I've struggled with acne for the last decade- I admit it. I've also known and read about plenty of women who had clear skin until they became pregnant. Those hormones can make you break out like a kid in junior high. In fact, that pregnant "glow" is due to increased oil production.
Once you become a mom, extra time spent prepping in front of the mirror becomes a hassle more often than not. A few days ago, Evelyn took advantage of my cosmetic distraction by removing an old coffee filter from the garbage and scattering its contents like confetti.
So when I saw the recipe for a DIY face mask specifically for acne scars on Pinterest, I decided to give it a try. The recipe required four simple ingredients from my kitchen:
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Honey
Lemon Juice
You only need about 1 teaspoon of each ingredient to have enough for a single application. Wash your face and apply the concoction. This might be a good time to mention that it's called "The Burning Mask." The same as it burns a cut on your finger, lemon juice has the potential to burn the sensitive skin on your face. The original directions instructions say to leave the mask on for half an hour if you can stand it, or at least 10 minutes.
When I first applied the mask, I thought, 'Psh, this doesn't hurt." Several minutes later, it hit me. Not as bad as I anticipated, but you can feel it. If you want to distract yourself from the sensation, surrender to the temptation to lick your face. It smells good; tastes awful.
When time is up, rinse your face and moisturize. Each of the mask's ingredients is supposed to have extremely beneficial properties. Immediately after rinsing, I noticed my skin was much softer and smoother. I can't say I woke up the next morning looking flawless, but I can see enough difference to encourage me to keep applying this mask once a week.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Iron Chef Mommy
I was raised by great cooks. In almost 23 years, I've never seen my mother shy away from a recipe. If she wants to make tomato basil soup from scratch for one, she'll do it. My stepmother, a vegetarian, manages to create meals that satisfy her carnivorous husband and dairy-allergic son. The last time I visited my maternal grandmother, she threw together the most delicious but simple dinners that had me passing Evelyn off to everyone else so I could keep stuffing my face.
And then there's me. For most of my life, my favorite meal was a famous blue box of noodles with unnaturally-hued, cheese-flavored powder. I tried my first egg at age 18 and still struggle to eat pretty much anything that sprouted up from the ground. Not to mention, I'm a grazer. It's a rare day that I sit down for three squares.
Enter motherhood. Now that Evie is an active toddler with a pretty regular schedule, I'm forced to prepare three meals a day for her even if I'm not hungry at all. In the process, I've learned a few things that save time and fill the baby. Win-win.
For years, I've seen my stepmom create meals with Pillsbury Crescent Roll dough that my brother devours in no time. So yesterday, I rolled slices of ham and shredded cheese into the dough and baked them into what look like teeny tiny calzones. Let's just say Evie loved them enough to toss aside her fork and start shoving fistfuls down the hatch. I suspect I could also throw some kind of shredded veggie in there too without protest.
Another way to be sneaky with vegetables and store-bought dough is to roll out individual biscuits and bake them just a little bit until they've firmed up a tad. Top with red sauce, (which you can easily enrich with pureed veggies) shredded cheese and maybe some kind of meat topping. I can't speak highly enough of turkey pepperoni. Freeze the individual pizzas and bake for your little one as needed.
One culinary staple we both love is chicken, and it's so versatile. Since we moved to our apartment, I've been buying large packages of boneless chicken breasts when they're affordable, then freezing them individually in baggies. I keep one chicken breast on hand in the fridge, and when it gets used, it's replaced by one from the freezer. One breast is typically enough to feed us both when prepared with a side dish or two. My favorite recipe:
Prepare this sauce by mixing the following ingredients:
2 tsp. minced ginger
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. hot sauce
1/4 cup (low sodium) soy sauce
Cut the raw chicken breast into bite-size pieces. Put the chicken in a pan on the stove on medium heat with a little oil. Lightly dust the chicken with salt and pepper. When it's cooked fully through and starts to brown, pour in the sauce mixture.
At this point, I pull out enough chicken for Evie while it's only been just touched by the sauce, which is a tad on the spicy side. For grown-ups, let the sauce thicken and bubble while coating the chicken. When it's done, I recommend serving it with a side of rice and a green vegetable, like broccoli. I make the sauce in large batches, then store it in a re-purposed coffee creamer container. It's scrumptious.
These are just a couple of recipes I've come to love. Don't get me wrong. Sometimes boxed macaroni and frozen nuggets are still prepared by this mama. Luckily, Evie also enjoys some snacks that are easy to prepare ahead of time. About twice a week, I cut up an apple into bite-size pieces and toss them in a tupperware with a little lemon juice to keep them from browning. It should come as no surprise that "apple" is one of the words in my 15-month-old's lexicon.
Ultimately, I've learned that cooking, whether just for yourself or for a family, is a learned art that takes time and experimentation. Don't be discouraged by picky eaters or a small budget. Find what works and at the end of the day, bake some cookies.
And then there's me. For most of my life, my favorite meal was a famous blue box of noodles with unnaturally-hued, cheese-flavored powder. I tried my first egg at age 18 and still struggle to eat pretty much anything that sprouted up from the ground. Not to mention, I'm a grazer. It's a rare day that I sit down for three squares.
Enter motherhood. Now that Evie is an active toddler with a pretty regular schedule, I'm forced to prepare three meals a day for her even if I'm not hungry at all. In the process, I've learned a few things that save time and fill the baby. Win-win.
For years, I've seen my stepmom create meals with Pillsbury Crescent Roll dough that my brother devours in no time. So yesterday, I rolled slices of ham and shredded cheese into the dough and baked them into what look like teeny tiny calzones. Let's just say Evie loved them enough to toss aside her fork and start shoving fistfuls down the hatch. I suspect I could also throw some kind of shredded veggie in there too without protest.Another way to be sneaky with vegetables and store-bought dough is to roll out individual biscuits and bake them just a little bit until they've firmed up a tad. Top with red sauce, (which you can easily enrich with pureed veggies) shredded cheese and maybe some kind of meat topping. I can't speak highly enough of turkey pepperoni. Freeze the individual pizzas and bake for your little one as needed.
One culinary staple we both love is chicken, and it's so versatile. Since we moved to our apartment, I've been buying large packages of boneless chicken breasts when they're affordable, then freezing them individually in baggies. I keep one chicken breast on hand in the fridge, and when it gets used, it's replaced by one from the freezer. One breast is typically enough to feed us both when prepared with a side dish or two. My favorite recipe:
Prepare this sauce by mixing the following ingredients:
2 tsp. minced ginger
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. hot sauce
1/4 cup (low sodium) soy sauce
Cut the raw chicken breast into bite-size pieces. Put the chicken in a pan on the stove on medium heat with a little oil. Lightly dust the chicken with salt and pepper. When it's cooked fully through and starts to brown, pour in the sauce mixture.
At this point, I pull out enough chicken for Evie while it's only been just touched by the sauce, which is a tad on the spicy side. For grown-ups, let the sauce thicken and bubble while coating the chicken. When it's done, I recommend serving it with a side of rice and a green vegetable, like broccoli. I make the sauce in large batches, then store it in a re-purposed coffee creamer container. It's scrumptious.
These are just a couple of recipes I've come to love. Don't get me wrong. Sometimes boxed macaroni and frozen nuggets are still prepared by this mama. Luckily, Evie also enjoys some snacks that are easy to prepare ahead of time. About twice a week, I cut up an apple into bite-size pieces and toss them in a tupperware with a little lemon juice to keep them from browning. It should come as no surprise that "apple" is one of the words in my 15-month-old's lexicon.
Ultimately, I've learned that cooking, whether just for yourself or for a family, is a learned art that takes time and experimentation. Don't be discouraged by picky eaters or a small budget. Find what works and at the end of the day, bake some cookies.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Growing Pains
As much as I enjoy my walking, spinning, talking, squawking, laughing, learning toddler, I find myself yearning for the former days of her infanthood. Yes, breastfeeding was easier than formulating three square meals a day, but that's not my reason. I can't help but wish she could still be a helpless newborn every time she gets hurt. It breaks my heart.
Seeing Evelyn fall down, register the pain and howl in misery makes me wish I feel the pain for her. I hate knowing these are just the first few in a long line of boo-boos.
My daughter somehow manages to get hurt every single day. Whether it's a bump on the coffee table, a tumble on the ground or a pinched finger, I never go a day without clutching her in my arms and whispering, "It's okay, I've got you sweetheart. Mommy's so sorry you got hurt."
Recently, Evelyn has decided that she's invincible. She will grab my purse or a shopping bag and spin around our living room as fast as she can until she inevitably tumbles. Then she gets up and does it again. And again. Meanwhile, I stand in the background, hands clutched in front of my chest praying she doesn't get hurt.
Now that she can walk with no problem, Evie is eager to explore new places and movements. Every afternoon, she marches up to the front door and casually knocks as if to say, "Excuse me, anyone out there? Can you please take me for a walk? Pleeeease?!"
Once we hit the sidewalk, she becomes invincible yet again. She ignores the cars passing by and pauses to stare at ants, even if we're blocking a driveway. Luckily for my sanity, she's gotten pretty good at holding my hand the whole time.
Just this evening, Evelyn was strolling around the room, sleepy-eyed and dragging her blanket, when she abruptly tripped over the blanket, crashed into her play table and toppled onto a plastic toy bin. Immediately, a dark purple spot made itself known on her jaw. I held her so tight I thought my body might absorb her. We stayed that way with her new "Boo Boo Buddy" (thanks, Mom) pressed up to her face until the tears subsided.
I know toddlers are magnets for bumps, bruises and scrapes, but why can't my daughter be exempt? I can only hope that as she grows and learns from her experiences that the emotional pain won't be so taxing on me. I'm waiting for the day when I can see a wound on my child and think nothing other than, 'Where did I leave the neosporin?'
Seeing Evelyn fall down, register the pain and howl in misery makes me wish I feel the pain for her. I hate knowing these are just the first few in a long line of boo-boos.
My daughter somehow manages to get hurt every single day. Whether it's a bump on the coffee table, a tumble on the ground or a pinched finger, I never go a day without clutching her in my arms and whispering, "It's okay, I've got you sweetheart. Mommy's so sorry you got hurt."
Recently, Evelyn has decided that she's invincible. She will grab my purse or a shopping bag and spin around our living room as fast as she can until she inevitably tumbles. Then she gets up and does it again. And again. Meanwhile, I stand in the background, hands clutched in front of my chest praying she doesn't get hurt.
Now that she can walk with no problem, Evie is eager to explore new places and movements. Every afternoon, she marches up to the front door and casually knocks as if to say, "Excuse me, anyone out there? Can you please take me for a walk? Pleeeease?!"
Once we hit the sidewalk, she becomes invincible yet again. She ignores the cars passing by and pauses to stare at ants, even if we're blocking a driveway. Luckily for my sanity, she's gotten pretty good at holding my hand the whole time.
Just this evening, Evelyn was strolling around the room, sleepy-eyed and dragging her blanket, when she abruptly tripped over the blanket, crashed into her play table and toppled onto a plastic toy bin. Immediately, a dark purple spot made itself known on her jaw. I held her so tight I thought my body might absorb her. We stayed that way with her new "Boo Boo Buddy" (thanks, Mom) pressed up to her face until the tears subsided.
I know toddlers are magnets for bumps, bruises and scrapes, but why can't my daughter be exempt? I can only hope that as she grows and learns from her experiences that the emotional pain won't be so taxing on me. I'm waiting for the day when I can see a wound on my child and think nothing other than, 'Where did I leave the neosporin?'
Can you find the baby?
Monday, August 20, 2012
"P" is for "Project"
Almost one month ago, Evelyn and I moved to our new apartment. Each day since then has been a lesson in how to make our home to look and feel the way we like while managing other responsibilities simultaneously.
I realized the best way to tackle our tiny space is to take it one room/area at a time. So far, the greatest challenge has been balancing a fun, comfortable space that reflects my taste with the efficiency demanded of a single parent home.
I'm working from the front of the apartment to the back. The entryway has quickly become my favorite space. It has to serve as our dining area, and it has quickly become my "office." I've included photos of this area and some others from the "Girl Cave."
I realized the best way to tackle our tiny space is to take it one room/area at a time. So far, the greatest challenge has been balancing a fun, comfortable space that reflects my taste with the efficiency demanded of a single parent home.
I'm working from the front of the apartment to the back. The entryway has quickly become my favorite space. It has to serve as our dining area, and it has quickly become my "office." I've included photos of this area and some others from the "Girl Cave."
It's never really this tidy, but picture taking demanded that I temporarily shift the clutter to the coffee table. The hanging "candle chandeliers" are held up with fishing wire so they appear to be floating. My mom bought them for my bedroom when I was 13, and I've always loved them. When the candles are lit, they reflect beautiful patterns on the walls.
These "New Yorker" cover prints are from a street vendor in NYC.
The flowers are a Hobby Lobby selection. I saw a blend of reds, hot pinks and a touch of light blue in a magazine and loved the combination. It compliments our red couch well.
Our pet fish, "Bonbon." He has a place close to the front door, making him our guard betta.
Evelyn's library is quite pleasant to look at, though the books are usually scattered all over the floor.
Evie's "play zone" in the living room. It spans an entire wall but adds a whimsical feel to the room. Since we share a bedroom, her toys have to be right out front. I have plans to paint the little wood table a robin's egg blue.
Flowers even shroud the TV. This is an all-girl apartment, after all (minus the fish).
These shelves in the kitchen were a torturous endeavor. I got innumerable lessons in nail sizes and functions. Lining them up on perfectly on the wall brought forth a whole new level of neuroses for me.
I actually like our stove area. I painted the blue glass canister and hung the little white shelf. The espresso percolator is a rescue from a family friend's Goodwill pile. A little baking soda and vinegar made it an ecclectic (and usable!) piece.
Few things could make me as happy as my coffee counter first thing in the morning. I store coffee in an apothecary jar and use a repurposed formula scoop to measure it out.
Evelyn's hiding spot. Whenever it feel "too quiet," I can lean over to see her tucked between the couch and the bookshelf admiring the covers of her books.
I had to include a gratuitous shot of my current sweet indulgence. Nestle Break n' Bake mini cookies with Reese's Pieces smooshed in before they hit the oven. Yum!
I'm hoping to show off more of our apartment soon. I have big plans for making the bedroom a perfect balance between adult function and child fantasy. The living room may be a lost cause as far as decor, but it sees a lot of wear throughout the day. One step at a time!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Sweet Treat
I can't resist typing out a little post on a much-loved snack I recently discovered. They're called "Bunchkins"- tiny grapes that Evelyn loves. I can only give her about ten at a time because she shoves them all in her mouth before bothering to swallow.
To give you an idea of their size, you can see that an entire bunch fits in the palm of my hand. I'm glad we decided to try these.
A box of grapes cost $2.99 at Meijer. They're sweet, not at all tart. Just rinse and pluck them off the stem. The most tedious aspect of eating them is making sure you don't feed a teeny tiny stem to your baby.
The Birthday Season
Last Thursday, July 5, was Evelyn's first birthday. I had mentally prepared myself for the tornado of cake, party planning and presents that would engulf my entire life. Over a week later, I feel as if we've finally recovered.
On the Fourth of July, we attended a big family party at Evelyn's paternal grandparents' house in Lawrenceburg, Ky. Though I don't think I could ever bring myself to live in such a tiny town, I love visiting the tranquil, slower-paced atmosphere. "Lburg" is much quiter and easier to navigate than our hometown of "Lville." I felt I was right at home, however, when twenty-something people began filtering through the door on that sweltering afternoon.
After Evie "opened" her presents and pooped in the middle of that process, we enjoyed the feast. Naturally, the child would only eat watermelon. On a normal day, I would have kept her in the high chair until she ate something a little more substantial, but birthday week was proving to bend the rules.
The next day, her actual birthday, we returned home for a quiet night of spaghetti and beer cake with my dad, stepmom and siblings. Evie seemed happy to return to the more mellow pace that is home. I don't know if I've ever seen her so happy as she was just playing with toys in the cold, silent basement we live in affectionately dubbed the "Girl-Cave."
Evie, happily relaxing while she reads a new book.
Friday brought with it a trip to my mom's house where we ate way too much and laughed hysterically as Evelyn submerged herself in a tiny cake and then danced around the room wearing her pajamas, a tutu, a birthday hat and a flower lei as the sugar high overcame her.
Finally, we treked to Lexington on Saturday to prepare for a party with my and Roy's friends on Sunday. From this experiene I learned that if you're just having friends over, don't worry about decorations or keeping to a schedule. Just make sure the food is delicious.
Part of me can't believe I have a 1-year-old. I know this is cliche, but it seems like just yesterday I had a helpless newborn swaddled up in my arms. Now she's talking, attempting to walk and asserting her rebellious side every time I tell her not to do something by obnoxiously snapping back at me in defiance.
Now that we've survived the week-long birthday festival, I'm pouring myself into our next big project: MOVING. On the 20th, Evie and I will be relocating to our new apartment in Lexington. I couldn't be more excited to indulge my creative side in my very own space. True, the apartment is about the size of a shoebox, but that will just make the process even more interesting.
My present to Evie was this circus tent from Ikea. She loves it, and even though it's larger than I anticipated, that just means we'll get more use out of it! It also folds up to a manageable size.
After Evie "opened" her presents and pooped in the middle of that process, we enjoyed the feast. Naturally, the child would only eat watermelon. On a normal day, I would have kept her in the high chair until she ate something a little more substantial, but birthday week was proving to bend the rules.
The next day, her actual birthday, we returned home for a quiet night of spaghetti and beer cake with my dad, stepmom and siblings. Evie seemed happy to return to the more mellow pace that is home. I don't know if I've ever seen her so happy as she was just playing with toys in the cold, silent basement we live in affectionately dubbed the "Girl-Cave."
Friday brought with it a trip to my mom's house where we ate way too much and laughed hysterically as Evelyn submerged herself in a tiny cake and then danced around the room wearing her pajamas, a tutu, a birthday hat and a flower lei as the sugar high overcame her.
Finally, we treked to Lexington on Saturday to prepare for a party with my and Roy's friends on Sunday. From this experiene I learned that if you're just having friends over, don't worry about decorations or keeping to a schedule. Just make sure the food is delicious.
Part of me can't believe I have a 1-year-old. I know this is cliche, but it seems like just yesterday I had a helpless newborn swaddled up in my arms. Now she's talking, attempting to walk and asserting her rebellious side every time I tell her not to do something by obnoxiously snapping back at me in defiance.
Now that we've survived the week-long birthday festival, I'm pouring myself into our next big project: MOVING. On the 20th, Evie and I will be relocating to our new apartment in Lexington. I couldn't be more excited to indulge my creative side in my very own space. True, the apartment is about the size of a shoebox, but that will just make the process even more interesting.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Absence and Indulgence
After yet another too-long hiatus from what was once my nearest and dearest project, I've decided to take another swing at not abandoning my blog alltogether. The writer in me needs a personal outlet for my thoughts and the mother in me needs a spot to post cute pictures of my baby. That being said, I think it's time to approach this from a different angle.
The reality of my life is that it doesn't revolve around baby talk. During my pregnancy, I remember my mom telling me that even though it then felt as if nothing besides my child would ever matter again, the world does keep turning, and there are plenty of reasons to be a part of it. As my daughter now approaches one year old, we seem to have reached a still-evolving balance. Because I have so much to say about motherhood and other subjects, I think it's time for this blog to become a forum for the many pieces that form my happy life as a young mom.
I will, of course, continue to write about the many anecdotes of my sweet baby, but I also hope to write about my favorite recipes, crafts and pasttimes. To start things off on an entertaining foot, I'm going to make this post about Evelyn's favorite foods.
While this may not immediately sound entertaining, I assure you that although she has not yet reached one year of age, Evelyn has established her impressive culinary palette already.
She ate honey baked ham at Easter and fettucine alfredo from the Cheesecake Factory. She likes Spanish rice and marinated chicken. Evie is willing to try anything you put in front of her, but like any true foodie in the making, she has her favorites.
1. Honey wheat pretzel sticks
A couple months ago, I let Evie gnaw on a pretzel stick just to see what she did with it. She devoured it. Ever since then, I keep a supply of this lightly-salted snack in my purse at all times. She loves the taste and I love that it keeps her busy for a few minutes and doesn't leave more than a couple of crumbs for me to clean up. Bonus: you can find a store brand of honey wheat pretzel sticks almost anywhere, and they're dang cheap.
2. Oscar Meyer Turkey Bacon
On another whim, I gave Baby a tiny piece of bacon a while back just to see how she reacted. As she does with most foods, she made it disappear. Opting for a healthier alternative, we have since been purchasing turkey bacon from the grocery and eating it almost every morning. Unlike pork bacon, turkey bacon isn't loaded with fat and you can cook it with just a few minutes in the microwave. I break up the more tender strips into little pieces for Evie and save the crispier parts for myself. Win-win!
3. Animal crackers
This classic snack has been a recent endeavor. Just yesterday, I bought a large, teddy bear-shaped plastic container stuffed to the brim with animal crackers, and Evie approves. Since they're not super sugary, I don't feel bad letting her have a few after dinner.
4. Gerber Graduates for Toddlers Pasta Pick-Ups
Though I rarely purchase the over-priced mini entrees sold for toddlers, I will buy these little packages of ravioli. Evie really seems to enjoy the spinach and cheese. Turkey and vegetable- not so much. They cook quickly in the microwave and travel well since they aren't refrigerated. Since she can't quite eat the whole portion yet, we save the leftovers and they reheat nicely.
5. Pineapple bits
Like many babies, my daughter is a big fan of fruit. Always a fan of apples and peaches, she sampled a slightly more acidic fruit when her tummy could handle it. Now, I buy fresh peaches and cans of crushed pineapple for her. I dice the peaches, divide them evenly into a few containers, then add the pineapple with the juice. The juice keeps it all fresh and yummy, and these mini fruit cocktails keep in the fridge for a couple weeks. We also throw watermelon into the mix on occasion.
This short list doesn't even come close to summing up the many foods that Evie enjoys. At this rate, she's on her way to becoming a true lover of all cuisine. Since I've been a lifelong picky eater, I'm hoping some of her willingness will rub off on me. I can't wait to see what she does with a birthday cake...
The reality of my life is that it doesn't revolve around baby talk. During my pregnancy, I remember my mom telling me that even though it then felt as if nothing besides my child would ever matter again, the world does keep turning, and there are plenty of reasons to be a part of it. As my daughter now approaches one year old, we seem to have reached a still-evolving balance. Because I have so much to say about motherhood and other subjects, I think it's time for this blog to become a forum for the many pieces that form my happy life as a young mom.
I will, of course, continue to write about the many anecdotes of my sweet baby, but I also hope to write about my favorite recipes, crafts and pasttimes. To start things off on an entertaining foot, I'm going to make this post about Evelyn's favorite foods.
While this may not immediately sound entertaining, I assure you that although she has not yet reached one year of age, Evelyn has established her impressive culinary palette already.
She ate honey baked ham at Easter and fettucine alfredo from the Cheesecake Factory. She likes Spanish rice and marinated chicken. Evie is willing to try anything you put in front of her, but like any true foodie in the making, she has her favorites.
1. Honey wheat pretzel sticks
A couple months ago, I let Evie gnaw on a pretzel stick just to see what she did with it. She devoured it. Ever since then, I keep a supply of this lightly-salted snack in my purse at all times. She loves the taste and I love that it keeps her busy for a few minutes and doesn't leave more than a couple of crumbs for me to clean up. Bonus: you can find a store brand of honey wheat pretzel sticks almost anywhere, and they're dang cheap.
2. Oscar Meyer Turkey Bacon
On another whim, I gave Baby a tiny piece of bacon a while back just to see how she reacted. As she does with most foods, she made it disappear. Opting for a healthier alternative, we have since been purchasing turkey bacon from the grocery and eating it almost every morning. Unlike pork bacon, turkey bacon isn't loaded with fat and you can cook it with just a few minutes in the microwave. I break up the more tender strips into little pieces for Evie and save the crispier parts for myself. Win-win!
3. Animal crackers
This classic snack has been a recent endeavor. Just yesterday, I bought a large, teddy bear-shaped plastic container stuffed to the brim with animal crackers, and Evie approves. Since they're not super sugary, I don't feel bad letting her have a few after dinner.
4. Gerber Graduates for Toddlers Pasta Pick-Ups
Though I rarely purchase the over-priced mini entrees sold for toddlers, I will buy these little packages of ravioli. Evie really seems to enjoy the spinach and cheese. Turkey and vegetable- not so much. They cook quickly in the microwave and travel well since they aren't refrigerated. Since she can't quite eat the whole portion yet, we save the leftovers and they reheat nicely.
5. Pineapple bits
Like many babies, my daughter is a big fan of fruit. Always a fan of apples and peaches, she sampled a slightly more acidic fruit when her tummy could handle it. Now, I buy fresh peaches and cans of crushed pineapple for her. I dice the peaches, divide them evenly into a few containers, then add the pineapple with the juice. The juice keeps it all fresh and yummy, and these mini fruit cocktails keep in the fridge for a couple weeks. We also throw watermelon into the mix on occasion.
This short list doesn't even come close to summing up the many foods that Evie enjoys. At this rate, she's on her way to becoming a true lover of all cuisine. Since I've been a lifelong picky eater, I'm hoping some of her willingness will rub off on me. I can't wait to see what she does with a birthday cake...
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Rub-a-Dub Love
When I first brought Evelyn home from the hospital, I was terrified to give her a bath. Heaven forbid I got soap in her precious blue eyes or made the water too hot. Not to mention the constant concern I held for her umbilical raisin.
The first time she pooped in the tub and the world didn't end, (she was one week old) I knew we would survive bath time.
Eight months later, I have a little aqua-baby on my hands. Evie loves to splash and giggle in the tub, and afterward, we play a rousing game of stare into the blow dryer.
As a single mom, I don't always have someone to assume responsibility for the baby while I take a shower. Most days, she sits happily in her Exersaucer while I lather up, but sometimes she just won't let me go or she needs a good scrubbing just as much as I do.
On those days, I put Evie's baby tub in the shower and turn the water on like normal. While I bathe, she plays and waits for her turn. Is it a little awkward to be confined to one square foot of space in the shower? Yes. Do I care? No. Parents opt for co-bedding with their babies all the time. Why not co-shower?
If you intend to try this method of double bathing, let me offer you one sound warning: Do not pick the baby up out of their tub while you're both still showering. A wet baby is slick enough. Add to that a watered-down mommy, and you might as well be trying to pick up an eel. (No. I've never dropped her.)
While we're on the subject of bath time, I'd like to share a Must-Have!
Johnson's Head to Toe Foaming Baby Wash
We all know and love the classic Johnson's Baby Wash. I will swear by this stuff. I love the smell and the reliable gentleness. The foaming bottle, however, adds an element of convenience that any mother would adore. It can be pumped with one hand while you hold baby still with the other, and it lathers much faster and smoother than the traditional kind.
Added bonus: Once you run out, just add the classic baby wash to the bottle with some water to dilute it. It will foam up just the same. I'm a huge fan of this idea because roughly four industrial size bottles of soap were gifted to me pre-delivery. At this rate, she'll still be using baby wash in middle school.
So there you have it. Bath time may be a practical necessity, but it's also a great opportunity for mother-baby bonding and awesome soap. Without further adieu, the pictures:
Evelyn gets so excited to get in her little pink tub. She splashes like it's her job, so I usually get somewhat drenched as well.
When it's time to dry off, Evie re-familiarizes herself with her feet. She always resists when I start to put a clean diaper on her. She would rather be naked.
Finally, we switch on the blow dryer to take the edge off. She enjoys the warmth and I'm obsessed with how fluffy it makes her hair. Low power and low heat with the cord out of reach, of course.
The first time she pooped in the tub and the world didn't end, (she was one week old) I knew we would survive bath time.
Eight months later, I have a little aqua-baby on my hands. Evie loves to splash and giggle in the tub, and afterward, we play a rousing game of stare into the blow dryer.
As a single mom, I don't always have someone to assume responsibility for the baby while I take a shower. Most days, she sits happily in her Exersaucer while I lather up, but sometimes she just won't let me go or she needs a good scrubbing just as much as I do.
On those days, I put Evie's baby tub in the shower and turn the water on like normal. While I bathe, she plays and waits for her turn. Is it a little awkward to be confined to one square foot of space in the shower? Yes. Do I care? No. Parents opt for co-bedding with their babies all the time. Why not co-shower?
If you intend to try this method of double bathing, let me offer you one sound warning: Do not pick the baby up out of their tub while you're both still showering. A wet baby is slick enough. Add to that a watered-down mommy, and you might as well be trying to pick up an eel. (No. I've never dropped her.)
While we're on the subject of bath time, I'd like to share a Must-Have!
Johnson's Head to Toe Foaming Baby WashWe all know and love the classic Johnson's Baby Wash. I will swear by this stuff. I love the smell and the reliable gentleness. The foaming bottle, however, adds an element of convenience that any mother would adore. It can be pumped with one hand while you hold baby still with the other, and it lathers much faster and smoother than the traditional kind.
Added bonus: Once you run out, just add the classic baby wash to the bottle with some water to dilute it. It will foam up just the same. I'm a huge fan of this idea because roughly four industrial size bottles of soap were gifted to me pre-delivery. At this rate, she'll still be using baby wash in middle school.
So there you have it. Bath time may be a practical necessity, but it's also a great opportunity for mother-baby bonding and awesome soap. Without further adieu, the pictures:
Evelyn gets so excited to get in her little pink tub. She splashes like it's her job, so I usually get somewhat drenched as well.
When it's time to dry off, Evie re-familiarizes herself with her feet. She always resists when I start to put a clean diaper on her. She would rather be naked.
Finally, we switch on the blow dryer to take the edge off. She enjoys the warmth and I'm obsessed with how fluffy it makes her hair. Low power and low heat with the cord out of reach, of course.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Mommy Must Have- Practical Magic
Ever since Evelyn really became interested in toys, I've become increasingly convinced that less is more.
The toy shelves at Target are stocked with countless rows of contraptions sporting lights, screens, sounds and hardware rivaling my cell phone. Don't get me wrong- she loves those too, but they can be a little difficult to transport, operate and wash.
Cue our favorite toy ever: Fisher-Price Stack and Roll Cups.
Last year when I was going stark-raving mad on my baby registry, this simple toy caught my eye. (Probably because I'm a sucker for anything and everything arranged in rainbow order.) They have since proven to be worth their weight in gold.
Evie never seems to get sick of playing with these. She can often be found carefully selecting two cups to bang together, and we recently started playing "hide the binky" underneath a cup and letting her find it. They also came with a yellow, rattly ball, as you can see in the picture. We lost it a long time ago, but I have a feeling that if I looked hard enough under my bed, I would see that little smiley face staring back at me.
On the practical side of the spectrum, these toys are easy throw in the diaper bag to take with us. We've even broken out a few at a restaurant dinner table before. Maybe it's the bright colors or the multitude of sizes, but my daughter loves these rainbow plastic cups.
Much to my delight, I've been able to run them through the dishwasher whenever necessary, which is usually about once a week since they see so much use. They haven't lost any color, cracked or melted. All in all, I give them a very positive rating.
The toy shelves at Target are stocked with countless rows of contraptions sporting lights, screens, sounds and hardware rivaling my cell phone. Don't get me wrong- she loves those too, but they can be a little difficult to transport, operate and wash.
Cue our favorite toy ever: Fisher-Price Stack and Roll Cups.
Last year when I was going stark-raving mad on my baby registry, this simple toy caught my eye. (Probably because I'm a sucker for anything and everything arranged in rainbow order.) They have since proven to be worth their weight in gold.
Evie never seems to get sick of playing with these. She can often be found carefully selecting two cups to bang together, and we recently started playing "hide the binky" underneath a cup and letting her find it. They also came with a yellow, rattly ball, as you can see in the picture. We lost it a long time ago, but I have a feeling that if I looked hard enough under my bed, I would see that little smiley face staring back at me.
On the practical side of the spectrum, these toys are easy throw in the diaper bag to take with us. We've even broken out a few at a restaurant dinner table before. Maybe it's the bright colors or the multitude of sizes, but my daughter loves these rainbow plastic cups.
Much to my delight, I've been able to run them through the dishwasher whenever necessary, which is usually about once a week since they see so much use. They haven't lost any color, cracked or melted. All in all, I give them a very positive rating.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A Separate Peace
From Day 1, Evelyn and I have been a team.
Not long after I discovered my pregnancy back in late 2010, "I" became "we." WE want Apple Jacks for dinner. WE are too tired to walk that far. WE are about to pee in our pants. You get the idea.
Since she was born, Evie and I have been nearly inseparable. Unless I am at work, on my way to work or coming from work, she's right there with me. Part of that just comes with being a single mom. I get things like laundry and dishes accomplished while Evie is sleeping or feeding herself a bottle, and my arms have become surprisingly buff from carrying her around so much.
I can recall in great detail the episodes of separation we've had throughout her lifetime. About a week after she left the womb, my mom scooped Evie out of my arms and told me to go somewhere- anywhere- by myself for a little while. Her father dragged me to the workout room at mom's apartment complex and I walked very slowly on the treadmill for 20 minutes before power walking back to my baby.
Five months later... New Year's Eve, 2011: Evelyn's first night away from Mommy. Since I had to work late anyway, Evie stayed overnight with her father. From 5-11:30, I was chin-deep in serving people a constant flow of martinis. The closer it got to midnight, however, the closer I got to a breakdown. I missed Evie terribly, but a couple gin and tonics dulled the pain while I watched the ball drop from a nearly-vacant bar at a nearby pizza place.
All of this said, now that Evie is almost 8 months old, it stands to reason that she suffers bouts of separation anxiety. More and more often, she has begun fussing because she wants Mommy to hold her.
I understand that this may sound a bit like I'm stroking my own ego, but as much as it thrills me to know that my daughter finds great comfort in my presence, I also want her to be happy independently. I think a lot of moms have that vision of dropping their children off for that first day of daycare or preschool- the one where their chubby, Oshkosh-clad toddler clings to their leg with every last shred of fortitude while tears of misery drip from big, glossy eyes staring up at them in desperation.
Though this scenario may play out in our minds, the truth is that we all hope our children will find the balance between independence and reliance, an unspoken love for their mothers that makes us indispensable above all others.
All of these musings beg the question: how do I squelch my baby's separation anxiety while still maintaining the close and essential bond we share? Is it possible to walk that tightrope at such a young age?
For now, I'm trying to let Evie play on her own more often while I'm not in a mad rush to get a bunch of things done. She sits and fiddles with toys in her playpen while I sip coffee and read in the next room. I've found that if I only force solitude on her while I'm busy, she senses that I'm only putting her down because I have to.
Though I'm picking up on more frequent comments that my baby may be a little too attached to me, I wouldn't trade what we share for anything. I've watched the last seven months go by in the blink of an eye, so yes, I'm going to hold my baby as much as I can and let her snooze in my lap while I blog.
Not long after I discovered my pregnancy back in late 2010, "I" became "we." WE want Apple Jacks for dinner. WE are too tired to walk that far. WE are about to pee in our pants. You get the idea.
Since she was born, Evie and I have been nearly inseparable. Unless I am at work, on my way to work or coming from work, she's right there with me. Part of that just comes with being a single mom. I get things like laundry and dishes accomplished while Evie is sleeping or feeding herself a bottle, and my arms have become surprisingly buff from carrying her around so much.
I can recall in great detail the episodes of separation we've had throughout her lifetime. About a week after she left the womb, my mom scooped Evie out of my arms and told me to go somewhere- anywhere- by myself for a little while. Her father dragged me to the workout room at mom's apartment complex and I walked very slowly on the treadmill for 20 minutes before power walking back to my baby.
Five months later... New Year's Eve, 2011: Evelyn's first night away from Mommy. Since I had to work late anyway, Evie stayed overnight with her father. From 5-11:30, I was chin-deep in serving people a constant flow of martinis. The closer it got to midnight, however, the closer I got to a breakdown. I missed Evie terribly, but a couple gin and tonics dulled the pain while I watched the ball drop from a nearly-vacant bar at a nearby pizza place.
All of this said, now that Evie is almost 8 months old, it stands to reason that she suffers bouts of separation anxiety. More and more often, she has begun fussing because she wants Mommy to hold her.
I understand that this may sound a bit like I'm stroking my own ego, but as much as it thrills me to know that my daughter finds great comfort in my presence, I also want her to be happy independently. I think a lot of moms have that vision of dropping their children off for that first day of daycare or preschool- the one where their chubby, Oshkosh-clad toddler clings to their leg with every last shred of fortitude while tears of misery drip from big, glossy eyes staring up at them in desperation.
Though this scenario may play out in our minds, the truth is that we all hope our children will find the balance between independence and reliance, an unspoken love for their mothers that makes us indispensable above all others.
All of these musings beg the question: how do I squelch my baby's separation anxiety while still maintaining the close and essential bond we share? Is it possible to walk that tightrope at such a young age?
For now, I'm trying to let Evie play on her own more often while I'm not in a mad rush to get a bunch of things done. She sits and fiddles with toys in her playpen while I sip coffee and read in the next room. I've found that if I only force solitude on her while I'm busy, she senses that I'm only putting her down because I have to.
Though I'm picking up on more frequent comments that my baby may be a little too attached to me, I wouldn't trade what we share for anything. I've watched the last seven months go by in the blink of an eye, so yes, I'm going to hold my baby as much as I can and let her snooze in my lap while I blog.
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