Gametes In Love

I’ve been pretty pleased with G’s eating lately. I know I shouldn’t say that too loud, but despite his continuous “feather-butt” syndrome, he’s eating well. It helps, of course, that I’ve figured out a trick: snacks!

That’s right, each meal-time is accompanied by an army of snacks. If you take a look at my set-up, you’d swear you were in the isle of a grocery store. But, alas, it is needed in order to keep G occupied while I shove fruit, veggie, and meats in his mouth.

G likes to feed himself, which is great. He’s just not too proficient with the spoon jarred-food eating, so while I let him occasionally wave a spoon around and dunk it in his food (he thinks this is fun), I’m the primary food-delivery device. Meanwhile, G’s job is to shove snacks in his mouth. I line up puffs, or a cheese-wheel to kick off meals. He’ll cram a bite in his mouth, and I follow it up with a spoon. Occasionally he’ll get sick of whatever he’s munching on and will start pointing and grunting to the rest of the snack line-up. This is where he gets choices. I put up two containers and offer him A or B. He’ll either gesture towards one of the packages, or keep pointing to whatever he originally wanted. Either way, we figure it out: he gets what he wants, and I get what I want: a finished meal.

One benefit to this is that we’re starting to work on choices. While, he can choose until he gets what he wants, it’s improving our communication a bit, and it’s helping him feel in control.

At daycare, they have a different strategy: bringing in Ms. F. G’s sweet on her, and all other teachers are chopped liver in comparison. She can get him to eat anything. So when he refuses his food there, she comes over to finish lunch. That’s right — my son is already showing off for the ladies. I don’t know if I should be worried about this or not.

In other “eating” news, G’s school has told us on a few occasions now that he’s far more interested in what the big kids are eating than his own mashed food. I’m cool with that. His school actually provides a Hot Meals program, so I’m thinking we’ll try that. Before signing up officially, I’m gonna see if we can test it out for a day or two. If G’s ready for the big-kid food, we’ll move him to it. Bonus side for me? One less thing I have to pack up for him each day 🙂

So that’s my strategy. It’s working for us… at least for now.

This one was for me. It was my first flu shot ever, so ya it was a big deal!

That’s right, the H-R household is now officially 100% Influenza vaccinated (in the bi-ped variety anyway. Neko gets his shots at the end of this month too).

You’d think that after all the shots I had to endure to get G into my oven, and after all the blood draws I’d be more comfortable with needles. For awhile I was. Really. But now with over a year without a reason to be pricked, my fear of the shot has returned. I’d never gotten the flu shot before — I mean why get poked when I didn’t have to? However, on account of G being little, I’m getting one this year, so that I can stave off the germ-fest that is my office, and not get my little guy sick.

My office does the flu shots for free every year, so this year I hobbled (why run?) at the chance. On the way over I gathered up a small posse of other colleagues open to the idea. They kept me company and ensured I didn’t make a run for it mid-way. No joke my teeth were chattering on the way there, and I had a knot in my stomach. But when all was said and done it wasn’t too bad. After I signed off that I was willing to accept the risk of the neurological disorder that is Guillain-Barré, I got my shot and was sent merrily on my way. The line by the time we were done was huuuge.

What you don’t see in this photo is that it went past the corner and continued down the stairs. Geez, you’d swear they were handing out money or something.

I had to tell myself that I subject G to shots like this almost every other month, and he takes it like a champ. Maybe it helps that he doesn’t know it’s coming. I should, in turn, just suck it up. But where’s my ice-pack, kisses and cuddle when done? The vaccination staff doesn’t provide that extra service 🙁

All I gotta say is that G better appreciate I’m doing this for him. I expect a cuddle and kiss from him for the effort this evening, and I will take my fee out in full!

G’s daycare is instituting a new policy in regards to birthday celebrations: only healthful foods, please! This means, no more cupcakes. They’re politely asking that if parents bring in treats to the classroom for the kids and teachers, they bring in low-calorie, low-fat, healthy alternatives. They even provided a neat list of suggestions.

I dig it!

Although I am known as a connoisseur of junk food, I want better for G, and I’m happy to hear that his sugar and empty calories will be delivered by yours trully at home and not at school.

On the bonus side, this also means a lot less effort for me 🙂 I’m a good cook. I really am (and am not ashamed to toot my own horn). And I love baking… just the thought of baking and decorating cupcakes for two dozen kids each year was really unappealing. Cutting up fruit and making fruit kabobs though? Sign me up for that!

PS. If you are into cake/cupcakes though and want a great sugar-free alternative, I highly recommend the Baby’s First Birthday Cake recipe (found here: http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/tipFirstBDay.htm). These are what we served at G’s birthday, and even though there was no sugar to speak of, the treats were plenty sweet (thank you raisins and apple sauce), and super moist. Man, these were good! If you decide to convert this recipe to cupcakes, bake only for 1/2 the suggested time and use an ice-cream scoop to ensure consistent amount of batter in each tin. The recipe produces 2 dozen cupcakes… although less will be delivered to the party as I’m sure you will eat a few along the way… for taste-testing of course ;p

Latest artwork G brought home from school.

10.29.2009 (14 months)

Provided G doesn’t start rolling in a painting each day (or even if he does), as long as I can keep up, I plan to scan each and then make a book (remember Blrub.com?) for each of his years. Here goes age 1-2.

See all of G’s art projects here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/avalikelava/sets/72157622699561804/

G woke up at 5:40 this morning. In his defence it was 6:40am by his clock and since S and I didn’t share the memo (with him) that it’s daylight savings, that meant he was happily up for the day.

Still… I feel robbed of my extra hour of sleep.

It’s OK kid — in about 10 years, it will all come back to you. Even if I don’t do it vengefully, you’ll lament the early wake-ups during spring. Karma. It’s a … well, something…