Dirty Dirty Dozen

Ben is off of his nursing strike, Thank God. Now onto more appetizing forms of food for my child.

Next weekend he will be starting on rice cereal then a few weeks after that VEGGIES!!! I have one mission in life as a Mom and that is to make my child love vegetables as much as I do. He can have a million tattoos and be a UFC fighter for all I care, as long as he downs his eggplant, zucchini, and red bell peppers (just kidding about the first two things).

Because of this quest, I have been doing mucho research on the best way to introduce solids to babies and the best ways to raise veggie eaters. I came across this article and thought it was worth sharing.

In the past I've never been a big organic produce consumer... because 1. I shop at Walmart and their organic produce selection is non-existent. 2. I never really "believed" in all the hype. 3. Organic produce is more expensive.

However, when it comes to down to feeding the little one, I really don't want him to be ingesting all those chemicals. I love this list because now I not only know which generic veggies to avoid at Walmart (and make a separate trip to Whole food to get), but I also know which ones are totally safe so I don't waste money buying organic where I don't need. I printed this list and am keeping it in my purse so I can easily reference it while shopping.

Hope everyone is having a great Monday.

Ben is On Strike

Apparently there is a thing called a "nursing strike". It is when your baby flat out refuses to nurse. Every time I try to get Ben to nurse (in the afternoon evenings after he has had bottles during the day) he arches his back and screams bloody murder. The little battle of wills is seriously testing my patience.

The causes of a nursing strike can be, but are not limited to, teething, over-use of the bottle (eff you working Moms), sickness, or overall being a bad Mom (just kidding, sorta). Right now Ben nurses with me in the mornings and in the evenings. While he is at daycare he eats bottles of breastmik and formula. So about 50% of his food is administered through the bottle. Before I started working, I tested a BUNCH of bottles to see which one would release milk the slowest in hopes of lessening his preference for the bottle and impatience while nursing. I guess I did a crappy job of bottle searching... because he loooves the ease and efficiency.

So what is the solution? All the hippie breastfeeding websites recommend laying around all day with your shirt open while in bed with your baby. #1 I don't have time for that. #2 A little creepy? As a SIDE NOTE: Almost all breastfeeding resources out there seems to be geared towards SAHMs. There is ONE single solitary website I've found that helps out the working Mom and even it's solutions aren't all that helpful.

He will nurse first thing in the morning. I think his little brain resets over night and he forgets that he hates me. Tomorrow I am working from home so I am only going to offer him the ability to nurse and try not to give him a bottle. Hopefully this will completely reset him and he will stop rejecting his mother.Then if that works, I am going to try a different bottle. I have been reading about the First Years Breastflow Bottle and think it might make the contrast between bottle and boobie quite as distinct for the little man.

I am going to leave you with a video of him. Please excuse my crappy camera skills, and his boogery nose.

The Slippery Slope

Today I went into Strasburg Children on my lunchbreak to see if they had a baptism outfit for Ben. Before I had kids I always passed this store in the mall and swore my children would never wear their clothes. I pictured my kids in adorable little adult-type clothes. The boys in cargo pants and vintage tees with little chuck taylors... and the girls in tiny skinny jeans, tuinic tops, and flats (a la Suri Cruise). However, while in the store, found myself wandering outside of the baptismal section and totally wanting every single thing in there. Like I want Ben to get a bit older so he can wear a Jon Jon.

Crazy. I know, right? Is it it the change in the hormones that cause you to love the smocking, peter pan collars, pleating, and pastels? Or is it because I already know this time he is baby will be gone before I know it? He can wear grown up clothes his whole life, and only for a few short years will I be able to dress him in something semi-emasculating like above.

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I posted a comment on OMGMom about how I don't put enough pics of the wee one up on my blog... and how I have Mom guilt about it. So I am going to start posting more pics of him and taking more (need to fix the damn problem with my memory card).

Today, I'll display my very favorite. Greg had this one blown up and framed for our anniversary. I took it at my friend Katie's wedding.

Attention

Taking Fenugreek* makes you smell** like waffles.

I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food.

I guess since my husband's alter-ego is Ron Swanson***, this could be a good thing.

*Fenugreek is a magical herb that makes you produce more milk than Daisy the cow.
** OK, it makes your sweat smell like waffles. Don't judge me for being a little sweaty. It's July in Texas.
***I vote that we stop with the Chuck Norris jokes and start with the Ron Swanson jokes.

Bragging

I know it is not nice to brag. But I am back in my pre-pregnancy jeans and I just wanted to share it with you, dear interwebs. About 10 days after the birth I got into my pre-pregnancy "fat jeans" (you know the pair you slip on when you've had a few too many margs and not enough spin classes). But today I put on my real jeans. They are zipped and buttoned, and I didn't even have to suck in. Score!







What no one needs to know about...


1. The small smushy muffin top. (Easily hidden by flowy shirts, rather than my typical tissue t-s. Them abs ain't what they used to be.)
2. The fact that these jeans are hiding an obscene amount of cellulite. Time to get down to business in the toning-up department...

Now I just need to get back into some of my pre-pregnancy tops. Unfortunately that won't happen until I stop nursing.

Blog Fooding

Each weekday night our meals consist of protein (usually grilled) and veggies and salad. On the weekends I like to get "fun" with my food without going completely overboard. I think the best thing to do is to try to add as many vegetables as you can to something naughty.

For example, this weekend Greg's brother and his family came over to watch the World Cup. I made PW's Eggpland and Tomato Pizza. Because the dough in the recipe makes enough for two pizzas I also made one with italian sausage for the boys. I have a "thing" for eggplant to say the least so that version is my favorite. Plus, since I have been nursing I cannot get enough tomatoes. This pizza is basically my dream food. No matter how you like your pizza, you should definitely use this crust recipe. It is incredibly easy to make and crisps up nicely in the oven.

I also mad Deb's blue cheese coleslaw on Saturday night. I healthified it by reducing the amount of blue cheese and using low fat mayo. We put this slaw atop buffalo turkey burgers on whole wheat buns and had carrots dipped in guacamole on the side. (Make buffalo turkey burgers by mixing some wing sauce in with your ground turkey and usual burger seasonings. Then drizzle them with the a little more sauce when they come off the grill).

Sadly, there are no pictures of any of these delicious foods, but I wanted to put this out into the blogosphere. My memory card for the camera is not working, so I need to get a new one. I will post pics next time.

Vom

I feel like I have morning sickness all over again. Next Monday Greg is starting to teach summer school and it will be Ben's first day in daycare. I am so sick about this that I can barely eat (notice I said barely). Really, I am not worried for his safety or happiness. I found a wonderful lady who will keep Ben at her house. Aside from being very nice and cute, she is super clean and organized and scheduled. You know I sparkleheart schedules. She also speaks Spanish mostly to the kids, which I really think that is good for his brain to learn the two languages at once.

But I am going to miss him so much!!! Right now I go home at lunch every day to feed him and cuddle him. I know.... I can drop in on my lunch break and check on him, and I will, I'm sure. But it is not really practical for everyday. Plus they are watching a buncha kids so I don't really want to be a pest and get in the way.

Aside from missing him, I think I am majorly disgruntled about not being his primary caretaker. The control freak in me wants to be in charge of when he eats, naps, plays alldayeveryday. I know it is not sane, but I feel like I am letting someone else raise my kid.

Greg and I crunched the numbers to see if it was even possible for me to quit my job. We determined that if we subsisted entirely on his salary, paid all our bills, and cut out all luxury expenditures (gym, spending money, etc.) we would be able to put a whopping $11 into savings every month (sorry Ben, college is not an option... neither is Disney World). Then we realized that we didn't account for my health insurance and Ben's. It is just not financially prudent right now. Plus my career track is not one of those that I can really leave for awhile and return to easily. Change happens so fast in tech comm, that I would lose alot of ground and have to start allover again. As a last ditch effort, I might decide to stay home and make my millions by selling Scentsy candles.... jk!

So for now, I guess I'll just have to grin and bear it. Who knows, I may even enjoy the extra freedom this gives me. Work out on my lunchbreak! What?! And maybe I'll get the skinnies from my lack of appetite from worrying...