In continuation of my last post about cloth diapers, I've put up a video demonstration for you to see, too! Enjoy!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Oregon Coast
For the first time since Eli was born, Jake and I had the pleasure of going on a weekend vacation (one night of which, we had all to ourselves!!). We were soooo blessed to be able to use Jake's aunt/uncle's beach house in Waldport, OR. It was absolutely GORGEOUS and was built on top of a cliff overlooking a sandy beach (you don't see too many of those in WA!).
The drive took about 6 hours, but it worked out perfectly both times, because we waited until later in the day when Eli usually takes his 3-4 hour nap, stopped once to eat/feed and change the baby/stretch our legs, and then hopped in the car again just as Eli drifted off for the rest of the night! Basically, he slept both ways, and we had a nice relaxing drive (thank you GOD!). When we arrived late on Thursday night (which was also our anniversary), we put Eli down to bed, and got to hear the ocean waves right out the window of our room, though we couldn't see much! The next morning, we got to sleep in, and wake up to the most amazing view of the water right out our window!!
We enjoyed the morning leisurely, taking pictures of the seals right across from the house, walking the beach with Eli, and enjoying the beach house before the rest of the family got there. I felt like we were millions of miles away from home (in a good way), with all the time in the world! And I had my two favorite boys to share it with!
Later on Friday, we were joined by Aunt Patty, Cousin Alison, and Alison's son Gavin (2 years old, and inevitably the gang leader of our growing group of baby boys!). Gavin was SOOO interested in baby Eli, and couldn't wait to see him and hold him! We snuck into the bedroom to spy on sleeping Eli during his nap, and after lots of "shhh-ing," whispering, and tip-toeing, cute little Gavin got so excited that he shouted in glee for his mom on the way out of the bedroom! hahaha Good thing Eli is a sound sleeper! Gavin and Eli have a lot in common in that they are both reeeaaally tall for their age, and people often mistake them for being older than they are!
Later on, Grandma and Grandpa Bollinger showed up, and we all enjoyed a fun day of visiting before the Cramer's had to leave. The grandparents babysat the kiddos while Jake, Ali and I went shopping downtown - it was fun to get some "adult time." Uncle Casey, Aunt Cassie and baby Jack came in late that night, so we saw them the next morning. On Saturday, we had some girl time down at the shops again, and also brought the baby cousins down to the beach to get some pictures. Eli thought the sand was really interesting, and loved to move his hands around in it (which of course resulted in sand-in-the-mouth, despite our lightning-fast parental reflexes). It was all a great experience for Eli, regardless! He'll be like his daddy - growing up eating things like dirt...and fertilizer.....and dog medicine.......(thanks big sister Cassie!), and his immune system will be all the better for it! HAH!
We celebrated my birthday that night (so that we could save Sunday for Mother's Day), and had a fun night working on puzzles with Grandma B. Sunday was Mother's Day, so we had a special Mexican-style brunch with John Wayne Casserole, potatoes, chili and mimosas, and then Jake and I spent our last day flying a kite down on the beach with Eli. He seemed somewhat interested in the rainbow colors, but wasn't a huge fan of the wind or looking up into the bright sky. Oh well...it was fun for us, at least! Jake and I agree that this weekend was such an awesome 4th anniversary/birthday/Mother's Day blessing, and such a great chance to relax with family in one of our favorite settings on earth! Hopefully when Eli grows up, he will love the beach just as much as his parents do!
The drive took about 6 hours, but it worked out perfectly both times, because we waited until later in the day when Eli usually takes his 3-4 hour nap, stopped once to eat/feed and change the baby/stretch our legs, and then hopped in the car again just as Eli drifted off for the rest of the night! Basically, he slept both ways, and we had a nice relaxing drive (thank you GOD!). When we arrived late on Thursday night (which was also our anniversary), we put Eli down to bed, and got to hear the ocean waves right out the window of our room, though we couldn't see much! The next morning, we got to sleep in, and wake up to the most amazing view of the water right out our window!!
We enjoyed the morning leisurely, taking pictures of the seals right across from the house, walking the beach with Eli, and enjoying the beach house before the rest of the family got there. I felt like we were millions of miles away from home (in a good way), with all the time in the world! And I had my two favorite boys to share it with!
Later on Friday, we were joined by Aunt Patty, Cousin Alison, and Alison's son Gavin (2 years old, and inevitably the gang leader of our growing group of baby boys!). Gavin was SOOO interested in baby Eli, and couldn't wait to see him and hold him! We snuck into the bedroom to spy on sleeping Eli during his nap, and after lots of "shhh-ing," whispering, and tip-toeing, cute little Gavin got so excited that he shouted in glee for his mom on the way out of the bedroom! hahaha Good thing Eli is a sound sleeper! Gavin and Eli have a lot in common in that they are both reeeaaally tall for their age, and people often mistake them for being older than they are!
Later on, Grandma and Grandpa Bollinger showed up, and we all enjoyed a fun day of visiting before the Cramer's had to leave. The grandparents babysat the kiddos while Jake, Ali and I went shopping downtown - it was fun to get some "adult time." Uncle Casey, Aunt Cassie and baby Jack came in late that night, so we saw them the next morning. On Saturday, we had some girl time down at the shops again, and also brought the baby cousins down to the beach to get some pictures. Eli thought the sand was really interesting, and loved to move his hands around in it (which of course resulted in sand-in-the-mouth, despite our lightning-fast parental reflexes). It was all a great experience for Eli, regardless! He'll be like his daddy - growing up eating things like dirt...and fertilizer.....and dog medicine.......(thanks big sister Cassie!), and his immune system will be all the better for it! HAH!
We celebrated my birthday that night (so that we could save Sunday for Mother's Day), and had a fun night working on puzzles with Grandma B. Sunday was Mother's Day, so we had a special Mexican-style brunch with John Wayne Casserole, potatoes, chili and mimosas, and then Jake and I spent our last day flying a kite down on the beach with Eli. He seemed somewhat interested in the rainbow colors, but wasn't a huge fan of the wind or looking up into the bright sky. Oh well...it was fun for us, at least! Jake and I agree that this weekend was such an awesome 4th anniversary/birthday/Mother's Day blessing, and such a great chance to relax with family in one of our favorite settings on earth! Hopefully when Eli grows up, he will love the beach just as much as his parents do!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Cloth Diapering!
During my pregnancy, Jake and I decided to check out the option of cloth diapers (at the recommendation of quite a few friends who love them). The advantages seemed pretty good - both financially, and environmentally. And I am SO GLAD that we chose them as our primary method of diapering at home (during long trips, it's often easiest to use disposables), because we have already saved hundreds of dollars, and we expect that number to go well into the thousands as we have more children. Of course, I don't make any financial decision lightly, and had to research the options thoroughly beforehand. And not surprisingly, many, MANY people have asked me about it as they prepare for their own babies. SO! I decided to just post all my research so that it's out there for anyone who is interested! I am also planning on uploading a video, or at least some photos so you can see how easy (and cute) it really is! ENJOY!
Overall, I've calculated that (depending on the brand and whether the size is adjustable), most people spend between 200 and 450 on their cloth diaper stash, as compared to 1600 to 2000 dollars on disposables from birth to potty training. Granted, you have to pay for water costs to wash them, but almost all my friends with high-efficiency washers didn't even notice a difference on their bill, and we haven't either! There are quite a few options out there, and it can quickly get overwhelming, so I put together a spreadsheet with the options that were important to me, and estimated cost (my favorites are highlighted). Here are some of the options to think about:
1. Type of diaper - my favorites are:
-cover with pre-folds so you can switch the prefold inserts out but keep the same cover for most of the day...provided there's not a gigantic mess! (Grovia makes an insert that snaps in so it doesn't move around)
-all-in-one (AIO) which is essentially just like a disposable in that you change the entire diaper out each time. Because of this, you'll probably need more of them, but they are easier in some ways
-hybrid (Grovia and G-Baby make these), which basically include a disposable/flushable liner that is good at catching solids, etc. - they're awesome, but can get expensive
-Rumparooz makes a pocket diaper that looks like an AIO, but you can put extra inserts/soakers into a flap for heavy wetters, etc.
2. Adjustable size (or "One Size")
-I LOVED this option because it's such a money-saver! These diapers have a series of snaps across the front that can be used to adjust the size of the diaper from newborn all the way to potty training! So you can get away with one stash the entire time! However, I've heard that the ones that last for 2(ish) years don't always fit quite right, so I opted for the ones that go from birth to 1 year, and then another set from 1 year to potty training
3. Snaps or Velcro (no need to worry about using safety pins anymore! haha)
-again, depends on your preference - snaps will last longer with lots of washing, but aren't quite as quick or as adjustable as a patch of velcro (hook and loop). Something to keep in mind is that babies may learn to undo the velcro once they get a little older! Grovia has an option where you can send your covers in to convert to a snap system for a small fee if you'd like to do it later on.
4. Type of material
-especially when it comes to inserts/prefolds, there are lots of options from hemp to cotton, and with a variety of layers. I'd get a good mix so that you have some super-absorbent soakers for naptime/nighttime, but also some that aren't as bulky during the day. Also, when the child starts to potty train, they say that a lot of absorbency isn't as great because they have to learn to feel and recognize the wetness. So, what you use might change over time as well.
5. Cost
-They range in price from around $10 a diaper all the way up to $35...seems really expensive, but when you consider that it's a one-time cost that will last you through potty training, and even through future children, it's really worth it! I decided to go with about 12 covers, 25 prefolds/soakers, a few pocket diapers, and a few all-in-ones (just to try them, and use them with a babysitter since they're a little easier). I didn't need as many because all the ones I'm getting are adjustable. After a lot of research, I chose the following brands: Thirsties wraps with prefolds, Grovia/Grobaby, and Rumparooz. Also remember that you'll need special detergent that is safe for cloth diapers, a wet, dry, or wet/dry pail (again, preference - you can research the difference..we use a dry pail with some baking soda and it works fine), cloth diaper-safe stain remover if you're concerned about stains, a sprayer if you'd like to try to remove most of the solids into the toilet before washing (GroVia has a bioliner that catches most of the solids so we haven't needed a sprayer), a wet bag for travel/errands, and cloth diaper-safe diaper rash cream.
Check out this website for a good variety of diapers and accessories: www.diaperjunction.com (I actually made a registry on here for my baby showers!), and also http://www.momsmilkboutique.com/
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT!! We absolutely LOVE using cloth, and Eli seems to actually prefer it on his bottom, too! In fact, almost everyone that has watched me change Eli using cloth has suddenly decided to consider it! So, please ask if you have any other questions! Video to follow...
Overall, I've calculated that (depending on the brand and whether the size is adjustable), most people spend between 200 and 450 on their cloth diaper stash, as compared to 1600 to 2000 dollars on disposables from birth to potty training. Granted, you have to pay for water costs to wash them, but almost all my friends with high-efficiency washers didn't even notice a difference on their bill, and we haven't either! There are quite a few options out there, and it can quickly get overwhelming, so I put together a spreadsheet with the options that were important to me, and estimated cost (my favorites are highlighted). Here are some of the options to think about:
1. Type of diaper - my favorites are:
-cover with pre-folds so you can switch the prefold inserts out but keep the same cover for most of the day...provided there's not a gigantic mess! (Grovia makes an insert that snaps in so it doesn't move around)
-all-in-one (AIO) which is essentially just like a disposable in that you change the entire diaper out each time. Because of this, you'll probably need more of them, but they are easier in some ways
-hybrid (Grovia and G-Baby make these), which basically include a disposable/flushable liner that is good at catching solids, etc. - they're awesome, but can get expensive
-Rumparooz makes a pocket diaper that looks like an AIO, but you can put extra inserts/soakers into a flap for heavy wetters, etc.
2. Adjustable size (or "One Size")
-I LOVED this option because it's such a money-saver! These diapers have a series of snaps across the front that can be used to adjust the size of the diaper from newborn all the way to potty training! So you can get away with one stash the entire time! However, I've heard that the ones that last for 2(ish) years don't always fit quite right, so I opted for the ones that go from birth to 1 year, and then another set from 1 year to potty training
3. Snaps or Velcro (no need to worry about using safety pins anymore! haha)
-again, depends on your preference - snaps will last longer with lots of washing, but aren't quite as quick or as adjustable as a patch of velcro (hook and loop). Something to keep in mind is that babies may learn to undo the velcro once they get a little older! Grovia has an option where you can send your covers in to convert to a snap system for a small fee if you'd like to do it later on.
4. Type of material
-especially when it comes to inserts/prefolds, there are lots of options from hemp to cotton, and with a variety of layers. I'd get a good mix so that you have some super-absorbent soakers for naptime/nighttime, but also some that aren't as bulky during the day. Also, when the child starts to potty train, they say that a lot of absorbency isn't as great because they have to learn to feel and recognize the wetness. So, what you use might change over time as well.
5. Cost
-They range in price from around $10 a diaper all the way up to $35...seems really expensive, but when you consider that it's a one-time cost that will last you through potty training, and even through future children, it's really worth it! I decided to go with about 12 covers, 25 prefolds/soakers, a few pocket diapers, and a few all-in-ones (just to try them, and use them with a babysitter since they're a little easier). I didn't need as many because all the ones I'm getting are adjustable. After a lot of research, I chose the following brands: Thirsties wraps with prefolds, Grovia/Grobaby, and Rumparooz. Also remember that you'll need special detergent that is safe for cloth diapers, a wet, dry, or wet/dry pail (again, preference - you can research the difference..we use a dry pail with some baking soda and it works fine), cloth diaper-safe stain remover if you're concerned about stains, a sprayer if you'd like to try to remove most of the solids into the toilet before washing (GroVia has a bioliner that catches most of the solids so we haven't needed a sprayer), a wet bag for travel/errands, and cloth diaper-safe diaper rash cream.
Check out this website for a good variety of diapers and accessories: www.diaperjunction.com (I actually made a registry on here for my baby showers!), and also http://www.momsmilkboutique.com/
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT!! We absolutely LOVE using cloth, and Eli seems to actually prefer it on his bottom, too! In fact, almost everyone that has watched me change Eli using cloth has suddenly decided to consider it! So, please ask if you have any other questions! Video to follow...
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
It's the Small Things
After about a week of rice cereal, we have moved on to real food as of yesterday! Eli's first official food was avocado (nicely mushed). I guess a lot of people start with things like sweet potato or squash (those will probably be next), but avocado is INCREDIBLY nutritious, and filled with lots of good fats that are important for baby's brain development! And it's a perfect consistency for mashing without having to worry about cooking/steaming. So, fresh avocado it was! He did really well, and was even trying to pull the spoon into his mouth...though we did end up with a bit of it on his bib/mouth/face!
Also, yesterday was the FIRST TIME we actually witnessed Eli transferring an object from one hand to the other - an important developmental milestone. I'm sure he's done it before, but we finally saw it. While this milestone would generally suggest that the baby has good enough control to *let go* of an object in order to transfer it to the other hand, Eli figured out that all he has to do it YANK on it really hard, thus tearing it out of one firmly gripped fist in order to re-locate it to the other one. Whatever. As long as it's getting there somehow...
He can also officially hold his own bottle for an entire feeding (with supervision), which really frees my hands up if I have something pressing and little time to juggle everything. We are still doing breastmilk (nursing, or pumped) about 90 percent of the time, but with all these growth spurts, we've been supplementing with formula here and there to make sure he has enough, and good iron content.
To conclude, I can't remember how or when it occurred to me, but all I know is that one day, I realized that I am utterly enamored by my child.
...To the extent that things like mushed up avocado and 1-syllable sounds are suddenly incredibly exciting
...To the extent that I get a deep feeling of accomplishment following something as simple as little fingers finding little toes (and the ensuing playtime)
...To the extent that I could watch him smile or sleep for HOURS (literally) and never get tired of it
...To the extent that I can't fathom why anyone else WOULDN'T be equally excited to observe his cute little face for all those said hours
...To the extent that my pre-baby self would probably be slightly annoyed with my goo-gooing, face-making, motherese-speaking, totally lovesick present self, were we ever to meet
Man. I'm one of THOSE moms. REALLY!?!? I've never been incredibly weepy or sappy, yet this little person has reduced me to a blubbering pile of joyful mush. Sometimes I wonder if the love that parents have for their children is the closest thing on earth to the love that our God has for us. I mean, when God created us, He saw all He had made, and said it was "very good." (Genesis 1:31) He didn't just make us and move on; He ENJOYED us!! He loves watching us grow, even when our "milestones" are relatively small and simple. He is utterly enamored by us, and for the first time in my life, I'm **beginning** to truly understand the extent of this love. It blows me away!
Also, yesterday was the FIRST TIME we actually witnessed Eli transferring an object from one hand to the other - an important developmental milestone. I'm sure he's done it before, but we finally saw it. While this milestone would generally suggest that the baby has good enough control to *let go* of an object in order to transfer it to the other hand, Eli figured out that all he has to do it YANK on it really hard, thus tearing it out of one firmly gripped fist in order to re-locate it to the other one. Whatever. As long as it's getting there somehow...
He can also officially hold his own bottle for an entire feeding (with supervision), which really frees my hands up if I have something pressing and little time to juggle everything. We are still doing breastmilk (nursing, or pumped) about 90 percent of the time, but with all these growth spurts, we've been supplementing with formula here and there to make sure he has enough, and good iron content.
To conclude, I can't remember how or when it occurred to me, but all I know is that one day, I realized that I am utterly enamored by my child.
...To the extent that things like mushed up avocado and 1-syllable sounds are suddenly incredibly exciting
...To the extent that I get a deep feeling of accomplishment following something as simple as little fingers finding little toes (and the ensuing playtime)
...To the extent that I could watch him smile or sleep for HOURS (literally) and never get tired of it
...To the extent that I can't fathom why anyone else WOULDN'T be equally excited to observe his cute little face for all those said hours
...To the extent that my pre-baby self would probably be slightly annoyed with my goo-gooing, face-making, motherese-speaking, totally lovesick present self, were we ever to meet
Man. I'm one of THOSE moms. REALLY!?!? I've never been incredibly weepy or sappy, yet this little person has reduced me to a blubbering pile of joyful mush. Sometimes I wonder if the love that parents have for their children is the closest thing on earth to the love that our God has for us. I mean, when God created us, He saw all He had made, and said it was "very good." (Genesis 1:31) He didn't just make us and move on; He ENJOYED us!! He loves watching us grow, even when our "milestones" are relatively small and simple. He is utterly enamored by us, and for the first time in my life, I'm **beginning** to truly understand the extent of this love. It blows me away!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Leaven ≠ Gluten. Wait. What??
I am officially the worst blogger there ever was. I'm well aware of the time lapse between posts, but I promise that I think about it every day...that has to count for something, right? Eli is doing well - he's almost 6 months old now, and is REALLY interactive (even says "MA!!" without knowing it's meaning, of course), and loves to laugh and giggle at weird sounds (i.e. paper ripping, or Velcro). He's also sitting up for short periods of time on his own, and is fascinated with kicking absolutely everything, including my now slightly bruised legs/thighs, and our rather simple-minded dog. We started him on rice cereal about a week ago, and much to our amazement (not really) he takes after his daddy when it comes to eating. The only thing that has been a little frustrating has been getting him to use his arms to push himself up into a mini-pushup, and because he's so reluctant about this, he still can't completely roll over by himself. So, we've been doing some PT with him to encourage him to use his arms more. My guess is that he's just too stubborn and has no interest in all of the typical motivators, like toys.
Me: C'mon Eli, use those arms!! Push up!!
Eli: *upset*
Me: Ooohh!! Look at this toy! Don't you want to turn your head toward it??? Look UP! Look UPPP!!!!
Eli: *MAD*
Me: OH! How about THIS?!? A funny face?? A pacifier???? If you just push up on your arms and turn your head up toward me, we can get you rolling over! Just give it a try?
Eli: *Angrily burrows his red little face farther into the floor*
Anyway, hopefully this will resolve itself soon! On another note, we celebrated Passover this week, which is awesome because (unlike Easter...which is based on multiple Pagan traditions...when you have a minute, go look up where the word "Easter" comes from...sorry, all you egg-hunting, candy-eating, bunny-loving people out there), Passover is something Jesus actually celebrated, AND God commanded us to teach to each generation. So, we thought our first year with Eli would be the perfect time to not only host a Seder, but lead it for the first time at our house. We had about 10 people come, including 2 baby boys (Eli and his cousin Jack), and we had an ABSOLUTELY AWESOME time of learning about the traditions, God's deliverance, and the connections with Christ's first and second comings. Pretty cool stuff, if you ask me. Way better than chocolate bunnies.
After the initial Seder on the first night, we are commanded to not eat leaven (yeast..or anything else that would cause bread to rise) for 8 days, as leaven is compared to sin in the Bible (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). So, Jake and I are in the middle of this fast, and it's teaching us a lot...
...and providing good entertainment. SO! Funny story. We were on our way to Bible study on Wednesday night, but had to rush since it was right after Jake got out of work. To save time, we decided to place an order for take-out at Red Robin and pick it up on the way. I knew it would be pretty hard to explain that we couldn't eat anything that had "leaven" in it, so I just figured I'd tell them we were gluten intolerant, just to be safe. I ordered the chicken bruschetta burger without the bun, and Jake got the turkey burger without the bun, and a side of melon (he's also on a diet). We're all proud of ourselves, and everything. When I go in to pick up the food, the girl had written "ALLERGY ALERT" all over EVERYTHING, and quickly assured me that they hadn't put any salt on my french fries (pretty much the best thing about Red Robin). I tried to play it off like I OBVIOUSLY understood that salt would be a no-no for me and my poor gluten-intolerant husband, and thanked her. When I got back to the car, we hungrily took out our food in eager anticipation. What we found was less than climactic. My "burger" comprised of a piece of chicken with some cheese on it. Instead of the plethora of sauces that usually come on this sandwich, they had provided me with about 4 containers of ranch dressing. The french fries were cold and lacked any flavor whatsoever. Jake was even more fortunate.. He uncovered a turkey burger patty surrounded by lettuce that was missing both the chipotle mayo sauce, AND the side of melon! Apparently protecting the gluten-intolerant person means avoiding all methods of flavor at all costs, as well as potentially death-causing melon. Apparently silverware has gluten in it, too, as there was none to be found, despite their clear effort in giving us sandwiches without buns.
It totally serves me right for lying to the take-out lady. I will never do it again - especially not when the whole purpose of my lie was to avoid a food that is supposed to represent sin, which would include things like lying...........God has a sense of humor when he teaches us things, sometimes.
P.S. BEST RECIPE EVER for Passover OR those poor, gluten-intolerant souls!! This cake tastes like chocolate Heavenly fudge melting in your mouth! I just substituted about half the bittersweet chocolate with semi-sweet chocolate. Try it out! :)
Me: C'mon Eli, use those arms!! Push up!!
Eli: *upset*
Me: Ooohh!! Look at this toy! Don't you want to turn your head toward it??? Look UP! Look UPPP!!!!
Eli: *MAD*
Me: OH! How about THIS?!? A funny face?? A pacifier???? If you just push up on your arms and turn your head up toward me, we can get you rolling over! Just give it a try?
Eli: *Angrily burrows his red little face farther into the floor*
Anyway, hopefully this will resolve itself soon! On another note, we celebrated Passover this week, which is awesome because (unlike Easter...which is based on multiple Pagan traditions...when you have a minute, go look up where the word "Easter" comes from...sorry, all you egg-hunting, candy-eating, bunny-loving people out there), Passover is something Jesus actually celebrated, AND God commanded us to teach to each generation. So, we thought our first year with Eli would be the perfect time to not only host a Seder, but lead it for the first time at our house. We had about 10 people come, including 2 baby boys (Eli and his cousin Jack), and we had an ABSOLUTELY AWESOME time of learning about the traditions, God's deliverance, and the connections with Christ's first and second comings. Pretty cool stuff, if you ask me. Way better than chocolate bunnies.
After the initial Seder on the first night, we are commanded to not eat leaven (yeast..or anything else that would cause bread to rise) for 8 days, as leaven is compared to sin in the Bible (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). So, Jake and I are in the middle of this fast, and it's teaching us a lot...
...and providing good entertainment. SO! Funny story. We were on our way to Bible study on Wednesday night, but had to rush since it was right after Jake got out of work. To save time, we decided to place an order for take-out at Red Robin and pick it up on the way. I knew it would be pretty hard to explain that we couldn't eat anything that had "leaven" in it, so I just figured I'd tell them we were gluten intolerant, just to be safe. I ordered the chicken bruschetta burger without the bun, and Jake got the turkey burger without the bun, and a side of melon (he's also on a diet). We're all proud of ourselves, and everything. When I go in to pick up the food, the girl had written "ALLERGY ALERT" all over EVERYTHING, and quickly assured me that they hadn't put any salt on my french fries (pretty much the best thing about Red Robin). I tried to play it off like I OBVIOUSLY understood that salt would be a no-no for me and my poor gluten-intolerant husband, and thanked her. When I got back to the car, we hungrily took out our food in eager anticipation. What we found was less than climactic. My "burger" comprised of a piece of chicken with some cheese on it. Instead of the plethora of sauces that usually come on this sandwich, they had provided me with about 4 containers of ranch dressing. The french fries were cold and lacked any flavor whatsoever. Jake was even more fortunate.. He uncovered a turkey burger patty surrounded by lettuce that was missing both the chipotle mayo sauce, AND the side of melon! Apparently protecting the gluten-intolerant person means avoiding all methods of flavor at all costs, as well as potentially death-causing melon. Apparently silverware has gluten in it, too, as there was none to be found, despite their clear effort in giving us sandwiches without buns.
It totally serves me right for lying to the take-out lady. I will never do it again - especially not when the whole purpose of my lie was to avoid a food that is supposed to represent sin, which would include things like lying...........God has a sense of humor when he teaches us things, sometimes.
P.S. BEST RECIPE EVER for Passover OR those poor, gluten-intolerant souls!! This cake tastes like chocolate Heavenly fudge melting in your mouth! I just substituted about half the bittersweet chocolate with semi-sweet chocolate. Try it out! :)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Approaching the 4-Month Mark
First of all, I can't even believe it's been 4 months since we first met our precious Eli! EVERYONE tells you how fast time passes when you're watching your little one grow, but you don't really understand until it's happening. I've actually caught myself saying tearful goodbyes to some of my favorite little outfits as he outgrows them! It's the weirdest experience because you're simultaneously mourning the tiny infant you fell in love with that you'll never get to hold again, but also falling deeper and deeper in love with this new, bigger, more interactive, smiling bundle of joy! Kind of like every stage is a sad goodbye and an exciting hello all at once. And it can happen in a matter of days right now! Weird! But a blessing nonetheless!
Well, we are finally through with what most people would consider "early infancy"! This is the time that the pacifier size changes, you start using new bottle nipples with a faster flow, some people start introducing rice cereal and solids, and babies are finally starting to play with toys and interact purposefully with the world around them! Right now Eli is about 15 lbs and already wearing 6-9 month clothing (but that's also because he's so long!) He is doing SO much lately - I barely have time to blog about it to keep friends and family updated! But here are some of his favorite things right now:
1. Rolling - originally he would only roll from his left side to his back, but now he's doing it with both sides, and even though he hasn't QUITE gotten the front to back thing down yet, he can do it from his tummy as long as one of his arms is moved out of the way! For whatever reason, he has been bearing weight on his legs since he was born, and even jumping and making crawling movements with his LEGS, but he refuses to use his arms! Instead he prefers to spread out his arms like a plane during the short time he tolerates tummy time!
2. Singing and talking!! This boy KNOWS music!! He sings along at church - friends and family have confirmed it! And he LOVES to dance when music is playing. I'll hold his hands to balance him while he's standing, and wave them around to the music and he will CRACK UP! I loves it when his little eyes light up when we dance around to worship music in the mornings. I'm hoping and praying that Eli will be a worshiper! We all thought because of his calm, gentle little spirit that he'd be a quiet baby...HAH! He rarely cries, but WOW does he love to talk! Especially in quiet environments like church. He coos, hums, squawks, and even says, "MA!!" over and over! Perhaps he'll be less like Jake and more like his mommy in this regard...
3. Using his hands - I guess a lot of babies are motivated by toys around this age. He could take them or leave them (he'll sometimes reach out to grab something, but is perfectly content to just observe). However, he likes to sit at the piano with me for at least 10 or 20 minutes and use both his hands on the keys to make sounds. He also finger painted his daddy a picture for daddy's birthday - his very first piece of artwork, and he was concentrated on moving his little fingers around the paper for nearly 30 minutes! My favorite thing about his hands is when he gently grabs onto my shirt/chest or fingers while I'm feeding him, or even during play. While he's not the biggest cuddle-bug in the world, he LOVES just a simple touch from his mommy or daddy.
4. Laughing!! About a month ago, he started laughing!! And I think his giggles actually surprised him at first! He would giggle and suck air into his throat making a rather loud noise which would then surprise him, make him jump a little, and then result in more laughing! The things he finds funniest are moving fabric/cloth (yeah...I know, hilarious, right?), peek-a-boo, and other people laughing. Sometimes, he'll just start laughing at nothing apparently. We were in the mall the other day and Jake was holding him facing outward while I went to get a coffee. When I came back, he was cracking up for no apparent reason, but looking straight ahead. I tell Jake that I think he still sees angels. Interestingly, he doesn't seem ticklish at all! He might be more like his daddy in that respect (who is SO ticklish that it doesn't even tickle anymore; it almost hurts!).
5. EVERYTHING in the mouth! Yeah, we're beginning to suspect some pre-teething behavior given all this drool and trouble with eating (which is also due to a recent thrush infection..ugh!). But it's rather cute to watch him gnawing away at his hands/fingers while making squealing noises during a diaper change. He also enjoys eating my bare shoulder and chewing on cold things - particularly fabric (like a cold wash cloth). So far though, we haven't seen much fussiness and he's still sleeping 9-10 hours at night so we're hoping that if it IS due to teething, he'll come through it pretty easily.
6. Standing up - with all the standing he's done since the time he was born, it's no wonder that his favorite toy right now is his stationary jumper. Being upright/able to look around combined with a way to balance and jump at the same time is HEAVEN to him! And he likes the little toys, lights, and music, too! I wonder sometimes if he'll be an early walker, or at least do less crawling and proceed right to walking since he's apparently not a fan of using his arms so much. We'll see!
Some of his least favorite things right now are tummy time, Orajel (yeah, we tried that because of the teething stuff...didn't work out so well), getting into his car seat (never really an issue until recently), and cuddling. He is ALL ABOUT looking around and taking everything in, and if you force him to face you tummy-to-tummy, he'll spend most of the time burrowing his head into your chest or head-butting your face in rebellion (though he'll rarely actually cry about it). He is bright-eyed, curious, and ready to take in the world around him! And a lot of people are finally saying that he's starting to look like me instead of an exact replica of his daddy! I'd say it's finally about 50-50 now!
Well, we are finally through with what most people would consider "early infancy"! This is the time that the pacifier size changes, you start using new bottle nipples with a faster flow, some people start introducing rice cereal and solids, and babies are finally starting to play with toys and interact purposefully with the world around them! Right now Eli is about 15 lbs and already wearing 6-9 month clothing (but that's also because he's so long!) He is doing SO much lately - I barely have time to blog about it to keep friends and family updated! But here are some of his favorite things right now:
1. Rolling - originally he would only roll from his left side to his back, but now he's doing it with both sides, and even though he hasn't QUITE gotten the front to back thing down yet, he can do it from his tummy as long as one of his arms is moved out of the way! For whatever reason, he has been bearing weight on his legs since he was born, and even jumping and making crawling movements with his LEGS, but he refuses to use his arms! Instead he prefers to spread out his arms like a plane during the short time he tolerates tummy time!
2. Singing and talking!! This boy KNOWS music!! He sings along at church - friends and family have confirmed it! And he LOVES to dance when music is playing. I'll hold his hands to balance him while he's standing, and wave them around to the music and he will CRACK UP! I loves it when his little eyes light up when we dance around to worship music in the mornings. I'm hoping and praying that Eli will be a worshiper! We all thought because of his calm, gentle little spirit that he'd be a quiet baby...HAH! He rarely cries, but WOW does he love to talk! Especially in quiet environments like church. He coos, hums, squawks, and even says, "MA!!" over and over! Perhaps he'll be less like Jake and more like his mommy in this regard...
3. Using his hands - I guess a lot of babies are motivated by toys around this age. He could take them or leave them (he'll sometimes reach out to grab something, but is perfectly content to just observe). However, he likes to sit at the piano with me for at least 10 or 20 minutes and use both his hands on the keys to make sounds. He also finger painted his daddy a picture for daddy's birthday - his very first piece of artwork, and he was concentrated on moving his little fingers around the paper for nearly 30 minutes! My favorite thing about his hands is when he gently grabs onto my shirt/chest or fingers while I'm feeding him, or even during play. While he's not the biggest cuddle-bug in the world, he LOVES just a simple touch from his mommy or daddy.
4. Laughing!! About a month ago, he started laughing!! And I think his giggles actually surprised him at first! He would giggle and suck air into his throat making a rather loud noise which would then surprise him, make him jump a little, and then result in more laughing! The things he finds funniest are moving fabric/cloth (yeah...I know, hilarious, right?), peek-a-boo, and other people laughing. Sometimes, he'll just start laughing at nothing apparently. We were in the mall the other day and Jake was holding him facing outward while I went to get a coffee. When I came back, he was cracking up for no apparent reason, but looking straight ahead. I tell Jake that I think he still sees angels. Interestingly, he doesn't seem ticklish at all! He might be more like his daddy in that respect (who is SO ticklish that it doesn't even tickle anymore; it almost hurts!).
5. EVERYTHING in the mouth! Yeah, we're beginning to suspect some pre-teething behavior given all this drool and trouble with eating (which is also due to a recent thrush infection..ugh!). But it's rather cute to watch him gnawing away at his hands/fingers while making squealing noises during a diaper change. He also enjoys eating my bare shoulder and chewing on cold things - particularly fabric (like a cold wash cloth). So far though, we haven't seen much fussiness and he's still sleeping 9-10 hours at night so we're hoping that if it IS due to teething, he'll come through it pretty easily.
6. Standing up - with all the standing he's done since the time he was born, it's no wonder that his favorite toy right now is his stationary jumper. Being upright/able to look around combined with a way to balance and jump at the same time is HEAVEN to him! And he likes the little toys, lights, and music, too! I wonder sometimes if he'll be an early walker, or at least do less crawling and proceed right to walking since he's apparently not a fan of using his arms so much. We'll see!
Some of his least favorite things right now are tummy time, Orajel (yeah, we tried that because of the teething stuff...didn't work out so well), getting into his car seat (never really an issue until recently), and cuddling. He is ALL ABOUT looking around and taking everything in, and if you force him to face you tummy-to-tummy, he'll spend most of the time burrowing his head into your chest or head-butting your face in rebellion (though he'll rarely actually cry about it). He is bright-eyed, curious, and ready to take in the world around him! And a lot of people are finally saying that he's starting to look like me instead of an exact replica of his daddy! I'd say it's finally about 50-50 now!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Make Way for Milk!
Ok, I KNOW it's been forever since my last post, but I had a pretty good excuse! Jake and I have been in the throws of parenthood for the last 3 months, and are SO. AMAZINGLY. UNABASHEDLY. In LOVE with this little boy of ours!! I know every parent feels this way (or should, at least), but for whatever reason, in all my years of working with babies, I really think we hit the jackpot with this one! Not to say it's been without its challenges...challenges that you don't always hear about beforehand. So, I figured I'd list some amazing blessings we've experienced so far, as well as some challenges we've been dealing with, and what they've taught us! Let's start with....
BREASTFEEDING!!!
To be quite honest, I haven't had as many issues with this as a lot of women I know, and for that I am SO thankful! My milk came in almost immediately while we were still at the hospital, and Eli's been eating really well ever since. In fact, I never even needed to bottle feed him until close to the 3 month mark, and very rarely still. I really felt passionate about nursing as much as possible for the 1st 12 months, so we prayed about it leading up to Eli's arrival. God really came through. Not only has he been eating well, but it hasn't been nearly as painful as I expected (though that first week or 2 of engorgement is another story!). I absolutely LOVE looking down at those bright blue eyes and feeling his little hands move against my skin while he chows down. He also likes to affectionately grip the center of my shirt or my fingers while he eats. All of which makes me feel SO fulfilled, like I'm doing exactly what I was created to do to keep this precious little person alive and growing strong. It's quite a feeling!
HOWEVER...there have been some rather unexpected bumps in the road that I thought ya'll might either want to know about, or at least be mildly entertained by. Here are some details I'd have loved to know ahead of time (DISCLAIMER - you may NOT want to know all these details, in which case I'd advise you to stop reading):
1. Ever wondered what it would feel like to have breast augmentation surgery? Welcome to the first 1-2 weeks post-partum. Your ta-tas will swell up like rock-hard cantaloupes and you should be prepared to twinge in pain at even the *thought* of anything coming within arm's reach of them. Luckily, as awkward and uncomfortable as nursing may seem during that time, it actually provides some relief from the engorgement, which motivates you to keep going. On a side note, your husband may not mind this cantaloupe stage quite as much as you do..."look but don't touch" was our agreed-upon policy.
2. I don't care WHAT you do or how high your pain tolerance is. Your nipples are going to hurt in the beginning. Thank goodness this only lasts for a little while until you get used to it (provided the baby is latching properly). The first thing you'll grab is some lanolin breast cream - but TAKE NOTE!! Smearing it all over your entire boob because it hurts is NOT effective, nor does it make for a very happy baby at meal-time. Apparently you're just supposed to dab the very tip of your nipple with it. Who knew.
3. There's this little thing called the "milk letdown reflex" that I was generally aware of before becoming a mom. I had heard that it was kind of "tingly" and that it would happen when you heard a baby cry, etc. I did not know, however, that it would feel like some combination of twisting, getting electrocuted, and being hit by a dodgeball...all on those already-sensitive cantaloupe melons. Mind you, this isn't necessarily a typical experience; I must just be one of the "lucky" ones.
4. Last but not least, when the aforementioned milk letdown occurs, be prepared for some pretty interesting phenomena down there. I of course knew about "leaking" and expected some sort of drippy-faucet thing, which happens on occasion. What I wasn't expecting is a constant stream with enough pressure to shoot out almost a foot from my body in various directions. (I warned you to stop reading if you didn't want to hear the details) Yeah. Imagine holding your thumb over the spout of a hose. Not only is this kind of awkward when you're (hypothetically) showering with your husband and facing his direction, but imagine what your BABY goes through in the beginning of each feeding! I've finally developed a technique of pulling him off right before it happens and grabbing a burp cloth instead to prevent drowning!
Now for the important part. Clearly the blessing of breastfeeding comes with its challenges (and I haven't even had to deal with mastitis, infection, cracked nipples, or difficulty with latching!). BUT I don't want this to discourage anyone from doing it! Mostly I want to point out that even in these obstacles, God is teaching me valuable things about not just parenthood, but His love for us. First and foremost, breastfeeding is teaching me about patience and sacrifice. It's not always convenient or comfortable, but it's SO rewarding, and SO worth it! In fact, the sacrifice involved only lends more value to my unconditional love for Eli. It's such an enjoyable sacrifice because I was MADE to love and sacrifice is the most significant expression of love. Secondly, my nipples might hurt, but imagine how Eli's chapped little lips and mouth must be feeling! I might be awkwardly spewing milk all over the place, but that little baby has to deal with choking and potentially drowning each time he tries to eat...to SURVIVE! The other important thing I'm learning is how selfish it is to focus on myself and all MY difficulties with this. For thousands of years, breastfeeding has been every helpless little infants' lifeline; it's probably not always easy for them either, but what choice do they have? Plus, it provides for an awesome bonding experience. It is a GIFT that I really shouldn't complain about or take for granted! And God is faithful in reminding me of this every time my sweet Eli gets his fill and looks up with those bright blue eyes and a heart-warming smile. It's All. TOTALLY. WORTH EVERY SECOND! <3
BREASTFEEDING!!!
To be quite honest, I haven't had as many issues with this as a lot of women I know, and for that I am SO thankful! My milk came in almost immediately while we were still at the hospital, and Eli's been eating really well ever since. In fact, I never even needed to bottle feed him until close to the 3 month mark, and very rarely still. I really felt passionate about nursing as much as possible for the 1st 12 months, so we prayed about it leading up to Eli's arrival. God really came through. Not only has he been eating well, but it hasn't been nearly as painful as I expected (though that first week or 2 of engorgement is another story!). I absolutely LOVE looking down at those bright blue eyes and feeling his little hands move against my skin while he chows down. He also likes to affectionately grip the center of my shirt or my fingers while he eats. All of which makes me feel SO fulfilled, like I'm doing exactly what I was created to do to keep this precious little person alive and growing strong. It's quite a feeling!
HOWEVER...there have been some rather unexpected bumps in the road that I thought ya'll might either want to know about, or at least be mildly entertained by. Here are some details I'd have loved to know ahead of time (DISCLAIMER - you may NOT want to know all these details, in which case I'd advise you to stop reading):
1. Ever wondered what it would feel like to have breast augmentation surgery? Welcome to the first 1-2 weeks post-partum. Your ta-tas will swell up like rock-hard cantaloupes and you should be prepared to twinge in pain at even the *thought* of anything coming within arm's reach of them. Luckily, as awkward and uncomfortable as nursing may seem during that time, it actually provides some relief from the engorgement, which motivates you to keep going. On a side note, your husband may not mind this cantaloupe stage quite as much as you do..."look but don't touch" was our agreed-upon policy.
2. I don't care WHAT you do or how high your pain tolerance is. Your nipples are going to hurt in the beginning. Thank goodness this only lasts for a little while until you get used to it (provided the baby is latching properly). The first thing you'll grab is some lanolin breast cream - but TAKE NOTE!! Smearing it all over your entire boob because it hurts is NOT effective, nor does it make for a very happy baby at meal-time. Apparently you're just supposed to dab the very tip of your nipple with it. Who knew.
3. There's this little thing called the "milk letdown reflex" that I was generally aware of before becoming a mom. I had heard that it was kind of "tingly" and that it would happen when you heard a baby cry, etc. I did not know, however, that it would feel like some combination of twisting, getting electrocuted, and being hit by a dodgeball...all on those already-sensitive cantaloupe melons. Mind you, this isn't necessarily a typical experience; I must just be one of the "lucky" ones.
4. Last but not least, when the aforementioned milk letdown occurs, be prepared for some pretty interesting phenomena down there. I of course knew about "leaking" and expected some sort of drippy-faucet thing, which happens on occasion. What I wasn't expecting is a constant stream with enough pressure to shoot out almost a foot from my body in various directions. (I warned you to stop reading if you didn't want to hear the details) Yeah. Imagine holding your thumb over the spout of a hose. Not only is this kind of awkward when you're (hypothetically) showering with your husband and facing his direction, but imagine what your BABY goes through in the beginning of each feeding! I've finally developed a technique of pulling him off right before it happens and grabbing a burp cloth instead to prevent drowning!
Now for the important part. Clearly the blessing of breastfeeding comes with its challenges (and I haven't even had to deal with mastitis, infection, cracked nipples, or difficulty with latching!). BUT I don't want this to discourage anyone from doing it! Mostly I want to point out that even in these obstacles, God is teaching me valuable things about not just parenthood, but His love for us. First and foremost, breastfeeding is teaching me about patience and sacrifice. It's not always convenient or comfortable, but it's SO rewarding, and SO worth it! In fact, the sacrifice involved only lends more value to my unconditional love for Eli. It's such an enjoyable sacrifice because I was MADE to love and sacrifice is the most significant expression of love. Secondly, my nipples might hurt, but imagine how Eli's chapped little lips and mouth must be feeling! I might be awkwardly spewing milk all over the place, but that little baby has to deal with choking and potentially drowning each time he tries to eat...to SURVIVE! The other important thing I'm learning is how selfish it is to focus on myself and all MY difficulties with this. For thousands of years, breastfeeding has been every helpless little infants' lifeline; it's probably not always easy for them either, but what choice do they have? Plus, it provides for an awesome bonding experience. It is a GIFT that I really shouldn't complain about or take for granted! And God is faithful in reminding me of this every time my sweet Eli gets his fill and looks up with those bright blue eyes and a heart-warming smile. It's All. TOTALLY. WORTH EVERY SECOND! <3
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