I've been trying to broaden, not only the twins' meal selections, but also their palate by adding herbs and seasoning to their foods. So far it has been met with mostly successes. A friend just told me that you have to expose a baby to something seven times for them to get a taste for it. The girls do seem to really enjoy the new flavors we've been adding to their foods. Below are the "recipes" of the things that we've tried so far. I don't really have amounts to give you, it's a matter of taste, and, for us, whatever fits in our mini food processor. Just throw everything in and puree. If the ingredients aren't wet enough to get the right consistency, I add water, juice, chicken broth or breastmilk. Oh, just a note, I used fresh herbs. If you use dried herbs, use half as much--the flavors are more concentrated in dried form than fresh.
Minted Peas:
Mint
Peas
Cucumber
Applesauce
Whole Milk Greek-style yogurt
It took Brynne a few bites to get over the texture of the skin of the peas, as soon as she did, she gobbled it down.
Sage Chicken:
Sage
Baked chicken breast
Sweet potato
Applesauce
Chicken broth
This was probably the girls' favorite. I took the stems out of the sage.
Basil and Eggs
Eggs
Sweet Basil
Mozzarella
When I think of basil, I usually think of tomatoes. I didn't want to give the girls tomatoes just yet, because they are a pretty acidic food. So, I opted to put it in eggs along with some cheese.
Chicken Satay
Baked Chicken Breast
Whole Milk Yogurt
Curry Powder (mild)
Fresh Grated Ginger
Natural Peanut Butter
Pumpkin Yogurt
Whole Milk Yogurt (I use Greek-Style)
Pumpkin puree
Applesauce
any or all of the following:
Cinnamon
Ground Ginger
Nutmeg
Allspice
This is our girls' favorite breakfast! We have it almost every morning. I change it up with the spices--they love it!
What are some of your kids' favorite herbs and spices?
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thankful and Wordless Weekend
135. Windows open and cool breezes all through our house in late October.
136. Sunday afternoon at the park.
137. Sunday evening playing on a blanket outside.
138. Sunday night listening to music, drinking wine on the deck with my husband while watching the storm roll in.
139. Wicked lightning.
140. The smell of rain.
141. Listening to the thunder.
142. The girls eating flowers.
143. An afternoon in the country.
144. Introducing the girls to Buffy the buffalo.
145. Meeting Fonzie the alpaca.
136. Sunday afternoon at the park.
137. Sunday evening playing on a blanket outside.
138. Sunday night listening to music, drinking wine on the deck with my husband while watching the storm roll in.
139. Wicked lightning.
140. The smell of rain.
141. Listening to the thunder.
142. The girls eating flowers.
143. An afternoon in the country.
144. Introducing the girls to Buffy the buffalo.
145. Meeting Fonzie the alpaca.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Thankful
128. Listening to gales of laughter as my daughters play together.
129. Brynne weathering her first cold without much complaining.
130. Hadley didn't get sick even though the girls share a bed and eat off the same spoon.
131. Getting to hold bouncing baby Ben for the first time.
132. Going for walks almost every day with the girls.
133. Impromptu trip to the park with Brad and the girls in the middle of the week.
134. Swinging and sliding with the girls.
129. Brynne weathering her first cold without much complaining.
130. Hadley didn't get sick even though the girls share a bed and eat off the same spoon.
131. Getting to hold bouncing baby Ben for the first time.
132. Going for walks almost every day with the girls.
133. Impromptu trip to the park with Brad and the girls in the middle of the week.
134. Swinging and sliding with the girls.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Full Disclosure
We have been loving this beautiful fall weather! The girls and I make a point of getting outside every day. I think I had it in my head that once October hit, our days of being outside would be over. I know that's not really true in the St. Louis area, but I just didn't have my expectations set all that high. So, each day is like a bonus, and a huge blessing. Each day we can go to the park, take a walk, or even just play on a blanket outside is relished and appreciated, all while appreciating all that fall has to offer--colorful leaves, pumpkin, apples and parsnips (we gave them a try last night, and loved them!). Though we are well into October, and enjoying all that these warm temperatures have to offer, the cool nights remind us that winter is approaching, and soon we will have to dawn lots of layers, and our trips to the park will be few and far between. It also reminds us that the cold and flu season is fast approaching.
I wanted to take a cue from this mama (you have to look at the bottom of her post) to talk about that for a moment. Did you know that a baby's immune system is not fully functional until six months of age? Even with that being the case, preemie babies must be careful even beyond that time frame. A cold or the flu can be much more serious in a baby that was born early, and cause respiratory distress that can lead to a hospital stay. Our pediatrician is especially concerned about Brynne, because in addition to being a preemie, she was born with a heart defect. RSV is the big worry--we want to avoid that at all costs!
We must be mindful to keep her as healthy as we can, but we need your help. I write this, too, on behalf of several friends and family members we have who are getting ready to welcome little ones into the world, smack dab in the middle of cold and flu season. Needless to say, it has been on our minds a lot lately. So, here's my public service announcement. Please, please remember to wash or otherwise disinfect your hands before holding a baby--always! And, if you are sick, love that baby (and his/her parents) by staying away until you are better. If it's questionable, or even if you don't think it's contagious, call ahead of time, explain the situation, and let the parents make the call, so that everyone is comfortable--full disclosure is always best!
Enjoy these fleeting, warm fall days, and here's to a happy, healthy winter!
I wanted to take a cue from this mama (you have to look at the bottom of her post) to talk about that for a moment. Did you know that a baby's immune system is not fully functional until six months of age? Even with that being the case, preemie babies must be careful even beyond that time frame. A cold or the flu can be much more serious in a baby that was born early, and cause respiratory distress that can lead to a hospital stay. Our pediatrician is especially concerned about Brynne, because in addition to being a preemie, she was born with a heart defect. RSV is the big worry--we want to avoid that at all costs!
We must be mindful to keep her as healthy as we can, but we need your help. I write this, too, on behalf of several friends and family members we have who are getting ready to welcome little ones into the world, smack dab in the middle of cold and flu season. Needless to say, it has been on our minds a lot lately. So, here's my public service announcement. Please, please remember to wash or otherwise disinfect your hands before holding a baby--always! And, if you are sick, love that baby (and his/her parents) by staying away until you are better. If it's questionable, or even if you don't think it's contagious, call ahead of time, explain the situation, and let the parents make the call, so that everyone is comfortable--full disclosure is always best!
Enjoy these fleeting, warm fall days, and here's to a happy, healthy winter!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Thankful
112. The nice lady on the bike trail who call me a "remarkable woman" for parenting twins (I think I should stick to the bike trail--it's good for my self-esteem and a great motivator).
113. Walk and playdate Becca and the twins.
114. Walk with Alice and Isaiah.
115. Indian summer (is that phrase politically correct anymore?).
116. Another good weight check Hadley=14 lbs 4 oz, Brynne=15 lbs 4 oz.
117. Wisdom and encouragement from Melissa.
118. Playing outside on a blanket with my family.
119. Thoughtfulness, prayers, understanding, friendship and love from Shelly.
120. Early Christmas present for the girls.
121. Sleeping in.
122. An awesome husband who took care of the girls, so that I could sleep in.
123. Beautiful fall colors beginning to emerge.
124. A wonderful meal and good conversation with Ellyn and Laila.
125. Pumpkin bread from Laila.
126. A bushel of apples and eight sugar pumpkins all made into baby food by my amazing husband while I was out to dinner.
127. Introducing the girls, playing on the blanket and a wonderful chat with Christina.
113. Walk and playdate Becca and the twins.
114. Walk with Alice and Isaiah.
115. Indian summer (is that phrase politically correct anymore?).
116. Another good weight check Hadley=14 lbs 4 oz, Brynne=15 lbs 4 oz.
117. Wisdom and encouragement from Melissa.
118. Playing outside on a blanket with my family.
119. Thoughtfulness, prayers, understanding, friendship and love from Shelly.
120. Early Christmas present for the girls.
121. Sleeping in.
122. An awesome husband who took care of the girls, so that I could sleep in.
123. Beautiful fall colors beginning to emerge.
124. A wonderful meal and good conversation with Ellyn and Laila.
125. Pumpkin bread from Laila.
126. A bushel of apples and eight sugar pumpkins all made into baby food by my amazing husband while I was out to dinner.
127. Introducing the girls, playing on the blanket and a wonderful chat with Christina.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Crunchy Grace
I was saddened today to read a story of a mother who lost her baby boy. He was born with a congenital heart defect, struggled to survive and ultimately died of heart failure. This is a sad story, but what saddens me even more is the controversy that has erupted because of this boy's death. Shortly before little seven-week-old Joshua passed away, he was circumcised.
Circumcision may or may not be a hot button topic for you. I never realized how passionate some people are about it, and honestly, I haven't had to think much about it. Through my perusing the Internet, I've seen circumcision referred to as anything from an unnecessary cosmetic surgery to mutilation. In rare cases, the blood loss from a circumcision can cause hemorrhaging, cardiac arrest, and death. Many crunchy mamas have expressed outrage that this family would have made the decision to circumcise their son, and have gone so far to publicly attack and blame this poor mother for being responsible for her own son's death. There are bloggers that have taken pictures of her son from her blog (without her permission), and posted them on their own blogs along with inaccurate information about her son's death, and then proceeded to lambaste her and her decision to have her son circumcised.
Where is the grace? This poor woman lost her son. Whether his circumcision was responsible for his death, even in part (health care professionals caring for her son assured her that her son's death had nothing to do with his circumcision), should the response in any circumstance, that ends in such tragedy, be to throw stones? And, yet, ruthlessly, some individuals who are against circumcision have chosen to make an example of this grieving family.
Heaven forbid that something happen to your child that would cause your parenting to be called into question. Most parents make decisions that they believe to be the very best for their child, and their intentions are done out of love. How can anyone believe their parenting is so far superior that it warrants responding to the death of a mother's son with righteous indignance? How sad that compassion and love was not the first response.
Circumcision may or may not be a hot button topic for you. I never realized how passionate some people are about it, and honestly, I haven't had to think much about it. Through my perusing the Internet, I've seen circumcision referred to as anything from an unnecessary cosmetic surgery to mutilation. In rare cases, the blood loss from a circumcision can cause hemorrhaging, cardiac arrest, and death. Many crunchy mamas have expressed outrage that this family would have made the decision to circumcise their son, and have gone so far to publicly attack and blame this poor mother for being responsible for her own son's death. There are bloggers that have taken pictures of her son from her blog (without her permission), and posted them on their own blogs along with inaccurate information about her son's death, and then proceeded to lambaste her and her decision to have her son circumcised.
Where is the grace? This poor woman lost her son. Whether his circumcision was responsible for his death, even in part (health care professionals caring for her son assured her that her son's death had nothing to do with his circumcision), should the response in any circumstance, that ends in such tragedy, be to throw stones? And, yet, ruthlessly, some individuals who are against circumcision have chosen to make an example of this grieving family.
Heaven forbid that something happen to your child that would cause your parenting to be called into question. Most parents make decisions that they believe to be the very best for their child, and their intentions are done out of love. How can anyone believe their parenting is so far superior that it warrants responding to the death of a mother's son with righteous indignance? How sad that compassion and love was not the first response.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Thankful
101. Pumpkin Spice Latte.
102. Cool, clear nights on the back deck with some red wine and my wonderful husband.
103. First pot of chili of the fall season.
104. Seeing a shooting star while hangin' on the back deck with friends.
105. My sister survived her first marathon with only a twisted knee.
106. Fun times at the apple orchard/pumpkin patch!
107. The girls are not allergic to eggs.
108. Run on the bike path with the girls this afternoon.
109. A very nice 65+ year old man I met on the bike path who cheered, "Great job!" as he ran past me.
110. Watching the girls figure out how to get puffs into their mouths.
111. Seeing Brynne's delight when we cheer for her when puffs make it into her mouth.
102. Cool, clear nights on the back deck with some red wine and my wonderful husband.
103. First pot of chili of the fall season.
104. Seeing a shooting star while hangin' on the back deck with friends.
105. My sister survived her first marathon with only a twisted knee.
106. Fun times at the apple orchard/pumpkin patch!
107. The girls are not allergic to eggs.
108. Run on the bike path with the girls this afternoon.
109. A very nice 65+ year old man I met on the bike path who cheered, "Great job!" as he ran past me.
110. Watching the girls figure out how to get puffs into their mouths.
111. Seeing Brynne's delight when we cheer for her when puffs make it into her mouth.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Cacophony of Fall Flavors
Friday I enjoyed my first pumpkin spice latte of the season--all those fall flavors swirling around in my mouth made me want to throw on an oversized cardigan and hunker down with a good book in front of a roaring fire. Our girls have been enjoying the tastes of fall around here as well, and I think they love it almost as much as their mama. In my endeavors to make all the girls' baby food, a friend suggested I try sugar pumpkin. While we are very adventurous eaters around here, pumpkin was not something I would have thought of doing on my own. I'm so thankful to her for suggesting it to me, because my daughters' favorite thing to eat is pureed roasted sugar pumpkin, mixed with homemade apple sauce, plain whole milk yogurt and cinnamon--a fall flavor explosion, and they gobble up every last bite. If you have little ones, you should give this concoction a try. You can thin it with breastmilk, juice, water or other liquid-y substance of your choice and have your little one enjoy a smoothie. It's pretty scrumptious--you might want to have some for yourself!
There are other flavors of fall around here too. The girls have enjoyed two different varieties of squash, pears, turkey, sweet potatoes and Brynne was chewing on the mouth of an empty bottle of pumpkin beer the other day, so I'm sure that was quite an experience for her, flavorfully speaking. My friend also mentioned that we should give parsnips a try. I think that's a cold weather/fallish indulgence. I figured that since she didn't steer us wrong with the pumpkin, we could track down some parsnips and give those a whirl too. If anyone has any recipes or cooking tips for parsnips, I am eager, and ready to learn!
Speaking of fall, we had a great time today at the apple orchard. Enjoy the pics!
There are other flavors of fall around here too. The girls have enjoyed two different varieties of squash, pears, turkey, sweet potatoes and Brynne was chewing on the mouth of an empty bottle of pumpkin beer the other day, so I'm sure that was quite an experience for her, flavorfully speaking. My friend also mentioned that we should give parsnips a try. I think that's a cold weather/fallish indulgence. I figured that since she didn't steer us wrong with the pumpkin, we could track down some parsnips and give those a whirl too. If anyone has any recipes or cooking tips for parsnips, I am eager, and ready to learn!
Speaking of fall, we had a great time today at the apple orchard. Enjoy the pics!
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