Saturday, July 31, 2010

New Adventure and Food

Heading into the second year is so different than where we were a year ago. A year ago, we were trying to get my craft room turned into Lola's room; we were trying to figure our our work schedule and make sure our centers were staffed appropriately; and we were learning how to work our sleeping schedules around Lola's. So our house was a mess, our sleep habits were all over the place, and we and we were trying to figure out our new life. OK, so I guess not a lot has changed! This year, our house is a mess because we have a giant play pen in the middle of our living room; we are trying to figure out our work schedules-- how often and what days to take Lola to the sitter; and, we are still sleep deprived!
I know we'll figure it out, and I'm sure once we do, things will change again. Rodney is looking at starting a new job, more in his line of experience and he's fairly excited about that. Again, we are going to have to figure out our Lola schedules.
Lola enjoys going to the sitter. It's been just her a lot of the time this summer as two of the other kids who are there, stay with their teacher-mom during the summer. I'm kind of excited for them to go back, I think Lola likes playing with the other kids.
My new adventure has been Lola's eating habits. When she turned a year, and perhaps a little before that, we had started on finger foods. She only gets two bottles a day now, and that's milk. She really likes the milk. I'm glad, 'cause I'm not a fan!  We are fortunate that she is not a picky eater. The only two foods she doesn't like are avocados and cottage cheese.  Since cooking isn't my thing, I've been trying to find fun finger food for her to eat. The pediatrician said she should be able to eat anything we eat...problem is, WE don't eat very well. So the new adventure is really changing our eating habits to meet hers. I'd really like to raise a child who eats healthy, and unfortunately, Rodney and I are not very good examples!
I was in Kohl's a couple of weeks ago and found a great cookbook. Anyone who knows me knows I'm not too good about following a recipe. Sometimes that's good, sometimes not so much. Usually it's because I don't have something the recipe calls for, sometimes it's because I have no idea what it is the recipe is talking about.
But the cookbook I found has every day food with a twist. Almost everything has a veggie puree in it. And it's all pretty easy to make.  It's called "Deceptively Delicious". It's by Jessica Seinfeld who apparently has picky eaters at home. That's not our case, but I like the idea of having veggies in everything we cook. For Lola as well as for us. So stay tuned for my review on Lola's eating and my cooking!

Monday, July 5, 2010

First Year and Fireworks

Well, we didn't actually see any fireworks this year, but what a year of fireworks it has been! It's hard to believe that a whole year has passed since our little adventure as parents began. Lola has certainly brought much joy to our lives. She is a delightful little girl who just makes me smile to watch her and interact with her. I know people say this all the time, but it's amazing how much she has changed in the past year. When we left the hospital, she was 5 and a half pounds. Smaller than Thomas. Now she has four teeth, tries to talk to us (but we have no idea what she is saying) and is pleased with herself when she does. If there is such a thing as a crawling sprint, she has it down. And she is FAST.  She is feeding herself, and though we have to hose her down when she is done, this is a world away from being glad she drank two ounces a feeding. She says "Mamma" and looks at Daddy when we ask her where he is. Amazing! She knows where Bogey is too when we ask her. 
Nana, Papa Jay, Gamma, Gampa, Great Aunt Chris, and cousin Taire came to Phoenix to celebrate this milestone with us. We had such a fun day! Lots of friends came to join us too, and we are so touched by the people who wanted to spend Lola's (and our Country's) birthday with us. Lola had a hotdog, almost a whole bun, some fruit and crackers (she's got quite the appitite) and we were all so excited to introduce Lola to cake. She tasted a couple of bites of the cake, but was really more interested in the gooey mess that was formed after mushing it all around her tray. Oh well, she has years to develop that sweet tooth!
I literally had to strip her down and hose her off in the tub, clothes going directly to the washing machine, along with everything she touched! I put her in her swim suit and she took a dip with the other kids and her daddy. She is going to be a little fish she loves the water so much!
I have posted all sorts of pictures from her big day. She was tuckered out by the end of the evening. We finished off the day with a book from her BFF Kate, which she loved.
A big thanks to everyone who made this day special for Lola and for us. We are thankful for your friendship and for being there with us through our adventure!