On the whole food thing...

Can I just say that it is so odd to follow the "new guidelines" for feeding an infant? It's amazing how new studies and research can change mass thinking so quickly. Elijah is only three years old. It wasn't terribly long ago that I went through the baby food process with him. And in just the short time since then, it's all changed. Where once you had to spend at least a week introducing a new food to check for reactions, now you only have to wait 3 days. Where once you had to make sure to introduce every single ingredient before you could mash up a casserole or main dish, now you can go straight to feeding your baby exactly what you are having for dinner after you and baby master the basics of solid food feeding. Simply mind bending. Disclaimer: If you do your own internet research, you can find all opinions represented. I really like Wholesome Baby Food as well as my own pediatrician's advice.

Granted, I'm sure "they" are not saying to grind up some spicy (read: burn your mouth off) curry chicken for your 6 month old or popping a few whole peanuts on the high chair tray. I'm gonna call it "Cautious Freedom." That's what it seems like after reading into it. And I like the thought. But it's a little scary because it's just different from how things were with Judah and Elijah. What was especially scary (though our pediatrician approved it) was giving Eden a mix of sweet potato, rice cereal, and ALMOND milk tonight. I gave my 6 month old a nut product. Every spoonful was given with frightening thoughts in my head: "What are the signs of anaphylaxis? Would I call 911 for an epi-pen? How soon would she break out into hives if she's allergic? ... " So, why did I do it if I was scared? Because there is no reason to be afraid. There is no known nut allergy in either of our families. Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure life as we know it would cease without peanut butter. ;-) I consulted Dr. L, and he said sure. I wanted to give her something yummy-creamy, and water can't do what a milk texture can. Trust me. I know. (6 months down and less than 6 months to go on this dairy free...with occasional slips...diet.)

I'm treating Eden as an experiment. Since I plan to make more of her food homemade than I did with either of my boys AND because she has not reacted to any foods yet, I'm going to introduce her to more foods than I did the boys. She's already had sweet potatoes, red potatoes, zucchini, and yellow squash -- things the boys never had or to which they reacted. Maybe by doing this, she will have wider food horizons than the boys. Maybe not. We'll see! (Though, the boys seem to have broadened their horizons as of late. I think Elijah at least THREE times this week told me over and over how delicious dinner was...wow!!) Also, because I have recently realized that perhaps I do like avocado... I'm going to buy my very first avocado this week and feed it to my baby. NEVER thought I would say or do that. Watch me!

And now that I've totally rambled about baby food, I offer an adorable Elijah food-ism. Tonight, he and I had a Mexican layer dip with tortilla chips for dinner (see above statement about the dairy diet slip...but just a leetle bit...::sigh:: I know I'll be cleaning up a bit more spit-up tomorrow for that...). As I was building Elijah's layers, he kept telling me what he wanted. He'd think through the list as he said it:

"I want, uh, cheese. Aaaaand....cream [sour cream]. And sauce [no salsa]. And, uh...uuuum...::thinking very hard and long::.... SELL-US! I want sell-us, too."

You mean lettuce? "Yeah! Sell-us!" Too cute to correct. He's putting "salad" and "lettuce" together. That just makes me smile and love his adorableness even more.

They did the Taaaaater Mash!

There's a first time for everything. And today, I don't mean my first time to make baby food. I'm a pretty seasoned pro when it comes to that, having done it for two children already and now on my third. But neither of my boys could eat sweet potatoes or squash without getting a face rash. My daughter seems to be able to eat anything I put in her mouth -- with hardly any reaction (much to our disappointment...isn't that part of the fun of baby food?).

No, today's firsts included having sweet potatoes in my house, peeling and cutting sweet potatoes, and cooking them up for baby food. Ok, one other first was using a hand-crank baby food mill rather than the electric one I used for the boys. I gotta say, even though it is more manual work, I think it makes a smoother, more consistent

baby food. I'll save my final decision on that after I do some corn and peas. If you have never made your own baby food or are just interested in the process, I photo-chronicled the Sweet Potato Mash just for you.

Really -- making your own is cheap and easy. Granted, more work than popping open a jar. But using fresh or even frozen foods to make your own provides more nutrients and more potent flavors for your baby for much less money. I think one thing that really gets me is that jarred baby food or even using canned food to make your own means you are using food that is packaged in a way that it can sit on the shelf for a couple years before it is consumed. Hmm. Not my first choice when considering my new baby's food intake. (Disclaimer: I do occasionally use jarred and canned, but it's not the norm. Sometimes you need the food a little faster.)

I used two sweet potatoes. Just wait until you see how much I got out of them!

1) Peel and chop the sweet potatoes. I was shocked at how hard it is to cut those things! Matt said what I was thinking: "Just make sure no fingers get cut off!"

2) I used Pampered Chef's large microcooker and a little water to steam the sweet potatoes in the microwave in 3 minute increments (about 12 minutes total until tender).

3) Pull the plunger of the food mill to the bottom and fill the cylinder to the top with some steamed sweet potato chunks. Lock the crank into place. Crank while putting gentle downward pressure on the center tube. Have fun watching the sweet potato come out the top like playdough spaghetti!

4) Scoop the mash into a bowl. Repeat until all sweet potato chunks have done the mash. Add a little butter and either water or breastmilk/formula for both flavor and consistency.

5) Divide into your choice of containers for consumption and freezing. I kept some out for use in the next couple days. Some I put in my awesome little reusable baby food containers for on-the-go use, and the rest went into covered ice trays. Once frozen, I'll remove the ice cube food to a labeled and dated ziploc bag. I got 2 fridge portions, 2 on-the-go's, and 1.5 ice trays (21 ice cubes)...out of just two sweet potatoes. If that's not saving money, I don't know what is! $2 vs approx $12! Glad she likes them. ;-) Now if I can just make sure her nose doesn't turn orange like Judah's did......

Changes

The leaves are gorgeous, the weather cooler. And wow. A crawling 6 month old means a change in how playtime goes...or doesn't go...in this house. Boys vs girl. Mastery vs curiosity. This is going to be some ride!

Today was the first time I had a "no" session with Eden -- to which she threw what I would call her first little fit over a non-necessity. Boy, she wanted those puzzle pieces the boys had. I let her explore a few with touch and sight, but it was the "no, don't eat them" that really got to her. I knew this change would come. Every child at some point moves from the "purely innocent" (which they are not) to manifesting a self-centered heart. A sad change. Until you remember it is reversible with the blood of Christ!

I love when Elijah says we're having "buh-lee-dohs" for dinner. He means burritos. Another R's-are-L's word. I'll be sad when that changes.

Speaking of food and changes, I've introduced Eden to enough foods now that it's time to change over from store-bought baby food to home-made. I did it with the boys, so it's not a new skill. But it still seems daunting. Which it's not. It's super easy (especially with some tools a friend loaned me today). It's just the initial thought of adding that to meal management. But I'll enjoy it. And so will she. I promise. ;-) It is the first time, after all, that I have EVER purchased sweet potatoes and had them on my counter just waiting to be cooked!

Yes, change is good. It makes life interesting!

Kid Literature

When Elijah says, "I need some pry-swee," he wants me to leave the bathroom while he goes potty. My three year old wants privacy. He also calls an ambulance "eem-blipse." Or something like that. I still can't figure it out!

I dabbled in some dairy to see if Eden has grown out of most of her spit-up issues. Boy, she hasn't. At all. After dotting the floor about 10 times in one hour, I helplessly exclaimed "Child!" as I cleaned up yet another pool of spit-up. Judah responded, "...are known by his actions." Guess he's got that Proverb in his heart: "A child is known by his actions." But in this case, I suppose a mother's actions is known by her infant's reactions. :-P

The other night, Elijah decided he wanted to tell us a couple bedtime stories.

Story One: "Once upon a time, there was a little mommy talking to daddy. She fell down a hole with bugs. There was a blue one. And that's the end of my story."

Story Two: "Once upon a time, there was a big monster; and there was a little Eden looking at it. And then she runned away. That's the end."

Jumping the Gun

Sometimes, I guess moms can be too quick to judge...

As I was pinning a sewing project, I realized it was completely silent in the living room where Judah & Elijah were. Never a good thing...or so I always assume. I sternly called out, "What are you guys doing?" Judah softly answered, "Nothing." Hmm, right. "Why are you guys being quiet then?" "Because sometimes it's nice to be quiet."

::Stunned:: So, Dear Sons, why don't you believe Momma when I say those exact words? :-)

Elijah Cutes

One of my favorite things that Elijah does is that his "R" in a lot of words turns up like an "L."

"I want to pray" sounds like "I want to play."

"It's broken" is always "It's bloken."

"Bread" is "bled."

etc.

I just think it's so cute. Most kids with "R" trouble seem to use "W," so perhaps I think it's adorable because it's different.

Yesterday morning, we got to wake up to a pretty powerful thunderstorm (though short). Elijah reminds me a lot of how I used to react to big lightning and thunder. It almost seems to paralyze him. He runs and hides or finds me. He becomes like a statue and doesn't make a sound. His newest reaction in addition to the above is to turn his head away from whatever window is in the room. And he'll just sit there like that. If he does talk to someone in the room, he won't turn his head to look at the person. He is just frozen in that position, even if his voice is jovial. He is my kid through and through. Hopefully, he'll grow out of his thunderstorm fear before I did (which was in my late teens...or later...).

This morning when we were choosing cereals for breakfast, Elijah wanted the Fiber One cereal. I had him taste a little bit of it because I was in disbelief that he'd choose that over multi-grain Cheerios with strawberries. He liked it. So he had two bowls of Fiber One (half bowls, mind you) and loved it. Is that normal for a 3 year old? To my adult amusement, right as he was finishing his second bowl, he looked at me and said, "I have to go poo-poo!" Guess it does the job right quick in little bodies. ;-)

Jesus in Me

Meal times seem to bring out the best comments and questions from Judah. At dinner...

"Mommy, did the doctor.....when he cut you open, did the doctor see Jesus?"

Uh, what do you mean?

"Did the doctor see Jesus inside you when you got your cut?"

Oh, you mean because Jesus is in my heart? "Yeah."

I love seeing raw logic in children. :-)

::melting heart::

As we sat down for snack time, Judah said, "Mommy, you're my best friend! But you know who who's even more my best friend? GOD!"

Say that again?

Sometimes, I am left dumbfounded. At dinner tonight:

Judah: I want zero percent.

Me: You want zero percent?? Is that what you said?

Judah: Yes, zero percent.

Me: Zero percent of what?

Judah: A car made out of food. Um, I think chocolate.

In an emergency...

We're working on teaching Judah how to dial 911 on my phone and WHEN he is supposed to do it (i.e. when Mommy can't get to the phone). While eating lunch with him today, he randomly piped up and said, "So, when you're dead, I'll dial...um...8? No, 6?..."

Uh, you don't have to wait until I'm dead, Judah!

Death & Bulrushes

We just started Exodus the other night in our nightly family Bible reading. Matt took the time to talk a little about death with the boys -- since the transition from Genesis to Exodus pretty much says "they all died." :-) I was not present for this conversation, so I was a little bewildered the next day when Judah and I exchanged the following:

Judah: I love Eden VERY much...

Me: Awww, I'm so glad you do!

Judah: But she'll get older and then die.

::stunned::

We talked a little about the difference between spirit and body. Try explaining to a 4 year old that who he is can not be seen. We only see his body. And even when his body dies, Judah will still exist -- prayerfully with Jesus if he believes in and loves Jesus! I told him that his spirit is what does the thinking and feeling. Unfortunately, I can't remember his cute response that involved the brain and heart. :-P (Later on, I told Matt about our conversation and was then informed of the little lesson on death the previous night.) I love being a mom. SO many times that I am forced to reckon and grapple with the basics of life as I try to explain it to my children. We learn things, get it under our belt, and then forget to keep pondering. We humans sure miss out on a lot of the depth that life in God's world brings!

Back to Exodus, last night's reading was about when Moses was placed in the basket and sent downriver. Talk about a new perspective! When Moses was 3 months old, his mother could no longer keep him hidden. Eden is 3 months old. As Matt read that chapter, I kept looking at my smiling, squealing Eden imagining how hard it must have been for Moses's mom to place her little guy in a basket she made and then put that basket in a mighty river. Could she have known the outcome? Drowning, eaten by animals, starvation...many things could have taken her son's life. And she probably knew that. Even thinking about my baby crying and not being able to get to her and calm her hurts me. And she's just upstairs -- not in the Nile all by herself.

But this woman had great faith. She had choices. She could have given up hiding him and succumbed to Pharaoh's soldiers. She could have tried to keep him hidden, eventually to be found by the soldiers. She even could have taken his life as a "mercy act" on herself and her baby boy -- his death was an eventuality in men's eyes. But instead, she made the most raw choice. She gave up her baby to creation. A creation that serves its Maker. The Maker she was devoted to. She gave her little son to God, wholly and compeltely. And in giving up her son, she gained him back. By putting Moses into an incredibly dangerous situation for a 3 month old, she saved his life...and got to finish nursing him, raise him a few years, train him...and then see him become one of the greatest men of all time in Egypt and in the history of the Jews!

Would I be willing to give up any of my children in such a way? Would you?

Kids Say the Most Random Things

While wrestling with Elijah, Judah yelled, "MICHAEL JACKSON!"

Raw Vocabulary

Last night, we received quite the picture of raw Flesh bucking against consequences for disobedience. For a while, there has been a hole in the boys' wall right by Judah's top bunk. He's picked at the hole several times and been disciplined for it. Since Matt had yesterday off, he decided to patch 'n paint the wall. During naptime, Judah called him up to ask for a hand wash...Judah had picked at the spackle and made a complete mess (including all over sleeping Elijah). We spent several hours trying to figure out what would be the best consequence for such a thing. Most pertinent was missing the picnic and swimming with a group of friends in order to watch Daddy repair the wall yet again. Judah, our social fishy, was absolutely distraught! He carried on with yelling and crying. After some thought, Matt revised and said Judah could go but would not be allowed to swim. After all, Matt didn't want to miss out by staying home with Judah! But Judah reacted the same way he did when he was told he couldn't go at all -- lots of loud, tearful protest. After a few minutes, because of his unthankful response, Matt gave the final word that he and Judah would stay home. Again, Judah lost it; but this time, he kept telling Matt (through sobs), "I need to tell you something, Daddy!" Matt calmly put him on the couch and said, "I'm listening." It took about 20 seconds for Judah to eek out between sobs...

"I accept your solution."

Wow. Even when not terribly upset, it would be weird to hear a four year old say that. I walked away so that no one would see the small smile fighting its way onto my face. It was terribly sad but a little funny, too. He still was not allowed to go because he should have accepted Daddy's solution when it was given. It's like saying "I'm sorry"...good, but doesn't negate the need for consequence.

Got me thinking. I pray that someday (soon?), Judah will accept Jesus' solution. For now, it is offered freely at any moment in time. He just needs to realize and internalize Jesus' solution to sin -- salvation! In the future, there will come a day when the time for accepting the Solution will pass. There will be no mercy after that.

And, as an adult, I need to continue to accept Jesus' solution. Judah needs the initial solution Christ provides which is a repentant and cleansed heart. I need the continual solution of daily remembering that I am no longer a slave to sin. Seeking the Lord and His strength is my lifelong solution to the battle I wage against my raw Flesh. May I daily use the same vocabulary my four year old did and say, "I accept Your solution!"

Milk, Steak, & Date

Judah asked me why I always drink so much water (which I probably don't drink enough...). I explained to him that as summer comes, it's very important for our bodies to have extra water...and Mommy particularly needs more water because my body makes milk for Eden. He thought for a few moments. "So, with Jesus in your heart, does He tell your tummy to make milk for Eden?" It's a little difficult to explain to kids that God created things to work a certain way and then it keeps working that way. Sounds close to deism...but that's not what I mean. After making a big mental effort in trying to explain that, Judah simply said again, "So Jesus tells your tummy to make milk?" Well, yes, He does! His creation obeys the rules He has set forth...but without God continuing to hold all things together, I suppose my tummy wouldn't have to make milk if it didn't want to. :-)

I accidentally put Judah's big boy cup of milk in front of Elijah at breakfast. The boys promptly pointed out my error. I corrected the problem while saying, "I'm sorry...My mistake!" Elijah, in a that's-so-silly voice, said, "You're not a steak, Mommy!'

Hubz surprised me last night by informing me that, unbeknownst to me, he secured a sitter for Friday night. That means a date, people! Such a rarity with three youngins! Where to go...what to do...

Count Your Many Dairies

Judah and Elijah just filled a hamper to the brim with toys and scooted it into the kitchen ("church" they said). Elijah said they had toys in the basket, and Judah followed with, "Yeah, like thousands!" Really?

So, Eden is dairy intolerant. Wow. And I thought cutting out coffee and chocolate was hard! I went dairy free (except baked goods) for 3-4 days. Had pizza one evening, and the next morning Eden fussed to high heaven while nursing. Then she proceeded to have milky spit-up for 30 minutes followed by another 20 minutes of thick spit-up. Today, she's spitting up less but now has a great need for diaper changing (if you catch my drift). Dr. L is fairly certain she has a dairy intolerance and told me I need to hold off. ::sigh:: So I shall. It's worth it to nurse her. And it's only for a few more months. (Eek!)

Three things I have noticed in this non-dairy week:

1) You feel like you're not really eating. "Real" food contains gooey cheese you can sink your teeth into...or cold and creamy yogurt...or deliciously dessertful ice cream...or a refreshing glass of milk with your pancakes...or a simple bowl of cereal with milk. Nope. None of that anymore.

2) You have to get pretty basic with your diet when dairy isn't in the picture. This really surprised me. Milk is in almost everything! Granted, I still think I'm ok to eat baked goods, butter, and other things that have little dairy content. But think of how much we use cheese, sour cream, cream soups, etc. in our cuisine!

3) A diet without dairy has less fat! (Hence the feeling of not having "real" food...)

So I now embark on a journey of figuring out how I'm going to eat and plan meals for my family over the next few months until Eden is weaned. All ideas are welcome!!! And pray for me to persevere for Eden's good!

And maybe pray that when I try coffee and chocolate in a week or so after being no-dairy a little longer, that maybe she'll be ok with those. That MIGHT be an even trade...

Green Bean Security

The other day we had some green beans with our lunch. For some reason (human nature?), my boys are on strike from vegetables AND fruit (ugh). So, per my sister's advice, a new rule is that they have to take at least one bite of everything on their plate at every meal. We were webcam-ing with my mom while eating, both of us trying to coax the boys to eat at least one green bean. We were using the race tactic of who could eat the bean first. My mom sing-songy asked, "Who's going to wiiin?" Elijah replied with "Not meee."

Today, Eden received her social security card. As I was opening it, Judah asked me what it was. I told him it was her social security card. He then asked, "What is social security?" All I could say with a grin only an adult can give was, "That is a VERY good question, Judah."

Two-Week Heart Check

It's been about two weeks since we welcomed our little Eden into our arms -- and what a glorious two weeks it has been! She is so different from either of our boys! Nursing has been a breeze to establish, so much that I can actually have warm fuzzy thoughts towards her while she is nursing. That NEVER happened with the boys because nursing was so difficult with them. At two weeks, she is already on a pretty solid 3 hour schedule and has slept 4-5 hours straight the past two nights (hopefully a new pattern...).

I consider this to be a huge blessing and gift straight from the Lord. Eden is our last newborn. And we have had nothing but sweet joy and an easy transition to three kids (which we were told by many would be the hardest). Just shy of two weeks with a newborn and already Matt and I are in awe that we feel like things are routine. That's right -- routine! It seems surreal.

Not once have I had regrets or tears over our decision that Eden would be our last biological baby as I expected I would. Not in the recovery room and not in the days since then. My thoughts have consistently been along positive lines. Resting in the knowledge that my body is finished being put through the rigors and pains of pregnancy and c-sections as well as being excited to get in shape for good. Feeling complete as a family (like my arms are "full," as my mom describes it). Looking forward to years of worry-free romance with my hubby. I haven't focused at all on not ever again having a pregnant belly, feeling a baby inside, etc. And even thinking about that now as I write leaves me unaffected emotionally. God is SO good to affirm decisions we make in faith by allowing our hearts to be at peace once the decision is final.

Thank you, Father, for letting Your peace reign in my heart these last two weeks. From the moments in surgery when I knew my child-bearing days were ending to tonight when I see my last newborn in her daddy's arms, I relish this "complete" feeling You have given my heart. I sit in awe at how You have granted our family an incredibly easy transition to three children and life with a daughter. What a gift to have so much enjoyment with our last newborn journey!

The Time Has Come

Monday is a big day. A day of joyous "hello" and bittersweet "goodbye."

We say a joyous "hello" to our daughter Eden! What a change this will bring to our home. She makes our kid-count three, what we've heard to be the hardest transition in a family's life. She is a...she! That in itself is a major shift in thinking for all of us. Different colors, more clothes and accessories, different diaper changes... But we are excited to welcome her. Our hearts are more than ready though our brains are still trying to comprehend how this transition is going to happen!

We say a bittersweet "goodbye" to our childbearing. This is something I had to come to grips with before we even got pregnant with Eden, that my hubby had a strong preference we stop having biological children at three due to increased risks with repeat c-sections. It was a long two months of praying, soul searching, motive evaluating, and counsel seeking. But God was faithful to answer, reveal, and provide. My heart moved in line with my husband's compassionate and wise desire to protect his wife, and it has remained at peace since then. But I knew as delivery drew near with our third child, the bittersweet moments would increase. I'll never have a pregnant belly again. Never feel a baby moving inside my womb. Never again go through one of the most incredible Creation processes that can ONLY point to an amazing Creator. But God is good to provide positives in my thinking to counteract the bittersweetness. Better motivation to get and stay in shape knowing pregnancy will no longer hinder nor help me. Clear focus on raising three children for a good chunk of years. Intimacy for the sole purpose of intimacy, free from planning and wondering (one of the reasons we chose to stack our childbearing at the beginning of marriage). Yes, it's bittersweet. But praise the Lord for peace within that emotion.

And praise the Lord that, though we are done being pregnant, we are not done having children. Somewhere, someday, we pray that He will guide us to one more precious Arrow to welcome into our family as a picture of what He has done for us.

We have been fruitful and multiplied. He has filled our quiver with blessings. He has built our house. And we will continue to step out in faith, believing that He is guiding us in these major life events and decisions.

Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of carrying three of your creations within me. Thank you for allowing me to be a woman and experience Your miraculous creation of the childbearing process. I will treasure it always. May You be my Strength as I now must carry myself with strength and dignity knowing I will not bear children again. May You cause me to continually smile at the future when, if You are willing, we bring home a fourth child to raise for Your glory.

Judah's Dinner Prayer

"Dear Jesus, thank you for this food and for the beautiful weather that you made for us. And please help Mommy to feel better by eating ice because she's an adult. Amen."

Note: Chewing ice is common for me during this late pregnancy. It's theraputic for some reason and cools me down. I told the boys only adults eat ice, and gave the "it makes me feel better" cop-out to Judah when he asked why I do it. :-)

A Beautiful Picture

An Excerpt from "The Wife" by Washington Irving

...Nothing can be more touching than to behold a soft and tender female, who had been all weakness and dependence, and alive to every trivial roughness, while treading the prosperous paths of life, suddenly rising in mental force to be the comforter and support of her husband under misfortune, and abiding, with unshrinking firmness, the bitterest blasts of adversity.

As the vine, which has long twined its graceful foliage about the oak and been lifted by it into sunshine, will, when the hardy plant is rifted by the thunderbolt, cling round it with it's caressing tendrils, and bind up its shattered boughs; so is it beautifully ordered by Providence, that woman, who is the mere dependent and ornament of man in his happier hours, should be his stay and solace when smitten with sudden calamity; winding herself into the rugged recesses of his nature, tenderly supporting the drooping head, and binding up the broken heart.