Baby-led weaning is like breastfeeding: for the lazy. Thank goodness my instinct for natural parenting nicely aligns with my laziness in food prep. On demand out of my body and off my plate.
And we have one happy, full little man.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
The Book of Love
Last weekend, we attended the wedding of J's godparents. It was the most romantic, beautiful wedding I have been to besides my own (duh!). This wedding was the first traditionally Jewish wedding (with an interfaith couple) I've ever attended. Being that T and I are an interfaith couple ourselves, we had more of a traditionally "Christian" wedding. What I love, however, is how these two faiths are so interconnected that the differences are really few and far between. Watching J's godfather break the glass, to see them dancing the hora, and celebrating love at it's beautiful, raw essence - it was incredible.
J was a rockstar the entire time. Really. He was the most popular person there. Maybe even more so than the bride and groom.
Later in the week, J turned 7 months and we captured his 7 month expressions. Where did the blue eyes on this boy come from!? They are too much for me to handle.
J was a rockstar the entire time. Really. He was the most popular person there. Maybe even more so than the bride and groom.
Later in the week, J turned 7 months and we captured his 7 month expressions. Where did the blue eyes on this boy come from!? They are too much for me to handle.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Broken Record
My m.o. lately is some version of late/incomplete/busy/sorry/oops. This blog fits into that perfectly.
Lately, T and I have been on the cusp of making a big change. We love our jobs, we love our friends, we love our city.
We don't love our debt.
Thankfully, the only debt we've accrued our short lives is from student loans. But with the way our economy stands, those lenders are not being friendly. It is time. It is time we sit down and make some decisions. Do we stay? Do we go? Where do we go? How do we stay?
What do I want?
J is 7 months old.
He has teeth, he eats cucumbers and broccoli (and leaves), he babbles, screeches, yells, smiles, laughs. He crawls into the bathroom and loves to smack the hardwood floors with his palm.
He splashes in the bathtub, squirms as he nurses, and plays until he crashes.
We are blessed.
_________________________________________________________________
We don't love our debt.
Thankfully, the only debt we've accrued our short lives is from student loans. But with the way our economy stands, those lenders are not being friendly. It is time. It is time we sit down and make some decisions. Do we stay? Do we go? Where do we go? How do we stay?
What do I want?
_________________________________________________________________
J is 7 months old.
He has teeth, he eats cucumbers and broccoli (and leaves), he babbles, screeches, yells, smiles, laughs. He crawls into the bathroom and loves to smack the hardwood floors with his palm.
He splashes in the bathtub, squirms as he nurses, and plays until he crashes.
We are blessed.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Don't you, forget about me...
Oh. my. goodness.
Things in this household have been rocked, twisted, and turned upside down! The lack of posting is only due to me trying to wrap my mind around all the changes. Some of these are exciting, others challenging, and few have left me in a puddle of my own tears.
1. J turned 6 months old. What!? What happened to my itty-bitty baby boy!? Half a year old and blowing my mind.
2. We began Baby-led Weaning, i.e. solid food! We're sticking to veggies and quinoa. J's favorite veggies are cucumber and carrots. He's also fond of kale, spinach, and peppers.
3. J is crawling. STFU! Now he's giving us a run for our money!
4. The sweetest noise in the entire world, only second to J laughing with T is...our new washer! Thanks to my mother-in-law, we have a brand new, connect to your kitchen sink, take up way to much space, enjoy clean cloth diapers, washer! It is heaven!
5. We went on an adventure bowling at the White House. With beer.
6. J sprouted not one but two new teeth! They are just about the most adorable teeth ever. Thankfully, we've had no biting. And, who can resist a gummy smile with two sprouting teeth!?
7. Lastly, and much more will be said about this later, we hired a nanny. I have been alternating between sobbing about this and feeling empowered. We will be sharing a nanny with another family and we are excited for J to have a 10 month old boy to share his days. If only it didn't cost an arm and a leg (and a black market kidney) to pay for it all. Tomorrow is his first day.
Things in this household have been rocked, twisted, and turned upside down! The lack of posting is only due to me trying to wrap my mind around all the changes. Some of these are exciting, others challenging, and few have left me in a puddle of my own tears.
1. J turned 6 months old. What!? What happened to my itty-bitty baby boy!? Half a year old and blowing my mind.
2. We began Baby-led Weaning, i.e. solid food! We're sticking to veggies and quinoa. J's favorite veggies are cucumber and carrots. He's also fond of kale, spinach, and peppers.
3. J is crawling. STFU! Now he's giving us a run for our money!
4. The sweetest noise in the entire world, only second to J laughing with T is...our new washer! Thanks to my mother-in-law, we have a brand new, connect to your kitchen sink, take up way to much space, enjoy clean cloth diapers, washer! It is heaven!
5. We went on an adventure bowling at the White House. With beer.
6. J sprouted not one but two new teeth! They are just about the most adorable teeth ever. Thankfully, we've had no biting. And, who can resist a gummy smile with two sprouting teeth!?
This picture is 2 weeks old. They're much more prominent
and adorable (hard to believe, I know!) now.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
whistle while you work
Juggling work and parenthood is a tricky thing. Juggling work while parenting is a whole new ball game. I am blessed beyond belief to have a boss who values the attachment between mother and child, so I am able to bring J to work as much as necessary. He comes with me as many as four days a week or as few as two, depending on T's work schedule.
I want to ensure that I get all my work done quickly and efficiently, so that my boss continues to allow me to bring J knowing that my productivity is just the same whether or not he is with me. I also want to ensure that J is getting the right amount of attention and stimulation he would otherwise. Clearly, I do not want to stunt his development so that I can get work done.
When J naps, I am able to complete many tasks as he gets his (much needed) rest. However, he takes a brief 45 minute nap at school and sometimes close to 3 hours later in the afternoon. I would like him to reverse those, but so far I have not had the most success.
The rest of the time, J rolls around on the floor scooting towards his toys or, inevitably, the blinking light on my wireless router. I try to self-talk about my work as I am doing it and he listens intently. Thankfully, there are a few staff members popping in throughout the day and he has often traveled to a classroom for community time (i.e. when the children sit together in a group for stories, songs, etc.).
Right now, this is a wonderful situation. Childcare for infants his age is upwards of 2k a month. I am just not willing to pay that. Likewise, breastfeeding is a cinch as I can scoop him into my arms and still use the computer at the same time.
As he gets older, I'm not sure that this will be the best environment. It will be important that he has peers for social interaction. He will need an opportunity to move more freely and learn to be (a tad) more independent from me. I'm just not sure we want to spend our money this way, as this time. Ideally, we could have a nanny-share with a family whose child is close in age to J. How about my blogger buddies pair up with me? ;)
As it is in all situations related to parenting - you figure out what works in the now and you adapt as time goes on. Nothing is static nor should it be. And for this, I am thankful.
I want to ensure that I get all my work done quickly and efficiently, so that my boss continues to allow me to bring J knowing that my productivity is just the same whether or not he is with me. I also want to ensure that J is getting the right amount of attention and stimulation he would otherwise. Clearly, I do not want to stunt his development so that I can get work done.
When J naps, I am able to complete many tasks as he gets his (much needed) rest. However, he takes a brief 45 minute nap at school and sometimes close to 3 hours later in the afternoon. I would like him to reverse those, but so far I have not had the most success.
The rest of the time, J rolls around on the floor scooting towards his toys or, inevitably, the blinking light on my wireless router. I try to self-talk about my work as I am doing it and he listens intently. Thankfully, there are a few staff members popping in throughout the day and he has often traveled to a classroom for community time (i.e. when the children sit together in a group for stories, songs, etc.).
Right now, this is a wonderful situation. Childcare for infants his age is upwards of 2k a month. I am just not willing to pay that. Likewise, breastfeeding is a cinch as I can scoop him into my arms and still use the computer at the same time.
As he gets older, I'm not sure that this will be the best environment. It will be important that he has peers for social interaction. He will need an opportunity to move more freely and learn to be (a tad) more independent from me. I'm just not sure we want to spend our money this way, as this time. Ideally, we could have a nanny-share with a family whose child is close in age to J. How about my blogger buddies pair up with me? ;)
As it is in all situations related to parenting - you figure out what works in the now and you adapt as time goes on. Nothing is static nor should it be. And for this, I am thankful.
What do you do for childcare? Does anyone else have the opportunity to bring their child to work? Would you do this if you were able?
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Beachy Keen
This weekend was J's first visit to the ocean. He has donned his bathing suit only twice before - swimming in the whirlpool bathtub at my parents and taking a quick evening dip in the pool (shaded, lukewarm water). This trip was his first time listening to the surf, napping in the sand, and smelling tasting saltwater.
He loved it.
Well, maybe love is a strong word. Like? No, that's not quite accurate.
He tolerated it. Mostly.
On Saturday, we dipped him in the water only to hear a blood-curdling scream. To his defense, the water was a bit chilly and it took our own breath away. He expresses it a tad differently. Making matters worse, I demanded T place him (sitting) in the sand where we spelled out his name. Predictably, J face planted and enjoyed sand for an early afternoon snack. He spent the rest of the afternoon napping under the makeshift shelter.
The next day, we were a bit more prepared and/or experienced. After a quick trip to the store to purchase an actual beach umbrella, we set out. Placing a tarp under our beach blankets, we avoided a second sand snack when J was rolling around happily. We were determined to have him enjoy the water, so in we went. Again, he let out a scream and began to cry.
However, shortly after, we all began to get used to the chilly water and it was fairly enjoyable! In fact, the tears stopped, and we even captured a smile or two.
The best part of the weekend was ditching our tent and staying in a Marr.iott, lounging on the bed. I wish every weekend was a beach weekend with my boys.
He loved it.
Well, maybe love is a strong word. Like? No, that's not quite accurate.
He tolerated it. Mostly.
On Saturday, we dipped him in the water only to hear a blood-curdling scream. To his defense, the water was a bit chilly and it took our own breath away. He expresses it a tad differently. Making matters worse, I demanded T place him (sitting) in the sand where we spelled out his name. Predictably, J face planted and enjoyed sand for an early afternoon snack. He spent the rest of the afternoon napping under the makeshift shelter.
The next day, we were a bit more prepared and/or experienced. After a quick trip to the store to purchase an actual beach umbrella, we set out. Placing a tarp under our beach blankets, we avoided a second sand snack when J was rolling around happily. We were determined to have him enjoy the water, so in we went. Again, he let out a scream and began to cry.
However, shortly after, we all began to get used to the chilly water and it was fairly enjoyable! In fact, the tears stopped, and we even captured a smile or two.
The best part of the weekend was ditching our tent and staying in a Marr.iott, lounging on the bed. I wish every weekend was a beach weekend with my boys.
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