Food Friday: Let them have cake

I had grand plans for Miles’ first birthday. Grand, Pinterest-inspired, Etsy-fueled plans.

I was going to throw Miles’ First Rodeo. We were going to have bales of hay and bring down his wooden rocking horse. We were going to have baked beans, chili and corn bread. There would be Texas sheet cake. Bandanas would take the place of napkins and red-and-white checked cloths would line the tables.

It was going to be fabulous. Up until the point when I had to do all the work. The more intricate my plans got, the longer the to-do list got, the budget ballooned and the cleanup became daunting.

As I talked to a friend while cleaning up a June cookout, I realized that I didn’t want to go through it all again. I needed to keep Miles’ party simple – just cake and ice cream.

Well, a Pinterest-inspired cake and ice cream party.

I did a sundae bar with assorted toppings – homemade chocolate sauce, homemade strawberry sauce, coconut, pecans, crushed Oreos, pieces of Reese cups, cherries and whipped cream. I picked up mix-and-match dessert dishes at Goodwill during a 50 percent sale instead of getting plastic bowls. Let’s pretend that it was me being green and not being cheap.

I also dipped cones in chocolate and sprinkles, and I had a station for floats – diet and regular varieties of orange soda and root beer, straws and the requisite Mason jars.

Of course, there was cake, too. Cupcakes, cupcake cones and a smash cake for Miles. I did take it very easy on myself – I used a box mix and just made the icing.

Miles had no idea it was his birthday, naturally, and enjoyed playing with cups and eating far more sugar than I would have imagined.

It’s hard to believe that little guy is one already but he is. It was such a joy to celebrate his first year (and our survival.

That and to watch him eat the cake.

Baby (not) on board

Miles has been a runner from Day 1.

Running the W.O.O.F  just a day before I found out I was pregnant to keeping up with a regular routine until 37 weeks pregnant, it's been "our" thing.

Sure I had to stop for a couple weeks before I delivered and the requisite six weeks post-partum but as soon as I got the green light from my doctor, Miles was strapped into the BOB via the car seat adapter and we were on the go.

In the early days, running allowed him (read: me) to break up the monotony of the day and catch a quick rest from our nurse, cry, nurse, cry, sleep routine.

As he grew older, the run still offered a nice break in the day but it also gave him a chance to get fresh air and see new things as his world grew.

 

Running was also a nice activity we could do as a family, and it offered Mark and I the opportunity to do things like talk without a baby crawling up your leg or interrupting the other one to scream, "NO FACE!"

While much of our running admittedly was about my sanity, I knew - really knew - that Miles enjoyed it. He babbled and cooed in the beginning and eventually began squealing and screaming "dog" with excitement for nearly 300 miles (and that's a conservative estimate) over the past year.

But times ... they are a changing.

We have gone from screaming "dog" to just screaming and the number of whines even during a short 3-mile run are notable. He no longer kicks his legs up on the safety strap to play with his feet; he just kicks. And though he does get into the stroller willingly, he is so antsy to get out that he practically flings himself on the floor.

It's frustrating to say the least. Not only has the BOB been my life line - literally at times - but I really enjoy these times as a family and I think it's important to set a positive example in terms of exercise. I know he can see me leave for a run and will be able to recognize those efforts as he gets older but I want him to feel included in the sport.

I always thought that by acclimating Miles to the stroller early on and keeping a routine that I would be able to avoid dissension and get what I hoped for. There have been few toys or distractions included, as well, in that vain as for him to believe the run itself is entertainment.

Now? Well, if it keeps him happy in the stroller, I'm willing to try it. He's not at an age where a cup of Annie's Cheddar Bunnies or a graham cracker could keep him occupied and he definitely does not have the dexterity nor attention span to watch Elmo on an iPod. I could try to sing to him or play games but Miles merely laughs at my musical attempts and, to be honest, I need my breath.

So a loss, I am at. I want him to enjoy the stroller again and I want to encourage it in a cruelty-free way. Help!