joie

Blind leading the blind weaning

When Gabe was an infant I couldn't WAIT to start feeding him food. I had my food mill and mini processor at the ready, my freezer full of organic purees of all sorts prepared with love and anticipation. I loved feeding him and he loved his food. At 11 months, I found out I was pregnant again and my milk supply really decreased. He sort of gradually lost interest in nursing and at 11 1/2 months he weaned himself. Two weeks of formula and then at his first birthday, on to cow's milk, never looking back.

The second time around has been soooo different. First of all Eloise had no interest in anything but milk for 7 1/2 months. At first I felt horrible. I was doing something wrong if she wasn't moving on to the next stage on schedule. But I knew she got everything she needed from her favorite food: mama's milk. So, I have to admit, some days I just forgot to try with the baby food. Of course I am busier and more tired with two. I can't imagine finding the time to make homemade babyfood. Most meals both of the parents in our house are on high alert incase the toddler goes ballistic and starts grabbing and throwing, bracing ourselves for the nightly scream fest. So I usually just found something on my plate that she wouldn't choke on and put it in front of her. When I became aware that the AAP loosened its recommendations since Gabe was a baby, well, it became a lazy mom free for all. I asked my pediatrician before I gave Eloise peanut butter, of course. The doctor complimented me for being such a savvy mom (blush) and said, "sure, just keep a bottle of Benadryl near by--just in case." Seriously, this id as really what she said.

Now Eloise eats whatever the rest of us eat. She loves EVERYTHING and it is sooo easy. Of course, her favorite food is still stored on Mama's chest. I had no idea this had a name and so much was written about my way of NOT putting any effort into feeding my baby. I feel really good about the fact that I am giving my child "the perfect food" and all, but I have to tell you, that's not necessarily the top reason I do. Even if La Leche League endorsed a formula that every scientist in the world unanimously agreed was the best thing ever for babies, I'd breastfeed. I am one of the lucky ones. It came easy for me and my babies. Always ready and at arm's reach. Nothing to think about. Perfect for a lazy mom like me.

And the only time I've EVER used the Benadryl was one time when Gabe was having trouble falling asleep and happened to have a very runny nose.

Sometimes a boy just needs to release a little tension

After one of THOSE nights (when you think you were up with the kid all night long and in the morning compare notes with your spouse and find its worse than you thought...), the morning started off...energetic?...busy?...manic? Well, like this: Before 8 am Gabe had eaten breakfast, tortured the cat several times, done three puzzles, emptied a drawer of kitchen utensils on to the floor, played with his bowling set, had a snack, knocked over his play kitchen and all its contents, pushed his little sister down several times, colored, and VERY reluctantly and with much urging, "helped" clean most of it up. at 8 am, Mama resorted to TV. Eloise took a nap and the cat enjoyed a break from the tail pulling. Ahhhhhh...peace.

When it was over he seemed sweet and calm. So deceptive. Because then it was time to get dressed. Like we always do. Everyday. Without complaint. I wish someone had warned me that today was the day wearing pants was going to RUIN Gabe's life. Its music class day. My bottom line is you need to wear pants to music class. Wear last seasons trends, mix plaids and stripes for all I care, but you must wear pants. In the midst of throwing toys at me and screaming while stomping his feet frantically, he started demanding "Ssssnaaaack!"

Okay, good distraction, "What kind of snack would you like?"

"SSSSSSNAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!"

"Do you want an orange?"

"NO!"

"crackers?"

"NO!"

"banana?"

"NNNNOOOOO!"

"What kind of snack do you want?"

"Ssssnaaaack!"

"pretzels?"

"NNNNOOOOO!"

And here is where Mama paused momentarily and took a sanity break. Nothing was going to make this kid happy. So I sort of followed an impulse. And tickled him. I tickled him until he was belly laughing and begging for more. Attitude successfully readjusted.