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Breakfast With Bert

Friday, February 28, 2020

As of this morning, Bert is up to THREE solid foods he's tried: rice cereal, oatmeal, and sweet potatoes. I shared a little the other day about Bert's first bites of solid food. Let me show you how it's been going since then:

Day 4: Oatmeal for the first time


Okay, this isn't bad. 



In fact, I think I love it! It tastes good AND you can wear it! Let me just stick my hand in there so I can share more of it with my pants.

Day 5: Oatmeal for the second time



Oh, food, awesome! My nose loves it!


Wait ... didn't I eat this same thing yesterday? I think I'll try this bib instead.


You mean to tell me I'm not getting anything different? Well, then, I am QUITE finished. 

Day 7: Sweet potatoes for the first time


What, ma? You made these yourself? I guess I'll give 'em a try.


Excuse me, please shovel those things in faster. I'm so hungry I have to eat my own thumb!



I feel just like my role model, Augustus Gloop!

Basically you either think this is the cutest thing ever, or you are too grossed out by looking at sweet potatoes mixed with drool that you won't be able to eat your own lunch. 

One boiled sweet potato will last Bert for at least 14 meals, so I'm glad he likes it! In the next couple of weeks we'll be trying some carrots and maybe some green beans and avocado too! We'll see what we come up with. 



Beach Bert

Thursday, February 27, 2020

I have to share something that I just love. Recently there have been some tough days with Bert where he's been pretty whiny. He turned 6 months old this month, and I think he's growing and his schedule changed practically overnight, so things are just tough for him and for me right now because of all the changes.

One day last week, in the late afternoon, I had just about hit my limit on what I could take in the whining department. Bert was dry, fed, and rested, and we had read and played with toys. He was just pretty much over everything. Frankly, I was too. We still had a while before Joe got home from work to shake things up for us, so I thought about what I could do to prevent Bert from contacting the authorities to demand a new mother or me from jumping out a window.

I decided to put on some music to change the atmosphere. I quickly asked myself what was the happiest music I could think of. And it hit me a second later:

The Beach Boys

I mean, right?! So I quickly pulled up YouTube on my phone and hit "play" on the first Beach Boys song that popped up: "Wouldn't It Be Nice."

Oh man -- you would NOT believe what a difference this made in our day. We went through all the hits and survived the afternoon. When Bad Attitude Bert showed up again the following afternoon, I decided to try it again. I wised up this time, though, and just bit the bullet and went to iTunes and downloaded the Beach Boys Greatest Hits. Did you know you can get this entire album on iTunes for $7.99?! SEVEN DOLLARS and NINETY-NINE CENTS! Worth every penny I tell ya.

This morning I needed to dust our upstairs, so I laid Bert down on a blanket in his room with some toys. Before I left his sight to quickly dust the other bedrooms, I turned on the Beach Boys. Please look at Bert's face when he heard the familiar beginning notes of "California Girls," you know which ones I mean --




We might need to buy this kid some board shorts and a surfboard!

Have Mercy On Me.

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

In the early afternoon on Sunday, I found out that my cousin died suddenly. It was quite a shock. Yesterday, Monday, around the same time of day, I found out that our former neighbor/friend who has been battling breast cancer for a while died. Both my cousin and my friend were young, not older than 40.

I received the text about our friend -- from her mother -- when Bert and I were driving to a store. When we arrived at the store I just sat in the parking lot in my car and cried. As I sat, listening to the rain pound down on my windshield and hearing the sounds of my son in the backseat, my first thought (after thinking of my friend's family, of course) was

God, have mercy on me, a sinner. 

As I sat there thinking of my friend, the only child of the mother she left behind and herself the mother of a 10-year-old daughter, I recalled the things I have complained about lately:

- The dogs shaking their fur on everything
- My bras not fitting (too big)
- My bras not fitting (too small)
- Having to get up early
- Bert whining
- My new cell phone won't fit on the wireless charger as easily as the old one

God, have mercy on me, a sinner. 

I mean really, right? Now, please don't misunderstand me. Something that really bothers me is when people respond to others' suffering or pain by saying things like "You're lucky it wasn't worse" or "There are people who have it worse than you do." Responding like this when someone is sharing his or her heart with you only shuts them down and shames them. In fact, I read an article about this very thing the other day, and I couldn't agree more. Suffering is not a contest of who has it worse. 

But guys, look at my list. I wasn't complaining about things that are of any consequence whatsoever. I am getting ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY IRRITATED because some of my nursing bras are now too large. (Oh, and I actually have ones that fit fine, I just have more that don't fit, so clearly a valid complaint.)

It seems that there has been so much sadness lately, specifically with untimely deaths. This type of tragedy has hit everyone from celebrities such as Kobe Bryant to a 50-something father at Fatima in West Virginia to my cousin and my friend. After each death, Joe and I would just look at each other and say, "You never know." And you don't. I think many people say this sort of thing after hearing about a tragedy, but I am ashamed to say that I think like that for about 30 minutes and then go back to failing to appreciate my husband, son, etc. because, you know, my bras don't fit and I have one more dirty pan than will fit in the dishwasher.

One very ironic thing in my behavior that I've noticed recently is that I will think back to a period of my life or an event that took place in the past and think, "I wish I would have enjoyed that more at the time" or "I wish I could go back there and experience that again." And I think these things WHILE FAILING TO ENJOY EXACTLY WHERE I AM. My son is over 6 months old now. He wears 9-12 month clothes, has two teeth, eats solid food, and is about to sit up on his own. We just packed away some of his things that have been staples since the beginning (like his Boppy Lounger), and it makes me so sad to see these things go because they have been such a big part of our lives. But do you think I loved looking at Bert on that dang thing every day? No I did not. A lot of the time I was probably just wishing he'd stop crying. Will I ever learn?

Today there are two mothers and two fathers who are grieving the loss of their children. There are two daughters and one son grieving the loss of their parents. If I allow myself to put myself in their places for longer than a moment, I will shut down entirely, as I cannot fathom how they must be feeling.

God, please give me the grace and wisdom that I need to appreciate my life: the big things and the little things, the wonderful things and the petty annoyances. Give me the gratitude I need to enjoy every moment and the understanding I need that it could be taken away at any moment. Open my eyes so that I see myself and others the way that you do. Bolster me with the perseverance to always say and do what is right. Bless my words so that they can be used to lift others up and not bring them pain, embarrassment, or stress. Allow me to feel that each day is a gift from you so that I may live life the way You intended: with joy and peace, loving You and loving all of Your children the way you do. 




"I can see Your heart
Eight billion different ways
Every precious one
A child You died to save
If You gave Your life to love them so will I"
- Hillsong UNITED

"I was held in Your arms
Carried for a thousand miles to show
Not for a moment did You forsake me"
- Meredith Andrews


May Chris's and Mona's souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 

Bert's First Bites

Friday, February 21, 2020

"Oh, um, excuse me, but -- what is 'dis? What am I wearing? Where I am sitting? What are you putting in my mouth?" 




"Oh, um, well, actually -- this might be pretty good."


"And now I'm over it. What is going on over 'dere?"



***

Bert had his first bites of "real" food today! I say "real" in quotation marks because I'm not sure how "real" 1 tablespoon of rice cereal mixed with 4 tablespoons of breast milk is. Basically, it's just slightly thicker breast milk (barf!), but it was fun to get him started on it! Next week I plan on making and having him try some sweet potato! We'll see how it goes.

P.S. Bert and I plan on collaborating on a "big and tall" baby line. He's never fit into the "right" size clothes and stuffing his giant thighs in this Bumbo was like trying to push a giant marshmallow through a pin hole. :)

Baby's First Foods Tracker

Thursday, February 20, 2020

We went to see the doctor today for Bert's 6 month checkup! The most exciting thing about this time in his life is it's time to start solid foods! I love Bert's pediatrician's approach: try one food at a time, wait 3-5 days before trying a new one, make sure to expose him to peanut butter and eggs, and have fun! Low stress, something to enjoy!

Since I know myself, I knew I'd need something to keep track of Bert's foods on. Most people probably have an app for that, but I'm a paper kind of gal. Always have been. So, I did a quick Google search, but I couldn't find anything that I liked ... for free. Haha. So I decided to quickly make my own little chart and post it here, in the event someone else might like or want something like this.

I made three kinds:

Baby Foods Tracker -- Black and White
Baby Foods Tracker -- Color
Baby Foods Tracker -- Art in Color Only

Gerber Photo Search 2020

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Today I entered Bert in the Gerber Photo Search 2020 because why not, right? We squeaked in just under the deadline of February 21. We were allowed to submit one photo and one video, and I learned in my search process that my baby is very photogenic but terrible in videos. So I guess he'll do print and not runway.

Here's what I chose (with Erin's input on the photo):






I also had to answer two writing prompts. The first one asked me to tell Gerber why my baby is special. I really think we're going to win with my dazzling answer, which can best be summarized as: he's not.

I'll let you know how my career as a stage mom goes!

Breaking Hearts and Blasting Farts.

Friday, February 14, 2020

It's hard to believe that on this very day last year -- Valentine's Day -- we were finally able to tell our closest friends that we were expecting a baby. I added a little heart graphic to our most recent ultra sound photo and texted it out to his "aunts" Colleen, Melissa, Story, and Sarah wishing them a Happy Valentine's Day!

At this point, we had no idea if our baby was a boy or a girl, but we knew we loved him so much and were so happy to have him!

Now it's one year later, and our little guy is now 6 months old! It's a cliche, but it's true: time FLIES.

Happy Valentine's Day from Bert and his two favorite things: breaking hearts and blasting farts. :)

Hope your day is LOVE-ly!

Trips and a Tribute.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Wow! What a busy couple of weeks it's been for us. It seems like we have not a lot going on, and then suddenly -- bam! We have a bunch of things happening all at one time! Does this happen to you, too?

Joe ended up having to go to Tuscaloosa for work a couple days during the week of February 3, so Bert and I tagged along. Unfortunately it was pretty rainy and stormy, and the downtown where we stayed was being ripped apart for all kinds of construction, but we made it work. Bert and I had fun walking around while Joe was working, and then we tried some great places for dinner the three nights we were there. We weren't able to walk around campus like I had hoped, due to weather, but we did get to take a quick drive around! And Bert turned six months old (what?!) while we were there.

Bert enjoying the space exhibit at the Children's Hands-On Museum in Tuscaloosa.

Enjoying the traditional 6 month treat. :) 

Just a random cute picture (if I do say so myself!) that I took of Bert at the hotel.


When we returned to Georgia we had a quick turnaround of laundry and cleaning before we were set to head to West Virginia on Sunday the 9. Joe had work in Lexington a couple days that week, so we headed up to Huntington to visit since it's so close by. We decided not to leave for West Virginia until after the first birthday party of a little friend of Bert's on Saturday the 8th, so imagine our shock when we woke up to this:


Bert's first time seeing snow. He wasn't sure what to think.

"Let me in! Can't you idiots see I'm freezing out here?!"

Wow! My first winter in Georgia (last year) I saw ZERO snowflakes. Not even one flake. We were so shocked to get this much! Needless to say it melted pretty quickly, and it's 64 degrees today, but it was really cool to see that much snow for a hot cold second!

We had a nice time in West Virginia. We went to a mass that was said by the new bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, and he blessed Bert, which was so nice. My mom and dad also joined us for our weekly hike, which we took around Ritter Park on Sunday. I was also able to take Bert around my old school, Fatima, to visit with the teachers and my former students. It was really hard and sad for me to be there in some ways, but I was so glad to see everyone and so glad Bert got to meet them all!

Bert taking a grandparent snooze.

After our hike in Ritter Park.



***

We got back yesterday and are busy trying to unpack, do laundry, grocery shop, clean -- all the things you do after being gone for an extended period of time. We are SO EXCITED because Sarah and Drew are coming to visit this weekend. We cannot wait!!!

***

I know I'm a little late posting about this, but RIP Mary Higgins Clark. I have loved her and her books for many years. I've read them all. In fact, I have almost all of them in both hardback and paperback. You see, my grandmother loves her, and my mom does too. When MHC would come out with a new book, Mamaw would buy it and read it, pass it to mom who read it, and then mom would pass it to me, and I got to both read it AND keep it. Also, Mamaw has been scouring used book sales for years to make sure I have a complete collection.


Not much else going on right now. Just trying to settle back in and counting the minutes till Daylight Savings Time on March 8!!! Hope you're having a good February, too.
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