Organically Growing

The offical blog of HappyGreenBaby.com

Sleeping Update March 17, 2010

Filed under: Sleeping — happygreenbaby @ 9:12 pm

A friend asked me yesterday, “how’s the sleeping thing going?” and it occurred to me that I hadn’t posted an update on the topic in quite awhile.

Truth is – the sleeping is going great! He sleeps from 7-11p (with the time change) then he wakes up and he sleeps the rest of the night until 7am … in bed with us.

I don’t know what to think about this “decision.” Seems like I kept meaning to do the sleep training and get him back to sleeping in his own crib, but there was also something to hinder it: new house, standing up, needing to learn to sit down, then two big teeth coming through and now a cold. It’s just so much easier on everyone if he sleeps with us. Everyone is getting a good night’s rest … and it’s really cute to wake up with him in the morning. He’s the best little alarm clock – climbing up to the window promptly at 7am every morning to watch the sunrise. And in the middle of the night, I hear him laugh in his sleep and sometimes  he crawls up on top of me to nurse or cuddle … sweet moments I would miss otherwise.

I’m not sure what we are going to do from here on out. I think as long as it’s  working right now, we’ll keep him in bed. Eventually he’ll want to sleep on his own, right?

 

A Weird First: Bloody Lip March 15, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — happygreenbaby @ 8:28 pm

In a frenzy of wrestling with wrapping paper tonight, Ryder tried to pull himself up on a table (fists full of paper), only to slip and fall on one side. He banged his head on the floor, broke into crying hysterics and it was only after a minute of cuddling that we realized he had a bloody lip! One of his new teeth must have nicked his lip. It was so sad to see him crying and bloodied up, but our little bruiser recovered quickly and dried up his tears over a graham cracker. Yes, I’m comforting him with food. :)

 

Make that tooth 3 AND 4 March 10, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — happygreenbaby @ 12:59 am

Top two teeth have broken through!

Ryder was kind of fussy last night, so I gave him a dose of Infant Motrin to help ease, what I presume to be, his really sore gums. Instead he was up for the next two hours, literally bouncing off the crib (albeit happy and smiley).

Never again. Sticking to my homeopathic Hyland’s teething tablets from now on.

 

Tooth #3 On Its Way March 3, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — happygreenbaby @ 11:13 pm

Ryder had his two bottom teeth by Christmas and the way things are looking, he will have his top two for his first birthday.

His upper gums have been swollen for two weeks now, accompanied by slobbering, chewing on everything and general crabbiness. One spot has actually looked bruised for quite awhile, but we couldn’t see any evidence of a tooth poking through. Monday he was super grouchy, pooping constantly and today there is some white starting to show on the one side!

Really, he’s been a trooper with the whole teething thing so far. Considering what he’s going through, we have had to use our keen parent detective skills to figure out what’s up.

 

First Word? March 2, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — happygreenbaby @ 11:13 pm

Ryder has been babbling now for what seems like ages. Mama, dada, baba, do. One day, I was about 98% sure that he said, “dog” when eKo came in the kitchen, but it hasn’t been repeated. We haven’t been confident enough of his intentions to deem any of these “first words.” Until last night.

I was standing at the kitchen sink, Marc and Ryder were saddled up at the island. Ryder was looking at Marc, enjoying some steamed carrots and hummus. Marc asked him, “where’s mama?” He turned straight to me, pointed and said, “Mama.”

I dont’ think we can get any clearer than that!

 

New Foods Update February 28, 2010

Filed under: organic baby food — happygreenbaby @ 11:19 pm

We continue to forge ahead on trying new foods. The challenge now is determining the best method for Ryder to eat. He likes to feed himself, but other times, he’s all about being spoon fed. I’ve decided that as long as I start with the bowl and spoon, he’s more likely to stick with it. Whereas if I start him off with some broccoli trees, he isn’t psyched to move onto mush.

New foods we’ve tried recently:

  • eggplant
  • zucchini
  • yellow squash
  • mango
  • asparagus spears
  • salmon
  • tortillas
  • kale

He still madly in love with my homemade pancakes (with wheat flour and ground flax) as well as organic frozen waffles, bananas and pears. And pretty much anything with Trader Joe’s White Bean hummus on it. Last night he devoured some homemade butternut squash ravioli. Now that’s good eating!

 

Organic Baby Food Making Frenzy! February 8, 2010

Filed under: organic baby food — happygreenbaby @ 5:14 am

As I prepare to head out of town for a work trip, I spent quite a bit of time shopping, cooking and planning Ryder’s meals and snacks for the week (food = love, right?). In the past two days I have made:

  • Broccoli snacks (steamed florets)
  • Sweet potato snacks (steamed cubes)
  • Carrot snacks with ginger (steamed slices)
  • Potato cubes
  • Pancakes (made with whole wheat and ground flax – Ryder can’t get enough of them!)
  • Broccoli puree
  • Butternut squash puree
  • Millet
  • Lentils
  • Brown Rice
  • Soybean puree
  • Hardboiled eggs
  • Kale puree

Plus, I got a few of the HappyBabyFood organic baby food pouches to have in the cupboard, “in case of emergency.” There’s also a bag of frozen organic green beans that can be steamed up quickly and a can of organic kidney beans for finger foods. Not to mention the 244+ oz. of breast milk in the deep freeze.

I don’t think he’ll go hungry, anyway.

 

Interior Design vs. Baby Proofing February 5, 2010

Filed under: Baby Proofing — happygreenbaby @ 11:35 pm

We moved into our new house about 2 weeks ago and we are slowly starting to get things up on the walls, out of boxes and onto our shelves. Feeling particularly motivated one evening, Marc arranged several of his favorite framed photos with artifacts from the same region. For example, a photo from Thailand was sitting with this beautiful cork sculpture from Japan. 4 of the top bookshelves were expertly arranged and it looked amazing!

The next morning, in a frenzy to clean up catalogs and other work-miscellanea before leaving on a trip, Marc stacked a heavy pile of paper on the bottom shelf, which sent the whole thing off balance and a whole-lotta glass crashing down on the hardwood floor. Cork sculpture was trashed, but fortunately nothing (and no one) was harmed otherwise.

The biggest heartbreak was the realization that Ryder could have very easily been the weight that caused the shelf to tip and been right in the middle of all that broken glass. The thought of it makes me shivver! We were both feeling incredibly guilty for being such fools!

The good thing is that it was a reminder that we need to start thinking about baby proofing things – and not just how they look anymore. And no one had to lose an eye for us to learn our lesson!

 

The Biggest Loser? February 4, 2010

Filed under: Losing the Baby Weight — happygreenbaby @ 11:35 pm

I’m not bragging or anything – but it seems like every time I step on the scale, I’ve lost another pound. And I”m seriously doing nothing. In fact, the whole reason I even step on the scale every so often (ok, once a week) is because I’m sitting at my desk, feeling my muffin top creep over my waistband, looking at my jiggly thighs and feeling like a total pudge for not working out. So I get on the scale to remind myself that I need to work out.

But I end up not feeling so bad and heading down to the fridge to raid the hazelnut chocolate bar instead.

I’m feeling a little worried that once Ryder weans off the boob, my days of sweet indulgences will be gone. Either that, or I will have to start working out more. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. :)

 

Little Successes February 4, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — happygreenbaby @ 12:53 am

My goal for last night was to keep Ryder in his crib (and not bring him to sleep with me). Depsite a 45 minute crying fit at 11pm, we did it. And even better, he slept from 12:30 to 6am without another issue. I can’t believe how happy that made me!

I visited a free sleep consultant today and told her about the new issues. She suggested we spend time during the day (when he’s not tired and cranky), playing the crib and teaching him how to sit down. Brilliant! Sometimes I wonder how clueless I am to not even consider that option. She noted that he’s probably still not feeling 100% certain about the new room, plus layer on the new standing skill and we have a sleep issue.

She was concerned about the rocking to sleep – but because he once was able to fall asleep on his own, thought we wouldn’t have any trouble getting back to that place. She recommended putting him in the crib sleepy, in his favorite sleep position and keep a hand on his back until he falls asleep. After he masters that, I could move to the doorway, so he knows I’m still there and can fall asleep. Eventually, I should be able to leave the room more quickly and he wont’ have issues getting to sleep. This hitch is that we have to do it at naptime, too.

This will come in time. I know he can fall asleep on his own – we just need to remind him of it. But, he’s got a bit of a cold and right now I want to focus on getting him to sit down in the crib and stop this crazy nighttime freakouts.

She also confirmed by opinion that we have to stick with the plan and can’t be bringing him to bed one night and forcing him to stay in the crib the next. Consistency! Hopefully Marc can do it while I’m gone next week.

Baby steps.