Working Mother

I did some reflecting this weekend, in between trying to comfort a fussy, teething baby, about how I've chosen to mother my child. I'm pleased to say that I haven't had to compromise much of what I wanted for my daughter.

Originally, while I was still pregnant, I new I wanted to breastfeed my daughter as long as I possibly could. I went into her birth knowing I would, but still bought a few cans of formula "as a back-up". I tried her on formula twice in the first few weeks. Since then, she has been exclusively been breastfed or drinking expressed breastmilk during daycare. My first goal was 3 months - and it came and went, then 6. My next goal is 9 months. I broke up my goals to give me some short-term milestones to reach and to congratulate myself with. My ultimate goal is 1 year at which time I'll wean her onto cow's milk during the day and probably nursing at night and for comfort for a few more months after that (or as long as my supply lasts).

I really have no desire to nurse her into toddlerhood (although I applaud women who do), it's just really not my thing. Pumping has been very hard and very demanding and I really do look forward to hanging up my pump horns. I savor the times when I nurse Natalie, although she's more than often fussy and squirmy, which makes it hard to have that magical bonding time. We rarely have a quiet, peaceful nursing session. Through it all, though, I know I'm giving my best for my child and I haven't had to compromise my wishes and desires for her.

The same is true now with baby food. My daycare provider really started me on this one. She makes all her own baby food. I figured if I was putting forth the effort to breastfeed her because it was so much better for her, then why would I want nothing less for her once she started whole food? Again, making her food is demanding of my time, but I can see already the rewards. Natalie is learning what food actually tastes like instead of eating jarred food that tastes nothing like the real thing (everyone remember that horrid game of "guess the baby food" played at baby showers?). I'm hoping that this will help her gain healthy eating habits and have her eating a wider range of foods into toddlerhood and beyond.

I realized the demand these things take on my time this weekend. When I wasn't comforting a fussy baby I was pumping (because she wasn't eating well) or making baby food to freeze when I really wanted to just sit down and read a book. I'm exhausted, but my baby has a full belly - my milk and wholesome food in the freezer and she's HAPPY.

So... I am able be a working mother AND still be able to provide for my daughter without compromising. Are there other things I could do like cloth diapering, etc...? Sure... but I'm exhausted. I've made my list of my absolutes and I have to make peace that these things will be enough.

Baby Food - Part 2

I forgot to take photos during the process of making baby sweet potatoes (a-la Pioneer Woman style ), but here are some cure photos of the end result.

Here is the puree once it was frozen in the ice cube trays. I didn't like how narrow these trays were and they were kinda tricky to get out.


I found these silicone trays at Target in the $1 section. I think they're a good serving size, and a shape that will defrost evenly. Plus they're diamond shape. Every girl likes diamonds!


Once I pried them from the trays, I put the cubes in a ziplock bag in the freezer with the content and date.

How simple!



Nati LOVED her sweet potatoes!

Homemade baby food - Part 1

I bought this hot little red-headed beauty this weekend so I could start making homemade baby food for Nati. I started out with two sweet potatoes. I baked them for about an hour, then scraped them out into the processor. I added water until it got smooth and thin. I left it a bit on the thick side so I can thin it out a bit more just before I feed her.

Then I spooned the mush into icecube trays and froze them. I yielded 32 cubes of food at about 1 ounce each. They keep in the freezer for 3 months.

She tried her first taste of them Saturday and really liked them!