As parents, of course we’re supposed to set a good example for our kiddos…and the area of eating is a big one for me.
I wrote a couple of weeks ago about sweets. While I could polish off most of a pan of brownies, along with a pint of ice cream to help wash it down…I am trying to teach my girls by example how to enjoy such treats in moderation…to appreciate the yummy-ness, but not overindulge.
It’s probably not a secret that I’m really proud of how well my girls eat. They eat a really balanced diet, and they’ll try (and usually like) most anything I put on their plates.
I was thinking about it a week or so ago, that I don’t think our girls have EVER eaten a meal without fresh fruit. I serve fresh fruit three times a day at home. And – while I’ve greatly pared down the paraphernalia I take when we eat out – I still carry a bowl of grapes or diced strawberries when we go to a restaurant that doesn’t offer fruit on their menu.
And then it occurred to me that I am the one that needs to learn from their example in this case.
Not only am I trying to set a good example for my girlies, I’m trying to do what I can to take good care of myself so I can be around for a long, long time.
So on this note, I’m taking a page from my girlies.
It’s nothing to wash a few extra strawberries to share with them at lunch, or peel another orange so we can all have juice dripping off our chins at supper.
It’s an easy lesson…and a yummy one, too…and a little reminder that this parenting gig is a two-way street in a million different wonderful ways.
Ticker
August 9, 2011
August 7, 2011
Mama Loves: Standing the Test of Time
Over the past few months, I had gotten waaaay behind on editing and printing pictures. I've been working so hard this week to catch up (and I'm almost done!!!)
One of the nice things about going through several months' worth of photos at once is that I feel like I have better perspective...it's actually easier to step back and appreciate the changes and the trends.
One constant in every month's photo collection is seeing our girls in their high chairs (where they're forced to be still for the picture!), and most often wearing their bibs.
When the girls started feeding themselves "big people food", around 14 months or so, I was anxious to buy those vinyl bibs that you just wipe clean. We went through several iterations until I finally found what I believe is The World's Perfect Bib.
These bibs from Bumkins are fantastic...they are water-proof, they wipe clean after each meal, and then I can throw them in the washer (and hang to dry) at the end of the day.
I love the confidence that the girls have clean bibs. And, as evidenced by these photos, the bibs have definitely stood the test of time at our house!
Here are the girls at 16 months, having enjoyed some meatballs in spaghetti sauce, avocado, and blackberries...
...and here are the girls on the 1/2 birthday, at 30 months, digging some strawberry cake!
Yup, these are the same bibs! I have eight them, meaning I can go up to four days between loads of laundry.
I'm linking up with my dear friend Julia at Pontifications of a Twin Mom, as part of her new weekend series, "Mama Loves"...a way for us mamas to share with each other some of our favorite things, things that help make our lives just a little bit easier.
Pop on over and check her out! (And she *might* just have a giveaway going on right now, too...one of her favorite things!)
*I was in no way compensated for this post...I just love these bibs, and wanted to share!
One of the nice things about going through several months' worth of photos at once is that I feel like I have better perspective...it's actually easier to step back and appreciate the changes and the trends.
One constant in every month's photo collection is seeing our girls in their high chairs (where they're forced to be still for the picture!), and most often wearing their bibs.
When the girls started feeding themselves "big people food", around 14 months or so, I was anxious to buy those vinyl bibs that you just wipe clean. We went through several iterations until I finally found what I believe is The World's Perfect Bib.
These bibs from Bumkins are fantastic...they are water-proof, they wipe clean after each meal, and then I can throw them in the washer (and hang to dry) at the end of the day.
I love the confidence that the girls have clean bibs. And, as evidenced by these photos, the bibs have definitely stood the test of time at our house!
Here are the girls at 16 months, having enjoyed some meatballs in spaghetti sauce, avocado, and blackberries...
...and here are the girls on the 1/2 birthday, at 30 months, digging some strawberry cake!
Yup, these are the same bibs! I have eight them, meaning I can go up to four days between loads of laundry.
I'm linking up with my dear friend Julia at Pontifications of a Twin Mom, as part of her new weekend series, "Mama Loves"...a way for us mamas to share with each other some of our favorite things, things that help make our lives just a little bit easier.
Pop on over and check her out! (And she *might* just have a giveaway going on right now, too...one of her favorite things!)
*I was in no way compensated for this post...I just love these bibs, and wanted to share!
August 6, 2011
Packing It In
Yesterday was Daddy's last day of summer vacation. With the weather having been SO HOT most of the summer, there are quite a few items from my Summer List that we haven't done.
I decided to pack a couple of adventures into our last day...eat an ice cream cone...and play in the dancing fountains downtown.
(My girlfriend suggested several weeks ago that those activities would go well together...that the girls could get all messy eating ice cream, and then they could "hose off" in the fountains. At the time, I secretly thought that sounded a little barbaric...but I finally decided it was a pretty good idea!)
Eat and Ice Cream Cone
Of course the girls have had ice cream before, but never in a cone. And I much prefer them having "real" ice cream from the local dairy farm, but I figured some good old-fashioned Dairy Queen soft serve would be easier to eat. (And I grew up on the stuff, and I figure I turned out OK!)
Clapping for ice cream...
The first few licks...
Baby A...
Baby B figured out she could eat the cone, too!
I decided to pack a couple of adventures into our last day...eat an ice cream cone...and play in the dancing fountains downtown.
(My girlfriend suggested several weeks ago that those activities would go well together...that the girls could get all messy eating ice cream, and then they could "hose off" in the fountains. At the time, I secretly thought that sounded a little barbaric...but I finally decided it was a pretty good idea!)
Eat and Ice Cream Cone
Of course the girls have had ice cream before, but never in a cone. And I much prefer them having "real" ice cream from the local dairy farm, but I figured some good old-fashioned Dairy Queen soft serve would be easier to eat. (And I grew up on the stuff, and I figure I turned out OK!)
Clapping for ice cream...
The first few licks...
Baby A...
Baby B figured out she could eat the cone, too!
"Sissy has a mustache!" Baby B kept saying...little did she know that she had one, too!
Sitting pretty with Daddy after the arduous clean-up process, clapping once again in thanks...
The girls seemed to enjoy the experience, but my guess is that they would prefer the efficiency of a spoon. And Mommy is just fine with that, too!
I dressed the girls in their swimsuits before we left the house. I told them we weren't going swimming, but they would probably be getting wet.
The girls didn't quite know what to think at first... 
Sitting pretty with Daddy after the arduous clean-up process, clapping once again in thanks...
The girls seemed to enjoy the experience, but my guess is that they would prefer the efficiency of a spoon. And Mommy is just fine with that, too!Play in the Dancing Fountains Downtown
I dressed the girls in their swimsuits before we left the house. I told them we weren't going swimming, but they would probably be getting wet.
After we ate our ice cream, I told them we were going to play in the fountain downtown. Given their fascination with fountains over the past few months, they were ecstatic!
The girls didn't quite know what to think at first...
When the first few drops of water hit her, Baby A said, "Mommy go change my shirt!" She was ready to go! Baby B was so adventurous, though...she LOVED IT!!!
Baby B exuded such pure joy!!! A few times she really got surprised by the water, and I thought she was about to cry...but she'd catch her breath and get ready for more...she had a BLAST!!!
And I considered wearing my swimsuit, but I figured I wouldn't really get wet...but I just couldn't keep myself from running through the fountains with my girlies! I got soaked to the bone, and I seriously felt like a 12-year old!
This was definitely a fantastic Last Day of Summer Vacation, one for the memory books. Bliss!!!
August 5, 2011
Fab 5 Friday...and ME!!!
Thankful for another fabulous week!
1) Baby B has been calling to me, “Hey, Sweet Mommy!” I’m trying not to let her know it, but I think she could “buy” a lot with that precious phrase.
2) Baby A has been saying, in a perfectly dismissive manner, “Oh, I’m just being silly,” when I ask her about something. HA!
3) Thanks to some new play food, the girls have been really focused on artichokes this week. That of course meant we had to go out for spinach and artichoke dip, followed by a veggie pizza – with artichokes – on Wednesday night. The girls inhaled their spoils, and Mommy and Daddy had a great time, too.
4) On Thursday, on a whim, my dear twin mama friend Jenny and I decided to meet for a mid-morning snack. Two mommies…four two-year olds…no fussing or crying or running…AND some adult conversation, to boot! I’m hesitant to write it down for fear of jinxing future get-togethers…but it sure was fantastic while it lasted!
5) We had the girls’ pictures made on Sunday morning in the downtown square. The girls did really well, and so I decided to treat them to their first trip to the donut shop (they’ve only had donuts a couple of times before, on the road). I have to admit…I loved seeing my girlies with little smears of donut glaze on their chins.
And what did I do for ME this week???
Sadly, this is Daddy’s last week of summer break. I took advantage as best I could, and enjoyed a mid-afternoon pedicure on Wednesday, all by my lonesome. Ahhh!
(The following morning, Baby A pointed to my toes first thing…”Mommy got a pigicure,” she said. I don’t know if it was a pure mispronunciation…or if – at least on some level – she combined “pedicure” with “piggy toes”…HA!!!)
1) Baby B has been calling to me, “Hey, Sweet Mommy!” I’m trying not to let her know it, but I think she could “buy” a lot with that precious phrase.
2) Baby A has been saying, in a perfectly dismissive manner, “Oh, I’m just being silly,” when I ask her about something. HA!
3) Thanks to some new play food, the girls have been really focused on artichokes this week. That of course meant we had to go out for spinach and artichoke dip, followed by a veggie pizza – with artichokes – on Wednesday night. The girls inhaled their spoils, and Mommy and Daddy had a great time, too.
4) On Thursday, on a whim, my dear twin mama friend Jenny and I decided to meet for a mid-morning snack. Two mommies…four two-year olds…no fussing or crying or running…AND some adult conversation, to boot! I’m hesitant to write it down for fear of jinxing future get-togethers…but it sure was fantastic while it lasted!
5) We had the girls’ pictures made on Sunday morning in the downtown square. The girls did really well, and so I decided to treat them to their first trip to the donut shop (they’ve only had donuts a couple of times before, on the road). I have to admit…I loved seeing my girlies with little smears of donut glaze on their chins.
And what did I do for ME this week???
Sadly, this is Daddy’s last week of summer break. I took advantage as best I could, and enjoyed a mid-afternoon pedicure on Wednesday, all by my lonesome. Ahhh!
(The following morning, Baby A pointed to my toes first thing…”Mommy got a pigicure,” she said. I don’t know if it was a pure mispronunciation…or if – at least on some level – she combined “pedicure” with “piggy toes”…HA!!!)
August 3, 2011
Snuggle Time, Then and Now
I can't quite remember the circumstances around this picture...I'm assuming that Baby B was up early, and it wasn't quite time to eat, so Daddy was snuggling with her for a few minutes.
I do remember very clearly that I was not happy with this snuggle...I was so scared that her head would tilt too far forward and compromise her airway. I threatened Daddy that he'd better not go to sleep. And if you look closely, you can see he has one eye open.
Baby B was 6 weeks and 5 days old, and weighed 7 pounds and 11 ounces (per our infant scale, and thanks to the copious notes I took!).
This picture was taken last week. Baby A was still napping, and I asked Baby B if she wanted to snuggle with Daddy for a few minutes while I enjoyed a bit more time to myself.
In this picture, at two-and-a-half years, and about 26.5 pounds, Baby B is the one with her eyes open.
I'm linking up with the sweet and talented Miss Cheryl at Twinfatuation this morning...and appreciating while time may indeed fly, the sweetness always remains.
I do remember very clearly that I was not happy with this snuggle...I was so scared that her head would tilt too far forward and compromise her airway. I threatened Daddy that he'd better not go to sleep. And if you look closely, you can see he has one eye open.
Baby B was 6 weeks and 5 days old, and weighed 7 pounds and 11 ounces (per our infant scale, and thanks to the copious notes I took!).
This picture was taken last week. Baby A was still napping, and I asked Baby B if she wanted to snuggle with Daddy for a few minutes while I enjoyed a bit more time to myself.
In this picture, at two-and-a-half years, and about 26.5 pounds, Baby B is the one with her eyes open.
I'm linking up with the sweet and talented Miss Cheryl at Twinfatuation this morning...and appreciating while time may indeed fly, the sweetness always remains.
August 2, 2011
Perseverance and Changing Tastes
I LOVE roasted asparagus.
Drizzle a little olive oil, add a dash of Cajun seasoning…perfection will be mine in 12 to 15 minutes. I could eat an entire pound by myself, but I dutifully share (somewhat equally) with the hubs.
When the girls began eating table food, I wasn’t anxious to reduce my portion size exactly, but I was anxious for them to fall in love with one of Earth’s most perfect vegetables.
I gave them a sampling of the most tender stalks, and I stood back and waited.
They both spit them out.
That’s OK…we’ll try again. I’ve read on numerous occasions how it can take up to 15 times of sampling a new food for a child’s taste buds to acclimate.
So every time I made asparagus – at least a couple of times a month – I would serve some to the girls. And each time, they spit it out.
After a while, this almost became a source of “Are You Sure We’re Related?”
I had all but given up…but still, I dutifully gave the girls a sampling every couple of weeks.
The last time I made asparagus, I gave the girls their obligatory two bites. We were all eating supper, so I wasn’t paying super close attention…I think I almost choked on my asparagus when I heard a little voice say, “More asparagus, please!”
Really???
Sure enough, the girls magically decided they both liked asparagus! Yep, them’s my girls, after all! Between the two of them, they ate at least half of what I’d served myself.
And I was really content with sharing. Not only have my girls finally come around to enjoying one of my favorite veggies…in the meantime, Husband decided I “burned him out” on asparagus. He said the girls could have his portion.
Score, all around!
This lesson in perseverance and changing tastes brought to you by the Greater Council for the Promotion of Asparagus. [Not sure if there is such an organization…but if there is, and if they happen to read this post…I would welcome any coupons. Asparagus ain’t cheap!] :)
When the girls began eating table food, I wasn’t anxious to reduce my portion size exactly, but I was anxious for them to fall in love with one of Earth’s most perfect vegetables.
I gave them a sampling of the most tender stalks, and I stood back and waited.
They both spit them out.
That’s OK…we’ll try again. I’ve read on numerous occasions how it can take up to 15 times of sampling a new food for a child’s taste buds to acclimate.
So every time I made asparagus – at least a couple of times a month – I would serve some to the girls. And each time, they spit it out.
After a while, this almost became a source of “Are You Sure We’re Related?”
I had all but given up…but still, I dutifully gave the girls a sampling every couple of weeks.
The last time I made asparagus, I gave the girls their obligatory two bites. We were all eating supper, so I wasn’t paying super close attention…I think I almost choked on my asparagus when I heard a little voice say, “More asparagus, please!”
Really???
Sure enough, the girls magically decided they both liked asparagus! Yep, them’s my girls, after all! Between the two of them, they ate at least half of what I’d served myself.
And I was really content with sharing. Not only have my girls finally come around to enjoying one of my favorite veggies…in the meantime, Husband decided I “burned him out” on asparagus. He said the girls could have his portion.
Score, all around!
This lesson in perseverance and changing tastes brought to you by the Greater Council for the Promotion of Asparagus. [Not sure if there is such an organization…but if there is, and if they happen to read this post…I would welcome any coupons. Asparagus ain’t cheap!] :)
August 1, 2011
Wardrobe Malfunction and Indecent Exposure
Being a mom comes with a large dose of embarrassment.
To date my children’s commentary […like yelling “Boobies!” at the blueberries in the grocery when they first began talking…or loudly saying, “That baby needs to go home!” in the direction of an overtired babe at a restaurant…] has been the source of most of my embarrassment.
Over the past few weeks, though, I’ve had several new experiences that had me a little red in the face.
This spring, I did some shopping for myself. I bought several new sundresses and a few new tops. I tried everything on in the store, and then again when I got home. I was really excited about all my purchases.
Upon wearing several of my new duds, though, my husband has given me quite a few disapproving glances, and even a couple of “Cover yourself up!” hisses, as well.
See, as cute as I felt trying my new outfits on, what I didn’t bank on was the effect of two small children on the necklines of my new spring attire. Apparently it doesn’t take much pulling or carrying for things to shift out of place…and suddenly I wasn’t so “cute” as I was disheveled, seemingly a classic victim of wardrobe malfunction.
Maybe I need to consider shopping with the girls after all, so I can walk a lap around the store with them to gauge the effect of my children on my outfit. That, or just stick with turtle-necks and pants for the next few years.
To date my children’s commentary […like yelling “Boobies!” at the blueberries in the grocery when they first began talking…or loudly saying, “That baby needs to go home!” in the direction of an overtired babe at a restaurant…] has been the source of most of my embarrassment.
Over the past few weeks, though, I’ve had several new experiences that had me a little red in the face.
This spring, I did some shopping for myself. I bought several new sundresses and a few new tops. I tried everything on in the store, and then again when I got home. I was really excited about all my purchases.
Upon wearing several of my new duds, though, my husband has given me quite a few disapproving glances, and even a couple of “Cover yourself up!” hisses, as well.
See, as cute as I felt trying my new outfits on, what I didn’t bank on was the effect of two small children on the necklines of my new spring attire. Apparently it doesn’t take much pulling or carrying for things to shift out of place…and suddenly I wasn’t so “cute” as I was disheveled, seemingly a classic victim of wardrobe malfunction.
Maybe I need to consider shopping with the girls after all, so I can walk a lap around the store with them to gauge the effect of my children on my outfit. That, or just stick with turtle-necks and pants for the next few years.
Sigh...
The other new source of embarrassment is potty-related.
While we were travelling on our mini-vacation, we stopped to eat lunch. Baby A and I went to the bathroom, and the handicap stall was nice and clean, just waiting for us. We pranced right in and she did her business. I decided I would follow suit, and I engaged in my business.
By definition, handicap stalls should have an easy-to-use latch. Baby A discovered this while I was "otherwise engaged". She pranced right out of that stall, leaving me – ungloriously engaged – with the door wide open.
Thank goodness it was 11:00 on a Tuesday, and we were among the first patrons in the restaurant. I was just lucky that no one else entered the bathroom right then…they would have seen an unattended two-year old and a half-naked, red-faced mama…which surely wouldn’t have been good for anyone’s appetite.
I’m sure there are a million more embarrassing situations to come on this journey called parenthood. I just hope the situations involving this mama’s wardrobe malfunctions and indecent exposure are few and far between.
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