Let the parenting begin...

I've started teaching Ryan good eating habits this week. They say that by this point in the pregnancy, the baby begins to ingest small amounts of amniotic fluid, which taste like whatever the mom has been eating. It begins to affect their lifelong food preferences, even this early in the game.

Eating healthy is a really big deal to me. Mike and I have switched to a lot of organic produce and we (ok, mostly he) cook a lot from scratch at home so we can control what ingredients we're taking in. I also try to avoid really processed foods. My feeling is that a lot of the health issues that people have can be traced back to years and years of the chemicals and other crud we put in our bodies. I always feel better, happier and more energized when I'm eating well, so it's a priority for me.

That doesn't mean I don't eat stuff that's bad for me. I love chocolate, cake and candy as much as the next person (probably more, actually), and I eat it. Obviously. I think anything in moderation is ok. I just try not to eat it too much, and when I do need something sweet, I try to choose a healthier version (like dark chocolate, which at least has some proven health benefits).

So raising our kid(s) to be healthy eaters is a big, big deal to me. Mike and I have talked a lot about this, and we're on the same page: we both think occasional treats are fine. Sometimes it's all a part of life's experiences. (Who wants to eat healthy at a spring training game or at a birthday party?? You've gotta live a little.) But we hope that we can teach our son to naturally prefer some of the better-for-you stuff, like fruits and veggies.

So, it starts now. If the past week or so is any indication, this baby has a really good chance of liking all kinds of fruit (apples, strawberries, pineapple, grapes, bananas), green salads with veggies, whole wheat pasta, spinach, chicken, turkey, eggs and orange juice. (Ok, and Skittles. I'm only human.) Whenever I'm tempted by something scrumptious, like the beautiful cheesecake that took up residence in the break room the other day, I try to remind myself that if there is ever a time to make good choices, it's now. This could be one of my best chances to affect my baby's food preferences and hopefully limit some of the negotiating ("Just three more bites of corn, Ryan!") that is sure to come. So I grab something healthier instead, and while mourning the cheesecake, I tell myself that I'm teaching Ryan to like yogurt.

Of course, we also plan to eat lots of Mexican food during the next four months. Cuz any kid of ours, who will be an Arizona native, had better love him some Mi Pueblo. (They have spinach enchiladas! And veggie burritos!)