So, again, I lost that stinking cord for the camera, but thanks to the wonders of ebay I have a new one! But, even though I have the capability of uploading photos, I thought I'd just give a quick update on what's going on in our lives here in Ella Kate's world. The main thing we've been working on is food. EK is in that in between place where she's past baby food puree and not quite to table food (only 2 teeth!). They provide lunch and snacks at her school and we've been happily taking advantage of it, but recently we've started to re-evaluate the menu options. Especially the day last week when her daily report said she had corn dogs for lunch and fruit loops for snack!!! Not my idea of health food! That's not to say that they don't offer veggies and fruit and some days the food is just fine, but the pizza, corn dogs, hamburgers, and bologna & cheese sandwiches just had to go. For one thing, EK was getting to be pretty picky about what she'd eat at home. She was pretty much down to cheese-- sure, it's dairy and protein, but a child can not survive on cheese alone! So after calling on my baby experts (Mom, Kristen, Leslie, Melissa, and Google) Chris and I made a list of possible healthy menu options (realistic ones that we knew we would actually make) and then made a big trip to Sams & the grocery store! Here are some of the fun and random items we bought: 5lbs of whole wheat spaghetti noodles, 6 lbs of tri-color spiral veggie pasta, spinach and ricotta raviolini, a case of diced fruit (in light syrup), a case of canned mushrooms, a 5lb block of sharp cheddar (we do love some cheese around this house!), 2 loaves of whole wheat bread, whole wheat tortillas, chicken breasts, a rotisserie chicken, broccoli, edamame, black beans, refried black beans, chopped spinach, ricotta cheese, corn, spaghetti sauce makings, and more and more. And, Mel, if you're reading this, yes, we even got humus. She loved it, but it did make her breath stink, which also prompted the purchase of toddler tooth paste!
The first day at school with her own lunch was not a huge success, but she's been getting better-- I think the weekend helped. Since a lot of what we're working on is finger food and possible introduction of utensils we started with things like the rotisserie chicken pieces and diced veggies followed by some fruit. We also had chicken, cheese, and broccoli quesadilla (with Kristen's suggestion of preparing it with butter in a skillet not just in the micro like we usually do!). She had humus mixed with chicken and veggies (stinky breath day), grilled cheese and broccoli on whole wheat, the veggie pasta and the raviolini, and we've done lots of cottage cheese with fruit, and yogurt (yo, Baby!). These have all been a hit, but the craziest one of all was what I made for dinner yesterday. I decided to crock pot some veggies in some frozen chicken stock we already had. Then I started looking through the pantry and freezer to see what else I could possibly add. When it was all said and done my creation included corn, black, northern, and green beans, carrots, and cod fillets. By the end of the day the house smelled like fish and I hate that smell! I thought this was gonna be a disastrously gourmet meal for the doggies. I offered a small bit to EK and..... to my surprise....she gobbled it up!!! She ate 2 helpings of the "stew" and seemed to enjoy the whole event! We even used forks and spoons (all moms will recognize the plural use of the utensils). I sent it to school today for her lunch and they said she did great with it! Yipee! Next creation: spinach and ricotta "pizza." Probably have to try that on Thursday as I'll be out of town for dinner tomorrow night.
So, anyway, that's what we've been up to. EK's been relatively illness free, although there was a slight stomach bug going around the school last week. Thanks, again, Kristen and Phil, for your advice on the BRATTY diet to use during a bout of any GI upset. And because we live in East TN it's a given that she'll wake up congested every morning. We love those flowers and trees, but it's hard raising a child who is already prone to allergies in the Asthma Capital of America. Since there's not a lot out there indicated for children under 2 we have done a whole lot with menthol and a humidifier.
Here are some handy websites I've discovered over the last week or so:
Motherhood Uncensored
Adventures in Babyfood
Wholesome Toddler Food
Heavenly Homemaker
Any good suggestions on foods that have worked well for your kids in this phase are very much welcomed!!!
The first day at school with her own lunch was not a huge success, but she's been getting better-- I think the weekend helped. Since a lot of what we're working on is finger food and possible introduction of utensils we started with things like the rotisserie chicken pieces and diced veggies followed by some fruit. We also had chicken, cheese, and broccoli quesadilla (with Kristen's suggestion of preparing it with butter in a skillet not just in the micro like we usually do!). She had humus mixed with chicken and veggies (stinky breath day), grilled cheese and broccoli on whole wheat, the veggie pasta and the raviolini, and we've done lots of cottage cheese with fruit, and yogurt (yo, Baby!). These have all been a hit, but the craziest one of all was what I made for dinner yesterday. I decided to crock pot some veggies in some frozen chicken stock we already had. Then I started looking through the pantry and freezer to see what else I could possibly add. When it was all said and done my creation included corn, black, northern, and green beans, carrots, and cod fillets. By the end of the day the house smelled like fish and I hate that smell! I thought this was gonna be a disastrously gourmet meal for the doggies. I offered a small bit to EK and..... to my surprise....she gobbled it up!!! She ate 2 helpings of the "stew" and seemed to enjoy the whole event! We even used forks and spoons (all moms will recognize the plural use of the utensils). I sent it to school today for her lunch and they said she did great with it! Yipee! Next creation: spinach and ricotta "pizza." Probably have to try that on Thursday as I'll be out of town for dinner tomorrow night.
So, anyway, that's what we've been up to. EK's been relatively illness free, although there was a slight stomach bug going around the school last week. Thanks, again, Kristen and Phil, for your advice on the BRATTY diet to use during a bout of any GI upset. And because we live in East TN it's a given that she'll wake up congested every morning. We love those flowers and trees, but it's hard raising a child who is already prone to allergies in the Asthma Capital of America. Since there's not a lot out there indicated for children under 2 we have done a whole lot with menthol and a humidifier.
Here are some handy websites I've discovered over the last week or so:
Motherhood Uncensored
Adventures in Babyfood
Wholesome Toddler Food
Heavenly Homemaker
Any good suggestions on foods that have worked well for your kids in this phase are very much welcomed!!!
PS To all you believers in the miracles of Vicks Vapor-Rub, check out the suggestion from motherhood uncensored about rubbing Vicks on baby's feet and covering them with socks to cure a cough. I have never been a big Vicks user myself, but I tried it on EK tonight, and so far not a single cough has come across the monitor!! Kristen, tell Tammie she's on to something with her Vicks addiction!
1 comment:
Yeah, but whatever you do, just don't put it in your ears!! :)
Glad that some of the food is working! That "stew" concoction is still cracking me up! The things they'll eat (and won't eat).
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