Houston, we have a walker.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
December 13th 2010
Mom's Stuff:
After a pretty crappy couple of weeks it was nice to have a weekend to relax and hang out with my guys. We stayed in, set-up the X-mas decoration and during nap time I shopped for gifts online. All it all it was a nice time, and it's a good reminder that it is ok to take some time for me and my family when I can. I also feel better because I was able to talk through some of my stress with my friends who are also moms. Nothing helps more than talking to a friend who gets it - and I mean really gets it. I am so grateful for those strong, steadfast and amazing women that are part of my life (mom and teacher alike!) - thank you so much!
LP's Stuff:
LP went in for his 9 month check-up today. The doctor asked the G-man if LP was sitting up and crawling, to which the G-man scoffed. LP has continued to toddle along, and today he took about 8 little steps in a row. It's definitely not full-on walking, but it is pretty damn close. LP also has four teeth full in at this point, and he is enjoying the new found game of "crunch it" which involves crunching Cherrios, crackers, blocks, and the side of his crib. Now that he is eating even more we look forward to sharing some X-mas goodies with him, like Tyropitas, gnocchi, and wedding cookies. I think we'll leave the bourbon balls off his plate for a few years though.
At LP's doctor appointment the declared that he was in very good health. His weight and height are moving along nicely, he has good muscle tone and, my personal favorite, his iron levels are "outstanding" Booya - my vegan baby don't need no meat!!
Pictures:
After a pretty crappy couple of weeks it was nice to have a weekend to relax and hang out with my guys. We stayed in, set-up the X-mas decoration and during nap time I shopped for gifts online. All it all it was a nice time, and it's a good reminder that it is ok to take some time for me and my family when I can. I also feel better because I was able to talk through some of my stress with my friends who are also moms. Nothing helps more than talking to a friend who gets it - and I mean really gets it. I am so grateful for those strong, steadfast and amazing women that are part of my life (mom and teacher alike!) - thank you so much!
LP's Stuff:
LP went in for his 9 month check-up today. The doctor asked the G-man if LP was sitting up and crawling, to which the G-man scoffed. LP has continued to toddle along, and today he took about 8 little steps in a row. It's definitely not full-on walking, but it is pretty damn close. LP also has four teeth full in at this point, and he is enjoying the new found game of "crunch it" which involves crunching Cherrios, crackers, blocks, and the side of his crib. Now that he is eating even more we look forward to sharing some X-mas goodies with him, like Tyropitas, gnocchi, and wedding cookies. I think we'll leave the bourbon balls off his plate for a few years though.
At LP's doctor appointment the declared that he was in very good health. His weight and height are moving along nicely, he has good muscle tone and, my personal favorite, his iron levels are "outstanding" Booya - my vegan baby don't need no meat!!
Pictures:
Sunday, November 28, 2010
November 28th, 2010
Mom Stuff:
'Tis the season! I think my favorite thing about Thanksgiving is that the day after I get to play Christmas music with abandon (much to G-man's chagrin). This is one of the first years where we aren't getting our Christmas tree the weekend of Thanksgiving since the tree is going to cut off some of LP's play space, and we want to minimize disruption in his life. This relaxing four-day weekend reminded me to be thankful for so much, but espeicially for my two boys. My son is cute, brilliant and amazing, and he makes me so grateful to be a mom every day. My husband is seriously the most amazing person in the world. I really didn't think I could have loved him any more than I did before, but seeing him be a dad just adds a whole new layer. I love my guys tons and I was very thankful to get to enjoy some "quality" time with them for a few days before it's back to the grind on Monday.
LP's Stuff:
Just in time for Thanksgiving LP is getting more teeth! He is up to four now - the two bottom ones and the two top ones. They are hard to see sometimes, except when he is doing one of his huge baby laughs! We put together a Thanksgiving plate for him of roasted butternut squash and mashed potatoes, which he promptly put his hands in and then dumped on the floor. So, while the G-man and I enjoyed our dinner LP had some blueberry mush and cheerios for Thanksgiving. Yesterday we hosted a brunch party for friends and LP was great. He started out by crawling to every person and asking for a bite of their food (but standing up in front of them and opening his mouth). He also played with some of the other kids, and he didn't stop moving the entire time, which is pretty much his m.o. right now. Diaper changing has reverted into a battle of getting him to stay still for thirty whole seconds. Oh well - and active baby is a happy baby!
Pictures:
'Tis the season! I think my favorite thing about Thanksgiving is that the day after I get to play Christmas music with abandon (much to G-man's chagrin). This is one of the first years where we aren't getting our Christmas tree the weekend of Thanksgiving since the tree is going to cut off some of LP's play space, and we want to minimize disruption in his life. This relaxing four-day weekend reminded me to be thankful for so much, but espeicially for my two boys. My son is cute, brilliant and amazing, and he makes me so grateful to be a mom every day. My husband is seriously the most amazing person in the world. I really didn't think I could have loved him any more than I did before, but seeing him be a dad just adds a whole new layer. I love my guys tons and I was very thankful to get to enjoy some "quality" time with them for a few days before it's back to the grind on Monday.
LP's Stuff:
Just in time for Thanksgiving LP is getting more teeth! He is up to four now - the two bottom ones and the two top ones. They are hard to see sometimes, except when he is doing one of his huge baby laughs! We put together a Thanksgiving plate for him of roasted butternut squash and mashed potatoes, which he promptly put his hands in and then dumped on the floor. So, while the G-man and I enjoyed our dinner LP had some blueberry mush and cheerios for Thanksgiving. Yesterday we hosted a brunch party for friends and LP was great. He started out by crawling to every person and asking for a bite of their food (but standing up in front of them and opening his mouth). He also played with some of the other kids, and he didn't stop moving the entire time, which is pretty much his m.o. right now. Diaper changing has reverted into a battle of getting him to stay still for thirty whole seconds. Oh well - and active baby is a happy baby!
Pictures:
Saturday, November 13, 2010
November 13th, 2010
LP's Stuff:
Things LP has been up to this week:
Mom' Stuff:
Just getting by. Frankly, at this point that is an accomplishment. I took time to go on a couple outings with my boys, which made me much happier, even if it does mean working for a few hours on Sunday!
Pictures:
Things LP has been up to this week:
- Eating a ton of food.
- Going to the children's museum in Boston and loving the little crawler's room!
- Climbing stairs (with supervision)
- Chasing the cat
- Getting a second tooth
- Gaining weight (he is at 17 lbs and change as of today!)
- Just generally being adorable!
Mom' Stuff:
Just getting by. Frankly, at this point that is an accomplishment. I took time to go on a couple outings with my boys, which made me much happier, even if it does mean working for a few hours on Sunday!
Pictures:
Saturday, November 6, 2010
November 6th, 2010
Mom's Stuff:
I really, really miss my baby when I'm at work. Maybe this week was especially hard since I had to attend a training on Wednesday night and grade notebooks on Thursday and Friday. Maybe the issue is that he has been particularly cute lately as he keeps trying to stand up and walk. But, whatever it is, I really, really missed my baby this week. It is so wonderful to come home to him and get big hugs and smiles, even though it sometimes he is a bit freaked out when I walk in wearing my bike helmet. I am continuing on my quest to improve my work efficiency so that I can spend more time with my boys, and we will see how all my planning pans out when the new term starts in a week.
LP's Stuff:
LP has started to figure out that plain tofu is just that: plain. He is way more into avocado, fruit and veggie puree and cheerios that he is his tofu cubes. What used to be his favorite finger food now just seems to be a fun mushy toy. I guess I'm going to have to start making big batches of tofu scramble!
LP is also working really hard on standing and walking. He cruises along the couches by walking sideways. The last two days he has also done a great job entertaining himself, which the G-man sure appreciates! Our little guy is a busy dude all the time, which is making taking him out a bit more difficult, but it is still nice to get him out enjoying time with other kids. Now if we could just stop him from grabbing their hair . . .
Food Stuff:
This week one of our dinners was roasted veggies and waffles - one of my personal favorites! We tried roasted delicata squash thanks to Cadry's Kitchen, and I loved it, although the G-man wasn't too excited. Of course, I think anything paired with waffles is a winner!
Pictures:
I really, really miss my baby when I'm at work. Maybe this week was especially hard since I had to attend a training on Wednesday night and grade notebooks on Thursday and Friday. Maybe the issue is that he has been particularly cute lately as he keeps trying to stand up and walk. But, whatever it is, I really, really missed my baby this week. It is so wonderful to come home to him and get big hugs and smiles, even though it sometimes he is a bit freaked out when I walk in wearing my bike helmet. I am continuing on my quest to improve my work efficiency so that I can spend more time with my boys, and we will see how all my planning pans out when the new term starts in a week.
LP's Stuff:
LP has started to figure out that plain tofu is just that: plain. He is way more into avocado, fruit and veggie puree and cheerios that he is his tofu cubes. What used to be his favorite finger food now just seems to be a fun mushy toy. I guess I'm going to have to start making big batches of tofu scramble!
LP is also working really hard on standing and walking. He cruises along the couches by walking sideways. The last two days he has also done a great job entertaining himself, which the G-man sure appreciates! Our little guy is a busy dude all the time, which is making taking him out a bit more difficult, but it is still nice to get him out enjoying time with other kids. Now if we could just stop him from grabbing their hair . . .
Food Stuff:
This week one of our dinners was roasted veggies and waffles - one of my personal favorites! We tried roasted delicata squash thanks to Cadry's Kitchen, and I loved it, although the G-man wasn't too excited. Of course, I think anything paired with waffles is a winner!
Pictures:
Saturday, October 30, 2010
October 30th, 2010
Mom Stuff:
Well, I'm still working on the work-life balance thing, but I improved a little bit this week by taking my first sick day ever. Don't get me wrong - I have been out of school before, but always in a planned and prepared way, and usually as part of a trip, professional development event, etc. This week I was sick over the weekend, not fully recovered on Monday, so I called in sick on Tuesday. I have to say, it was much easier to justify when it wasn't just about me - I needed to be able to help with baby care, and I couldn't do that if I had a lingering cold for two weeks (which is usually what happens to me when I get sick). So, I stayed home, I rested, and, lo and behold, I felt better. In fact, I am pretty much cold free. The G-man, who has been trying to get me to take an actual sick day for years, has thoroughly enjoyed saying "I told you so."
The G-man is continuing to cook delightful vegan fare, and this week he made some amazing falafel. He used the recipe from The Vegan Table, but he used the food processor to really mash up all of the ingredients, which resulted in falafel that held together much better. Paired with the cucumber/dill yogurt sauce, it was delish!
LP's Stuff:
Our little man is doing very well and still crawling like a maniac. He seems to be way more into talking in the past couple weeks, although his goos and cries sound a bit like he is imitating the cat when she is mewing for her dinner. He can now stand on his own for about 10 seconds, and seems to enjoy pulling himself up on anything he can get a handle on. He also has developed a love of baths. He could play in the water with all of his toys all night, and he is especially cute while he is doing this!! LP continues to sleep well at night, and he still loves his food - especially cheerios (well, Trader Joe's brand) and vanilla soy yogurt. This morning he shared a blueberry muffin with mom, much to his delight.
Pictures:
Well, I'm still working on the work-life balance thing, but I improved a little bit this week by taking my first sick day ever. Don't get me wrong - I have been out of school before, but always in a planned and prepared way, and usually as part of a trip, professional development event, etc. This week I was sick over the weekend, not fully recovered on Monday, so I called in sick on Tuesday. I have to say, it was much easier to justify when it wasn't just about me - I needed to be able to help with baby care, and I couldn't do that if I had a lingering cold for two weeks (which is usually what happens to me when I get sick). So, I stayed home, I rested, and, lo and behold, I felt better. In fact, I am pretty much cold free. The G-man, who has been trying to get me to take an actual sick day for years, has thoroughly enjoyed saying "I told you so."
The G-man is continuing to cook delightful vegan fare, and this week he made some amazing falafel. He used the recipe from The Vegan Table, but he used the food processor to really mash up all of the ingredients, which resulted in falafel that held together much better. Paired with the cucumber/dill yogurt sauce, it was delish!
LP's Stuff:
Our little man is doing very well and still crawling like a maniac. He seems to be way more into talking in the past couple weeks, although his goos and cries sound a bit like he is imitating the cat when she is mewing for her dinner. He can now stand on his own for about 10 seconds, and seems to enjoy pulling himself up on anything he can get a handle on. He also has developed a love of baths. He could play in the water with all of his toys all night, and he is especially cute while he is doing this!! LP continues to sleep well at night, and he still loves his food - especially cheerios (well, Trader Joe's brand) and vanilla soy yogurt. This morning he shared a blueberry muffin with mom, much to his delight.
Pictures:
Saturday, October 16, 2010
October 16th, 2010
Mom's Stuff:
Fall is easily my favorite time of year, and I have always loved going for walks on fall afternoons. Now I've decided that fall walks with a baby are even better! It is nice to take LP out on a brisk day in the Ergo carrier since he and I can snuggle on the way to wherever we are going. While the baby carriers made me (and baby) hot and sticky in the summer, they just add to the snuggly nature of fall. To top it off LP has an adorable red and grey hat I made him before he was born (and finished after he was due!) and he is super cute when wearing it. When we were at the store today several people said "that hat is so cute!" and one woman came up and asked me where I got it since she was looking for one just like it. I got a little kick out of saying "I made it." I just hope to get a few more beautiful and rain-free weekends like this before winter sets in.
LP's Stuff:
Food is a huge part of LP's day (and therefore Dad's day). I personally think he is also enjoying the contrast between the way mom handles food and the way dad handles food. Let me give some examples.
How to prepare the baby for feeding:
Dad: make sure the food is all prepared and ready to go, and the baby has his bib on.
Mom: (half-way through) "Oh shit! I forgot the bib! Guess this outfit is done for the day."
How to serve the baby tofu:
Dad: gives him one piece at a time and try and get him to pick it up using the pincher grasp.
Mom: throws 3-5 chunks of tofu on the tray and then eats her own food while she watches LP go at it. If you want I want to know how much he ate, I start with the number of cubes I gave him and subtract the number that ended up on the floor.
How to decide which new foods to introduce:
Dad: "Let's look at the list of what he has eaten. Now, lets consider the nutritional value of the foods we want him to eat and gradually introduce him."
Mom: "Hey, I'm eating something. It doesn't have nuts in it. Let's try mushing it up and giving it to the baby."
How to feed mush (of various sorts) to the baby. Dad: Spoon the food in the baby's mouth. Inevitably some of it will get on his face. When you remove the spoon use it to scrape off this excess food and feed it to the baby. This prevents food build-up on the face.
Mom: "Ha ha!! He got green goop up his nose!"
Its good for a baby to have variety in life, right?
Food and Fitness:
I'm not going to talk about fitness right now, because the lack of it in my life depresses me. However, I have been eating very well thanks to my awesome hubby (the aforementioned "dad"). He is quite the cooking machine, and we have been having some wonderful bean dishes (like Snow Chili and Leek and White Bean Cassoulet) as well as lentils (Red Lentil Artichoke Stew - yum!). And since LP has just started to try and stand on his own I think he is thriving on our vegan diet!
Pictures:
Fall is easily my favorite time of year, and I have always loved going for walks on fall afternoons. Now I've decided that fall walks with a baby are even better! It is nice to take LP out on a brisk day in the Ergo carrier since he and I can snuggle on the way to wherever we are going. While the baby carriers made me (and baby) hot and sticky in the summer, they just add to the snuggly nature of fall. To top it off LP has an adorable red and grey hat I made him before he was born (and finished after he was due!) and he is super cute when wearing it. When we were at the store today several people said "that hat is so cute!" and one woman came up and asked me where I got it since she was looking for one just like it. I got a little kick out of saying "I made it." I just hope to get a few more beautiful and rain-free weekends like this before winter sets in.
LP's Stuff:
Food is a huge part of LP's day (and therefore Dad's day). I personally think he is also enjoying the contrast between the way mom handles food and the way dad handles food. Let me give some examples.
How to prepare the baby for feeding:
Dad: make sure the food is all prepared and ready to go, and the baby has his bib on.
Mom: (half-way through) "Oh shit! I forgot the bib! Guess this outfit is done for the day."
How to serve the baby tofu:
Dad: gives him one piece at a time and try and get him to pick it up using the pincher grasp.
Mom: throws 3-5 chunks of tofu on the tray and then eats her own food while she watches LP go at it. If you want I want to know how much he ate, I start with the number of cubes I gave him and subtract the number that ended up on the floor.
How to decide which new foods to introduce:
Dad: "Let's look at the list of what he has eaten. Now, lets consider the nutritional value of the foods we want him to eat and gradually introduce him."
Mom: "Hey, I'm eating something. It doesn't have nuts in it. Let's try mushing it up and giving it to the baby."
How to feed mush (of various sorts) to the baby. Dad: Spoon the food in the baby's mouth. Inevitably some of it will get on his face. When you remove the spoon use it to scrape off this excess food and feed it to the baby. This prevents food build-up on the face.
Mom: "Ha ha!! He got green goop up his nose!"
Its good for a baby to have variety in life, right?
Food and Fitness:
I'm not going to talk about fitness right now, because the lack of it in my life depresses me. However, I have been eating very well thanks to my awesome hubby (the aforementioned "dad"). He is quite the cooking machine, and we have been having some wonderful bean dishes (like Snow Chili and Leek and White Bean Cassoulet) as well as lentils (Red Lentil Artichoke Stew - yum!). And since LP has just started to try and stand on his own I think he is thriving on our vegan diet!
Pictures:
Monday, October 11, 2010
October 11th, 2010
Mom's Stuff:
First off, my sincerest apologies for taking over a month to post. September was a whirlwind of getting back to work while the G-man and LP settled into a routine. This weekend we had grandparents and LP's aunt here to help us, so the G-man and I have gotten a chance to breathe (and sleep!!) This is also the first weekend where I haven't brought oodles of work home, and it is nice to have a chance to just focus on baby and family for a few days. The shift from stay-at-home mom to "working" mom has been easier than I might have thought, mostly thanks to the G-man for taking over the home duties. Dinner's get cooked, baby is taken care of and laundry gets done, all of which throughly impresses me. However, there have been several adjustments I have had to make both to adjust to my mom-away-from-baby role and in the teacher-with-a-child-role. One of the biggest adjustments has been the fact that the school year started the same way it always has - things are crazy, busy and I spend a lot of time at (and on) work. None of this is a total shock, but what is bizzare to me is the fact that school proceeds as normal while my life is completely different than it was just a year ago. Don't get me wrong; every co-worker, student and parent is supportive of the fact that I am a new parent. But it is strange to be in the same enviroment I have always been in as a teacher, but to have totally different home responsiblities. My sense of what it means to be a good teacher has always included building in time for reflection, staying late at work both to help students and to avoid bringing my work home during the week and taking time to talk to and collaborate with collegues, as well as to complete all the other day-to-day responsiblities of a teacher such as lesson planning, grading, calling families, etc. My home life and relationships with my spouse and family has always been important to me, but I am now realizing that I also was able to put those responsibilities in the backseat for the first part of the school year. Well, no longer. LP can't go in the backseat, nor do I want him there. He is growing up too fast for me to miss out on a week with him because I stay at work late. Even if I wanted to stay later, I couldn't because I am still trying to nurse him whenever possible, and that means I have to be home by 5:30 at the absolute latest. Between that and the fact that I have to pump whenever I have spare time and space, I have barely seen some of my closest work friends this year and I certainly haven't had the ability to collaborate with them. I spend at least fifteen minutes a day trying to figure out which work to take home (since I don't want to have to carry too much on my bike) and I save up all my grading for the weekend. Added into this is the fact that, in the back of my mind, I know that I am now providing the sole income for my family. I'm not really worried about it, but it does change my perspective on my job, and it is a bit of an added weight on my shoulders. All of this is not said to complain, but instead to attempt to articulate the sort of bizzare world I find myself in at work, where everyone and everything is just the same as I when I left - it's me who has changed so dramatically.
LP's Stuff:
LP has been doing all kinds of crazy stuff since my last post, and I'm determined to start posting again every week because that is the ONLY way I can keep up with him! He is both crawling and pulling himself up to standing whenever he gets a chance. We recently opened up his "area" and now our living room has been converted to the baby room. He has toys, puzzles and books to play with and he will entertain himself for quite a while on his own, and even longer when he has an auidence in the room. This has really helped the G-man since he is no longer stuck in baby-jail all day! LP is still doing well with naps, all though he has been out of sorts a bit this weekend. But, we think this might because of an exciting new development - LP's first baby tooth! He is a sharp little tooth coming in on the front of his bottom gums, and he is using it to chew on all things, including mom and dad. He still enjoys chewing our apple cores, but now he is able to scrape off some yummy fruit! LP has also expanded his dining repetroie quite a bit. He is enjoying new textures, especially when we put crumbled tofu in with his baby mush. He sometimes gets to eat what mom and dad eat when it can be mushed, like sweet potatoe fries, tofu scramble (his personal favorite) and quinoa. He definitely likes added spices to things, like tofu scramble with cumin and allspice in his sweet potatoes. He also drinks water from a cup and he lets you know when he is done by blowing bubbles. We are all enjoying him developing his palate, and we are really looking forward to the day when most of the tofu we put on his plate ends up in his mouth instead in his hair.
Pictures:
LP and his cousin
It doesn't get cuter than a baby in a hat and pants!
Giddy-up!
Baby Paparazzi
Yummy apple!
First off, my sincerest apologies for taking over a month to post. September was a whirlwind of getting back to work while the G-man and LP settled into a routine. This weekend we had grandparents and LP's aunt here to help us, so the G-man and I have gotten a chance to breathe (and sleep!!) This is also the first weekend where I haven't brought oodles of work home, and it is nice to have a chance to just focus on baby and family for a few days. The shift from stay-at-home mom to "working" mom has been easier than I might have thought, mostly thanks to the G-man for taking over the home duties. Dinner's get cooked, baby is taken care of and laundry gets done, all of which throughly impresses me. However, there have been several adjustments I have had to make both to adjust to my mom-away-from-baby role and in the teacher-with-a-child-role. One of the biggest adjustments has been the fact that the school year started the same way it always has - things are crazy, busy and I spend a lot of time at (and on) work. None of this is a total shock, but what is bizzare to me is the fact that school proceeds as normal while my life is completely different than it was just a year ago. Don't get me wrong; every co-worker, student and parent is supportive of the fact that I am a new parent. But it is strange to be in the same enviroment I have always been in as a teacher, but to have totally different home responsiblities. My sense of what it means to be a good teacher has always included building in time for reflection, staying late at work both to help students and to avoid bringing my work home during the week and taking time to talk to and collaborate with collegues, as well as to complete all the other day-to-day responsiblities of a teacher such as lesson planning, grading, calling families, etc. My home life and relationships with my spouse and family has always been important to me, but I am now realizing that I also was able to put those responsibilities in the backseat for the first part of the school year. Well, no longer. LP can't go in the backseat, nor do I want him there. He is growing up too fast for me to miss out on a week with him because I stay at work late. Even if I wanted to stay later, I couldn't because I am still trying to nurse him whenever possible, and that means I have to be home by 5:30 at the absolute latest. Between that and the fact that I have to pump whenever I have spare time and space, I have barely seen some of my closest work friends this year and I certainly haven't had the ability to collaborate with them. I spend at least fifteen minutes a day trying to figure out which work to take home (since I don't want to have to carry too much on my bike) and I save up all my grading for the weekend. Added into this is the fact that, in the back of my mind, I know that I am now providing the sole income for my family. I'm not really worried about it, but it does change my perspective on my job, and it is a bit of an added weight on my shoulders. All of this is not said to complain, but instead to attempt to articulate the sort of bizzare world I find myself in at work, where everyone and everything is just the same as I when I left - it's me who has changed so dramatically.
LP's Stuff:
LP has been doing all kinds of crazy stuff since my last post, and I'm determined to start posting again every week because that is the ONLY way I can keep up with him! He is both crawling and pulling himself up to standing whenever he gets a chance. We recently opened up his "area" and now our living room has been converted to the baby room. He has toys, puzzles and books to play with and he will entertain himself for quite a while on his own, and even longer when he has an auidence in the room. This has really helped the G-man since he is no longer stuck in baby-jail all day! LP is still doing well with naps, all though he has been out of sorts a bit this weekend. But, we think this might because of an exciting new development - LP's first baby tooth! He is a sharp little tooth coming in on the front of his bottom gums, and he is using it to chew on all things, including mom and dad. He still enjoys chewing our apple cores, but now he is able to scrape off some yummy fruit! LP has also expanded his dining repetroie quite a bit. He is enjoying new textures, especially when we put crumbled tofu in with his baby mush. He sometimes gets to eat what mom and dad eat when it can be mushed, like sweet potatoe fries, tofu scramble (his personal favorite) and quinoa. He definitely likes added spices to things, like tofu scramble with cumin and allspice in his sweet potatoes. He also drinks water from a cup and he lets you know when he is done by blowing bubbles. We are all enjoying him developing his palate, and we are really looking forward to the day when most of the tofu we put on his plate ends up in his mouth instead in his hair.
Pictures:
LP and his cousin
It doesn't get cuter than a baby in a hat and pants!
Giddy-up!
Baby Paparazzi
Yummy apple!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
August 29th, 2010
Mom's Stuff:
Well, tomorrow I'm officially back to work. I'm incredibly lucky to be leaving L-P with the best daycare imaginable - his Dad-extraordinaire! I think my two dudes are going to have a great time together, and I already am looking forward to getting home to them every day. While I am totally going to miss my little guy during the day, I am also looking forward to going back to work. Since I started working a bit last week I have realized how much I really, truly missed the intellectual rigor of my job as a teacher. I loved the time I got to sit around and lesson plan last week, and I had a couple meetings with colleagues that were both enjoyable and useful. I keep saying that I have missed grown-ups while staying home with LP, but really that's not the whole story. I got to see a lot of friends (and even made some new ones) when I was a full-time mom but I'm realizing I need a bit more than that. My job as a teacher gives me lots of problems to solve, time to play with language and some purpose to life that I really value. Its not a comparison with the purpose my son gives to my life - the two are so different that you really can't compare or rate them. But my work is part of my life, just as my son is, and, though society might sometimes expect otherwise, I'm O.K. with that.
LP's Stuff:
This baby can really haul! LP is a crawling, standing, jail-breaking, sweet-potato eating machine!! He continues to enjoy pulling himself up to standing, as well as playing with his myriad of toys in his baby pen. Lately he has been pulling himself up in his crib, so when we go in there after naps or in the morning, he is standing up with his arms over the sides, looking expectantly at the door. Time for dad to lower the crib mattress as low as it can go!! LP has also now fully mastered the sippy-cup, which is a good thing because it is how he is going to get his mom milk three times a day now!! He is also fully into his solid food - so much so that he actually keeps his hands down and lets us feed him without getting in the way too much. He still ends up messy (and so do we sometimes) but at least its not a battle!
Food and Fitness:
We are all eating healthier now that dad is in charge. The G-man is an amazing cook - much better than me and also more detail-oriented. Last night he made a wonderful dinner of jerk-spiced portabello mushrooms and sauteed spinach and tomatoes. We have also been making homemade food for LP. By far his favorite is sweet potatoes, but he also likes apples and pears. About a year ago the G-man decided it was worth it for us to get a Vita-mix - the same kind of blender that they have in smoothie places. It was ridiculously expensive for a blender, but we use it everyday for smoothies, and we use it to make our own hummus, soups, and now baby food!! Two sweet potatoes costs $1.40, and we can very easily get the equivalent of 14 baby food jars (at 60 cents a piece) using our Vita-mix to puree it. So, LP will continue to get homemade organic baby food, often from the farmer's market, which should make him quite a happy vegan baby!
Pictures:
LP and mom at Wright's Pond after a little swim
LP - playing with is toys
I can feed myself (the Levey side rears its ugly head!)
Well, tomorrow I'm officially back to work. I'm incredibly lucky to be leaving L-P with the best daycare imaginable - his Dad-extraordinaire! I think my two dudes are going to have a great time together, and I already am looking forward to getting home to them every day. While I am totally going to miss my little guy during the day, I am also looking forward to going back to work. Since I started working a bit last week I have realized how much I really, truly missed the intellectual rigor of my job as a teacher. I loved the time I got to sit around and lesson plan last week, and I had a couple meetings with colleagues that were both enjoyable and useful. I keep saying that I have missed grown-ups while staying home with LP, but really that's not the whole story. I got to see a lot of friends (and even made some new ones) when I was a full-time mom but I'm realizing I need a bit more than that. My job as a teacher gives me lots of problems to solve, time to play with language and some purpose to life that I really value. Its not a comparison with the purpose my son gives to my life - the two are so different that you really can't compare or rate them. But my work is part of my life, just as my son is, and, though society might sometimes expect otherwise, I'm O.K. with that.
LP's Stuff:
This baby can really haul! LP is a crawling, standing, jail-breaking, sweet-potato eating machine!! He continues to enjoy pulling himself up to standing, as well as playing with his myriad of toys in his baby pen. Lately he has been pulling himself up in his crib, so when we go in there after naps or in the morning, he is standing up with his arms over the sides, looking expectantly at the door. Time for dad to lower the crib mattress as low as it can go!! LP has also now fully mastered the sippy-cup, which is a good thing because it is how he is going to get his mom milk three times a day now!! He is also fully into his solid food - so much so that he actually keeps his hands down and lets us feed him without getting in the way too much. He still ends up messy (and so do we sometimes) but at least its not a battle!
Food and Fitness:
We are all eating healthier now that dad is in charge. The G-man is an amazing cook - much better than me and also more detail-oriented. Last night he made a wonderful dinner of jerk-spiced portabello mushrooms and sauteed spinach and tomatoes. We have also been making homemade food for LP. By far his favorite is sweet potatoes, but he also likes apples and pears. About a year ago the G-man decided it was worth it for us to get a Vita-mix - the same kind of blender that they have in smoothie places. It was ridiculously expensive for a blender, but we use it everyday for smoothies, and we use it to make our own hummus, soups, and now baby food!! Two sweet potatoes costs $1.40, and we can very easily get the equivalent of 14 baby food jars (at 60 cents a piece) using our Vita-mix to puree it. So, LP will continue to get homemade organic baby food, often from the farmer's market, which should make him quite a happy vegan baby!
Pictures:
LP and mom at Wright's Pond after a little swim
LP - playing with is toys
I can feed myself (the Levey side rears its ugly head!)
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
August 20th 2010
Mom's Stuff:
I'll be the first to admit it - I'm a control freak. Most of the challenges in my life stem from my "need" to have control over things I have no actual command over. In high school I had a complete meltdown when I broke my hand and couldn't play basketball, although I had been able to fight through the pain of the broken hand just fine before I knew the full extent of my injury. At work I have broken up fights between teenage boys, (or worse, teenage girls), been cussed out and yelled at by co-workers, all of which I have dealt with rather well. But if my free-period gets taken away by a last-minute subbing emergency? Chaos!! Crisis!!! Needless to say, having a baby has been a lesson in how to chill out. LP doesn't really care what my plans were - if he needs something he needs it now. While we have a schedule that he generally follows (he is really a very awesome baby) I am often reminded that I'm not actually the one in charge. And now, just when I was getting used to the idea that this little, cute, innocent being was actually the person who decides when I wake up, when I sit and feed him, when I leave the house, I have to get used to the fact that I will no longer be in charge of the house the way I have been for the last six months. My husband (already the best dad ever!) is taking over baby duty starting next week, and he is going be LP's primary caregiver. He is so much more relaxed and logical about dealing with baby stuff, and he will also have our house, if not spotless, at least well-organized. We have also tried to divvy up housework in a way that makes sense, which means he will continue to be in charge of laundry (because I usually forget to check pockets) and will start to be in charge of dinners (which has usually been my job). We are incredibly happy to have the financial ability to be in this situation, but it is going to be a big adjustment for both of us. I'm lucky to now have two guys in my life that keep me sane and remind me that the curve-balls that disrupt my sense of order not only can be dealt with but can also be the best moments in life.
LP's Stuff:
In the almost four weeks since I last blogged (yikes!) LP has advanced leaps and bounds. During our west coast tour he quickly moved from scooting to crawling, to be followed by sitting up. Now, when you put something he wants away from him, he goes right for it, quick as lightning. At one friend's house we used a yoga mat as a baby treadmill and just lifted him and brought him back to the beginning when he reached the end of the mat. He just got faster and faster every time. Now, at home, we have set up a baby play area that is penned in. LP can just sit and entertain himself for quite a while with all his new toys (most of which were obtained from his Nana and Papa on the aforementioned trip). But then, every once in a while he realizes he is in a pen, and goes to the gate and pulls himself up to standing. He doesn't have the strength to knock down the gate . . . yet. After a week at home he got back to his usual schedule of napping 2-3 hours in the morning and 1-2 hours in the afternoon and he is finally back to sleeping through the night (from 7:30 - 5:30 - other parent friends, don't hate us!) He still loves being around people and he really enjoyed a trip to a local pond today where he got a chance to "swim" (i.e. float with mom!) Our other big accomplishment this week is getting LP to use a sippy cup since he just would not deal with a bottle. We figure that we now, at least, have a way for dad to feed him when I head back to work next week.
Food and Fitness:
Well, I've been somewhat lax about working out, even though I have no excuse with the G-man being home. I'm going to try and get more into next week now that LP is back to a more normal eating schedule. We have been pretty good about cooking, especially with our farmer's market fare. The G-man made some amazing pesto from our basil garden, and I tried a really yummy recipe for spicy italian tempeh and broccoli from Veganomicon. On the menu tonight is tempeh BLT's and salad for mom and dad and "homemade" (i.e. home-blended) sweet potatoes for LP.
Pictures:
Four generations! LP says "Mi italiano!"
LP and his Uncle
Picnic in the park
Baby playpen or baby jail?
I'll be the first to admit it - I'm a control freak. Most of the challenges in my life stem from my "need" to have control over things I have no actual command over. In high school I had a complete meltdown when I broke my hand and couldn't play basketball, although I had been able to fight through the pain of the broken hand just fine before I knew the full extent of my injury. At work I have broken up fights between teenage boys, (or worse, teenage girls), been cussed out and yelled at by co-workers, all of which I have dealt with rather well. But if my free-period gets taken away by a last-minute subbing emergency? Chaos!! Crisis!!! Needless to say, having a baby has been a lesson in how to chill out. LP doesn't really care what my plans were - if he needs something he needs it now. While we have a schedule that he generally follows (he is really a very awesome baby) I am often reminded that I'm not actually the one in charge. And now, just when I was getting used to the idea that this little, cute, innocent being was actually the person who decides when I wake up, when I sit and feed him, when I leave the house, I have to get used to the fact that I will no longer be in charge of the house the way I have been for the last six months. My husband (already the best dad ever!) is taking over baby duty starting next week, and he is going be LP's primary caregiver. He is so much more relaxed and logical about dealing with baby stuff, and he will also have our house, if not spotless, at least well-organized. We have also tried to divvy up housework in a way that makes sense, which means he will continue to be in charge of laundry (because I usually forget to check pockets) and will start to be in charge of dinners (which has usually been my job). We are incredibly happy to have the financial ability to be in this situation, but it is going to be a big adjustment for both of us. I'm lucky to now have two guys in my life that keep me sane and remind me that the curve-balls that disrupt my sense of order not only can be dealt with but can also be the best moments in life.
LP's Stuff:
In the almost four weeks since I last blogged (yikes!) LP has advanced leaps and bounds. During our west coast tour he quickly moved from scooting to crawling, to be followed by sitting up. Now, when you put something he wants away from him, he goes right for it, quick as lightning. At one friend's house we used a yoga mat as a baby treadmill and just lifted him and brought him back to the beginning when he reached the end of the mat. He just got faster and faster every time. Now, at home, we have set up a baby play area that is penned in. LP can just sit and entertain himself for quite a while with all his new toys (most of which were obtained from his Nana and Papa on the aforementioned trip). But then, every once in a while he realizes he is in a pen, and goes to the gate and pulls himself up to standing. He doesn't have the strength to knock down the gate . . . yet. After a week at home he got back to his usual schedule of napping 2-3 hours in the morning and 1-2 hours in the afternoon and he is finally back to sleeping through the night (from 7:30 - 5:30 - other parent friends, don't hate us!) He still loves being around people and he really enjoyed a trip to a local pond today where he got a chance to "swim" (i.e. float with mom!) Our other big accomplishment this week is getting LP to use a sippy cup since he just would not deal with a bottle. We figure that we now, at least, have a way for dad to feed him when I head back to work next week.
Food and Fitness:
Well, I've been somewhat lax about working out, even though I have no excuse with the G-man being home. I'm going to try and get more into next week now that LP is back to a more normal eating schedule. We have been pretty good about cooking, especially with our farmer's market fare. The G-man made some amazing pesto from our basil garden, and I tried a really yummy recipe for spicy italian tempeh and broccoli from Veganomicon. On the menu tonight is tempeh BLT's and salad for mom and dad and "homemade" (i.e. home-blended) sweet potatoes for LP.
Pictures:
Four generations! LP says "Mi italiano!"
LP and his Uncle
Picnic in the park
Baby playpen or baby jail?
Thursday, July 29, 2010
July 29th, 2010
Mom Stuff:
It has now been two weeks since the G-man has been home with me and LP and we are loving it. It is so much easier having two people around. I don't have to take the baby with me everywhere I go, when we go grocery shopping, or out to lunch, or really anywhere its not a complicated safari - its just going out. It is also nice to be able to get things done during the day and not be completely at the mercy of LP's moods because someone else is always there to help! I'm starting to be a little sad about leaving both my guys during the day when I go back to work, but we are incredibly lucky to have our time as a family this summer and I am determined to make the most of it, even if it just means chilling out around the house and helping LP with his crawling!
LP's Stuff:
LP has been a really busy guy, and he has become quite the traveling baby. He has already flown more in his first five months than I did in my first five years, and he has become quite adept at getting used to new places. I love that he is still really friendly with people, and loves to be around them. Taking him on the bus, or into the airport, is really funny because he just stares at people. People usually stare back and start talking to him (which of course makes him smile) even though they only rarely talk to me. LP is pretty much on a solid schedule now, with some variation. He goes to bed between 7-8 and gets up between 5-6 (sometimes between 6-7, which is AWESOME!) He is naps for about 2-3 hours in the morning and 1-2 hours in the afternoon, and still eats at standard three hour intervals during the day. He also has been having solid food at dinner time with us. He recently graduated to real food (not just rice cereal). I'm proud to say that his first non-rice cereal food was pureed organic carrots from the farmer's market. All this food will be even more necessary soon since LP is totally on the brink of crawling. While he still can't really sit up on his own he now routinely pulls himself up on his hands and knees and moves/flops himself forward. If we put something that he wants out of his reach, he can go get it, albeit slowly (which is helpful!) I figure he will be pretty fast and mobile just about the time I go back to work (ha ha Dad - your turn!)
Pictures:
LP at the beach!
Yummy yummy food
LP and his Auntie Alicia!
Look at me Mom!
It has now been two weeks since the G-man has been home with me and LP and we are loving it. It is so much easier having two people around. I don't have to take the baby with me everywhere I go, when we go grocery shopping, or out to lunch, or really anywhere its not a complicated safari - its just going out. It is also nice to be able to get things done during the day and not be completely at the mercy of LP's moods because someone else is always there to help! I'm starting to be a little sad about leaving both my guys during the day when I go back to work, but we are incredibly lucky to have our time as a family this summer and I am determined to make the most of it, even if it just means chilling out around the house and helping LP with his crawling!
LP's Stuff:
LP has been a really busy guy, and he has become quite the traveling baby. He has already flown more in his first five months than I did in my first five years, and he has become quite adept at getting used to new places. I love that he is still really friendly with people, and loves to be around them. Taking him on the bus, or into the airport, is really funny because he just stares at people. People usually stare back and start talking to him (which of course makes him smile) even though they only rarely talk to me. LP is pretty much on a solid schedule now, with some variation. He goes to bed between 7-8 and gets up between 5-6 (sometimes between 6-7, which is AWESOME!) He is naps for about 2-3 hours in the morning and 1-2 hours in the afternoon, and still eats at standard three hour intervals during the day. He also has been having solid food at dinner time with us. He recently graduated to real food (not just rice cereal). I'm proud to say that his first non-rice cereal food was pureed organic carrots from the farmer's market. All this food will be even more necessary soon since LP is totally on the brink of crawling. While he still can't really sit up on his own he now routinely pulls himself up on his hands and knees and moves/flops himself forward. If we put something that he wants out of his reach, he can go get it, albeit slowly (which is helpful!) I figure he will be pretty fast and mobile just about the time I go back to work (ha ha Dad - your turn!)
Pictures:
LP at the beach!
Yummy yummy food
LP and his Auntie Alicia!
Look at me Mom!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
July 15th, 2010
Mom's Stuff:
No excuses - I've been slacking on the blog writing. I'd love to give some great reasons - like I have been working hard on school stuff, or writing articles or working out so much. But the reality is that the thought of engaging my brain sometimes just feels too hard. I think part of it is that summer is really in full swing. Many of my friends are teachers and that means two things - they are also in relaxation mode and have had more time to hang out. To be fair I also did spend five days (spread out over two weeks) with two other teachers on planning a writing class for next school year. However, after that I settled down to days spent reading, relaxing and planning and cooking meals (more about that in the food and fitness section below). What I have really enjoyed doing more of in the past week is hanging out with friends. I have a few mom friends with baby's about the same age as LP, so it has been nice to go on walks or just chill out with them. I really can't state clearly enough how having fellow parents to talk to makes a difference. I'm very lucky to have as many friends as I do, and they have all been so wonderful and supportive over the last year from the moment I told them I was pregnant. The support I have had from these amazing people (mostly moms) has ranged from suggestions about cloth diapering (borax seems to work better than baking soda) to showing up to "keep us company" at the hospital and then having to call the midwife when I swore I was ready to push (thanks Mandy!!). Just today I asked another friend for breastfeeding advice and I hope to get a few of these amazing mom's together next week when we can all go for a walk - the one activity that seems to keep all the kids chill :) And its not just my fellow moms (and dads) that have been there for me. We have had countless offers for help and babysitting support from other friends and neighbors, and my non-parent friends have been willing to accommodate my need (or rather LP's need) for flexibility. One of my best friends and I have had dinner dates once a week that we plan around LP's bedtime, and yesterday I thoroughly enjoyed meeting a work friend for a much needed beer where she was able to go with the flow according to baby's needs. Not to mention another work friend who came and entertained LP while I had to work a few weeks ago!! Truthfully we surrounded by amazing people in this home we have made for ourselves. Now that we have a child I find myself occasionally questioning our decision to settle so far from family. There are professional and economic reasons that make our decision sensible, and Skype helps a lot, but I still have many moments when I wonder if we did the right thing. I worry a lot about my son knowing his grandparents, great-grandparents, great-aunt and uncle and cousins and I know the concerns flow the other way too. But then I look at the life we have - we have a wonderful home, I have a job I love and we are able to be a one-income household. And, most importantly, we have family out here. True, its not our literal family, and nothing really can measure up to that. But we have family all the same. We have people who truly love us and our son. If I need help I have at least a dozen people I can call who will be here at the drop of a hat. We have people to laugh with, cry with and have fun with. These are people who we love unconditionally, and the feeling is mutual. So, while we will always, always, miss our families, and will visit as often as we possibly can, we are happy in the home we have created here, and, most importantly, we think our son will be too.
LP's Stuff:
Its been quite a while since I last posted, and LP has been up to a lot!! Like me he has been a social guy. He had two play dates recently, both with older ladies. I have to say the other babies seemed a bit more interested in him, especially the 7 month old who had fun playing with LP's feet. LP is still rolling over like a maniac, but he wants to crawl really, really bad. When he is on his stomach he kicks his legs like a frog and loves it if you put a toy in front of him that he can play with. He also is really into his books. Our nighttime routine includes reading "Goodnight Moon" and he likes to turn the pages, occasionally putting them in his mouth. He also really loves "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" - the kid has good taste. LP has also been sleeping well (this morning being a bit of an exception). He goes to be by 8pm and usually can sleep until 5:30. We are trying to stretch that to 6 am, but its not really a big deal at this point as long as we grownups get to bed early enough. The other big accomplishment is his eating habits - LP has started on solid food! Right now that just means a little bit of rice cereal when we sit down for our family dinner, but it is pretty exciting. He loves to play with the spoon itself, which can be hard when we are trying to feed him. When we first gave him food he got a confused look on his face, but he is learning to swallow. That actually seems to be the main use of the rice cereal since it has so little nutritional value - its really just a good "practice" food. So, solid food certainly isn't his main sustenance, but it is fun entertainment at dinner time!
Food and Fitness:
As mentioned earlier, I've been pretty lazy in the last few weeks, but I have manged to keep up my weight routine. I haven't been running as much as I would like since it has been really hot and humid here and I don't really want to bring LP out in that, even in the jogging stroller. I have been eating healthier. We have had more salads with dinner and I've been snacking on the delicious blueberries and raspberries that are in season. The last few weeks I have also done 90% of our produce shopping at the farmer's market which is really fun! Our recent dinners have included Caramelized Onion and Swiss Chard Pizza with Heirloom Tomatoes, Yellow lentil dal with Kale and a really good meal last night: Grilled Basil Polenta with Roasted Fennel and Beets. If I have time tonight I will be making sushi and hopefully will get to make a corn and black bean salad to have for late dinner tomorrow night.
Pictures and Video:
Our little literary guy!
"play" date
LP's new favorite play-time activity - we put it in the kitchen so that Mom can make dinner!
Food time!
No excuses - I've been slacking on the blog writing. I'd love to give some great reasons - like I have been working hard on school stuff, or writing articles or working out so much. But the reality is that the thought of engaging my brain sometimes just feels too hard. I think part of it is that summer is really in full swing. Many of my friends are teachers and that means two things - they are also in relaxation mode and have had more time to hang out. To be fair I also did spend five days (spread out over two weeks) with two other teachers on planning a writing class for next school year. However, after that I settled down to days spent reading, relaxing and planning and cooking meals (more about that in the food and fitness section below). What I have really enjoyed doing more of in the past week is hanging out with friends. I have a few mom friends with baby's about the same age as LP, so it has been nice to go on walks or just chill out with them. I really can't state clearly enough how having fellow parents to talk to makes a difference. I'm very lucky to have as many friends as I do, and they have all been so wonderful and supportive over the last year from the moment I told them I was pregnant. The support I have had from these amazing people (mostly moms) has ranged from suggestions about cloth diapering (borax seems to work better than baking soda) to showing up to "keep us company" at the hospital and then having to call the midwife when I swore I was ready to push (thanks Mandy!!). Just today I asked another friend for breastfeeding advice and I hope to get a few of these amazing mom's together next week when we can all go for a walk - the one activity that seems to keep all the kids chill :) And its not just my fellow moms (and dads) that have been there for me. We have had countless offers for help and babysitting support from other friends and neighbors, and my non-parent friends have been willing to accommodate my need (or rather LP's need) for flexibility. One of my best friends and I have had dinner dates once a week that we plan around LP's bedtime, and yesterday I thoroughly enjoyed meeting a work friend for a much needed beer where she was able to go with the flow according to baby's needs. Not to mention another work friend who came and entertained LP while I had to work a few weeks ago!! Truthfully we surrounded by amazing people in this home we have made for ourselves. Now that we have a child I find myself occasionally questioning our decision to settle so far from family. There are professional and economic reasons that make our decision sensible, and Skype helps a lot, but I still have many moments when I wonder if we did the right thing. I worry a lot about my son knowing his grandparents, great-grandparents, great-aunt and uncle and cousins and I know the concerns flow the other way too. But then I look at the life we have - we have a wonderful home, I have a job I love and we are able to be a one-income household. And, most importantly, we have family out here. True, its not our literal family, and nothing really can measure up to that. But we have family all the same. We have people who truly love us and our son. If I need help I have at least a dozen people I can call who will be here at the drop of a hat. We have people to laugh with, cry with and have fun with. These are people who we love unconditionally, and the feeling is mutual. So, while we will always, always, miss our families, and will visit as often as we possibly can, we are happy in the home we have created here, and, most importantly, we think our son will be too.
LP's Stuff:
Its been quite a while since I last posted, and LP has been up to a lot!! Like me he has been a social guy. He had two play dates recently, both with older ladies. I have to say the other babies seemed a bit more interested in him, especially the 7 month old who had fun playing with LP's feet. LP is still rolling over like a maniac, but he wants to crawl really, really bad. When he is on his stomach he kicks his legs like a frog and loves it if you put a toy in front of him that he can play with. He also is really into his books. Our nighttime routine includes reading "Goodnight Moon" and he likes to turn the pages, occasionally putting them in his mouth. He also really loves "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" - the kid has good taste. LP has also been sleeping well (this morning being a bit of an exception). He goes to be by 8pm and usually can sleep until 5:30. We are trying to stretch that to 6 am, but its not really a big deal at this point as long as we grownups get to bed early enough. The other big accomplishment is his eating habits - LP has started on solid food! Right now that just means a little bit of rice cereal when we sit down for our family dinner, but it is pretty exciting. He loves to play with the spoon itself, which can be hard when we are trying to feed him. When we first gave him food he got a confused look on his face, but he is learning to swallow. That actually seems to be the main use of the rice cereal since it has so little nutritional value - its really just a good "practice" food. So, solid food certainly isn't his main sustenance, but it is fun entertainment at dinner time!
Food and Fitness:
As mentioned earlier, I've been pretty lazy in the last few weeks, but I have manged to keep up my weight routine. I haven't been running as much as I would like since it has been really hot and humid here and I don't really want to bring LP out in that, even in the jogging stroller. I have been eating healthier. We have had more salads with dinner and I've been snacking on the delicious blueberries and raspberries that are in season. The last few weeks I have also done 90% of our produce shopping at the farmer's market which is really fun! Our recent dinners have included Caramelized Onion and Swiss Chard Pizza with Heirloom Tomatoes, Yellow lentil dal with Kale and a really good meal last night: Grilled Basil Polenta with Roasted Fennel and Beets. If I have time tonight I will be making sushi and hopefully will get to make a corn and black bean salad to have for late dinner tomorrow night.
Pictures and Video:
Our little literary guy!
"play" dateLP's new favorite play-time activity - we put it in the kitchen so that Mom can make dinner!
Food time!
Friday, June 25, 2010
June 25th, 2010
Mom's Stuff:
Unlike my other blog, I don't have titles for my posts here, other than the date. But if this post were going to have a title it would be "Multi-tasking." One of the hard things I have had to learn about taking care of a baby is that I don't get to finish things when I want. Every day I have to develop a strategy to get things done in little pieces, and I also have to accept that there are some things that just won't get done. However, there are the occasional glorious days where I have a long (more than 20 minute) block of time to do something. Today was just such a day - after a tiring day yesterday where he had to be with me at work from 7 am to 5 pm, LP is currently taking a super long nap - he went to sleep around 9:15 and it is now 11:30. When he first went down for his nap, my plan was to read through some of my e-mail, especially the articles on some of my teacher listserves. However, as I was doing this I had trouble focusing - I kept jumping around, thinking of other e-mails I needed to write, trying to complete another blog entry, etc. I'm sure part of this is the way the internet works - I know a lot of people who do this online. However, I wasn't always like this. It took me 45 min into LP's nap to chill out a little bit and actually get some stuff completed (including finally cleaning the kitchen - yee ha!). While this distracted energy I have is fine for now, I do wonder how I will readjust (or will I readjust) come September, when I go back to work.
LP's Stuff:
This has been a red letter week for LP! First of all, let me say that he is the most amazing kid (yeah, I'm biased!). I had to work two days this week - one at home and one at my school, and he was amazing and well-behaved in both very trying circumstances. He is also turning into a regular moving machine. Yesterday he was launching himself out of his car seat (when he was unbuckled) and changing his diaper and getting him dressed has become an olympic event since he wants to roll around and wiggle so much. His latest feats are attempting to sit up, which he can do pretty well, but he pretty quickly falls to the side, and sticking his foot in his mouth - literally, not figuratively (we have a few more years until that happens!). He is becoming really fun to spend time with and interact with, but he is also becoming a handful! He is definitely curious like his dad - we can only hope that is not coupled with his mom's stubborness!
Pictures:
Unlike my other blog, I don't have titles for my posts here, other than the date. But if this post were going to have a title it would be "Multi-tasking." One of the hard things I have had to learn about taking care of a baby is that I don't get to finish things when I want. Every day I have to develop a strategy to get things done in little pieces, and I also have to accept that there are some things that just won't get done. However, there are the occasional glorious days where I have a long (more than 20 minute) block of time to do something. Today was just such a day - after a tiring day yesterday where he had to be with me at work from 7 am to 5 pm, LP is currently taking a super long nap - he went to sleep around 9:15 and it is now 11:30. When he first went down for his nap, my plan was to read through some of my e-mail, especially the articles on some of my teacher listserves. However, as I was doing this I had trouble focusing - I kept jumping around, thinking of other e-mails I needed to write, trying to complete another blog entry, etc. I'm sure part of this is the way the internet works - I know a lot of people who do this online. However, I wasn't always like this. It took me 45 min into LP's nap to chill out a little bit and actually get some stuff completed (including finally cleaning the kitchen - yee ha!). While this distracted energy I have is fine for now, I do wonder how I will readjust (or will I readjust) come September, when I go back to work.
LP's Stuff:
This has been a red letter week for LP! First of all, let me say that he is the most amazing kid (yeah, I'm biased!). I had to work two days this week - one at home and one at my school, and he was amazing and well-behaved in both very trying circumstances. He is also turning into a regular moving machine. Yesterday he was launching himself out of his car seat (when he was unbuckled) and changing his diaper and getting him dressed has become an olympic event since he wants to roll around and wiggle so much. His latest feats are attempting to sit up, which he can do pretty well, but he pretty quickly falls to the side, and sticking his foot in his mouth - literally, not figuratively (we have a few more years until that happens!). He is becoming really fun to spend time with and interact with, but he is also becoming a handful! He is definitely curious like his dad - we can only hope that is not coupled with his mom's stubborness!
Pictures:
Monday, June 21, 2010
June 21st, 2010
Mom's Stuff:
About two weeks ago I hit a wall. There was really no reason to - LP is a very chill, happy baby who rarely fusses (and always has a reason if only I can figure it out). I have incredibly supportive friends and family who are always ready to help out, or even just spend an inordinate amount of time on the phone while I walk a baby to sleep. But even with all of this, I was done. I dreaded Monday's when G-man went to work, and I began to seriously resent all the people I knew who got out and did things during the day. Its not like I was locked inside, but there was not real reason for me to leave the house. I'm realizing that this is the longest I have ever gone without doing some find of writing, teacher-work, etc. While I am definitely working in the sense that I am raising and feeding a child, I am not "working" in the way I have been used to, and I want to. Its a sickness I guess, but I can't wait to go back to unit and lesson planning and teaching. I'm sure I will read this in October and kick my past self, but the reality is that I miss my job. In my dream world I would stay home with my baby and work at the same time. In the real world I'll let G-man take over in September as I go back to my classroom.
L-P's Stuff:
During a much, much needed visit with Grandma and Grandpa (AZ) LP got to do whatever he wanted, including take naps on Grandma and Grandpa instead of in his crib. He also got to watch Grandpa's really cool garden railroad recently named in LP's honor! He was a wonderful baby on the plane and in a hotel for the night which has helped me feel a lot better about how well he will travel on our next west coast trip. Since the last post he has also made advances in movement. While at Grandma and Grandpa's he practiced sticking his butt in the air, and by the time we came home he was able to propel himself forward bit-by-bit - kind of commando style. With these newfound skills LP is also able to entertain himself for long periods of time in his pac-n-play and on the activity mat now that he can really grab things and play with them. Its great because I can leave him on the mat for long stretches while I do things like work out or make dinner. On the other hand, I have to watch him like a hawk because you never know what he will do next!
Food and Fitness:
Since I did name this blog "Vegan Mama" I thought I should finally talk about what we are eating in our vegan family. LP is, of course, still eating his usual breastmilk fare, but I have been progressively trying to eat healthier as the G-man and I figure out how to cook and eat with a baby. With the weather getting warmer I've been having fruit and whole-wheat toast for breakfast, and I've started having big salads for lunch with lots of tomato, apple, avocado and other yummy veggies on top. Our dinner menu for this week includes White Bean Ratatouille, Yellow Split pea Dal (both from The Vegan Table) and Classic Black Bean Soup and Mexican Lentil Casserole (both from "Easy Beans"). I'm learning how to stratagize dinner-making into chunks so that I can get it done in the afternoon and still have time to hang out with LP. LP has also inspired me to work out more the past few weeks. I have my 20 minute weight routine (which is about as much time as I can count on) and two days a week we take a 2 mile jog. Hopefully we will be increasing distance soon! I am also finding that when I work out I'm able to relax and have more fun with LP - definitely an incentive!
Pictures:
About two weeks ago I hit a wall. There was really no reason to - LP is a very chill, happy baby who rarely fusses (and always has a reason if only I can figure it out). I have incredibly supportive friends and family who are always ready to help out, or even just spend an inordinate amount of time on the phone while I walk a baby to sleep. But even with all of this, I was done. I dreaded Monday's when G-man went to work, and I began to seriously resent all the people I knew who got out and did things during the day. Its not like I was locked inside, but there was not real reason for me to leave the house. I'm realizing that this is the longest I have ever gone without doing some find of writing, teacher-work, etc. While I am definitely working in the sense that I am raising and feeding a child, I am not "working" in the way I have been used to, and I want to. Its a sickness I guess, but I can't wait to go back to unit and lesson planning and teaching. I'm sure I will read this in October and kick my past self, but the reality is that I miss my job. In my dream world I would stay home with my baby and work at the same time. In the real world I'll let G-man take over in September as I go back to my classroom.
L-P's Stuff:
During a much, much needed visit with Grandma and Grandpa (AZ) LP got to do whatever he wanted, including take naps on Grandma and Grandpa instead of in his crib. He also got to watch Grandpa's really cool garden railroad recently named in LP's honor! He was a wonderful baby on the plane and in a hotel for the night which has helped me feel a lot better about how well he will travel on our next west coast trip. Since the last post he has also made advances in movement. While at Grandma and Grandpa's he practiced sticking his butt in the air, and by the time we came home he was able to propel himself forward bit-by-bit - kind of commando style. With these newfound skills LP is also able to entertain himself for long periods of time in his pac-n-play and on the activity mat now that he can really grab things and play with them. Its great because I can leave him on the mat for long stretches while I do things like work out or make dinner. On the other hand, I have to watch him like a hawk because you never know what he will do next!
Food and Fitness:
Since I did name this blog "Vegan Mama" I thought I should finally talk about what we are eating in our vegan family. LP is, of course, still eating his usual breastmilk fare, but I have been progressively trying to eat healthier as the G-man and I figure out how to cook and eat with a baby. With the weather getting warmer I've been having fruit and whole-wheat toast for breakfast, and I've started having big salads for lunch with lots of tomato, apple, avocado and other yummy veggies on top. Our dinner menu for this week includes White Bean Ratatouille, Yellow Split pea Dal (both from The Vegan Table) and Classic Black Bean Soup and Mexican Lentil Casserole (both from "Easy Beans"). I'm learning how to stratagize dinner-making into chunks so that I can get it done in the afternoon and still have time to hang out with LP. LP has also inspired me to work out more the past few weeks. I have my 20 minute weight routine (which is about as much time as I can count on) and two days a week we take a 2 mile jog. Hopefully we will be increasing distance soon! I am also finding that when I work out I'm able to relax and have more fun with LP - definitely an incentive!
Pictures:
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
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Tuesday, June 8, 2010
June 8th, 2010
Mom's Stuff:
Just when you think you have a handle on things you baby tells you otherwise. The last two nights have been rough on all three of us. Last night I got up with LP from 2-3:30, and then dad was up with him from 3:45-5:15, at which point I took LP, fed him and brought him downstairs to the swing. All three of us were exhausted, and the G-man and I have no idea why LP couldn't sleep on his own the way he has been doing for weeks. Maybe its gas, maybe it was too cold - who knows. At least LP has been sleeping in his swing from 5:30 until now (almost 9) and might even sleep more. That is unusual for him and more evidence - in my mind - that something was preventing him from sleeping well last night. I thought we were through the phase where we just congratulated ourselves on surviving, but I guess I was wrong.
LP's Stuff:
Other than not sleeping well for two nights, LP has been doing good in other areas. He has become way more playful and interested in things. Anything he can hold he sticks in his mouth (as best he can). He also seems more into the books we read him, and he reaches out his hand and tries to turn the pages (or at least seems to be). He also has transitioned to a bit more of a nap schedule, although that might be even more short-lived than I had hoped. Overall, he is still a very happy baby.
Pictures:
A new thing! It must go in my mouth!!
Dad - stop trying to make me be cute for the camera!
Mom and LP - graduation and the post-graduation party!
Just when you think you have a handle on things you baby tells you otherwise. The last two nights have been rough on all three of us. Last night I got up with LP from 2-3:30, and then dad was up with him from 3:45-5:15, at which point I took LP, fed him and brought him downstairs to the swing. All three of us were exhausted, and the G-man and I have no idea why LP couldn't sleep on his own the way he has been doing for weeks. Maybe its gas, maybe it was too cold - who knows. At least LP has been sleeping in his swing from 5:30 until now (almost 9) and might even sleep more. That is unusual for him and more evidence - in my mind - that something was preventing him from sleeping well last night. I thought we were through the phase where we just congratulated ourselves on surviving, but I guess I was wrong.
LP's Stuff:
Other than not sleeping well for two nights, LP has been doing good in other areas. He has become way more playful and interested in things. Anything he can hold he sticks in his mouth (as best he can). He also seems more into the books we read him, and he reaches out his hand and tries to turn the pages (or at least seems to be). He also has transitioned to a bit more of a nap schedule, although that might be even more short-lived than I had hoped. Overall, he is still a very happy baby.
Pictures:
A new thing! It must go in my mouth!!
Dad - stop trying to make me be cute for the camera!
Mom and LP - graduation and the post-graduation party!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
June 1st, 2010
Mom's Stuff:
Like most women I know, I have always found fault with my body, and I have often felt like I just needed to lose that "last" five pounds. When I was pregnant I worked out religiously up until month seven with the goal of not only staying in shape, but also being able to get my pre-pregnancy body back as soon as possible. When I finally gave birth to LP I was in quite a hurry to get back to running and lifting and trying to get myself looking decent again. In many ways, through the whole pregnancy and the first month after I was not a fan of my body. Sure, I was impressed that I had somehow grown a child, and I felt good about the birth, but I still wanted to "get rid of" the signs of pregnancy like the stretch marks, tummy pouch, etc. However, in the last few weeks, I have come around to a different understanding. As I get back to being able to do the things I used to, I am actually loving my post-pregnancy body. I have come to see the strech marks as something to be proud of, like bruises after a particuluary difficult basketball game. I may not be running as far as I used to (2 miles is now my "short run") but I'm doing it pushing a baby in a jogging stroller. I'm also able to walk for miles with a 13 lb child (and growing everyday!) strapped to my chest. Rather than seeing my body as lacking, I see it as stronger than it has ever been. Heck, its not only doing all these things, but it is also providing all the nutrition and calories my child needs! So, now when I see all the ads on my computer about getting my figure "back" I laugh, because I have no desire to go "back" to what I was - this is the best I've ever been.
LP's Stuff:
Well, the days of the putting the baby down for a second have ended. Today LP rolled from his back to his front - and then back again. He was having a blast playing with his toys and enjoying his new-found mobility. He is also getting more and more interested in things - he loves going for a run is and is always looking around. He will cry if you leave the room (and stop entertaining him). The other day I was eating lunch and he was fascinated by the green beans. He's not ready for solid foods yet, but I'm excited to think he will be my greens-lovin' vegan baby!
Pictures:
Like most women I know, I have always found fault with my body, and I have often felt like I just needed to lose that "last" five pounds. When I was pregnant I worked out religiously up until month seven with the goal of not only staying in shape, but also being able to get my pre-pregnancy body back as soon as possible. When I finally gave birth to LP I was in quite a hurry to get back to running and lifting and trying to get myself looking decent again. In many ways, through the whole pregnancy and the first month after I was not a fan of my body. Sure, I was impressed that I had somehow grown a child, and I felt good about the birth, but I still wanted to "get rid of" the signs of pregnancy like the stretch marks, tummy pouch, etc. However, in the last few weeks, I have come around to a different understanding. As I get back to being able to do the things I used to, I am actually loving my post-pregnancy body. I have come to see the strech marks as something to be proud of, like bruises after a particuluary difficult basketball game. I may not be running as far as I used to (2 miles is now my "short run") but I'm doing it pushing a baby in a jogging stroller. I'm also able to walk for miles with a 13 lb child (and growing everyday!) strapped to my chest. Rather than seeing my body as lacking, I see it as stronger than it has ever been. Heck, its not only doing all these things, but it is also providing all the nutrition and calories my child needs! So, now when I see all the ads on my computer about getting my figure "back" I laugh, because I have no desire to go "back" to what I was - this is the best I've ever been.
LP's Stuff:
Well, the days of the putting the baby down for a second have ended. Today LP rolled from his back to his front - and then back again. He was having a blast playing with his toys and enjoying his new-found mobility. He is also getting more and more interested in things - he loves going for a run is and is always looking around. He will cry if you leave the room (and stop entertaining him). The other day I was eating lunch and he was fascinated by the green beans. He's not ready for solid foods yet, but I'm excited to think he will be my greens-lovin' vegan baby!
Pictures:
Saturday, May 29, 2010
May 29th, 2010
Mom's Stuff:
At different points in my life I have done things that make me feel stronger and more independent, and which often involve a bit of risk (the one of the main one was moving out to the East Coast with no job and only really knowing one person out here). Some of the positive results of taking these risks is that I often feel more independent and stronger after the fact. I think it has to do with feeling like "hey, if I can do that, I can do anything!" With having a baby the actions that qualify as risks may seem silly. I remember that going to meet a friend for lunch with just LP and myself when he was four weeks old seemed like the biggest deal in the world. But after we made it through without catastrophe I started to feel way more confident about taking him out in the world. This week was a week full of such events. On Sunday I took LP on an airplane for the first time, just me and him. It was tiring for sure, but it went well. He was calm for the most part, probably calmer than me. Then we spent two days at my sister's place, without LP's swing or crib. LP adjusted very well, probably better than me. On our way back home, I was feeling both very happy to be home, but also a sense of accomplishment. Yes I was exhausted, and it has taken me a few days to really recover, but I did it. I figure if I can do that, I can do almost anything with LP on my own. And so today he and I went for a run with him in the jogging stroller. It was nothing compared to our plane trip, but it was something I had been putting off because I wasn't sure how it would go. But hey, after traveling by yourself with a baby, there is nothing you can't do!
LP's Stuff:
As mentioned above, LP had a very busy week with his traveling. He is also now sleeping without being swaddled, mostly because it has been warm and we want to get him used to it. So far, so good, although he did wake up at 2:30 the last two nights. He loved the jogging stroller this morning - his little legs were kicking up a storm, and he smiled at people as he ran by. However, his most impressive accomplishment this week was the way he rolled over. Now when I put him on his tummy he can roll over, although, to be honest, it looks a bit more like flopping over. But he loves it, and it is pretty fun to watch! No more leaving him sitting on the couch while I grab my breakfast though - sigh.
Pictures and Video:
At different points in my life I have done things that make me feel stronger and more independent, and which often involve a bit of risk (the one of the main one was moving out to the East Coast with no job and only really knowing one person out here). Some of the positive results of taking these risks is that I often feel more independent and stronger after the fact. I think it has to do with feeling like "hey, if I can do that, I can do anything!" With having a baby the actions that qualify as risks may seem silly. I remember that going to meet a friend for lunch with just LP and myself when he was four weeks old seemed like the biggest deal in the world. But after we made it through without catastrophe I started to feel way more confident about taking him out in the world. This week was a week full of such events. On Sunday I took LP on an airplane for the first time, just me and him. It was tiring for sure, but it went well. He was calm for the most part, probably calmer than me. Then we spent two days at my sister's place, without LP's swing or crib. LP adjusted very well, probably better than me. On our way back home, I was feeling both very happy to be home, but also a sense of accomplishment. Yes I was exhausted, and it has taken me a few days to really recover, but I did it. I figure if I can do that, I can do almost anything with LP on my own. And so today he and I went for a run with him in the jogging stroller. It was nothing compared to our plane trip, but it was something I had been putting off because I wasn't sure how it would go. But hey, after traveling by yourself with a baby, there is nothing you can't do!
LP's Stuff:
As mentioned above, LP had a very busy week with his traveling. He is also now sleeping without being swaddled, mostly because it has been warm and we want to get him used to it. So far, so good, although he did wake up at 2:30 the last two nights. He loved the jogging stroller this morning - his little legs were kicking up a storm, and he smiled at people as he ran by. However, his most impressive accomplishment this week was the way he rolled over. Now when I put him on his tummy he can roll over, although, to be honest, it looks a bit more like flopping over. But he loves it, and it is pretty fun to watch! No more leaving him sitting on the couch while I grab my breakfast though - sigh.
Pictures and Video:
Saturday, May 15, 2010
May 15th 2010
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Mom's Stuff:
I thought I understood what compromise really means, but having a child is giving me a whole new perspective. On one hand I am making compromises left and right. The dishes are "clean enough." I'm finishing my master's but I'm not sure that the final product will be as good as it could have been under other circumstances. When I was preparing a presentation I realized that the wording on one of the slides would make more sense if it was changed, but that required me being able to go upstairs and work on the PC - a feat that I was not sure I could accomplish with LP awake in the mere 30 minutes I had. So, the wording remained and life continued. I also have soy formula on hand, though I have not had to use it yet. Unfortunately, I have not found any true vegan formula out there since almost all of them have vitamin D3 in them, which is derived from non-vegan sources. So, while my diet (and therefore LP's) is strictly vegan, we have the formula just in case we need it - one more compromise I have made. On the flip side, there are many areas where we are not compromising what is really important to us. I'm breastfeeding even though it is sometimes painful and inconvenient. LP will not be going to daycare, even thought that means I'm going without pay for a few months and then we will be living on a teacher's salary. I have found myself wondering more in the past few days (after seriously compromising my desires to have LP on a nap schedule) what other compromises we will make that we never expected, and also what principles we will find ourselves totally unwilling to compromise on. Only time will tell.
LP's stuff:
As I just mentioned, at the pediatrician's suggestion I have been trying to get LP to take more naps both on a schedule and in a crib. Suffice to say this was a failed experiment for both of us. So, in the interest of getting LP to get enough sleep, he is still sleeping in his swing occasionally, although we always try putting him in his crib or pack n' play first. This week LP has started to want to interact even more. When we are playing with him he is happy, but when we leave he starts throwing a fit. This can be irritating, but on the other hand it is exciting that he is wanting to interact more and that he is starting to acknowledge us as more than just diaper changers and food sources. As one of my friends reminded me he is still in the "fourth trimester" and so it is fine to cuddle him, rock him, and do whatever he needs - we are certainly not spoiling him! Although I have explained to him that we can play, but he has to be willing to watch Glee with me on Wednesdays as well. So far he seems to be fine with that.
Pictures: Remember, if click on a picture it should open up in another browser window in a bigger size that is easier to see.
Mom's Stuff:
I thought I understood what compromise really means, but having a child is giving me a whole new perspective. On one hand I am making compromises left and right. The dishes are "clean enough." I'm finishing my master's but I'm not sure that the final product will be as good as it could have been under other circumstances. When I was preparing a presentation I realized that the wording on one of the slides would make more sense if it was changed, but that required me being able to go upstairs and work on the PC - a feat that I was not sure I could accomplish with LP awake in the mere 30 minutes I had. So, the wording remained and life continued. I also have soy formula on hand, though I have not had to use it yet. Unfortunately, I have not found any true vegan formula out there since almost all of them have vitamin D3 in them, which is derived from non-vegan sources. So, while my diet (and therefore LP's) is strictly vegan, we have the formula just in case we need it - one more compromise I have made. On the flip side, there are many areas where we are not compromising what is really important to us. I'm breastfeeding even though it is sometimes painful and inconvenient. LP will not be going to daycare, even thought that means I'm going without pay for a few months and then we will be living on a teacher's salary. I have found myself wondering more in the past few days (after seriously compromising my desires to have LP on a nap schedule) what other compromises we will make that we never expected, and also what principles we will find ourselves totally unwilling to compromise on. Only time will tell.
LP's stuff:
As I just mentioned, at the pediatrician's suggestion I have been trying to get LP to take more naps both on a schedule and in a crib. Suffice to say this was a failed experiment for both of us. So, in the interest of getting LP to get enough sleep, he is still sleeping in his swing occasionally, although we always try putting him in his crib or pack n' play first. This week LP has started to want to interact even more. When we are playing with him he is happy, but when we leave he starts throwing a fit. This can be irritating, but on the other hand it is exciting that he is wanting to interact more and that he is starting to acknowledge us as more than just diaper changers and food sources. As one of my friends reminded me he is still in the "fourth trimester" and so it is fine to cuddle him, rock him, and do whatever he needs - we are certainly not spoiling him! Although I have explained to him that we can play, but he has to be willing to watch Glee with me on Wednesdays as well. So far he seems to be fine with that.
Pictures: Remember, if click on a picture it should open up in another browser window in a bigger size that is easier to see.
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