Wednesday

Obviously meant as yesterday’s post, but you know how it is...

Wednesdays, I say, are good days to reflect on the weekend that passed and the weekend there is to look forward to. What’s gone down and what’s up and coming. It is the threshold of the week where you walk way from one It’s a mid-week pause from work or in my case as with the case of many mothers out there fully back in the throes of stay-at-home stupors, neglected domestic duties and mid-afternoon snuggles in bed. These are the peaks and valleys we live in, and somewhere a surprise waits in suspense only in its own knowing, giving our days something special, however small or seemingly insignificant it may be. Ripples in a pond. How these small things affect us.

Everyday, our Mandarin grows; a world of possibilities in her fingertips.

Easter weekend was abundant with Spring energy for Mandarin’s first egg hunt! A day with friends and family, the park we landed was verdant with perfectly trimmed grass, pruned bushes, and gorgeous trees.  We had registered weeks in advance, and by the number of families and children there it was no surprise that the event was sold out. They had zones for the egg hunts, though there wasn’t much hunting to be done. 

1. It was an open area. 

2. The eggs were not hidden, but rather scattered about. 

3. I suppose you could say they were free-range eggs.

4. We were late and the only eggs left were half opened colored eggs, looted for it’s candy.  

It was like a mine of empty, albeit colorful egg (plastic) shells. Nonetheless, it’s not like Mandarin can run around just yet so we zipped her around in her toddler seat enjoying the view of her cousin and two of her friends. 

The Curious Kitty...

Who eventually got hungry...

Needed a break from the hunt.

Our lovely girls , all just two weeks apart!! No there wasn’t a pregnancy pact, it wasn’t planned. 

Someone mentioned that she looked like a gift with her bows.  And what a special gift she is indeed. 

Tuesday's trip to Golden Gate Park turned out to be one of those unplanned perfectly beautiful days.  

While at the park we indulged in some well needed afternoon sunshine and with it a few thoughts of when and where we will finally be able to own our first home. We spoke of deal breakers like short driveways, dreams and ruminations of homey kitchens, and anthropologie linens, and an entire room for Mandarin and a bedroom with enough space for both hubby and I - and of course the Daffodil Free-arm Sunbrella from the Crate and Barrel catalogue for the patio.  

$800 for an umbrella? Seriously?

It makes me feel hopeful to dream yet similarly, saddened that we cannot financially afford one just yet. Then there is the challenge of unemployment, the threat of bills and groceries. And now with a growing 8-month old, the palpable fear that we cannot provide the best for our daughter. Because isn’t that all we parents want? The best for our children, without compromise.  

And so I nudge myself and bring to mind the mantra that I’ve openly allowed to flow within my consciousness: Savor the small. It is not easy to find contentment in the mundane cycles of of weeks and days and in spite of our struggles we are happy.

Some days it takes a trip out of the house, say --- to a park. A picnic. A quick stroll to get some fresh air. 

but on most days we don't let emotions take the best of us

on most days, all it takes is a smile. 

*

The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions -- the little soon forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment, and the countless infinitesimal of pleasurable and genial feeling.” 

 - Samuel Taylor Coleridge    

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Full on Spring

Spring has made its way to our doorstep. When I walked out this morning to check the mail the Maple tree that had been bare (except for that last brown leaf that hung on for dear life) now bourgeoned with delicate light green leaves; tiny hands fluttering in the wind greeting the sun. 

And so goes the wardrobe, clothes, make-up, accessories and all the necessary ducks in tow; thick clothes tucked into corners of the closest, boots kicked back, sandals and wedges surface up front along with all the pastel shades that I have recently, very recently,  become friends with. 

Betsey Johnson. Homemade baby clips. Chatterbox and Viva Glam V. Cath Kidston. YUM.

Exactly one year ago today, I was in my second trimester recovering from the throes of hormone shifts, unexplainable cravings, and superhero senses. I distinctly remember looking out the window and being awed by so much roses that seemingly grew out of nowhere. Our backyard, an otherwise drab oasis of cement, weeds, spiderwebs, and two stalks of the most stubborn persimmon trees that refuse to grow and bear fruit, comes alive with the surprise of color, complements of Spring. What a sight to behold considering we don’t pay much attention to it. Such happiness in its blooms; nothing short of a message of renewal. 

I was never a big fan of roses, until Rachel Ashwell made them chic and shabby- but even then - years ago I was in denial of a side of me that was so incredibly florid and feminine.  My pregnancy was a culmination of all things maternal, effeminate and pretty.  The floodgates opened the day I cut those roses, arranged them with glee in an old blue and white pitcher, and placed it in the foyer so it can greet me every time I go downstairs.   I was forever changed, my daughter had given me the gift of insight. 

Our roses pink, red, yellow, and plum- wild yet unperturbed, a revelation in an otherwise drab backyard.  They are reminders of nature’s renewing force within and all around me. Today, the buds rest quietly like hands in prayer pointing to the heavens, sleeping beauties waiting for the kiss of Spring. It’s no     that they’re referred to as Ovoids the buds, egg shaped, is probably the best symbol of new beginnings.  I can’t help but feel that I would have come full circle when I take the blooms back in the house as I did exactly one year ago. 

Easter too, is a two days away. Another chance to celebrate, as evidenced by the sweetly colored chocolates in grocery isle, the abounding stacks of eggs, and migration of a certain bird specie:

And their gruesome fate... 

There is rabbit food too, of course. 

We can feel new as we purge our closets and our spirits of its clutter to make room for all the good things the year has to bless us with.  And suddenly we feel much lighter...

and smile wider

My sweet penguin...

laugh louder

Thank God for Blackberries to capture moments on a whim

we savor the small things like sunshine after a week of rain, or tiny green leaves, or the fact the tiny human you are lovingly raising is saying "Dada" and "Mama" even if she doesn't know what it means just yet. And so we switch gears and move forward with optimism on overdrive for all the good things the year has yet to give, with an open heart and a spring in our steps.

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Baby Food Basics

I just recently started making homemade baby food after about a month of giving Mandarin Stage One Gerber food cups.  Oh and if you’re wondering who Mandarin is...for the purpose of this blog and to protect those concerned we shall here forth refer to my daughter as such. Also because her cheeks look like she stuffed two cuties - oranges -  in them. Love.

Check out these delectable Cuties. 

Orange Cuties

Back to baby food. 

Round 1: Green Beans. The first puree of fresh green beans did not turn out the way I expected it to. I didn’t use enough water and the puree wasn’t smooth enough, and as I fed it to her, I found that there were fibers and tiny bits of beans still floated about. Choking hazard! Mandarin still ate it nonetheless, but gagged all the way through as I sifted through the puree, taking out all “solid” looking things.  I figured she wasn’t a fan of green beens, because the first time I gave it to her from a Gerber cup, not only did she gag, she got the “ewww” shivers, gagged deeply, and shot me a horrified look as if to say “what the frak is this!?”

And yes. That was a Battlestar reference. 

The second batch of green beans; I made with a bit more water ( used the water that steamed the beans ) and blended on high puree for a little over a minute. Of course this would depend on how much beans you’re making. I made about a cup of chopped beans (ends trimmed) which yielded four 2 oz cups. This time around she was more receptive to the texture - and the taste. No more gagging! 

Pureed Green Beans: They pop out easily from the silicone mold. Store in another container so you can make more. 

Reading up on baby eating solids led me to the information that starchy fruits and vegetables like bananas and sweet potatoes can further contribute to constipation. The health benefits of course still outweigh the consequence of constipation so I make sure to give her MORE fiber in beans and pears and mix it up with other veggies. Having breastfed her for seven months (and still going) her body needs to get used to the consistency of solid food, and though it make take some time, a pasty consistency to her B-movements is nothing short of an A+ for me!

Round 2: Pears. High in Fiber and easily digestible. I bought a whole bag of it and discovered that 2 whole pears yield five 2 oz cups. Other than a tablespoon of water to help cook the pears, nothing else is added to the puree. Straight off the saucepan to the blender on high, it took less than a minute for the pears to puree into a smooth treat. At first she gagged, as with most food that is introduced to her. But our little Mandarin made friends with Pear in no time, and now, next to carrots may just well be her favorite food. I thought the pears tasted fabulous too and will soon make frozen PearPops for hubby and myself. A good and healthy snack in lieu of Haagen Daz bars. (You reading this, Mom?)

Round 3: Carrots. What more can I say...she loves them! 

Cut and steam...About 1 cup of chopped carrots with 1/3 cup of water yields 61/2 oz of puree.

Puree!!!! 

What I find amazing though is that homemade food is at least three shades strikingly brighter than store bought food! Makes you wonder what’s in those jars and cups - even it it only states green beans and water. Our pediatrician did say that nutrition wise they’re all the same, but somehow one just can’t help and think about the additives in there. I’m no baby food purist. This doesn’t mean that I think store bought food is any less better nutritionally than homemade other than obvious reasons. In fact nothing beats the convenience of a vacuum sealed pack and as long as you don’t open it you can carry it around like a protein bar to immediately feed a hungry baby . Homemade food is admittedly cheaper, greener (no plastic or glass jars to deal with) and if you have half an hour a week, you can make and freeze enough food for that entire week.

It’s a matter of choice and opinion much like breastfeeding and formula. There will always be someone who’ll tell you that one is better than the other; the way I see it, balance is key. Homemade food when you’re home, store bought when you’re out. Why not right? Whatever works.  Only a mother would know what is best for her child, and whatever choices any mother makes - well -  at some point we all channel our mother and pull out a stern because I said so. The bottom line is  even if you're new to motherhood, trust your instincts.  You really do know what you're doing even if you think you don’t. 

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