Homemakin my baby food with love!

The past month or so I have been doing a ton of research, and I have decided to feed Kaiah only homemade baby food. Did you know that most packaged baby foods contain artificial sweetener? I don’t put sugar on my bananas or sweet potatoes, so I have no idea why my baby would need that. Plus, baby food is expensive! Why should I pay so much money for food stuffed with things my baby doesn’t need when I can have total control over what goes into her body?

Both Jer and I know how difficult it is to try and break terrible eating habits that started as children, and we both want to make that part of life easier on Kaiah. It is already getting tough, though! Well meaning friends and family push sweets on kids like crazy without even thinking about it! I was motivated recently by a Jer’s cousin-in-law who, without hesitation, said “no” multiple times to distant relatives who offered sweets to her toddler. It is hard telling people you don’t know very well “no,” especially when they offer the food straight to the kid instead of the parent. But if she can do it, then I can do it, too!

Anywho, I don’t personally know anyone who has homemade their baby food, so I am starting this journey from scratch and just using the internet as my best friend. Do you know anyone who makes homemade baby food? Any suggestions on a good food processor?

And if you are interested, check out these two websites with all the how-to’s of making baby food!

http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/index.html

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/index.htm

4 months, recovering bellies, and becoming a grown-up

4 months old today.
Wowzeers. My little baby girl is a growin and a changin and a movin and a shakin and I just can’t seem to ever quite get enough of her. She is my joy and my life and my complete and utter everything. She is spoiled beyond comparison and worth every single bit of it.

Her 4 month appointment was yesterday, and boy is she growing!
14 lbs 10 ounces (75th percentile)
25 inches long (80th percentile)
At her 2 week appointment, she was only in the 6th percentile for her height – can you say growth spurt? She is super healthy and happy and everything looks great!

Kaiah, thanks for giving me four wonderful months of you.

 

In other news, our bout with some nasty tummy sickness is on the downswing and things are looking much brighter at the Payne residence. I must say, throwing up is possibly the worst feeling in the universe.

And, (da-da-da-DAAAAA) I GOT A JOB!

Like, a real job – no a career (as Jer puts it) - as opposed to the fake college jobs I have previously held where they don’t expect you to stick around for much longer than a year. I will start teaching English at Wasatch High School in August! It is just a 1/2 contract position, which bodes well with me since then I will still be home with my baby every other day. And no, I don’t have any clue what grade I am teaching yet! I feel really blessed to have found a job in this market and I am excited, yet terrified, to get started.

Does this mean that I am really, truly a grown-up now?

Sickie

The whole family is sick - and I mean sick. Jer, Kaiah, and I are a pretty pitiful sight. Good thing I have my mommy close by - she's on her way down to watch the Bug for us while we rest. Thank heavens for family!

Happy Daddy Day!

 

Dear Jer,

I thought I loved you before. But now, seeing you as a daddy, now I really know what love means. I cannot even begin to say how grateful I am to have you as a husband and father. You are so amazing with Kaiah – she is a total daddy’s girl. I never see her smile bigger or cuddle closer than when she is with you. You have shown me what it really means to be a Father – and a father in every situation. No diaper is too smelly or cry too loud for you. You are caring and nurturing and playful and, most of all, attentive. I know that you are involved in every single aspect of our little girl’s life and that she will always, always, know that her daddy loves her. And that makes me love you all the more.

Love, Kasie.

Today my baby fell asleep in my arms

and it made me realize just how much that doesn't happen anymore.

My little girl is getting bigger and bigger
and learning and growing and changing and exploring
and holding her own head and grabbing her own toys
and putting herself to sleep.

And I love those things about her,

But I miss the cuddles, too!

So much to do . . . seriously!

I know, I haven't blogged in a gazillion years. I have so much to blog about, but I just can't find the time - seriously. I feel like I have never been so busy in all of my life and my to-do list just keeps growing longer and longer. How in the world am I suppose to do it all? My house is always, and I mean always, a mess. I can't even remember the last time we mopped, let alone dusted or something like that. Have we even ever dusted in this apartment? I've been doing better and working out and cooking lately, but still not enough. We've slacked in church duties, I never do my make-up unless it is a weekend, Kaiah should probably be bathed more often, and I haven't been recording her life near as much as I wanted to. Add on to that spending time with friends and family, which doesn't happen enough. Oh, and plucking my eyebrows or shaving my legs . . . yeah, not happening. Craft projects? Nope. The days just fly by and I have no idea how I am suppose to get anything done!

So . . . what have I been doing then?

Well . . . I have been, of course, spending lots of time with my little bug - but not as much as I wish. Some days I just feel like all I do all day is shuffle her from one entertainment to the next without really being with her. Lately I've been making sure to add some cuddle time in . . . I don't want to waste these precious months because I am too busy making sure she does tummy time and has three good naps and eats every three hours. She is adorable, so funny, and has such a strong personality. I love her to pieces and I wish that I could just gobble her all up and not do anything else ever again.

I've also been couponing lately. We've had to make some sacrifices in order for me to stay home, and this is one way that I've been able to help. Not to brag or anything (ok, I'm bragging a bit), but I've gotten pretty dang good at it. I've ended up making money several times and Jer has enough deodorant and body wash to last like ten years. Yep, I rock.

I've also been doing job interviews lately. I have one offer, one maybe offer, and another interview on Tues! Stay tuned for more info on this front.

Jer is freaking rocking at school. Seriously. We're talking like top grade in his class rocking. Who knew my hubby could be so awesome at school?

So . . . see, I am doing things . . . just not enough things. I don't think I will ever catch up. I guess it is time to stop living life like in the "catch up" lane and start living it in the now. Easier said than done.

And I am sorry if this post is boring, but I don't blog for you. Heck, I don't even blog for me. I blog so that someday Kaiah can look back and read about her life and how much she means to me and, hopefully, see through my posts that I love her unconditionally more than I ever thought possible.

Because I do.