"It’s not your cooking, it’s your genes"

So Eva has starting do this really fun thing called not eating. To make things better she happens to be nearly as stubborn as her mother. One day Eva woke up and decided that she would not take anything from a spoon again. While she has always eaten snacks and what Mommy and Daddy eat for dinner, I feed her baby food for breakfast and lunch. Those days are long gone. She now wants to eat everything by herself. Unfortunately, I was not prepared for this and did not have the proper nutritional finger foods at hand. The other night, after a long day of feeling like I had been at battle and lost terribly, I got on the computer and did a little research. I searched for kid friendly foods and recipes that Eva might enjoy. I discovered several helpful ideas and recipes and got to work baking and taking notes. The next day was heaven comparatively! For starter, Eva LOVES to eat frozen peas and corn. She will eat frozen veggies all day long if I kept them coming. She also thought the frozen bananas were an improvement. For a few days she also ate these TERRIBLE whole wheat blueberry muffins. Another of her favorites are beans. Like black beans, pinto, etc... I found a can of beans that were mixed with hotdogs and a little bit of tomato sauce that she is a fan of. However, being Daddy's girl, she woke up screaming last night and didn't fall asleep tell she released a litter of gas. I'll have to remember to go easy on the beans! We are struggling a little to find ways to fit whole grain/fiber foods into her diet. She won't eat any wheat bread, even with butter and jam! Or melted cheese! I can't disguise bread. We are having her eat rice and whole wheat Chex cereal in the mean time. ANY IDEAS? I'm a little bit of a health freak and I'm even more paranoid when it comes to Eva. Aaron and I have already had to let our guard down just to get any sort of nutrition in her. Luckily I am still nursing, I know that is intense to still be doing that, but for her sake, I'm glad I am! I am open to any creative ideas that have worked for your picky eaters. Please share!
Anyway, while I was researching on the computer I found this website:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/10/dining/10pick.html?_r=3&oref=slogin

The site has an article that says, "...for parents who worry that their children will never eat anything but chocolate milk, Gummi vitamins and the occasional grape, a new study offers some relief. Researchers examined the eating habits of 5,390 pairs of twins between 8 and 11 years old and found children’s aversions to trying new foods are mostly inherited. The message to parents: It’s not your cooking, it’s your genes."

I'm quite sure that that was not a relief to me, I WAS PICKY! I know Mom, you are laughing and saying, "it's payback time!" However, I am failing to see the humor.

Check out the article's website if anyone is interested in knowing more about the study.

Here is Eva enjoying the wonderful world of food:

"STEPPING UP" Valentine's Day

I've had the same pair of running shoes since I married into the life of poverty:) (I love you anyway Aaron). So, for Valentine's Day, instead of wasting money on silly roses, Aaron bought me a new pair of shoes! YEA!!! Check them out! Thanks Honey.
OLD:

NEW:


This week I have been able to break a 7 minute mile and am running 3 miles in 22 minutes! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these shoes!

Best Buds Share Everything...

Man, all my blog post seem to shout EVA! It is like she is the only thing that fills my time... Oh wait, she is! How do people get anything else done? I don't get much done, and that's okay with me. I feel like she is growing up too fast already and I don't want to miss a minute. That doesn't mean that I don't LOVE nap time and that 12 hour night. I just apologize to my numerous ;) readers who are looking for posts about something else besides Eva. Well, sorry, this is another post to add to that collection.
However, I'll add a little note about the other life of Aaron and Jodi Dahlin:
Aaron is currently in a three-on-three basketball tournament at his school. I LOVE going to his games and cheering him on. Aaron has never played basketball until this semester, but has spent every lunch in the gym shooting hoops and playing with the boys. At his last game Aaron made 2 three-pointers (which are actually only worth two points in three-on-three basketball)! It was great. I'm so proud of him and how well he is doing in a sport he has never played. Finals are coming up which means Aaron has EIGHT tests in the next two weeks! Good luck Aaron! I am currently training for a triathlon. I've always wanted to compete in one and I figure that I'll only be getting slower the more children I have, so why wait? I'm currently running 7 minute miles, but my 3 mile pace is a little slower in the 23 minute range. I've always been a swimmer so running is definitely not my forte! I'm getting there though!
Anyway, I made another little outfit for Eva from an old t-shirt of mine and quilting scraps. I dressed her up and was taking pictures when Eva started shoving her stuffed animal in Boa's face. Boa joined in a game of tug-o-war. As you see they share everything from stuffed animals, to saliva, to all sorts of germs. Mmmmm, yummy.

Walking, Talking, and Shoving Doctors...

At 9 months Eva is still our wiggly and wild girl. She never ceases to amaze and delight us. For instance, at her nine month appointment I was drilled all the usual questions from the pediatrician. "Does she understand, 'no,' and, 'bye?' Can she sit on her own? Is she able to stand on her own? Is she taking steps along the furniture?" "Yes, yes, yes, yes," I answered. The doctor then performed a quick physical on Eva. She stood her on the table and said, "Wow, she is pretty strong." Then she put her on the floor and held her hands to she if Eva would take a few steps for her. Eva, of course, would have none of this. I am not exaggerating when I say that Eva shoved the doctor's arms out of the way and walked all the way across the room to Momma. Our stunned doctor ended the physical right then and there.
Eva is also talking. "Doggie" was her first word. Eva and Boa (our dog) are as thick as thieves...whatever that means. Eva likes to shove anything and everything into Boa's face to lure Boa into a game of tug-o-war.
"Sippy," for sippy cup, was Eva's second distinguishable word. Though it sounds more like, "Thip-thee."
"Eat" and "Daddy" are her other two words that we think she is saying, but can't be too sure on. What I would like to know is what happened to "Mommy?" I guess she knows I respond better to screaming, coughing, and kisses.
We love ya girlie.

Gettin' Fancy With The Fabric

Yes, I have been "gettin' fancy" with old t-shirts and quilting scraps! Eva's box of 9-12 month clothing was in a sad state, so, thanks to a few crafty ladies I have befriended, I have discovered how to MAKE clothes. So far, all my projects have been nearly free. I have purchased a few buttons and elastic, but that is all. Plus, it is lots of fun, and can I say, without sounding too proud, cuter? Here are a few pictures of my projects so far, but more are on their way.
FYI, I got the skirt idea from a super creative lady I know, check out her site:
http://www.babynightnightbotique.blogspot.com/

First TEETH and First STEPS

At 8 months and 3 days Eva woke up with her first tooth and later took her first step! It was a big day! Her first step was from Grandma to Mommy. Daddy was studying and missed it :( So, later, Eva showed her stuff and took two steps for daddy! No videos yet, of walking, but here are a few pictures of Eva at eight months.
What a cutie!


Bad mothering moment: I sat Eva outside on the grass to take a few pictures and she started to cry! I realized that I had never sat her on grass...oops. Bad mother, right? The park that we live by has lots of cigarette buds and fun things in the grass so I never felt safe putting her there. The grass around our house is usually uninhabitable, until lately. Anyway, it WAS a little funny. Eva made a good subject to take pictures of because she didn't dare touch the grass to move. What a goof.

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

Okay, so Arizona is anything but a "winter wonderland," but here is a video clip of Eva walking with her walker. Watch the clip, it is a must see! Thanks to the Riddles for letting us borrow their walker!

Look Ma, No Hands!

Our little 7 month bundle is just as busy as ever. Here are a new few things she is up to these days:
*KISSING! Mommy gets slobbery kisses all day long, while Daddy? Um, sorry, maybe later Dad.
*STANDS on her own! Yup! "Look ma, no hands." No more need to steady herself with objects, she can stand on her own!
*CRUISING along everything. She walks along all furniture and anything else she can find. Our wonderful neighbor loaned us a walker that looks like a shopping cart that Eva holds on to and walks around the house.
*FEEDS herself. Eva shovels it in with both hands. Still no idea what handed she will be. I hope she'll be a lefty...they are the best kind of people ;)
*TURNS pages to her favorite books while mommy reads. She loves this activity. It is the only way mommy can get her to hold still, besides eating.
*SWIMMING! Eva loves the water, though she doesn't have much of a choice in our family. The moment we stuck her in the pool she started kicking and splashing.
*LEAPS over tall buildings in a single bound.
*READS the dictionary backwards.
Okay, so the last two were a little false, but the rest were true! Here are a few pictures of Eva around 7 months old:

Thankful For Fun-Times and Family For Thanksgiving!

Aaron and I spent a wonderful 11 days back home for Thanksgiving break! We had such a great time seeing many of our family and friends again. Thanks for all the fun! It was a blast. Aaron and I feel so blessed. We love you all! Here are a few pictures from our trip: