Baby Food!

We're at that stage, and I am happy to report we are doing quite well. I am finding a schedule that Anaya eats the most and happiest. For now it is twice a day, usually late morning (10-ish) and mid-afternoon (3-sih). She is breastfeeding every 3- 3.5 hours, so if I feed her solids after about 2hrs, she is usually most cooperative.

I am an impatient Mommy and while it is recommended to wait 4 days after each new introduction of food to watch for allergies, I have been doing two to three new items at a time. Neither Jon or I have allergies, so I am hoping we won't run into any problems. For the past week or so we have been doing oatmeal, bananas, and apples. Today I made those three plus pears and butternut squash. I am excited to see her reactions. I also have an avocado ripening... soon!

After reading this: http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/tipspices.htm, I decided we are a spicy family and I'm going to give it a shot, even starting early. I have hopes that this will help the transition to just eating what Jon and I eat down the road. So far we've used cinnamon; however, today I added some vanilla (read note on left side of website), ginger, and nutmeg.

Here's my little how to or how did. Ha.


Morning.
Here we go!


Cut the food up

Boil in a little water until nice and soft. My first time with apples I under cooked a bit and had a few little chunks. This time it was a lot smoother, so be patient! Doesn't take long!

Place in processing container and add a little water for a nice puree. (Some people use a little breast milk, which I am sure would be preferred, but I am not a fan of pumping any more than necessary. Some people would also only use bottled water... I live in Africa. I don't do things quite by the book.)

Screw on the lid and a few seconds of the blendy-blend.

A little spice to make it nice

Like so. Here is a little ginger and nutmeg. Voila! There you have it = Baby Food.


Bananas, pears, apples, butternut, and oatmeal

Anaya isn't a big eater yet, so this will last me a few days. The banana gets a little dark in the fridge, but I've tasted them and they taste fine, and a stir does wonders. Someday I may freeze some and do bigger batches, but for this is working for me and doesn't take too long. Plus, I have tasted and YUM!


Miss Anaya is a messy one, so just the diaper is allowed. Much easier clean up! =)

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Too Late

I walk down the hallway and before each room I find myself holding a breath, just a second, but it happens. My mind races with the questions,"Has anyone died? Will she still be there? Who is on treatment? Is it a rough day?"

I had a few extra minutes after my visit to Dermatology, so I figured I'd pop over an see my friends at Oncology. My sweet partner, Alice, greeted me and updated me on our friends. One in particular was doing quite poorly. We had seen her health declining, but this week did seem worse. A few days prior her face had become swollen, and this day I was told her breathing had become labored. I decided I'd go in and sit with her a few minutes before I had to head home to my Anaya girl.

Before going inside, I sat on the lawn and chatted with a few ladies, one who had gone to the trouble to write me her recipe for fish and greens, since I had been whining that I don't know what to do with fish.

It was only a few minutes.

I was heading inside...

It was too late.

A woman solemnly approached with the news. She just died.

She had been lying alone in that bed, no one with her. Maybe she was unaware of her surroundings. Maybe the Lord was merciful and granted peace of mind... But what if she did know, know she was alone? What if she was scared?

I hate it.

I realize I cannot possibly be there for each one. I realize it is impossible to know and time when a person is going to pass on... sigh. I don't know. There may not be a good solution, but I hate it. I hate that it happens everyday.

Lord, you know I am willing, use me.

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Nearly 6 Months Postpartum

* This post will contain talk of womanly/motherly things. Read at your own discretion. Beneath the broken line, you are in the safe zone.*


I pulled out a big fat white hair from the center of my part the other day. Anaya was taking a bath at the time, and I told her she did it to me. She smiled quite big, proud of herself I am sure. I wish I could take it on gracefully, but as soon as I catch a few more, hair dye will be a must. I think I have some time yet.

Hair loss. Totally normal, and I happen to have a ton, so I don't really notice other than in the shower when I pull handfuls out. It is a bit crazy.

My tummy is still a bit loose. Standing up I look normal, and sometimes I think quite fab, not believing the pictures of the day before I had Anaya:


Woah.

Then I lean over and catch a glimpse of this weird sag, kinda like a bum? Yeah, if you've had a kiddo, you may know what I mean. I think it may have something to do with the muscle separation that occurs. Needless to say, it is absolutely horrifying, and sends me into a frantic mode of wanting to workout. Because it is usually not possible at the moment, I just tighten my tummy over and over thinking maybe it is doing some sort of muscle strengthening.

I have added spider veins. The sun is so unforgiving and when I wear shorts driving in the car I notice every one of those little buggers. Honestly, I know they could be a lot worse, however, when combined with the other things in this blog they can send a girl over the edge. Lamps are our friends ladies, why does anyone need overhead light? ;)

My stretch marks are getting smaller and no longer have any color, but as with the spider veins, if I get a glimpse in the sun it is depressing... my permanent little friends.

Boobs. I am still breastfeeding, so that affects things to be sure. One is bigger than the other because Anaya has always preferred one to the other, and I've never cared enough to do anything about it. I pump 1oz from one and 3oz from the other, so you can imagine the lopsidedness. I like to tell myself it isn't terribly noticeable, but then again, who is going to say anything? Thank you to the convenience of the nursing tank top, I constantly have a saggy uni-boob. I apologized to Jon the other day, but girls, bras, even nursing bras, are a pain when it comes to breastfeeding. The tank tops don't provide great support for the heavy milk laden boobs, but what can I say, I go for convenience. (If anyone has recommendations for the best nursing bra, I'm open. Maybe for the next one...)

Thanks to nursing pads I don't have to worry terribly about 'nipping'. Let me tell you though, after your nipples have been used for feeding, they are different. Perhaps never to return to normal. Honestly, I can't remember what mine looked like before, but I don't think it is like they do now. Ha! I fear post-breastfeeding will always require a heavy padded bra to help with 'nipping'. Veterans?

Okay, so there is the worst of it.
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The good side is that every morning I have my precious, and I mean precious, baby girl squirming and ready to see me. She squeals with delight and buries her face in my neck multiple times a day. When I'm lucky she finds something terribly funny and laughs a laugh for record books. When she is sleepy she'll rest her head on my shoulder and suck her thumb, and I find it hard to lay her in her bed; I want to soak it all up.

She is weeding out the ugliness that is still rooted in my core. I find myself more aware of my sins, quicker to repent. She is good for me, forcing that selfish egoist right out the door. I am sure there is enough in me to last her lifetime, and unfortunately at some point she'll notice and be able to remember. I only pray I am humble enough to repent publicly, lean on the Lord, and grow for her see.




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