March 2 = Flu Shot Day

Malia got her second flu shot today- at this age, they do the flu shot in two stages.  My chunky-thighed girl didn't even cry. 

January 18 = Pomegranate Day

So Liam casually snacked on raw zucchini the other day- today he snacked on some yummy pomegranate seeds.

What a cool kid.  Then Malia did some working out on our bed while I was pumping. Here she is pushing her body up using her hands.

And then she gave it a rest but still was propped up on her elbows.

She took a break and then continued her workout in the living room- here she is on her elbows and knees!  Eventually she started rocking a little bit- a sign that crawling is coming soon!  And then she fell asleep.  It's hard work being a baby!

January 17 = Zucchini Day

I have talked before about how important it is for me for my kids to healthy from the start- I think it's one of the most meaningful, important gifts a parent can give a child.  Never did I ever think I would have this on my stove one day:

 It's cold up here which makes chicken and rice soup a perfect meal!  Here is chopped up carrots, onions, celery and zucchini being sauteed in preparation for my soup!  I've made it several times- the first time I couldn't get enough and then the next few times, it wasn't as good.  I've figured out the key is to let it sit for a while.  So I sauteed the veggies, boiled some chicken and shredded it, mixed that together in chicken broth with some leftover wild rice and we left for Dick's Sporting Goods and let it sit while we were gone- looking forward to eating it when we got back.  Before we left though, Liam had some last minute chores to take care of.

 Zachary got a gift card from my parents for Christmas so as he looked around, I let Liam wander around the store, following closely behind.  At first he was just so thrilled at being able to do whatever he wanted, he was walking up and down every aisle.  And then he found the kayaks.

 Zachary found a Washington Wizards t shirt he liked and Liam found an ice scraper that will probably come in handy before too long.  So we reined Liam in and headed home to enjoy our soup!

Liam always eats what we eat.  Sometimes he will fight us but we just save his dinner for when he realizes he's hungry and that usually works.  Unless his geographic tongue is acting up but that's a whole different story.  We have been a little remiss in feeding Miss Malia solids.  When we were in Jacksonville, towards the end, Liam's occupational therapist told us about a theory of feeding solids to babies in which you just give them tiny pieces of the food instead of pureeing it.  In this way you are able to give the baby whatever the family is already eating and it helps them get used to different textures while giving them a great variety.  Zachary fed Malia a few tiny pieces of zucchini that were super soft having been sauteed and then soaked in the soup and she loved it!   I don't have photographic evidence but Liam loved it too!!
 

July 23 = Smile Day

Because of all of Liam's medical problems- NICU, colic, acid reflux- we didn't get a picture of him smiling until he was 2 and a half months old- let's flash back to 11/18/2012:

Little Miss Malia made her smiling debut however at 1 week old, in the doctor's office at her first check-up!

June 30 = Don't Wanna Eat Day

It is well known that I have never enjoyed vegetables.  When I found out I was pregnant with Liam I gave it a good effort.  I swallowed peas and carrots whole and gagged after a few bites but I really did try.  When Liam was born- although my nutrition affected him when I was pregnant- it was easier to see that what I eat makes it into the milk he drinks and so I tried a little harder.  I enlisted Zachary's help and we found ways to cook vegetables that added a little variety to my diet and made it so I didn't gag every other bite.  But the real kicker came when Liam started eating solid foods.  He loved everything.  He ate avocado, squash, zucchini, peas, carrots, green beans, asparagus... anything we gave him, he ate.  I was so grateful he wasn't a picky eater like I was but it hit me very quickly that he would one day, he may question why he had to eat his vegetables if I wasn't eating mine.  That was the kicker and now I'm a vegetable eating pro.  Now, I'm never going to order a vegetable as a side at a restaurant over fries or a baked potato but my kids won't be able to use my refusal to eat my vegetables as a reason not to eat theirs.  So I made a meal we call chicken and vegetables because we are super original in this house.  I pick apart a rotisserie chicken (my least favorite part) and throw in potato wedges, green peppers, onions and carrots.  It's a healthy meal I feel great about having Liam eat.  We had it for dinner the night before and then I heated up some leftovers for Liam the next day for lunch.

Well here's what he thought of my healthy meal.

In contrast, we went to Outback for dinner.  Anytime Kevin Harvick finishes in the top 10 in a NASCAR race, Outback gives free bloomin' onions to anyone who mentions the driver or his finish.  In other words, as bloomin' onion enthusiasts, we frequent Outback on Mondays during NASCAR season.  We don't give Liam any because it probably wouldn't be great for him but he's distracted by his love of the bread that he doesn't notice.  He has this new habit of wanting anything he eats to be dipped in something.  It makes sense when it's chicken tenders dipped in barbecue sauce or, as in this picture, bread dipped in butter.  When he tried to dip his grapes in ketchup the other day though, it became a little strange.  But if that what it takes to get him to eat, I'm all for it.