Baby Food

Baby J turned six months on June 29. We have started to introduce her to real food. Today we tried avocado. 

I took a bunch of library books out on weaning/feeding purées. I really should have jotted notes but returned them to the library and now am relying on my memory. So by no means is this expert advice... In the exploratory phase or first month of introducing solids it is mostly about flavors, smells, and texture and that your baby will not be really getting any significant calories. From these books I took away  1) when: waiting until 6 months 2) how much: starting with first tastes of a teaspoon or two and building up to feeding up to two tablespoons 3) how often: starting with once a day in the afternoon and building up in a week or so to twice a day 4) what: introducing organic vegetables & fruits such as sweet potatoes, butternut squash, peas, carrots, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, pear, apple, mango, & banana. Trying each for two days straight to see if there is any food allergies/reactions. Then after a few weeks combining some food profiles 5) & continuing to offer the same amount of breast milk or formula at regular feelings. 

I'm not sure I recall avocado on the list but baby J liked it & while I was eating it she was reaching for it & its real & healthy. I might try the beets I bought the other day too at the farmers market; even though I don't recall beets on the list. I can just imagine how messy that will be. 

The book I was really interested in reading Baby Led Weaning was already out, I requested it but it came in while I was on holidays so of course yesterday when I went to check if it was still being held for me I learned my hold had been cancelled. Sometimes I think Baby Led Weaning would be the way to go because of this...

 

Baby J is always trying to steal away the spoon, take the food off the spoon herself, or hold the spoon. It gets everywhere! Usually after she's tried a few bites I let her swing that spoon around, suck on it, comb her hair with it, bang on the edge of the high chair. Sometimes she gives it back and we try for a few more tastes. It is a great way to occupy her while we're eating but I'm not sure I'm teaching her good habits?

 

If you are thinking of buying a high chair the Mima Moon chair is really cool & stylish & has lots of fun features but is not really practical in terms of strapping your child in the five point harness as the straps are way too big!! Not cool. As a result we are using the slight recline option right now but then the tray is at an awkward angle for any food so we are not using the tray. As a result Baby J likes to rest her feet on top. Another minus for the Moon Chair is that the gorgeous leather cushion has a white fabric piping which already after only a few feeds is stained orange in one spot from sweet potatoes. I tried to spot clean it with a stain remover quickly after but it looks like it's there to stay. #rookiemomproblems

Somehow and I have no idea how she can bring those toes to her mouth so that after feeding less than a tablespoon of food we have food on the high chair, in her hair, on her face, the floor, her pants & shirt, and her socks. 

As we will be moving beyond first tastes shortly to a more regular schedule shortly do share any tips of the mom or dad trade you may have. What worked for you? Did you try Baby Led Weaning or just purées? Or both? What type of supplies would you recommend? 

Farmer's Market & Downtown Walk

I always enjoy going to the farmer's market on a Saturday in the summer. I was delighted to learn my new community has an outdoor farmer's market. I bought some fresh peas, cabbage, lettuce, and beets from the Hutterites. I also bought some rhubarb from another vendor. 

Because it was Saturday it just felt right to stroll downtown & through the park. 

This building I think has so much potential! I love to reimagine spaces- especially the inside of diner dives and sometimes buildings that now stand vacant. I'd love to see this building re-imagined as a trendy restaurant on the bottom level- it's right next to a 210,000 square-foot facility featuring an entertainment/sports bowl, an 8 sheet curling club, banquet & meeting rooms. The upper levels could be re-imagined as condos or apartments. 

I especially love how someone had a vision and reimagined this space as a restaurant and art gallery. It is just beautiful.

Baby J fell asleep on our leisurely stroll and I purchased a latte along with a cinnamon roll downtown that I brought back with me to the park. 

Have you been to the farmer's market recently? What vegetables or fruits are in season where you live? What do you think I should make with all the beets and cabbage I bought? 

Happy Canada Day!

In our community today activities for Canada Day included a community pancake breakfast, music in the park in the afternoon , and fireworks in the evening. We're fancy like this.

 We elected to have friends over for pancakes, blueberries, and maple syrup. Real maple syrup. Mmmm

Then we went to the park to listen to bands play in the amphitheater. If you own a food truck meant for foodies please move to my city. I settled for a hotdog over a cheese burger, hamburger, or taco in a bag as I'm also frugal--well not entirely as otherwise I would have packed my own snacks. We were attacked by mosquitos. I thought I'd also be productive and return my library books on our Canada Day excursions. Alas the library was closed on this fine holiday and my library fines continue to amass. 

 

 

L came home from work and as he missed out on our earlier Canada Day festivities I thought I'd make for him some pancakes also - this time with strawberries. What do you think of my pancake batter maple leaf skills? Haha

 

Baby J is still too young for fireworks but perhaps I can catch a glimpse from my patio this evening while enjoying a chilled beer. 

A June Summer Vacation

This June we went on a mini-vacation.

Actually it was a 11 day trip with 6 flights which is not really mini when travelling with a baby.

Baby J did not like waiting on the tarmack for the plane to hurry up and get on the runway to take-off. This waiting was extra long as those with small children board first. We then had to wait until everyone boarded and squashed their carry-ons into the overhead bins. In the meantime baby J shrieked and those boarding gritted their teeth anticipating a long flight with a baby on board. In every flight baby J and I were in a window seat. I am not sure where the logic in this was especially when the flight attendant would review flight information for flying with a baby with me each flight and then share in which washroom the change table was located. It is a lucky thing that the flights were short and we did not have to make use of the change tables...I could not imagine clamering over the other passangers, locating my diaper bag in the overhead compartment all the while holding baby J, navigating the aisles, dodging the snack cart and flight attendants to access the washroom to change baby J.  In my estimation it would be smart to have all the regular folk board first and end with those flying with small children, to lump us in one section, or to have us located nearest the change-table washroom, with easy aisle and overhead bin access. 

Thankfully baby J once we were in the air was a dream and slept almost the entire flight.

We went to visit my parents at their farm in northern Alberta. 

We also had a quick visit with family in a nearby city. An additional reason for our flight were having baby J have a photo shoot with my friend who is a talented photographer.

We celebrated Father's Day with my dad. 

It was L's first Father's Day too! He is a great dad.

A highlight for me is always walks around the lake and to the park. 

I was so delighted that we were able to fit in photos with my talented friend! We wondered if the weather would cooperate as the forecast called for rain. It was a real challenge to capture these photos as baby J was not impressed with having her photos but my friend Leslie S. is a pro. And that camera she wields! Wow!

My mom is such a card. I love her!

I think baby J recognized my mom since we speak on the phone so regularly on speaker phone. My mom could make baby J laugh and laugh and laugh. It was so fun to hear baby J belly laughing. 

We were blessed to visit with friends, and family and my parents church even hosted a baby shower for baby  J. Wow! We were thankful for the gifts but especially knowing that so many of these women have prayed for baby J. 

Too soon our vacation with my parents came to a close. We are excited for them to come visit in July. 

L flew home to work and baby J and I continued on the second leg of our journey. I'm not sure when I thought it would be a great idea to fly solo with a baby.  

We flew west to the Okanagan to see my grandma! 

It was great to visit with aunts, cousins, and uncles. My aunt taught me how to make kefir and almost persuaded me to start making kombucha. Im not sure I am ready for that level of commitment yet.

We enjoyed delicious, fresh fruit, a concert in the park, and walks along the warf. 

The Okanagan is one of my favorite places to be! It is so beautiful. 

June flew by! I love summer, being outdoors, the flowers, fresh fruit, barbecues. Summer is reason to visit friends, and family. 

Have you started your summer vacation yet? Id love to hear about your summer vacation plans.