Happy Halloween!

This year, Eddie and I have matching costumes. I wanted to wear my costume to work, but Eddie and I are supposed to be together :)

I asked my mother in law if she could bring Eddie to work today. She did me the huge favor!

Here we are after spending some time at the office potluck. As you can imagine, all of my co-workers were taking pictures with us.

Eddie doesn't like the beard, but he let me put it on him occasionally for pictures. My poor baby-Halloween, just isn't fun at this point in his life :)

We get to wear our costumes one more time for a Halloween party we were invited to. We'll post more pictures later.

Thanks for checking on us.

Food critique-With Eddie

Read the blog before this one, for the recipe for the pancakes I made, shown in this video

Pancakes for Eddie-Recipe

There are certain ingredients Eddie cannot eat, until his tummy matures after one year of age (Milk, eggs etc). I have been looking for recipes for foods that babies can eat. I have mostly found recipes for pureed foods, which I already know how to make.

Until recently, I ran into a You Tube channel, that has recipes for babies who can eat solids.

I particularly liked this recipe for Plum Porridge Pancakes. I made them this afternoon and I plan to give Eddie a taste as soon as he wakes up. I taste tested them myself. They are lacking in flavor for my adult taste buds, but I have a feeling, he is going to like them.

Mine came out more lumpy because I didn't use enough water. Also, I didn't use eggs-This made them grainer. But still good. You can add more liquid to make them more runny :)

If you plan to make them for your older kiddies, use real milk, eggs, salted butter and any type of fruit you want. Also, if you're serving this to even older kids or adults, add some cinnamon and sugar for extra flavor.

Substitutes I used:

For Milk, I used water

For Eggs, I used organic Applesauce

Instead of butter, I used about a teaspoon of unsalted butter (BUT you can cook these on a non-stick pan and skip the butter all together. Also, if you'd like you can BAKE these)

Flour, I used unbleached, organic, wheat flour with no sodium

Here is the video/recipe

I will update you on whether or not he liked them.

Thanks for reading!

Making the bed

Eddie is 9 months!

Today, Eddie turns 9 months old. He is entering his 4th quarter of babyhood ;) Then, it's off to toddler land. The past month has been amazing. He is learning so much and repeating more than ever. He understands and can sign for "milk" & "eat". He understands the words "come here" when he is in his walker. He knows the word "up" when he wants to be picked up and puts his arms up. He can sit himself up, when he is laying down. He loves to be spooked and smiles a lot.

Eddie is really aware of other children. Yesterday, we had our lunch at a park. There was a birthday party going on and Eddie was just staring at the kids that would ride by in their bikes or run by wearing masks or laughing really loud.

I put Eddie in a swing, next to two little girls (about 4-5 yrs old) He was smiling at them the entire time. He would also shout at them to get their attention. They noticed and started talking to him. One of them came up to me and said "He's smiling at us!" Awwwww :)

Today, Eddie is home with Dad. Grandma is still out of town, but returns tonight. Today will be the longest day Dad stays with Eddie. Friday was about 3.5 hours. Today, will be about 5 hours.
It's nice to be home with Eddie, but he certainly does have a lot of energy. He loves to "walk" with support around the house. He loves to stand in front of the mirror and just clap, clap, clap. He likes to be in his walker as his music plays loud in our stereo. He loves to go outside and stare at the trees or look up at the birds.

Now, though, more than ever, Eddie just wants me or Dad to hold him. He plays for a little bit, and then wants to be picked up. This goes on and on.

Eddie's current favorite game goes like this: You sit him on your lap, facing out. You start to clap your hands as he tries to stop them, from clapping, with his hands. Him not being able to stop them, cracks him up! He loves this game SO much, that if you play it with him, you are doomed to have sore arms. If you stop clapping, he starts to cry really hard. It is the end of the world for him when the clapping is stopped. It's sad but also funny :)

Our little baby boy is growing up so fast. Gerardo and I love him sooo sooo much. He is our world.

Below are the series of pictures of Eddie month by month.

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

Thanks for checking on us!

Eddie's first dentist appointment

We just got back from Eddie's first dentist appointment. The pediatric dentist went over all steps for good teeth hygiene. There is so much to do. I can't believe it, he is so young. But it's all about cavity prevention.

I don't think I will be taking him back to this pediatric dentist in particular. They were very impersonal and didn't see me until 45 minutes after my appointment time. Even though, I was on time. Also, their excuse was that weekends were very busy for them. Weekends are busy for everyone and I was still on time. Hmmmm... Is that rude?

Is that the way it is with all pediatric dentists?

She showed me his top gums. Eddie has 2 teeth more teeth coming in! I hadn't seen them. They are still under the gums, but you can see them clearly in bright light. More teething!

I didn't have the luxury of seeing a dentist when I was growing up. Actually, I didn't see a dentist until I was about 21 years old and paying for my own dental insurance. By that time, I had 11 cavities, a baby tooth that never fell out and 4 wisdom teeth crowding my crooked teeth.

So, I hope to give Eddie better.

Eddie the mimicking parrot

Eddie loves to mimic sounds. Just a little while ago, I was sitting here, emailing G when the dogs outside started to bark. Immediately, Eddie started imitating their barks. I got it on video. It's pretty funny :) Enjoy.

Staying home with dad

Today, Dad stayed home with Eddie. Grandma is out of town for the weekend. G and I are taking turns, taking time off work to be with Eddie. I work in the afternoon on Monday and have the morning off.

Here's the G-mail sent to me about his day with Eddie:

"Right before you arrived at the end of the day, I heard him rustling, but his eyes were closed so I left him alone. Here is a quick summary of what we did.

We sat in the driveway for about 15 minutes right after you left (for work) and just looked at the birds and trees and cars.

Then we went inside and we walked around the kitchen and living room for a while.

Then we played "I'm gonna getcha!" while we sat in the recliner and he laughed and giggled until he was bored.

I put him in the playpen, but he didn't want to be there. I walked him around some more and he started staring down at his car/walker like he usually does when he wants something so I put him in there. Then he "drove" around the house.

After some time, he walked backwards to me (most babies do that so well) and was looking at me backwards, calling for me so I picked him up. I figured he was hungry now so I put him in his high chair and gave him some snacks while I warmed up his milk.

He ate about 6 snack pieces and then didn't like the milk too much. He drank it in small sips and would pull the bottle out squirting some on his face and my arm. I think it was too cold so I warmed it up some more and he finished it quickly. I tried burping him but he didn't have to. I tried lulling him but he didn't want that either. I put his music on and blocked the iPhone dock with the playpen so he wouldn't blast the volume. He then started crashing his car into the playpen to push it out of the way so he could get to the volume.

After a while of doing that I noticed his eyelids were a little heavy so I picked him up and started walking him around but he didn't want to lay down he wanted UP. ( IRIS: I had previously told G to hold the baby laying DOWN-That's how he falls asleep with me)

I walked and walked and he was straight angry cat face the entire time. I tried setting him down in the bed and sang, tapped his chest, tried everything and he started wailing and sweating. I tried to just be quiet but he didn't want that. So I told myself why make him cry? I would walk him around and even if the world around him was interesting and kept him up, his desire to sleep would win.

I picked him up and sang the song (I sing to him) and he knocked out before I completed one lap around the kitchen. I did one more lap and as I felt his arms go limp I went to set him down. I nestled for comfort and that was it.

Thank you for letting me enjoy him today. :)"

Eddie learning to walk

Eddie is now 8 months old and learning to walk. He LOVES it. I didn't think this would happen, but he sure did skip crawling.

Here we are in his room, just practicing walking. The first part of the video, was really close to bed time and he gets fussy when he is sleepy. Toward the end of the video, is tonight. It's earlier- He is more alert and willing to practice. It's fun to see him try to walk :)

Thank you for watching this video and thank you for checking on us. Stop by and leave me a comment some time :)

How long do I plan to nurse?

This is a question that I get very often.

DISCLAIMER: To the men in our family who read this, you don't have to read any further, if this makes you uneasy. But just so that you know, there are many benefits to nursing longer than 6 months. I will get in the the details of that and nothing more.

To the mommies who read this and have chosen to or not nurse, don't read this blog as preaching statements. These are just my reasons for doing what I plan to do. Everyone can do what they want :)

Because Eddie is a little larger now and no longer looks like a brand new baby, I get asked a lot: "When are you going to stop?" or "Isn't he too old?" or "The nutrients are gone at 6 months, from your milk. Shouldn't you stop?"
I know it's because some strangers think Eddie is 1 1/2 years old or 1 year old. His legs are long like a toddler's and extend past my waistline when I am nursing him. But he is still 8 months old.

In short, I planned previously to nurse Eddie until he turned 1 year. But after researching more information, I realized, I want him to nurse up to one year. BUT if he wishes to go on longer, he can. I will follow his desire. I know that is going to make many people uncomfortable, uneasy maybe even disgusted. Because of this, I plan to make my BF sessions more private when he is older (ie:When available- going to another room completely, rather than how I do it now, where I just cover myself.)

Here's some information to pass on to those of you who are not aware of the benefits of breastfeeding beyond the first year: (There is soooo much more information-That I did not post-out there about the benefits of nursing a baby beyond 6 months or a year.

I am a little skeptical about some of the below facts, because I was nursed beyond one year. But yet, I did encounter some pretty serious illnesses as a child. HOWEVER, most of the issues started after I nearly drowned as a toddler. I was under water, at a lake, long enough to black out. The doctor stated there was some damage to my ear canal and that I would be deaf. I don't know what other kind of damage was caused in my brain, but I don't consider myself to be an intelligent person. I actually have learning set backs that affected me in school. I still graduated from high school with a 3.8 GPA :) though.

Anyway, you can do your own research too :)

Your baby continues to get the immunological advantages of human milk, during a time when he is increasingly exposed to infection.

Breastfed toddlers are healthier overall.

Breastfeeding prevents obesity in your child

Breastfeeding lowers the risk of some forms of childhood leukemia.

When he is upset, hurt, frightened, or sick, you have a built in way to comfort him.

Often a sick child will accept breastmilk when he refuses other foods.

Many of the medical benefits of breastfeeding (lower cancer risk in mother and baby, for example) are dose related – in other words, the longer you breastfeed, the greater the protective effects

Human milk offers protection for the child who is allergic.

Mothering a toddler is challenging enough – nursing makes the job of caring for and comforting him easier.

A simple way to ease a temper tantrum, or put a cranky child to sleep-by nursing.

Nursing provides closeness, security, and stability during a period of rapid growth and development.

Letting your baby set the pace for weaning spares you the unpleasant task of weaning him before he is ready.

"Human milk expressed by mothers who have been lactating for >1 year has significantly increased fat and energy contents, compared with milk expressed by women who have been lactating for shorter periods. During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant."-- Mandel 2005

"Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins." -- Dewey 2001

In the second year (12-23 months), 14 oz of breast milk provides:
29% of energy requirements
43% of protein requirements
36% of calcium requirements
75% of vitamin A requirements
76% of folate requirements
94% of vitamin B12 requirements
60% of vitamin C requirements -- Dewey 2001


Studies done in rural Bangladesh have shown that breastmilk continues to be an important source of vitamin A in the second and third year of life.-- Persson 1998


It's not uncommon for weaning to be recommended for toddlers who are eating few solids. However, this recommendation is not supported by research. According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):

Some doctors may feel that nursing will interfere with a child's appetite for other foods. Yet there has been no documentation that nursing children are more likely than weaned children to refuse supplementary foods. In fact, most researchers in Third World countries, where a malnourished toddler's appetite may be of critical importance, recommend continued nursing for even the severely malnourished (Briend et al, 1988; Rhode, 1988; Shattock and Stephens, 1975; Whitehead, 1985). Most suggest helping the malnourished older nursing child not by weaning but by supplementing the mother's diet to improve the nutritional quality of her milk (Ahn and MacLean. 1980; Jelliffe and Jelliffe, 1978) and by offering the child more varied and more palatable foods to improve his or her appetite (Rohde, 1988; Tangermann, 1988; Underwood, 1985).

The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).

Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986).

"Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation" (Nutrition During Lactation 1991; p. 134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991).

Per the World Health Organization, "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness." [emphasis added]

Many studies have shown that one of the best ways to prevent allergies and asthma is to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months and continue breastfeeding long-term after that point. Breastfeeding can be helpful for preventing allergy by:

reducing exposure to potential allergens (the later baby is exposed, the less likely that there will be an allergic reaction),

speeding maturation of the protective intestinal barrier in baby's gut,

coating the gut and providing a barrier to potentially allergenic molecules,

providing anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of infections (which can act as allergy triggers).

Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest.

According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):"Research reports on the psychological aspects of nursing are scarce.

One study that dealt specifically with babies nursed longer than a year showed a significant link between the duration of nursing and mothers' and teachers' ratings of social adjustment in six- to eight-year-old children (Ferguson et al, 1987).

In the words of the researchers, 'There are statistically significant tendencies for conduct disorder scores to decline with increasing duration of breastfeeding.'"

According to Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in "Extended Breastfeeding and the Law": "Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood."

Baldwin continues: "Meeting a child's dependency needs is the key to helping that child achieve independence. And children outgrow these needs according to their own unique timetable." Children who achieve independence at their own pace are more secure in that independence then children forced into independence prematurely.

• MOTHERS also benefit from nursing past infancy
  Extended nursing delays the return of fertility in some women by suppressing ovulation Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer



• Studies have found a significant inverse association between duration of lactation and breast cancer risk.


• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer


• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of uterine cancer


• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of endometrial cancer


• Breastfeeding protects against osteoporosis.


• During lactation a mother may experience decreases of bone mineral. A nursing mom's bone mineral density may be reduced in the whole body by 1 to 2 percent while she is still nursing. This is gained back, and bone mineral density may actually increase, when the baby is weaned from the breast. This is not dependent on additional calcium supplementation in the mother's diet.


• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.


• Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease insulin requirements in diabetic women
• Breastfeeding moms tend to lose weight easier
  

Playing outside

Today, Eddie and I went outside to play. Below is a quick video I took of him playing in his walker in the drive way.

While we were outside, a flock of crows, flew over us and Eddie just stared in awe. I think there must have been at least 40 of them. It was random and awesome that he got to see that. Eddie was also truly interested in looking at the trees blowing in the wind. It's one of his favorite things to look at when he is outside.

A little boy in our neighborhood, happened to be outside at the same time. His dad was getting his helmet on and getting his little bike ready for him. When the little boy rode by us, Eddie just stared at him.

Eddie looked at the leaves on the ground. I picked one up and handed it to him. He just examined it closely. After a while, he realized he could snap it in half. Then, he began to crumble it with his fingers. He wanted to put the leafy mess in his mouth, but I stopped him once again with the 'ol' "A la boca no." (translation: not in your mouth.)

After, I took this video, I took him out of the walker and held him as he "walked" down the block. I don't think Eddie will be walking soon. But, he certainly likes to pretend he knows how. He also tries to get me to let go of him, by pushing my hands away.

Hope you enjoy the video.

Also, dad went outside to snap some shots of him. Here are some pictures.

Thanks for checking on us.

Weekends with Dad

My heart is so warmed when G is home with us. Yes, G and I both come home from work, but I get to come home early more than G does. I spend more time with Eddie.

Weekends, G gets to spend time with Eddie. Today was a great day (for me) because G got out of bed early. Usually, he gets up at about 11 am to 12 pm, because he works (at home) better late at night. He gets a lot more done when he stays up late. But today, he woke up and got up at the same time we did. We did so much together, because we had more time together!

G's cousin, Sergio, came over to spend time with us. We all went to Ontario Mills. There were actually sofas in the middle of the mall, courtesy of the local furniture stores. G and I took advantage of making ourselves at home, as G's cousin walked around the mall. It was very relaxing. We gave Eddie a piece of paper to play with and he went to town with it. He loves to play with non-toys.

Eddie got to spend a lot of time next to dad.

G put a couple of coins in this well. The coin spins and spins around and around the walls until it dips into the hole. I was surprised to see Eddie follow the coin with his eyes. He was so intrigued by this and G was happy to show him.

I LOVE WEEKENDS!

Getting into every thing

Tonight has been the first night that I have seen Eddie really get into things. What I mean is, he is strolling around in his walker and just touching everything in sight. So far, I have seen him grab magazines and throw them on the floor. He touched a box that's on top of the entertainment center in the living room. He tried to grab Zero, but I quickly moved him away. He has been walking around the living room, touching different textures: the recliner, the back of the stroller, the netting around the play pen and more. He is so aware of his surroundings and curious to touch it all. Part of me feels bad letting him walk around alone. I am sitting a distance away ( close enough to run to him in case he gets in trouble, but far enough to give him his space.) But I understand he needs this alone time to develop.

Our curious little guy.

Monday blues

I totally miss my little tiny man. I don't care if he gets cranky and whiny. I love him.

When I arrive to pick him up from work, I lift him up into my arms. He pushes back on me, a little, so that he can get a good view of my face. He smiles at me, then he sort of hugs me with one arm and his head, as he proceeds to rest it on my shoulder. He'll repeat this over and over about 2-3 times, and sometimes even include a little nibble to my shoulder. This is how I know he is so happy to see me when I pick him up. He also does this to dad, when dad comes home from work, on my half days.

I miss him tremendously. I am sitting here at work, just thinking about his cute little face.

I love him.

Air conditioning vents

Documenting something particular about Eddie.

Ever since Eddie has been able to see further than faces, he has been fascinated by the air conditioning vents in our ceilings. He stares at them and doesn't make a sound as his eyes move about, examining the details of the vent. We thought, when he was more of an infant with blurry vision, that it was because they probably looked like big blobs. But as he has gotten older, and his vision has improved, his interest in these vents has grown.

He can even spot one in a room and then find another, in the room adjacent. Sometimes, I have even caught him laughing at them. For the most part, he just watches them for up to a minute and then looks away.

Mind you, they don't do anything. They are just vents. I can understand his awe in ceiling fans, or twinkling lights. Things that have motion. But air vents?

I've wondered many times, what is so interesting about air vents. I came up with a couple of theories; Perhaps with his vision, the lines in the vents appear to wiggle, sort of like an optical illusion?

Or maybe he sees them as objects in a large blank space (ceiling) that perhaps he wonders if he can get his hands on?

So, yeah one of Eddie's particulars right now that I like to notice. I've wanted to document this for a while now :)

Thanks for checking on us.

Zero and Eddie

This morning, I put Eddie in his walker. He was glad to be awake, despite the fact that he has a cold again. I know it's back because of all of the back and forth he does, while I go to work. But he seems to be getting better.

Anyway, I put him in his walker while I got ready. Zero got up from his bed and walked passed Eddie, wagging his tail as usual. Eddie was so excited to see Zero, that he let out a sharp "ah!" Then suddenly, let out 3 more, consecutively, that sounded like he was imitating a bark.
His face was wide-eyed and so intense. I had to laugh.

Just documenting this cute and funny moment.

Eddie likes music

Look at his smile when he hears his music. CD provided by grandma.

A 3rd tooth and more coming?

I don't know, but grandma said Eddie was fussy yesterday. She predicted that he may be teething again. I went online to research the order of appearance and this is what I found:

When will they appear?

The first teeth to appear at around six months of age are usually the two lower central incisors - or ‘cutting teeth’. These are followed by the two upper central incisors. Once the teeth start to come through, they appear at the rate of around one a month. So by his first birthday, your baby may have six teeth.

The average time and usual order of appearance is

• Four central incisors (cutters) start appearing at around 6-7 months
• Four more side incisors appear at around 8 months
• Four back molars (chewing teeth) appear at between 10-14 months
• Four canines (pointed teeth) appear at around 16-20 months.
• Four more back molars appear at between 24-30 months.

Guess we better brace ourselves (no pun intended) for a few more months of teething.

Last night (as I was nursing him to sleep and after I got off the phone with grandma to update her on his status) he bit me. Yes he bit me there. This is the 2nd time he bites. I screamed OOOWWWW! in pain. I moved him away and said "NO." He giggled a little. But I didn't let him come back to nurse. It really hurt and he had already finished the other side.

G grabbed him and rocked him to sleep. Thanks Dad.

If he continues to bite me, I may have to start using a bottle.

So far, this morning, he has not bitten me.

Thanks for checking on us!

Saving the environment a little bit (sort of)

I watched the below video recently.

You don't have to watch it. The gist of it is, learning the cues your baby gives when he/she needs to go pee or poop. From there, you can take your baby to the toilet (the place away from where they eat/sleep/play etc.)

That's the basic idea. The video is more detailed of course.

Arguments against this include: making your baby grow up too fast. And making them feel uncomfortable peeing and pooping in a diaper, at a young age or when there is no bathroom available.

I am not writing this blog to argue for or against this method. I am just writing to let you know that I tried it with Eddie.

I already know when he is JUST about to go #2. So, today, I quickly took him to the toilet when he started showing signs of having to go.

Do you know that he sat there with his arms crossed in front of him and pushed out his little baby poops into the toilet?!!! It was THAT easy.

My plans are not to put him in the toilet every time he needs to poop. But just like I am getting him used to brushing his teeth and taking baths, I think that this is some thing that I can add to his daily routine. If not, maybe up to once a week and increase the number of times he goes to the toilet until he is old enough to actually want to go on his own.

I don't know when the right age is, but I am assuming he will probably be about 1-2 years old when he starts potty training?

Anyway, just wanted to document this cute little happening. Awww I wish I could go on and on and tell you how cute his little poops were in the toilet, but I will just end the blog here.

Thanks for checking on us!

Eddie's photo shoot!!

Eddie has new pictures and I couldn't be more excited. I've been waiting for him to be strong enough to be "posed" for pics and finally he is. Here are some of my favorite pictures, taken by G's cousin, the pro photographer in our family ;) Didn't post all of them because I just wanted to get this blog out quickly :P