Last night didn't see any of the Stamp's getting the required amount of sleep! Poor Bean woke in the wee small hours burning up! This morning she slept in til really late...not like her! She is usually up at 7am. 7.30 at the latest - if we've been out partying!!! So, my pale, poorly & just a tad warm girly is snuggled up on the couch.
Days like today call for 2 things! One - Trackie bums! (All 3 Stamp girls are currently donning a pair...what a beautifully, comfy sight!) And two - The Stamp Family cure-all...Soupy-not-Gloopy.
In a nod to Dear Hubby's heritage, it's my home grown version of Jewish Penicillin. When my brother-in-law lived with us, I developed it when he was feeling ill. Now I whip up a batch whenever one of us is under the weather...or just needing a little TLC!
So, I thought I'd share the recipe (whilst my girls are tucked up resting!) - just in case any of you are needing comfort in a bowl!
Chicken Soupy-not-Gloopy
Brown off some chicken pieces (with bone in & skin on) in a heavy based, large pan. Remove but keep the fat in the pan. Put 2 chopped leeks, 2 sliced carrots, 2 medium sweet potatoes, and 2 large white potatoes into the pan and soften for a few minutes in the chicken fat. Throw in some dried thyme or fresh if you have. You can also add in parsnips, celery & onions, if you fancy - whatever you have in the bottom of your fridge! Add in a good splash of white wine (when Pea is weaning I will leave this out - but the alcohol cooks off so can be eaten by children!). Put the chicken back in the pan and add water until it is all just covered. Throw in 2/3 bay leaves & season with fresh ground black pepper. Bring to the boil & simmer until the chicken is cooked & you can chop the carrots with a wooden spoon, around 45mins. The other veg will be falling apart. Remove chicken & strip meat from the bones. Season the cooking juices with vegetable bouillon powder, to taste. Return the chicken meat to the pan. Serve with lots of love, sympathy & crusty bread!
Thursday 30 September 2010
Wednesday 29 September 2010
Life interrupted...
This time last week I was happily going about the Stamp Family daily routine. Pea was due a weigh-in with the Health Visitor. Nothing special, just she hadn't been weighed for a month. So, off we all trundled. I had no concerns. But, to cut a long story short...Pea hadn't gained nearly enough weight since the last weigh in. The Health Visitor was concerned. I very quickly became concerned. Pea - was happy, kicking about and chatting away to herself! The Health Visitor wanted formula feeds added in.
You'll remember, we had previously tried this. Before, it was our own idea to try "topping up" after a breast feed. We'd given up because Pea wasn't interested, so it wasn't making a difference. But now, it wasn't our choice. And we're not just talking about top-ups. We're talking about whole feeds. My heart broke! We could still breast feed, just not 100%. Like Bean had.
Painful emotions mixed together - I'll spare you a glimpse into the full, hormone fuelled, catalogue of emotions. Feeling sad sums it up!
On a practical note, Dear Hubby started bottle feeding. He has taught our girl well. She is taking good amounts of milk, a few times a day. If you're a breastfeeding mum and you need to add in formula feeds...get Daddy to start it! It will head off any fights, you may have, at the pass! And really does make it easier all around! It also has the added bonus of being lovely for Dad to get a hand in with feeding too!
Dear Hubby has also been very wise! He is gently helping me to let go. Encouraging me to see this as a new opportunity to shepherd (or guide) our daughter, according to her needs. Dear Hubby reminds me that Pea is different to Bean. We want to rejoice in & celebrate this. Both our girls are unique. So they each need to be "grown" in a way that is unique to them. So, Bean was breastfed 100%. Pea needs something different.
As a mum, I know that my job is to serve my girls. So, this means that I should shelve my desire to fully breastfeed and give the child a bottle! It's what she needs. It isn't going to harm her. It will probably do some good! I'll keep you posted on how the mixed feeding goes...
P.S. If you see any weirdness on my blog - please excuse! I made the grand mistake of leaving myself logged in. Bean got to the laptop before I realised what I'd done. I can't see any nearly-3-year-old type entries...but you never know!!!
You'll remember, we had previously tried this. Before, it was our own idea to try "topping up" after a breast feed. We'd given up because Pea wasn't interested, so it wasn't making a difference. But now, it wasn't our choice. And we're not just talking about top-ups. We're talking about whole feeds. My heart broke! We could still breast feed, just not 100%. Like Bean had.
Painful emotions mixed together - I'll spare you a glimpse into the full, hormone fuelled, catalogue of emotions. Feeling sad sums it up!
On a practical note, Dear Hubby started bottle feeding. He has taught our girl well. She is taking good amounts of milk, a few times a day. If you're a breastfeeding mum and you need to add in formula feeds...get Daddy to start it! It will head off any fights, you may have, at the pass! And really does make it easier all around! It also has the added bonus of being lovely for Dad to get a hand in with feeding too!
Dear Hubby has also been very wise! He is gently helping me to let go. Encouraging me to see this as a new opportunity to shepherd (or guide) our daughter, according to her needs. Dear Hubby reminds me that Pea is different to Bean. We want to rejoice in & celebrate this. Both our girls are unique. So they each need to be "grown" in a way that is unique to them. So, Bean was breastfed 100%. Pea needs something different.
As a mum, I know that my job is to serve my girls. So, this means that I should shelve my desire to fully breastfeed and give the child a bottle! It's what she needs. It isn't going to harm her. It will probably do some good! I'll keep you posted on how the mixed feeding goes...
P.S. If you see any weirdness on my blog - please excuse! I made the grand mistake of leaving myself logged in. Bean got to the laptop before I realised what I'd done. I can't see any nearly-3-year-old type entries...but you never know!!!
Saturday 25 September 2010
Life...
Just thought I'd share a recent Stamp Family portrait. I love this because it captures our natures really well. Dear Hubby, content. Pea, watching big sis. Bean, just happy. Me, keeping a watchful eye.
This week I have had the delight of watching my daughters relationship flourish. Bean dotes on her sister. When Pea cries, Bean is there. Comforting her, stroking her head. Bean is forever talking to Pea. Already teaching her how to do puzzles! Pea is returning the affection with huge, special smiles I only see her give Bean. Pea's face lights up when Bean is near. They both love to sit & snuggle!
Long may the bond of sisterhood continue!
Thursday 23 September 2010
Fear...? Keep the Faith!
A couple of weeks back Dear Hubby & I had a very scary moment. Pea has been drooling, chomping on anything that goes near her mouth and not feeding normally. Teething had come a calling! So one evening, as we were getting ready for bed & Pea was waking for her feed. We gave her some teething gel (yep, we're still doing everything in our power to get her to take a good feed so that she will sleep!), following the directions on the tube.
5 minutes later, Pea was choking. Thankfully, Dear Hubby was right next to her. He swooped her up into his arms. It resolved itself. Pea settled quickly, the moment had passed. Pea had her feed. She then went to bed. But I was tempted to be afraid. I stayed awake for hours. Pea slept beautifully. I took her to visit the Doctor. Pea was as fit as a fiddle. The Doctor confirmed that it was a choking episode, probably caused by a small amount of teething gel. I was left asking...what if...?
I needed to have a word with myself. One of Pea's given names means "our God saves." As I went into labour, I was singing a song called Our God Saves. At birth, our God saved our little Pea. But still fear was creeping around the edges of my emotions. Do I send myself mad, keeping a watchful eye? Trying to control every situation to keep my Pea safe. Trying to do God's job.
Where was my faith? I reached a point where I realised that I have to trust that Pea is created for a purpose. Her life is in God's hands. It is my job to nurture & protect her. Not to sustain her. Our God saves!
Mind you, this realisation was helped along by Dear Hubby squirting half the tube of teething gel into his mouth. Lying flat out on his back, he waited. Apparently, it would cause choking!
5 minutes later, Pea was choking. Thankfully, Dear Hubby was right next to her. He swooped her up into his arms. It resolved itself. Pea settled quickly, the moment had passed. Pea had her feed. She then went to bed. But I was tempted to be afraid. I stayed awake for hours. Pea slept beautifully. I took her to visit the Doctor. Pea was as fit as a fiddle. The Doctor confirmed that it was a choking episode, probably caused by a small amount of teething gel. I was left asking...what if...?
I needed to have a word with myself. One of Pea's given names means "our God saves." As I went into labour, I was singing a song called Our God Saves. At birth, our God saved our little Pea. But still fear was creeping around the edges of my emotions. Do I send myself mad, keeping a watchful eye? Trying to control every situation to keep my Pea safe. Trying to do God's job.
Where was my faith? I reached a point where I realised that I have to trust that Pea is created for a purpose. Her life is in God's hands. It is my job to nurture & protect her. Not to sustain her. Our God saves!
Mind you, this realisation was helped along by Dear Hubby squirting half the tube of teething gel into his mouth. Lying flat out on his back, he waited. Apparently, it would cause choking!
Friday 17 September 2010
Independence Day!
So, I've been mulling over the kind of women we want our girls to be. Confident, strong, independent...but how does that fit with Godly submission?! A friend recently commented that modern women have difficulty submitting to their husbands, because from their parents knee they are trained to be independent. Is this how it has to be? Can my girls experience the best of both worlds...and live in the benefit of independence & Godly submission? My heart screams...YES! They can!
I have realised that I need to model both independence & Godly submission to my girls. As a woman, a wife & a mother...I need to learn how to hold these in tension.
The trouble is the longer that I am married, the more complex I found submission & having my own opinion to be! With Dear Hubby's wise leading...the layers of onion are being peeled away. I can have an opinion, I can be independent in thought...Dear Hubby reminded me I just need to think of Jesus in the garden, before he was crucifed. He had an opinion. He didn't want to face the pain of the cross. He told Father, passionately, how he felt about the situation. But he yielded his will to the Father's. He spent time with Father, talking until they were of one mind.
I was out with the girls a couple of weeks ago...a long story but we ended up seeing a children's entertainer. One from decades ago...as part of his gig he asked the children to put their hands up if mummy was in charge at home. All but one child put up their hand. When asked if Daddy was in charge at home, up Bean's hand shot... While the entertainer went on to diss women...I had a warm glow. A glimmer of hope. Maybe my girl's getting submission after all!!!!
I have realised that I need to model both independence & Godly submission to my girls. As a woman, a wife & a mother...I need to learn how to hold these in tension.
The trouble is the longer that I am married, the more complex I found submission & having my own opinion to be! With Dear Hubby's wise leading...the layers of onion are being peeled away. I can have an opinion, I can be independent in thought...Dear Hubby reminded me I just need to think of Jesus in the garden, before he was crucifed. He had an opinion. He didn't want to face the pain of the cross. He told Father, passionately, how he felt about the situation. But he yielded his will to the Father's. He spent time with Father, talking until they were of one mind.
I was out with the girls a couple of weeks ago...a long story but we ended up seeing a children's entertainer. One from decades ago...as part of his gig he asked the children to put their hands up if mummy was in charge at home. All but one child put up their hand. When asked if Daddy was in charge at home, up Bean's hand shot... While the entertainer went on to diss women...I had a warm glow. A glimmer of hope. Maybe my girl's getting submission after all!!!!
Monday 13 September 2010
Celebrate...
This weekend we packed our girls into the car. Turned on the radio & headed north. A leisurely drive, 2 stops for food (Pea needs to eat regularly!), a short trip down memory lane and, 6 hours later, we finally arrived at our destination.
We had the pleasure of joining my brother & his wife to celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary. As a family we couldn't join them when they wed last year. Deepest, darkest Brazil was too far to go, with a young Bean. So we prayed & partied! We prayed to say thanks for a great 1st year... and please can they have more of that to come! We partied because...well, we like to party!
And Bean showed my extended family just how it's done!!!
We had the pleasure of joining my brother & his wife to celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary. As a family we couldn't join them when they wed last year. Deepest, darkest Brazil was too far to go, with a young Bean. So we prayed & partied! We prayed to say thanks for a great 1st year... and please can they have more of that to come! We partied because...well, we like to party!
And Bean showed my extended family just how it's done!!!
Dear hubby and I watched in amazement at our girlie strut her stuff. We believe we should raise our girls to be strong, confident women. Girls who are unafraid to give something a go. Women who won't shrink back. Bean did us proud. She delights in music & moving. She gave it a go...& had heaps of fun.
As Bean gets older, we need to consider where her confidence comes from. We need to ensure that it is built on THE firm Foundation. That she doesn't shrink back, not because she has an overinflated ego...but because she knows the one true love of Jesus. For it to be a true foundation...we will build that for her now. At a tender age, we will point her to Jesus. Encourage her to experience His love & to celebrate it!
Monday 6 September 2010
Them the rules...final!
So, I took the liberty of adding 1 final rule...in the words of the great Take That...
Rule #5: "Have a little patience..."
These rules don't produce instant results. Pea took a couple of extra weeks to sleep through than Bean. But our daily routine was established all the same. The rules are more for my benefit...to know where I'm at. To ensure that in the sleep deprived haze, I am fully meeting my daughters needs.
Each baby is different too. It took me a while to work out that Pea wasn't thriving on the regular 3 hourly Eat, Wake, Sleep cycle that Bean loved. Bean was having 4 1/2 hours of daytime sleep until quite a late age...Pea barely has 3 1/2 hours! And the length of sleep they take at each part of the day is SO different. Without a little patience I wouldn't have been able to respond to their individual needs.
We believe that our jobs as parents is to shepherd...or guide our children. This begins from Day 1. We never want to enforce our will upon them. But we want to shape & influence them. These rules help me to guide them through each day. I would never force my will upon them...but I'm the grown up. I know what they need. I know what is best for them. They need our guidance & care. By guiding them from Day 1, hopefully, as they grow, they will remain open to our guidance. So as teenagers, they will continue to look to us to lead them, and resist rebellion. As young adults, they will ask our opinion & seek our advice and prevent ruin. But this all requires me to...have a little patience!
Rule #5: "Have a little patience..."
These rules don't produce instant results. Pea took a couple of extra weeks to sleep through than Bean. But our daily routine was established all the same. The rules are more for my benefit...to know where I'm at. To ensure that in the sleep deprived haze, I am fully meeting my daughters needs.
Each baby is different too. It took me a while to work out that Pea wasn't thriving on the regular 3 hourly Eat, Wake, Sleep cycle that Bean loved. Bean was having 4 1/2 hours of daytime sleep until quite a late age...Pea barely has 3 1/2 hours! And the length of sleep they take at each part of the day is SO different. Without a little patience I wouldn't have been able to respond to their individual needs.
We believe that our jobs as parents is to shepherd...or guide our children. This begins from Day 1. We never want to enforce our will upon them. But we want to shape & influence them. These rules help me to guide them through each day. I would never force my will upon them...but I'm the grown up. I know what they need. I know what is best for them. They need our guidance & care. By guiding them from Day 1, hopefully, as they grow, they will remain open to our guidance. So as teenagers, they will continue to look to us to lead them, and resist rebellion. As young adults, they will ask our opinion & seek our advice and prevent ruin. But this all requires me to...have a little patience!
Friday 3 September 2010
6 Awesome Years...
Tomorrow, 6 years ago, I received the best gift I've ever been given. Thank you Father, for being good to me! Thank you babe, for fearlessly being my man! I love you with all my heart. The last 6 years have been awesome...I look forward to many more to come!
Wednesday 1 September 2010
Them the rules...3 & 4!
Pea is amazing! We are now one whole week into sleeping through! I've chased a dream...and, quite literally, we've made it! Bliss. So, the last two rules that helped get us here...
Rule #3: Make sure they always take a full feed -it helps them to not get used to falling asleep when feeding.
I can only really talk about breast feeding here...I'm not sure how different it is for bottle fed babes. Any comments...please post them! My babies always fell asleep, in the very early days, when they were nursing. I've always worked REALLY hard to get them to wake up & keep feeding. The aim being to get them into taking full meals & not snacking. This meant that both my girls (with the exception of growth spurts) fed, at least, 3 hourly. I would obviously feed them, if they were hungry...but I tried to get them to eat meals not snacks!
The waking Bean & Pea up, to get them to eat properly, meant that they were never used to feeding to sleep. Which meant one less sleep prop to worry about!
Rule #4: Before you climb into bed, wake Bub & give them milk!
It just didn't seem logical to let Pea have the long stretch of sleep (that EVERY baby has) when we were awake. By waking her up at our bed time, it meant that she may have that long stretch whilst we were also in the land of nod! And it seemed to work! From about 6 weeks Pea would make it through until 5am, from the last feed.
A couple of weeks ago we tried giving Pea some formula, to top up after the last breast feed. To see if it would help her to sleep that little bit longer. To go past 5am, until that magic 7am! We both tried...using every trick we knew. Pea didn't mind the bottle, or the formula. She didn't scream. Or fuss. She just wouldn't take more than 10mls. So, we tried...& gave up! But never be afraid to try something...it may just work!
I want to take the liberty of introducing one more rule...have a little patience. More of that tomorrow!
Rule #3: Make sure they always take a full feed -it helps them to not get used to falling asleep when feeding.
I can only really talk about breast feeding here...I'm not sure how different it is for bottle fed babes. Any comments...please post them! My babies always fell asleep, in the very early days, when they were nursing. I've always worked REALLY hard to get them to wake up & keep feeding. The aim being to get them into taking full meals & not snacking. This meant that both my girls (with the exception of growth spurts) fed, at least, 3 hourly. I would obviously feed them, if they were hungry...but I tried to get them to eat meals not snacks!
The waking Bean & Pea up, to get them to eat properly, meant that they were never used to feeding to sleep. Which meant one less sleep prop to worry about!
Rule #4: Before you climb into bed, wake Bub & give them milk!
It just didn't seem logical to let Pea have the long stretch of sleep (that EVERY baby has) when we were awake. By waking her up at our bed time, it meant that she may have that long stretch whilst we were also in the land of nod! And it seemed to work! From about 6 weeks Pea would make it through until 5am, from the last feed.
A couple of weeks ago we tried giving Pea some formula, to top up after the last breast feed. To see if it would help her to sleep that little bit longer. To go past 5am, until that magic 7am! We both tried...using every trick we knew. Pea didn't mind the bottle, or the formula. She didn't scream. Or fuss. She just wouldn't take more than 10mls. So, we tried...& gave up! But never be afraid to try something...it may just work!
I want to take the liberty of introducing one more rule...have a little patience. More of that tomorrow!
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