My Experience with Baby Led Weaning

When it came for the time to introduce Olivia to solids I was a little overwhelmed. At 5 months we had just gotten her reflux under control so she was just beginning to nurse well and I felt confident she was getting good nutrition and growing every day.  Adding solids into the mix just confused me. I didn’t want to do anything to hinder the wonderful nursing relationship I had FINALLY started having, but I also did not want to delay this next step because I knew she was ready to eat. I mean seriously, the girl stared down my morning banana like it was nobody’s business.

 

All along I had thought that Baby Led Weaning (BLW), sounded like a great idea. For those of you that don’t know, BLW is basically skipping puree and letting baby feed themselves. (Read more here.) It seemed so intuitive and so progressive. I read a lot of blogs about it and most of the moms seemed to be really happy they chose that route. After some more research I was pretty convinced we would do it too.

At Olivia’s 6 month check up we discussed solids with her pediatrician. She recommended the traditional route (rice cereal, rice cereal, rice cereal) and basically laughed when I told her about BLW. After her response I felt conflicted. We decided to try spoon feeding first.

Olivia seemed okay with the cereal but after a few times she started fighting me for the spoon. I felt like I had to "trick" her by distracting her so I could get the food in her mouth. It felt so wrong. I hated it. Meal after meal I tried to feed her and avoid her hands grabbing and pushing away the spoon. In the back of my mind I couldn’t help but think that I should just let her feed herself.

 

Soon after I steamed up some carrots and offered her some other BLW first foods. Avocado slices, softened apple, pear, ripe nectarines and plums, etc. She really seemed to enjoy it and I loved watching her taste new things. Yet, after a few licks and squishes, she began biting off chunks. And then it was BIG chunks. Soon after followed some major gagging and it was horrifying. I had nightmares about choking and mealtimes became more stressful for me.

Joe and I took an infant CPR class but I still worried. I stuck to the foods I felt were safe and I found comfort in the fact that her gag reflex worked so well. Soon enough she had learned to chew and was managing foods really well. At around 8 months she had a great pincer grasp so I started offering small pieces of food instead of large chunks. And that’s where we are now. Basically at this point she is eating like many other 9 month olds who are onto finger foods I think.

I must say that I never really fully embraced BLW and their suggestions to feed baby whatever you are eating because it didn’t always seem acceptable to me to give her what we were having. Not that it wasn’t healthy but often our meals included foods that had foods that were not soft enough, not organic, included something she had not yet, or contained too much salt. I’m just not laid back enough to go full steam ahead so in the end I still cooked her separate foods. We also followed the spacing rule (about 1-2 days in between new foods). I’m thankful we did this because we believe Olivia may have an egg intolerance.

 

Because of this, BLW is often more work for me than purees sometimes. I can’t just grab some pre-frozen homemade puree or the occasional jarred puree. Sometimes she will eat a pouch on the go, but she just doesn’t seem to like them all that much.

So basically what I’m saying is that my experience with BLW wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. But mostly it’s because the BLW method is probably best for more relaxed parents. I think if I had stuck to feeding her purees and then just introduced finger foods a little bit after that we would be in the same place.  And maybe there would have been less panicking for me in the beginning. I don’t think I would go this route for a second child. But who knows, maybe I’ll be an old pro by then.

 

Moms- did you do BLW or traditional purees? How do you feel about the route you chose?

At what age did your baby eat mostly finger foods?

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Circling Back

Today during naptime I actually had some "me" time and got my computer to read up on some blogs. I read the usual mom blogs and then some of the pregnant soon-to-be mom blogs and I felt reminiscent about my old blog and somehow ended up here. I looked through my pregnancy updates and I can’t believe how long it’s been since that time. So much has changed since then. It’s so amazing.

Let’s just say that I haven’t had much time to blog. Even when I’ve had time,  I’ve devoted it to other things.

 

Cooking meals for my family

Making cleaning products and cleaning my house

Writing to do lists out the wazoo

 

I felt like even if I did start blogging again I would have so much to catch up on that it wouldn’t even make sense. I didn’t know where to begin.

 

But I’ve allowed myself to let that go and just stop in to clear my head. I really miss writing and I miss connecting with others.

In the next few weeks I hope to update you on some interesting things.

-How I am doing with shedding the baby weight/Current health and fitness goals

-How I am dealing with post partum anxiety and why I think a lot of new moms don’t talk about it

-Some easy recipes that I’ve been making

 

Hopefully that will entice you to circle back, too.

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An Easy Everyday Dessert

Thank you COOL WHIP for sponsoring this post. Join us on Facebook for inspiration and recipes for everyday treats. What you add makes it. #coolwhipmoms

Lately I’ve been thinking I should change the name of my blog to “New Mom in Real Life” because there hasn’t been much on the blog about food in a while! The truth is that while I’m still cooking, everything I make is much more simple than ever, and I rarely have the time or energy to snap photos of everything.

I’m hoping that this will change soon because I do enjoy sharing what we eat around here with you. With this in mind, I wanted to show you one of the most simple every day desserts that I have been enjoying.

At night I often find that I am looking for something to break up the boredom of of the usual ice cream bar or cookie. I also have been trying to watch the caloric intake of my night time treats. And even though the temperatures have been rising outside, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m always in the mood for something warm and comforting (and chocolately).

Almost every night I enjoy a big mug of vanilla almond milk hot cocoa, and lately I’ve been making it even more delicious with a big blob of COOL WHIP Whipped Topping. The COOL WHIP actually starts to melt into the cocoa which makes it extra sweet and creamy.

Here are the quick and easy steps to making this simple everyday dessert!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 2 packets of no calorie sweetener (you can skip this if you want)
• 2-3 heaping tablespoons of dark chocolate unsweetened cocoa powder
• enough COOL WHIP to cover the entire top of the mug
• dash of cinnamon (optional)

How To:

• Pour the almond milk into a mug and add the sweetener
• Microwave for 2 minutes and 25 seconds (yes, I’ve perfected this timing)

(The milk will be nice and foamy on top)

• Take out the milk and  in 2 rapidly stir in 2 tablespoons of the cocoa.

(I then add another spoonful on the spoon I use to drink the cocoa because I like to eat the extra melty powder off the spoon later.)

• Top with COOL WHIP (and sprinkle with cinnamon if you want)

(don’t forget to leave chocolate tracks in the COOL WHIP container)

Enjoy with your favorite sidekick

I think you’ll find that this is a really easy dessert that hits the spot and satisfies a chocolate craving without too destroying your calorie budget.

Enjoy and I promise to be back with more easy recipes soon!

Do you have a special dessert you’d like to share? Enter COOL WHIP’s Fan Dessert of the Month Contest for a chance to win $500! Simply make a COOL WHIP dessert, take a photo, and upload it here. Enter now!

Sponsored posts are purely editorial content that we are pleased to have presented by a participating sponsor. Advertisers do not produce the content. I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all my own.

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Parenting Books- Yay or Nay?

I think I feel the same way about parenting books as I do about wedding magazines. In some ways they do more harm than good.

 

I remember when I was newly engaged I took a trip to Barnes and Noble and bought one of every wedding magazine on the shelf. I was so excited to start folding down pages, getting ideas, and advice on planning my wedding.

 

Soon after I started reading them, I stopped. I found that every magazine had some kind of "timeline" for wedding to-do’s that I should be following. I would read the timelines and instantly panic about what I wasn’t doing. Additionally, the picture perfect weddings that were showcased made me second guess everything I chose for my wedding. Ultimately my choices were made from the heart, they reflected my taste and all was perfect just as it was. 

What a waste of time wondering if my choices were right for me.

 

As a new mom, I kind of feel the same way about parenting books. The more I read them, the more I question myself and if what I’m doing is "right".

 

I think this is more related to my personality than anything. When I read a "how-to" book, I tend to take them a bit to seriously. I don’t want to read the books and then feel like I HAVE to stick to the advice in them. I just can’t do that to myself when it comes to my baby. I need to get to know her, formulate questions based on who she is and what she is doing, and seek out advice as needed from my doctor, mom, sister, etc…but most of all, just kind of figure it out.

 

I need to trust myself and not let a book tell me that what I’m doing is wrong even when it FEELS right.

 

What’s your opinion on parenting books?

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Patience

For some time now I’ve been a big believer in positive affirmations. My favorite source of information on how to get started using positive affirmations is Louise Hay. Her book(accompanied by a wonderful CD), I Can DO It!  has changed my life. Whenever things in my life are weighing on me, my favorite way to combat anxiety and negativity are by creating affirmations that push my thoughts in a better direction. I can honestly say that when I’ve used them religiously, I’ve seen my reality change for the better.

A few years ago I lived in an apartment with two roommates. I got along with one of them, but the other drove me nuts. A good example of how she drove me nuts would be when she gave her boyfriend (of less than a month), a key to our apartment without asking permission. I found this out when I came home to him hanging out on my couch with her no where to be found.

 

I created an affirmation that was, "My living situation is perfect, my roommates are kind and respectful". I said it ALL the time. Within a month, my one roommate (that I liked) decided that she was buying a house with her boyfriend. Therefore, her boyfriend’s nice (and reasonably priced) apartment became available. I moved in there shortly after by myself and LOVED it.

 

Lately I found that I was feeling overwhelmed with my new situation and realized that so much of what was causing me anxiety had to do with my lack of patience.

• I want to be able to read Olivia’s cues and know what to do
• I want to have breastfeeding figured out and have the pain stop
• I want to be able to get out of the house
• I want to be able to be more productive during the day
• I want to like the way I look
• I want to fit into more of my clothes
• I want to feel like my old self

Once I looked at everything I wanted to JUST HAPPEN right away it was easy for me to formulate a new affirmation- "I am patient with my baby and myself".

 

I say it over and over and over and it’s starting to be true for me. Olivia and I are really getting to know each other. I let her lead the way and I follow her flow and don’t get impatient if I can’t figure something out right away. When I stay calm and remain patient, I’ve been more effective at soothing her and staying cool. If I just step away often it is more clear what she is asking for. And if the day doesn’t unfold how I want, I’m focusing on being patient and taking it one moment at a time.

 

Lately my goals are flexible and often include one main event (a walk, a shower, preparing dinner, a blog post) and go from there. If I get one thing done, GREAT! If I get more done, that’s awesome too. But the more patient I have become, the more things seem to work out.

I saw a lactation consultant on Saturday and breastfeeding has since gotten better. She showed me some simple tips and also helped confirm that I was doing a good job.

I joined a gym and even though I’m not yet cleared for exercise I did a very light workout last night for 20 minutes and it felt great. So far today I’ve eaten healthy and I’m making dinner in the crockpot.

 

Patience is everything for me. And it helps me to remember to just pause and enjoy life. I’m sure in a few months I will long for the days when all I expected of myself was a shower..and my only responsibility was making sure my baby was safe and fed and happy.

 

I urge you to check out Louise Hay’s books and see if positive affirmations can help you. They aren’t a miracle cure, and you really need to be diligent about it, but I promise you they work.

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Olivia’s Birth Story – Part 2

After six or seven frantic calls, Joe finally picked up his phone. I told him that he needed to come back ASAP, it was time to push. Neither of us could believe that it was already time. I could tell from the sound of his voice that he was starting to run. I called the parents to update them and before I knew it Joe was back and things were moving quickly.

 

Even though I had two epidurals, the doctor did such a wonderful job that I could still feel the pressure of the contractions and move my legs. With each contraction I pushed about 3 or 4 times. It was exhausting, but I was so determined. My doctor and the nurses and Joe encouraged me and I tried with all of my might to push. I knew I was so close.

 

After about 30 minutes the doctor told me this was my last push. I couldn’t believe she was already so close to being in my arms.

 

And with that last and final push came the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. My healthy baby girl. The doctor placed her on my chest and Joe and I just looked at each other with all the emotion in the world in our eyes. I know everyone says this, but the love is indescribable. Your heart just grows. I’ve never felt anything like it.

After some time with her, the doctor cleaned her up and I was able to attempt to nurse (no idea what I was doing), but I tried to do what they taught me in my class. After some more family time, our parents were allowed in. They all watched Olivia’s bath and took turns holding her. It was so nice to sit back and watch her.

I always thought that I might miss being pregnant a little bit. That I’d miss the kicks and the big belly and the extra attention. I couldn’t have been more wrong. As I looked into my daughter’s eyes, and I looked at my husband, now a father, I have never felt more complete.

Welcome to the world Olivia Josephine. You are loved more than you will ever know.

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Olivia’s Birth Story- Part 1

Wow, my laptop is awfully dusty. I’ve looked at it since being home, but thinking about actually writing up a post seemed like a gigantic feat. Since being home things have been overwhelming in a whole new way. My life is lived in 3 hour stretches between feedings, and my goals during those 3 hours are usually to eat something, rest, and go to the bathroom. Fortunately I’ve had an incredible amount of help from my mom who is here this week, and Joe has been home as well. We tag team most things- but he is my rock when it comes to doing the hard and scary stuff like changing messy diapers, swaddling, and rocking her to sleep when she won’t stop wailing. I feel terrible when she cries but he encourages me to get through it.

Now, before I forget everything (because things are already getting hazy), here is Olivia’s birth story.

 

On Superbowl Sunday, the eve of my induction, Joe and I headed to the hospital at 3:30pm and I was admitted to triage for a cervical gel treatment. The gel was supposed to help soften my cervix to prepare me for the induction the following day. Both the doctor and nurse told me that the gel is not enough to put me into labor, but that it would get things going. (hopefully).

Prior to receiving the gel, the nurse checked me and noted that I was still not even slightly dilated. She then applied the gel, hooked me up to monitors to check for contractions and watch the baby’s heartbeat, and Joe and I relaxed for about an hour and a half until they sent us home.

 

On the way home we picked up some sandwiches and wings and went home to watch the game and visit with Joe’s parents who were already in town from Pittsburgh. At around 11, I headed up to bed. For the last time, I dragged my slow, 41 week pregnant self upstairs, and crawled into bed with my snoogle pillow (best pregnancy investment ever). I couldn’t believe tomorrow I was going to meet my baby.

At 3am I awoke out of a sound sleep with some cramping. Considering the greasy dinner we had, and the fact that I had to run to the bathroom, I figured these were stomach cramps, not labor related. I had gotten excited too many times about these kind of cramps only to have them disappear after a few trips to the bathroom. 

 

Around 3:30, the cramps were getting really bad, so I woke up Joe. I debated whether to call the doctor just yet, considering that I could not get off the toilet. My body kept sending me mixed signals (labor?) (stomach ache?) and I was confused. I started tracking the cramps and noticed they were coming about 2 minutes apart. The pattern convinced me it was time to call, and I was scared at how close the cramps (or contractions) were coming. I though that they started far apart and got closer and closer? Where was my break in between?

 

The doctor told me that if I could, I should wait 1 hour or until I couldn’t walk or talk through the pain. I said okay, hung up the phone and had a contraction that I could definitely not talk through. I had to hold on to the wall to help bear down on the pain. I yelled to Joe (who was downstairs making me something to eat before we headed to the hospital) that we had to go, NOW. Joe packed the car and we were off. I grabbed onto the handle on the car ceiling for dear life as I tried to breathe through the pain.  I kept my eyes closed almost the whole time we were on our way. The pain was excruciating and I felt like the contractions were so close that I never had a chance to recover. Finally I opened my eyes and saw the hospital approaching.

 

Soon after arriving at the emergency room I was taken to the delivery floor. I got checked in and a resident came in to check my progress. As she began the pelvic exam, my water broke. (The look on her face was classic..she was obviously new at this). Even with my broken water though, the nurse confirmed that I was only 2cm dilated. At this point the she asked if I wanted an epidural and I was so relieved that they could give it to me at this point. I watched the door like a hawk waiting for the anesthesiologist to come in.

 

What felt like an eternity was about 30 minutes, but eventually the epidural was administered. It felt great at first, but then I noticed that only my right side was numb. I was still feeling the contractions on my left side, and since they had me laying on my left hip, I thought I was going to die. The nurse upped the medicine, and a new anesthesiologist came in to see if he could fix the drip. They tried a few things but nothing worked, so the doctor had to re-do the epidural. Fifteen minutes later…

 

Finally. Relief.

 

I watched the sun come up through the blinds and watched the panic slowly melt off of Joe’s face as I relaxed. The nurse turned down the lights and told me that now I could rest and that the doctor would check me in a little bit. Joe decided now would be a good time to go get our bags from the car and call our parents with an update.

 

About 5 minutes after Joe left, the doctor came to check me. At this point we had been at the hospital for about 4 hours or so. A few seconds into the pelvic exam my doctor looked at the nurse and the nurse said, "she’s ready, isn’t she?" and the doctor nodded yes.

It was time to push.

 

I frantically got my phone and called Joe. I called and called and called, but each call went to voicemail….

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She’s Here

Our beautiful daughter Olivia Josephine arrived this morning at 9:33am. A healthy girl just shy of 9lbs! We are all doing well, looking forward to sharing her birth story with you soon.
Thanks for following my pregnancy journey and here is to new beginnings!

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Unseasonal Tuesday

Good afternoon!

Before I get into today’s events, let’s start with a quick dinner recap from last night since I actually took a picture of it.

 

Turkey tacos with a side of Southwestern Black Bean & Corn Salad and some chips for dipping. If you haven’t tried this salad yet, I highly recommend you do! It’s delicious and really easy.

Breakfast this morning was also quick and easy. 2 whole eggs, 1 white, toast with margarine and grapefruit. I’ve really been craving citrus lately and this hit the spot.

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but here in the Philly metro area it is unseasonably warm. I stepped outside sans jacket only to find that I actually needed to also be sans sweater (and open the windows in the car). I’m usually the type of person that enjoys my seasons and yes, that includes winter as well. When it’s January, it should be brisk and cold. But I am certainly not minding the sunshine. I do wish it was a bit colder though. (I know, I’m weird).

 

Today I ran one major errand in the nice sunshine. I had some returns to make at Kohl’s. I rarely shop at Kohl’s mostly because it’s pretty far from my house but today I made the trip. After standing on line for about 15 minutes, I finally got my merchandise credit. $50- that I’m going to store away for when something comes up that I need. No sense in spending it now since there isn’t anything on the list.

 

After Kohl’s I had to make an emergency stop at the grocery store to pick up my latest obsession.

I don’t know why, but I can’t get enough frozen peaches. I eat them when they are still frozen and they are oh-so-good. As far as pregnancy cravings go, at least it’s a healthy one!

 

The rest of the day looks like this:

- Ordering some photos from Snapfish (There is a coupon for 99 prints for 99 cents until tomorrow!) Use code: 99Prints at checkout

- Eating a late lunch

- Doctor’s appt at 7pm

 

Hope you are having a nice day!

Does anyone else out there actually LIKE the cold weather?

Do you shop at Kohl’s?

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36/37 Week Pregnancy Update

Hi!

I’m exhausted and need to hurry to a doctors appt- so here are the highlights from the past two weeks of pregnancy- in the briefest way possible.

Best News: Baby is head down!

Worst News: Beyonce stole my baby name, damn.

How I’m feeling: Big and tired and most recently…swollen.

Days left of work: 7, thank god. I decided to end 3 days earlier than planned.

Days till due date: 18

Cravings: Whatever is not nailed down or has melted cheese on it.

 

36 week pic (notice the fun couple in the background, I was watching House Hunters)

37 weeks

(sorry this is so grainy, my camera stinks)

 

Hope you are all having a great week!Check out previous updates HERE!

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