Happy Monday!

First foods: AVOCADO!

Since Levi is almost 6 months old, reaches eagerly for food, and almost always imitates us chewing, we decided to let him start on some food of his own. Like Nathaniel, we fed Levi mashed avocado for his first food. And, after a few initial funny faces, Levi eagerly finished his entire bowl! He even yelled for more every time I was too slow getting the next bite into his mouth! (Nate, of course, was much quicker to help feed his baby brother!)

Self Feeding.

As a new-ish momma, I still find myself getting all mushy and proud every single time my baby does something new. Recently, we've been practicing self feeding, and just cannot describe the feelings of joy and pride when I see him finally cram a puff into his mouth.

Nathaniel is getting very good at feeding himself teething biscuits and Gerber "crunchies"....but those little bites of rice cereal, puffs, or yogurt melts can be challenging! Since he usually throws everything off of his high chair tray, we practice self feeding on the living room floor. (Hey, it's a new rug, and I vacuum!) I'm fascinated by watching him learn--he tries and tries and tries, over and over again, often attempting a new method, until he gets every single bite! And, as I watch him grab and toss and squeeze each bite, I am so excited to see the beginings of his pincer grasp mastery.

Maybe it makes me a sap to be so happy about such a simple feat, but I don't care. Being a mother is what I've always wanted to be--and, the reality is way better than what I'd planned!!

Look at that pincer grasp!!

Lucky us to have an in-home, automatic baby hand-washing service...!

Oatmeal & Bananas!

Oh, you make me smile!

6 months.

Nathaniel is 6 months old today! 6 MONTHS! That's a whole HALF of a YEAR! I don't feel like we've had him for 6 whole months already--maybe 2, but definitely not 6! I love how big and independent he's getting, but I'm loving that he's still tiny enough to snuggle and smoosh against my body. He's learning so many new things every day, and I couldn't be prouder of my little man! I don't know how much he weighs or how long he is now, but we have a doctor's appointment next Thursday, and I will update afterwards.

Nathaniel likes to read stories--touch & feel books, picture books, soft fabric books, even chapter books when he's sleepy! He loves his baby gym, and he loves to shake rattles (the noisier, the better!). He also loves to chew on and squeak his Sophie the Giraffe toy. He still doesn't like tummy time very much, but he tolerates it (we try to do 30-40 minutes/day). He thinks that Mommy and Daddy are so funny, and he is very ticklish on his tummy and feet! He loves to watch Grover racing through the house. He's been learning to sit up on his own, and can sit for a few seconds alone. He can sit up in the boppy or on someone's lap {supported} for a long time.

Nathaniel laughs and giggles all the time now! He "talks" and squeals and shrieks when he's happy; he rarely cries. When he's excited, he waves his arms and legs around, and makes a funny face. He's getting very good at grabbing things and passing them between his hands. When he's laying on his back, he grabs his toes--especially if he's wearing jammies with animals on the feet!

Nathaniel has two teeth now! His bottom right tooth came in on 2/14, and his left popped through yesterday (2/17). He loves to take baths and splash water everywhere! Recently, he's been waking up once or twice during the night; he eats and immediately goes back to sleep. He still takes several naps during the daytime, although he'll skip them if there's something interesting going on!

We've been having unseasonably warm weather this week, and Nathaniel has been loving going outside for walks. He has not had any stranger anxiety yet, happily going to anybody who has a smile (unless he's very sleepy). He spends the Sunday School hour in the nursery at church every Sunday, where he charms the workers with his own big smile and giggles!

Up until today, Nathaniel has been exclusively breastfed. He has expressed quite an interest in table food when he sees other people eating it. I've allowed him to have a few sips of water from my glass for a few days now, and he loves it!

We started Nathaniel with his first solid food today. He had about a teaspoon of mashed avocado, and he loved it! He wasn't sure what we were doing at first, but when he realized that the spoon was going to his mouth with real food, he was all about it! Although I mixed the avocado with a bit of milk, he didn't seem to really enjoy the flavor. He made this face after every mouthful...

But, despite the silly face, he kept opening his mouth for more, AND he swallowed every drop! I cannot believe that my baby boy is big enough to be eating real food now!

While I'm so glad that Nate is growing and maturing, I am a little sad that I won't be his sole source of nutrition any longer. It might be petty, but I really am so proud that I've exclusively nursed him for 6 whole months (and I don't plan to stop until at least 1 year). He's grown to be such a big boy on his mommy's milk! But, I'll admit, he sure is ready for some real food now!

Happy 6 months, Baby Boy! I love you!!

Good Mom?

     What exactly is it that makes a good mom?  Is it the mother who feeds her baby only homegrown, organic, pureed vegetables and fruits?  Is it the mother who teaches her little ones to be polite and respectful to everyone?  Is it the mother who stays at home and doles out hugs and kisses all day long?  Is it the mother who works long hours outside the home while her children are in daycare, just so that she can buy them enough food to fill their tummies?  Is it the mother who reads her baby a Bible story every night before bed?  Is it the mother who is just trying her best, even though she doesn't really know anything about this whole parenthood thing?
     Let's face it: nobody really know how to be a parent before the fact.  Good mommies and daddies are made by babies, not by parenting books or prenatal classes.  We're all doing the best we can to raise our babies in the best way that we know how....and we will make mistakes!  But, you know what?  As long as we learn from those mistakes, they're okay.  There is no single right way of parenting to ensure that children will grow up to be healthy, well-adjusted, well-rounded, happy adults.  (If there was, I bet that book could be on the bestseller list for a while, huh?)
     I suppose, to an extent, we will parent our children the way that our own parents raised us.  And, sometimes, for whatever reason, we will make sure to do the opposite.  We are all different; we all have different parenting styles, and that's okay because, hey, our kids are all different too!  They have some of the same, but also some different needs and wants from any other kids, past or present.  As good parents, it is our responsibility to find the wants and needs of our babies, then to decide the best solution and follow through.  Easy or hard?  How about some of both!
     I've been Nathaniel's mommy for a little while now--5 months and 2 days on the outside, and quite a bit longer when he was in my belly!  I'm no supermom; I get tired and cranky and frustrated sometimes.  But, always, I love my son, and I want to do what is best for him.  I'm a breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby-wearing, cloth diapering, stay-at-home mommy.  I'm proud that I can say those things, and I love doing them all!  None of those decisions were made rashly or without a lot of research.  I believe that raising my son in this manner is what is best for him, and that's why we do it.  I understand that other moms who do things differently have raised wonderful kids, but this is what works for us.  I wish people did not feel the need to criticize or judge, but I suppose that's just our human nature.  And, although I don't really think that I need to defend my own parenting, I do want to share a little about why we do what we do around here.  I've also included a few links if you're interested in reading more about the subjects.

Breastfeeding/Delayed Introduction to Solids
     Before I got pregnant, I never really gave much thought to what I'd feed my baby.  When I got pregnant, I thought maybe I'd breastfeed for the convenience and to save a little money.  Then I started doing my research.  Did you know that breastfed babies get sick way less often than their formula-fed peers?  Honestly, that was enough to sell me.  {I worked in a daycare for 2 years, and watching a feverish, raspy baby cough himself awake is enough to break your heart!}  Even the formula companies have to admit {in teeny little print} that breastmilk is the best food for babies!  As far as the difficulty and inconvenience of breastfeeding?  Not so.  We've had no issues, and it's working out wonderfully; Nate loves it, I love it, AND we're getting all sorts of health benefits!
http://www.nursingmothers.org/html/why_breastfeed.html
     According to the American Center for Pediatrics (and a bunch of other organizations), it is best to wait until a baby is 6 months old to introduce any foods other than breastmilk or formula.  There are numerous health benefits, but I'll leave it up to you to read them because I don't feel like typing them all out.  The following link provides an extensive explanation.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

Co-Sleeping
     Nathaniel sleeps in our bed with us at night.  Every single night.  On purpose!  Did you know that co-sleeping infants have a lower rate of SIDS?  That's the main reason why we started co-sleeping.  Maybe I'm a crazy, paranoid first-time mom, but I was absolutely scared out of my mind that my baby would stop breathing in his sleep when we brought him home from the hospital.  {I still find myself peeking over to watch his chest rise and fall while he naps.}  I also worried about the "You can't sleep with a baby because you'll roll over on him!" at first....until I did my research and found out that rolling onto a baby while sleeping is very rare, and usually only happens when one or both of the parents are until the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Our last reason for co-sleeping, which is a little selfish on my part, was that it's so much easier to breastfeed!  When Nate wakes up hungry in the night, I can get him and myself situated so that he can eat before he really, fully wakes up to cry.  Easy peasy!  Yes, yes, I know that transferring him to his own bed might be a challenge eventually....but that's why we'll wait until we're all ready.  I'm not worried about it now.  I promise you that he will not be sleeping in our bed when he's 15!
http://www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/co_slepping.html

Baby-wearing
     Before Nate was born, I never envisioned myself baby-wearing, at least not often--it just seemed so "hippyish"!  Then I had a baby.  And, that baby loved to be held.  All. the. time.  Even when he was sleeping!  I discovered the joys of wearing Nate in the Moby wrap, and I have never regretted it!  He doesn't sleep in the wrap so much anymore, but it's still a lifesaver when he's fussy and I need to get things done around the house--or go grocery shopping at Walmart!  Not only is baby wearing conveniant for the mother, but it has several benefits for baby too.  Check them out...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babywearing#Benefits_of_babywearing

Cloth Diapering
     I've always liked the idea of cloth diapering--saving the environment is quite noble, right?  Well, after we received about 63 packages of disposable diapers at the baby shower, I quit worrying about diapers.  And, when Nate was born, he sure pooped an awful lot....and those disposables were awfully easy to use and toss.  Then, eventually, the poop caught up to the diapers.  We were down to the last few packages, and I started thinking about cloth again.  Although cloth diapers save us quite a bit of money now, they did require a small investment to begin with.  I wasn't sure about the brand or the type of cover to get (there are A LOT to choose from!), and then I couldn't find diaper pins for about two weeks!  We finally collected all of our supplies, and started our cloth diapering experimenting.  I don't regret a thing, and I would never switch back!  The laundry is not overwhelming at all (though it is best to hold your breath when dumping the load into the washer!), and, best of all, I feel better about using these!  Sure, we're producing about two bags of garbage LESS per week, but mostly, I'm happy about Nathaniel's bottom.  He has not had even a hint of diaper rash since we've started cloth diapering!  The more that I think about it, the more wary I am about the chemicals in disposable diapers; I am happy to avoid those touching my baby on a daily basis.  {We do, on occasion, use disposable diapers when we're going out for a long period of time, or when someone else will be watching Nate.}
http://pregnancy.about.com/od/thenursery/a/reasonscloth.htm

Stay-At-Home Mom
     This was an easy decision for us.  I've wanted to be a stay-at-home mom for as long as I can remember.  I believe that it is best for both mother and child to be together on a daily basis, and I do not believe that children were made to be raised in a large group childcare setting.  I've always said that working in a daycare taught me one thing: I will never, ever send my baby to a daycare.  I saw adults mistreat babies/children when their tempers ran out, and I saw children growing up 50 hours/week in daycare.  I know that there are some parents who have no choice but to work while their babies are in daycare, but I knew that it was not an option for me and my baby.
  Yes, I know that there are those who would say that by playing with my boy all day, or reading him 8 stories a day, or holding him all the time, or rocking him to sleep will spoil him.  But, I disagree; I don't think that an infant can be spoiled--they can only be taught that their needs will be met and that they are loved.  And, honestly, what if I do "spoil" my baby into wanting to be rocked everyday?  Well, that's okay with me.  That's why I'm a home, and my job is take care of him AND to make sure that he knows just how incredibly loved he truly is!

Thankful, day 4.

     I am thankful that I can nurse my baby.  Before Nathaniel was born, I planned to try to nurse him.  I read books about breastfeeding, and I learned that it's hard.  I learned that there are about a million problems that women encounter when attempting to nurse, and I learned that most women in the USA don't nurse for very long, if at all.  I also learned that nursing my baby is the best thing that I can do for him.  What could be better for a newborn baby than the milk from his mommy that is specially made for him?  Nothing.  Formula can nourish a baby, but it does not contain all of the antibodies and goodness of breast milk, and it definitely doesn't give the same bonding opportunities. 
     Before he was ever born, I decided that I would try to nurse my baby, but I wouldn't beat myself up if I failed.  That's what I decided.  Truth is, I would have beat myself up every day and felt guilty with every bottle, had I not been able to breastfeed.  Why?  That's just how I am, and I want the very best for my son--no matter what.
     Planning to nurse a baby and actually nursing a baby are two totally different things.  There is no way to learn ahead of time, and there really isn't much you can do to prepare yourself.  After I gave birth, I crossed my fingers that Nate would get a good latch, and we'd have an easy go of it right from the start.  No such luck.  I was clumsy and didn't know how to position myself or my baby, and he didn't know how to get food--especially when my milk hadn't come in yet!  To top things off, the doctor ordered formula supplementation to speed up Nate's jaundice loss.  I knew that I had read somewhere that when formula is supplemented, it is almost impossible to stop it because the baby is used to a bottle (easier to drink) and the mother's milk supply is therefore diminished.  I was upset, but didn't know what to do about it. 
     When we got home, I renewed my plans to exclusively nurse Nathaniel.  It was easy.  Seriously.  Once my milk came in (3-4 days after birth), I simply stopped giving the formula to him.  We learned to breastfeed together.  He gained weight like a champ, and my milk supply is perfect.  I am still exclusively nursing, he is still growing, and I couldn't be prouder!  I am so thankful that I can give my baby this precious gift, and I am thankful that it has worked out so perfectly--despite a few loops in the beginning. 

Disclaimer: I am not bashing baby formula, nor those who use it.  Nursing is what works best for us, and I know that everyone is different.  As long as a baby is well-fed and loved, that's what really matters!

Avocado Baby Food.

Nathaniel won't be starting solids for a few more months, but I've decided to get a head start on making my own baby food.  {Okay, really I'm just so excited that I couldn't wait--that's what a freezer is for, right?}  I've read time and time again that avocado is a wonderful homemade baby food because it's easy to use, and super healthy.  I decided to give it a whirl.  Plus, avocados were on sale this week at the grocery store!  So this isn't so much of a recipe since there is only one ingrediant, but we'll deal. 

I used two avocados to make 18 servings.




First, slice the avocados into thirds (don't cut down the center; you will hit a large seed).

 

The easiest way to remove the flesh of the fruit from the peel is to slice it into small squares, then scrape them off with a spoon.



After removing the avocado chunks, scrape the peeling to get every bit of fruit off.

Throw all of the avocado pieces into the blender and blend to your desired consistancy.

I added a fair amount of water to the avocado because I wanted it to be very smooth for a young baby, but you could leave it slightly chunky for an older baby.

I used an ice cube tray to divide the avocado into servings to freeze.  After they were solid, I popped them into a freezer bag.  Obviously, if you're going to use the baby food immediately, it does not need to be frozen.