JulieG, I did a search on this board for cake recipes (especially in the food allergies forum). I found a few dairy free cakes, but most used eggs and wheat flour. And some seemed like A LOT of eggs! I also checked
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com (has a healthy carrot cake). My Super Baby Food book didn't seem to offer much. And her recipe for cheesecake had all kinds of stuff in it! :shock: My recipe I've used for cheescake cupcakes for years is just 16 oz of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of sugar. I've thought about the flour alternatives, and I know Bob's Red Mill (?) makes a wheat/gluten free baking flour. I believe they have recipes on their website and on the packages (again with eggs and milk though). But I haven't tried spelt and I'm not sure if I want to mess around that much and experiement. I think I'll just stick with my fruit cheesecake for now.
Birthday Celebration: After talking to many of my friends about their LOs first birthdays, we've decided to keep it to just family because it is already so large. My friends mentioned doing low stress because the party is more a celebration of you surviving the first year than it is for the child because they won't remember anything. And they said to save the fancy kid parties for when they're older and remember. If you have older kids at the party, often the 1 yo gets lost in the mayhem and the older children are right there "helping" to open gifts, blow out candles, eat cake, etc. So they suggested keeping it to adults if we want most of the spotlight to be on Asher. Plus, I think the more familiar people we have around him, the more he'll enjoy it and not get overwhelmed. He does really well with our family, even if they are several, but not so good with my friends at the playgroup right now.
That said, we'll have a laid-back lunch on the Saturday after his birthday at our house with all the family. I'd rather not have to serve a meal, but that is Asher's longest A time so I don't have much of a choice. DH's birthday is 10 days before Asher's (and our 9th wedding anniversary is 10 days before that :shock: ), so that's why we're not doing the weekend before -- trying not to have everything back to back.
Deb, once Asher started standing alone for a few seconds, he took his first steps shortly after. I don't think it'll be long by the sound of it! Your year of travel sounds like a wonderful plan! We'd love to do that, but I doubt we'd ever have the means. So do it while you can!!
PJs: I change Asher into his clothes first thing. Otherwise, the PJs seem to get very dirty and I don't have enough to have a new set every night. At least if he gets his clothes dirty (spitup, breakfast, etc), I know they're going into the hamper that night! :lol: Also, if I don't put him in them till after the AM nap, I won't feel like he's worn them long enough to get dirty, KWIM? Oh, who knew there was so much thought process behind the time to get dressed! :lol:
Speaking of PJs, anyone else notice that they don't seem to make all cotton PJs? Especially sleepers?! I managed to find a couple thin sets, but once I needed something warmer, it was all polyester!! I resorted to sweats (80 cotton/20 polyester :?). Anyone else so passionate about 100% cotton clothes and bedding? :lol:
Schae: 7 years for school?? Wow!! And I thought I was being a rebel wanting to start Asher at 5, or even 6, for homeschool! :lol: And I think the measles (part of MMR) is at 18 months here?? It's the one that seems to get the most bad reactions.
Speaking of vaccines, my best friend's 3 & 5 yos got chicken pox from Disneyland, just mild cases. Neither had been vaccinated. Their 8 yo was vaccinated and just came down with it. :lol: Didn't hear if it was a bad case though. Ironic.
Heather, Asher didn't learn to stand up from the middle of the floor until he was walking for a good month, month & a half. I think it's a skill that typically comes after the walking from what my mom was telling me.
Christine, I laughed at your message on my dropshots site. "You're enjoying warm weather fun while we're enjoying cold weather fun." That IS our cold weather fun here in AZ!! :lol: :lol: The playground is far too hot during the "warm weather". :wink: You could fry an egg on some of that play equipment! :shock: I also have running conversations in the grocery store. I used to get embarrased when Asher was really young, but I have no shame now. :lol: I get going with the weird faces, sounds, and so on. Half the store is laughing at me by the end, including Asher! Whatever I have to do to keep him in that seat! :roll:
I get to watch my friend's 13 mo tomorrow morning for a few hours. :shock: She's going on a job interview and doesn't have anyone else. Wish me luck with TWO babies! I'm gonna have to feed them both breakfast somehow. Her LO doesn't take morning naps (She's very AP and has no clue of BW). Whee! :lol:
