Homemade Baby Food

Thursday, September 28, 2017


I am 1.5 months into the baby food making journey and so far I have really enjoyed it. I love the fact that I know exactly what she is getting, which is organic fruits and veggies mixed with water. No additives, preservatives, etc. Also, it saves so much money! It is a little bit time consuming but if you set aside an hour a weekend, you can knock out a few batches that will last you weeks. I found a few blog posts very helpful when I was first starting out so I thought someone else may find my tips helpful.

So far I have made:
sweet potatoes
butternut squash
broccoli
green beans
pears
apples
avocado
peas
carrots
peaches
blueberries
pineapple
prunes
mango

To prepare the fruits and vegetables I clean, peel, then chop them into cubes if needed (butternut squash, carrots, apples, sweet potatoes, etc.). Then I throw them in this steamer over a pot of boiling water until they can be pierced easily with a fork. Then into the Baby Bullet they go. For the soft fruits and veggies like avocado and peaches, I just put them directly into the Baby Bullet without steaming them. Honestly, if you don't have a Baby Bullet already, you don't need to go out and buy one. Any high powered blender would work just fine but we were gifted one and have used the heck out of it. Plus I really like the containers and gadgets that came with it.


Once the fruit/vegetable is in the Baby Bullet, add some water. Always start with a little because you can add more if needed but you can't take any out if you make it too thin. For the vegetables that I steam, I add the water from the boiling pot. I blend and keep adding water until at desired consistency. Then the purees go into these baby food storage trays and into the freezer. Once frozen, I pop them out of the trays and put them in labeled ziplock bags. They will stay good in the freezer for 6 months. Every night I decide what I want her to eat the next day and I take cubes out of the freezer and put them into individual containers and into the refrigerator to thaw for the next day. The food stays good in the fridge for 3 days. So easy!


We started out with sweet potatoes and every three days we added a new fruit or vegetable to make sure she wasn't allergic. We also started with just one "meal" a day which consisted of two cubes of a vegetable at dinner time. Then we added two cubes for lunch and then two cubes for breakfast. Now she gets three "meals" a day, each consisting of about six cubes, usually three different fruits or veggies at each meal.


A typical day of purees for Vivi looks something like this:
Breakfast: prunes, pears, mango
Lunch: broccoli, butternut squash, apples
Dinner: peas, carrots, sweet potatoe

Veteran mamas, what tips would you add?! What other fruits or veggies should I introduce?

Vivian Kate | 7 months

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Sweet Vivi,
I could just eat you up! Every day with you is a dream and I tell Garrett every night how each "stage" has been my favorite. I can't wait for you to start crawling and walking because you are so curious and love exploring. You have such a feisty personality. You know exactly what you want and when you want it. I have a feeling we are going to have our hands full with you! We love you to the moon!


Weight
I have no idea because you didn't go to the doctor this month. You're a chunk, that's for sure!


Sleep
SO much better this much, hallelujah! Back to sleeping through the night (for the most part)! You get a bottle around 7:30pm and then fall asleep in my arms in your rocker which is absolute heaven. We listen to Lauren Daigle pandora and I pray for you and kiss you a million times. I have to make myself put you in your crib. I lay you down around 8pm and you usually wake up around 6am.

Last week we struggled a few nights when your teeth were coming through. You had a mini-cold, I think from teething, and were congested and had a runny nose. Not to mention your teeth were probably hurting. You were waking up multiple times a night just screaming, it was so sad. Thankfully that only lasted about 4 nights.

You typically take about 3 naps a day. Usually around 9:30-10:30, 1-2:30 and 4:30-5:30. It still really varies though. Sometimes you only nap twice a day if they are longer.


Eat
We call you Ms. Piggy because you looove to eat! You drink 5oz of milk every 3ish hours which is usually more like every 4 hours now that you're getting solids too. I have made all your baby food so far and you love all of it. There isn't a single fruit or veggie you don't like and that makes me so happy! I hope you continue to like all foods. You get 3 "meals" a day, usually 2-3 fruits at breakfast, fruits and veggies at lunch, and veggies at dinner. Your very favorites are pears, apples, sweet potatoes, prunes and carrots.


Clothes
You are in 6-12m clothes right now. I have recently purchased so many cute fall/winter things that I can't wait for you to wear! It's definitely expensive having to buy an entire new wardrobe each season as you grow but oh my gosh so fun!


Likes
You still absolutely love being outside. Going for walks is your favorite activity. You love your jumper, your exersaucer, sitting up and playing with toys. You love sitting in your highchair and you get so excited when we put you in it because you know food is coming! You love puffs but still can't quite figure out how to get them from the tray to your mouth. Most of them end up on the floor or in Bella's mouth. You looove bath time and pools and are a total water baby! You are so interested in Bella now and she's starting to warm up to you, mostly because you share your puffs with her.


Dislikes
You do not like being bored (diva). I am hoping that once you start crawling you will be more content because you will be able to explore. You hate having your face wiped off after you eat. You also hate getting clothes put on over your head, especially at bedtime.


Milestones
Last week your bottom 2 teeth came in! I could see them under the skin and the next morning you woke up and they had popped right through. You also woke up with a runny nose and immediately started drooling like crazy so I think that was from teething. This month you also flew on an airplane for the first time to Key West for Labor Day and you did so well! Not many huge developmental milestones this month but you seem to know your name when we call it.

More Vivi posts:
Birth story
1 month update
Nursery reveal
2 month update
3 month update
4 month update
5 month update
6 month update

Scenes from our weekend: bridal shower edition!

Monday, September 25, 2017

This weekend was so great. I was so sad to see it end. Friday night we were brave and took the baby with us to Bonefish because we had a coupon we needed to use and surprisingly she did great! I had tacos and the yummiest apple martini.

Saturday my best friend group hosted a bridal shower for our friend Molly who is getting married in November. Molly was my very first friend and we have been best friends since we were 1 and lived across the street from each other. We have been through breakups, new boyfriends, different colleges, she was a bridesmaid in my wedding, and soon I will be one in hers. Friendships like that are priceless.

On the menu was ham biscuits, two different  types of quiche, chicken salad cups, fruit, spinach artichoke balls, and two different types of muffins. We had coffee and a mimosa bar with three different juice options. It was all delicious and we had the best day showering our bride!


 Sunday we took Vivi to the church nursery for the first time and she did great! I was so nervous but they said she never made a peep and just played the whole time. The afternoon was spent watching the Panthers, going to the gym, then we had family night at my mom's house for dinner. Overall, such a fun weekend with family and friends.

FoF

Friday, September 22, 2017

[O N E]
I truly love supporting small businesses and I have mentioned Willow Crowns many times on this blog. I just got their fall collection bows in the mail and I cannot wait for Vivi to wear them!!


[T W O]
I am an organization freak. I cannot stand clutter and I am constantly organizing and rearranging. One thing I have not given any attention to until this week is our spice cabinet. I organized, threw away everything that was expired, and holy cow I felt so accomplished after! I can't even show you a before picture because it was just embarrassing. 


[T H R E E]
My granddad has Alzheimer's that has progressed rapidly. Watching a brilliant man who was an orthodontist and a hugely influential person in our community go from riding his bike 7 miles a day to not knowing who you are in about 2 years is heartbreaking. But he absolutely lights up when kids or babies are around. I try to take Vivi to see him every week on my days off and he always asks to hold her. Last week he said, "She sure is pretty. Here, I'll take her... wow she's heavy!" We died. I will always cherish these pictures.


[F O U R]
How cute are these napkins I had made for a bridal shower I'm hosting for my best friend tomorrow?! They add the cutest touch and small, personalized details like this make showers feel so much more thoughtful and nice.


[F I V E]
This week I spent about 2 hours updating her baby book which I had been putting off for the longest time. I have this baby book and I love it. It has pages for monthly updates, their first holidays, birth story, baby showers, and lots more.

Peanut butter apple oatmeal cookies

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

I love any and all desserts that include apples so I knew these would be delicious and I was totally right! And they were super easy which is a huge plus. They don't taste too sweet and they are fall apart soft. Add these to your menu next time you have a get together, I guarantee they will be a hit!


Peanut Butter Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:
-1/2 cup all purpose flour
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
-1/2 cup granulated sugar
-1/2 cup light brown sugar
-1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
-1 large egg
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
-1 cup diced apple, skin removed

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350*. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
-In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Set aside.
-In another bowl, use a mixer to beat the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar together until smooth. Add in the peanut butter and mix again until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
-With the mixer on low, slowly add in the flour mixture. Mix until just combined. Stir in the oats and diced apples.
-Roll dough into balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes (depending on the size of your cookies) or until light golden brown around the edges. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.

Scenes from our weekend

Monday, September 18, 2017

Happy Monday friends! We had a great weekend at home. I got in bed last night and told Garrett how much I love our life and our little family. It was one of those weekends :)

Friday night we went to a fundraiser event for the Boys & Girls Club and I only managed to get one picture. There was lots of good food and drinks and a really fun band. My MIL kept Vivi and I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss her the entire night.


My best friend Kate who lives in Charlotte was in town this weekend so Saturday morning we headed to her parents' house bright and early to see her. We have been best friends since 6th grade and now that she lives out of town we don't see each other nearly enough. Vivian Kate is named after her so it is so special to see my best friend holding my baby.

We spent Saturday afternoon running errands, going to the gym, cleaning the house and cooking. We had some friends over for dinner Saturday night which was so much fun. They have a little girl exactly 1 year older than Vivian and they were so sweet together. Garrett slow cooked ribs for 6 hours and they turned out aaaamazing. We also had crockpot macaroni and cheese and green bean casserole. Garrett and I agreed that this was our idea of the perfect weekend night... at home with friends. We got social interaction but didn't have to leave our baby with a babysitter. The best of both worlds!


Sunday morning we had all intentions of going to church and putting Vivi in the nursery for the first time but she woke up with a bad cold. Turns out her two bottom teeth had just popped through the skin! So we decided to stay home and watch church online. The rest of the day was spent watching football (go Panthers!), grocery shopping, snuggling my sick baby, and family dinner at my mom's house. Already looking forward to Friday!

FoF

Friday, September 15, 2017

Happy Friday loves! Am I the only one who thought this week went by slooow? So excited it's the weekend!

[O N E]
Girl mamas, this one is for you. I recently got Vivi this 3 pack of bows from Lou Lou and Company. I love passing on products and businesses that I have a good experience with and this is one of them!


[T W O]
Confession: I can't remember the last time I ironed. Ever since we got this handheld steamer, ironing sounds like torture. It is so much quicker and easier than ironing. If you don't have a handheld steamer, get one now!


[T H R E E]
One day this week we had a package delivered and I figured it was something for Vivi because that's all the shopping I do these days. To my surprise it was a surprise for me from my husband! These new tennis shoes! Maybe they will motivate me to get in the gym more often.



[F O U R]
This week we made shrimp "fried" cauliflower rice from Ashley's blog and it was so delicious. It was simple and healthy and I will definitely be making this again soon.



[F I V E]
I am almost done with the book "Magic of Motherhood" and oh my gosh, so good. If you're a mom, get this book right now! I am literally crying over every page.

2nd annual Anchor Run

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Happy Wednesday friends! I am so glad hurricane Irma is gone and I am still just so saddened by the damage these two hurricanes have caused. It is heartbreaking to see how many people lost everything. The only bright side to all this sadness is how our country has come together to help those in need. It has warmed my heart to see people put their differences aside and just love each other. My dad just got word yesterday that his house in Key West sustained minor damage so we are very thankful for that.

++

This past Sunday we volunteered and participated in the 2nd annual Anchor Run in memory of sweet Georgia who lost her life to leukemia in December of 2015. We are friends with Georgia's family and losing her really just rocked our hearts and our entire town. Through Georgia's treatments her mom Amber clung to the bible verse Hebrews 6:19: "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure". Amber and Georgia made necklaces together while she was hospitalized during treatments and after she passed away Amber started Anchor Beads as a form of therapy and 10% of proceeds are given to childhood cancer research. My little sister nannies for Amber and helps her with Anchor Beads so this family and this event is very near and dear to our hearts.

Last year's Anchor Run raised so much money for childhood cancer research that Amber decided to make it a yearly event. This year $30,000 was raised to help fight childhood cancer, how amazing is that?! It was such an awesome day honoring sweet Georgia and her family.

Me, my little sister, and Georgia's mom Amber
Vivi and Ruthie, Georgia's little sister, are two months apart and are already best buds

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