On the parenting front I’m feeling a little concerned because my Luna Pie is not gaining weight very fast. She’s 4 months old and barely weighs 10lbs 12oz. She’s so light she’s not even on the percentile chart for weight. She’s a really happy baby and doesn’t seem to be suffering from hunger. She’s just really small. Other than that she is doing really well.
I’m breastfeeding, so just to make sure it isn’t a supply issue I’m back to pumping. Pumping sucks! Once a day, we’re also giving her one 3oz bottle of pumped breast milk with a teaspoon of formula in it to pump up her calorie intake. That’s 6 extra calories a day. Doesn’t seem like much, but I guess when you are that little it makes a difference.
My husband does most of the cooking and by most I mean pretty much all of it, but lately he gets home so late that we’ve been ordering out a lot. Take-out gets old and it’s expensive and not good for you.
I can cook, I’d just rather not. I don’t get excited about it like other people do. It’s not my thing. Eating other people’s yummy home cooked food is my thing. I’m really good and enthusiastic about it, but it’s become apparent that I need to Mami-up and do some cooking even if I am uninspired. I decided to buy a cookbook to get some ideas.
You should know that I absolutely can not follow a recipe. The rebel in me always has to change it. That is the one part of cooking that I enjoy. I like knowing that there are always other options. So far I’ve only made the mac n cheese (which I doctored) and the “potato” cheddar soup (which I totally doctored and came out so delicious I wish I had made a much larger batch).
I also asked a friend if she would be interested in doing a meal exchange program with me once a week. Basically, I double the amount of one meal I make a week and give her half of it and she does the same for me. Cooking once and getting two meals out of it is pretty awesome. It’s also nice to eat food that someone else made.
And now your Friday Fortune Cookie (don’t forget to add “in bed” at the end, if you are so inclined):
Borrow money from a pessimist. They don’t expect it back.
My kids were bone thin as babies–It was kind of embarrassing, as they were in the 10th percentiles. “Yes, actually, we do feed them at least once a day.” I hope you will let me hold your little sweetie.
The quote is funny (both ways).
I guess this means you won’t be bringing lunch? jk–I wasn’t expecting any. Just want you to know that I’m bummed that I can’t bring anything perishable with me, since we are planning to hit the ground running when we get off the plane and can’t leave anything in the car that would spoil. So, no cheese curds, brats, or cake pops for you. sorry 🙁
btw, I linked you up this morning.
Thanks for linking me up. I schedule the post for 6am and then I get caught up with the kids so sometimes I don’t get around to linking up until much later.
My imagination is running thinking about you two brilliant funny bloggers exchanging ideas over lunch. Oh the possibilities – reality TV, I-phone apps, viral youtube clips, etc.
Well, you know I’m all about dealing with the tiny babies who are not on the growth chart. As long as she’s following her own curve, that is what is most important. If you ever want to talk/vent about this, you know where to find me.
I’ve also never met a recipe that I couldn’t tweak to be better. And, the meal exchange with a friend is super smart. Thanks for the idea!
Of course I thought of you with the tiny baby issues. I feel like she is doing great and she is growing, just slower than others.
Love your meal swap idea. Sounds like fun!
I don’t know how to doctor up recipes mostly because I don’t understand what works well with other things. I guess this is where reading cookbooks would actually help. My husband used to do all of the cooking until he got sick six years ago. After he became well again, five years ago, he never took back the task. I really wish he would! lol He says I only make 5 things really well and he doesn’t like two of them!
Do you know of any pessimists I can borrow from? lol
I don’t know how to doctor up recipes mostly because I don’t understand what works well with other things. I guess this is where reading cookbooks would actually help. My husband used to do all of the cooking until he got sick six years ago. After he became well again, five years ago, he never took back the task. I really wish he would! lol He says I only make 5 things really well and he doesn’t like two of them!
Do you know of any pessimists I can borrow from? lol
Luna Pie is just going to be petite, that’s all! My first was underweight and always at the bottom of the chart! He lived. You and Papi are doing the greatest job with love and attention! I think a little kick of formula mixed in will make a difference.
I went to the same cooking school as you! I just really don’t like cooking. I have found Rachael Ray’s cookbooks to be very successful with everyone in my family. Just keep trying new stuff, and you will have a whole list of winners! I love the share a meal idea!
meal exchange idea – interesting – you know long ago like the 50’s that was part of marriage definition. You gave half your food (or cost of) to get your half cooked for you. I think there were other parts of the definition too.
Luna Pie is just wee! She’s just portable size, that’s all. 🙂
Hoping Luna plumps up soon.
I recently told my DH that when I win the lottery, I’m not cooking anymore. I just don’t enjoy it. And I’m not very good at it.
I’m forever “tweeking” recipes… sometimes with great success, other times they look at the plate then at me and say in unison- “Seriously??”
Your little sweetie must be getting all the nutrients she needs. I was so small and would not gain weight when I was a baby and the first few years of my life. Your precious angel is in good hands with you and your husband loving her.
Thanks. It’s nice to get the encouragement and feedback. I feel like she is doing really well, but those stupid charts are making me doubt myself.
Don’t worry about Luna’s weight too much. {I know it’s tough as a mother.} JJ was tiny, too, and he still is. I just popped him on the scale yesterday and at 16 months, he is finally at 20 pounds. As long as she’s happy and healthy. You’re a great mommy and you’re doing a great job!
And I love the Now Eat This books! I’ve got the diet one and it’s awesome!! Unfortunately, I’m one who needs to follow the recipe, so some of them have been pretty bland and not so yummy… I need to do some doctoring.
Have a great weekend!
Do doctor the recipes. I’m telling you the “potato” cheese soup I made was soo good I could hardly contain myself. I used his recipe as a base, but I added two potatoes (he only uses cauliflower), chicken broth and a tiny bit of Parmesan. Delicious!
You know, I was born overweight. I don’t know how much I weighed but I’ve seen the pictures and I was a little tiny cow. By the time I was five, I was the smallest person in my kindergarten class. I’m thinking a baby’s weight doesn’t mean much in the long run.
Sending a hug your way for little Luna Pie. And the meal exchange is a great idea! I have a girlfriend who found one through a facebook friend page. There are 10 of them so they make 10 meals to freeze and get together to trade. 10 meals in the freezer is awesome,eh?
Best,
Tina
Hmm…I like that idea. A meal exchange. I hate cooking too…well sometimes I do. 🙂 But I agree w ya…gotta change up the recipe sometimes. Or all the time
I get really excited about eating food prepared by other people as well. My husband once asked me if I’d rather have someone clean my house or cook all the meals. He assumed I’d pick cleaning, but I’d pick someone to cook in a heartbeat. (Either way it was an unfair question since I didn’t get either in the end…)
Meal exchange NOW that’s a great idea! your brilliant! I had to pump with my oldest because of reflux…your so right ~ Pumping Suxs! I hope Luna-pie gains weight soon and your just breast feeding.
P.S. I’m enthusiastic about someone else’s cooking too. You put it so well!
Luna Pie does things her own way, like you said she is happy and eating…I hate those charts I think they are too general. Not a fan of cooking either but I cook sometimes with love but mostly with resentment! Have a wonderful weekend!
I like to doctor recipes also, sometimes successfully (and sometimes not). I’m glad Luna Pie is doing well, she’s dainty I guess!
My husband does the cooking too. So thankful for that! Have a great weekend.
OMG, that food exchange idea is rockin…I am so gonna do that…brilliant lady 🙂
I relate to this right now. I’m worried about CJ because he’s almost two and only says a handful of words. Then the doctor stamped the worry with the official seal saying that if by two he doesn’t talk more we’ll have to get an appointment with a specialist to get him checked out. My “recipe” has been to repeat words, over and over, for everything. We already were doing that but now it’s RIDICULOUS.
Good moms worry. At least, that’s what I want to believe 🙂
lol on the pessimist quote, HA!
I don’t like to cook much either. Plus my family is picky. No saucy stuff. Hardly anything marinated. Some don’t like things touching/cooked with other things. It’s exhausting. lol. My son loves bread and loves bologna… yet cannot stomach a bologna sandwich. Weird.
Did you ask the doc about her size? That doesn’t sound that underweight to me but then again my kids are all older and I can’t remember much without looking through their baby books, lol. Plus, they were all very chubby anyhow.
Yeah, the doc is the one that got me worried. I thought she was doing fine. I still think she’s doing fine, but the doc wants me to fatten her up.
I’ve recently gotten into making salads mostly because they’re so low maintenance.. All you need is some lettuce (though actually I use spinach because I’m anemic), chop up some deli meat and a tomato and tell everyone you’re “eating healthy.” Toss in some blueberries, and suddenly it’s gourmet. 😉
I love spinach salads. I pretty much just love spinach.
Visit me at: http://www.unknownmami.com.
That meal sharing idea is fantastic! I love cooking but I also love eating stuff someone else has cooked.
I hope all is well with Luna Pie and she’s just a little Pie.
I don’t know about babies and their sizes but I’m sure, most likely she’s just going to be petite. (which is totally nice for her.) I really like to cook but I have to be in the mood (which is not very often lately.) So out of necessity, I do semi homemade stuff. I love me some take out and also home cooked food someone else made (especially that of my mom.)So I understand completely. But what I really love is being invited to parties where there’s lots of free food. Great idea of making double and sharing.
wow, that food exchange idea is really great! i’m going to do that!!
betty xx
My daughter has never been on the chart for weight…but she’s healthy as can be!!! Hang in there…I know it’s worrisome.
Lots of sugar and love to Put-Pie. My angel girl was very light, too, and she turned out just great!
I love the meal exchange idea — so smart!
🙂
Traci
My husband for some reason is working late every night and getting off early on Fridays……so he’s not cooking ( which is suppose to be his job). We are eating take out and junk crap so I’ve gain tons of weight………yea I always blame someone else:). Guess I need to get busy and start cooking too!