For those of you who don’t have kids, you might want to skip this post. Or pass it along to a fried or family member. Or tuck it away for future use — your call

Reader Request:

I plan to continue to exclusively breastfeed my little guy until 6 months and then start solid foods. I read your post on making your own baby food and after reading the comments below and talking with some friends of mine, I plan to do a little of both, making some of his foods from things we eat and buying jarred (which will be much easier when he goes to the babysitter.)

What I was hoping you could provide some info./advice on was when did you started feeding your little guys solids? What were some of the first things you started with? I also know from keeping up with your posts that you are still pumping, how do you fit that in with the solids foods? I know this is probably a lot of questions, but I just want to get as much info. as I can before I start the next stage!

First of all – go YOU for breastfeeding! I personally know just how much that (literally!) takes out of you – so yay, Mama!

The Mister and I started Bean on solid foods right around 6 months. We started with the recommended rice cereal. We added a few teaspoons to some breast milk and spoon-fed the little munchkin. The first few feedings were difficult — Bean was so confused and it took awhile for him to get the hang of the spoon and remembering to swallow After a few days (once we were sure he wasn’t allergic), we switched over to organic oatmeal (Gerber brand — this is NOT the same as regular organic oatmeal). He seemed to like this one better and it didn’t cause constipation problems like the rice cereal did.

From then on, the rest is history! Every few days, we would introduce a new vegetable or fruit. If one day he didn’t like it, I would try again a few days later — like adults, baby’s palettes take awhile to know for sure whether or not the “like” a food. It took me MANY attempts, but Sawyer will eat any vegetable or fruit. —-Read why I don’t make my own —- He has his favorites, but for the most part, anything goes. From about 6 – 9 months, we stuck to jarred food and cereal mixed with breast milk. This was a typical eating day:

breakfast – cereal mixed with jarred fruit

mid-morning – bottle (4-6 oz.)

lunch – jar of vegetables (his favorites are Earth’s Best corn and squash, sweet potato and chicken and turkey veggie dinner)

mid- afternoon – bottle (4-6 oz.)

dinner – jar of vegetables with a few spoons of jarred fruit

bedtime – bottle/nurse (6 oz.)

Once Bean hit 9 months, we started introducing “finger foods” — this is basically any food that is broken into little, bite-sized pieces.

Some of his favorites include: gerber puffs, cheerios, Earth’s Best Organic waffles, clementines, banana, turkey, cheese, cottage cheese,  vegetables (TIME SAVER IDEA – instead of cooking your own vegetables, purchase some low sodium organic vegetable soup – the veggies are already chopped and cooked and are flavored with broth and spices – I rely on these EVERY DAY), bread, strawberries, whole wheat pasta.

This was Sawyer’s dinner last night — two pieces of turkey, one jar of plum/banana/rice, one clementine, few spoonfuls of prunes.

A NOTE ABOUT POO

What goes in, must come out. Don’t be alarmed to see some, ahem, interesting colors. Also — the Mister and I have always said that once you start solid foods you stop dealing with poop and start dealing with sh*t. Get the noseplugs ready. Seriously. Foods that can constipate Sawyer – apples, bananas, rice cereal. Foods that get things moving – prunes and plums. Too keep things “regular” we give him prunes every day with breakfast and don’t worry about the other foods he’s eating throughout the day — this works well for us.

Breastfeeding/pumping

Most pediatricians recommend continuing with breastfeeding until the child is one year. (I know that each woman has different circumstances and I never judge — let’s keep things nice in the comments, ladies) In addition, while you are providing some delicious meals, most of your little one’s calories and nutrients should still be coming from breastmilk (or formula). That being said, I continue to pump/nurse as I did before. Typically every 3-4 hours. Sawyer is also starting to drink from a cup, which we fill with a little milk at every meal. Over the past few months, I will say that he is losing interest in his bottles. So we try and make sure he gets his milk from his cup at mealtimes.

MISC. TIPS

If your little one is giving you trouble eating, try eating WITH them. Sawyer ALWAYS wants a few bites of whatever the Mister and I are eating — and this is a great way to get them to try new things!

Have FUN! This is such a fun, new time for your little to try new things! Don’t get upset or overwhelmed if it isn’t working out — try, try, try again – I assure you they wont go hungry.

PHEW!

I think that covers it — did I leave anything out? Any other questions?

Bon Appetit!

Thanks so much for your sweet comments on the video I posted this morning – it really does make my heart melt

I’ve come across some pretty fantastic stuff this week and thought all of you could benefit – aren’t I thoughtful?

Enjoy!

click to enlarge if you are having trouble viewing – it’s worth it.

This local story made big news this week – three cheers for the little guy! Just another wonderful example of how communities can pull together and make an enormous difference. And a little reminder to support your local businesses – YOU make a difference

Skinnycow heavenly crisps are BEYOND heavenly. Get thee to a grocer and buy a box. Then try and stop yourself after one. Mission Impossible.

50/50 is out on DVD – looking forward to finally watching it with the Mister this weekend

OK – enough fun — time for us all to get back to work so we can enjoy our weekends!

What made your Friday fun list this week?

In less than one month, we’ll be celebrating his FIRST BIRTHDAY. Mind –> blown.

He is growing up in front of our very eyes and astounds me with his brilliance each and every day.

Just check out our little boy genius:

Can you tell I’m a proud Mama?

At 11 months, Saywer…

• Knows who “ma ma” and “da da” are, instead of just saying the words.
• Plays patty cake
• Can do “soooooo big!”
• Says the following words (and knows what they mean): banana (bana!), bus, bat, ball, balloon (baloooo), clock (kkkkk or “tick tock”) mama, dada, puff, waffle (waffa), OK, baby, bye-bye, zebra (zeeba), keys, cheese, bread (breeee), light, hot
• Knows the following words and points to them when asked: sun, apple, squirrel, rainbow, dog, cat, pumpkin, tree, train, bath, book, truck, glo worm, clifford, ring
• Says the following when asked “what does a ______ say?”: cow – mooo (mmmmmm), sheep – baa, snake – sssssss, chicken – cluck, cluck, cluck (ku ku ku)
• Can get down from standing without falling

new likes: standing at the back window, helping mommy make pizzas, mooching bites of our food, outlets, cords and anything else that can cause him bodily harm

new hates: having something taken away from him, when mommy and daddy leave

For Sawyer’s previous milestones, check out the Motherhood tab! 

I have a special exclusive offer for my Cleveland readers (or if anyone wants to come to the CLE for the ball ) that is only good until MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!

You can use promo code “DAILY” to purchase regular Jump Back Ball tickets for $165 each ($5 off the ticket price) with NO handling fees. There is a limit of four (4) tickets per order. The offer is valid online only and is not valid for VIP tickets. Tickets may be purchased by clicking on this link.

Some more info about this year’s JBB:
The main stage band this year will be Radioactive and the late night band will be Tricky Dick & the Cover-Ups. There will be an interesting new flow plan and layout to the party from last year as well. Back by popular demand, the VIP party will be catered by AMP 150.

The Jump Back Ball is very close to selling out and ticket prices will increase this Wednesday, Jan. 25 — so if you don’t get them tonight, get them soon! I look forward to meeting my readers that I haven’t yet met at the Ball. Stay tuned for more information and, of course, a full recap of the event next month!

***Disclosure: I was asked by Playhouse Square to be an official Jump Back Ball blogger. In exchange for blogging about Jump Back Ball and events leading up to it, I will receive 2 tickets to Jump Back Ball. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

Let’s talk about the good moments this week, shall we? They always put me in a better mood and with this cold, icky weather — that’s just what I need

This week, I’m thankful for…

our broken commitment to cook every night and getting pizza — two days this week. Oh Marotta’s, I love you so.

Green Mountain French Toast k-cups. Game changer.

On that note, Starbucks’ blonde roast

the return of television — even though I still have to wait two months for Mad Men

my new beauty regimen — I <3 bliss and smashbox! (let me know if you are interested in me sharing my fave new products)

girlfriends — even though I don’t get to see you that often, i love you more than you know and I cannot wait until our next dinner (east side this time? )

skinny cow and their chocolate covered caramel bites. have you tried them yet? get thee to a grocer!

peanut butter + banana — no explanation necessary

cute loungewear

getting a blissful, uninterrupted shower — it’s the little things, people — having clean hair is a big event nowadays.

(source)

What are you thankful for this week?

The cow’s usual home

I normally consider my morning to be a success if I get to work on time and without any stains on my clothing. I’ll admit I have it easier than most because Bean’s grandmas watch him at our house and I don’t have to TAKE him anywhere. (I know, many of you hate me right now)

I normally leave the house around 6:45 and the Mister hangs with Bean until my mom arrives at 7:00. This morning, however, the Mister had an early morning meeting, so I dropped Sawyer off at Grandma’s house on my way to work.

Despite the little lark greeting us with a smile at 4:50 a.m. (you read that correctly), we managed to orchestrate the perfect send off. Daddy started the car so it would be nice and toasty. We both got ready while Bean played nicely with his song book that I’m certain is going to lead me to develop a hemorrhage. I made his breakfast, packed it up and remembered to pack extra clothes so he could stay in his jammies on the ride to Grandmas. I left the house without any stains, buckled my tear-free little man into his seat and we made it to Grandma’s right on time. I dropped off my smiley sir, filled up my coffee and headed into work smiling smugly.

As I approached my desk, I thought, The Mister and I totally have our sh*t together — we could do this every day if we had to! What a cake walk.

I checked my email, put my lunch in the fridge and headed to the bathroom.

And we’re back to square one.

Moo.

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I’m so glad so many of you liked my arm workout post yesterday! I’ve got a lot more where that came from and am happy to share the with you, if interested!

Amazing.

What’s the best thing you’ve seen or heard this year?

Check it out…

Fotoshop by Adobé from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

If only it were that easy….

But this is just another classic example of the media portraying unrealistic expectations. Don’t have a 6-pack like the woman on the cover of Health Magazine? Don’t worry — neither does she!

The crazy thing is that, while not perfect (and who is?), most women who are photo-shopped in fitness magazines and ads are in fantastic shape to begin with! Sure, they’re not perfect — but who is? I personally, would identify more with photos of REAL women who work hard to be healthy – not perfect.

In any case, enjoy the video and pass it along to anyone who could use a pick-me-up this week.