As I’ve mentioned in previous baby food posts, now that Darlington’s a regular solids eater, we started incorporating fruits and vegetables into our weekly menu, including juices. The fun thing about this new method is that it’s reintroduced me to some fruits and vegetables that often get left off my short list.
Along with her usual favorites, I make it a point to introduce her to a new fruit or vegetable each week. I want her tiny palate to get used to a variety of tastes, and eventually as she gets older, I’d like her to be amenable to trying new cuisines. I cannot wait to travel with our little Honey Girl so she can do just that.
As a new mom, it’s amazing how much information and advice I receive on a daily basis. I’ve just come to realize I’m a lifetime member of this mommy club, and as Darlington matures, so does the information and advice—especially regarding health. Since our Mommy Makeover Contest started, I’ve been able to see firsthand how health is truly a delicate balance between lifestyle, fortitude, and luck.
Most of us try to incorporate good food and exercise into our lives, but not everyone has the mental and emotional strength to see things through. And sometimes things happen that are completely out of our hands. I’ve witnessed through friends and family just how difficult the road can be when dealing with the failing health of a child. So much so, I count my blessings every day for Darlington’s health.
And like so many breastfeeding moms, I felt an intense amount of guilt when I had to stop, just shy of five months. We’re constantly traveling, and she’s around so many people. It’s as if I was taking away the only gift I could give her to help build her little immune system, but the truth is that I had a significant decrease in milk production. If I could’ve kept going, I would’ve, but thankfully she started taking solids at six months, and she was able to get more vitamins and minerals from vegetables in addition to her regular formula.
