Baby Food 101

When we first were able to feed Maryellis solids I was so excited! We did hold off on the baby cereals until she was 5 months, once we started we opted for the baby oatmeal. Our personal preference, we understand everyone has their own timeline and preference of when to begin. 

Maryellis did a few weeks of the oatmeal two times a day. She is definatly not the neatest of eaters- (maybe she's learned from me?!!) But all in all she eats and is happy! 

Around 5 1/2 months we started her on homemade baby food! I really enjoy cooking, being able to have the opportunity and time to make her food is so much fun for me & a blessing. I know what she's eating, and it does save us money. The time to make it honestly doesn't take too much time out of my day and I would say it's worth it. 

A good friend of mine recommend the book "Be'be' Gourmet". It's a wonderful book, inspired by a French mother, who desired to make her children's baby food and with a hope they would become adventurous eaters. I would say so far it's been a wonderful read and guide for me in the kitchen with preparing food. She gives recipes, tips & tricks, wonderful wisdom and all together practical cooking for or family. 

My goal is to that Maryellis will have a balanced diet, rich in nutrition and that she too will develop a love for cooking and healthful food. I won't deprive her of all the treats in the world, but high fattening foods & loads of sugar will have it's limits. (Sorry grandparents- I'm already looking and debating on what her first birthday cake will be.... Something I can create that's for sure!) 

Maryellis is a lover of vegetables, like her mamma! Fruit is coming along, and she's had some meat too which she's enjoyed. Today I'll share a favorite of hers: Green beans & Kale. 

I have frozen green beans and kale from the summer's garden that I rinsed and steamed  in water for about 5-7minutes.

Once they've been cooked I then put them in the blender with some of the leftover water. I also add a tablespoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of some Italian herbs. Makes for great flavor and encourages her to like flavorful
food at a young age! 

Other spices we've tried: 

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, garlic, curry & rosemary.

Then blend away! You can also use a food processor, but this was a much easier route for the amount we were making. 

I have little containers that I put in the freezer which makes for  easy storing and the perfect portion to pull out the day of and thaw for lunch! 

Then we eat! And she is happy! 

Who wouldn't want to eat this? It actually is yummy! She clearly thinks so too! 

Blessings to you! 

Emily 

Swim Lessons!

We had a wonderful time doing swim lessons with Maryellis, she did lessons two times a week for 5 weeks, "Water babies" sure was an adventure.

We had a few other friends who had their babies in the class as well, which added to the fun. Each time we had a lesson the mammas typically did the swimming with the babes. We had lots of songs, baby fetch, wall crawling, jumping off the wall, blowing bubbles, learning to swim with arms, learning to kick, floating and kicking on their backs....and the best/worst part of all: The Dip! I'd say Maryellis did "well" she sure didn't like going to the instructor to dip her, and coming out of it she seemed to shake it off quickly. Towards the last lessons the parents got to dip your baby, that seemed to be better in our case. Our girl is a natural "kicker"-this was her strong suit!

Each class was fun, though some nights she was more tired then others and indifferent about the whole thing, over all we enjoyed them all.

I learned a lot about myself through this, on the evenings that she was having a harder time, I just had to go with the flow, not get sad that she was unhappy. Remembering shes a baby and were going to a evening class to swim in not the warmest of water, so I understand the little cranky moments that she had. Thankfully in the setting we were in- and by the grace of God I didn't ever feel the "parent competition" factor....which I know (unfortunately) is a reality of being a parent >>> feeling judged for how your child is doing, how you are reacting, etc. Its amazing what I can learn from a swim class.

The last class was a play swim, the instructor encouraged the dads to participate too! The babies went on a boat ride...which Maryellis wasn't too sure about at first, took some coaxing that it was fun. Then we each took a turn to go down the slide! Oh it was so fun! The dads did a good job at going down slow with their child, but I'd say the mom's struggled in this. Yikes! Thankfully everyone did well and there were no tears.

 

I'm looking forward to doing swim lessons again with her, I know there is so much more for her to learn, this will be the first of many lessons she'll take. I have lots of memories from doing swim lessons growing up as a young girl, then doing swim team with my sister. I sure hope Maryellis develops a liking to it as her parents do!

blessings,

Emily

Birthday weekend getaway!

A few weeks ago we had the privilege to go away to Black Butte Ranch which is a favorite place for our family. It couldn't have been better timing, the Valley had been socked in with fog for a couple of weeks, so a weekend in the sunshine perfect!

Friday night Matt, Maryellis and I met our friends who recently moved to central Oregon for dinner at a Brewery. We're not beer drinkers but a nice burger and sweet potatoe fries are a favorite of ours. The atmosphere is generally relaxed as well, making it a great place to take wandering and chattering babies. It was so fun to catch up and see our friends,we're so blessed by their friendship and plan to take a trip to visit them this summer! 

The cabin we stayed at was perfect for our group, 7 adults and 1 baby. We for comfortably.... Anymore though and we'd be a little tight. Maybe grandpa will consider investing in a cabin of his own. (Hint hint)

Saturday morning I went for a bitter cold run, but had a wonderful time doing so. It was my last run at 25, one I will never forget. All alone, surrounded by pure beauty-the white top mountains being touched as the sun comes up, the evergreen trees touched by frost, and the clear sky that was going from blue to pinks & orange. I ran through the meadow as the sun was barley coming up, overwhelmed with emotion, this year has been more then I could have ever dreamed or asked for. God has blessed me beyond my imagination. He knows the desires of our hearts, he is faithful, creating our journey's all so perfectly that we may become more like him. If you haven't put your faith in Jesus, you're truly missing out on a relationship you wouldn't regret. 

We went on a family walk later that morning and then played some games. After lunch my sister and brother in-law joined us on the hike up Black Butte. It was unseasonably warm out, people in shorts and tank tops on the trek up. I don't actually know what the temperature  was, clearly Oregonians are more sensitive to the temperature rising. We did have snow to hike through, it was refreshing on my ankles.., and did make it me a little uneasy on the way down. 

Saturday night we had a Mexican feast, it was wonderful. Played more games and enjoyed conversation by the fire. I also made a "ice cream" dessert for all to share. Maybe I'll post the recipe later. 

Sunday morning I woke up early (how odd?...) Matt joined me on a moon lit walk that morning, it was a special time, I was thankful for his sacrafice of a little more sleep to join me. Later we went to breakfast at the lodge with the family and took the annual family photo by the lake. 

It was a great time, I love my family and am blessed to have been given such a lovely weekend away. Blessings to you, and welcome 26....lets see whats in store for this year!

Emily

This is real

I have to be honest, the last month or so I've had to face the fact that there is a chance of seeing the birth parents when Maryellis is a year old. She will be 8 months soon, meaning that's only 4 months away. It makes my stomach drop. I have nerves I don't know how to explain or really cope with. The Lord is who I have to turn to, praying that any insecurities would deplete. Its not a daily reminder that Maryellis was adopted, from day 1 it was as though she was from us....there was such a connection- a beautiful bond, God knew she was meant to be our daughter, from the first day he started knitting her together. I am so thankful for this, for I truly couldn't imagine our lives without her.

I have had to start mindfully praying that God would take captive my negative thoughts and the "what if's"- for I know they are lies from the enemy. It doesn't do me any good to wallow, or let those thoughts run my mind rapid. I must remember my purpose, to live a life to serve the Lord, my husband and our daughter.

This is our life, we have a daughter whom we've adopted, she is ours, and forever will be. I am her mother, Matthew is her father. We chose to do an open adoption, knowing that in the long run, its whats best for us who are all involved. I have to remember this, that we are putting our daughter first. Our prayer is that she will come to know the Lord at the earliest of age, that she will be a used to further the kingdom. We pray her story will make an impact on the lives of others, that people will come to know Christ, that others will adopt, that she will make a difference.

It may be that we don't see the birth parents at the 1 year mark, the agreement was that when they were ready we would make arrangements and meet them. It could very well be when Maryellis is 3 years old, I think the odds of that are slim, but we shall see. Whatever the timing may  be, God knows, and his timing as we know is perfect. I have to fully put my trust in Him.... letting Him guide us through this life long journey.

I am so thankful to have a husband who is so confident and excited about this- Please pray for us, for  me and my heart, that I can have the peace that he does.

Blessings,
Emily

Our first Christmas

We had such a wonderful time this year on Christmas. Matt had some time off work, which gave us quality time as a family. We decided we wanted to try a new tradition, as our family of three. Christmas Eve-Eve we went out to dinner, and drove around looking at Christmas lights. It was fun, however the light looking was cut short by a teething baby who didn't want to be in the car. How she keeps us on our toes and learning daily to be flexible! :)

As you know Christmas Eve was a big day of the finalization in the courts of our Adoption! A joyous day it was, to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and the last step that we had to make in our journey. Christmas Eve service was beautiful, I love the time to be with family, singing Christmas carols with our church family and finishing the evening off with a family dinner at my grandma's house. My heart was so full that day, to hold our baby girl and know shes ours.

Christmas day was so relaxing...I know next few years will be a little different, we will have a little girl running around in excitement! I made my mom's homemade cinnamon roll recipe that she used to make for us growing up, that is a tradition I've loved continuing, cannot believe I've been doing it for nine years now! We didn't get Maryellis much, knowing that she would be blessed by grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts & uncles, etc. This year the big hit was eating the wrapping paper and the ribbon, as well as going on "rides" in boxes!

We've gotten a little "grief" that we're not doing "Santa" with Maryellis. Let me explain, its not that were abolishing Santa completely, its more that she will know that we celebrate Christmas for its the day of Jesus' birth....not for a big old man in a red suit and white beard to bring her presents for being good. She will know that Santa is fake, but she is free to pretend he is real, like Mickey and Minnie. As she gets a little older we will give her the history of Saint Nichols and legacy that he left.

New Years was a treat, we had some friends over for dinner and we rang in 2014 at 9:00 while playing some good old banana grams and sipping on cider. We wouldn't have had it any other way!

Looking forward to what is ahead this next year, I have a lot of ideas and dreams awaiting, I'm excited to see how the Lord leads us.

Hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating!

I forgot to mention that Maryellis got her first tooth on December 27th, just three days shy of being 7 months! Yay! Tooth number two on the bottom is well on its way.

We are finalized!

We are happy to announce our adoption is finalized! Christmas Eve will forever and always be extra special for our family. We had our court date for the finalization.

 

Yes, we've had Maryellis for awhile now, but the process of finalization takes time. Once you are home with baby you have to have 3 home visits with the adoption agency, more as a follow up of how things are going. Also to be sure it's a good fit, that there wasn't anything they would have missed. (That we were negligent, abbusive, etc.)

When your post placement visits are finished and the analysis has been written up, then we hired a Attourney. The Attourney was based out of Seattle and he  worked with the agency sending paperwork back and forth, to us, and visa versa. Lots of paper work people, just the legalities of it all, it has to be clearly written out. We asked if we could send our paperwork early and have it notarized in lieu of us actually being present in court. Not that we didn't want to miss the big event, but we figured the four trips to Seattle from May-June was good enough for us for the time being. Also with our date being Christmas Eve, we wanted to be home with our families to celebrate the finalization! 

I was overwhelmed with joy when I received the phone call, tears streamed down my face and there with me to celebrate was my mother in law, a special moment we could share. Calling Matt at work, sharing the news with family and friends that day, I couldn't stop from weeping....this day was one we'd been waiting for, for a long time.

Thank you lord for bringing us this perfect gift, we couldn't be more grateful. 

We are thankful for the example God is to us, that he have his one and only son, as the first ever adoption in the bible. What an example we have to look to.

Blessings to you,

The Imlach Family

Its been awhile ....

I apologize in my neglect for updating how we've been lately! This fall has been full of lots of fun and many new firsts. First trip to the pumpkin patch, first Halloween, first cold, trip to Central Oregon, first Thanksgiving and so on... I must say our calender has been packed full and tight! Maryellis has been a trooper and for the most part enjoyed it all.

October was the kick off for the festivites to begin! Maryellis had her baby dedication at church that first Sunday, such a wonderful celebration for her and our family. We chose a verse for her that means a lot to us, and pray that she sees the importance of it as well as she grows up. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2. The Lord has placed this baby girl into our lives, we couldn't be more humbled by this gift of life. 

Going to Central Oregon as a family was so much fun! Maryellis joined in celebrating our 5th year anniversary, cannot believe its been 5 years! Woah! We enjoyed the 65 degree weather the end of October brought, it made for wonderful hiking, family walks, and sitting outside on the deck for dinner! 

This little girl is growing like a weed, I cannot believe how fast the weeks go by, 4 months, 5 months, now 6 months....slow down please baby girl! Tummy time is fun, we're not crawling yet but shes moving her limbs like a turtle in my opinion. She loves to stand, jump, walking while holding on to your hands, rolling over, big belly laughs, sitting up by herself and of course her "reverse planking" move. I love that when I go to get her up from a nap, I never know where she will be in her crib, shes so sweet when she sleeps. Not to mention the ever changing "bed head".... I love it!  She started saying "ma ma" around five months and "da da" is coming along! Maryellis is really taking a liking to her dog, whenever Fisher comes in the room she will squeal in excitement! Fisher is gentle with her, I think once Maryellis is more mobile she will give the dog a run for her money! 

We started oatmeal at five months, at first she wasn't too sure about it, but then quickly realised it was a good thing. Maryellis takes after her mamma and isn't the neatest eater in the world....I think we both need to work on this. At six months we introduced her first foods, I'm so thankful that I am able to make her food. It is so much fun, I'm thankful to know excalty what she is eating, knowing that there are no substitutions in her meals. We started in this order: sweet potatoes, green beans, avacado, brocolli, pear and spegatti squash. Each new food she's seem unsure the first few bites but then digs in, however she was thrilled from the beginning with the green beans. 

Maryellis had her first "snow week"....yes it was beautiful but it stayed too long for me! She wasn't really thrilled by the snow, nor did she dislike it, more or less just "mer" as I would say. What was fun with the snow was going on a family hike, as well it made it feel more like Christmas with our house being all decorated for the holiday. The week at home forced me to slow down, and be thankful for the warmth and many blessings we have. Learning that I have to take everyday one day at a time. "Lord this is that I would like to do today, please guide us that we are doing as you want us". Trying to be sensitive to the Lord in HIS plans for our day. We recently had a fun Christmas dinner with friends a new tradition for our families, 6 adults 4 toddlers and 1 infant. It will be fun to see how each year we grow and how the memories will be made. Maryellis went to see "Santa" with her cousins that were up from California, we will be having a late Christmas with them January 1st.

I am looking forward to the next six months of her life, I know that we soon will be needing to baby proof.....a little nervous but excited to see whats to come! 

Thank you all who keep up to date with our life, my New Years resolution is to maintain the blog and share more this next year as to whats going on.