The Gaga Diaries

                            Wow. I guess he really couldn’t wait.  

My little monkey LOVES his bananas! Like, really REALLY loves bananas.  He attacks them.  It’s pretty hilarious to watch.  I’ve been working on perfecting my ‘leave-the-peel-on-the-bottom-so-it’s-easy-to-grab-like-an-ice-cream-cone-handle’ cut, but I’ve still got work to do.  If any Baby-Led Weaning pros out there have advice for peels and cuts that make it easier for the wee ones to hold slippery-ish foods, please feel free to share in the comment section! 

Last week I promised a recap and recipe for Banana Chocolate Chip Bread, which was to be made in homage to the Week of the Banana.  One thing lead to another and before I knew it Monday was here — the start of my week 22!! — and we were still Banana Bread-less.  But then I realized something really odd. Every Monday morning since I’ve been pregnant I’ve awoken to find multiple email updates in my inbox that celebrate my new weekly milestone and explain the development of our baby.  You know.. those fruit comparison emails. But not a single one has yet to arrive today.  

Since I’m still at a loss for what fruit Baby Gaga is this week, I’m taking this as a sign from the universe that it’s giving me a pass and really really wants me to sneak in this Banana Chocolate Chip Bread even though the Week of the Banana technically ended yesterday.  And possibly even more importantly, now we’ll have something to satisfy our sweet tooth after tonight’s dinner! Without further ado I present to you… 

Barefoot & Pregnant in the Kitchen Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

Courtesy of Papa Gaga’s Physical Therapist Friend, Paula

Blend together:

• 2 medium bananas (I used 3 small to be sure there was enough banana flava)
• 2 eggs (I subbed egg beaters b/c I’m paranoid with the recent egg recalls)
• 1/3 c buttermilk
• 1/2 c oil
• 1 t vanilla

Add together then mix in: 

• 1 3/4 c + 2 T sifted flour
• 1 1/2 c sugar
• 1/2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/2 t salt

Lastly blend in mini chocolate chips to taste. Bake @ 325 degrees until toothpick comes out clean (approximately 1 hour).  Let sit for at least 10 minutes before removing from pan. 

This was my first time trying this recipe.  Let’s just say Papa Gaga hates banana flavored things, but he loves this bread.  And two slices later I am again getting kicks of approval from within. I’ll take that as a sign that Baby Gaga loves this somewhat healthy (hey it’s got some fruit in it!) dessert as much as his mama. 

Enjoy! 

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Monday mornings are a little bit like Christmas for me.  You see, that’s when I get all my updates telling me how Baby Gaga is developing each week and how my own body is changing.  

Today’s update from The Bump had me a little confused though.  How the heck did we go from cantaloupe last week to banana this week?! Is it just me or does that seem like we’re regressing? Guess they’re basing their fruit comparisons purely on length and not overall volume/size…

Baby’s now the size of a cantaloupe!

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they’ve already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you’d like your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

Baby’s now the size of a banana!
Baby’s digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion, and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, if baby is a girl, her womb is now stocked up with her lifetime supply of six million eggs (the number will drop to around one million by birth).

Not to mention…4 inches growth in 1 week?! Yowzahs.  Even though I am definitely a bit baffled by these fruity comparisons I still plan on trying out this awesome sounding recipe Papa Gaga’s physical therapist friend gave him for Banana Chocolate Chip Bread in honor of our little banana man.  Stay tuned for a recipe and review later this week! 

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