Column: Apryl Gorton, Thrive Initiative

When babies are born on our favorite TV shows, they seldom look the way real newly born babies do. If you are awaiting your first bundle of joy, these tidbits from moms who have been there may be for you.

First, don’t let the look of your new baby shock you. The natural pressures of the birth may leave your baby’s head a little pointed, his eyes a little puffy, her hands and feet a little blue, the private parts a little swollen and/or his skin a little blotchy. All these things are normal and do not last.

Second, experienced moms give the following advice:

• Watch the videos and take the classes the hospital provides. You may think you know all about changing and bathing, but it is different when you have a brand new life in your hands.

• Sleep whenever you can. The first month is the most tiring time you will ever experience.

• Talk and talk some more to whom ever you feel most comfortable with sharing your feelings. A new baby means a lot of new changes. Friends, spouse and/or families want to help. Let them.

 

A child’s special gift

Long ago, the women of the Hopi Indian tribe made special clay pots to carry seeds. Being a seed carrier was a great honor because that person held the next years harvest in her hands. To make a seed pot you will need:  air dry clay, water, tempera paints, paint brush and dried pumpkin seeds.

First, shape a fist sized piece of clay into a shallow bowl. This will be your base. Roll another piece of clay into a long coil snake. Lay the coil around the rim of the bowl pinching it in place as you go. Add more clay snakes to get the height you desire. Make your fingers damp with water and smooth out the spaces between the coils so it is solid. Let the pot air dry, and then decorate it with the paint. When the paint is dry, fill the pot with dried pumpkin seeds and give to a loved one to plant next spring. Remind them that they are the honored seed carrier and the seeds need to be kept in a cool dry place.

 

Treats to make together

If you would like to make wonderful, but easy pumpkin pie with your little one, you will need the following items: 3 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 cups canned pumpkin, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, 1/4 teaspoon salt, a 12 ounce can evaporated milk and whole graham crackers.

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

• Cover the bottom of a square brownie pan with whole graham crackers. (The mixture turns the whole graham crackers into a delicious crust)

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar; blend in the pumpkin mash, spices, salt and evaporated milk.

• Pour the filling mixture onto the whole graham crackers.

• Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for another 50 minutes. Cool, slice and enjoy.

If you want to have a real down home experience with your little one, make the pumpkin mash yourself. Cut a medium pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds and prick the skin with a fork. Place the halves on a cookie sheet with the cut side up. Bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes. Let cool, scoop out the pumpkin flesh and mash flesh with a potato masher. You can freeze extra mash for later use.

 

Apryl Gorton is the director of New Direction Tutoring and a volunteer with the Freeborn County Thrive Initiative. Visit the website at www.0to5infreeborn-county.org.