Mommy Tips: Time to Eat!

I don't know who was traumatized more when it was time to introduce solid foods. Junebug seemed to hate it and I was not happy about putting anything in her body other than nature's perfect food. I actually considered breast feeding Junebug until her 18th birthday. Obviously, that's not gonna work! One option that makes me feel better is making my own food. Nuke a sweet potato, throw it in the blender and voila! No preservatives, chemicals, etc. I read recently that Gerber food in a jar has a shelf life of TWO YEARS! Do you know how many preservatives have to be involved for that to happen? Every time I walk by those little jars at the market I get completely freaked out! But in order to get to my homemade, yummy, safe food I had to cross the cereal hurdle. I chose the most organic looking cereal at Whole Foods and read the ingredients. Lotsa big words... that's not a good sign but I guess I have no choice. You always have to start with cereal. So we did and we got through it. Here are a few tips that helped me along the way:

1. Babies don't hate the taste of the cereal, they just don't know how to eat: when I first started feeding Junebug, she spit everything out and I interpreted that as she hated the food but I quickly realized that she just didn't know the feeling of f00d going down her throat or in her mouth. Once she learned what to do, she was fine.

2. It's actually possible to microwave the cereal for 5-10 seconds.

3. The doctor recommends introducing one food at a time for three days. Do not introduce more than one food at a time because if the baby has an allergic reaction you won't know which food caused the reaction.

4. I recommend the munchkin brand spoons. They are the best for shoveling in the food.

5. Always put a bib on the baby and keep a damp wash cloth close by. This cereal and food gets really hard and crusty on the high chair and it's easier to clean when it's fresh and not after the fact.

Yay for Great Grandma Gay!

Dear Junebug,

We had a great Thanksgiving yesterday. I hope you enjoyed your first "turkey day". We spent the day at Grandma and Grandpa's house and you ate a nice big portion of liquified turkey and carrots. It's been a hard week since Lola has been gone but it's important to celebrate the people who are in our lives and not dwell on those loved ones who have passed. Today I was thinking how lucky you are to have 3 Great Grandmothers still alive and well. You loved meeting your Great Grandma Gay this summer and we wish she was close by so we could be with her. I've learned so much from my Grandma Gay. She's got an incredible eye for antiques and is a siamese cat lover, major bird watcher and world traveler. She could tell you great stories... she even used to be a cowgirl! Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks and I say we give thanks for our Great Grandma Gay!

XO

Mommy

Imagine Drinking This!

Dear Junebug,

With your first holiday season fast approaching, I can't help but think about all the little babies out in the world that won't even have clean water to drink. They won't have milk either! Because their Mommies don't have enough water, their bodies can't make breast milk to feed their children. Over 1.1 BILLION people don't have clean water to drink. It's going to be a long time before you can understand what this means but I feel like I have to tell you about this right away so you never grow up taking your life for granted. I hope you grow up to love this cause as much as I do.

XO

Mommy

Note: Great organization that builds clean water solutions for the world: Generosity Water

photo courtesty of our friends at Charity Water

State of the Union: 7 Months

Weight: 16 lb. 9 oz.

Height: 26 1/4 inches

Gained 1 1/2 inches and 1 lb. this month

Currently sitting in the 50% in both height and weight

Feeding: 3 meals of solids (cereals, veggies, fruits, pureed proteins, yogurt, tofu, egg yolk)

Sleep: still waking up twice before 6am mainly because of teething and new poopy schedule

Activity: rolling, scooting around, screeching, saying mamamama and "hi", sucking on Mommy's face and pinching other people's faces, smiling and laughing a lot.

LOLA 1999-2009

Dear Junebug,

I don't even know how to start to explain this to you... Your beloved doggie is no longer going to be with us. I'm glad you are too little to understand this because I would never want you to feel the pain and sorrow that Mommy and Daddy are feeling right now. Before you were born Lola was our baby as well as our protector and friend. But despite always being number one around here, she has loved you so much since the day you came home. You may have noticed she would lay down in the doorway of your nursery. That was her way of protecting you. When we told her she wasn't allowed to sleep in our bed anymore (Mommy was afraid that if you were on the bed Lola could jump up and hurt you) she was okay with that and never complained.

She's been suffering from this awful disease called cancer and after 3 months it finally got to the point where she couldn't be herself anymore. I hope someday you will experience the unconditional and amazing love of a puppy dog. Until then we live with the incredible memories of our Lola dog.

XO

Mommy

Note:

Special Thanks to the Sherman Oaks Veterinary Group for handling our situation this morning with the utmost care and class. If anyone ever finds themselves in a position to have to put their dog down I highly recommend going here. http://www.shermanoaksveterinarygroup.com/

Also -

Dr. Nancy Scanlan treated Lola's cancer with acupuncture and herbs. She was amazing.

818-784-9977

Trend Alert! Boho Chic!

Dear Junebug,

We L-O-V-E this jumper our friend Edna gave us from Bonpoint... you look like such a chic little Bohemian party girl. And smart to pair it up with your silver faux python skin gladiator sandals!

XO

Mommy

Time to say Goodbye...

Dear Junebug,

Your surroundings have been looking a little different lately. That's because we moved! Sorry if it's been confusing. I'm working hard to get your new digs up and running but in the meantime here are some pics of your first nursery on Crescent Heights so we can remember all the good times we shared there.

XO

Mommy

Credits:

Keep Calm and Carry On Print - Etsy

Crib - Shabby Chic

Bumpers - custom made from an Indian quilt purchased at ABC Carpet and Home NYC

Crib fitted sheet - Home on Montana Ave.

Missoni throw blanket - Lost and Found in Hollywood

Area Rug - Madeline Weinrib

Glider and Ottoman - Serena and Lily (Astbury Glider)

Indian throw - Target

Leather magazine container - West Elm

Changing Table/Dresser - Weego Baby in Santa Monica

Indian Painting - framed hand painted pillow sham from John Robshaw

Day bed - CB2

Day bed cover - fitted sheets from Company Store

Throw Pillow on daybed - John Robshaw

Horse - Neiman Marcus (courtesy of Nanna and Poppi)

Funnygirl print - Movie Poster.com

Floor lamp - Shades of Light

Hot pink lamp shade - Fantasy Lighting

Drapes - Restoration Hardware

I Want Candy!

Dear Junebug,

I keep meaning to tell you about your first Halloween. I had all kinds of costumes in mind for you... everything from a little devil to a piece of shrimp sushi but ultimately we went with this little pink skeleton number which you loved very much. If you rolled up to my doorstep in your little carriage I'd give you a trick AND a treat!

XO

Mommy

Happy Birthday to Mommy

Dear Junebug,

Your Mommy turned 38 years old today. I'm sure if you could talk you would wish me a Happy Birthday! We laid in bed this morning and watched the sunrise together which was even better. I just want you to know that if I never received another birthday gift for the rest of my life it would be okay because the best gift I ever got was you.

I love you.

XO

Mommy