Another month of my new favorite blog series! Munchkin Meals courtesy of Haily’s mommy! I loved blogging my meals so much last month mommy let me take charge again this month! I’m such a big girl!
If you don’t know by now, I’m Ella. I turn 20 months old tomorrow! I love to eat and try new things! Mostly, if mommy is having it, I want some too!
I still love my hemp muffins, but over the holidays mommy was making me these pancakes:
Mommy said we could share the recipe
Banana-Hemp Sunbutter Pancakes
ingredients:
- 1 very ripe banana
- 1 whole egg
- 2 egg whites
- 2 Tablespoon sunbutter (plus more for stuffing)
- 3 Tablespoons hemp seeds
- 2 Tablespoons ground flax
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- coconut oil, for the pan
directions:
Whisk eggs with flax, hemp, cinnamon, vanilla and sunbutter. Mash banana and fold it in. Heat a griddle with coconut oil, do a “test” pancake by pouring a little of the batter on and flipping when the edges are brown and the center starts to bubble. Proceed by making silver dollar sized pancakes. Once cool you can top them with some more sunbutter if desired!
Breakfast aside I love my veggies. I’d eat THEM for breakfast any day of the week!
My favorite way mommy makes veggies is roasted or sautéed with olive oil and garlic. Or coconut oil. Tomato, Tomat-o as far as I’m concerned. She loves storing my food in the freezer. I often hear mommy say that the freezer is her best friend.
Mommy sautés my yummy trees from the freezer. Then I can have them whenever I want!
She even washes, preps and freezes some fresh veggies too!
Mommy also made me these little things called turkey meatballs. She freezes those then heats what I want in a pan with water, sauce or veggie broth. I love tomato sauce but mommy didn’t have any this week.
(6 is a lot for me so mommy helped me finish them)
I am still not a huge lunch person. I usually nibble on leftovers or whatever mommy makes for me in freezer, or some cheese, kale chips or some nuts and seeds. I guess I am more of a “two lunch” kind of gal. I like two big snacks. Actually I love snacks, They are my favorite.
Still waiting for those fools at Brads Raw Chips to make me a spokesbaby. Just kidding, they’re not fools. I just want more chips than mommy can keep up with. Sigh.
For dinner mommy makes me a sweet potato a few times a week. We always have them on the counter. I usually get two veggies and a protein (and lots of healthy fats!). I love dinner. Last night mommy was making me my sweet potato and some chicken and I stole a few of daddy’s sushi rolls (shrimp…yummmmmm!)
This is my favorite way to enjoy my sweet pot’s:
Mommy sometimes makes me roasted russet potatoes as well.
Prepared by quartering the potatoes, drizzling with olive oil and coat with nutritional yeast, a sprinkle of salt and pepper and chives and roasted at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes
New things I’ve tried recently:
They were pretty good. I mean, not 10 bites good but I came back for more on my fork a couple of times.
I think these apple chips are the best thing since Brad’s raw cheddar. I almost finished this bag in one sitting!
Mommy really wanted a new dehydrator for Christmas. I guess daddy thought she had to many appliances in our small kitchen. Mommy said it would save a bunch on grocery’s since she can make me apple chips and kale chips and other snacks that I love. It’s okay though. Next time. She got some other good stuff though so it’s cool.
That’s all we’ve really got for you today! Mommy says if you have any questions you can just write to her!
Love, Ella <3
PS, from Mommy—ADVICE needed!!!
While Ella has been nothing but wonderful with her eating, her sleeping has been a whole other ball game! Ever since she got her molars she has REFUSED to sleep in her crib. Over the holiday we decided to tackle this issue. I have always been against CIO because I just was not strong enough to do it—Mike neither! But it’s gotten really bad. The poor thing is exhausted and we have NO time to ourselves! As I type Ella is passed out on the sofa. Bad situation. First night of sleep training the second time I went in to check on her she was about to fall flat our of the crib! Good thing I caught her! She fell out once before but I lowered the mattress. Now the mattress is at it’s lowest point and she can STILL get out. Pediatrician said NO to a toddler bed because she can just get out easily. What’s worse though? A mattress low down or worrying she will break something if she climbs out of the crib? (Not willing to find out!) We live on a second floor and it’s is very unsafe if she gets out of her room in the middle of the night because of steps. If she can climb over a crib she can surely get over a gate! Safest place has been in our bed. But she’s now since the holiday break not going to sleep until we do which is like 11pm or later (she “naps” in between there after her bath) Not a good situation! I have another call into my Pediatrician but wanted to see if you moms had any advice to share! She needs to get back on a schedule and just FREAKS out if we go near her crib! Last night she wouldn’t even NURSE in her room because she knew! Too smart this tot I tell yah! We really need to figure this out since we are both working and now leave the house early. She’s SO exhausted and I feel so horrible. Help!!!
We definitely still keep our nighttime routine, she has just resisted the actual sleep part of it. Tough.
New moms…don’t poo poo sleep training early on like I did. Biggest regret ever. I love having E in bed and snuggling but it’s only gotten tougher as time has gone on. I really wish we had tacked this a year ago!
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
LOVE these posts! I’m just starting my son on solids, and I love the ideas and recipes you have!
I’m not experienced with a child Ella’s age, but there is a website http://www.babysleepsite.com that has some really great advice. There are some free resources, and there is a blog with lots of advice. Or, if you get really desperate, you can hire them to create a sleep plan for your child based on the baby’s personality and your parenting style. I haven’t gotten to the point where I’m ready to pony up the money, but the information on the site is really good.
Thank you! I actually get their emails but I don’t really read them. I guess its time to start reading! And maybe pony up some $ as well–hoping it doesn’t come to that!
well in my opinion, if she gets out of her crib, no point of keeping her there. Can you put some lock on her door accessible only by your level?
One thing I wold think is to get her toddler bed and sleepmattress for you or Mike in her room. And then slowly move it out of her room.
Does she scream , when you ar ein her room.? Just being next to her til she falls asleep and just putting her back to lie down, even 100 times, til she gets it. ANd no talking to her in this time, so you are with her but she can still figure it out. Different things work for different babies.
Thanks! We just did a daybaed from her crib..and I was lying in it with her, nursing her and she all of a sudden just freaked and ran out to Michael in the living room like she knew what was coming. It’s crazy! I was like “Ella, I am just reading to you in here we’re getting relaxed” and she wanted nothing to do with it. Meanwhile, earlier that day she was so excited for the bed playing in it. We got ourselves in deep!
Hi Laury…I’ve had my dehydrator for almost 7 years now and love it! We’ve moved several times and each new house it seemed the kitchens were smaller and smaller, so I know what you mean about lack of space and the big dehydrator! In one home where I had limited kitchen space, I stored it on top of the refrigerator (the refrigerator was black and the dehydrator was black so it didn’t look ~too~ bad) and just took it down everytime I used it. In my current home, I have one of those stainless steel 3 shelf units (from Target) that I keep mine on to save valuable countertop space. Maybe you could try one of those ideas? Just want to try to help you get your dehydrator! : )
Thanks for the suggestions!!! I just have two words: “tax return.” Hahaha…I am working on him for that! The top of the fridge is a genius idea for storage! I really really want one!! Will make toddler meals so much better!
How cute! Ella is an amazing eater, as you know! And I attribute that to hard work by her dedicated mama
thanks, Lisa
Good luck with the sleep training! Sorry I don’t have any advice. Thank you for the recipe! I am trying to decrease my grain intake while NOT increasing my meat intake….
you’re welcome!
I hope Roberto will be a great eater like Ella is. SO excited to get started with him in a month!
Sorry to hear that she’s not sleeping well. I know how frustrating that is. I hope some mammas with toddlers her age can help you out.
Hang in the Laury! This too shall pass..
I’m sure he will!
And I hope we’re not in too deep with this sleeping..even our Ped doesn’t have an answer!
It’s amazing all the hard work you put into feeding Ella such healthy meals. You’re one great Mama Laury! I can’t believe she ate the sardines, that’s awesome. I just might have to try them myself. I mean if Ella can eat them, then I shouldgive them a try too!
you definitely should! They are weird at first but the health benefits trumps all–so I just closed my eyes and tried them! Yum!
Great recipe! I’ll have to come back to these posts soon for my little boy.
Girl, I feel ya on the sleeping. My son is 10 months and we have worked hard since he was about two or three months to get him into somewhat of a sleep routine. He’s done awesome up until about two weeks ago when he discovered the art of pulling up!! He pulls up in his crib and now just stands there and hollers. Luckily, he still sleeps pretty good at night but his naps are whats been hard. He has been having to be rocked to sleep for his naps. While I love love love holding him and rocking him, I don’t want to start a habit.
So, a couple of days ago, we started putting him down when he’s ready for a nap, then go back in every 5 minutes as necessary. When we go back in, we don’t say anything except,”It’s time for sleep.” We just calmly lay him back down and leave. The first day, it took me an hour!!! It’s already getting better though. We’re only having to go in there 3 or 4 times now. So I’m hoping he eventually learns to go to sleep on his own again!
I know your situation is a little different as Ella is very mobile. As another commenter mentioned, can you put a lock or something on the outside of her door that only you and Mike can get to (maybe a chain lock) or something like that? If so, I would get her a toddler bed. Sounds like she’s ready for one. She’s little miss independent now!! She’s a doll.
Sending LOTS of support vibes your way. Hang in there!
That’s when it went downhill for me….the pulling up! You are doing the right thing. We ended up caving and now we have a big problem on our hands a year later. Thanks for the suggestions…we just converted her crib to a daybed and working on making her room even more safe–then it’s on. Yikes!
Thank you
Some thoughts on the sleep training issues. Try taking the frame out of the crib so that it is in the crib but on the ground. Should be too high for her to climb out of. I think it sounds as bad as its going to get. I would go straight to the CIO method. Noody likes to do it, but it has always worked in our situations. Go in to comfort her every 10 minutes and stay in there for less that 5 minutes. No talking. Visit and step out. The first night it may take hours. Over the next few days it should decrease tremendously. One thing we do in our house is to make our bedrooms for resting and sleeping. No playing. I think it helps them understand that is where we go to sleep and rest. It has helped us. Good luck!
Thanks, Tiffany for those tips! I never thought to take the frame out. We may just have to try that. Good call on no playing in her room—thanks!!!
First off, your little miss has a great, varied appetite! Way to go! I don’t have much toddler experience (just an 8 month old whose too cool for long stretches of sleep), but one thing I have found to be true is that if the problem is really (seemingly) big, you have to take your time in-doing it. Maybe you guys should only play in the room during the day to build a new association. Then, just do the first part of the bedtime routine, and so on. We moved the crib into our room, sidecar style. Next step: put up the crib rail, next step, move him to his room. I totally respect the CIO parents, but it never felt intuitively right to me to let him cry, and I do think those intuitive messages are meaningful! You could also look into doing a Montessori style floor bed (and adapt the room) or doing the pick up/put down method. There are lots of options and so much middle ground between CIO and doing nothing. I think you’ll know in your gut what’s right for your family! Good luck!
Jaya thank you!
I am with you. For 20 months I have not felt like CIO was for us! I guess that’w why I lasted 5 minutes when trying it again. All of the “professionals” around me keep telling me it’ the only way. I never heard of the Montessori style. I guess I have more research to do! I’ve been reading all of thes forums and things for advice but have yet to find an in between method that will work! I will be looking into your suggestions. Thank you again!
Hi Laury:)
For the life of me, I can’t seem to find your Kale Cracker recipe, I know I saw it somewhere before:). Can you tell me where it is?
Thanks! Happy Sunday!!!