After hearing several comments about how, err, thick Maddie is, we've decided to go ahead and really nip this weight issue in the bud. She was off the charts in weight at her two-year check up, she wears a 3T in clothes (plus I have to buy boy's pants since the girl's pants are cut so slim), and everyone always makes some remark about how she looks like she eats well. None of that really hit me until looking at photos with her standing side by side with other girls her age. I guess you really don't notice how chubby your child is when you see them every day. I don't want her to be like me, where every day is a battle with food and self-image and such. And I don't even want to think about the prospect of juvenile diabetes, God forbid. So, today was the first day of implementing a new routine and a new way of living.
The day started off great, which makes me proud. After switching her from formula when she turned one, we were supposed to start her on whole milk ~ easy enough, right? Wrong! She didn't want to have any part of plain old milk, so her pediatrician suggested adding chocolate syrup. I figured that maybe Ovaltine would be better, since it has vitamins and such. Only problem is that it's also loaded with extra calories (even though I only put about 1/2 of the recommended serving). Well, this morning was the first time she actually drank regular milk! She asked for chocolate a couple times, as well as for what we call "sweet milk" (which is just PediaSure, for when she refuses to eat...it's like EnSure or Carnation drinks). It took her a while, but she did it. Then, instead of just sitting all morning playing with Lego's, the two of us did a Kid Yoga program. She jumped like a frog. Like a donkey. And then finished up with yoga-style jumping Jacks! I'm also trying to show her how to pedal her tricycle, but she still prefers that we push her around. I wish we didn't have to coexist with fire ants; I hate to let her run around outside, but I have to. In our yard, we have the pest control guys get rid of them, but in the parks here, you're on your own and those darn ants are everywhere! Hopefully just a little exercise, coupled with better eating, will help my poor Chunky Monkey. And it isn't just sweets that are an issue. It's breaded chicken and butter on her veggies. That's the only thing that I can figure, because she really doesn't seem to eat that much. Every meal is a battle it seems, but apparently I am doing something wrong. Thankfully she is a fan of beans (all kinds) and broccoli and most fruits. The protein part of her diet is tricky. Any suggestions would be really helpful, if anyone knows of any good healthy recipes or knows someone who might. I just want to make activity and good eating habits a part of how we live; I never want my little girl to suffer the consequences of being over weight; the teasing, the low self esteem, just all the misery that goes along with it. Oh, it makes my heart just ache thinking about her enduring those things.
On another note, my big scan is (finally) tomorrow. Grandpa is coming to stay with Maddie while I go get this other little rascal checked out. I had a dream last night that the doctor told me it was a girl, but then another person scanned me and said it was a boy (of course, being a pregnant dream, it was very weird and more in depth than that, but that is the gist). I'm trying not to worry about any problems (this big scan was how we found out about Maddie's kidney problem) and just have fun. Baby Boy has been kicking harder and even woke me up in the middle of the night last night with a good case of the hiccups. I've already noticed a sleeping pattern, which is pretty neat. I've also been able to tell that he is a lot more laid back than Maddie was ~ and is. We've been considering names now, which has been rather trying (to put it nicely). John wants a John Patrick II, but I'm dead-set against it. Calum Patrick is the top contender, but I decided to let John decide. After all, you only have a first-born son ~ well, once! So, instead of just giving him a flat-out "No way", I told him that if he really wants to, then he can give his name to the baby. I really love Calum, though. Its meaning is Peace, gentleness, purity ~ the Dove. It's a Scottish-Gaelic name. Patrick means Noble, and I think that the names and their meanings are beautiful together.
Anyhow, we will let you all know, of course. And I will, of course, have updates and pictures after tomorrow's appointment!
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