O.k. I know what you are thinking and the answer is, NO I AM NOT PREGNANT AGAIN! Ask me again in another one to two years, or better yet, just don't ask.
My exciting announcement is (cue the drumroll).....loyal readers (a.k.a. Mom) can now find more of Caitlin and Mama's adventures on Boston Babay Mama, a featured blog on Boston.com!
Please check out http://bostonbabymama.blogspot.com/
I submitted a revamped version of my homemade baby food post as a guest writer, which was posted today. This is the part I am really excited about....the woman who runs the site asked me to become a regular contributor! I look forward this new adventure in blogging, although I am sure that now I literally will never have time to brush my teeth again.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Glow
Recently, I reconnected with an old friend thanks to (what else) Facebook. After looking through some recent mama and baby pictures, he complimented my motherly "glow." While I appreciate the sentiment, I am not certain I agree. Unless he looked at my pictures in a black lit room, I do not glow.
At the risk of offending pregnant women and new mothers everywhere, I would like to demystify the motherly glow. When I was pregnant, I occasionally heard, "You look wonderful, you are glowing!" I had these people fooled. During the forty-two weeks of my pregnancy, my internal body temperature ran approximately two degrees higher than the standard 98.6. I had a constant fever. This fever made me sweat, no matter the temperature outside, no matter how many layers I shed. When people pointed out my glow, I smiled, said thank you, then turned and wiped the sweat away with a Ponds Cleansing Wipe.
Now that I am a new mama, I still occasionally hear about "the glow." I have the misfortune of looking at myself in the mirror every day. The reflection staring back has dark under eye circles and eyebrows in desperate need of a wax, but no glow. Nowadays, I rarely have time to wash my face or apply make-up and I have an oily complexion. My glow is grease. If I had time to properly care for my skin, my glow would undoubtedly vanish.
Maybe some pregnant women and some new mamas really do glow. But not me, I glisten.
At the risk of offending pregnant women and new mothers everywhere, I would like to demystify the motherly glow. When I was pregnant, I occasionally heard, "You look wonderful, you are glowing!" I had these people fooled. During the forty-two weeks of my pregnancy, my internal body temperature ran approximately two degrees higher than the standard 98.6. I had a constant fever. This fever made me sweat, no matter the temperature outside, no matter how many layers I shed. When people pointed out my glow, I smiled, said thank you, then turned and wiped the sweat away with a Ponds Cleansing Wipe.
Now that I am a new mama, I still occasionally hear about "the glow." I have the misfortune of looking at myself in the mirror every day. The reflection staring back has dark under eye circles and eyebrows in desperate need of a wax, but no glow. Nowadays, I rarely have time to wash my face or apply make-up and I have an oily complexion. My glow is grease. If I had time to properly care for my skin, my glow would undoubtedly vanish.
Maybe some pregnant women and some new mamas really do glow. But not me, I glisten.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Face Plant
Babies. Just when you think you have them figured out, they go and do something so surprising, so sudden, that once again you must revamp your daily routine and your foolproof tricks. Caitlin reminded me of this earlier today.
I usually wait to eat lunch until Caitlin is napping, but today leftover pizza was calling my name earlier than usual. If I do need to eat during Caitlin's waking hours, I typically prop her next to me on the couch, contentedly playing with a toy, while I munch. This has worked for months now.
Until today. As I ate my pizza, Caitlin sat next to me playing with her stacking cups. Suddenly, she lurched forward to grab a purple cup just slightly out of reach. As she leaned over, she suddenly fell forward onto all fours. Her face hit the couch cushion with such force, she nearly bounced off the couch and fell face first onto the floor. Thankfully, new mamas come equipped with lightning quick reflexes, so I caught Caitlin prior to a potentially nasty face plant.
Caitlin appeared unfazed by her tumble, but I was frantic, fearing what could have been. After some snuggles, some apologies, and some checking to make sure DCFS was not waiting outside my door, I moved Caitlin to the confines of her highchair, where she played safely for the rest of lunch.
This forward tumble means two things: First, I need to change my breakfast/lunch game plan. Second, this is the first step in learning how to crawl. Then I am really in for it.
I usually wait to eat lunch until Caitlin is napping, but today leftover pizza was calling my name earlier than usual. If I do need to eat during Caitlin's waking hours, I typically prop her next to me on the couch, contentedly playing with a toy, while I munch. This has worked for months now.
Until today. As I ate my pizza, Caitlin sat next to me playing with her stacking cups. Suddenly, she lurched forward to grab a purple cup just slightly out of reach. As she leaned over, she suddenly fell forward onto all fours. Her face hit the couch cushion with such force, she nearly bounced off the couch and fell face first onto the floor. Thankfully, new mamas come equipped with lightning quick reflexes, so I caught Caitlin prior to a potentially nasty face plant.
Caitlin appeared unfazed by her tumble, but I was frantic, fearing what could have been. After some snuggles, some apologies, and some checking to make sure DCFS was not waiting outside my door, I moved Caitlin to the confines of her highchair, where she played safely for the rest of lunch.
This forward tumble means two things: First, I need to change my breakfast/lunch game plan. Second, this is the first step in learning how to crawl. Then I am really in for it.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Top Chef
Caitlin's introduction to solid foods did not go according to plan (see Grant's Pants). After days of rejection, followed by days of constipation, followed by more days of rejection, I worried Caitlin would subsist solely on breast milk. Forever. Considering this scenario unacceptable, both for baby and for myself, I persisted in my efforts to introduce solid food.I introduced oatmeal, followed by peaches, then applesauce. Caitlin typically swallowed a few mouthfuls before turning her head in disgust. Each day I tried, each day I failed.
In the midst of Caitlin's food rejection phase, I met my friend Jess for lunch. Jess has an eleven month old baby who loves food so much he cries after finishing a meal. I asked Jess for the secret to her success. "Have you tried making your own food?" Seriously? I barely have the time and energy to cook for Matt and myself, let alone make baby food. Before Caitlin was born I wanted to make homemade baby food exclusively. After Caitlin's arrival, reality set in. Life with a new baby leaves little time to do anything extra, especially for a working mama like myself. But, after my conversation with Jess I felt really guilty. I decided to give homemade baby food a try. Fortunately, this conversation coincided with my February break, so I had some extra time to play in the kitchen.
After I got home from lunch with Jess, I dug around in my kitchen closet until I found Williams-Sonoma's Cooking for Baby (a gift from my foodie mother). After brushing off the dust, I skimmed through the first section, "Wholesome and Homemade." The first paragraph reads, "Do you eat a lot of jarred, canned, or processed foods? If the answer is no, then why should your baby? The foods you give your baby now, in the earliest months, will help shape your child's taste for many years to come." Again, I felt guilty. While I occasionally enjoy a bag of Cheetos, I generally steer clear from the aforementioned food no-nos. Healthy eating is important to me, so of course I hope Caitlin will become a healthy, adventurous eater. After reading through a few pages of the cookbook, I was convinced. I had to give homemade baby food a try.
For my first attempt, I made sweet potatoes. Surprisingly, making baby food was simple. First, I roasted the potatoes for 50 minutes. After cooling, I scooped out the insides, threw them into the food processor, added water, and blended away. Two sweet potatoes made ten plus servings, enough food to last almost a week.
Later that evening, I gave Caitlin sweet potatoes along with oatmeal for supper. As I moved the spoon toward her mouth, I felt the nervous anticipation that comes along with seeking approval. I worked hard (not really) on these sweet potatoes. Rejection would crush my fragile, hormonal feelings. As the sweet potatoes slipped past her lips, they actually remained in her mouth. This was progress. After considering the new flavor for a moment or two, Caitlin swallowed her potatoes and opened her mouth for another bite. Approval! Caitlin ate all 2 ounces of sweet potatoes, more food than she had ever eaten before. Caitlin's acceptance of my homemade sweet potatoes was so satisfying, so gratifying. Then and there, I became hooked on homemade baby food.
Since then, I made applesauce, carrots, peas, and plenty more sweet potatoes. Caitlin enjoyed everything, except the peas. Can you blame her? Peas really only belong in a chicken pot pie. Now that she is approaching seven months, Caitlin is allowed to explore more flavors and textures. Up next, asparagus puree, green beans with mint, baby's lamb, and baby's turkey!
As a working mama, time management is a major challenge. To keep a supply of homemade food at the ready, I usually make a batch over the weekend and another batch on a weeknight after Caitlin goes to bed. Since I became interested (by that I mean, obsessed) with homemade baby food, I have less time for cleaning, reading (except for US Weekly, of course), and exercising . But, making homemade baby food is a great excuse for putting things off. I really didn't have time to iron or clean the bathroom. I am too busy making wholesome, nutritious food for my child which will allow her to grow and thrive. Nobody will argue with that reasoning!
For mamas interested in making homemade baby food, the Williams-Sonoma cookbook is wonderful. I also recommend http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/ and http://www.weelicious.com/. Time to go steam some apples!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Under Attack
Spring arrived early in Boston, bringing with it the promise of warm days, long strolls, and open windows. Unfortunately, spring also brought long dormant insects out of hibernation-namely, a family of ladybugs living directly outside of Caitlin's nursery.
Actually, the ladybugs made several appearances prior to spring's arrival. Every now and again, I found a ladybug stuck inside of a wall sconce or crawling along a window pane. Over the past few weeks, the problem grew worse. Two weeks ago a ladybug landed in my hair while nursing Caitlin before bed. It took every ounce of strength I had to continue nursing and casually swat the bug away. Last Sunday morning, I found a ladybug crawling on Caitlin's nightgown. Later that week, I noticed a small group of ladybugs loitering on the nursery windowsills. Little by little, as the temperatures slowly rose, the ladybug population increased.
Yesterday, I went into Caitlin's room after her midday nap. To my horror, I saw not two, not six, but twenty-four (yes, I counted) ladybugs all over the floor, windows, curtains, walls, and ceiling. The nursery was under attack. This was no longer a problem I could nonchalantly swat away. This was a battle and I needed to take immediate action. Obviously, I called my husband. Normally, my handy husband can fix almost any household related problem. Upon entering the nursery, he simply stood and stared. No action. Just staring. "Matt, we can't leave these ladybugs here. What if they crawl into Caitlin's crib? What if they crawl into her mouth?" Now truthfully, the ladybugs had not come close to Caitlin's crib, but a new mama is prone to irrational fears. "I don't know what to do. Let me do some research," Matt said as he calmly left the nursery and settled down on the couch.
As Matt researched ladybug removal, I reached out for help. Where does a new mother turn during a time of desperation? Facebook, of course. I asked my 197 friends how to safely remove ladybugs from a baby's room. While checking my Facebook notifications every thirty minutes (o.k., every thirty seconds), I collected an array of feedback-some helpful (vacuum up those ladies), some not (put some warm, buttered cinnamon toast on the nursery floor). I held out hope for a permanent, nontoxic solution, but the vacuum remained the best suggestion.
Before Caitlin's late afternoon nap, Matt lugged our industrial strength vacuum to the nursery and began sucking up ladybug after ladybug. If you ever had a ladybug infestation, you understand that these suckers multiply. What started as twenty-four ladybugs quickly turned into thirty, then forty. Every time we thought the ladybugs were gone, we found a straggler clutching for dear life to the curtains or the lampshade. Finally, after ten minutes of thorough vacuuming, the nursery was clear of insects. As late afternoon turned into evening and evening turned into night, the ladybugs did not return. The images of ladybugs crawling into Caitlin's crib began to fade away. I felt victorious.
Our victory was shortlived. The ladybugs came back again today. This means the industrial vacuum now has a permanent home in Caitlin's nursery. It also means I continue to hope for a chemical-free solution that will not displace the baby and will not involve home renovations. We may have won a battle or two, but as of right now, the ladybugs are winning the war.
Actually, the ladybugs made several appearances prior to spring's arrival. Every now and again, I found a ladybug stuck inside of a wall sconce or crawling along a window pane. Over the past few weeks, the problem grew worse. Two weeks ago a ladybug landed in my hair while nursing Caitlin before bed. It took every ounce of strength I had to continue nursing and casually swat the bug away. Last Sunday morning, I found a ladybug crawling on Caitlin's nightgown. Later that week, I noticed a small group of ladybugs loitering on the nursery windowsills. Little by little, as the temperatures slowly rose, the ladybug population increased.
Yesterday, I went into Caitlin's room after her midday nap. To my horror, I saw not two, not six, but twenty-four (yes, I counted) ladybugs all over the floor, windows, curtains, walls, and ceiling. The nursery was under attack. This was no longer a problem I could nonchalantly swat away. This was a battle and I needed to take immediate action. Obviously, I called my husband. Normally, my handy husband can fix almost any household related problem. Upon entering the nursery, he simply stood and stared. No action. Just staring. "Matt, we can't leave these ladybugs here. What if they crawl into Caitlin's crib? What if they crawl into her mouth?" Now truthfully, the ladybugs had not come close to Caitlin's crib, but a new mama is prone to irrational fears. "I don't know what to do. Let me do some research," Matt said as he calmly left the nursery and settled down on the couch.
As Matt researched ladybug removal, I reached out for help. Where does a new mother turn during a time of desperation? Facebook, of course. I asked my 197 friends how to safely remove ladybugs from a baby's room. While checking my Facebook notifications every thirty minutes (o.k., every thirty seconds), I collected an array of feedback-some helpful (vacuum up those ladies), some not (put some warm, buttered cinnamon toast on the nursery floor). I held out hope for a permanent, nontoxic solution, but the vacuum remained the best suggestion.
Before Caitlin's late afternoon nap, Matt lugged our industrial strength vacuum to the nursery and began sucking up ladybug after ladybug. If you ever had a ladybug infestation, you understand that these suckers multiply. What started as twenty-four ladybugs quickly turned into thirty, then forty. Every time we thought the ladybugs were gone, we found a straggler clutching for dear life to the curtains or the lampshade. Finally, after ten minutes of thorough vacuuming, the nursery was clear of insects. As late afternoon turned into evening and evening turned into night, the ladybugs did not return. The images of ladybugs crawling into Caitlin's crib began to fade away. I felt victorious.
Our victory was shortlived. The ladybugs came back again today. This means the industrial vacuum now has a permanent home in Caitlin's nursery. It also means I continue to hope for a chemical-free solution that will not displace the baby and will not involve home renovations. We may have won a battle or two, but as of right now, the ladybugs are winning the war.
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