Momma Monday No. 57

From our One Year Portrait Session last week.

My daughter is no longer a baby. This sweet girl is a little toddler.  Not that she hasn't been acting like one for months now.  I have to say though, the changes in these past few days are remarkable.  It's the little things like her responding to commands, like bite; she takes a bite of her strawberry, blow; she blows her nose, hand; she gives me her hand.  It's like I'm interacting with a real life person, not to give babies a bad reputation or anything but sometimes I felt like I was holding a doll, a beautiful, breathing doll, I would dress the doll, change the doll, feed the doll and while I loved her more than anything and already miss those sleeping, sweaty chest moments, I'm happy to have a little one who is full of wonder, movement, comprehension.

We recently had her one year check up where she weighed 17 pounds, was 29 inches long.  Unfortunately, her doctor was not impressed with her growth and suggested I feed her more, a lot more.  She is mostly nursing but in quick short sessions, so probably not getting as much hind milk as her doctor would like.  And of course I'm happy she's never recommended supplementing with formula, even though Cupcake has always been on the small side. But now I need some help, anyone have any good baby food suggestions?  We'd like to stick with child lead weaning meaning no pureed foods {that you don't eat pureed}, and lots of unprocessed items too.  Let me know!

On another note, I'm not sure what I want to do with this Momma Monday Feature, it's never really been what I had in mind, I was always documenting too much, or leaving something out, and I think for now... I'm done with it.  Maybe, I'll reinvent it later, but for now, I'm going to focus on my projects and daughter and update the day to day, and week to week activities on my tumblr.

As for this blog, I've got lots of post party projects coming up this week, so you too can host an event with sweet details.  And maybe I'll bring back my Functional Friday Feature... anythings possible.

Happy Momma Monday!

Momma Monday no. 56

Here's a little list of things Cupcake is doing right now. She will be a year old on Saturday the 24th! I feel like it was just yesterday I was giving birth, I can not believe how much this little being has changed in just 12 short months.

Tricks:

Where's your head? smacks side of head

Where's your nose? sticks finger in her nostril

Where's your foot? kicks out leg and points to toes

Where's your tummy? smacks tummy

What does a doggy say? says "pff, pff" {closest sound to woof woof she can make}

Can you dance? Are you dancing? spins in circles and stomps feet

Can you give a high five? hits your hand with hers

Da un beso a tu ______? (give a kiss to_________) opens her mouth wide and makes kissing sound upon contact

Can you say Hiya!? says Hiya and swings arms like karate chops {I may have made an extra effort to teach her this one}

Blow a kiss. smacks hand to mouth and then out {slowly transitions into Native American mocking sound though}

Communication:
"dis" means this, always accompanied with pointing.
Everything except mama, dada, dog, book is dis.
She also surprised us all by saying Brutus this week, our dog's name, except it sounds more like boo-tis, but cute none the less!
signs; milk, more, up, down, eat/food.
nods yes and no.

 Interests:
She just now loves stuffed animals, dogs specifically.  But, finally, is starting to take an interested in anything stuffed and soft.
She also enjoys bringing me all the clothes in her drawer one by one.
She loves being outside, we spend hours outside, she's been stung by bees, bitten by ants, nothing fazes her, this girl is a nature baby (contrary to the picture below, she just likes dragging bags around...)

That's all I have for now, Happy Momma Monday!

Momma Monday No. 55

Or, a week of temper tantrums...

This week has been a very different week for my usually sweet baby.  I'm going to blame it on her teeth, even though, I have a feeling it's really just her independence surfacing.

It's been happening in her car seat for a while now, but not like this.  Every time I walk to the car and she sees her seat, she starts crying.  Not really a cry, more of a fuss,  like, "You're not seriously thinking about strapping me in there, are you?  ARE YOU?!"  and while I drive I'm occasionally surprised with a blood curtailing scream that I can only imagine is accompanying her "excited" face {which has recently become her frustrated face}.  Let's just say I've been limiting the car rides.

The next place I experienced her tantrums, was on a grocery shopping trip with my sister in law at Whole Foods.  Normally, grocery shopping is what I look forward to with Little Miss Cupcake.  We get out of the house, usually sample a few snacks, walk around, it really is such a good time. But not this time.  She wanted to push the cart, which is fine, and I let her.  The problem was when we'd stop, and I'd hold the cart.  She'd get frustrated it wasn't moving and start yelling/fussing.  Luckily, my SIL was there with me and able to pick her up and sort of distract her for a minute.

Next was at the office.  I have been bringing her to the office for weeks now and normally, she keeps herself entertained.  Not this time.  This time it was hell.  She wanted to RUN down the hall, sneak in the boss' office, slam drawers and nurse all at once.  Needless to say, I left after an hour and am dreading bringing her again.

The other fits at home are not so embarrassing, more just annoying. "No you can not climb that bookshelf" is coming out of my mouth a lot more than I imagined it would, along with, "No, you may not eat that dog food" and "Please, do not play drums on the toilet." All met with tears of frustration when I relocate and attempt to entertain her.

Finally, the last place I'd expect her to be temper tantruming, Midwives Rising.  Normally, she has such a good time there with the other babies.  But they have stairs, you see? and this baby loves climbing them.  Her mother {me} does not.  So after about 3-5 trips up the stairs, I say "all done." but we're not all done, are we?  We're just starting, starting the stomps, tears, banging.  I mean, MR is my place of solitude, like minded mamas, baby proofed pillow room, snacks and teas.  I know this is a phase, or at least, I hear it is; but I'm over it and I'm hoping she get over it soon too.

adventures in fit throwing?  leave me some comments with advice please.

Happy Momma Monday.

Momma Monday No. 54

Monday, Sonja and I went to the office and filed some bills. Normally, she falls alseep there and I can work on a variety of things, but today, not so much.  After grabbing the recycling and loading it into my car, we headed to the grocery store for some dinner ingredients not available at the farmers market.

While out and about I noticed something new in her mouth, a little white spec on her top gum, since battling the thrush, I've been extra aware of anything WHITE in her mouth, but this wasn't thrush, it was a tooth!  not quite cut, but at the surface breaking through!  Her first tooth! at 11 months on the top, such a major milestone.  For a while there, I thought she was going to have to eat her birthday cake with her bear gums :)

On Tuesday, I taught my first after school drawing class since Sonja was born!  It was fun to hang out and draw with third and fourth graders.  Their style is so raw and inspiring.  I'm glad Daddy gets some father daughter time too, while I teach. After the class, we headed to my friend Tracy's going away party.  She's leaving for the Pacific Northwest and I'm going to miss her lots.  She was my midwife's assistant at Sonja's birth and  hugged me while I labored, and fed me yogurt after I was done.  She did Sonja's newborn exam with my midwife and was one of the first people I let hold my daughter.  I'm so sad for her to leave, but so happy to visit her there.

After the farewells, we had a birthday to attend {yes, all in one night}.  Our friend JP turned 30 this week and we celebrated by bowling!

Such Serious Conversations :)

Vegan Carrot Cake with Cinnamon Bear numbers?!  Yes, please.

Erin {his sister} made this delicious cake!

I can't believe I don't know this gal better! Must change that ASAP.

We've hung out a handful of times with friends and if you can't tell from the photo; she has an awesome sense of humor.  

This past Wednesday, I met my brother in law's best friend to go shopping, he hooked me up with his anthro. discount and I bought everything on my want list!

Can I just tell you how excited I am to use those bowls at Sonja's birthday party?

After shopping I taught my first High School classes of the year.  We went over the syllabus {my least favorite thing as a teacher and student}.  I'm so excited to see what amazing things they will create this year,
I've got seriously talented girls and they blew me away with their work last year!

Thursday was kind of an important day, I had a dentist appointment for the cavity I've been complaining about for weeks.  I couldn't find a sitter so Sonja joined me, appropriate because she cut her FIRST tooth that morning!  They also let her choose a toy from the toy bin (even though I didn't really want her to), she picked this green little doggy.

September 1, 2011

September is here, but in Phoenix that doesn't mean anything, it's still hot and sometimes I feel like September should be counted as 4 more weeks of summer.  BUT, Friday was overcast and cooler so for the first time in probably 12 weeks, we went to the park!  Cupcake's leaps in verbal and physical communication was so obvious at the park, she was pointing at everything and running around.

We watched the ducks and played in the grass.  She got muddy and stained her pants.  I love that my little girl is into getting messy!  I am also so intrigued by the way she interacted with the "wild"life.  She was cautious approaching the ducks and birds, observant, really.  I love seeing the primal instincts in babies and small children, before society and this culture have influenced their ability to read their surroundings.

After the park, I headed to school to teach art.  We are learning about prehistoric art, keep an eye out for my Artist of the Week feature, it should be making a comeback here over the next few months.

Saturday evening we headed to a friend's house for a small dinner party.  It was nice to get out, get dressed up a little and eat some yummy food.  Their little boy is about 9 months older than Sonja, so they play really well together.

Luckily, I did get a few photos of Cupcake and I.

This is just the only blog friendly one.

I made the salad, and we brought the bread and balsamic.

And, in case you couldn't tell from the photo, it was all delicious.

On Sunday, we headed out for coffee and breakfast.  Lux is one of my favorite coffee shops in Phoenix and  now that they've upgraded to a larger building with a patio, we've been letting Sonja run around.  She loves the new space and the freedom.  She's quite the independent baby.

Berry and Cheese Danish.

Running around.

Before.

Their coffee and house made whipped cream are my favorite, but they're food is also amazing!

After.

We ended Sunday with swimming at the In-Laws and having a few friends and family over for pizza. Sonja thought that would be a good time to fall forward to into a chair she was pushing and split open her two front gums.  She bled all over my shirt and Husband told me not to "let" her do that again.   This week, this baby has fallen off the bed onto tile, almost giving me a heart attack, and busted open her lip.  I'm not sure I love this active mobility as much as I thought.  I hate watching someone I love get hurt and I know this is only the beginning.  The joke in my husband's family is that he is Destructo-man and, now, I've got Destructo-Baby... Hopefully, I can keep her out of the emergency room before she's a year, but the odds are not in my favor.

Anyway, hope you all had a great week and are enjoying Labor day.

Happy Momma Monday!

Momma Monday No. 53

Well, apparently fate thought I needed another week of summer, and I have to admit... I agree.

I was supposed to start teaching this week with an after school drawing program, but the fliers didn't go home with the kids on time and so we're starting a week later.

For my High School, we were supposed to start Wednesday, but 2 teachers resigned last minute so that got pushed back to next week too.

My family was still in San Diego from that beautiful wedding I mentioned last week.  So, I didn't have to go into my office job since my boss {my uncle} wasn't there.

Monday was a recovery day from our vacation, you know that; unpack, wash everything, go grocery shopping type day.  Followed by Breakfast for dinner with my BIL and future Sister-In-Law.  We drank this cucumber juice with tequila drink he made, and if you're into a refreshing alcoholic beverage, this is it.  yummy. Although, I only got to drink a sip since I'm still trying to avoid alcohol for the anti-candida diet.

Sonja and I spent Tuesday running a few quick errands and then she slept for most of the day, letting me work on some artwork, lessons, birthday invitations {my mom's, sister's and Sonja's} and blogging.

My sister came over on Wednesday, like usual.  We got crafty and finished the invitations for her birthday and Sonja's {I'll be posting a more detailed DIY for both so keep an eye out}.  September is creeping up on us and that is birthday month in our family.  We've got 5 birthdays!  That's more than one a week!

Sonja's

My sister's

Speaking of Birthdays, Wednesday night was my Brother-in-Law and Nonnie-in-Law's birthday dinner.  Yummy pizza and salad!  I brought my camera but in all the chaos that is Sonja I forgot to take pictures. opps.

Latch On America stopped in Phoenix on Thursday at Midwives Rising {my Midwife's office} and connected breastfeeding mamas, advocates, supporters and organizers together. Check out the turn out!

  

 

Thanks to my Uncle for donating the water jug!

This sign is seriously impressive.

Take a close look at what breast {human} milk has to offer and then what formula has.

Huge difference!!

My friend Angie and I talked to people about Eats on Feets ~ Central AZ.  Angie, the social networker, was busy talking to healthcare professionals including the head of a local NICU unit.  She's also planning presentations for health care professionals regarding Eats on Feets, and getting human milk to human babies!

On Friday, I went to my classroom for a bit while my BIL watched Cupcake. I got a lot of my supplies unloaded and unpacked.  Photos of my classroom coming soon.  I share the room, but I also take over the wall space, maybe I should document it as the walls get more and more covered...

That afternoon I attended a vaccine lecture at Babymoon inn with NMD Philip M. Wazny from integrative health.  I learned a few interesting fact {I showed up a little late}, like, did you know if you delay vaccines and wait until your daughter is five (seven for boys) to start any, you increase her risk of M.S.?  I didn't, anyway I plan on doing a more extensive post on vaccines and why we're not, but also some information about your choices if you DO want to vaccinate.

In the evening I met my friend Jessica for coffee. Sonja slept on me most of the time, we discussed annoying people, like the girl at the register who didn't want to do two transactions for the coffee and tea.  And some very exciting weddings of our friends that are coming up!  It's really great to have a weekly monthly meet up for some girl chat.

We went to the farmer's market on Saturday for cupcakes and produce.  I love treehouse bakery, vegan sweets for Sonja's birthday are in the works!  This week she had rocky road cupcakes and marshmallows, sooo good.

After buying cupcakes, I went and baked some, with my friend Katie.  We decided to get together at her house to have a play date. I made chocolate banana cupcakes for my brother in law's birthday party that night.

His birthday party was a fun time full of food and swimming, Sonja enjoyed pool time with Daddy and I ate my fill of cupcakes and fruit salad.

Sunday, I took engagement photographs of my friends at the abandoned Phoenix Trotting Park race track.  I'm loving them, the location was disturbing and surreal.  See?

yes, he's laying in a pile of broken glass.

hide and seek?

We ended the weekend with some yummy pizza from Spinato's with our old room mate.

I'm exhausted.  I hope I can keep up with this coming week, office work, art classes and first days of school.

Hope you had a great week and here's to another good one!  Happy Momma Monday!