So dada won

as a first word. Followed closely by "Unk"



which we assume means Hank. Or Hunk. I'm sure he feels either could apply to him.

**Edited to add - There is a third word Hank is working on that sounds like "Un-ju." I was thinking about it tonight and wonder if this is his word for Nigel, another boy at his school who is at the same level of activity as Hank (i.e. always getting into something), and probably has his name said many times during the day. If so, then I guess mama is pretty low on the totem pole...

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Favorite of the day: Little Circus via Black*Eiffel

Working on: Unk accessories

For a good cause

I don't know how she does it, but Leslie is one of those multi-talented multi-taskers that makes the rest of us look like lazy ne'r-do-wells.

In addition to the myriad of other projects she is involved with, Leslie helped organize a huge rummage and bake sale this weekend to raise money for the Los Cerritos Wetlands. You can read more about what is happening to this area here.

I wanted a challenge - something that would make me have to focus and get something done for a change, and not use Hank as an excuse. So, I offered to bring 4 baked goods, and help out during the sale.

I decided to keep the items simple, but have cute presentation. I made Krispie Pops (Rice Krispie treats on sticks with sprinkles), People Chow in cups lined with vellum paper, Surfer Bars in sun-printed Ziploc bags, and Brownie Hugs (brownies in cupcake wrappers with a Hershey's Hug on top. The thought with these was that you could give a hug to a friend, hence the To/From tags.

All in all the sales went really well, I think. I had a few late nights, but I was happy to have the opportunity to help a friend while supporting a good cause.

Who knows - you might actually get some sewing out of me one of these days...?

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Favorite of the day: Wishing I hadn't eaten so much People Chow in my life that I might fit into this

Working on: Prep for tomorrow

The Sins of the Mother

It was the 70s. My mom followed advice given to her by my and countless other pediatricians throughout the country: to start cereal at 1 month of age, that it was ok to introduce cow's milk at 3 months to save money on formula, to have babies wear the white lace up shoes to make their feet develop correctly.



Car seats did not exist, cribs were painted with lead paint, and a 5-year-old was an adequate babysitter for a younger sibling (or, you could just wait for the baby to fall asleep before heading out to the disco. We know somebody who witnessed this happen.)

I think we turned out basically ok regardless. Still, reading information currently available in books and online, I try to put into practice a lot of things that are the exact opposite of the standard child rearing approach of the 70s. Breastfeeding, babywearing, attachment parenting, delaying solids, etc. as examples. Oh, and Hank wears those leather shoes that conform to his feet versus the white ones that made 70s babies' feet flat as boards.

I have been making all of Hank's food since he started solids a few weeks ago. I find it fun and enjoyable, and not "just another thing" to add to my never ending and oft neglected to do list. I typically boil or steam the (organic, natch) fruit or veggies while I am preparing our dinner, and puree them using this processor or use a food chopper. I fill a covered ice cube tray with the food, and store the perfectly portioned cubes in bags. I have a cook book of homemade baby foods, and love this site.

So the question is -- what will people 30 years from now find wrong with child rearing practices of the early 2000s?

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Favorite of the day: We sooo need to make these for the tiki bar!

Working on: Cleaning the house - company's coming!

Hank at (almost) 7 months

*Is crawling for real now and getting into everything...

* The same day he perfected his crawl, he decided it was time for the next big thing and has been hefting himself up using anything that seems like it might remotely support his weight. He even "cruises" between pieces of furniture!

* The preceeding two occurences have resulted in a myriad of bumps and bruises. I can be sitting right next to him, but he zigs when I thought he was going to zag. Poor guy looks like a prize fighter some days!

* Can kneel, sit up on his own, and various other physical feats I am told are typically achieved in the 9th or 10th month. He's a physical guy!

* But he's also a lover - he gives hugs and "kisses" (open-mouthed slobbery ones), complete with "mwa" noise. Following in his father's footprints, he is a jokester, too. He gives zerberts, and loves to hear us laugh.

* I think we are close to a "mama" or "dada." Who will win?

* I would love to say we are sleeping through the night and have reached baby-rearing nirvana, but that would be a lie...

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Favorite of the day: I would like to do this using a canvas drop cloth instead of a shower curtain.

Working on: Fixing up the guest/craft room for guests later this month

Advertising with food

The participants in our church's CSA appear to be dwindling. I'll be the first one to admit that we have a hard time using everything in one week, and I have had to make some soups, and do some freezing, giving, and, sadly, throwing away.

But, I feel good supporting a local farmer, and $20 per month goes to the church's school that I hope to enroll Hank in as soon as he is old enough. So, I will stay in for as long as I can. Besides, who would want to quit now before all the yummy tomatoes and melons come in season?

The church had a potluck this weekend, and I made a couple of goodies using items from our CSA, including Zucchini Walnut muffins and Martha's Peanut Butter and Jelly bars using jam that the farm has made from their strawberries. I made little signs letting people know that my items were made from CSA produce. Hope they were a good endorsement!

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Favorite of the day: Seriously awesome party theme - can't wait til I can Netflix the HBO movie!

Working on: zzzzzzzz...

Commentary

on the set of bibs I embellished using fabric markers from the lovely Ms. Pink Trees. Bib set from Ikea (see my previous use of these bibs) inspired by images from a set of Martha Stewart stickers.

According to the skeptic

Yeah, but will this be enough to handle my mess?

According to the critic (one of the cats)

Is this the best you can do?

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Favorite of the day: Modern terrariums via Re-nest

Working on: Nothing special