I use this blog as a way of chronicling my adventures in parenting more than I set out to. My little man is much more fun than recipes, though, so why not share the non-food stuff? I don’t know if I’ll do this every week, but maybe I will?
Here’s the first week of 2014. Just my everyday life stuffs captured on film in digital pixilation.
Now that P is a crawling maniac, he is especially hilarious to spy on with our baby monitor. He’s all over the place in the crib.
Of course the first thing he discovered was the cord of the video monitor – one second I see him crawling towards the camera and the next second I see the white of the wall – so we had to move that. But aside from that, he just does his own thing, and it’s adorable.
The best part, though, is when he first wakes up. He sits up, sucks his thumb, and patiently waits for me (or Kyle) to come in.
We got a tunnel. And it’s crazy fun.
He wasn’t sure about it at first, but all I had to do was put a ball in it. The boy will follow a ball or balloon to the end of the earth. Or trash can.
Thinking about it. But I’m also pretty sure I’m gonna eat all this instead. Maybe both? Either way I gotta do something about the after-dinner chocolate situation. Or do I??
Iced coffee on a cold winter day? What the what? Blame it on the coconut cream. The sh!t is yum.
Trying to feed little man a well rounded diet while taking into account all his allergies and fussy phases…means I have to have a majorly well stocked fridge and prepped stuff. It’s seriously exhausting. The windshield wiper maneuver? When he decides he’s had enough of whatever food and uses his arms to clean the high chair tray – back and forth, back and forth? Oh man. If I tell him to stop or say “no”, he laughs in my face. I know what you’re thinking…what a little scoundrel. The problem is that he’s so cute when he giggles in defiance that I have to hide my own true reaction of laughing back. The non-reaction has gotten the best results.
Addicted to these failed biscuits. But then, who’s surprised that 1/2 cup of coconut oil couldn’t make anything taste amazing?
Seedy quad-fecta: chia, pumpkin, hemp, and sunflower butter.
P’s first date – chaperoned by the moms, of course.
I find it amusing to compare his various napping positions to those of George. I often text photos to Kyle throughout the day because he likes it, too.
Kyle’s determined to make Curious George his preferred stuffed animal/sleeping buddy. He has slowly grown on P – what was initially animosity over shared crib space has now blossomed into general indifference. Kyle’s certain the monkey will prevail. It’s all very reminiscent of our own love story [kidding! kinda!].
My babe is a carnivore. I thought I’d feel more…something…about this but I don’t. The mental struggle leading up to buying and preparing meat probably exhausted my brain so much that I didn’t have anything left to feel emotionally. Parenthood is all about rolling with the punches. [If you’re going to leave a rude or judgmental comment, please, just, don’t. This is our life. Our family. Our decision. I’d rather just be open about what’s going on in our dietary world than hide it.]
Impromptu family trip to the park. Mid-week! Swinging should be mandatory for adults when they hit a mental block or that afternoon slump on a work day. It really flips the switch on your mood. You can’t possibly be grumpy after some time on a swing.
Ladies and gentlemen we are in t-r-o-u-b-l-e. Baby proofing cords? Let’s get on that, rookie mom. And the trash baskets too. Sheesh.
New members.
11 months old. Crap time flies.
I don’t think that there is anything to judge.. You always need to do what is best for your and your child.. Personally I’d rather see someone consume real food than some super over processed meat free stuff.. But thats just me.
I think it’s AWESOME that you’re listening to your little man and giving him what he needs. I consider myself 99% vegan, but there are some days when my body is screeeaming for a fried egg. I’m not going to stress out over labels or fitting in to a dietary category, as long as I feel happy, and so should you! You’re amazing, and do so much for your little man, be proud of that!
Parenting has definitely changed my perspective and taught me many things! Both of my kids like hot dogs and hamburgers (my husband is an omnivore) so I have learned to accept their choices just as they accept mine 🙂
Loved seeing and hearing about your random weekly adventures! Hunter LOVES cords too. Even when we hide them, he seems to find a way to get at them. Stinker!
you live in YOLO county? How funny!
I actually wanted to suggest feeding P meat when you first mentioned all his allergies. Yes I know you eat a vegan lifestyle, but it’s all about the healthy of HIM. Would you prefer him tolerate a vegan diet? I’m sure you would. Is it best for him right now? Maybe not, and that’s what matters. HIM. We tell each other all the time we are not the same not to judge, the same goes for children. I’m sure mentally it was a hard decision for you, but I think it was a good one.
And I am loving his napping positions! It’s kind of like pets, some of the poses they find comfortable baffle me. I also love he already went on his first date. Gotta watch out for that boy 😉
My kids and husband are omnivores too (I am vegetarian). I would like them to consider being vegetarian one day, I educate them about the possibility and we all eat vegetarian together some of the time, but at the end of the day we all make our own choices.
Won’t be long til P will be standing up when you come in in the mornings (or trying to get out himself if he’s that way inclined)… stay tuned 🙂
my question is,
is he eating the meat? or even liking it?
and with you being, vegetarian/pescatarian-ish do you think you or your family might start eating meat? OR i have a friend who says the smell of meat bothers her, does the smell of meat bother you?
wow i have more questions than i thought. i’m sorry
you’re doing such a great job giving that little babe nutritious, tasty food! Every child is so different and each parent can only do what they think is best!
If P needs to eat meat right now to be a healthy kid, well, then that’s your answer. Right now it is what it is. If/when the circumstances of his allergies change i’m sure you will re-evaluate your options.
Love the napping with stuffed animals mirrored poses!
He’s going to be a total chick- magnet!
loved this post! life sounds so happy 🙂
My daughter is OBSESSED with her monkey. Loves the little guy. She calls him “Monk Monk Curious George Loftus”. Mouthful of a name, but that stuffed animal almost has healing powers! 🙂
Elise, you are a great mom — period. P is so lucky to have such a loving, supportive mama!
Boo. People judge when their own lives aren’t perfect. I get all kinds of flak because I’m not raising my son vegan. You know what? Too bad for them.
Do what works for you! I’m behind you 100%.
Thanks for sharing all the sweet crib pictures! It’s astounding the positions these little monkeys get themselves into when they’re sleeping!
Happy New Year!!
1. no judgement here! i love vegan food and meat and i could care less what people think about it. i do my thing and they do theirs.
2. i am so jealous of your cali weather, send some sunshine/warmth to pittsburgh please 🙂
3. um p is almost a year?! he is the cutest!!
I am very familiar with the windshield wiper technique!!! My 13 month old does it all the time and I can’t help but laugh!!
Honestly, good for you for feeding him what you feel he needs and screw anyone who would judge that. Your options are pretty limited, especially for protein with his allergies and I think you’re doing what is best for him at the moment.
I am a new Mom (for the past 14 weeks) and read your blog before having a baby for your awesome recipes and such. I enjoy it even more now that I can learn things about my babe and his health – so I love that you’re writing about Mom/baby/family things too!
Oh man, I totally understand the mental struggle involved in buying and preparing meat. I went from mostly vegan to mostly vegetarian to mostly paleo because that’s what my body needed. Adding back fish and chicken were pretty easy, but red meat was HARD. My body and labs are so much happier on a diet that includes more saturated fat and fewer carbs, but I still have flare-ups of guilt every once in awhile.
I just read A Long Way on a Little, which is mostly a cookbook about stretching animal protein as far as possible, and she talks a lot about the sustainability and guilt aspect of consuming animals. It’s a good read.
Go Mama Go! I think it is wonderful you are “rolling with the punches” and giving P the best dietary/nutrition you can while trying to avoid his allergy needs! 🙂
thank you katie!
congrats jessica!!!!
thank you so much stella 🙂
thanks love! I’m behind you too 🙂 happy 2014!
thank you so very very much for the support sarah 🙂
Lovely post! Love the picture of P sitting up post-nap waiting for someone to come in. Too cute! And good for you for doing what you feel is right for your boy right now. Haters gonna hate but obviously they have nothing better to do. It’s your family, your call… and sounds like you’re making good ones! Keep the life-related posts coming 🙂
hilarious!! i love it.
definitely is 🙂
you got it! and yes, he will be a huge chick magnet, I’m sure 😉
I’m late in catching up on posts, and would say everything said above anyways… but one thing that caught my eye was in the pic at the top, is that the top railing of the crib behind his head? If it is maybe consider lowering the mattress to the lowest setting. He could stand against it, lean over, and plop out. If I’m just being neurotic and over analyzing an otherwise cute pic, then ignore me. 🙂
Nope you’re right on. As soon as he started the sitting thing we dropped the mattress. 🙂
Good thing too since it wasn’t long after that he discovered how to pull himself up. He’s still not very good at it but I’m sure it’ll be a snap of the fingers before he has it mastered.
I’m pretty sure you don’t need to do anything about the after dinner chocolate situation 😉
Happy 2014, to you and your fam, my dear!
You’re a rockstar mama – meat, no meat, whatever!