Strange But True

Last week Wes went through a three day phase where he wouldn't eat anything off of a spoon. He just had to feed himself, so finger foods were the only thing he would eat. (Here's to hoping all his phases last for only 3 days!). I kept tying though, but by the third day I was really tired of throwing away food. So here's is my solution. I made some whole wheat bread crumbs in my food processor, rolled baby food in them and "fried"them up in a pan. Voila - baby food nuggets! I was originally calling them 'baby food pancakes' like potato pancakes, but if you're watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, you know how much kids like nuggets. I'm thinking you can't go wrong with nuggets made of broccoli, squash, potatoes, turkey and green beans.

Wes sure liked them. Problem solved :)

Ironically, I had just taken this picture a day or two before his little phase started when I was organizing my freezer after a trip to Costco. Some friends had asked how much baby food I had made, so here was my stash. Luckily Wes is now pretty much back to his old eating habits and most of this is gone!

A Big Weekend!

I had a really busy weekend, here's a recap of all the events!

My mom saw on my friend Julia's blog that she has mastered the Snack Trap, so my mom figured I'd better give it a shot. It was a little confusing at first since it looks pretty much like my water cup.

But I figured it out.
(Though I need to be reminded how it works each time my mom puts puffs in it.)




We headed to Teewinkle park to feed the ducks. When my dad picked this spot, all the ducks were on the other side of the pond. My mom asked 'how will we get the ducks to come over here' and my dad said 'just crinkle the bread bag'. Ducks from all over the pond made a bee line right for us. My mom obviously hasn't fed ducks in a while, those suckers know a free meal when they hear one!

I tried to eat the bread.

I had salmon for dinner.

My dad grilled it up on the BBQ and we ate on the patio. I love a warm Spring evening!

I had my first bath in the big-boy tub. Our baby bath is enormous and you could easily wash two kids in it, but dad figured I was ready for some more elbow room.

On Sunday we cheered on daddy while he played in the Guns and Hoses (yes, that's what it's really called) softball tournament. The police and fire guys take their softball pretty seriously!

I had fun playing with my grandpa while my mom caught up with the other fire wives.

Phew!! What a fun weekend! Now my mom needs a vacation :)

Newport

Grandma Susie got Wes this cool Surf Hut for Christmas and we figured it was so nice on Thursday that we needed to try it out!

We love this thing! It's great for shade and it really cuts down on the wind. It just pops right up but the directions say to practice before trying to put it away. Luckily daddy got it packed away on the first try. Though we were almost afraid we'd have to carry it back to the car like this!

http://www.dasurfhut.com/

Trying my first of many handfuls of sand.

Contemplating the vastness of the ocean.

Music Class

We took a music class through the city of Irvine and Wes really enjoyed himself!

I think this kids' got rhythm!

Rhythm - definitely. Musical talent - we'll have to see :)

Catching up with an Old Camera

I keep a little camera in the diaper bag for times when I don't have my big fancy camera. It's been a while since I downloaded some pictures :)

Trying to get a ride in my friend Sylvie's wagon.

I think I'm ready to try again now! (September 2009)

Beach day with Grandma and my cousin Haley

(September 2009)

Sitting my Auntie Monica's old high chair and playing with the keys my mom had when she was my age. Thanks grandma for keeping such fun stuff!
(November 2009)

At the annual Christmas cookie exchange at Debbie's house.

(December 2009)

Hopefully I'll stay caught up from here on out!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We didn't do anything today besides put on a green shirt and take a picture, but hey, whatever it takes to keep from getting pinched! Actually, my mom did make Key Lime pie. She said she made them because they were green, but I know it's just because she likes pie.

Also, I will add to this post the conclusion of our last post about Baby beef stew. After a second and highly unsuccessful third attempt, we have decided the beef stew is a no-go. I love beef stew and was therefore very dissapointed that a) Wes just didn't like it and b) that I wasted, I mean spent, all of nap time making it. Since he wouldn't eat it, I spread what I hadn't already frozen on crackers, like Weelicious mentioned, and ate it for lunch. I have to admit, I even like beef stew pureed. The only question now is what to do with two dozen frozen beef stew cubes??

A Wesley First

I know my last post was about baby food, but I honestly don't know how it goes so fast! (Michael always says how good it smells, so maybe he's sneaking downstairs in the middle of the night and raiding Wes' baby food, though I doubt it!) Anyway, I spent today (or today's nap time) making some new food.

Here's the disaster in my kitchen

(and the dishwasher is broken BTW. Washing dishes by hand is a major pain.)

Here is the delicious final product:

Baby Beef Stew

Zucchini, Acorn Squash, Broccoli, Spinach and Vegetable Orzo

Pinto Beans with Cheese

Apple, Pear and Mango Sauce

Here's my child refusing to eat any of it!
This was the very first time Wes has ever refused to eat something. Granted, we decided to eat outside since it was so beautiful today and Wes was majorly distracted. We finally went inside and he did end up eating, though I still don't think my creations were his favorite. We'll just have to try again tomorrow!

First Tooth!

Wes's first tooth finally popped up! It's on the lower right, and can you believe how well this kid cooperated in order to get these shots???

Also, since these are at meal time, I thought I'd mention how much Wes loves his food! I've been enjoying making all his food and seeing his reaction to new things. Though he usually swallows so fast there is no tasting going on, either that or he just likes it all! Here's a list of what he ate at this meal: (I make big batches of purees and then freeze them in ice cube trays, so each cube is about an ounce of food).

Mixed Grain Baby Cereal

Potato/Cauliflower/Spinach and Turkey

Green Beans

Carrots and Parsnips

SweetPotato/Butternut Squash/Quinoa/Spinach and Onion

Pumpkin and Apples with Cinnanon and Nutmeg

Apple/Peach and Mango Sauce

I told you, he loves food!

This website has a lot of good info on making baby food.

www.wholesomebabyfood.com

Finger Food

Check out that pincer grasp!

Peas and Mangos make me happy :)

Big Bear!

I took a trip up to Big Bear with my mom and dad, Grandma and Aunt Monica and Uncle Chris. This was my first trip to the snow!

Feeling the snow with my dad.

I still didn't like it...remember my reaction the fist time I felt snow.

Hanging out in the time share with everyone.

I'm practicing for my first time sledding. I'm ready to make this thing go fast!!

We had such a fun trip! Thanks Grandma for taking care of me while mom and dad went skiing. Pretty soon I'll be on the slopes too, though my mom and dad can't agree on whether I'll be a skiier or a snowboarder!