Archive for the ‘Food’ Category
Nola’s First Classic City Visit
Posted by Will on January 10, 2012
One thing that we were itching to do while we were down in Georgia was to get up to Athens and show Nola where we first met.
Okay.
That is a bold face lie. We wanted to get up to Athens to go get some succulent, finger-licking vegetarian soul food at the much revered restaurant and old Friday night haunt, The Grit. Being able to stroll along North Campus, around the Chapel, beside the Herty Field Fountain, and through The Arch (uh, yes Brittany did tote Nola through The Arch) was just extra yeast gravy.
Brittany did not succumb to the curse of the Arch as she walked away from Athens with not one but two degrees.
Just off East Broad, Nola could be seen honing her zombie walk.
On the Chapel steps.
Curiosity killed the cat. Good thing Nola is a Dawg.
Brittany assists Nola in tossing a penny into the Herty Field Fountain. It is unknown if Nola's wish has come to fruition yet or if technically, her wish even counts. Heck, who knows what's going on in that noggin.
Nola Jean: Master of the Straw.
GOLDEN BOWL!!! OMG!1!1 LOLZ!!!
To cap off the day, Nola got her first taste of ice cream. She was very pleased.
Comments on this post | Published in Baby Bram, Food, Photos
Nola: Giving Peas a Chance
Posted by Will on June 26, 2011
Nola has been going strong on the “rice cereal” (more like mush) for almost a month now. We figured it was a good time to start her on true solids. Well, we were a bit hesitant to give it a full go as we had seen the wrath of the cereal in her diaper. But, solids in the diaper are going to happen with solids in the system so we might as well get over it (Brittany has been the benefactor of several poopocalypses).
To say Nola enjoyed the peas would be misleading. Actually, it’d be flat out wrong. I have never seen the look of disgust on her face but I saw it with her first few bites (some gagging was also involved). Bites might be too generous of a description as she immediately rejected the spherical seeds as soon as they touched her tongue.
Sure, the first round was a little disheartening but during the second day, she took to them a little better. I definitely wouldn’t say she “hates” peas. But, she seemed genuinely excited to eat some rice cereal earlier this evening after her green brunch.
We will solider on as we slowly introduce her to a world of wonderment and new tastes. One thing is for sure. She’ll be eating peas this week even if she doesn’t touch them the rest of her life. I made a whole bag, after all.
A third of the pea puree got refined through a sieve. The rest was added later.
One of Nola's first bites from Day One. We could instantly tell that the peas didn't exactly tickle her fancy.
The first bite from Day Two. This face says it all.
Dutifully trying another bite.
I'll open wide ... but it doesn't mean it's going to stay in my mouth.
The few peas that did get in weren't too bad ...
Comments on this post | Published in Baby Bram, Food
Breast Friends
Posted by Will on June 18, 2011
It has been a pretty busy month for our family.
Of course, there has been the whole child-rearing thing. On top of that, weeknights have been filled with thesis and freelance work and weekends have been set aside to decompress, catch up on sleep, and generally, take it easy.
So, while we have not felt any particular feeling of urgency to update our blog, I think it would be pretty fair to say the idea cupboard has also been pretty dry. I mean, seriously, how many more photos do you want to see of our child (okay, most of you would say probably say as much as possible but I have not been taking photos with the same pace and zeal as I did for the first few months of Nola’s life).
Yet, the other night, as I was pushing pixels around, Brittany thought it might be interesting to hear my take on breastfeeding.
Well, here is the skinny.
In short, I have come to find the process and ability for a mother to be the sole source provider to her child amazing and horrifying all at once (more on the amazing than horrifying side … we’re talking 90/10).
For me, I had to figure out how to be in a support role as the actual process is essentially a solo act (if you haven’t figured that part out already …). I make special guest appearances as personal aid and gopher to our maternal star. Whether that means keeping Brittany’s water supply fresh, fetching the nursing pillow and burp cloth, or simply being on the other end of a conversation I have tried to be a in a supporting role and offer whatever menial relief here and there.
It takes a lot of perseverance, patience, and strength to breastfeed. I don’t think my psyche is comprised of the right fabric to have kept Nola on my teat for going on five months. Breast feeding is both physically and emotionally taxing. I saw it initially do a number on Brittany. But, as with most things, with time, it always gets better. Whereas Nola was seemingly an extension of Brittany, she can now conduct her business in about 10 minutes. Some marathon sessions in the first weeks could last up to 45 minutes to an hour.
Being able to take in the breast feeding process has made me really respect the time and bodily sacrifice a mother makes to her child; this on top of the whole carrying and delivery thing
