Baby Banana...Baby Led Weaning... Bloggy..bloggy..blog..blog!

Tactics for Waking Daddy

2008-03-09T08:44:00.000Z

Yesterday morning made me laugh quite a lot... although I was tired and trying to sleep BB was hilarious. Completely without encouragement from me she resorted to the most tactics yet to get James out of bed!

They started with "Daddy Wake" which is her normal one.

"Daddy Teeth" she gets up with him in the week and they brush their teeth before anything else.

This then progressed to "knock knock daddy" whilst knocking on his head as if to see if anyone was in! lol!

"Tickle, tickle, daddy's feet"

Then she decided to grab his clothes and stuff them in his faces "Daddy clothes" as in get dressed you lazy git!

This continued until Mummy got up!

Been a while, thought I'd catch up!!

2007-11-20T10:36:00.000Z

Well, not sure where to start! In 5 days time my little baby will be a fully fledged 18 month old and I have no idea where the time has been going! She's such a funny little character and most definitely has daddy wrapped right round her little finger. She is extremely affectionate at the moment, especially with her big brother which is just lovely.

Her speech is developing every day and she has learnt a couple of new signs but we kind of stick with the same ones. Her latest sign is "Sorry" which is very cute!

Still feeding as good as ever. She sometimes has her moments if her teeth are particularly bad but this little lady loves her food!! I can't believe what a tidy eater she is now too. She uses cutlery fantastically and seems to understand there's a lot less waste if she eats smaller spoonfulls so she is quite dainty! However watching her eat yoghurt is hilarious!! She eats it beautifully all the way until the last couple of spoons she hasn't a drop of it anywhere but her mouth. She struggles with the last bit so lobs the spoon and gets her hands in! very funny!!

We've even started to introduce tomato based meals again, like spag bol. Now she is tidier at eating less gets spread on her face and it doesn't flare her eczema anymore.

We made some christmas cards the other week and she got right into it! really concentrating. Can't believe christmas is so close now! Will make sure I post some more christmas dinner photos!! She LOVED it last year!!

Chatty Little Madam

2007-08-28T08:15:00.000Z

Since BB's speech is coming along a bit I thought I'd list her words (well the ones I can remember!)

Daddy
Jake
Mumma
Hello
Hiya
Duck
Woof
Thank you
Poo
There it is
Peekaboo
Shoes

OK So now I have a blank moment so may have to edit with more :o)

Edit: I have remembered some more:

Teddy
All gone
Nanny
Manma (Grandma)
No
One, Two, Three
Choo choo
Uh Oh
Oops

More Meat

2007-08-13T16:29:00.000Z

BB has never been overly interested in meat. However, recently I have noticed she eats it a lot more than she used. Thing is I couldn't tell you when she started eating more of it lol! She has had a lot of new teeth in the last couple of months and maybe this has coincided with the fact she will eat more meats, more often.

I guess this fits in well with the BLW theory of how babies will eat when they are physically, developmentally ready, maybe now she has more gnashers she can manage a roast chicken breast more.

She did used to moisten her lamb or pork for a bit in her mouth and then take it out and chew it again, I suppose sometimes this may have been too much effort when she was hungry!

Yesterday, she appeared to start to get bored of her dinner. She's very keen on using forks or spoons though and was trying. In the end we decided to break the chicken up smaller and then she was able to spear and eat it really easy. She wolfed it down. I think this time instead of going off the meat she was probably uncomfortable (teething again) so little bite sizes were easier for her.

Apples are the new Banana

2007-07-25T09:06:00.000Z

Well BB has decided she'd rather have apples as her mid-mornign snack then bananas! It's so funny because she does actually tell me that she doesn't want what I have offered (ie the banana) and then signs "please" for me to try something else lol! Each time she settles on an apple.

Every so often she'll actually sign "raisins" which is very sweet. Also biscuit, but we're out of the organix ones until I do the shop so I have to tell her they're all gone!

Developing Taste Buds 1 year plus

2007-07-15T22:32:00.000Z

Has anyone else noticed that their little ones have aquired tastes for spicer, stronger flavoured food as they've got older?

BB has hit 1 year and seems very keen to move onto tastier food. A lot of the first weaning is bland and what you see is what you get kind of thing. However I have noticed her enjoying more flavoured meals recently.

For example, I made chicken fajitas and seperated BB's chicken before adding the spice as it can be quite hot. She did enjoy her wrap and a bit of the chicken but I could see her looking longingly at mine!

I gave her a piece and she wolved it down with many "yam yam" noises and big smiles all round!

Growth Spurt?

2007-07-03T14:03:00.000Z

I'm wondering if BB is having one as she seems to be hungry! and I mean wobbley, throw herself on the floor hungry!

Yesterday and today she has asked for something to eat sooner than normal after her breakfast and 1 banana isn't satisfying her as a mid morning snack! Today she had Raisin wheat for breakfast, banana and 2 organix biscuits then lunch was a marmite sandwich, half an apple, a babybel and a whole pear and it was earlier than normal! She just isn't stopping today! and now she is asking for more food!

OMG where did that month go???

2007-06-25T12:43:00.000Z

Sorry just realised after my last post that it's 25th June. BB is now 13 months old, so scarey how quickly they grow up, and BigBB is 8 years old in 3 weeks!!

She has done so much in the last month too. She now signs "duck" "milk" "sleep" "all gone" and twinkle twinkle little star... she even sounds like she sings it, very cute!!

BB has been trying to use a fork solo but not all that great yet. She will eat it happily when Daddy or I spear something first. Although she does try to spear it herself she hasn't mastered it just yet!

She is really into her books now and I mean for a longer moment then say, erm... 30 seconds! She will sit and flick through pointing and "chatting" away to each picture and page. She "counts" in her counting book, points at each object and makes noises that are very close to 1,2,3 it's hilarious!

Rain Rain Go Away!

2007-06-25T12:38:00.000Z

Getting most annoyed with the current weather situation! gggrrrr!

I really need to hang BB's nappies out in the sunshine they've been tumbledried so much recently but sunshine is good for the "baby stains" if you know what I mean!

That's it just a little rant from me! haha!

BB and I would like to have some more picnics in the park but at the moment it is a definite no, no.

I can't wait for the summer holidays when BB, BigBB and I can go on picnics and to the seaside! bring it on :o)

Play Theme - Bees, Butterflys & Bugs

2007-06-05T13:30:00.000Z

On my birthboard a few of us mums decided to start a weekly play theme. Like the babies/toddlers that go to nursery each week we have a theme and then we all add some ideas of fun and activities to do related to the theme.

After swimming this morning I thought I'd have a bash at the handprint butterfly with BB... She loved it! I let her do some freehand splodges too and even managed to try and get some on the mini canvasses we've had since she was born!

We also read incy wincy spider that my best friend got her for her birthday. It has music and pop up pictures of incy and so is a supervised read, otherwise she'd rip it to shreds!

Need to dig out "the very hungry caterpillar"

I don't think my mass killing of ants this week is included pmsl!!

BB Signed!!!! She signed!!!

2007-06-04T20:51:00.000Z

Oh it was so cute and she's been doing it since!

She can now ask me for milk... she knows the sign and is "milking" it (pun intended!)

She certainly drank more since but it's so cute how could I possibley not give her milk lol!

I am going to try and get a picture but I should imagine it's as easy as it was getting one of her first steps!

Some signing links for anyone interested:
Facebook Group
Baby Signing to Your Door
Tiny Talk Classes

How Tall is BB? Taller than I thought obviously.....

2007-05-19T16:08:00.000Z

Well after the first half of the FA Cup Final, BB went upstairs for her nap. Daddy popped to the toilet shortly after and her her chatting away to herself quite happily.... what he didn't realise is what she was really up to!

Turns out she's had a growth spurt.....

Clever BB and Banana

2007-05-19T08:15:00.000Z

Well we went to a birthday party yesterday and BB ate some party food and had lots of fun. I think she was distracted by the fun to eat much so she was hungry when we got home.

She was having a moan so I signed "eat" to her and she nodded and bounced (this is a yes) as it wasn't quite dinner time, I offered her a organix baby biscuit but she shook her head and moaned! I then pulled a banana out and she nodded again! It was so sweet! So she had a banana. It felt like a great achievement that we were able to communicate about what she wanted, she's so clever!

Proud Mummy :o)

Baby Signing... it's sinking in...

2007-05-16T12:10:00.000Z

Well BB and I started signing but we've only had 2 sessions so far! However I have been really signing loads at home the words Milk, Drink, Eat, More just for the basics.

I knew BB understood when I actually said milk because she'd get all impatient and moan for it!I have been signing and saying "milk" for 3 weeks now and today I thought I'd do a little test and just signed it without saying it to see if she'd actually associated the two... and she did! She started bouncing (this is her yes for milk) and headed for the kitchen. I got her bottle and gave it to her smiling my head of!

I bought a fab book from Chelltune that BB loves and it's great for us to practice with. It also reminds me to sign as it's a big book and I can't miss it!

Can't wait for her to sign back to me!!

BB reading her signing book!! lol

Cheese! No thanks!

2007-05-16T08:25:00.000Z

Well I think it is now apparent that BB may be allergic to cheese! I haven't given it to her for a couple of weeks. In fact the first week wasn't deliberate just needed to go shopping! So when I had gone shopping and gave her philly on toast her face flared right up. It was then obvious at this point that it was the cheese!

This would explain why it seemed like a constant battle! I thought we'd cracked it with tomato and then it started up again!

I haven't given her cheese since and it hasn't flared up on her face since. So that's another to add to our now growing list... Cat hair, washing powder, tomato and cheese!

Now I need to search out some soya stuff I think... Someone told me goats cheese is ok??? Looks like we need to see a dietician as well as a skin specialist really!

Oooooh been spending on Ebay!!

2007-05-13T22:08:00.000Z

Well I had some cash in my paypal and I have come up with a fab idea (in theory) of something to make for BB!

Now I just need it all to arrive so I can see if it is possible and whether I can make it with my antuque sewing machine pmsl! Then I might tell you more but until then you can sit and wonder!

Quite excited, how sad am i!!!!!

Had to order some more purepotions skin salvation for BB today as the little pot I got ot test out is all gone! think daddy gets a bit slap happy with it. Anyway he used doublebase on her instead until it arrives and her skin has gone horrendous again!!! what do you do? poor little mite! :o(

Thinking of Little Maddy

2007-05-13T15:49:00.000Z

It is so sad and my sisters and I had a good cry yesterday about poor missing little maddy on her birthday.

We watched the news and people tying yellow ribbons all over the place and it made me sad for her and her family. But what can we do to help? nothing. Nothing I can do will help. I just wish Portugal would up the publicity of it all to make it more in every ones faces. The press over here have covered it massively but why isn't it the same over there? where the girl actually got snatched?

I really do hope she is found alive and well very very soon!

BB "helping" Mummy

2007-05-11T19:45:00.000Z

Being the lazy so and so I have been today there was a load of freshly washed and tumble-dried (t'is raining outside) nappies on the sofa, sat waiting for me to stuff them and then put them away.
BB decided to "help" and did so for about 20 minutes!! (it's not a 20 minute clip though lol)

Yummy Breaky and Friends for Lunch!

2007-05-10T16:25:00.000Z

Well this morning I spotted daddy chopping up dried apricots and adding them to her cereal! Did make me chuckle! BB seemed to enjoy it lots though and was through it in minutes

I had friends over for a play date with the babies and we had a good old play and laugh! It's funny seeing them all sat round the dinner table for lunch! Two in totseats and one in a highchair.

I put on a lovely spread of crackers and cheese and we all had a good nibble!

I have noticed BB's face has gone a bit red since this morning though so now i'm wondering if it's cheese! ficious bloody circle trying to find out what irritates her face! She enjoyed it all the same and I have just applied some of my purepotions skin salvation to her face. Seems to be the best thing for her skin yet! However I did catch the little minx rubbing her chin on a cushion while I wasn't looking! Must be so itchy poor little mite!

Here is a cute picture of her today!... she is growing up so fast!

Appointment to see the Skin Specialist

2007-05-09T08:16:00.000Z

Well I've not written for a while as have been having lots of problems with Erin's eczema which has gone from bad to worse.

She definitely had a reaction to washing powder but her face is also still reacting to food. I have been keeping a food diary but somedays she'll eat something and it will be fine and then other days it won't so I'm left very confused!

Anyway I went to the doctors and asked for a referral and an allergy test. He pretty much said no to the allergy test as it's like finding a needle in a hay stack!

The annoying thing is in desperation I gave Erin some piriton as her skin was so bad. By the time I got to the doctors on the monday it was 10 x better so as per usual the doctor thinks I'm an overprotective mother gggrrrrrr! Anyway I had to push him for the referal and am now seeing the skin specialist on 13th June which to me is no where near soon enough!
I'm not keeping my hopes up but really do just need someone to help me with some preventative measure rather than just giving me cream.... which incidently doesn't bloody work! I have eventually found some that does off my own back and from help from friends on here. This has calmed it down a lot.

The doctor told me to continue with the piriton at night as it will stop her scratching and give her skin a chance to heal. Trouble is I have been giving it for about 2 or 3 weeks now and on the nights I don't she wakes up screaming and scratching. I really thought after a week or so it would be ok to stop giving it.

It's so heartbreaking and I guess that's why I haven't been about much as people ask you how your baby is and you just want to cry! Dry skin aside Erin looks like a self harmer from her scratching it's awful. I am keeping her nails so short yet she still manages to do it. I tried socks on her hands one night and she went crazy! I think it's made worse byt the lack of support from the health professionals I have received.

So for now I have been sticking to much more basic food. She crys at me when I tell her not to scratch. I just wish my baby's skin was like baby's skin again.

Yummy Pear!!

2007-05-02T13:59:00.000Z

This weekend I though I'd just give BB a pear as it was.

Not sure what made me feel like it but I did and she loved it. We'd had a BBQ and some friends round and all the kids saw BB enjoying her pear so much that they all wanted one! it was funny!

The pear was nice and ripe and it kept her entertained for ages!

the best thing is they don't have a massive core so it didn't matter that she ate from the bottom up. No more chopping up pears in this house!

Need to Catch up!

2007-05-02T13:57:00.000Z

Well I have a lot of catching up to do! Been manic and had a few problems with BB to sort out etc so unfortunately the blog took a back burner.

The Art of Eating - Our Clever Babies

2007-04-13T09:40:00.000Z

Not sure if anyone else has noticed this but thought I'd share!

I have a few times but after dinner at FIL's last night he had a bit of a panic when she shoved a massive peice of lamb in her mouth. Basically what she does is pop it in to slobber on it and moisten it, then she takes it out again to chew once it's softer!

When you think about it, it's really bloody clever for a baby! They're such amazing little things aren't they. Baby Led Weaning has given her this opportunity to learn to eat properly from 6 months and the more she eats the more clever she becomes. She does this with apricots too and has done for as long as I can remember (obviously she didn't to start with)

The whole pincer thing and learning to open their hands to eat whats left of veg stick. She also picks up raisins or sweetcorn with her hand and if she isn't satisfied that she has enough in her hand she holds them in a fist but with her pointer finger and thumb still free to grab another shoves them all in! porker!

My Text Book Baby

2007-04-12T13:45:00.000Z

Well I finally managed to get BB weighed at the clinic today. I haven't dare take her since we started Baby Led Weaning as wasn't sure what they'd make of it and didn't want them asking me about weaning until I got into it. Well then I just got out of the habit of going! lol!

Now at 10.5 months I go and get her weighed. TBH I was all geared up and ready to chat baby led weaning with them and it was empty so thought I had my opportunity. However just as I undressed BB some others arrived and started talking. Funnily enough about weaning and I was gonna try help but she looked like she'd deck me if I spoke! lol! She was saying her lo wouldn't even eat mashed up baked beans so I left without a word lol!

Anyway BB is now 21lb 9.5oz still following the 75th perfectly! I was suprised a bit as thought with all her walking and activity she may have dipped a little! no not our BB. They did her length too and she again is following her height just under the 75th perfectly at 73cm. All in proportion then :o)

It did make me realise though how stickler for weight HV's are as because they then titled her "text book" they didn't ask me any other questions, not about how well she feeds/sleeps or anything not even about her eczma until I pointed it out. hmmm oh well. They let me put a business card up on the pin board though. Think I am going to go again next week and chat to them about baby led weaning.

Baby Led Weaning Al Fresco Styleeeeeee

2007-04-11T19:55:00.000Z

Well I am currently looking after my nephew and my son is also on school holidays so in a bid for some peace and quiet we went to Abington Park! Such a lovely park - t'is one of my favourites!

I actually didn't pack a picnic because I am a wee bit rubbish especially with 2x Hyper 7 year olds!

We stopped in tesco express near the park and I picked up some fruit and sandwiches etc.

BB shared my chicken wrap and had a banana and some babybel. She loved sitting on the blanket with the big boys and it was a lovely day!

I love the fact now it doesn't matter if I haven't packed my baby food, bowls and so on... She can literally eat what we eat! Although trying to get a banana into my 7 year old nephew proved impossible!

BB did try and eat some twigs while we were there but I insisted that they wouldn't taste all that good lol

Converted to Cloth!

2007-04-10T19:02:00.000Z

I bought BB some cloth nappies while I was pg off ebay. They were naff and I never used them. After chatting lots to my friends on Cloth Nappy Tree I decided I should just sell the ones I didn't like and buy some new ones! Okay was a little miffed that I bought them off ebay and they now don't let you sell them!!! I didn't know this and listed them. I had about 12 watchers and 1 day to go and then I go the email saying they were taken off! Someone suggested selling them on The Nappy Lady so going to look into that instead.

Anyway my Fuzzi Bunz (from KipsKabin) arrived today and I have washed them and tumble dried and road tested the lavender one! Of course I had to put a matching slide in her hair and take lots of pictures! She wouldn't sit still for a second hence the "lots" of pictures... although she did seem to enjoy it! lol! Now I need to look into some washable wipes for her little tooshie!

Clever BB and her spoon!

2007-04-02T21:58:00.001Z

Ready Made or Processed "easy food"

2007-04-02T21:24:00.000Z

Ok so it is sinful, bad, naughty stuff but sometimes you can't always cook from scratch... or it's the end of the month so you have nothing else left til payday!

I spend many a moments stood in tesco reading the content of salt and sugar in any foods I think I may want to give to BB. My top tip if you want to give Malt Loaf is not tesco finest, nor is it soreen and the worst offender was the organic!! The best of all was the tesco value! Would you adam and eve it!

Anyway I don't give her processed food mood or readymade but there are times when needs must so my way of making sure she has as little salt as possible is by checking and comparing labels!

I stumbled across this on netmums today and though you may find it interesting!

Also a link I have on my Babycentre blog re salt and the food standards agency will also help you :o)

Only 2 bottles of Milk yesterday!

2007-03-25T08:45:00.000Z

Well we had a hectic day. We went swimming in the morning all four of us, we were there for ages as it took BB a while to settle into it and then when they were both having fun felt mean to leave!

Anyway this meant she had no morning nap at all! She was asleep when we got back and slept for about an hour and woke up hungry for her lunch. Hummus on toast which she couldn't be bothered to eat and so I gave her a banana (nice and easy) she was just still sooooo tired. After she polished that off she was very grumpy so I ended up putting her back to bed... Where she stayed asleep for 3 hours! This meant she completely missed her 3pm bottle.

To be honest I have been noticing a drop in milk and she is 10 months old today. I was wondering if it would mean she'd be up in the night but she slept right through. Thought she was ready to start dropping the middle bottle (she has 3) I know she was asleep so I shall offer it still if she wants it... she's just growing up boohoo!

She took quite a few steps again... her confidence is gradually building up! very sweet x

Baby & Toddler Groups???

2007-03-22T11:13:00.000Z

I only go to one group on a tuesday morning. It's Music Time and BB loves it!

I'm starting to feel the need to do more though. I'm sat at home quite a lot and until the weather gets nicer I can't see me venturing outside much. I tend to hibernate in winter!

Anyway I thought it'd be nice to meet some more mums and then when summer does get here we could go for picnics in the park.... or is that a bit ambitious? Are they really as cliquey as I've heard or is it just being shy that makes people think that?

I have been onto Netmums and got a list of the local groups (very good for local info!)

I have a shortlist of 5 though! 2 are on at the same time on a weds and the other 3 are tues, thurs and fri. I might just do a week of all of them and see what i like best! I may even join 2. Is there a baby group etiquette I should know about?

Gillian McKeith here again... We're talking Poo!

2007-03-22T10:26:00.000Z

I know, I know, I am obsessed with my daughters bowel movements but they do seem to fascinate me! (especially the multi coloured rainbow ones!)

The last couple of days BB has done a couple of proper logs! I do pity her little bum and her poo face is just excellent! However I'm wondering if it's because she's dropped her milk intake rather a lot recently??

She was having 3 x 8oz bottles then with her teething that dropped to 6oz sometimes as little as 4oz. Then she drank the full 8oz a few times last week (and was sleeping more in the day so i think a growth spurt) but now she has dropped again between 4 and 6oz 3x a day.

She does drink water with meals although a lot is dribbled down her chin. Maybe she's just hitting an age now where she does proper poo?!?!

Crohn Disease linked to early weaning...

2007-03-21T22:28:00.000Z

Just thought I'd share some info that I have been discussing on a few forums today.

I "met" one lady that had crohn disease and when she was diagnosed she researched it lots (as you would) it is linked to early weaning. She was weaned at 3 weeks by her mum. Ok I know it is excessively early but this is the second time I've heard of the link in the space of a week.

The thing that has now become apparent to me is even when people can say "My 4 year old was weaned at 12 weeks and he's ok" don't really have that as an arguement. This lady actually wasn't diagnosed until her late 20's.

Crohn disease, food allergies and intolerences have become alot more prevalent in the past 50-60 years. This correlates with the timescale that babies have been weaned early. Before the second world war purreed baby foods were impossible to obtain, children could not be weaned until they were old enough to handle chewing.

What really pees me off is the big baby food giants such as heinz are still free to reign on labelling their products "from 4 months" in essence this is covered by the fact it says "from" so it doesn't actually suggest you must wean at 4 months but does in fact give the impression it is fine.

The facts remain that yes not all babies are the same and some MAY be ready to wean at 4 months (but absolutely no way sooner) but for the sake of 8 weeks and the future health of your child are you willing to take the risk and wean early? I know I wasn't so I held out.

Don't get me wrong I have nothing against mothers that do wean early ONLY if they make an informed decision. I can't bare the fact that some take it on the basis that their Mother's, mother's, uncle's brother was weaned at 10 weeks and he's ok... It's an uneducated, defensive response in my opinion. But that's just me! so shoot me!

Would be interested in others views? I didn't know about crohn disease link until 4 months into weaning but the more I read the more I'm glad I waited.

Baby Banana's on the move!

2007-03-21T21:49:00.000Z

Well today my little lady has been walking a fair bit! Ok so it's only been a few steps and max 5 or 6 at a time.

However after recording her wetting herself laughing at her big brother she stood solo turned completely unaided and took a couple of steps!

HOW LONG!!!!

2007-03-21T21:39:00.000Z

It's taken me about 2 months to figure out what password and or username I had for this account ggggrrrrr!

Finally back in business! Obviously I still have the website but I like this blog too! lol!

Hoorah!

New site!

2007-01-06T18:15:00.000Z

I have just started a new site, to see more of BB and Baby Led Weaning as well as reviews on baby products, recipes and soon a shop on cool new products, visit www.babybanana.biz

lokk forward to seeing you there :o)

Nectarine Suprise!

2006-12-11T21:08:00.000Z

Well, as DF and I had a work's Crimbo Party to attend to on saturday night I put some nectarine slices and butternut squash sticks in a tub for BB's dinner.

My Sis said she did well but she fished out the skin for her. She got in a proper orange mess too. I was quite worried that she might just "help" BB eat rather than leave her to it but she was fine.

The suprise part was about half an hour later. Apparently BB had been playing and chatting away with her toys when my sister noticed her chewing something... she panicked a wee bit then realised on closer inspection it was a piece of nectarine BB had harvested in her check for later!

Anyone else's little one doing their best hamster impression or is mine officially bonkers?

Green Beans & Sweet Potato

2006-12-07T16:56:00.000Z

Well Probably the messiest most enjoyed meal yet! lol!
yummy roast sweet potato sticks and green beans.

I did cook a butternut squash at the same time but it wasn't ready so we have that tonight!

BB was having a right munch on them, she even tried holding her cup herself and smothered it in sweet potato

in the process!

I must order a new highchair as DS's one from 7 years ago just isn't up to BLW she ends up with it all in her lap!

Cheesey Spinach Pasta

2006-12-04T20:02:00.000Z

Well seeing as I have started to get a little bit more adventurous, thought I would introduce a second meal today. BB had lunch and dinner today... she nearly whisked her lunch off the table when i first put her in the highchair little madam! Think thats a sure fire sign she was ready for a second meal!

For dinner I actually made my own cheese sauce! Made a cheesey pasta with spinach, celery and sweetcorn. BB amazing managed to pick it up and eat it really well. Think its because it was a thickish sauce so not too slippery! As expected she wolfed it down. Even has some spare so will freeze it for another day.

Now I really need her to learn how to hold her own beaker and tip it up as i keep having to do it mid dinner! lol... any tips?

Roast Chicken - 1st taste of meat!!

2006-12-03T23:34:00.000Z

Well, it's great she loved it but I am getting rather concerned at how much she wants to stuff in her face in one go!

BB had potato, chicken and carrot & broccoli hanging out of her mouth and just kept ramming it in! DF was getting rather worried! It's not like we starve her first because she had 8oz of milk at 4 and we ate around 6-6.30. She is getting better at eating more than she throws on the floor but she is harvesting it and saving it in her cheeks like a little hamster!

Her first taste of meat went down well though and she munched up all her chicken.... getting her prepared for christmas dinner! hehe!

Anyone else find sometimes their little one just can't shove it in quick enough? she doesn't chew for ages just fills her cheeks! DF makes me take the food out of her hand when they're full so she swallows some more... it this contradicting BLW though or am I ok intervening? think i shall research that a bit more!

Melon & Cheese

2006-12-01T21:09:00.000Z

OK I am the first to admit... bit of a strange combo! Well as i was looking in the fridge because i wasn't quite brave enough to give her out spag bol! I noticed the melon and DF was grating cheese for us.

Also gave BB some bread soldiers. Thought i'd test the water with some dairy and a stronger taste with the cheese. My little miss piggy couldn't actually stuff it in her face quick enough! most amusing. DF keeps saying quick quick take it off her (we ate late so she was probably hungry!whoops) but BB just opened her mouth and spat some out. I calmly pointed out she'd learn! lol!

Family Values

2006-12-01T17:43:00.000Z

Don't want to sound like an old prude or anything but I feel like I am in the minority when I say we eat as a family at the dinner table.

Even before we started BLW, if BB was awake we would sit her at the table with us in her highchair with a toy.

I think it's extremely important to have the whole family sat at the table to eat dinner. It's the one time in the day when we can all sit and talk about our days etc. That's another reason why BLW is so great because we can all eat at the same time... no spooning feeding the baby then eating my dinner. It's fab for BB too as she can learn how to eat by watching us and copying what we do. Also good for social skills.

I also know of some families that cook for the children and then cook again later for the parents everyday. I pleased DS eats whatever we do, no special "kids meals" it means we all sit together. Occassionally DF and I eat alone for some quality time but that's a different thing but mostly if we want quality time we get a babysitter!

Am I the only 21st century mum that still feel likes this? would be interested to know your views too so leave a comment if you will!!!

Roasted Sweet Potato & Red Pepper

2006-12-01T17:06:00.000Z

Still haven't plucked up the courage to give BB some proper dinner as yet such as pasta's or meat.

She had red pepper and sweet potato for her new tastes recently. Also had some broccoli as thats what we all had with our chicken! She tried the sweet potato and red pepper but was mostly interested in the "little trees" (that's broccoli to you and me) Think that may be BB's favourite so far!

Have avoided pear for a while! lol

She is definitely getting much better at actually eating it. Don't forget it is a slow process and it important not to force them or "help" by putting it in their mouths... when they're ready they learn and can do it themselves. We're certainly getting less gagging and when we do just just has another chew and tries swallowing again!

Pear Explosion!

2006-11-27T21:53:00.000Z

BB tried some pear on Saturday for dinner, accompanied with some orange segments. Well the orange segments didn't get a look in!

She dived straight in for the "new taste" presenter to her. Bless her. BB was chewing on it a bit like a slice of melon at one point then like a chicken drumstick! Had an audience too, of myself, my friend and my sister... sure she didn't know what all the fuss was about! lol!

BB is definitely getting better at it... has more of a nack to it, if you know what i mean!

Word of warning... Pear = Poo and lots of it! PMSL! on Sunday at FIL's we had a major explosion issue much to BB's delight (not mine) she managed to get it all up the inside of her vest, up her back and almost in her armpits! ROFL! little madam giggled her head of as i stripped her down whilst desperately trying not to cover FIL entire bathroom floor in pear poo!

Banana & Toast

2006-11-25T08:35:00.000Z

We had chinese takeaway for tea... far too naughty for BB so she had banana & toast. She's loving her banana, ate practically a whole one (small banana).

Wasn't sure how she'd get on with the toast as it's a bit hard and rougher than her bread soldiers earlier in the week. She got on swimmingly though and sat munching away while we all dug into our noodles and prawn crackers!!! yummy!

It is very messy and a slow process at the moment but its so funny watching her eat. My friend is here to stay for the weekend and she has asked if we can give her something really messy! No she doesn't have children. hehe!

Think I'm going to stick with veg's and fruit and bits for another week or two, then start giving her more of the things we eat as a family.

Got a butternut squash in the fridge.... what am i gonna do with that!!!

Grandpa's Grub

2006-11-25T08:22:00.000Z

Went to dinner at Grandpa's. He always cooks yummy veg from his garden. BB had some carrot (not easy as cut too small) some parsnip and a new taste which was potato! Daddy forgot her pushchair so I made him sit with BB on his lap and he was covered in her slobbered on veg by the end of it! That'll teach him.

She's getting the hang of her beaker training cup thingy-me-jig now too.

Big Girl's Broccoli

2006-11-22T20:15:00.000Z

Well today BB didn't have lunch as I was at work. So she had dinner instead. MIL looks after her while I work so we all sat down to dinner together.

She had some broccoli and carrot. Which I might add she absolutely loved! She sucked the life out of the florets. Gagged a few times but we were sat at the table for over an hour as she just wouldn't stop eating it. She even favoured the broccoli over the carrot which surprised me as she's had carrot before.

The stems were looking very sorry for themselves after the first 30 minutes, what was left of them anyway!

Pink, pink, pink and more flipping pink!

2006-11-22T19:59:00.000Z

Scuse me while I scream! Ahhhhhhhhhh!

Anyone else sick of the sight of pink? (mothers of daughters obviously)

Whilst folding BB's clothes today I felt like I was drowning in pink. It's not deliberate either, I can't actually buy baby girl clothes that haven't got any pink on it! I was in tesco yesterday and the clothes were literally segregated... Girls (pink) Boys (blue). Not only that all the vests for girls (when i did find white ones) had little fairys, princesses blah blah blah! don't get me wrong i'm not a feminist or anything but I am so bored of it.

MIL bought her a gorgeous dress from India. It's so pretty and its not PINK!

Sorry about that had to get it out my system! someone tell me I'm not alone!

Music Time

2006-11-21T13:31:00.000Z

Well this morning we went along to "Music Time" and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. After the first sessions of initially feeling a prat singing along, got right into it... not quite ready for a solo mind!

I never did any baby groups with DS as was so young and was intimidated by the looks i'd get from the older mums!

I would highly recommend it to anyone with a baby. Ours takes them in from 8 weeks but my personal opinion is they are too young to enjoy it. Its nice to do something that is organised (rather than mums and tots where they all run riot) and that is soley for your baby

BB I am sure is trying to wave back when Mrs Jolly Chops (thats the lady that runs it, you know the type that always smile!) sings her hello song to them. Very cute.. she hasn't quite got the concept of clapping but the older ones often show their talent in doing so. Learning many new songs and hopefully BB is learning some rhythm and having fun with the musical instruments!

If you don't know where your local group is then ask your HV they should have a list of phone numbers they can give you.

Squishy, Slimey Orange & Bread Soldiers

2006-11-21T13:00:00.000Z

Well these have gone down a treat!

BB has a stinking cold at the moment and is currently sporting some lovely green go-faster stripes!

Was going to try her with some veg around 2.30 (bout the same time as yesterdays banana) but she is refusing her 12 o'clock bottle of milk poor mite can barely breathe! so I thought i'd try her with some food instead.

Didn't have time to cook all the lovely veg i bought earlier so have given

her some baby (think they're called jaffa) orange segments and some bread

soldiers.

She can't get enough of them! she's making a proper mess, the bread is now pretty much eaten or squished into orangey balls of goo and the orange segments have each been drained within an inch of their lives. She chews on them and sucks out the juice then pushes the remnants back out... very attractive!

Success!

Yummy Banana!

2006-11-20T14:59:00.000Z

Well after DF came home for lunch i spotted he'd brought a big bunch of bananas!

Chopped one up into halves (length ways & then in the middle) and gave a piece to BB. She loved it! she has had 2 bits so half a (small) banana and some remnants on the floor! it's so funny watching her face as she bites a weeny piece off (she has 2 bottom teeth) her surprise as she munches it round her mouth then swallows! this is fun :o)

NOTE TO SELF: Must get new highchair.... My 7 year olds clearly isn't up for this BLW lark! It all just falls on her lap not the tray! Maybe santa will bring one! eeek no we need one now! so that's car and highchair to add to shopping list!

Car Accident

2006-11-20T13:20:00.000Z

Well after having a silly woman drive into my car last Tuesday it has now been written off! gutted.

Someone mentioned to me about getting my baby carseat checked out, something I had not thought of. Insurance company didn't mention it although they knew I had my son and baby in the car with me.

A friend of mine sent me a link about the guidlines for how to know if it needs replacing. Thought I'd share it with you. See my links a gogo.

Now I really should start car shopping!

What did we talk about?

2006-11-20T13:09:00.000Z

After a night out with work for a colleagues birthday I find myself asking.... "what did we talk about before babies?"

Now don't get me wrong I love talking about my kids but sometimes wish there was something else to the conversation! Couple of glasses of Pino Grigio later and I'm surrounded by people in what feels like question time in a class assembley on homebirths!!!

Here's a thought... maybe its not us that are boring but the people that constantly ask us about our children!!! Maybe if people could see passed the nappies, weaning, poo and dribble they'd see little (or not so little anymore) old me! I'm getting married in 18 months. I love music, am going to see the killers live next year in Nottingham. I also love playing texas holdem!! fancy a game?

Where to start?

2006-11-20T11:33:00.000Z

Well, seeings this is my first post thought i'd tell you about Baby Banana's first trials in Baby led weaning...

Have read up a few things on it and well thought i'd test the water. (see links a gogo for BLW research)

We started about a week ago but just dipped our toe in! gave BB a stick of roast carrot while we ate our scrummy sunday roast. First thoughts were... "well done BB" it went straight in her mouth! She sucked and gnawed at it for the duration of our meal and we had peace and quiet as we ate!

At the end of the meal I thought most of it had broken up into small pieces and skattered on her highchair tray and in her eyebrow. Thought nothing more of it.

Next moring there's a suspicious smell in the air and not of BB's usual variety! Checked her anyway and indeed it was my little BB. Changed her nappy and to my surprise were several digested pieces of carrot! (sorry tmi) So she had done much better than I thought.

Since then she had a strawberry at a friends (to which i then found out is an allergenic fruit so beware) and a slice of cucumber.

Yesterday I tried BB with a piece of roast parsnip from our roast. Silly mummy hadn't quite cooked it as i normally do and it wasn't as soft! some cracking faces when she tried to swallow think it was a bit too stringy! she happily chewed away on that and a piece of carrot.