Food Fun!

 The day Lucy turned 6 months old we began introducing and experimenting with food. We will continue to breastfeed through the first year but I was really excited for this to start since food is a big part of our family's everyday life. I had known since the beginning that I wanted to make her food with fresh fruits and vegetables just like Jameson and I eat. I also knew I didn't want to follow cultural norms (shocker, I know) and start with rice cereal at 4 months. I really didn't feel it was necessary to introduce anything that early since Lucy was steadily gaining weight and I had some reservations about rice cereal. I did not want to give Lucy something just to fill her up that was nothing but empty calories with absolutely no nutritional value. I know that rice cereals are fortified with iron which supposedly breastfed babies need but if that was the case I would rather her receive iron through natural sources in food. So, at six months we set Lucy in her high chair, snapped on a bib, for the first time in her life, and grabbed the camera.

 We decided to start with bananas but avocados and sweet potatoes are great choices too. I had mashed the banana and mixed in some breast milk so it wasn't completely foreign and to get the consistency right. I also decided to cube some and slightly mash so she could pick it up and feel the texture for herself. Lucy was so excited to finally be trying what she (constantly) saw Jameson and I doing. So in goes the banana...

Not exactly love at first bite but she was willing to keep trying and soon...

 
   Since then, we have added in sweet potatoes, which she LOVED!, avocados, which she LOVED!, and a little taste of squash. I have peaches, squash, and carrots in the freezer to introduce next and am hoping to get some pumpkin soon so I can let her try that. We also have started giving her water in a sippy cup which she has gotten really good at feeding herself. I don't plan on giving her fruit juices since they are soo full of sugar and I would rather her get used to water. Maybe in a few weeks I'll add in some white grape juice.
  I also did some research here and found some homemade alternatives to store bought, boxed rice cereal. So this week I am hoping to make some brown rice powder to make cereal, as well as ground oat powder and barley powder. I am thinking these might be a little bland so I'll probably add in some banana or sweet potatoes to the oats, or any other fruit I have already introduced, and add something to the brown rice too. Hopefully she will like apples so I could make her a little apple, pumpkin oatmeal or something else to mix it up. I also found a recipe for baked apple cereal which I plan on making.
  I am really looking forward to finding out what Lucy likes, and doesn't, and figuring out how to make and mix healthy, nutritious food for her right here at home. Bethenny has some great ideas too on her website. Honestly, have you seen the color of the green beans at the grocery store... yuck! I might post some of the recipes for my own reference for the future once I find which are her favorites. Until then, back to the food processor I go!

Lucy's Baptism

 Yesterday was one of Lucy's big days, her baptism. It was such a blessing to be surrounded by so many of our family and closest friends as they supported Lucy. She is certainly a loved little girl. I had a lot of fun preparing for the reception after the ceremony and really enjoyed the time we all had together. I also really enjoyed getting Lucy dressed and seeing her in the same gown I wore when I was baptised.

 Pastor Mark Farnell performed the baptism during the service at church. Having the same pastor who married Jameson and I now baptise our first baby was something I really treasure. Lucy was very well behaved and even waved to the congregation while we were standing up front :) She was comfortable with Pastor Mark holding her and even cozied in for a snuggle.

    Jameson and I decided not to name godparents for Lucy. With such a supportive extended family, I didn't feel it was necessary to pick two people to be responsible for helping to raise Lucy in the church and foster her spiritual growth. To represent each family we had both my parents and Jameson's parents stand with us.

 After the ceremony, we had a reception at Lucy's grandparents' house. I love planning parties, especially for my little girl. I had made string lanterns and pom-poms to decorate and we had babys breath in mason jars set on doilies for centerpieces. Jameson and I made some of the food but are lucky to have a generous family who rounded out the brunch. I must say Jameson's shrimp and grits were the hit of the party!

  I love anytime we are able to get together with family and friends. But knowing how much all of these people love and support our little family made this day all the more special. Aunt Dolores said it perfectly when she told me, "You have a little angel on your hands."

  On this occasion, my hope for Lucy is to grow up in our church, hearing about God's love and purpose for her, to be encouraged to ask questions, and to one day choose her faith for herself. Jameson and I will do every thing in our power to ensure this child is given every opportunity in life that we can present her, knowing our family will both support and encourage us every step of the way.

6 WHOLE MONTHS!

I don't even want to talk about my baby being six months old. That's half a year. In another half, she'll be one. Yes, I did cry September 15. At least she still likes me to hold her and hasn't made me stop giving her endless kisses that have not let up at all since birth. Despite my emotions, this has been one of the most exciting months to watch. Lucy has taught herself so many new tricks. And, if possible, has become even more vocal. We are learning more and more about our little lady as she really learns how to express herself, and what a lady she is :)

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT... SITTING UP! Lucy and I had been practicing sitting up for weeks but leave it to Uncle Brian to establish it as the new norm. We were having dinner at Brian and Allison's house when Brian set Lucy on the counter and let go. No big deal. Lucy stayed up and has remained that way for 90% of her waking time since. Being locked in the house for Hurricane Irene gave her lots of time to practice...

This new position has given Lucy lots of new opportunities. She can explore her love of music through the piano...

While I LOVE wearing Lucy on me in the bjorn or the moby wrap, hauling around 20 extra pounds only lasts so long. So now...

Lucy also attended her second wedding and loved the music and dancing. Mommy loved dressing her...

On the day she turned 6 months, and one day before my birthday, Lucy said her first word... MAMA! No amount of coaxing could ever get it out of her but while Jameson and I were making dinner and Lucy was busy playing we suddenly heard the most beautiful little voice say the most beautiful little word. She has said it several times since and now when she cries it's more of a "Muuuuuummmmmmmm." Don't worry, everyday we are working hard on "Da Da."

Lucy has also learned the "little indian" trick and makes the "Ahhh" noise while i pat my hand over her mouth. She even tries to do it herself and gets her little hand just rolling over her mouth, love. Similarly, Lucy has started giving kisses and likes to grab us by the face and open her mouth for a nice wet one. Sometimes she gets overly excited and shakes her head back and forth to make sure we know how much she loves us. It may be one of my most favorite new tricks. She gets the shaking from me, sometimes we just can't hold in all of our emotions ;)

Lucy is still being breastfed but will start trying some fruits and vegetables this month. She has been showing interest in food and has been getting up more than she was during the night so I am thinking she is ready. If she is anything like her mommy and daddy she will love it!

Lucy, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of all the things you are teaching yourself to do. We love being able to show you new things and watch you make them your own. We love your voice, your interest in music, and how you are able to show us you love us. We are so excited to see the changes in the next six months, as long as we still get to hold you and shower you with kisses. Love, Mommy.

Breaking the Rules

Jameson and I are very new at this parenting thing. We don't claim any expertise, whatsoever. We are surrounded by some awesome examples of very different parenting styles which we are able to use, or not, as we see appropriate. For us, though, I have found we are better at breaking most of the conventional parenting "rules" than we are at following them.

1. Lucy sleeps in bed with us. Not all night, though I would be fine with it if she did. From the first night home Lucy has been the littlest spoon in the bed and we would not have it any other way. I love the feel of her little belly on my side and her hand on my chest. I love waking up with her smiling at me and being able to cuddle her as one of the first moments of my day. When she's 12, I bet she won't so for now I'll take every night with her. It hasn't interrupted my sleep, it hasn't negatively affected Jameson and I, I haven't rolled over on my baby and, now, sometimes she likes to sleep on her own.

2. I don't let Lucy cry it out. I never really understood the concept of crying it out, especially before three months. Obviously, if they are crying they are telling you they need something. Maybe its to be held, which as a stay at home mom I consider one of my major responsibilities. When Lucy was new I would rock her to sleep then lay her in her crib for her nap. I think as a parent you know when your baby is sleepy and I liked knowing I could rock her and she could go to sleep peacefully instead of screaming until she passed out. Now, most nights when we see she is ready for bed, we lay her in her bassinet and she goes to sleep without a peep.

3. I never have enforced a strict schedule. I understand this is a huge luxury and a perk of being home with her. I also realize as we have more kids I probably will have to set some specifics but for now I am loving the flexibility we have. Some days Lucy wakes up at 7:30, some days at 9. Our day unfolds from there. I don't get bent out of shape if she isn't ready for her morning nap at 10 sharp. Without me imposing a schedule on her, she has begun developing one on her own. This goes part in parcel with the no crying it out in my opinion.

4. I let her nurse to sleep. Again, she won't do it when she's 12. I figure I have at most one year of this special bond with her and if it can relax her and let her drift to sleep peacefully I am all for it. Not to be confused with me being a human pacifier. Once she is out, she is off.

5. Forget tummy time. It was horrible, for both of us. Sure I tried it when the books said to start and she would be fine for about 15 seconds. Then the screaming would start. The way I saw it, I probably wouldn't like being face down to a blanket either with no way to get it out of my face. We skipped it. Was her development delayed? I think no.

For now, this is what works for us. We are happy, with each other and Lucy. Lucy is happy, with herself, us, and our family. We are loving parenting. We really don't want time away from Lucy. We are a family and that is how we spend our time, together.

"Remind yourself that you are doing the most important job in the whole world. You are nurturing a new life. Your baby will not be a baby for long, but the way you care for her now will help her become the loving, caring person you want her to be someday." Dr. Sears

Daddies and Daughters

      Congratulations Russel and Sara Thomas! We are so excited to have been included on their wedding day and could not be more excited for the life together they are beginning :) The wedding was absolutely beautiful and all three of us could not have had more fun on dance floor.

     While I have always been sappy about anything wedding, there is one thing in particular that now causes both Jameson and I to get teary eyed about without fail, the Father Daughter Dance. Having now been to two weddings since Lucy was born, I think it's an understatement to say this tradition takes us by storm every time. What exactly about this moment evokes so much? I don't think its possible to be described but I know at our own wedding I truly loved this particular dance with my dad. He had chosen a song without my input and had the DJ keep it a secret until the time came. Below are the words to Paul Simon's "Father and Daughter" lyrics...

If you leap awake in the mirror of a bad dream
And for a fraction of a second you can't remember where you are
Just open your window and follow your memory upstream
To the meadow in the mountain where we counted every falling star

I believe a light that shines on you will shine on you forever
And though I can't guarantee there's nothing scary hiding under your bed
I'm gonna stand guard like a postcard of a Golden Retriever
And never leave 'til I leave you with a sweet dream in your head

[Chorus:]
I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you

Trust your intuition
It's just like goin' fishin'
You cast your line and hope you get a bite
But you don't need to waste your time
Worryin' about the market place
Try to help the human race
Struggling to survive its harshest night

     In my opinion, daughters can never be given away. I still remain as much his daughter now as before. I still look to my dad for guidance, love, support. I also know my dad is continuing to be my Father by helping Jameson build the kind of relationship he wants with Lucy through his own example with me. Thank you Dad, for showing me the indescribable relationship between dads and daughters.

        At five months old it's impossible to describe the impact Lucy has had on our lives. We never knew how much fun we could have with her and each other and I am so thankful for the way she has made us both grow. Seeing Jameson take on the role of father has allowed me to love him for an entirely new reason. He is playful and loving, protective and gentle, and now cannot hide his emotions despite his efforts. I know Lucy will be a better person for having him as her father just as she has made him become an even better man. Jameson did take Lucy out on the dance floor yesterday and as I stood back and watched, the same tears that filled my eyes then are here now remembering that moment and knowing too soon she will be the beautiful woman in the white dress. Thank you Lucy, for showing Daddy and Mommy how much we could love and for opening our eyes to this special moment between fathers and daughters. Whether you are dancing on daddy's chest, on his feet, or in his arms, you will forever dance in our hearts.