13 Month Thoughts

I feed L 5 small meals per day plus 500 ml of formula. When I prep her morning snack and lunch while I make breakfast it really cuts down on dishes for the day. One cutting board and one knife for three meals!

Typical breakfast: diced fruit (last week it was raspberries, this week it's plums), scrambled eggs with cheddar or broccoli cheddar quiche. Months 11 and 12 she gobbled up eggs, this month they're mostly being thrown on the floor.
Morning snack: blueberries cut in half, diced mandarin oranges, and cottage cheese. We eat cottage cheese with enthusiasm! I buy the easy peel oranges and peel them all when I get home. It's one less thing and also encourages me to eat a few slices.
Lunch and Afternoon snack: variation of diced fruit, chick peas cut in half, sliced ham, diced avocado, diced leftover vegetable (usually thrown on the floor), leftover rice, buttered bread.
Dinner: whatever we're eating and maybe a little fruit to whet her appetite.

Distractions are so much more effective than "No!" Either we both get frustrated or she laughs at me and it makes me smile and laugh too. She is walking and "toddling" everywhere and just wants to be on the move. She is not going to sit down for a book or a game/toy. She wants to be holding two things and moving. If she goes towards an area that is not for her, it's best to just move her where I want her or flash some new shiny object at her.

Podcasts: We all need a little distraction. Yes, our iPhones are taking distraction to a perilous level but mothers have always had a little something whether it was the radio, soap operas, novels, etc. Podcasts give me a connection to other adults and L is hearing language.

Up First - daily news in under 15 minutes that is about as judicious as I have found in today's social climate. This is great for getting through the first round of dishes.
In This Together - parenting podcast about how to survive as a PARENT and truly lead by example.

My thoughts on my child and my phone: Here's what I've decided. My phone is my phone. It is a tool and entertainment for me. It is not a toy. She has many lovely toys and I have provided her tidy, attractive places to play. I also understand that I cannot be on my phone in front of her and not expect it to be a temptation.
Re-dedicating myself to reading. I tend to devour 2 or 3 books in a month and then not read for a few months. Right now I'm reading Liturgy of the Ordinary and really enjoying it so far. This will be a gift for many!
Planning a date night. Rob and I have been to two concerts since L was born. Honestly, this was something I did because he enjoys live music but I was just terrified of L refusing to sleep for the babysitter the whole time. (She was fine.) This time we planned an actual dinner and arranged for a sitter beyond the time necessary to just scarf down a meal. We also read a great tip for the first year to plan day dates when you're actually awake because a night out is not really that appealing when you just want to sleep.

VIVIAN