Everyone has their pet peeves

That can't be comfortable, right?



***I should clarify that I don't think all headbands on babies are bad. Just the tight ones.

Summa

Drew Jones is nearing his official transition into Summa Drew.

You can imagine our excitement.

So I've been thinking of all that we'll do and things that will make it feel all summery and good.

I decided to make a list because I am a Mom now and that is what we do.

Here is what we've come up with so far:

1.
For the first time since Christmas we are going on a long road trip. (Lord hear our prayers)

NASHVILLE! GOOD FRIENDS! COWBOY BOOTS! SOUTHERN ACCENTS! WOOP WOOP!

via

2.
Columbus Art Festival! ART AND ELEPHANT EARS?

FTLOG YES.

3.
Drew Jones and I are getting babysitter and seeing this movie goshdarnit.

The only things that could make the anticipation better is if Tim Riggins or RG were in it. 

Amen?

4.
Drew Jones and only watched the second to last show and end of the finale of American Idol. And ya'll even in that little of time I can tell that Phil Phillips is legit.

I think we've found our summer anthem:

5.
We just got a Zoo membership so you better believe we'll be haulin' it out to Powell to see those flamingos on the regular.

6.
The Scioto Mile Fountain! It is freeeeee! Westley loves water but isn't big enough to justify spending money on expensive waterpark tickets so this will be perfect!

7.
Summer would not be complete without some sort of home improvement project (or two). So here are three (hi Drew Jones!).

A: Granite paint for countertops.

Do you think this is legit?
Because I want to do it to our green countertops
that look just like the sad before like yesterday


B:
Paint our dingy stairwell and hallway.

Just something neutral.
Oh and might as well throw the bathroom in there too.


C:
Paint our our remaining plain dining room chairs some fun colors.

via

I think we've got some fun colors already, but we may have to check out the oops paint at Home Depot and see what we come across.


8.
The Columbus Museum of Art has this great looking exhibition called "The Radical Camera" I have been wanting to check out. New York's Photo League images capturing 1936-1951. From what I have heard the images are vulnerable and revealing. So yeah put that on the list.

9.
Because Drew will be home we will have more time to work on our shop! I have had so many ideas that I have just not had the time for and so I hope to experiment some and come up with some fresh concepts! I think we'll be adding some Drew Jones art as well so look out for thaaaaat.

10.
I'd really really like to do this again.

And that is what I've got so far folks.

What is on your list of things to do this summa?
Got any good plans or ideas?

Westley & Drew

Drew gives Westley a bath and gets him dressed for bed every night.

And I basically sit downstairs and decompress or clean up the house. I'll come up after awhile to see if they are ready for me to put him to bed.

The other day I went upstairs and as I rounded the corner came upon this:

Past bedtime
Pants on his head
Playing in his diaper pail.


"He won't let me take them off his head. He cries and tries to put them back on"

On another note, if I had a dollar for how many photos on this blog have a laundry basket looming in the background somewhere...I'd have like 50 bucks.

Someday I'll know how to balance laundry in my life.

Or not.

More likely not.

Summer is Imminent

 And I am re-stocking the etsy store with colorful necklaces. 

This one here is the only one of its kind. 

Get it while it's hot.

Click!

Shop!

Things I've Learned

I'm only 28, but I've learned some good lessons, big and small, in my life so far.

I know I'll share these lessons with Westley and our other future children. I'll totally be the Mother-in-Law who is like, "Oh honey make sure to register for high thread count sheets, you'll thank me later." and weird out not only Westley but his future spouse. I'm okay with this because come on, good sheets can make all the difference.

Anyway, I was thinking that it might be fun to create designs of these lessons so I have them forever remembered in black and white.  And  then eventually I'll bind them as a book for our kiddos. That way it is kind of cheeky and funny but you know, still helpful.

Anyway, I've already started making them and thought I would start sharing.

I'm also putting them in our shop. Because I have a suspicion that I am not the only one to have learned these lessons and you might like a print of it yourself!

The images shown here are not print quality but you can purchase 5x7 prints on watercolor paper here at our shop!

Feeding Westley

Feeding your baby can be confusing business. Especially when you first start with solid baby food and your baby isn't taking to it. And people start asking if he is self-feeding yet when he is like 6 month and you're like, "Um he is still nursing 8 times a day and gags on smooshed bananas." And then you see the split second judgey glint in their eyes because we Americans want our babies to be INDEPENDENT ASAP and you feel like a failure because you have a sneaking suspicion your baby will be independent soon enough and don't mind nursing 8 times a day when he's 6 months old thankyouverymuch.

So naturally I casually asked the doctor about it at a check up. I say casually because he is quick to tell me to relax about everything. I AM RELAXED YOU RELAX.

He really helped me though, he said in his matter-of-fact way, "Don't over think it. When he is hungry he will eat. Just keep offering it and eventually he'll want it."

Truth. Total truth. So if you are having a hard time getting your baby to eat solid foods, RELAX. Now feel free to comment, "NO YOU RELAX".  I understand.

We are beyond pureed baby food now and on to little diced up regular food. Which seems like it would be easier, and in some ways it is. But to be real with you, I definitely googled "what do you feed your baby after pureed food". I am not really that great at googling, clearly. Of course the BabyCenter site came up, but didn't really help a lot. I wanted clear answers. I wanted brand names and food items listed and times and schedules. Didn't get it. So I just had to figure it out myself, like the olden days before magical wonderful google. I am posting this now though, so other people can use google magic and get a bit of help. 

Okay, on with it.

Westley is 1 year old and eats:
3 meals
1-2 snacks
& nurses 4 times
a day.

Here is our schedule:
7am - wake and nurse
8am - breakfast
9am - nap
10:30am - wake
11am - snack
12pm - lunch
1:30pm - nurse and nap
3pm  - wake
3:30pm - snack
5pm - dinner
6pm - bath
6:30pm - nurse and sleep for the night*

Yes most of my days are spent preparing food, serving food, cleaning up food and being food. The bits of time inbetween all the fooding is spent on walks, running quick errands and playing.

*quick note on naps and sleep* I know to some of ya'll this might seem like an early bedtime. We found it to be better for Westley though. We found the details of when to nap and sleep through the book, Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child. I know everyone has a book they try to push on you when you are trying to navigate parenthood so I guess this is mine. This one helped us a lot and it is worth a look if you are interested, but no pushy-ness. Just there if you're looking.

And now for what we feed Westley:

Breakfast foods (these can also be used in any other meal category):

-Those snack pack sizes of Dole pears, peaches and other fruit. I get the ones with no sugar added in their own juice. I cut them up a little smaller than they are already but they are nice because they are already soft and cut up a little and easy to transport.

- Greek Yogurt - You can get it with fruit in it or vanilla flavored or whatever. This stuff is PACKED with good fat and protein so I'm all about it. Yes, it also has sugar in it so go sparingly if you are worried about that.

- Diced Banana - Yep.

- Veggie Pancakes - I have found that I can put anything in pancakes and Westley will eat them. I just saute whatever it is I want to put in the pancake first to soften in and warm it a bit. Then I mix up regular old Bisquick, add a crap ton of veggies and make like a regular pancake on the stove. I make a bunch at the beginning of the week and have them in a tupperware in the fridge. He eats them cold most of the time. I just tear them up into strips and he takes bites of them. He loves it because he feels like a big boy holding a big piece of food instead of his usually diced up bits. But the pancakes are so soft and thin that it is safe and he doesn't choke. I have done spinach and yellow and green zuchinni and carrot so far. I have started experimenting with seasoning as well. Just have fun with it! And if you want to use organic or whole wheat bisquick type stuff then go for it. I am just using what I have in my pantry until it runs out and then I will look around at different pancake mix options.

- Cheerios - Classic. Also used at snack time sometimes.

- Oatmeal - Usually babies want whatever YOU are having to eat. So have oatmeal and share. Maybe not the way Alicia Silverstone shares, but you know just normal type sharing.

Lunch and Dinner foods:

- Morning Star Veggie Burgers -  Westley loves em' and I feel good giving them to him. Also super easy to make. Just throw one in the microwave for 1.5 minutes, let it cool and its good to cut up and give him.

- Avocado - is like manna from heaven and Westley loves it. He can eat a half of one in one sitting. I just cut it open, dice it while it is still in the skin and then scoop it out onto his tray.

- Cottage Cheese - Easy and loved by babies everywhere.

- Frozen vegetables are your friend - Heat em' up, let em cool dice em' smaller if needed and serve. Easy and good.

- Rice - I found these packets of rice the you just microwave and serve. I get the whole grain ones and add some small veggies (like peas, carrots) to those and he eats it most days.

- Whole grain kraft mac n cheese - Not the most nutritious option, but the kid loves it and I always serve it with something else that is green. And its whole grain so I don't feel terrible about it. Its more of a treat meal really. I don't do this a lot. You can add steamed chopped spinach or peas to it to nutrient it up a bit. If the packet of yellow kraft cheese seasoning scares you just make your own whole grain mac with the pasta, butter, little milk and shredded cheddar.

- Food from your own meal just cut up small - Just make sure it isn't too spicy. Common sense.

- Flavored black beans, corn and rice - Just drain some black beans and throw them on a skillet with corn. Add some seasoning, sprinkle a little cheese on it and serve with rice. Lots of little bits for little baby mouth.

- Grilled Marinated Chicken cut in little bits - Yum.

- Hotdogs - Before you gasp (too late?), YES I KNOW THEY ARE A CHOKING HAZARD. I also know that they are made out of the grossest parts ever. Stay with me. I only buy Hebrew National or Nathan's Brand. They use the best cuts of all beef and no gross parts. I cook them and cut them up reaaaaaaal tiny so that choking isn't an issue.

- Diced Roasted Vegetables - I diced up some sweet potatoes this week, tossed em' in some olive oil and baked them at 450 for 10 minutes. He'll eat them cold or warmed up and I can store them and use them through the week.

 - Quinoa - Truth is, Westley gagged on this. But it is really healthy and high in protein so I am throwing it out there for you in case your baby likes it better. Worth a try!

- Scrambled Egg - Again, gag city for Westley, but could work for you.

- Snacks/Treats -

- Ritz Crackers - I know they are worthless calories. I KNOW. HE LOVES THEM THOUGH. And this kid eats friggen' avacado and spinach pancakes for breakfast. Give us a break. 

- Gerber Puffs - Look I know it's not like kale chips or something but you don't have to worry about them choking. Good practice in the beggining stages of eating of picking up little things and no worry is a good thing.

 - Bits of cut up cheese - I've mentioned a lot of dairy items on this post. I need to say that I usually give Westley ONE dairy item per day. Otherwise he gets stopped up pretty bad. 

 - Cut Fruit in his chewy mesh thing - That invention is genius. Just make sure you wash it out good.

Tips and tricks:

- Timing - Give the healthy stuff that some babies refuse at the beginning of the meal when they are most hungry. And if that fails then just put it in a pancake like me.

- Clean Up - We have a Scoutie dog who doubles a vacuum under Westley's high chair. If you don't have one of these then consider rolling your highchair outside onto a patio or porch in nice weather if you have that option and make the squirrels and birds happy.

- Fruit and Veggies in a pouch - For some reason slurping pureed food out of a pouch is more fun then being spoon fed. So when we are on the go of if Westley isn't feeling like eating his veggies I bust out one of these. He claps and eats and we live happily ever after.

- Babies are little people -  Babies are hungrier some days than others just like us, so don't freak out too much if yesterday they ate a huge lunch and today they aren't that interested. Also - they get tired of eating the same things sometimes. For awhile all Westley would eat is peas, then he wouldn't touch them other than to throw them on the floor for Scout. So I stopped serving them for awhile, brought them back a month later and he is loving them again.

- Make it look good - Like I said earlier, babies usually want whatever you are having. So humor them and pretend to be be indulging in whatever you want them to eat. It has to look really real though, like put it in a bowl you eat from and use a regular spoon. Babies are smart.

Now give me some tips! What did I miss? What do you feed your baby?

Happy Mother's Day

I was telling Drew Jones the other day, "I'm excited for Mother's Day because I've been a damn good Mom this year."

I reserve cusses for things I really mean.

I hope to be able to say that every year.

Drew got the baby up this morning and they went on a field trip while I slept in. They came back with a venti misto from Starbucks. I've got two sweet dudes, this I know for sure.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamas out there. And all the women who Mother, because being a Mom doesn't end with your own babes, you can Mother anyone in need of some comfort, love, tenderness and sound advice.

Weighing in on the Time Magazine Cover

So when I saw the cover my jaw dropped, just like yours.

Here is why:

That is not what breastfeeding looks like. Anyone who has ever breastfed or been around someone breastfeeding a baby child knows this. Everything about the photo looks like it was directly influenced by the person behind the camera...

I can see it now,

"Lets put your son on a chair here...

now look at me and don't smile. Put your hand on your hip...

Son, look into the camera over here, let your hands hang to your sides, there you go..."

and

SNAP

We have a photo that can be over-sexualized reaaaal quick and a woman who looks defiant. And with the headline "ARE YOU MOM ENOUGH?" well, she is looking self-righteous too.

Bummer.

Why?

Because I like to believe the best in people.

So I promptly went to her blog and started reading everything she wrote about breastfeeding.

You know what I found?

She is not self-righteous. Not in the least. In fact I would assume that if she knew what that photo would look like and knew what the headline to her story would be she wouldn't have agreed to it at all. Ya'll, she has an entire blog post dedicated to being an advocate for Moms who formula feed, almost scolding women who say hurtful things about it. This woman is graceful, understanding, an advocate for Mothers in general whatever route they decide in parenting, not just attachment parenting Moms who extend breastfeeding into childhood.

I think she was trying to help us breastfeeding Moms. Trying to forge ahead and be brave and show the world that breastfeeding is NOT weird. It is NOT gross.

Sadly, I think Time Magazine had other plans - selling magazines.

So now it feels like we have just taken steps backward instead of forward. Now all those people who give us dirty looks while we are feeding our infant under a nursing cover in a discreet corner of a department store have got fuel added to their ignorant fire. Not to mention Mommy-Wars.

I can only hope that people read her words in the actual article and that some even take it a step farther and read her blog. That way they can see past the sensational cover that, to me, has nothing to do with what this woman was actually trying to do or say.





 

Baby See Baby Do.

I usually get dressed and ready for the day after Westley's first nap.

Today as I was getting ready I gave him my turquoise necklace to play with. I was sitting in front of the mirror in our room clasping a different necklace around my neck. He crawled over to me and up onto my lap and held up the turquoise necklace to his chest. He looked in the mirror and cocked his head to the side as if deciding if the turquoise went with his navy long-sleeved onesie.

Then just moments later as I was putting on some blush he grabbed the make up brush out of my hand and swept it across his cheek and then turned and did the same to me.

So so sweet, and also probably a good thing that Dada will be home for the summer so we can even out the girl stuff he sees to boy stuff he sees ratio. 

Love this boy.

Dedication

A week before Westley turned one we participated in the Baby Dedication Ceremony at church. It was sweet and simple. Just right. Westley got all smiley and hammed it up when we stood up front and he saw all those faces of all the people looking his way. It was adorable and I'll never forget it.

• Do you today recognize your child as a gift of God and give heartfelt thanks for God's blessing?

• Do you now dedicate your child to the Lord who gave him to you, surrendering all worldly claims upon his life in the hope that he will belong wholly to God?

• Do you pledge as parents that, with God's fatherly help, you will bring up your child in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, making every reasonable effort, with patience and love, to build the Word of God, the character of Christ and the joy of the Lord into his life?

• Do you promise to provide, through God's blessing, for the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of your child, looking to your own heavenly Father for wisdom, love and strength to serve them and not use them?

• Do you promise, God helping you, to make it your regular prayer that, by God's grace, your child will come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins and for the fulfillment of all His promises to them, even eternal life; and in this faith follow Jesus as Lord and obey his teachings?

Yes. We do and we will.

I won't say that I haven't been hurt by Christians I trusted. By family who believes. I won't say that I don't have questions and that sometimes it all just seems crazy. But at the end of the day there is the undeniable truth to me that God is real. I have seen too much, I have experienced the calm and peace and supernatural strength of God. I have listened to his voice and it has led me to good things every time. I can tell Westley about that. I can tell him that he is no mistake. I can tell him that he is loved deeply by something greater than him and me and everything around us. I can tell him this and I will do my best to show him this in the everyday life we live as a family.

Westley
I pray,
Wisdom.
Grace.
and a soft and open heart towards your Father.
In Jesus' name.

Amen.

Just a reminder

A thought I had today that I decided deserved ecard status.

Feel free to pin and show to your husbands.

Westley's 1st Birthday Party!

Ya'll I was still cookin' in my slips and apron with my hair un-did when family started coming through the door. I tell you this to say, I didn't really have a lot of time to pause and take beautiful, thoughtful photos of the decor and what not, but lets be real, it doesn't really matter. It's all about Westley James turning one and Drew and I being a Mama and Dada for a whole year and all the people gathering in our home that love him too.

It was a packed house, a whirlwind, so much fun, lots of laughs and smiles and happiness.  We really had a great time celebrating our son! OUR SON! Still catches my heart to say I HAVE A SON! HE IS ONE! AH! BEST!

So here are some photos I did managed to snap!

Drew Jones fancied up our chalkboard in the kitchen with a little Westley in a sailboat. He made him nakey as you see. It is his favorite way to be and thus apropo.

  You notice those photos behind Westley? His growth photos from week one to one year!

My triumphant three layer cake and smash cake. I made the little flags from muslin and dowels and stamped "WESTLEY" and "ONE" on them. 

I made the centerpieces from tin planters I found at the Target dollar spot. I made the sails by cutting white card stock into sail shapes and then hot glued them to a dowel. The little flag is just red felt. I glued the dowel to the bottom of the tin and voila! SAILBOAT! I filled the tins with mint lifesavers and swedish fish in keeping with our nautical theme!

 

 I made the flag bunting out of some fabric I had laying around. I just cut the little flags and hot glued them onto white rope cord I found at Micheals for $2.

He is opening a Powerwheel from his Pappy. 

Pow-Pow-Powerwheel! King of the Road!

I cannot stop singing that.

Or being jealous because I totally wanted one of those my entire childhood.

I wonder if it can hold my weight...

Look at all that love.

 New hat, new toy!

 Radio Flyer!

 Party Favors!

Westley did such a great job and was his sweet self for the whole party. Drew and I were so happy that he let his little personality come out with everyone there. Such a treat!

And now for a nice long, sometimes shaky but completely adorable video of Westley eating his Birthday cake. 

Thank you to all the Aunts and Uncles and Grandmas and Grandpas that came from near and far!

It was such a memorable and fun time and it is thanks to all the love you brought into our little home and gave to Westley!