Toddler vs. Food

So, lately (for about the past couple of months) the Sunnyboy (aka: Asher) has decided that he no longer has a need for his highchair. Fast-forward through battles, tantrums, etc. 

Sunny has kinda been a "grazer" for most of his self-feeding days in general (from about 9 months on), so it wasn't really surprising to The Hubby (aka: Josh) and me that he didn't want to be constricted & restrained once he had the magical ability to walk & eat. 

I usually serve his snacks on a little table like the one pictured above (from Ikea), so it wasn't a far leap to begin experimenting with serving lunch, etc. in that same area. I started with foods that he wouldn't normally use utensils for: The grandparents recently had mailed a care package complete with Barilla Cut Spaghetti. At first, I thought, "What a gimic! I can cut my own son's pasta!". Well, lemme tell ya, moms of toddlers & others who I know can understand, sometimes you have mere moments to tame the hungry afternoon bear boy and this pasta was a lifesaver! (Not to mention, he loved it being the perfect size for his little fingers).

I did strip him down to his diaper (turned the heat up a bit in the room), and placed the table on our wooden floor making it easier for clean-up or the doggie-vacuum (aka: "CJ", yellow Lab/Golden Retriever 5 year-old).

Sunnyboy has since graduated to enjoying all of his meals in this location, and our battles over eating seem to have ceased for the time being. He's quite proud of his new-found freedom! (and Mama is busy cleaning up...)

I'm by no means a proponent of letting toddler whims rule the house, but this to me was different. It was a Mama&Sun working together to find a solution that works for all of us, and that, I applaud ;-)

Life through Pictures

I'm so thankful for the ability many of us have to capture all that's wrapped in a moment into something tangible. To freeze time for a half of a second and preserve the memory. There are so many creative ways to do just that, and lately Pictures have been my outlet. These past 2 weeks have been particularly preoccupied for us here at "our nest", but I'm glad to share some of the moments preserved with you:

From a friend

My friend Jen has been on her own "bumpy road" & in light of my my post yesterday, I wanted to share her perspective on the bumps in her road: http://jenloveskev.com/2013/02/12/its-the-small-things/
Thank you Jen for sharing.

Bumpy road

Life has been bumpy here lately it seems, frigid temps, cranky babies, frustrated mamas & daddys, lack of sun, personal disappointments, friends in great pain-- though all of that mixed with triumphs big & small along the way (conquering small battles like the social security office, traffic court with a toddler, a clogged shower, nitty gritty financial junk, and big ones like seeking employment after voluntarily resigning from a job to be a stay-at-home-mom). I'm a glass is half-full type of girl, but recently I've wanted to just smash the glass and throw whatever's in it to the wind. I hope you don't mind my candor. I'll try to keep the raw "choice" words that are on the tip of my tongue in check & leave it at that description.

I don't write often about my personal religious or spiritual viewpoints but in light of circumstances lately & mentioned above, I can't help but share with you where I find my own anchor & peace in the midst of these "bumps in the road". Right now they don't just feel like "bumps" but hurdles the size of mountains. I believe in a God that is higher than all of the stuff going on in my world and all around me and I have been flung, almost literally on the Word from Him over the past 3 or 4 days. I admit at times that I question whether He's real or what I read in the bible (the Word") is actually true for me still today, but I know this for sure, He hasn't let me down yet & I will keep seeking and praying that He won't. Below are some excerpts that have been especially comforting to me, maybe they will speak to you as well. Blessing to you all & I hope you have Someone you're able to cling to as well if you're on a "bumpy road" too. I wish the best for all of you.
Love & Peace,
Hannah

Psalm 62:5-8

"For God alone, Oh my Soul, wait in silence, for my Hope is from Him. 

He only in my Rock & my Salvation, my Fortress; 

I shall not be shaken."

Psalm 9:9-10

"The Lord is a Stronghold for the oppressed, 

a Stronghold in times of trouble.

And those who know Your Name put their trust in You,

for You oh Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You."

Luke 1:37

"For nothing will be impossible with God."

Psalm 4:8

"In peace will I both lie down & sleep;

for You alone, oh Lord, make me dwell in safety."

Matthew 6:25-34

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, 

what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body...

Is not life more than food, & the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow now reap, nor gather into barns, 

and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not of more value than the birds?

And who can add a single hour to their life by being anxious?..

therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, 

for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Isaiah 40:28-31

"Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the Everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

His understanding is unsearchable.

He give power to the faint,

and to him who has no might he increases strength...

they that wait for the Lord will renew their strength;

they will mount up with wings like eagles;

they will run & not be weary;

they will walk & not grow faint."