Emma the Dilemma

This is definitely what I have been calling her for the last several months, since I cannot figure out her eating likes, habits, quirks etc. She has always (and still is) an avid nurser, but when we started foods, she took awhile to warm up to them. Since I made all her baby food, she eventually took to all the purees and also loves applesauce and yogurt. She will eat certain finger foods and snacks like puffs, cheerios, crackers etc, and is finally starting to drink from the sippy cup. When the stash of purees I made ran out, I bought a little baby food mill grinder and have been trying that. But she is so funny. She will start eating things and if she gets a bit of texture that she doesn't like, she will spit it out and then flail her arms and she is done with it. She also LOVES to throw things over the side and wipe frantically off her tray, which is just annoying and so different as Angel never did this. But, at her check up her pediatrician didn't seem concerned because: she is still nursing so getting those calories and nutrients, is still young and only truly needs small amounts of food, is gaining weight and growth properly and is healthy, can feed herself just fine, and still only has two bottom teeth so the doctor thinks that might be one reason why she isn't eating more table foods as readily because she can't really bite or chew still. So, after worrying a bit and stressing about her not eating "well" or "regular" foods, I had to remember that I cannot compare the process to Angel (the only one I know) because each child is different and will reach milestones at different times and in different ways, that Emma will let me know in her own time and way when she wants and likes new foods, and after reading this WONDERFUL POST AND COMMENTS....feel much better about Emma's dilemma. I think I will just make more purees for now and keep doing and trying what we have been....and hopefully those other teeth will come in too!! Aren't all the little challenges of motherhood exciting? If you have any tips, PASS them on!

Fighting the Colds

Well, these little sweeties (yes we need some better matching leggings for these Hanna tops) are fighting their second cold of the season.....you know the lovely runny nose and cough stuff. Poor Angel keeps saying "me sick" and Emma has a hard time sleeping. Just curious if anyone has any good cold remedies that you use during the winter...we have tried all the usual stuff but hoping we can avoid more of them during this season. Up for any suggestions!!

Toilet Trouble

Ok....so all you experienced moms out there....help!! We started REALLY potty training on Saturday...and after three times successfully in her potty and three accidents in her underwear....we thought it was a pretty productive day. But....that was the last time she went in the potty!! I tried the sticker reinforcement, jelly bean treats and potty prizes.....but nothing is sticking!! She has told me that she will go when she gets "bigger bigger" and just keeps nodding her head and saying "yes" as I try to talk to her (totally not listening). So....just curious as to what tricks have worked with all of you.....after several days of unsuccessful pull ups we are back to diapers right now....I totally think she is ready but just not clicking. However, she does love to sit on it a lot and read her books! AHHH. Not really thinking I am going to enjoy this phase. When do the potty training fairies come to help?

Hot Topic

I have been debating whether or not to post anything on this hot topic lately, but I think it is one that should be discussed and decided on for each family. We have been doing LOTS of research and reading on this issue, vaccinations. I will post a list of books I have read later, but came across this chart and flyer and thought it was amazing to see truly how many shots our little ones have been given at certain times...we did all the regular immunizations with Angelica and had a couple adverse reactions. With Emma, we started at birth and her two month appointment but then due to some reaction and truly starting to research in depth what we had been debating for awhile, we stopped all with her. We have decided not to ever vaccinate before 6 months of age (as long as I am breastfeeding) and possibly up to one year. Then at that point we will still be very selective in which ones we do and when we do them. We have run into some very negative responses (to be expected) but feel very confident in the research and information we are gathering. There are LOTS of reasons why we have made this decision but I won't bore you with all of them here...but will recommend reading up on the issues and each individual disease and vaccine and making the best decision for you and your little ones that you can all feel comfortable with. This decision along with all the others is what makes parenting so much fun, right??

Happy Baptism Day Angel

Today is two years now since Angelica was baptized. We are trying to come up with special ways to celebrate this special day. So far we have thought of lighting their baptismal candles and saying a rosary, reading or watching videos on their Patron saint which for Angel is Saint Rose of Lima, or trying to get to mass on this day. Any suggestions or ways that you and your family celebrate your baptism day?? Angelica we pray that your faith will always be your guide and comfort and source of strength. Saint Rose of Lima, pray for her today!!

Eat Baby Eat

Ok, so all you mom's out there...I need your help!! We have been trying to introduce foods to Emma for several weeks now. First she was so bad at refusing them that I thought she wasn't ready. Lately though she has been reaching for everything, watching us eat and waking up a lot more at night. So I figured she should be ready. But, this sweet little girl is not taking well to much at all. We try the rice cereal, mashed bananas, applesauce, cheerios....so far nothing is working. She purses her lips together and I have to try and force the food in, only for her to make horrible faces and spit it back out. At this age Angel was already eating all kinds of foods....any tips or tricks you can recommend? I keep telling myself eventually she MUST eat but this nursing mama is getting tired of being this big girl's only source of food!! (she will be 8 months on the 20th!)

Ready or not...

Next Thursday we take our first airplane trip with the girls. We are heading to NYC first to visit my newly married sis and then continue to VA to visit with Jason's family, meet some nieces and nephews for the first time and let the girls meet all their cousins and family!! So....if anyone has any travel advice or tips for airplane rides for two kids under two...we would appreciate it!! Thanks to those that have already given me good ones. I am hoping the poor person who sits next to us can find an empty seat somewhere!!

Baby acne....

Well, just like her big sister, Emma has started to get the dreaded baby acne. I feel I need to tell people that when they see her as to ease any thoughts of some weird disease she might have....poor baby. So to all your moms out there.....any tips and tricks to help fight this lovely little stage of babyhood??

All you moms......question!!

OK, so Angel has her first real diaper rash. We have always been able to get rid of little ones easily with Burt's Bees Diaper ointment, or Amolin, or Butt paste.......but this time nothing seems to be working. Even trying Desitin. Any magic cures for diaper rashes that you experienced moms have found??

Question to all you moms....

This past week Angelica has gotten some pimples on her face....not like a rash but more like acne. I also did some this past week as well. I am still breastfeeding...has anyone ever noticed this correlation before if you were pregnant and still breastfeeding a baby? I am wondering if this is hormone related.

Easter Table...

For Easter this year, I made place settings. The girls and boys had different birdies. The bird nests and eggs were even edible which everyone loved. What special ways do you decorate your Easter table?

Been away...

Sorry, I have been absent from my blogging world for a bit...Angel is having the major runs and not wanting to eat or she throws it up....poor thing. No fever or anything else, so assuming it is a tummy bug......all you moms out there....any good aids and cures to help fight this? This is the first time she has really ever been sick, no fun! thanks!!

Baby food day...

Alright, so when Angelica started eating solid foods, I was so overwhelmed. I didn't know what to give her when, what foods I shouldn't give her and how to exactly make this transition into the eating world. She still breastfeeds a lot so that helps, but she is also loving anything we put in front of her to eat. We started with the cereals and then the bananas and she loved it all. She usually will have her mashed fruits with cereal in the mornings, and has also now been given the plain cheerios to crunch on. She will eat a good dinner with whatever crazy mix mom puts together...usually something like chicken with squash and peas and yogurt. Yummy!! She is eating more bites from our plates, but don't want her to have a lot of the spices and seasonings and extras quite yet. So I make most of her food....I learned a lot on this website, and didn't want to buy a lot of the jarred stuff out there. So I usually spend a good day, like today, making up all her good foods. I steam, bake or boil them and then puree in a blender and freeze. I either use ice cube trays or plop them on wax paper. After frozen, put in ziploc and we are good to go. It is so nice to be able to grab a mixture of fresh fruits and veggies ready to go for her whenever she needs a meal. And it saves money too!! Today, we made chicken, peas, green beans, acorn squash, butternut squash, carrots, mango, pears and sweet potatoes. Would love to hear all the baby food ideas you have and how you make the transition with your little ones to the "real food". I still feel clueless sometimes!!! Does anyone know when you can give your baby eggs? I have read conflicting things...

Saying "NO"...

Ok all you moms...so I have been thinking lately about using the word "no" in response to Angelica's actions. She is now able to crawl around and pulling herself up on things. Some things scare me like the fireplace with bricks, cords etc. But I really don't like the idea of constantly telling her "no". I want her to understand that "NO" means to truly not do something important, such as running into the street, touching the fireplace etc. But for all her little adventures into the things unknown that I just want to train her not to play with, what words or actions should I use to condition her to learn not to do or touch certain things? Any ideas from all you mothers with years of experience?? I have also heard that if you are constantly saying no then a toddler will pick that up as his/her favorite word....um, "NO!"

Baby socks...

We spent most of the day putting Angelica's missing socks back on and back on...what a fun cycle!! Maybe I am missing something...any tricks to keep baby socks on baby feet?

Migraines...

Today I have struggled with a migraine that will not go away and makes me queasy. I have only been taking Tylenol as I know that is safe while breastfeeding. Any other tips for remedies?