Sweet Potatoes

This afternoon I made Ian some sweet potatoes. Yum! (Well, not really. I don't like them myself, but I don't want to put my dislikes onto Ian.)

These veggies are loaded with fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium. I baked and mashed them following the instructions on http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/, and then thinned them with distilled water. After that, I put the mush in the blender and pureed the batch.

Then I saved a little in a tupperware for the next few days and put the rest into cube trays for freezing.

We're going to give Ian some of these sweet potatoes tonight in his oatmeal cereal. Delish!

Never Smile at a Crocodile

He's finally asleep! (see previous post)

Ian's zonked out in dad's arms right now after listening to some kids' tunes by indie musicians. The song "Pink Whale" by Shana Berry is what did it. Jason found it on his new favorite web site Zooglobble.



Another good one: "Never Smile at a Crocodile" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxtvvIKNDuU

Let's see how long our little cat napper stays asleep...

(And speaking of You Tube, several new Ian Vids uploaded! Check it out: www.youtube.com/tefidesigns)

Why Won't You Fall Asleep?

We have been blessed with a baby that sleeps pretty well at night. He has no trouble drifting off to sleep after his bedtime routine ends (cereal+prune juice; warm, quiet bath; final nursing).

So why is it that this child just won't nap during the day? He gets so sleepy, rubs his eyes, and fusses. But when it's crib-time with the lullabies and Mozart, Ian just fights and fights sleep like he's in Nightmare on Elm Street and bad things will happen if he drifts off.

Everything we've read says that all you can do is give them the opportunity to nap and create an environment conducive to sleeping. The rest is up to the baby.

Yes, well. This baby has made a decision: I will not nap.

I blame this stubbornness on his dad.

Nekkid

So my mom and Grandy are sitting Ian today (Friday), and lookie what I got in my inbox just now:

Adorable! Now you realize, Ian will resent me for posting this and we will likely require family therapy when he's older. But. Hehe....butt. It's too cute!

Big Huge Fun with Photos

Wharhol - style

Hockney - style

Mosaic
created at http://www.bighugelabs.com/

Ian Benito Mussolini

I just love this photo. Came across it while I was cleaning out the folders on my computer. I snapped this on our last day together of my precious, precious maternity leave. I will never forget that special time in my life.

One Year Ago

A year ago I was having a fun birthday dinner at Tillman's Roadhouse with a handful of close friends. I was nearly 2 months pregnant and had only recently learned about my pregnancy, so I was on my best behavior. Read: no booze.

I remember my pregnancy with such fondness. It was such a special, beautiful time, much like my 3 months with Ian when I was on maternity leave. But with the passing of time comes more special goodness. Ian is now 4 months old and is changin everyday. He can grab his feet now and thinks that's just the coolest thing ever. He got his second round of shots yesterday at Dr. Curry's which he did not like at all.


Tomorrow is my birthday! I will spend tonight with my BFF Jen eating noodles at East Wind. I suspect we'll talk non-stop for 3+ hours, because that's what we do. Tomorrow I'm spending it like the "good old days" with my mom and Ian at NorthPark. We'll stroll around, eat a Snappy Salad, drink a Starbucks, visit Anthropologie, then stop off at one of the nice NP nursing rooms for some nom-noms. Saturday we're doing lunch with my Dad, Sunday I'm SLEEPING, then Monday it's ping-pong at aunt Sylvia's.

Life with Ian is good.

Look At My Big Boy

Hanging at Abuela's on a beautiful Monday afternoon in his new Exersaucer eating his hand, etc. etc.

My First Mother's Day

A year ago this Sunday, my mom and I spent Mother's Day at the Firewheel shopping center. We ate at Pei Wei then bought some perfume and body lotions for her. After that it was sandals at DSW, dresses at Fossil and some candles at World Market. As I walked around in my new summer dress and sandals, I felt pregnant. And I even told my mom as much. But I'd felt pregnant before so I pushed my feelings and instincts aside as I tried to remember: Now when did I have my last period...?

She wanted to get a preggie test and find out right then and there. On Mother's Day? Nah, I told her, too cliche. Besides, I had a gyno appointment the next day. I'll find out then.

Well don't you know. A year later and I have my precious baby Ian. What a difference a year makes.

I am so grateful I have him in my life.

I'm grateful for his smiles and farts and every little thing he does.

I'm grateful Jason loves him as much as I do.

I'm grateful for George even tho his health is a little wishy-washy right now. My darling old man.

I'm grateful Oliver has graciously taken a backseat as the focus goes to baby and sick kitty. My poor little middle child.

I'm grateful my body make milk and that I can pump at work so Ian can have his milkies even when I'm not with him.

Most of all, I'm grateful to my own mom who spends her days with Ian so Jason and I can work and pay for the things that make our life run.

Oh, and I'm grateful I've gotten so good at typing with one hand while I pump/nurse.

The Fourth Tenor

Pavarotti, eat your heart out.