My Daughter and Her Diet

Why don't little kids like meat or is it just my daughter?

I try to make mealtime an exciting time with lots of variety, healthy food and lots of color. I'll include some meat to let her have some protein but she turns her nose up at it. This has started to worry me so I call a dietician friend for some advice. Here's what she said: If your daughter doesn't like meat, then make sure she eats soup (broth included) that contains meat like chicken noodle, beef noodle, beef vegetable, etc. She'll get the protien she needs. Of course I'll make all types of healthy soups for her.

Here's where the internet comes in handy. I did a search to find out what I could serve her as an alternative to meat and found that beans (kidney, chick pea, homemade baked beans, etc.) would work. WoooHooo! She loves beans.

I also found out that beans are wonder foods as they are low in fat and absorb the flavor of spices and herbs, making them fun and tasty to eat. This is going to be fun as I love to cook and try out new recipes. As well, beans and other legumes have all the nutrients now recognized as important in preventing heart disease, cancer and obesity. They are high in complex carbohydrates, protein and fiber and they are extremely low in fat.

I decided to make a very simple kidney bean salad (kidney beans, cooked; sliced raw white onions, oil and vinegar to taste) and hoped for the best. Success! She loves it and is on her way to a meat-free healthy diet.

I'm an Aromatherapist, Why isn't this working???

Being an Aromatherapist and Mom, I decided that I'd give my little one an aromatherapy massage.

I do know that there are many benefits to giving a massage to a newborn like nurturing, comfort, reassurance, relaxation for the baby (and mom too!).

I've always believed that touch was very important with children. I come from a European background where touch was something that happened on a daily basis. My mom and dad were always kissing and hugging me and my sisters and we always felt loved and safe and comforted. So why wouldn't I do the same to my children considering I trained for this?

Giving a baby/child a massage is not rocket science - it's so important that mom is calm as this makes the baby calm.

So here I go - I got the area ready, clean blanket, clean towels, massage cream that I made myself (I currently sell it on my website - it really is wonderful), lights low, gave my baby a nice warm bath, talking to her in a calm, nurturing way. I felt calm too. Wish someone was around to give me a massage!

That's when all you know what broke loose! She wouldn't stop crying! What was I doing wrong? Am I an incompetent mother? I trained for this, why wasn't it working? This should be a breeze and it's not!

I immediately stopped what I was doing, put a clean diaper (cloth of course) on her and then into a warm sleeper, picked her up and held her. I couldn't understand why she was crying. She eventually stopped crying and fell asleep in my arms.

The moral of this story you ask? Some days, things just don't go as planned. Tomorrow is another day!

Thank Goodness for Baby-sitters!

Well, we woke up this morning in a great mood, ready to take the day on!

My daughter wanted some apple juice after breakfast and I gave her some in her little cup. She turned to walk away and dropped her cup, spilling sticky apple juice all over my clean floor! She then started to cry and stepped in the apple juice.

Mom to the rescue! I picked her up, wiped her feet clean, wiped up as much as I could off the floor, when the door bell went. It was my saviour! Sandy, my trusted baby-sitter happened to stop by to see if she could take my daughter out for the day! Sandy is a god-send. She has 3 younger sisters who just love playing with my little one (she's like their live doll). How could I say no?

Sandy went into Kelly's room, packed up a small bag, put on her shoes, grabbed her little jacket and hat and off they went, leaving me with a day to myself. It's only 10am. Now what was I going to do?

I went back into the kitchen and washed the floor again so it wouldn't be sticky and decided to say THANK YOU to my babysitter.

Sandy - How many more ways and times can I say "thank you" to you?! Not nearly enough! You are just...AWESOME. I don't know what I would do without you. YOU ARE AWESOME. Thank you for being the best babysitter that my daughter could ever have. xoxox

On Being A Mom

To be perfectly honest, I'm not too impressed with women/mothers who act like everything is perfect all the time. Who are they trying to impress?

I had a friend who said that having children was so wonderful and if she could she'd have 6 of them, but, unfortunately at that time, she was separated from her husband and only had the one child who was about 18 months old. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? Is there something wrong with me or is it her?

At that time, my daughter was about 24 months old and there was no way I was going to act like everything was "peachy-keen" - it wasn't. She was still in her "terrible twos" mode, resisting anything and everything I said or offered. She probably thought I had horns growing out of my head. Maybe I did, I just couldn't see them. I would laugh with my sister sometimes (who had a 3 year old at the time) - she used to say she could stand on her head and spit wooden nickels and her daughter would completely ignore her! How true is that? In my opinion, very true.

About one year later that same friend told me that being a mother wasn't all that it's cracked up to be. I looked at her - what was she talking about???? I thought she loved the notion of being a mother - what's up with that? Now don't get me wrong, I love my daughter and we've had our ups and downs and I really do enjoy being a mother but hearing this from my "perfect" friend was too much to bear. She went on to explain that children don't always do as we have hoped or as we've asked them to do. Wow - what a revelation. Children a just little people, each with their own personalities and minds that will grow up and do exactly as they please - just like we did to our parents.

Let's all be honest and tell it like it is - being a mother is not easy and no one needs to feel they are not doing something right or are inadequate as a parent.

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Your Zodiac Baby - Pisces

Pisces [February 19 to March 20]

I'm the cutest soul around. Kind-hearted and gentle. I have so much love in my heart I want to share it with everyone.

Charming, sensitive and easy-going, this little one brings a magical aura into your home, luring people into their world with sweet smiles and charm. You'll be twisted around their little finger in the nicest way possible just so they don't feel so vulnerable.

This little one is adaptable, willing to please and gentle-natured. Too much noise, a negative atmosphere or pushy pals will send this one scuttling off to talk with imaginary friends. This one will always want to be by your side, always wanting to be bonded to you. Being a tad timid may worry you with all that clinging, turning their face from strangers. This one lives predominately in their own imagination, intuition and deepest feelings. Their moods will mimic yours (so keep an eye on your own behaviour and adjust when needed). The instinctive kindness to all things means this little one is the most compassionate soul of the zodiac, crying over a dead ladybug or hugging a teddy bear with a broken paw. Their giggles, smiles and genuine empathy are wonderful gifts so please don't criticize their dreams or imagination as both are worth their weight in gold.

Your Zodiac Baby - Aquarius

Aquarius [January 20 to February 18]

This little is really unpredictable and loves winding you up with their cantankerous behaviour. This one has a genius brain and loves to be treated as an equal.

Your Aquarius baby is a bundle of mischief and a very curious person who wants to know everything. This one defies convention and sometimes their own limitation - more like a whirlwind blowing through your house. Aquarius babies have the attitude "anything to be different" means that no matter what you expect to have them say, do, think or feel you can expect the exact opposite. Just prepare yourself for the unexpected and unpredictable. This one is a rebel with a cause - she/he won't sleep when you want them to, won't eat to a pattern you've set out, and the only yes you'll hear is when it's you doing the agreeing. This little crusader wants to help the world and everyone in it. Treat this one like a friend and respect their outspokenness and their wonderful talent for equality will shine through.

Your Zodiac Baby - Capricorn

Capricorn [December 22 to January 19]

Capricorn babies are quick to learn and have great table manners. They want to be all grown up - just like you!

Kind, gentle and easy-going, this little one seems to be the perfect baby - but hold on there - when they are gazing at you and you're falling madly in love with them, what Capricorn babies are doing is watching your every move and working you out. They're also born mature and want to done with this baby stuff. Capricorn babies also have a ton of patience and their serious approach to life is very admirable.

You need to offer lots of praise and encouragement as this little one develops. They love routine and will want to master everything to the point of perfection (kind of sounds like a Virgo?). This little one is the most structured and self-sufficient little one around. Their motto? Practice makes perfect - of course!

Your Zodiac Baby - Sagittarius

Sagittarius [November 22 to December 21]

Cheeky, bold and hilarious. I chase rainbows and only just have time to eat before I set off on another adventure.

This little bundle of fun is also fiery, restless and an explorer of life. Keeping up with this little one can be a demanding but at the same time inspiring chase around the house! Your Sagittarius baby is quick to walk, stumbling and hitting her toes and scraping his knees and bounces right back. Keep band-aids handy for a quick application, a smile and no fuss.

Sagittarius babies make lots of noise. They'll rant and rave about anything, burble to you all day and ask millions on questions. And they want answers - they need to find out WHY. They're upfront and brave along with being optimistic and have a genuine enthusiasm for life. Take them out as much as possible - they don't like to be penned in. Fresh air, strangers, travel and excitement are on their wish list - you'll need to tick off these items every day.