For the last 6-8 weeks or so, Eliana has not been too keen on eating anything I try to feed her off a spoon. She is deeply offended by this concept. Why should she allow me to feed her when she can feed herself? She is a very independent little person. So, a new challenge has been figuring out what to do with all the frozen purees so she will eat them. Occasionally, she will let me feed her. But, it is either a puree she really loves and doesn’t care that I have to put it into her
Read More »Oh boy! Here’s what happened when Matt gave Eliana her yogurt with strawberry puree the other day. If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands! All I can do is practice my calming yoga breaths and be glad we wash behind her ears every night! Strawberry Puree 2 cups organic frozen strawberries, thawed Puree strawberries and serve. Variations: Mix with oatmeal for texture, yogurt for protein or cottage cheese for both. Happy Cooking! Related Posts:Baby Food Recipes 3/31/12Kale & Scapes Pesto Pasta: Monday MealCooking Classes and Menu Planning Now Available!Oh, You're Two!How To Massage KaleFoodie Fun
Read More »The Good Along the way on our food adventures, there have been a lot of fun and many funny times to account for “The Good.” Especially after I revised my outlook the other night. (See: The Bad-Revisited.) What has made this adventure fun is: creating recipes for her to eat, the ways in which she reacts to eating, and watching her get excited about food. It is also especially gratifying to see her like something now that she didn’t like before. Steamed carrots were not a huge hit the first time she had them a month or two ago. Last
Read More »We went to see the pediatrician on Tuesday for Eliana’s 9-month check-up. (9 months!!) We talked a lot about food again at this appointment. As I knew, Eliana is now supposed to eat 3 meals per day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner along with bottles around bedtime and naps. Mash rather than puree her food. Give her things like “sticks” of roasted vegetables, soft cheeses and fruit as “finger food” too. If I thought I was feeding her all day long before, I truly am now! That night, I spent a little bit of time feeling guilty and bad that
Read More »I’ve been thinking a lot about this whole experience of giving Eliana solid foods. It is humbling because it is such a huge responsibility. Not that the pregnancy or earlier Mommy-hood was easy or care-free, but teaching her to eat well and to like healthier foods can overwhelm me sometimes. I totally buy into the idea that the foods I ate while pregnant will be foods that she will like and want to eat. So, great! She will like a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and tofu. (As well as some pizza, peanut M&Ms and organic strawberry milk–strictly Organic
Read More »While Eliana napped I did some research and reminded myself how important and helpful it is for her little booty to be exposed. So, I tried letting her little butt air out. A few times now. And here’s how it went down: I put down some disposable diaper pads and kept a bunch of toys on hand to give to her or make noise with in order to distract her. It probably helped that I hovered over her and let her pull and yank on my hair as much as she wanted. Anything to help the baby, huh? Oh, yeah,
Read More »Some might think of poop as a bit of a departure from the typical content of the blog, but I figure it is related because what goes in, must come out… Eliana had an appointment at the pediatrician yesterday morning for a rash that keeps showing up on her cheek. Maybe it’s just me, but when I’m going to see her doctor, I’m armed with a bunch of questions other than whatever the appointment was booked for. So, I planned to ask about the mark on her ankle that I thought might be a burn (F****ing baseboard heater!!), as well
Read More »If you’ve been reading any of my posts so far, particularly Helicopter Mommy, you know that I’m a nut job about keeping Eliana’s clothes clean in this whole adventure into solid foods. The truth is, I’ve been this way since the beginning. As soon as she began drinking from bottles, and not very neatly at that, I began to freak out about needing to have a bib and burp cloth for her at all times. (And yes, of course, they matched her clothes. Duh.) I was such a nut about it that I bet my poor husband heard me screeching,
Read More »Last night I got to catch up with my friend Tracy who is an amazing mom to twin boys who are Eliana’s age. I was telling her about my OCD about getting Eliana’s clothes all messy when I’m feeding her. Tracy gave me a brilliant idea: stuff a napkin inside Eliana’s collar under the bib. So, I tried it today. But then this happened. I’m in charge of the spoon, Woman! We didn’t escape mess free-
Read More »This is about as messy as I can handle. I’m waaaay too crazy for this mess. In theory, I want Eliana to experience food inside and out, to get to know the smell, feel and, duh, taste of her food and to become a “good eater.” I say, and do actually believe, all of that. Until she tries to grab the food off the spoon, smear it all over her face, her hair, the bib, her clothes, me, her Bumbo seat and the counter. Oh dear. Oh no! I swear that if it were not winter, I’d strip her
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