Food for baby!

When Daniel was almost 6 months old, we started introducing solid food. I had made up my mind that I was going to make all of his food myself, instead of buying pre-made. I use the Beba Baby Cook for when I was pureeing his foods, but now that he is self feeding, I make everything in the oven or on the stove. He's a great eater, and prefers vegetables over everything.

I thought I would share some of our favorite recipes that I have made. I feel that making baby food is so much better. Not only do I know what my baby is eating, it is fresh, and much more budget friendly!

Since the AAP recommends waiting until baby is of six months, that's what we did. A baby's tummy is not ready before that, it is not able to absorb the food and digest it properly. Also, we went straight into foods. No rice cereal for him. I figured that if I am going to be giving him foods, it will be the real deal, no fillers here. Sometimes I mixed baby oatmeal into his food if he was having tummy issues.

Hope you (mostly your little one) enjoy these as much as we do!

Simple Purees
For these basic purees, I would steam everything, and then puree with the left over liquid.

Peel, chop, and core (if necessary) all of the vegetables and fruits. Steam, and then puree until very thin consistency. If too thick, mix with breastmilk (or water).

Carrots
Sweet Potato
Apples- (We like the Honeycrisp apples the best, but any that your baby prefers are fine.)
Pears

** When introducing solids, it is recommended that you wait three days before trying another food. **

A Step Up Purees
These purees are more advanced, have more texture as well as flavors. I started introducing these in the seventh-eighth month.

Peel and chop the vegetables. Steam until tender. Mash so it is a thicker consistency. If too thick for baby, mix in breastmilk (or water).

Rutabaga, Potato

Carrots, Parsnip, Sweet Potato

Broccoli, Spinach, Apple

Carrot, Greenbean, Potato

Butternut Squach, Pumpkin

Apple, Pear, Peach

Mango, Peach

Corn, Sweet Peas, Carrot

Sweet Potato, Kale

1/4 Cup of Rolled Oats, 1/2 Cup Soy Milk, 6 Dried apricots chopped- Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes. Transfer to mixer, and blend until smooth.

Finger Foods
When Daniel was about 8 months old, we started Baby- Led Weaning. He loves being able to feed himself and explore the new foods. We started this a t 8 months, because that is when meats and spices are acceptable to introduce.

Rutabaga- Peeled and chopped. Toss with Olive Oil and ground Coriander. Roast at 400 for about 20-25 minutes, until tender. Let cool before serving.

Carrots, Sweet Potato- Peeled and chopped. Toss with Olive Oil and Allspice. Roast at 400 for about 20 minutes, until tender. Let cool before serving.

Apples- Peeled, cored, and chopped. Toss with butter (we use Earth Balance), and Cinnamon. Roast at 400 for about 10-15 minutes. Let cool before serving.

Pears- Make sure they are ripe! Peeled and chopped. Served fresh!!

Toast- Spread with butter, or fruit.

Chicken- Rub with Olive Oil and a mixture of spices. We like Sage, Cumin, Coriander, Allspice, or Cinnamon. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes, until cooked all the way. Shred or chop and cool before serving.

Ground turkey- Over medium-high heat, brown turkey until throughly cooked. He likes his turkey seasoned with any of the above seasonings.

Smoothies

Spinach, Pear, Soymilk

Banana, Kale, Strawberry, Soymilk

*If you have any questions, feel free to comment here!*

Our trip to Disney!

Disney World truly is the most magical

place on earth.. In my opinion!

We left on Friday, December 27th for a fun filled weekend! Our ride up was nice and easy, and Daniel slept the whole way. We got to the All Star Sports Resort around 4:00 p.m. After checking in and getting to our room, we quickly had to get ready because I had made a dinner reservation for 5:45 p.m. The resort has many busses, going to each park as well as Downtown Disney (where our dinner would be). Little did we know, the downtown bus only came every 30 minutes. We got to the bus stop at 5:15, so we missed the 5:00 bus. Well, the 5:30 bus came, but not one person got off!!!!!!! Since we could not get on that bus, the driver called a back up bus, which came about 15 minutes later. We finally got to Downtown Disney at 6:15. The busses drop off at the front, and our restaurant was at the far, very far, opposite end. We were an HOUR late for our reservation, but the hostess was very kind and understanding, and we got seated right away! Dinner was yummy, and Daniel enjoyed all the music and scenery inside the restuarant (Planet Hollywood). We went back to the hotel and got lots of rest for the next day.

On Saturday, Dec. 28th, Alex and I were celebrating our one year wedding anniversary. It has been one crazy, loving, fun, and bumpy year. Our wedding was so great, and I wish we could re-live it each year. We also celebrated our honeymoon in Disney last year! I will make a seperate post on our 2013 year. Probably once the new year hits. 

Anyways.... We had a breakfast reservation at Boma in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. We were there last year for breakfast and I LOVED it, so we had to go back. They have an awesome buffet (insert drool here), and this really really yummy jungle juice. I highly recommend Boma if you are traveling to Disney. 

After that was over we embarked on our trip to Magic Kingdom!! I love Disney at Christmas Time, it's beautiful. As soon as we got into the park, Daniel fell asleep and missed the character parade! But luckily, there was another show in front of the castle which he woke up for, and danced and giggled the whole show. We stayed at the park until 3:00 p.m. because we had another dinner reservation at Downtown Disney. 

We went to Bongos Cuban Restaurant and it was delicious! They were playing fun music and the food was mouth watering. Can you tell that I love food? 

After dinner we walked around for a while, and then headed back to the hotel. 

The next morning, Dec 29th, we went to breakfast at the Rainforest Cafe. It is such a fun place for adults, and better yet for kids! Daniel loved the big salt water aquariums as well as the jungle animals and waterfall. 

After breakfast we went back to the hotel, checked out and headed home! 

It was a great weekend and although Daniel is a little guy, he still loved it, and I can't wait for our future trips.

Now that the holidays are over, I can start planning Daniels 1st Birthday!! I am so excited for it, but sad that he is growing so quickly.  

I hope everyone enjoyed their Holiday break! 

Dear Santa

Dearest Santa,

Over these past 8 months, I have seen a lot of things that I would love to have full access to. For some reason, everyone takes these away from me, and tells me this word "no". Since no one can say no to Santa, I figured there is no better person to write a letter to than you. I have enclosed my wish list and am looking forward to unwrapping them on Christmas morning. 

Hair

Not just any kind of hair. I like to play with and pull hair that women have spent hours doing. I especially like hair with gel in it because then it is slimy and fun to play with!


Coffee Carousel

My dad always takes the cups out of this, so why cant I? I want many different colored cups, and make sure it't the spinning kind, just like my dads!

Eyeglasses

My Grandma and Grandpa have these awesome toys on their face at all times! They must never get bored. I'd like a couple pairs of these please.

Universal Remote

My mom gave me this stupid baby remote that plays noises for switching channels and whatnot. I want the real thing. That way, no one can hear when I change their channels to play my channel... And then I laugh when they wonder what happened.. HA HA HA!

Car Keys

These really should be at the top of the list, but I have so many important gifts to ask for that I couldn't control what I wrote. However, these are a must. The good ol fashioned car keys. Not some plastic keys, those are for babies.

Paper from the doctors office

I need an endless amount of this stuff. It is entertainment for hours! I need so much because I like to eat it as I play, so I go through a roll pretty quickly.

Cellphone

What would we do without phones? I'll probably need a back up because I like to chuck it at the floor. I'd also like it preloaded with my favorite apps, just ask my mom.

Blinds

Now Santa, I know this may be an odd gift but think about it.... Peek A Boo!! These are the best for that game. I get a little excited so please get me the kind that don't break easily.

Christmas Tree

Why is this awesome thing only around for Christmas? It should really be called an Everyday Tree.. So I can get my hands on it EVERY DAY!



Frying Pan

Every time my mom is cooking, I love to grab this handle. Then she yells, and I laugh, and it's such a fun game. They seem to be good noise makers too, so that would be a lot of entertainment for me! It's a must.

Well Santa, there you have it. I don't need stacking cups, foam blocks, or another rattle. I need ALL of these mentioned, and will be looking forward to unwrapping them (and eating the wrapping paper too).

Yours Truly,

Daniel

Merry Christmas!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

9 DAYS!

Although we will not be spending our first family Christmas in a "forever home", we have decorated the apartment and are looking forward to celebrating the holiday.

As we were decorating the tree, Daniel LOVED to touch the branches and ornaments. He is so amazed by the twinkling lights and the needles falling from the branches. It's so special to see his sweet innocence.

We're excited to see him unwrap the gifts and play with his new goodies. We got him toys that are age appropriate, as well as learning tools for him to be challenged by. It's so important to not only give them something to play with, but to give them something that they can learn by. I know, I know.. He's only 8 months old. But, babies learn early! Even though he can't communicate that he is learning something, I know he is!

He's getting to really love pulling up on everything, so I have to keep my eye on him around the tree especially! 

As for the housing situation, we have decided to rent our apartment for one more year (technically it's a 13 month contract). Although we are not happy about this, it will go by quick and we will start the search come September.

I'm going to take Daniel to see Santa this week.. Yay! Hopefully he cooperates..

I tried to make the salt dough ornaments yesterday. I guess I should get a new timer, because I left them in the oven for WAY too long, and they look like sand dollars! Oh well, it's the thought that counts =)

We hope you all are having fun getting ready for the upcoming holiday.

Why us?

Well, today sucks.

I got a call from our morgatge guy and unfortunately our contract was denied in the final step of the process. To say the least, there was a snag in the credit history and things just didn't work out. I am so upset that a) it didn't go through, b) it was found sooner... Not the week before, and c) that we won't be having Daniels first Christmas in our home. I may sound rediculous for saying that, but at the moment I am just very upset with how this has all gone down. I will look at it as Gods way of letting us know there is something better for us out there. We will have to look for a place to rent in the meantime, as our lease here is done in the next month and it's much too small. 

On another note, Daniel also has a kidney infection! He has been running a low grade fever for a couple of days, but this morning woke up with a 101 and jumped to 103.2...Even with medicine. So the doctors did their thing and he is on an antibiotic and we go back in one week for an ultrasound to make sure it's all cleared up. Please keep him in your thoughts as he is miserable. 

I wish I had a better update to post.. But that's what's happening in our life right now. 

Things I hate to hear...

As a breastfeeding mom, I have heard endless amounts of comments from others. I came across this blog post and could not agree more. It is very hurtful when people ask these sorts of questions, or make statements towards me about it. I would never judge anyone for formula feeding, so I don't see why anyone would do so to a breastfeeding mother.

Some of the remarks that I have gotten would be such:

1) You should supplement with formula so he can get used to it for when you're not around or that I can feed him.

-In the beginning of our BF journey, I was having a hard time with the demand of things. I fell into the trap of supplementing (only a couple of times) and really regretted it. It is somewhat insulting to hear that, first of all, because I hardly ever leave him. Second, why does it have to be formula that everyone suggests? Why can't other people be familiar with a breast pump? If the mother chooses to exclusively breast feed, respect her choice and do not be selfish asking to feed the child. There are other ways to bond besides giving a bottle.

2) You're still breastfeeding?

-Yes, I am. And I don't plan on stopping any time soon. I understand that people are curious and want to know how he is being fed, however there are other ways to ask.. Such as "I see you're still BFing, thats great! How long do you plan on going for?" People don't realize when they make that statement how it comes out of their mouth and it is sometimes rude.

3) He nurses all the time, your milk must not be filling.

- My milk is filling. There are other reasons for nursing constantly. Such as for comfort or a growth spurt. Breastfed babies rely on their mommies for everything, so there is nothing wrong with nursing all day. In the beginning, thats how it has to be for your milk supply to build. Completely normal.

4) When are you giving him cows milk?

-Um, when he stops breastfeeding. I plan on letting him self wean. The World Health Organization recommends on breastfeeding until AT LEAST two years old, and letting the child wean naturally. I have full intentions of letting Daniel do just that. Therefor, there is no need for cows milk. And if you didn't know, cows milk is breast milk for COWS! Who would have thought?!

5) Breastfeeding past the age of one is just weird. 

- No, it is completely natural. Like I said earlier, I would never judge anyone on how they feed their child, so I hate hearing this remark when I say I plan on letting him self wean. If you have nothing nice to say, please keep your mouth closed.


I suggest for anyone that is not familiar with breastfeeding, to educate yourself before you talk to a nursing mom. There is so much information out there and a couple of minutes of reading could really open your eyes. That being said, here is the link for the blog post.

If you're reading this and are a formula feeding mother, go you. If you are a breastfeeding mother, great. A baby fed with love shouldn't matter how he/she is being fed. And next time you see a mom nursing, either give her a compliment for she has probably had many struggles, or keep moving.

Thanksgiving, 8 Month update.

We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday. We traveled up to Gainesville to spend some time with family and it was great. Daniel enjoyed his first turkey and mashed potatoes! The weather was so much nicer than it is in South Florida, so he got to wear all his cute warm clothes!! Sometimes here at home I like to turn the air down so he can wear them here too =)

On Black Friday, we decided to hit Toys R Us in the afternoon to see if they still had any good deals left. They did! We got most of his Christmas presents, still have some other things here and there to get. I love this time of year!!

The closing on our home is underway. About 2 weeks until we get the keys! I wish we could be there earlier so I could decorate for Christmas, but there is always next year.

On Sunday, Daniel hit his 8 month mark! I can't believe how fast time is flying. He is up to all sorts of things now a days.

He measures at around 23 Pounds, 30 inches.
He is wearing 9 Month clothing, or 6-12 months (some stores such as Gymboree are that size).
He can stand, walk with help (he likes to push his musical walker and I will stand behind him, holding his waist).

I do not think he will be crawling, lol. He still army crawls, and can get up to all fours, but doesn't go anywhere! He's so silly.

His favorite words are baba, papa, and ma.

He is eating all kinds of food, and loves to drink out of his straw sippy cup. Where did my 6 pound baby go?

We took Christmas pictures this past weekend and I love how they turned out!