Saturday, May 28, 2011
Ike vs. Rock
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
You've Got to be F*cking Kidding Me!
Nestle advertises the new Baby Nes as: "The first comprehensive nutrition system for babies." Oh, really? Pretty sure boobs were here first!*
Yes, it's the same technology created by Nestle to make quick cups of coffee (Nespresso) adapted for their formula market. This machine (or "nutrition system," as Nestle calls it) uses prepackaged cups of powdered formula and will whip it up into a warm bottle in under 60 seconds. The formula comes in various concentrations, meant to "meet the needs of babies and toddlers up to age 3." The pediatrician that shills for Nestle says it's meant to "imitate nature" in the press release. (link to article)
* Post Script: For the record I am not a boob nazi! I am not knocking this product because it's formula, formula is a necessity for those moms and babies that cannot physically breastfeed. I'm knocking it because Nestle is claiming this machine is better than nature and the convenient pre-packaged formula cups are incredibly wasteful.
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| Anyone fine it funny that the top resembles a breast? |
Yes, it's the same technology created by Nestle to make quick cups of coffee (Nespresso) adapted for their formula market. This machine (or "nutrition system," as Nestle calls it) uses prepackaged cups of powdered formula and will whip it up into a warm bottle in under 60 seconds. The formula comes in various concentrations, meant to "meet the needs of babies and toddlers up to age 3." The pediatrician that shills for Nestle says it's meant to "imitate nature" in the press release. (link to article)
* Post Script: For the record I am not a boob nazi! I am not knocking this product because it's formula, formula is a necessity for those moms and babies that cannot physically breastfeed. I'm knocking it because Nestle is claiming this machine is better than nature and the convenient pre-packaged formula cups are incredibly wasteful.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
How to Open a Kid Gate...
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| Step 1: Check to make sure no one is watching |
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| Step 2: Carefully and slowly begin to lift latch |
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| Step 3: Keep pushing, almost there |
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| Step 4: Eureka! Push on door |
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| Step 5: Swing door open wide |
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| Step 6: Step through the doorway to freedom |
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| Step 7: Make a run for it...oh look a vacuum! |
Disclaimer: No toddler was actually freed in the making of this how to guide and the latch does have a kid proof lock, which is now used all the time!
Vacuum Love
Parker is obsessed with the vacuum! He loves to play with the cord and push it around the room. Unfortunately, when he hits the ON button he practically poops himself, crawls away with a hurt look on his face and then proceeds to shriek and yell at the vacuum for scaring the crap out of him.
Sorry!
I'm going back and adding labels/links to some posts to make them easier to find. For those of you who get automatic updates when I post something new...ignore them for today!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
You Might Be A Mother If...
I snorted when I read the first one...
You might be a mother if...
You roll over during the night and Batman, who has been hiding in the covers, stabs you in the ass...
You brush cookie crumbs out of the sheets before bed as part of your night time routine
Your bras smell like breast milk
You've ever pre-chewed food for someone
When you wear lipstick, it "feels weird"
You've served wine in a sippy cup... to guests..
You fall asleep if you blink too hard, and wake up at a hitch in your kiddo's breathing
You can hear a diaper coming off 3 rooms away
You know the difference between baba, baba and baba
You might be a mother if...
You roll over during the night and Batman, who has been hiding in the covers, stabs you in the ass...
You brush cookie crumbs out of the sheets before bed as part of your night time routine
Your bras smell like breast milk
You've ever pre-chewed food for someone
When you wear lipstick, it "feels weird"
You've served wine in a sippy cup... to guests..
You fall asleep if you blink too hard, and wake up at a hitch in your kiddo's breathing
You can hear a diaper coming off 3 rooms away
You know the difference between baba, baba and baba
Monday, May 16, 2011
Ah Ha Moment...11 months later
Good grief! It has taken me 11+ months to finally figure out P's latch problem! He has a maxillary labial frenulum (P's upper lip looks similar to the last set of pictures.) When P was 6 weeks old a doctor (not his usual doctor) casually mentioned it looked like he was "tongue tied." I had always assumed it was his lower frenulum. His latch was wonky at times, but until recently, not a major issue. After randomly stumbling across this post I checked his upper lip and scared him when I yelled, "holy shit!"
She accurately describes Parker's latching issues; which have progressively gotten worse now that he has teeth:
Because an upper labial tie restricts movement of the upper lip, it may be difficult for the baby to latch effectively to the breast (3,4). Once latched onto the breast, the baby's upper lip may be tucked inwards, resulting in a shallow latch (5). The baby may be a 'clicky' feeder who takes in a lot of air during a feed. Breastfeeding may be painful for the mother. An older baby's upper teeth may dig into the breast during a feed, causing indentations or damage. Some babies will be able to breastfeed with an upper labial tie; others will have difficulty. The ability to breastfeed effectively depends on a range of other factors also affecting the mother (eg. breast anatomy, milk supply) and the baby (eg. oral anatomy), all of which may create further obstacles or make breastfeeding easier. (http://thefunnyshapedwoman.blogspot.com)
Most of you reading is could care less, but if you know a frustrated mommy having issues with breastfeeding please steer her toward this article!
She accurately describes Parker's latching issues; which have progressively gotten worse now that he has teeth:
Because an upper labial tie restricts movement of the upper lip, it may be difficult for the baby to latch effectively to the breast (3,4). Once latched onto the breast, the baby's upper lip may be tucked inwards, resulting in a shallow latch (5). The baby may be a 'clicky' feeder who takes in a lot of air during a feed. Breastfeeding may be painful for the mother. An older baby's upper teeth may dig into the breast during a feed, causing indentations or damage. Some babies will be able to breastfeed with an upper labial tie; others will have difficulty. The ability to breastfeed effectively depends on a range of other factors also affecting the mother (eg. breast anatomy, milk supply) and the baby (eg. oral anatomy), all of which may create further obstacles or make breastfeeding easier. (http://thefunnyshapedwoman.blogspot.com)
Most of you reading is could care less, but if you know a frustrated mommy having issues with breastfeeding please steer her toward this article!
Mostly Homemade Monday
Frugal By Choice Cheap By Necessity Mostly Homemade Monday Postings:
Parker loves his black beans! But after months of simply tossing beans on his highchair tray, I decided to change things up a bit and use these burgers as a way to add some extra veggies.
Black Bean Burgers (inspired by this recipe)
2 cups black beans (super easy to make your own black beans in the crock-pot. I usually make 5-8 cups and freeze the extras) or 1 can black beans (FYI pretty much all cans are lined w/ BPA)
1 1/2 cups quinoa
1 medium carrot grated
1/2 bell pepper finely diced (I used red, it's sweeter and it was also what I happened to have)
1/2 onion (didn't have one so I used a few tablespoons of dried)
2 eggs
2ish tablespoons salsa
I also added 1/2 cup cooked sweet potato
Mash black beans with fork. Add remaining ingredients and stir until combined. Texture should be sticky, similar to meatloaf. Heat skillet on medium and add a few tablespoons of your favorite oil. For uniform patties, scoop into skillet using 1/2 c. measuring cup or eyeball it like I did. Flatten to desired thickness with spatula and cook 3-5 minutes per side. Gently place on bun or eat sans bun with a bit of salsa.
Parker loves his black beans! But after months of simply tossing beans on his highchair tray, I decided to change things up a bit and use these burgers as a way to add some extra veggies.
Black Bean Burgers (inspired by this recipe)
2 cups black beans (super easy to make your own black beans in the crock-pot. I usually make 5-8 cups and freeze the extras) or 1 can black beans (FYI pretty much all cans are lined w/ BPA)
1 1/2 cups quinoa
1 medium carrot grated
1/2 bell pepper finely diced (I used red, it's sweeter and it was also what I happened to have)
1/2 onion (didn't have one so I used a few tablespoons of dried)
2 eggs
2ish tablespoons salsa
I also added 1/2 cup cooked sweet potato
Mash black beans with fork. Add remaining ingredients and stir until combined. Texture should be sticky, similar to meatloaf. Heat skillet on medium and add a few tablespoons of your favorite oil. For uniform patties, scoop into skillet using 1/2 c. measuring cup or eyeball it like I did. Flatten to desired thickness with spatula and cook 3-5 minutes per side. Gently place on bun or eat sans bun with a bit of salsa.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day at the Zoo
We packed a picnic lunch and headed to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. This was Parker's second trip to the zoo and he was much more interested in looking at the animals and staring at all the kids running around. Brian would point out an animal and as soon as Parker spotted it he would reach out his hand, grin and squeal. Luckily, all the animals were out basking in the afternoon sun so there was a lot of grinning and squealing!
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| Usually this tiger is hiding in the bushes so I was busy looking high up into the bushes and under the trees when Brian pointed out he was right out front! |
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| The tiger wasn't moving much so Parker didn't really notice him |
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| Parker is only 20 days older than this tiger cub. I think Parker is wishing him happy birthday and the cub is thinking about lunch time! |
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| Peacocks freely roam around at the zoo |
Mostly Homemade Mondays
Curry Couscous Salad
2 ½ cups couscous
4 cups of chicken stock
½ onion
2-3 carrots
2 t. cumin
1-2 T. yellow curry powder
½-1 cup crasins
Handful of chopped cilantro (optional)
Handful of sliced almonds (optional)
Sauté onion and carrots in a little olive oil. Add chicken stock and bring up to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in cumin, curry, crasins and couscous. After the couscous has absorbed all the water, add cilantro and almonds. Fluff with a fork. Serve hot or cold.
2 ½ cups couscous
4 cups of chicken stock
½ onion
2-3 carrots
2 t. cumin
1-2 T. yellow curry powder
½-1 cup crasins
Handful of chopped cilantro (optional)
Handful of sliced almonds (optional)
Sauté onion and carrots in a little olive oil. Add chicken stock and bring up to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in cumin, curry, crasins and couscous. After the couscous has absorbed all the water, add cilantro and almonds. Fluff with a fork. Serve hot or cold.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Parker's First Birthday Party
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| 12 month picture in his jammies |
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| Supermodel pose? |
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| Parker and I proudly posing in front of his monkey cupcakes |
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| Brian placed the cookies and I gave them eyes and smiles |
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| Custom-made Parker blanket from "Auntie" Alexis |
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| Grandpa Dave holding Parker's future wife or best bud Josie |
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| Born to hunt! |
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| Parker with some of his loot |
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| Opening presents... |
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| and more presents... |
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| and more... |
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| and more... |
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| Spoiled, blessed and loved by many family and friends! |
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| Singing happy birthday to Parker and Grandpa Dave |
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| Mom, what's that? |
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| This whole thing is mine? |
Saturday, May 7, 2011
365 Days!
Parker is one today!
I would post more, but I have 48 cupcakes to frost and decorate.
Pictures and video to follow....
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