Special Baking Day

Today was one of those days that memories of my mother just kept sneaking up on me. Her chocolate chip cookies were always a family favorite, and a tradition that I have continued since she's been gone.

Today was the first day M and I really baked together...just her and me in the kitchen. (Sorry for the so-so pictures since we were by ourselves and I only had my cell phone.)

Adding the 'secret ingredient,' Jell-O instant pudding mix, to keep the cookies soft and chewy!

Mmmm-Mmmm! Chocolate Chips!

Waiting for them to bake.

After lunch, little M enjoyed her cookie for dessert!

I miss my mom everyday. When she died, I was just 15. Now, going on 30 and being a mother myself, I think about who my mother was with such a different perspective. I also think about Madison and how I will keep my mother 'alive' in our hearts together. I hope I will be able to balance my sadness regarding her leaving this Earth with the happiness of having her as my mother. I'm a private person and more comfortable keeping my thoughts of her to myself (I almost didn't publish this last paragraph of this post)...but I know I must change...at least around Madison, so that M will 'know' her Grandma Jan, too.

Oh, and it's not really a 'secret recipe' or anything...it's from a Jell-O box. But, if you want it...just let me know! :)

Foto Friday - Mama & M

Foto Friday - M's First Barbie!

Seriously...I took her picture about 100 times and this was the best one. Just imagine her beautiful brown eyes are open...mmmmkay. :)

Anyways, Lisa (she owns Hale Printing - the company we use for all our printing), surprised M with this gift on Monday when we went in to pick up an order. How sweet of her!

*Sidenote: I hate...ok, hate is kinda strong...let's say I'm not a fan of Barbie (toys) for a number of reasons that could probably be it's own post. But no, I haven't destroyed it and yes, I let M take it out of the package to play with her once we were inside. Anyways, I digress...

Josh's 30th Birthday

Josh turned 30 on the 7th of this month. He had to work ALL DAY on the 7th...left around 7:30am and got home around 7:30pm. :( Yuck! But, at least M wore her Daddy's favorite outfit and enjoyed playing with her Daddy's balloon until he got home!

This is what was waiting for him when he got home. Cards from M and me, a slice of French Silk pie from VI, his balloon, and a Tosh.O t-shirt.

The following Saturday we had a small family get together at our home. I only have a few pics since we were hosting, and I was busy most of the evening...oh well.

Here's everyone...except for my Dad since he avoided the picture!

We missed those who couldn't make it.

M and Ava had fun with some stickers that Tracy brought over!

Then, it was time for ice cream cake and the birthday song! M now knows how to blow out candles...so of course she wanted to help Daddy (and be the center of attention).

It's always exciting when ice cream cake is involved!

(Seriously, I can't stop thinking about what to do for M's birthday now!)

Chalk Day - Happy First Day of Spring!

The weather has been GORGEOUS here. M is lovin' being outside any chance she gets. Last week we hit 5 different parks alone!

Anyways, earlier this afternoon, I let M try sidewalk chalk for the first time. Seemed like a good way to celebrate the first day of Spring, right!?

I'll let the pictures do (most of) the "talking."

Josh was with me when I decided to buy her chalk...of course he thinks she's needs the jumbo tub. (I wanted to buy her the smallest pack of course.)

I wrote her name, and she gave it a try.

She doesn't quite like having to put so much pressure on the chalk to write...so her chalk experience lasted oh, until right after this picture...and then she took off to go play with her beloved sticks instead.

I had picked up the chalk...and of course she dumped it.

And ran away.

She helped me pick up the chalk later on. I'm sure we'll keep experimenting with the sidewalk chalk this summer. I hope she decides she likes it...we do have 32 pieces to use up!

Meanwhile, I we transferred a daffodil plant my MIL gave us to a bigger pot. It had been inside for a week...and I hadn't watered it...so it looks sad now.

And yes, I do know I should probably plant it in a more permanent location because it will bloom every year...but I couldn't decide where, so this will have to do for now. I hope it lives.

Happy First Day of Spring!

M Won't Eat!

Ok. I'm being a bit dramatic. I should rephrase my title...to "M Won't Eat Any New Foods or any Meat!"

Seriously...I can probably count on my two hands the ONLY foods M will consume. She pretty much eats the same meals everyday.

All she's doing here is licking the jelly off her toast....she wouldn't even touch the scarmbled eggs. *sigh*

Here's a breakdown of M's eating preferences (and yes, I realize I'm probably the only one that cares, which I totally understand).

- She won't eat regular oatmeal...so I'm still feeding her Gerber Baby Oatmeal in the mornings...for the past few weeks I have occasionally started adding a couple big spoonfuls of regular oatmeal to her mix (I eat the rest of the regular oatmeal - which is why I only do it occasionally). I hope to continue to increase the regular oatmeal until she's ok with regular oatmeal. Currently, she's ok with the mixture...but she will refuse to eat straight oatmeal still.

- She eats lots of crunchy snack type food - like cheerios, crackers, chips, etc.

- She loves trying fruits and eats them whole - her favorites are grapes, watermelon, and berries.

- She only eats squash, green beans, and sweet potatoes pureed - she used to eat carrots...but not any more. She also has tried corn...but didn't like it. She also doesn't like regular mashed potatoes for some reason...

- She won't eat any type of meat or bean - although she once ate half of a chicken nugget.

- She LOVES french fries. (Who doesn't!?)

- She won't eat sliced bread - regular or toasted - in strips or chunks - or whole so she can take her own bites...she just won't eat it. Seriously, who doesn't like bread?!

- She ONLY loves bread sticks and the pizza sauce from Casey's.

- She used to eat quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches...but won't eat them anymore. I suppose I should try again one of these days....

-She likes cottage cheese, cheese cubes (but not slices *sigh*), and yogurt.

-She used to eat bananas whole, but will now only tolerate them occasionally mashed in her oatmeal.

-She loves Mac-n-Cheese...but only Easy Mac - not from any restaurants.

-I've tried scrambled eggs a few times...they are a no-go.

As a first-time and overly anxious Mommy, I'm not sure how I should be handling this...but it seriously gives me major anxiety if I start thinking about it too much because I just get worried about her not having a healthy and balanced diet. I've googled and googled and googled...and have contemplated calling our doctor. But...I guess I'm choosing to vent on the blog instead for now...

I've let her try lots of food...and she does put things in her mouth but spits them out. Also, once she doesn't like something she throws it off her tray...she doesn't want it anywhere near her. I guess I have to give her credit for at least trying the food.

A few weeks ago, I tried a semi-pureed organic beef lasagna mix (mush). She cried when I set it front of her. She eventually played with it a bit and I saw her lick her fingers...but when I finally got her to try a spoonful...once it was in her mouth she cried! I've had the same reaction when I've given her spaghetti...with no meat even...just marinara sauce and noodles.

What in the heck am I supposed to do when she cries?! Of course I gave her something she wanted. the thought of her going to bed hungry makes me sad.

I know that it could take like 10+ times of trying something before they may like it...so maybe I'm just not being patient and persistent enough?

She also only has her first 4 molars (one on each side top and bottom) so maybe she just needs more teeth to chew better since she still doesn't have all her teeth. Maybe she'll just grow out of this phase?

I think the real issue is that I feel like it's all my fault. I'm feeling a lot of Mommy-Guilt for not helping her/teaching her/encouraging her to enjoy food more...and for maybe being to hesitant on the foods I would let her try when she was younger?! I just don't know...but I just feel like it's my fault. :'(

Ok...my whining is done. *sigh* Sorry for the kinda 'blah-blah downer' post...but that's life, too, I guess.

**I wrote this post about 3 weeks ago and then just couldn't decide if I wanted to post it since it was kinda me just complaining...but...I decided to anyways.**

UPDATE: As Of This Week

I have a new positive update...M will eat banana - chocolate chip pancakes now!!! :) I cannot even tell you how happy that makes me! Yes, I put some mini-chocolate chips in them...and yes, I call them, "pancake muffins" (since she likes muffins). But, I'm just so happy she is eating something new (I had previously tried pancakes a while ago and she refused). And, I'm happy because pancakes are something that I can add other fruits to in order to help balance her diet. :) (Oh, and no syrup for her M...I added lots of mashed banana so they were pretty moist.)

SUCCESS! M enjoyin' her pancake-muffins.

Overall, I have just kept reminding myself that Madison is a healthy little girl. She sleeps great and is very active and happy. I think I just need to relax, and continue to let her try new foods at her own pace. I have been feeling much better the past couple weeks compared to how I was feeling when I first started writing this post.

Oh, and random update - I'm starting to let her practice drinking from a cup!

Foto Friday - M's New Friend!

Madison, and her newest friend, Sarah Grace, enjoying themselves at the park yesterday.

It's gonna be a great summer!

19 Months

WHAT? I'm how old?

I almost forgot that she turned 19 months last Tuesday, so we had to go out after her nap for pictures. She of course was SO excited to play, and I'm not that great of a photographer, so I only got a few good ones. Oh well.

Onto the updates:

Here are her favorite words this last month:

Byeeee (doesn't really say 'Hi' to anyone anymore...)

Thanks (sounds like 'tanks')

MaMa and Mom (says these a lot - she no longer calls me Baa)

Mine

Cheese (for 'please')

Dog-Dogs

Benny

Daddy? (while shrugging her shoulders and looking around)

Yeeaaahhhh!

She also 'says' a lot of other words for things, but I'm usually the only one that understands her. Haha!

She's SO great at following directions, so I know she understands a lot...probably even more than I imagine.

When we get ready to leave, she likes helping you find and put on your shoes.

In our kitchen, she tries to do the splits, and loves sliding her feet out when she's wearing socks.

She also lays on her belly and pushes herself backwards on our kitchen floor.

She will pat the couch or floor beside her if she wants you to sit and join her. It's so sweet!

She loves being chased and running around like a crazy girl.

She LOVES singing 5 Little Monkeys, Old McDonald, BINGO, and 5 Little Ducks. I should clarify...I do the singing (yikes), she sometimes sings or hums and always does the hand motions. (I really need to get this on video. I am putting a reminder note to myself on my phone right now!)

She likes to try and count things...I am really working with her. She points her little finger and goes to each object. She knows that two comes after one, but she's still working on showing me 2 with her little fingers.

I'm doing a whole post on her eating habits because they frustrate me...so...that'll be up soon.

She still only has 12 teeth...still waiting on the rest.

Well, that's it for now...here's a few more pictures from Tuesday.

See ya! I'm off to play!

She's posing with her Winnie.

CHEESE!

M is becoming so opinionated and quite the little character...it's been so fun watching her grow and develop into her own little person. We love her more than anything!

P.S. I know I'm crazy...but I'm already starting to think about her 2nd birthday party theme!!! Don't tell Josh!!! :)

Foto Friday - 5 Seconds

She wasn't left unattended...I promise!

In the time it took me to bend over and put something away in my kitchen cupboard...she had scaled the kitchen chair and hit the jackpot of my laptop, her snack cup, and the remotes! (I'm surprised she didn't see my Culver's drink! Thanks goodness!)

I hafta remember to keep all the chairs pushed in...for now, that seems to deter her a bit from climbing them!

Welcome To Your 30s Josh!

Happy 30th Birthday to the most SPECTACULAR husband and father in the world!

Since Josh is entering his THIRD decade of life...I have composed a list of THREE reasons why Josh is just SO spectacular:

1. Josh is extremely hard-working and makes many sacrifices to ensure M and I are happy and well-taken care of.

2. Josh is generous with both M and I and gives lots of hugs, kisses, and compliments just about every day!

3. Not only is Josh my best friend...he is also a great family member and friend to all the people in our lives. He is truly one of the most caring and thoughtful people I know.

To be honest, I started this post wanting to name 30 reasons why I love Josh.. But 30...that's a lot! I mean, he's pretty awesome and all...but yeah...30 is a lot. However, I also found it hard to narrow it down just to three. :)

He is working all day today (see item #1 above)...so we will celebrate as a family of 3 later on tonight. We have a family birthday party this weekend! So there will be more birthday updates with more pictures...of course I can't have too many posts without a picture of our little M! Ha!

Foto Friday - Just Chillin'

Happy Friday!

(She actually does really great (so far) with only coloring on her pads of paper!)