Teething, Talking and Toileting

Oh Teething, how I hate you!

My poor mite is teething. It’s super-duper obvious and seems to be paired with a developmental leap this time so we are in the thick of a not-so-pleasant phase.

 Cam enjoying a calming camomile tea (known as the Flower Tea, to him)

Cameron is constantly knawing on his fingers, refusing some foods, demanding others, whinging in general and feeding more frequently.

Only up side to teething is that he sleeps better than usual during the day. He’s often down for 1.5-2 hours (which isn’t normal for him!)

Cammy has always managed to get 2-5 teeth at a time and I’m pretty sure that we are in for a few this time too. He is getting his fangs and boy are they red and swollen. He even got one cut through then go back up. Not fair!

—————-

On the topic of ‘developmental leaps’, Cameron is amidst one now. He is getting increasingly frustrated with his inability to communicate himself well. He even tantrums at times and I hate having to tell him “I don’t understand what you want”.

In the past 12 weeks his vocabulary has tripled. At 16 months he frequently used 50 words in context and now, at 19 months he is using over 150 words and he is adding to that daily. Toddler development amazes me.

There is no wonder that he struggles sometimes when so much is going on in his growing body and mind. He is suddenly interested in numbers, letters (phonics), colours (he loves to point out anything red and blue), shapes (especially circle and diamond) and naming everything.

He looooves to read and will bring books to me, ask me to read them ‘again’, and ‘read’ to me too.

He has gone from simply expressing himself with one word to making simple sentences more often to describe things, and to ask & answer questions (e.g. “there is [the] car”, ”bee mug [with] flower tea?”)

He really loves to sing and will say “Rachel!” (he calls me both Rachel and Mummy, switching between the two) to get my attention to show me that he is dancing to the music while I’m driving. He sings along to Bruno Mars “Marry You” by singing the ‘no no no no no’ and ‘yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah’ bits. Too cute. Hah!

—————-

We are transitioning Cameron into his own bed during day naps and it is going well. He carries one of my pillows to his ‘special bed’ and picks a book to read before having a quick feed before nap time.

He is definitely ready for toilet learning now. I have been reading online articles about “toileting the Montessori way” (google to find tonnes of great resources) and think that Cameron has been ready for a fair while now and I have been resisting.

Cameron can tell me when he is peeing/pooing and is keen to put his (Thomas the Tank Engine) padded seat on the toilet, to use a stool to sit on the toilet  himself, and imitate wiping, he likes to flush and will wash his hands (we have one of those automatic soap dispenser thingees… I was so annoyed when Mike begged for one but it’s handy for Cam!)

So really all that Cam is missing is a patient Mum who is willing to give him the opportunity to learn and make mistakes.

I have some organic bamboo training pants coming in the mail and I have cut up some old towels in halves for accidents and got a couple of toileting board books from the library. Wish us luck!

Teeth & Montessori

Sorry for the lack of posts.

Cameron has had four (yes, four) teeth cut through at the same time and he has been waking very frequently throughout the night as well as nursing really frequently.

It goes without saying that I’m drained… Just pure drained.

I don’t know how Mum’s of bad-sleeping-babies and with many children do it. You’re all freaking amazing.

*********************

Cam & I went to a trial session at a local Montessori school where they have infant/toddler classes. I went mainly to get ideas and to see whether it was worth the money for our situation.

It was beautiful. All the children throughout the school were so courteous and gentle. The infant/toddler section of the school was gorgeous… tiny equipment and materials all simply prepared.

It was lovely to see toddler washing windows and quietly playing.

I find Cameron suits Montessorian learning because he is naturally detail orientated and focussed. He loved it.

I couldn’t justify the cost ($27 for two hour session) especially as I do some of the things at home* and Cameron already does swimming, baby rhyme time at the library, kindergym & playgroups.

*The Montessori-inspired things that I already did were:
- Cam has a toddler broom and ‘helps’ me sweep and cleans his mirrors/tables/high chair with me
- Cam’s toys and books are all accessible to him
- He helps with brushing his teeth, washing his face, dressing, etc
- He can get in and out of his cot (Set up like toddler bed against our bed now that he can get off the bed safely. Until now he had a floor bed)
- Several of his toys are Montessori-ish (wooden puzzles, shape sorters, stackers as well as his water table outside and sandpit)
- We have a reading corner set up in his room
- I tend to choose books that have real pictures instead of cartoony ones
- He has some art at his eye level in his playroom and room
- He has mirrors at his level as well
- He helps to feed the cat and fish
- Cam has started to use utencils in the past month

I agree with a fair amount of the benefits of Montessorian practices but a few of the things aren’t to my liking or I don’t find practical. I like to use bits and pieces of different parenting/learning techniques and adjusting to Cameron at the time and Montessori just happens to help that process.

The main thing that I took away from the session was that I needed to simplify Camerons room and playroom… so we’ve done a major re-organise and shuffle. Now that his cot is in our room I’ve moved his bookcase into his room and I rotate books daily as we read throughout the day.

*********************

Cameron is really loving imitation lately. From daily chores to ‘talking’ on the phone. He also tries to imitate some words when I’m talking to him about things lately. Usually he just imitates the melody of the words (i.e. sounds like he’s asking a question in his baby talk or something funny) and it’s so freaking cute to see him being so serious.

He is walking so well now and practically runs sometimes. He loves carrying and pushing things around. He brings me odd things

We did our first stART project (see here for details) the other day. I wasn’t sure on how long Cameron would concentrate for but he surprised me and I made sure he had fun and it wasn’t forced. I’ll do a post about it with pictures tonight.

I hope you’re having a lovely weekend!!!

Baby Finger Foods

If you’re like me and dealing with an independent, fussy, picky eater who would prefer to feed themselves much of the time then you’re probably trying to find nutritious, easy-to-prepare, bake and take with you that isn’t too messy or wasteful.

Too many times I’ve slaved away and created amazing baby-friendly foods (like the baby cereal fruity healthy breastmilk pancakes that took me forever) that have been thrown on the floor and smooshed into hair. It’s ok for experimentation, learning and enjoying food but it’s frustrating when you’re out and about or dealing with a skinny bub and just wanting them to consume something decent.

Here’s some great recipes that I’ve came across or adapted that are not too difficult, involved or messy and are easy to put in a ziplock bag and have as snacks too.

****************************************************

[Healthy carrot sticks]

1 cup carrots
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped finely

1. Preheat oven to 220 deg C
2. Top and tail the carrots, peel them and cut them into sticks
3. Put the carrot sticks into a bowl and toss them with the rosemary and oil until well coated
4. Spread them out in a single layer on a non-stick baking sheet and cook for about 20 mins, until tender.

[Cheesy vegie nuggets]

1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups cheddar (grated)
2 1/2 tbsp water
2 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp baking powder

Heat the oven to 190 deg C
Cook the broccoli, drain and chop well
Combine with the remaining ingredients and mix well
Form into nugget shapes and place on a greased baking tray
Bake for 20-25 mins, turning halfway through cooking time

[Tofu nuggets]

1 package firm tofu
1/4 cup flour
2 egg yolks
1 cup fine bread crumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika

Cut tofu into fingers/dice
Spread flour on a small plate or flat dish. Beat egg yolks in a shallow dish
Mix remaining ingredients in shallow dish
Coat each piece of tofu in the flour to cover, then into the egg, then crumbs, and then to tray
Bake at 180 deg C for 15-20 minutes until crisp

[High iron teethers]

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tbsp butter
1/4 – 1/3 cup milk
1/2 tsp blackstrap molasses

1. Rub the butter into the flour until it is like breadcrumbs
2. Add the molasses, then gradually add as much milk as you need to give a soft dough
3. Knead for 2 minutes, then roll out to 1.5 cm thickness
4. Cut into fingers
5. Put on a baking tray and cook for 30 mins at180 deg C until lightly golden

[Wholesome wheat teething bikkies]

1 beaten egg yolk
3 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tbsp canola oil
1/4 cup breastmilk
1 tbsp oatmeal
1 cup whole wheat flour
Optional but adds nutrition:
1 tbsp soy flour
1 tbsp wheat germ
1 tbsp dry whole milk

1. Blend wet ingredients then add dry ingredients and mix well
2. Knead dough then roll and cut into shapes
3. Bake at 175 deg C for approx 15 mins
- Freezes well -

Dips:

[Baby hommus]

can chick peas, drained and rinsed
1/2 of one ripe avocado
1/4-1/2 cup plain whole milk yogurt
2 tbsp cream cheese
pinch garlic powder, pinch smoked paprika, pinch cumin, squeeze of fresh lemon juice, olive oil or more yogurt may be added for creamier texture

Blend all ingredients in a blender until desired texture is reached. It can be used as a spread, or for baby to dip with veggies.

[Brainy baby]

1/2 ripe avocado
1 tbsp olive oil/flaxseed oil
the yolk from 1 hard boiled egg
breastmilk/water if needed

Mash ingredients together – voila!

Some other tips that have helped me:

1. soak sultanas/dried fruits overnight for easier finger foods for babies confident with chewing
2. coat slippery foods (eg. banana, avocado) with nutritious wheatgerm or crushed cereal powder to make them easier to handle
3. dip half a banana in baby yoghurt and freeze for teething bubs
4. use vege purees for dips
5. let baby eat in own time whilst you eat without pressure

****************************************************

I know how hard it can be with a fussy eater who isn’t keen on food in general. Even with great foods that he loves Cam is still not a huge eater. He’ll drain breastmilk like it’s going out of fashion but isn’t so keen on solids

I hope that helps someone!

****************************************************

Oh no! Racheous has dropped – help me out and click below to vote – it is very much appreciated!: