As for the weekend ahead, we have plans to fill the next few days with more boating, swimming and summer fun and are just crossing our fingers that the weather cooperates. I hope you all have a great weekend and enjoy today’s roundup of Friday favs, Things I’m Loving Friday style!
Things I’m Loving Friday
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From the First to the Eighth Percentile
I took Chase to the pediatrician this week for his annual checkup and his weight jumped up another few percentiles which is always something that feels like a bit of a relief to me. When he was younger, as some of you may remember, I was often really stressed by his lack of interest in food and his tiny size. He was in the first percentile for weight for years and I did just about everything I could to encourage him to eat but play always, always reigned supreme over food for him. (And, actually, it still does.) I did my best to drown out the noise and put my trust in our pediatrician (he’s amazing and was always so encouraging), my mama gut, God and my child and I’m happy to report that Chase is now in the eighth percentile for weight.
I am sharing this here because when I mentioned this on Instagram, I’m not lying when I say my DMs were flooded with messages from mothers who are currently worrying about their smaller children. It can be hard when every meal feels like a challenge and people constantly comment on your child’s small size. At the time, I felt like I was surrounded by babies and toddlers who were “good little eaters” and it often left me feeling defeated and stressed out. (On another level, I think I was also more stressed because I was exclusively nursing Chase and it was hard not to feel like maybe my breastmilk was the reason he was so small. In my gut I knew this wasn’t true — my pediatrician also reassured me! — but it was hard not ignore those thoughts at times.) Throughout the years, I’ve learned to trust Chase’s body and try hard to keep mealtimes as stress-free as possible. He eats well-rounded meals and Ryan and I have noticed his overall appetite increasing with every year that passes which is a relief as well. I just wanted to share this here in case any of you out there happen to be in similar boat with a baby or toddler who seems like they could not care less about food. Things are getting better in our house and I hope this offers you some kind of encouragement if you find yourself in a similar situation with a slim little one!
I was in the baking mood earlier this week and simultaneously found myself eating handfuls of chocolate chips out of the bag all day long so I combined the two urges and made a batch of chocolate chip cookies! I’ve been meaning to try my hand at tahini chocolate chip cookies for a while now and, after seeing all the positive review on this recipe from the New York Times’ cooking section, I was sold. The tahini added a salty nuttiness to the cookies in a way I thoroughly enjoyed. It was a much more subtle flavor than peanut butter and a delicious alternative to traditional chocolate chip cookies that still felt true to the original. Chase, Ryder and Ryan gave the cookies two thumbs up as well!
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Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
My friend Kaitlyn is someone I go to repeatedly when I’m on the lookout for a new book. She shared my thoughts about The Midnight Library a while back (LOVED the premise but thought it fell flat) and recommended I try Oona Out of Order. On New Year’s Eve in 1982, 19-year-old Oona is at a party with her boyfriend Dale. She’s happy and in love if not a little confused about some big decisions– Will she go to school in London or hit the road with her band and her boyfriend? — but at the stroke of midnight, her confusion multiples tenfold. Oona passes out and when she awakes, she’s 32 years in the future. Oona is 51 years old, living in a gorgeous house and wealthy beyond belief with no memory of her life after New Year’s Eve in 1982. A friendly stranger living in her house explains that every New Year’s Eve will be like this — Oona will leap into a different year in her life, never knowing which year she’ll enter until she’s in it.
The premise of this book, like the traveling through lives aspect of The Midnight Library, fascinated me. I loved seeing what phase of Oona’s life she’d live out next and how she’d approach life through so many challenges and changing relationships. I was shocked more than once by this book (there was a twist that I truly never saw coming about 3/4 of the way through the book) and while I didn’t fall in love with Oona, I found her intriguing and her life fascinating to read about… especially out of order.
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Friday Flashbacks
Turkey Vegetable Meatloaf (I made this one for our family again on Monday and it’s just the best! Even Rhett loves it!)
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Overnight Oats (One of my most-loved blog recipes of all time and for good reason!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing making you smile today?
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Yay for the 8th percentile! Although, that number is such a small factor 🙂 My son is around Chase’s age and also very petite. I know you’ve mentioned before the girl jeggings from Old Navy, which were a hit for the last year with my son! He’s grown a bit though and the 5T seem too short. Any ideas on very slim fitting jeans past that size? We’ve tried H&M with some success.
The Children’s Place has “slim fit” jeans, khaki’s, etc. that work well for my skinny eight year old!
YES!! I JUST ordered these for Chase from Old Navy — I think they’re basically the “big kid” version of those toddler jeggings –> https://bit.ly/3rpbxeo I’m crossing my fingers that they will work for him because those other jeans were the BEST for him for years!
Oh! Thanks for the book rec! I’ve been waiting for Midnight Library to be available at my library… I’m currently hold #19 on 3 copies… but Oona Out of Order is available now. Woo hoo! Thanks 🙂
hope you enjoy it!
As a fellow mom of a lower percentile child (who is turning nine next month!) — one of the most helpful things our pediatrician said to me years ago is that the percentiles are not a “grade” about your child’s body. It’s simply a percentile so it just means that some kids are bigger and some kids are smaller. As long as the child continues along the same general trajectory, he’s perfect just as he is!
yes!! our pediatrician has always been so amazing. it makes such a difference!
I can’t wait to see Chase’s first day of school picture! My five year old is starting kindergarten this year as well and I honestly cried when I found out that he can’t go to the same school as my 5th Grader. He has autism and this will be his third new school in 3 years (we moved last summer!) but hopefully his last new school until middle school! I’m feeling nervous about the transition but I’m hoping it will go well! Kindergarten is so exciting! I recently re-watched Kindergarten Cop a few months ago and that movie is such a classic!
I wanted to tell you that I was so curious about the Tyler Diva detergent smell, yet not able to buy the detergent because of the price! So I did some research online and I found some air fresheners and room spray in the same scent. I ended up buying the room spray and loved it! In fact, a woman walked past me the other day and I immediately thought, “she uses Tyler Diva detergent!” I just wanted to mention that there are some cheaper options for any of your readers who are very curious like me about what it smells like! I’m pretty sure I paid less than $12 including shipping!
Hugs to you…it is so hard when you have a special needs child and they do not go to the same school as their sibling(s). My children are now 19 and 17 (my 17 year old has special needs and is a senior in high school) and they were never in the same school. All my daughter ever wanted was for her brother to go to her school with her. Hardest part was literally all her best friends had brothers 2 years younger and none had special needs so she was the only one without. her sibling at her school. It was hard. But as a mom, I kept reminding myself they were each going to the school that would best meet their needs. I did have my moments of tears though and still have those moments and allow myself to feel all the feelings that come with this journey. My daughter is getting ready to start her sophomore year of college – and guess what her major is? Special Ed! She plans on becoming a high school special education teacher and her passion developed from having a sibling with special needs. I can only imagine the difference she will make not only for her students but for her student’s siblings and parents. She has such a unique perspective that she will bring to her classroom. Anyway – sending hugs your way from a special needs mom who understands a bit of how you might be feeling.
Becca, this comment was so kind and encouraging and filled with so much love so I hope you don’t mind me chiming in, too. I just think it’s so wonderful that your daughter is majoring in special ed — What an incredible way to use her experiences to impact the lives of many. <3
Aww thank you so much for sharing! That is so amazing about your daughter majoring in special education. We have been blessed with so many wonderful teachers for my son and I know your daughter will make such a positive difference in so many lives! I keep telling myself the same thing…that both of my sons will be at the schools that will be best for them. Transitions always make me so nervous but then I have to remind myself of how many times new schools or places have ended up working out so well in the long run! I really appreciate you sharing your story with me!
You are welcome Sara. And to be 100% honest -transitions are the hardest for me too. Hope both of your sons have amazing school years and you get to meet many different families through being at both schools.
I love Becca’s reply above and cannot chime in with anything more valuable than her encouraging words but I am thinking of you and your sweet kindergartener as he makes this transition. I hope his new school is the best fit for him and that he loves it so, so much!!
Also, thank you for sharing more about the Tyler Diva scent options!
Thank you Julie!
thank you Julie. Whenever I see a comment by a parent of a special needs child, I like to provide the encouragement that we received from other special needs families when we were going through something similar. The journey can be so difficult without support and encouragement. I love the community that you have built here and that everyone feels so welcome. Thinking of you as Chase begins his Kindergarten journey as well as all the other parents reading your blog. It is such a big milestone for each child and their families and it brings back so many happy memories as I remember back to each of my 2 children and their first day of Kindergarten. The saying “the days are long but the years are short” truly applies at milestone moments such as this. I am still in shock my baby is a senior in high school!!!!
I *just* made this meatloaf with sweet potatoes and stuff jalapeno peppers tonight for dinner before I left for work!
My son is almost exactly Chase’s age and also small. I spent many days when he was young and low on the growth charts feeling guilty that I should have “tried harder” introducing solids (even though I really did try), especially after my second son was a better eater. Now I have a seven month old daughter who is just as disinterested in almost all solid food so far, and it’s been a little healing to see that she just has certain preferences in spite of all my efforts. Thank heavens for finally getting that perspective!
My very slim 11 year has always been on the skinny side. He’s also a bit of a picky eater. Our pediatrician always said as long as he is growing, he is fine. He has been a bit self-conscious about being so slim so we try to point out different builds of men and the viewpoint of “strong.” He has always been more of a snacker and I recently started making him “Mommy smoothies”, at the recommendation of my cousin, who is a Registered Dietician, to help him get in all his nutrients and some healthy fats. We put in his probiotic yogurt, a banana, half an avocado, milk, clean protein powder, local honey (helps his allergies), and a couple of big spoonful’s of peanut butter. He gained 9 pounds in a year and his pediatrician said to keep it up! He was looking a bit too thin at one point last year and this has helped him fill out a bit and give him the missing nutrients.
Julie, since you are such an avid reader and I trust your opinion on books, what would you say is your favorite book of all time? It is my turn to pick for book club and I would love to hear your recommendation.
Julie, since you are such an avid reader and I trust your opinion on books, what would you say is your favorite book of all time?
It is so difficult, worrying about your children, isnt it? We want the best for them and it is so hard to not feel as though we are failing as mothers. Working in child care, one of the most helpful things I have come to use is, “look at the overall demeanor of the child. are they happy?”
On the opposite spectrum as you, I have a 99% in height and weight. He is perfectly healthy and just a solid boy. His dad is 6’5″ so you know he is going to be tall and his just has that solid mass of a body. I used to get WIC and before even looking at my son and only going by numbers, they would ask if he eats healthy, if I am concerned about his weight, etc. The boy loves his veggies, is not food motivated (much like Chase would much rather play than sit and eat) and is just following his own trajectory of being that 99%!