I blame the holidays. We are all off schedule but I try to at least do the same routine, even if it is 9 or 10 pm instead of 7:30.

But, now we enter the "I need to see Mommy at all times" phase and the "rock me to sleep, or hold my hand while I fall asleep" thing and then we notice the two upper teeth are trying to make an appearance--explains the waterfall of drool all day long. That, with all the holiday craziness, being out, out late, with lots of people, new people, off nap and eating schedule, has sure made for some hellish sleep lately.

First I wasn't sleeping too well, due to stress. I finally am able to sleep and someone is up every hour or two. Not even to eat, either needs the pacifier back, has turned himself sideways in the crib, or just wants me to put my hand in the crib so he can hold my fingers until he falls asleep. The best sleep we get is about from 5-8am, straight. The rest of the night has been waking every hour or two. If I get up to go to the bathroom I have to be super quiet as not to wake him, he's been sleeping light lately. I honestly don't think I've had more than 4 hours of sleep since February. Seriously. Going on almost a year of no full night's sleep really stinks. Once the holidays are over I think he'll do better sleeping, get back into our schedule and routine. I hope. And since I am not a napping person it really stinks. Occasionally I can fall asleep for half an hour, but that's about it. And if it's near dinner time or late afternoon I can't because then it affects my sleeping at night. Ah the sleepful wishes of a delirious mom.

Christmas

Yeah it's taken me awhile to get to this post. Busy busy busy! Sunday, the 23rd we spent at my Grandma's with all the cousins and aunts and uncles. Lots of food and commotion but always fun! Here's a picture of Kian with his present there: Christmas Eve we spent at Kevin's parents, had dinner, opened gifts, relaxed. (the pictures I have from there didn't come out well) So, here is Kian on Christmas morning, he loved this refrigerator-part of his kitchen set. Kevin and I only got him two gifts (one big) and he got bibs and spoons in his stocking! Knowing all the toys and clothes he was getting, there was no point in overload from us.

Here's his stocking gifts:

Kevin's new shirt and some cards. Then we went to my parents in the afternoon, for more toys, presents and food! Here's Kian with Mema and some toys.We had a good time, the gifts were spread out throughout the afternoon with everyone. Can't beat a prime rib dinner with twice baked potatoes mmm!

Here's Kian the day after Christmas, with only HALF of his toys! He is so happy, he loves them all. He especially loves his Leap Frog animal wheel and Zoo train. (those ones he knows how to work already-the rest we're working on)

So it was a busy weekend, with one more Christmas party to go on Kevin's side of the family. Although (luckily, I think) no gifts to deal with there. Kian did have a bit of a rough time with the aunts, uncles, cousins he doesn't see much, so I think it will be more of the same Saturday. Blah. And it's fine with me if he sits on my lap all day anyways. So we've just been busy playing toys, trying to clean up the Christmas Tornado as I like to call it. Still have lots of cookies and junk to eat--or throw out. Wrapping paper and boxes and bows are finally put away. We have to decide where and how to fit in all these new toys. I'm trying to convince Kevin to build a toy box-hahaha! I am disappointed though that no one wanted to go to Christmas Eve Service. Kevin's parents were worried Kian would sleep through church and presents (but we ended up giving him his gifts first anyways...) so no they didn't want to do church after dinner. I tried to find one nearby with an earlier service...sigh. That would have really helped me get into the 'Christmas spirit'. But, all went well, we had fun, nice to just spend time together the three of us in the morning and with my family we don't see as much. And we're still figuring out who likes the toys better, me, Kevin or Kian? =)

The Christmas Baby

I'll admit I don't quite have the 'christmas spirit' right now. But at 4am as I just couldn't sleep I began thinking of Christmas, real Christmas. Just thinking about Kian and his first Christmas. He won't really get it, he won't get the present thing or the bows and pretty paper. He won't understand Santa or even Jesus. But that's okay for now. What he'll see and feel is family, love, acceptance, tradition, familiarity, giving, and all that goes along with the presents and Santa and Nativity and all that is Christmas. Amid all the 'junk' he'll see Christmas spirit.

Which made me think of the first Christmas baby. A stable, with straw, donkeys, manure and probably even a few rats. Shepherds, who probably hadn't bathed in awhile, freezing on a hillside, barely sleeping, making sure their dirty, smelly sheep didn't run off or become dinner for some animal. A town, preoccupied with their census, and overflowing. In the midst of all that 'junk' a baby was born. That itself was pretty miraculous in those days, and in those conditions. But for the world, that town to drop everything and see this baby. Babies still bring hope to people, love, peace, they bridge gaps so wide. The circumstances that brought Jesus into the world were amazingly complicated, and yet so simple.

What is even more amazing is that baby died, a horrible death on a cross. To be a mother now and to know that Mary had her baby killed like that... I can't imagine. That baby died for us and that precious, perfect baby's blood cleansed us all and paved the way for us to have beautiful eternity.

Kian's favorite Simpson fan

I'm going to be an aunt!

No, no, no, for all you on the McKnight side who became suddenly scared and/or excited (mostly scared I'm sure): It's not Kourtney or Patrick. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law (Kevin's brother & wife) are going to have a baby in June! Yay. They told us awhile ago now, although I am bad at remembering exactly how far along... 15 weeks maybe? Anyways. I was like oh they'll have a baby, Kian will have a cousin, there will be another grandchild on that side, yay. It really took me a few weeks to realize I get to be an aunt tho! Duh. Yeah I'm slow like that. My not-so-secret prediction is that it's going to be a girl--an go against the 2007 Boy *curse*. Seemingly everyone around me who had a baby or got pregnant in 2007 is having a boy. We shall see. I was just thinking, hmm this will be a new title for me, obviously I've never been an aunt before! Yay for spoiling baby! Unless there's two in there.....?

Buttpaste

Interesting title eh? I just have to rave about this product! Then I shall stop my serial blogging for the day. Kian didn't quite have a 'rash' but rather redness and chafing in his little rolls. It was going on a week and when we were at the doctor's Tuesday I asked him about it, wanting to make sure it wasn't fungal, since I had tried A&D, A&D creamy and Balmex. (I do NOT like Balmex for the record) He told me to try some Triple Paste in a tub, that "most pharmacies carry it".

Now, if you know me, I go to Wegmans as my main store, for most everything, then Kmart is closer, even tho Walmart has more selection. So, if it's not at one of those places, odds are I am not going to get it. Especially a pharmacy type store, maybe Eckerds/Rite Aid would have it, or the pharmacy store way up in Greece, but am I going to drive around for it? No.

So, what happens is I decide to see what Kmart and Wegmans have. I find the Bordeaux's Buttpaste. I've heard great things about this but never tried it. So I pick up a box of Buttpaste, a tube of Desitin, and something else. I compare. Buttpaste has 5 ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Castor Oil, Mineral Oil, Peruvian Balsam-well and Boric Acid (acts as anti-fungal). Balmex, Desitin, A&D creamy all have at LEAST 10 ingredients. Stuff like 'dimethylcodon..something' and fragrance, yes color and fragrance in all of them. Why? It's on a baby's butt, clearly color and fragrance are not warranted. So I say what the heck, I'll give this a try because it looks the least 'chemical'. (But I held off at Kmart, knowing Wegmans would give me a better deal! and they did! At least a dollar cheaper!--and just in case you're wondering, Wegmans and Kmart are across the street from each other)

Well, yesterday afternoon, I put some on Kian's red areas. At the next diaper change he was down to 'pink'. I applied it again before bed, and this morning he wasn't even pink at all! And usually, after being in a wet diaper for 12 hours he's pink in his thigh rolls. But not this time. And you don't even need much on there. Balmex can't do that, plus it's way greasy and hard to wash off your hands or the baby, A&D creamy can't do that. (I do like regular A&D for protectant, like at night-but Kevin HATES the smell so) So here's to Buttpaste! Yes even after one night, I'm a believer =)

OK I must get to sewing the last pair of PJ pants for Kiara, and quit blogging today!

just the cats

First they look at me, then they look at each other as if to say 'what is this lady doing?' 'well you know she's crazy right?' 'yeah with all the picture taking she does, definitely!'

Best Homemade Mac & Cheese

2 tbsp butter
1/2-1 tsp salt (depending on preference)
1/4 cup flour
1 box favorite pasta (shells, elbows, bow ties, rotini, something with crevices for the cheese to get in!)
3 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheese
For best taste I use about 1 1/2 cups cheddar, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup mozzarella (or any variety you like-have also used pepper jack, Monterrey, Colby, extra sharp cheddar, etc.)
Optional: 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, breadcrumbs/crushed crackers for top

Boil pasta according to directions, while melting butter in separate saucepan on medium heat. Add salt. When melted, add flour-a wire whisk works good in this recipe for all the mixing. When mixed it will look almost doughy, start adding milk, about 1/4 cup at a time. Mix well, give time to thicken, then keep adding milk slowly. After milk is added, add cheese. Stir until melted. Now you can add right to drained pasta, or you can mix with pasta and transfer to a casserole dish, top with crumbs and bake for about 10 mins at 400 degrees. Either way is delicious! So much better than store bought in a box crap =D

The Great Pacifier Debate

I had truly hoped to avoid using the pacifier at all. And yet, here we are, with Kian wanting a pacifier every time he goes to bed now. Ugh! I Held off for about 3 weeks, but when he was constantly wanting to nurse all day long, or screaming in the store or car (and not hungry, wet, etc.) I gave in. But only occasionally. Usually it was out of the house that he seemed to really "need" it. He would go to bed fine without it, maybe fuss for a few minutes, or I'd turn his musical crib thing on and that would be the end of it. And at one point he seemed to be going towards thumb-sucking. Which in itself is another issue, but at least I wouldn't be having to constantly find and pop the thumb in his mouth, he could do that himself. Enter: Holiday Season. Schedule is all off, naps either don't happen or are late, lots of people, noise, music, smells, sights, and he's way overstimulated. Even putting him in another room with his pack-n-play doesn't seem to help. He just wants to suck away on that thing and sleep. Fine if we're out, but now he can't differentiate that at home he doesn't really need it. And he screams until I give it to him to fall asleep with it. Not what I wanted. Although, in the middle of the night he can wake up, roll over, and go back to sleep without it... What I fear most is the taking away of that thing later on-the drama, the tears, the screaming, the long nights...the stories I've heard. My thought is to not buy anymore at all from here on out. He's got the 6 month 'sized' ones, so maybe once his mouth gets too big and they get to small he'll 'willingly' give it up? Ha! Wishful thinking I know. Part of me is okay with the pacifier, as right now it's only for bed. I bring one with me when we go somewhere-just in case, but during the day he doesn't use it at all...except nap. I don't believe in letting him have it all day long. So, we shall see how this plays out in the next few months. I definitely don't want a toddler begging for one... who knows what will happen.

Ranch Chicken Pasta

I like to make things up, or take parts of one recipe, pieces of another, and add my own junk. This one Kevin likes and there's so many ways to make it, lots of variety. Oh and the other thing is I really don't measure! Must be why I like RAchel Ray...

About 1lb. of Chicken breast, cut into 1in. pieces
1lb. of pasta -med shells, bowtie or rotini work best.
about 1/3 cup mayo
about 1/2 cup and them some Ranch Dressing (or italian, or whatever your flavor)
1/2 cup tomatoes (in bite size, not tiny diced)
few tablespoons of bacon bits
1 tsp garlic powder
Optional:
Lettuce-torn
carrots-diced
any other veggie

Boil pasta according to directions, while cooking chicken in olive oil in frying pan. In bowl mix mayo, garlic powder, dressing and bacon bits. Drain pasta, drain chicken, add to bowl of dressing, add tomatoes, toss until well coated. I have also done it with lettuce and veggies, more of a salad bowl thingy... best somewhat warm, not super hot, but also good the next day cold

Tattoo

I have a tattoo. I think it's been about 7 years actually. Patrick took me the summer I finished my freshman year of college, I'm pretty sure. I did the bellybutton piercing too that year, but that has long been gone and left an ugly scar on my now baby-stretched belly...sigh. That's another story.
The thing with the tattoo is how I know it's absolutely perfect. It's perfect because I picked it out to mean something. It is a Celtic knot, which symbolizes friendship, love, loyalty, (and crap I forget the other thing!) and it is actually made up of 4 little knots for form the big one.
The little knots have three sides to represent the Trinity. And it's Irish for my (whatever percentage) Irish ancestry.
It's perfect also because it's the right size in the right location. This I know because I don't notice it every day. I know I have it but I sometimes 'forget'. To me, that is perfect because it's not some huge massive tattoo all over a body part that is always being seen, I can cover it if I want to, but I really don't except in the winter (cold=long pants). I think if I had one that was so big or so colorful or in a place that I always saw it, or it was seen by others, it might be distracting.
I don't regret it and still like it, so I think it's safe to say I made a good choice. Let me just tell you this came about this morning because I got to shave my legs. Sadly, yes I only get to do that about once a week now, and I actually got to see my tattoo. ha ha.

wrapping presents

I took the time to wrap Kevin's presents today while he was at work. Kian was playing next to me. Well apparently his arm reach is better than I thought, he decided to 'help' me with the wrapping paper. I just had to put this on here. It's too funny.

Infant Study Lab

When I delivered Kian at Strong they asked if I wanted to be included in any mailings about participating in any studies. So I said yes. They called me in November to bring Kian in for a study. We went in on December 4th. They just sent me the picture from the study. I believe it was on language and social development in infants. I brought him in, they put a sensor hat on his head--lovely isn't it? Then we sat in front of a screen where they showed him images of either faces or random colors. I think the belief is that babies would be more interested in the faces. Which, he was. He enjoyed the changes of the pictures, but got bored of the colors after a bit and would look around. Then I would have to redirect his head and vision to the screen again and when he'd see the faces he'd laugh and talk again. They all thought he was so cute and so happy. We got a baby t-shirt that says "I'm a Star at the UofR Infant Lab". You could choose that or $10 cash. Whatever. It was only about a half hour from start to finish including paperwork and such. It is a fairly short drive over there. So, we may be getting calls again to participate in more studies. It was kind of fun.

Good save

So yesterday I made the save of the day. And I'm paying for it now. I was walking upstairs with Kian, which in a split-level is necessary and unavoidable and occurs multiple times a day, and I slipped. I blame the slippers. Or perhaps the change from carpet to hardwood flooring. Whatever it was, he was in front of me and I was either going to crush him with my fall or he was going to seriously whack his head on the floor. Somehow, I still don't know how yet, I managed to throw one hand out and push off the step, and yank him back with the other arm, simultaneously rolling sideways a bit so I took the brunt of it and he was none the wiser. He never even touched the floor and had no clue what happened. After doing all that, I still went out and shoveled. So sadly, my shoulder and back are seriously hurting today.
Thankfully I was able to save him from any kind of 'damage' as he has his 6 month check up today and that would make me feel horrible, and to have to explain that and pray they believe me, if he ended up with any bruises. Thank God.

making babyfood

About a month ago, when Kian was almost 5 months I began thinking about food for him. I think jarred Gerber food is probably fine, but I wanted to really know what I was giving him and monitor the additives, and mix and match as I see fit. It is actually fairly easy. I wasn't sure what I was getting into, in the beginning. I didn't know if I would need special equipment, but you really don't need more than what is already in your kitchen. I had an idea in my head, just get some fresh/organic/frozen foods, cook, puree. And after some internet research and checking some books, it really is that simple. It's actually become sort of fun.

I started with green beans from my garden and a squash from Wegmans (my favorite place in the world). I cooked, mashed, pureed in my small single serving food chopper and freeze. Voila! Magic baby food. I try to buy organic veggies and fruit if I can. Also, frozen fruits that aren't in season-which I have read are just as healthy because they are flash frozen and retain the nutrients that slow cooking or slow freezing can zap out of beneficial foods.

Another thing is that I wanted to be able to play with Kian's food (not literally) because Kevin is/was a picky eater. Kevin hates any spices, garlic, onions, whatever I put in to enhance flavor-without adding salt-he isn't thrilled about. In my research I've come across that there's a "movement" if you want to call it, about adding some spices to foods at a young age like this to prep the palate if you will. I think this is genius. All too often I feel that people skip the veggies because it takes a bit for babies to take to them--luckily Kian loves every food, and babies take to fruits much faster due to the sweetness. I have given Kian some cinnamon in his oatmeal, with or without applesauce. Of course, after I know he's okay with a certain food, then I add the 'spice'. He's had nutmeg. I think in a month or so I'll start some veggie medley, or 'dinner' things and add some onion or garlic to get him on this too. If research is true, then he's 'tasted' those flavors in utero and while breastfeeding, we shall see....

to expand in new directions

No, I do not mean as in with child. Got awhile for that again. Sometimes the myspace blog is too much. As in sometimes I want to write things without fear of being judged by friends. Not that they do, but I need to have a freer mind and keystroke. =) Plus, I want to expand to finding and connecting with other bloggers about recipes, baking, babyfood, breastfeeding, sewing, whatever.