Solid Gold

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Carrots will sharpen your eyesight.

We all know the benefits of fruits and veggies but I recently discovered the side effects of these super foods on a baby's (virgin) digestive system.

I have been testing everything out for a 3 day time period. So far on the roster: butternut squash, peas, pears, rice, oats, sweet potato and the culprits in question - apples and carrots.

I think Hannah really developed her taste buds as she started lapping up 4+ tablespoons of carrots in a sitting. But unfortunately her colon couldn't keep up. And so the constipation set in. To put it nicely, I'd say we went from a full on poop-slosion in her diaper to deer-like pellets which inevitably turned into a diaper rash.

So though I am not 100% sure if it was the carrots or apples that wreaked havoc on her system, I do know that 2 days of an A&C free diet, have put her tummy troubles to rest.

Oh, I did forget one item from our new foods list: prunes! In small doses, this miracle food did us good. Oh, how my father would be proud. As owner and president of Bennett's juices, which specializes in the prune variety, he shamefully has a daughter who has never had a sip of his liquid gold that is known to break up solid gold. Well, at least his granddaughter has done him proud.

Moral of the story: mind your p(ea)s and qs, eat everything in moderation and a healthy diet really is a fine balance, cause constipation stinks (literally)!

Busy Bodies

Thanks to Kate's mom for passing along a copy of The Sleep Sense Program by Dana Obleman.

The techniques are a mix between the Ferber Method and the No Cry Sleep Solution but this book really opened my eyes to the world of naps.

Our evenings have been improving and I have realized that Hannah's 12+ hour nights are probably taking away from her daytime naps. Last night after sleeping from 7:00-9:30pm she was up for two hours. I think in her mind that first shift was actually a nap and not bedtime. So that means mommy is going to have to wake up earlier than 8:30am!

Chapter 7 of Sleep Sense focuses on nap time and puts things into perspective with this excerpt:

"Unfortunately, most parents are not terribly considerate of their children’s napping needs when they are planning their days. Now, I fully understand that most of you have things that need to get done during the day, and that bringing your child with you is a necessary fact of life. (Not too many people can afford a full-time nanny, after all!) However, it is very important that your child nap at about the same times every day, and that he nap in the same place where he sleeps at night. For most families, this means that your little one should be napping at home in his crib."

Then she goes on to give an example from one of her clients:

"When Barb and I sat down to discuss Lauren’s sleeping, Barb commented on how busy their days were. They had a “Mommy and Me” group on Wednesday afternoons, swimming lessons on Saturday mornings, Gymboree classes on Fridays, and usually a couple of casual drop-in visits with other moms during the week. Barb also told me that she ran a number of errands on any given day, and just took Lauren along for the ride."

That was so me during months 3-6. Mom and baby yoga on Tuesdays, Mom and Baby Pilates and Playgroup on Wednesdays and Infant Massage on Thursdays. We were always on the go. So I was essentially teaching Hannah to sleep en route to our activities, in the car or in the stroller, and no specific time of the day. These days I can't even breastfeed her to sleep for a nap. (I know, I know, I worked hard to break that nighttime association so at least I can be grateful for that!)

Yes, I am blaming myself. Don't get me wrong, we had a great time those first few months meeting new moms, getting back into shape and relaxing together, but I wish I had read this book earlier. Maybe I would have cut back on the outings and instead begun to pave the way for healthier sleeping habits for Hannah.

Well, at least I read it when I did and can now go ahead and make some changes. Granted we are signed up for a story time and music class, I think we can work them into a nap schedule. Sleep Sense says it can take up to 3 weeks to break habits but I am in for the long haul. With mere minutes to myself throughout the day, a rough 3 weeks is definitely worth 2-3 hours to myself a day.

So tomorrow is day 1. With no activities on our plate (yes, I am sadly skipping Love Happens at Movies for Mommies) I am making a point of getting up with Hannah for her first rising (and not settling her into my bed) and then setting 3 times throughout the day to try to get her to nap in her crib. I am assuming the outcome will be a cranky child.

With 2 months of teething and cold crankiness under my belt, what's a few more days, right?

Nap time here we come....

Star Studded Diet

Apple and Moses. Not every mom can get away with those names for her kids.

Gwyneth Paltrow can.

A blond beauty. Tall and thin. Humanitarian and oh ya, Academy Award Winner. She really is perfect isn't she?

But did you know that this mom also has her very own website called Goop?

Divided into sections: Make, Go, Get, Do, Be, See - there is a little bit for everyone here.

And today's article is for those in search of yummy treats that are gluten, dairy and sugar free. Gwyneth sits down with Erin McKenna of Babycakes Bakery.

With ingredients like Agave Nectar, Coconut Oil and more, you may have to re-stock your pantries but your waist lines (and taste buds) will thank you.

To see today's article you have to sign up for the newsletter. So go ahead.

Definitely not another new message to clutter up your inbox but a dose of celebrity (delicious) dish.

Mom-Free Zone

Unfortunately, I had to miss my yoga class tonight.

The classes started two weeks ago at Yoga on the Park and I look forward to Tuesday nights as being my non-mom time. It's just an hour and a half but in that short class I get to unwind, exercise and briefly forget about my new found responsibilities.

So when my plans went askew tonight I had to find a replacement. Hence, the boiling pot of soup on my stove.

What is your non-mom time? Whether its an hour a week or an hour a day how do you unplug and just go back to being you?

Roots to Grow

Did you know that you can get a free tree from the Quebec government for the birth of every child?

My niece got a tree when she was born and her parents planted it in their backyard. So as she grows, she can watch the tree grow with her.

Ever since Hannah was born I have been searching for information about this program. After numerous google searches, nothing. Then last night, as I'm flipping through the birthing book given out at the hospital I finally found it.

So even though it will be a year late, next, May Hannah will be receiving a tree of her very own. We already have a spot picked out for it on the front lawn. Unfortunately our current home won't last (size-wise) once she has a sibling, but we can always walk by and visit what will hopefully be known as Hannah's tree.

Couple that with our great mat leave benefits and I'd say the Quebec government really has our little ones at heart.

Fo your very own tree, go here

Bite my Tongue

That'll teach me. Think before you speak. Or better yet, wait before you type.

On and on I went about having reached our sleep time goals. Little did I know what I was in for.

Lesson #1 - Ferber or any modification of it is useless when your little one has a cold

Lesson #2- anything good you may say about sleep will just end up jinxing yourself

Lesson #3 - colds suck

There was Friday night's miserable completely inconsolable crying session between 2 and 4 am. Followed by Saturday's, giving up and bringing her into our bed.

But luckily as the sniffles tapered off, so did her restlessness and last night we were blessed with a 12 to 5 stretch.

The crankiness continues...

Amazing though how its just for mom and dad. Grandma came over today while I tidied the house and she was a model child. Playing for two hours, eating her pears, with barely a peep!

Then again she may have worn herself out from kvetching in the morning with me, followed by the poop of all poops (after 2 days of constipation) that ended up on my arm, top, capris and her entire outfit.

So lessons learned - stay away from sick children, always put a hat on when its chilly out and most importantly, keep your mouth shut when it comes to a full night's sleep.

The next time you hear about an eight hour stretch it will be after an entire week's worth, when hopefully, it will be here to stay!

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