Cozy

After 2 + weeks of nap striking, Avery put herself to bed after lunch. She didn't even want milk and cuddles while reading, she went straight to her room, and tried scaling into her crib. I put her in, grabbed "Buddy" aka blanket, and her Pooh bear, she went right to sleep.
Thank you Avery, now Momma got to have a shower and finally catch up on some laundry.

Doing Great!

We had our follow up appointment with the pediatrician yesterday, and Avery is doing awesome! She has gained 2 lbs, in one month, and her whole personality has taken a 360. Basically, the analysis is with her poo fear situation, we're going to continue with the mild laxative for up to 6 months. She also recommended to not push Avery with her potty training, and to really let her tell us when she's ready. I agreed with it especially because I don't think Avery is over that trauma, and she understands the potty, just doesn't want to use it. The doctor mentioned her bowel is actually probably still swollen, and will need more time on the laxative. So that is that, we'll have another appointment in 2 months, to talk about her progress. I felt so happy leaving there, and satisfied with all of her progress.

We had kindergym this morning, and Avery was acting very independently. Not letting me hold her hands at all, and fully in charge of whatever activity we were doing. She even jumped on the big trampoline. She's loosening up so much around other kids, since we've been going. Getting over fears, and exploring. I love it so much that I'm going to sign us up for the next session. I've been really lucky that Steve's step mom has been taking Rowan for the 1.5 hours we go alone, and then we eat lunch there, and get our visit in.

So that's about it, Avery's doing great!

Took Rowan out, so we could all sit on the floor.

She is so happy!

Having a bounce with Daddy. Yes he's in his Carrharts.

Just a sweet shot to post.

Baby Momma

I've been a blog slacker again. I'm so busy these days, two wee ones on the go, night waking, and they usually nap at different times. I'm not far from exhausted most of the time. I actually ate red meat twice last week, for a quick iron boost, and it did shave some of the fatigue.

On this Friday past, I pre-made a Shepard's pie to take over to my good friend, Chelsea's house. She's 39 weeks pregnant now, and I wanted to do something nice so she could sit down and relax a bit. Like her, I found the last stretch very tiring with a toddler and family to take care of. It's like life doesn't stop, and the mother just has to keep going to hold everything together. I vacuumed her house, and the corners for cobwebs, too. Yep, I'm awesome. But I should mention, she baked a delicious apple crisp for dessert.

I've been trying to get outside with the girls, when I can, seeing as it's just so nice out these days. We've been having non stop sun stretch the last week, or so, and it's so refreshing after two straight months of grey and rain. I actually think I'm slightly effected by seasonal depression, well most people are in some way. It is very hard to get any actual yard work done. Avery is into everything. Steve's busy working on the green house, but that means it is total construction zone out there, so you can't turn your eyes on her for a second. It's hard for me to relax with her even playing out there, nails on the ground, large loose panes of glass, ladders, saw blades, etc. Ahh, married the carpenter. I feel like we have all these plans for big gardens and everything, but it is really hard to help Steve at all, taking care of the girls. It sucks because he is doing the majority, but I mean he should be more understanding sometimes that we have two daughters under the age of two.

Besides the daily life, both girls are teething. Avery is getting all four of her two year molars, and I'm so glad that she'll be done teething once these are fully in. She's been night waking, and very sad with them, but they are not as bad as the fangs, eye teeth, whatever. Rowan seems to be pretty decent with her teeth. When a new one is cutting, she nurses non stop in the night for comfort, and that is draining, but sleeping with her really helps. She is so secure and loved knowing Mommy is right there.

Avery has been skipping her naps some days, and fighting bed time. Actually the last couple of weeks have been very challenging with her, and I've been so drained. I did manage to get the bottles completely out of the routine, and the issues from that only lasted about three days. We started giving Avery lactose free milk, thinking that it might be good until we have our follow up appointment with the pediatrician on Tuesday. I don't know what it is exactly, but it seemed to bung her little body up, too, and she was very upset. It did take a couple days to figure out that the milk was doing it, and I feel pretty bad about it.

Gluten free has actually been a pretty easy transition. I do still make things regular for ourselves, and sometimes just bake Avery a little plain chicken for dinner, instead of whatever flavour we'll have on ours. She has been eating so much more food now, and her behaviour has drastically changed. I feel so fortunate to have so many options here, via Edible Island, or even just the healthy aisle in Superstore. I couldn't imagine dealing with a major diet change in a rural town, like I used to live in up in northern Alberta.

Avery is talking up a storm! She can say all of her colours, and copies so many words we say. She has quite a few verbs, too, but mostly loves pointing out everything she sees, and she knows the word for. I have been very dedicated to reading with her, and I really think our weekly library trips, and her love for books have majorly contributed to the amazing little talker. I so love that she can tell me what she needs, or say "owie" when need be. It sure beats playing the guessing game. The one thing I'm finding annoying these days, is she thinks if she says please, which sounds like, "peez", she can just get whatever she wants like cookies. We have a ton of little tantrums, but I have been trying to really stand my ground; otherwise, I know she'll keep doing it bigger and louder until I cave.

Our weekly Wednesday morning kindergym classes are going great. Avery says gym often. I did just upload an album to facebook, Steve was able to meet me there one morning, and take pictures with his fancy camera. Chels said it best, the album captures the essence of a child's inner happiness. I'll have to try getting some on here soon. I drop Rowan off with Steve's step mom, and then go there after, and we eat our lunch there, before driving home. It's totally perfect for everyone, we get our visits in, and Avery falls asleep for her nap on the way home.

Finally, I'm going to be attending my first birth any time now. My girlfriend I mentioned earlier is about to have her second baby. I am so excited about it! I secretly hope she goes into labour at night, so I can sneakily leave the girls with Steve. Either way, no matter what happens, at this point, I'm beyond honoured to have been invited, and am really anticipating being a witness to the miracle of a new life.

Gluten Free Play Dough

Here's a gluten free play dough recipe. It's perfectly safe in case she eats a little bit. I wish I had Kool-Aid in my house for it, I found even though I used a ton of food colouring, my batch turned out with a flat purple look. I was worried with the good smell Avery would eat it, but she seems to be pretty good at listening when I show her how to play with the dough, and tell her not to put it in her mouth; although, I do catch her licking the salty taste off of her fingers.

INGREDIENTS:

-2/3 cup rice flour
-1/3 cup potato starch flour or cornstarch (I used cornstarch)
-1/3 cup salt
-2 tsp xantham gum
-1 tbsp Cream of Tartar
-1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid, any flavor (or food colouring, but Kool-Aid is brighter and has a scent)
-1 tbsp vegetable oil
-1 cup warm water
-Extra potato starch or cornstarch for kneading dough (I found I needed quite a bit of cornstarch)

DIRECTIONS:

1- In a medium sized sauce pan, combine rice flour, potato/ cornstarch, salt, xantham gum, Cream of Tartar, and Kool-Aid. (If using food colouring, add it to the water before adding it to the dry ingredients.)
2- Add the oil and the warm water to the flour mixture and mix well.
3- Heat the mixture on medium heat for about one minute or until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from the heat.
4- Turn the dough out onto a cornstarch- floured board or waxed paper. Knead in enough starch until the dough is no longer sticky.
5- Store in an airtight container or zip-style bag when not in use.
6- If the dough becomes too thick or slightly dry after using, heat in the microwave on high for 30 seconds and knead.

Recipe from, "Incredible Edible Gluten-Free Food for Kids" book.

No More Bottles

Quick post. Day two no bottles. I want Avery drinking only from big girl cups before Rowan is using bottles. Once this mega teeth is over, I am thinking of weaning her, and working on sleep separating again.

The first cup of milk didn't go smoothly yesterday afternoon, and after a raging tantrum that last 55 minutes, she finally went down. Last night because I put her down, she was ok with drinking the milk while we read about 5 or 6 books. We brushed our teeth, and she went down without a fight. I think she was exhausted, she slept really well.

Today I drove home from Nan's house, I thought she'd fall asleep in the car, like every time we drive home after lunch, but she stayed awake, and it was chaos getting her down. Avery pooped, Rowan was screaming, and only now an hour and a half later, is the monster actually down. I put the dishwasher on for white noise, but I do expect Avery to be totally grouchy when she wakes up. Ugh.

It'd be so easy to cave, and give her the bottle, but I really want this transition to be done before we work on potty training. And like any other change, it only takes a few days. (Let's hope.)

Transitional Realities

I have been going through realisations and growth in myself lately. I need to vent it out, and sort my feelings, so here goes.

We make little videos of the girls with our video camera. I already have learned that it is very hard to talk on the phone like I used to before babies, and it means trying to occupy the girls with other distractions. Now of course you need a little adult conversation in the day, but I was spending too much time on the phone before. Babies go from easy to watch, to little people very quickly, and little people demand undivided attention. So back to the videos, we made the coolest one ever with Avery reading almost every word aloud from her little golden book of words. I can't post it because in the background, I was totally gossiping. Every girl does it, but at what expense?

Avery yesterday at lunch, turns and says, "more", for the first time, and does the sign correctly with her hands. She never really did sign before she talked, and I wasn't really consistent doing baby signs with her. Anyhow, this is the second time she has remembered a sign from well over 6 months ago. If she has recorded it in her mind, what else does the tyke store? Note to people who tend to drop the "F Bomb". (Daddies)

I have taken this so deeply to heart and thought, realising that if I want my girls to grow up as good open minded persons, and I am their example, I need to change. Being young, my non mom friends are still in the party scene. I bartended/ served for 7 years. I do not miss that one bit. I do miss spontaneity, though, and it seems like the only way I can see those people involves going out at night with them. The only good time of day for me to go out with the girls typically is in the morning, so I get sad that my friends never see them. Is that wrong? I mean, yes we live 20- 30 minutes out of town, so for someone who isn't used to the drive, it does seem like a long time, but the girls don't really know the people who mean so much to me.

I guess I'm feeling like I should be making new friends, who have kids. Is this something all moms go through? It's not that I want to disassociate myself from my long time friends, but I am at such a different stage in life, and I feel like I don't have the same things in common anymore. I want to talk to people who are dealing with the same mom things, too. I was envious of my old friends freedom for a while, like going to yoga whenever they want to, or eating at restaurants with the girls randomly. Just having a glass of wine. Yet my mom was really devoted to us, and didn't yak the day away on the phone. I guess just feeling lonely most of the time, and not being close enough to walk to any friend's house, or playgrounds, I do yak more than most.

In the back of my mind, I've just thought we'd move back to town one day, but at the same time I'm starting to see that I have to do something for the present. It does mean I need to make the time to get more time to myself in there. Maybe another yoga class a week, or something. Steve's not as busy as he was, so he can be here a bit more. For those of us with virtually no family support, it's not that easy. We are a team, and really only have each other. I just feel like baby groups are lame and cliquey, but maybe I should go. Even if I never make a friend there, at least the girls will meet the kids they'll likely be in school with.

I am over analytical, through and through. I am hard on myself, thinking I'm not doing as good as I should, or just not good enough. The truth is I do a heck of a lot more than other people, and I guess we're all allowed to feel a build up and explosion of emotion once in a while. I'm glad I saw the ugly in myself on that video, and am going to aim towards change. I wouldn't have known I was just feeling jealousy and resentment because I don't have the same freedoms anymore as the non moms I was gossiping about in the first place. I am happy, I planned my girls, but when your baby is up all night teething, and you haven't slept a night through in 2.5 years, it can be hard to see anything past the present. I know it will get easier, and these days will be gone too fast. And then maybe, just maybe we'll have a boy. ;) Not a chance will that be before these two are out of diapers, and I've had a good nights sleep!

Oh, and I should mention I just listened to the whole "Dark Side of the Moon" album.

Baby Food

I've been asked by quite a few of my mommy friends out there about making baby food, so I thought I should make a post about it. It's actually so simple, and low cost.

Basically I buy whatever organic vegetable I want, steam, puree, and freeze. I do cheat and buy the PC brand pureed fruit from Superstore because there isn't much nice stuff in season for the girls, who both needed pureed foods in the winter season. I also buy plain organic yogurt, and mix a little of the jarred fruit in it. I have to warn you, it's hard to not eat the baby's share. Some people make their own rice cereal, I found it hard on my blender, insanely loud and scary, and I just buy plain organic rice cereal now, too.

Now, I do have an awesome book called, "Super Baby Food" by, Ruth Yaron. I did read it cover to cover when Avery was just about ready to eat solids. (Before she turned 6months) I only use the charts for cooking times in the back section now, for reference. Once you know the steps, it's so simple. There is so much information out there, and in my book, about nutrition, portions, how much milk/ food baby should have a day. I do recommend educating yourself about those things.

Ok, so say I am going to make sweet potatoes for Rowan. I buy nice ones from Edible that are white inside because they are actually better for you than plain orange yams. Sometimes I buy both and mix them together. Either way sweet potatoes are a great first baby food. They're yummy and puree really well; both of my girls love them. Once my sweet potatoes are washed, and cut into even sized pieces, which makes the steaming process cook the pieces evenly, I steam them for 30 minutes. I reserve the water I used to steam them, and once the pieces are cool enough, I put them into a big mixing bowl, and puree them with my hand held blender. Depending on the age of baby, the puree will need to be runny like milk form for a younger baby, or thicker for an older baby. Because the puree can be made with different consistencies, I add a little of the reserved water a bit at a time, until the whole mix is how I want it to be. Next, I spoon the mixture into ice cube trays. I cover the trays with tinfoil, and put them in the freezer until they're frozen, or usually just overnight. Finally, I take the tinfoil off the frozen food cube trays, and put the cubes into a Ziploc freezer bag, and try to get as much air out as possible to avoid freezer burn.

The cubes are good for about two months, and if the cubes I take out before a meal are a little freezer burnt, I just rinse them under cold water, and voila! Like new baby food. I usually get 45-50 cubes out of 1 squash, and am very happy about the money I saved. When you have to add quite a bit of water to a puree, you will see just how much of the baby food in jars are water, and what money you're saving. The reason why I use the reserved water from steaming is because the cooking process does make the food lose nutrients, but I'm adding a little back with the water. You can bake, boil, steam, or microwave the fruit or veggies, but I think the main thing is for them to be cooked first. If you're unsure of the different cooking times, I'd google it to be sure.

Because of allergy risks, or things being harder to digest, there are also recommendations on what foods should be introduced at different times for babies. Like I said before, I think it's good for moms to learn these different things, and make their own informed decisions on what they choose to feed their own babies.

So there we have it, a nice post about the simplicity, and method to make your own baby food. It's nice and easy to pull a little food cube or two out of the freezer, quickly dethaw it, and feed it to your baby. I feel proud for doing it, and how easy it really is.