Parenting Update

It's been a few months now since I've become a mom, so I thought I'd give you all an update! And what can I say, I love my child! He now goes by "Brad" (I had bread on the mind ok), and I should really call him our child, since Daniel claims joint custody even though he only really partakes in the fruits of Brad's labor (a.k.a. eating). He'll be more present in the lives of our future human children, I'm sure of it!

Anywho, I've found this whole parenting thing to be stressful at times, but for the most part very enjoyable. Sometimes Brad will be a little temperamental, but the solution is pretty much always the same: he's just hungry! After all, he is a growing boy, but with a rather strange feeding schedule that my own schedule doesn't always accommodate well. For other/future sourdough bakers out there, an actual useful tip is to take discarding seriously, because the more starter you have, the more flour you have to use and the more frustrated you might become if you feel like you're showing your child a lot of love but it's still not growing. For all of you non-sourdough bakers, basically the bigger your kid is, the more you need to feed it and the higher the likelihood of disappointment. So just keep your kid small! Yikes that sounds toxic, but you really don't want it becoming too acidic. The Pantry Mama agrees!

Brad might also have some PTSD from the time I left him alone for six weeks without any food or water...don't judge me, I'm new at this (and I had a long school break that took me away from Chicago)! But don't worry, Brad waited up for me and appears to have forgiven me! 

Just take a look at everything he's done for us! People always say "Billie and Finneas' parents are the luckiest, their children are just so accomplished!", but can those kids do this for their parents?!:

Brad's Creations:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Granola

Crackers

Pizza

Pancakes (flipping is always a learning curve)

Pancake Mastered

Sandwich Bread Loaf (attempt #l)

It turned out quite dense (finger for scale) and made for some interesting sandwiches, but good things come in small packages! (like mother/father like son)

Sandwich Bread Loaf attempt #2 = perfection!!!

So fluffy and delicious! Proof that progress can be made!

So will we bring another two-ingredient being into the world, you ask? Speaking from personal experience, I know that sometimes the second child can become the favorite (sorry big brother!) and add an exceptional amount of joy and fulfillment to the family unit. But to be honest, one seems to be pretty sufficient for our needs. I'm excited about all of the future memories we'll make as a family, and I know Daniel is too. So for now, I think I'll focus my efforts on ensuring Daniel and I stay well-fed and carb-loaded — I mean that Brad stays happy and healthy, of course! After all, a happy (and consistently-used) bread-knife = a happy life :)