The Father's Image

Ok--She DOES belong to me too..... even though..... she looks just like her Daddy!

Ephesians 5:1-- be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children

Imitator: (from www.thefreedictionary.com) 1. To use or follow as a model 2. To copy the actions, appearance, mannerisms 3. To copy exactly; reproduce.


Wow--I read this scripture in an entirely different way now that I am a parent!! 


We are called to "look" just like our Daddy!  "Imitating" our Father in heaven should come easily (just as it comes easy for Lydia)--if we truly belong to Him!  Children will mimic whatever/whomever they are around--which tends to be there parents in the early years.  It's only when they grow older, go to school, etc.--that they start imitating others as they venture farther from home and develop other relationships.  Copying the actions, appearance, and mannerisms of God can be quite a challenge at times, but it is much easier if we stay closer to "home" and in relationship with God.

My prayer for our lives and Lydia is that as she grows, and even as she moves on--she will continue to look just like her Father--on earth and in heaven!

Homemade Baby Food--I'm Convinced.... again :)

Ok--so I am even more convinced that this is the best thing possible--making your own baby food!

Tonight--Lydia had avocado with mango and a little chicken (left over from us--ground with a food mill).  It was a little runny, so I added some rice cereal.  She ate it up!! LOVED it! and quite honestly--I did too (I could have licked her bowl when she was done hehe :)  For breakfast it's whole milk yogurt mixed with bananas, peaches, and apples.  It is soooo good!

I get so excited planning what I will feed her next.  What has been more "convincing" was a few articles that I read today describing the incredients in most jarred baby foods.  Did you know that most jarred baby food contains more than 50% water and even more "fillers" like flours? There's nothing wrong with water--but if I want her to eat sweet potatoes--I want sweet potatoes.  Water will be from a cup--not on her spoon.

So... enough of the rant.  If you have a baby (and if anyone is reading this)--set aside one day a month to puree and freeze food.  You can do a lot in one night and stock up for 1-2 months.  It's really easy.  In addition--your baby will be eating actual veggies and fruits and will transition to eating regular table foods much easier.

And if you make too much (fat chance)--you can use the extra cubes of purred vegetables in spaghetti sauces, chilis, soups, smoothies, etc. to add some fiber and extra nutrition to your foods.

Well--are you convinced?  I am.  Now--I just need to start working on me.  I need convincing that cake and cookies are something I shouldn't be eating so much of :)  I might become a ravishing animal if I pull it from my diet, but there's always a way to "tame" the beast.  If you hear me growl--you'll know what is happening ;)

Seriously--I think this is so good--that I've even though about making it and giving it away as baby gifts!  Kind of strange, I know--but I just want others to get the same "goodness."

Daddy's Girl

For Father's Day (I know I'm a little late) I prepared the table for a nice breakfast.  Lydia was awake so we could all sit at the table.  One of Brett's gifts was a mug with the picture below on it.  It was his favorite gift!  I thought It was a little "girly" because the mug is white--but he didn't care!  I had her little footprint stamped in a nursery rhyme book--and there it is on his gift bag.  Daddy loved her footprint!

I also wanted to make sure I captured Lydia with her daddy.  She was sleeping prior to us leaving for church, so I had to wake her up.  As a result--she wasn't the happiest camper--although she's still cute ;)  And of course Brett was rushing me so we wouldn't be late.  But by golly--I was going to get at least ONE picture of them dressed up together!

I gave Brett 5 dress choices for her to wear--and he picked the blue one--even though he called it her "Elizabethan dress" all day!  That's ok--we like the Elizabethan look!

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy!  I only hope I am as good as a mother as Brett is a father.  He loves his little girl more than he could have ever imagined.  I'm so thankful that she will grow up with him!

Tuning Forks and Reheated Coffee.....

Well--that about sums up the last 2 weeks--tuning forks and reheated coffee!

Taking a summer semester of 6 hours of graduate school, working nights/evenings (while the baby sleeps), and having a 4 month old has been quite the challenge.

My mother came 2 weeks to aid in the cause--and I COULD NOT have done it without her!  She kept Lydia while I slept and studied.  This week I had an assignment that had to be videoed--we were up at 5:30 Wednesday morning (after I went to sleep at 3:30 am after studying)--dropped Lydia off at Dana's at 6 am(THANKS, Dana)--and went to the salon to film my project.  CRaZy!  And thanks to my wonderful husband who was up that early (he is NOT an early bird) to be my guinea pig patient!  Now I know how to use a tuning fork--and I'm loving the reheated coffee (even at 1 am).

This week will be somewhat better--but finding time to study and write papers for a research class is.... well.... not always easy!  But--with a wonderful, encouraging husband and a very cooperative baby--it's getting done.  Stay tuned for Father's Day pics!

BTW--the first tuning fork was developed in 1711.  They are used to test hearing and to tune instruments --hence "TUNing fork"  haha (in case you didn't know).  It also has other uses too.  Quite the interesting little metal object ;)

A Blur

The last week has definitely been a "blur."  I feel like I've been running a little crazy.  After having the baby, life got "normal" again, then I returned to work.  That was a transition.  Well, we finally reached "normal" again--and I started back in graduate school last week! Ok--I know I'm crazy.  Many told me that I wouldn't stay in school once the baby was born, but I'm not quitting! Brett's an awesome support--and I think we are both way more tired now than we were when she was a newborn LOL

We had a "bow" party this week.  A group of gals from one of the married couples small groups asked me to join them to teach them how to make hair bows.  Around 20 girls in one room---with lots of ribbon and hot glue guns!  I forgot my camera--but we had a fun time.  I could do those types of projects all day--forget the studying ;)  Doesn't that ribbon just look so fun! :)

On the home front, Lydia's growing up so fast--but still sooo cute.

Garden Fresh--Homemade baby food

Lydia is now 3.5 months old--and will be eating table food shortly.  Sooo....I've decided to start making her baby food now before it gets too late :)

I went to the downtown Red Stick Market today and the produce stand earlier this week to pick up some wonderful fresh veggies.

I actually bought the "wrong" kind of squash.  Butternut Squash--what is that!?  Well I discovered those large pear shaped, gord like veggies today at market and picked some up.  In fact, they are baking in the oven right now :)

It's really not that difficult to make your own baby food, and it's much more economical in addition to much fresher.  I wouldn't eat jarred baby food, but this--is wonderful! 

I steamed the carrots and green beans, baked the sweet potatoes and butternut squash.  After it's cooked, throw it in a blender with the liquid from cooking and extra water, puree to right consistency, and pour.  Pour into ice cube trays.  One tray = 2 cups.  Each cube is approximately 1 oz. and there are 16 cubes per tray.  I originally only bought 3 trays, but returned to get more today.  They fill up quickly.  This is something you definitely want to do in "batches."

Once poured, cover the trays with saran wrap.  Freeze overnight.  Pop out cubes the next day.  Put in bags or other containers--labeled with contents and date.  It's that simple.  When ready to serve, remove cubes as needed.

She's already tried the carrots and really likes them!  I can't wait to experiment with mixing fruits and veggies and meats! 

Stay tuned for messy face pics :)

Under Construction...

Just a small hint of what is to come :)Can't wait to get things going!  Stay tuned for more details........