A Report From the “Keeping Tiffany Honest” Watchdog Organization

On May 2, 2008, Tiffany wrote these words on her blog after I (Jordan) graduated from BYU. I have not modified the words, and they can be found in context on Tiffany’s blog. I present this as exhibit A.

“I'm glad Jordan is no longer actually attending BYU, hopefully the subject of BYU will not come up much in the future, because when Dad was trying to get Stadium of Fire tickets, and it was looking like he would not get them, I made a personal promise that if, oh if, Dad could get tickets, Please, that I would not ever, ever make fun of BYU again. (I know this is shocking, and it's not even that I wanted to see Miley Cyrus at all, it's that one of my life goals is to be the Stadium of Fire Super Fan when I'm 95, and though the committee that chooses such things--okay, it doesn't exist yet--might overlook the ONE time I've missed--yes, ONE time since the beginning of Stadium of Fire existence--and that because Darren would not let me go with a one-month old baby--oh, I would've gone--the committee would not overlook a lame excuse like ‘It was hard to get tickets. EVERYONE wanted to see Miley Cyrus.’
‘Miley who?’ they will say.
So you see, I had to make that promise, and Dad DID get tickets. So let's all agree to not talk about BYU anymore. It is a matter of eternal importance.”

I now present to you exhibit B: a quote taken from the comments section of the November 1, 2008 post on our blog.

“Hey Jordan--did you know that here in Utah we are all afraid to wear our red shirts? No one wants to get hit with a Max Hall pass.”

Exhibit C is the November 25, 2008 post on Tiffany’s blog. I will not reproduce it here because it shocks the human soul and is repugnant to the eyes and ears. If you desire to subject yourself to such things, you may do so to your own detriment and at your own risk. All you need to know for our present purposes is that it “makes fun of BYU.”

With the evidence now before you, I invite you to ask yourself, “Has Tiffany broken that personal promise she made but months ago in a moment of gratitude for the Stadium of Fire?”

And last of all, to Tiffany I say: I’m watching…

Looks Can Be Deceiving

The above picture may lead you to believe that the joy of solid food is back. Oh how far from the truth that assumption would be. This picture was taken after one of our alternative method feeding sessions. James was given a bowl (one that Jordan and I use--a grownup bowl) with some pureed sweet potatoes in it. He was, of course, first stripped down to his diaper. Then we let him go to it while he sat on my lap. As you can see, he painted a pretty picture on his face, but that's about as close to his stomach as the sweet potatoes got.

This is a rather difficult time. All I can say to anyone approaching the introduction of solid foods is to take it slowly. It doesn't matter how much they eat. Getting a half a baby spoonful each day for months and enjoying eating is much better than what can result when you try to urge them to eat just a little more (i.e. refusing to try anything and vomiting whenever food makes it into the mouth). Follow your child's cues. When he/she turns his/her head, let that be the end of the feeding. If anything, give the baby less than they may want to keep the desire alive.

This of course is just my experience (however an excerpt I read in a pediatric book today confirmed my sad mistakes). I simply feel the need to warn that I may possibly prevent anyone else from making the mistakes I did. I also feel that there is no need to rush thickening the cereal...I think that was what pushed James over the edge. Humans have their whole life to eat...no need to rush things. Make it a happy, fun, pleasant experience. Don't worry that they need to eat more. Trying to persuade to eat more seems only to lead to eating less. If only I'd known how important and fragile those first two weeks were.

The good news is that James is happy and healthy in spite of his distrust of anything but mother's milk. I am just thankful he doesn't have any teeth yet, because I have a feeling I might be nursing him a little longer than I'd planned. Hopefully there will be a great turn around when he can pick up the food on his own and get it to his mouth. His doctor provided me with that hope. So, hope I will that it turns into a reality.

Happy eating!