Day: November 9, 2018

Baby in Space

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Baby in Space

Veronika has been home for ten days now, but today was the first time I took her on an official “tour” of the place!

Walking about the house is a great way to engage your newborn when he or she has an alert moment. Carry them slightly upright, and you can gently move them up high to see some things, and then gently swing them down low to see others. Make sure you are supporting baby’s neck and head firmly, and that they feel safe even with the movement.

Obviously this was another blog for which it was hard to get pictures (sorry for the slightly sideways pic at top!). But I loved talking Veronika through the house – things in the kitchen like fridges and sinks; pictures to look at on the walls in the bedrooms.

Baby in Space (3)

A very cute activity during our quiet morning together.

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Rock-a-Baby

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Rock a Baby.JPG

Today I learned a new lullaby to add to my repertoire for Veronika – which is key both for lulling her to sleep and for keeping my tired mommy-brain engaged during late night feedings!

Whenever I learn a new song, I love finding a video of it on YouTube first. You’ll quickly learn the melody, and usually there is cute animation to go along with it (which Travis loves to check out!).

To wit, first I memorized the lyrics to the song, Sleep, Baby, Sleep:

Sleep, baby, sleep

Thy father guards the sheep.

Thy mother shakes the dreamland tree,

and from it fall sweet dreams for thee.

Sleep, baby, sleep

 

Smile, baby, smile

Thy mother guards a while.

Thy father tends the dreamland tree,

and shakes a new sweet dream for thee

Smile, baby, smile.

Then we checked out the video for the melody.

As you sing, gently rock your baby to mimic the movement of a cradle. Success! Baby girl fell asleep. Based on the picture, how high do you rate this lullaby?

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

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Pumpkin Mac (5).JPG

It’s not fall until you’ve made a pumpkin-flavored something, and this spin on mac ‘n’ cheese from High Five magazine is a great way to sneak veggies into your kids’ dinner!

Grown-ups: To start, cook 8 ounces macaroni pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.

Meanwhile melt 2 tablespoons Earth Balance butter in a saucepan. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and 1 cup non-dairy milk. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Now the kids can join in! Whisk in 1 cup shredded Daiya cheddar…

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… along with 1 cup canned pumpkin, 1/2 teaspoon mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Travis loved smelling and taste-testing the mustard and nutmeg!

Pour the pumpkin sauce over the macaroni in a 9×13-inch baking dish, stirring to combine.

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Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 minutes. Little sister’s onesie even matched!

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