Baby Food

I decided awhile ago to try to make my own baby food. It's not that I'm super concerned with organic baby food and things that may be in store bought (although with the whole melamine in formula you never know) but I just think it's gotta be a lot cheaper and not too hard to do. I decided that I didn't want to do the whole ice cube trays and baggies thing though. It just seemed like a hassle. Instead I found these containers that are 1 or 2 oz (I bought the 2 oz) that are similar to ice cube trays but they are individual and have lids on them. They can be frozen, microwaved, and are dishwasher safe. Anyway. So I invested in 4 sets of them and they came in the mail Monday so I started making food this week. The picture of the "green stuff" is actually a comparison of Gerber and homemade peas. The homemade ones are brighter green. To be quite honest I think they taste much better. I'm not a fan of canned peas, I like frozen or fresh. I made them from a bag of frozen peas that I got for free. Yes, free. They were on sale for $1 and I had a 0.50 coupon that was doubled. Yeah, I think making your own food can be cheaper. I am going to keep up with the cost so I can figure it out in the end, factoring in the cost of the containers (which can be used for the next baby(s) I might add). So far I have made peas, green beans, acorn squash, peaches, and pears. I was going to make prunes but there is only one brand of prunes that doesn't have additives and Fry's must not have realized that b/c of that there is actually an expiration date on them...the whole shelf was expired. Anywho...the peas were the hardest to make because of the casing. They just needed more time in the food processor. I used canned peaches and pears that were free of additives (just 100% juice). They were super easy AND I got 4 oz of juice from each that I also froze to mix 50/50 with water once I give him juice. I figured out that I made 46 oz of baby food and 8 oz of juice for about $6. It would have been a lot cheaper had I not made the squash. I need a garden for those b/c they're kind of expensive. I'm not going to make carrots or sweet potatoes until he is older b/c they say the homemade nitrate levels are higher. Apparently Gerber etc. takes this out somehow.














I took these pictures of Elijah yesterday..little cutie. He has been SO clingy though! I really can't get anything done. I set him on the couch next to me so I could sort through some things and within minutes he was asleep.Little stinker fights sleep so terrible. He thinks he's going to miss something I think.

Well, that's all for now!

Love My Family

Today has not been the greatest of days. I wish that I could say after six months I am finally back to my self but I can't. I still have so much trouble focusing on things. I sometimes feel that the only time I am truly focused is at work and I'm sure that is out of necessity. Today I had a long list of things to do but they were pushed by the wayside. I'd like to say that happened b/c I had something important to do...not really. Maybe...See I've always had this thing when I'm feeling down I make my Grandma's oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. They always make me feel better. My mom always had them on the first day of school. Change has always been hard for me and being the great mom that she is she anticipated my need for a little something special. I am so thankful for her! We are planning to put the tree and lights up today. You'd think I'd be looking forward to that and could get some things done...but not really. I wish I knew exactly how to pinpoint the way that I feel..but I can't. And I think that is really hard for some people...including myself...to understand. I guess all that I can say is that I look forward to the day that I can make a list, stick to it, get everything done and not feel like I'm going to have a breakdown and rush to the nearest exit (meaning my car and wherever it takes me...generally Target) or to bed with the baby wishing I could just sleep reality away. I feel pathetic..like a failure...but I know I am doing all that I can and Elijah's being well cared for. He doesn't care that there is a pile of ironing or that the floors need to be washed (at least until he starts crawling). He just wants his Momma to hold him tight and love on him. That, I can do.

So Thankful

For some reason I can't get this picture to move where I want it. I had to show it off b/c I love it! Jake and I took Christmas card pictures yesterday and this is one of the ones I just love!

I apologize for not posting as quickly as I wanted! Thanksgiving was a wonderful time to reflect on all of the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us as well as spend time with family and fill ourselves with yummy food. Of course I was a little saddened thinking about last Thanksgiving. We were able to fly to Michigan and tell our family our good news about us expecting Elijah. I miss everyone "back home" so much and holidays seem a little bit harder because of that. Anyway. I was able to get a picture of Elijah in his 1st Thanksgiving outfit right before he pooped ALL over it (I'm talking ALL over it). What a little cutie pie!


I had decided that Thanksgiving would be when I started him on more solid foods (other than cereal and the occasional prunes to get things moving) so he had peas for the first time. Not so fond of them as you can see. Unfortunately he didn't just make this face on the first bite. It's a consistent "EWW" face. Oh well. He's not going to like everything. We're still trying with them though.


On Friday I joined the other crazy people in the world and went to Kohls at 4 am...with Elijah. He was sleeping and I just couldn't bear to leave him home with Jake's mom b/c I eould be working later and love all the time I get with him. He stayed in the Moby and slept the whole time. Why 4 am. Well, I had to work Friday night so I wanted to get back and get some sleep AND they had toys 50% off. How can you beat that. I went to Walmart too. Never doing that again. People at Kohls are civilized. Not so much at Walmart. Needless to say I was a little frustrated. I was home and in bed by 630.

He loves his Moby as you can tell by this picture on Thanksgiving.




This is a picture of him after our outing on Friday. We slept from 630 to 1pm. Amazing huh? Great for a gal that has to go to work!

Tag You're It

Okay so I was challenged by Anjee to put my fourth album, fourth picture (from the computer) onto my blog and write four things about it AND challenge four people to do the same...so..

1. The picture is from Julia's shower at Olive Garden in January...mmmm Olive Garden

2. I'm so glad that we have so many sweet people that we work with that take their time to come and share a joyous occasion...like a new baby boy!

3. It's odd to think that 3 of the people in this photo (I should say taking the photo too) have since had babies! Julia (obviously), myself, and Rachel. What a blessing.

4. It's sad to think that we no longer are able to see Alexis on a somewhat daily/weekly schedule (but happy to know she'll be visiting soon!)

So now I challenge
Stephanee
Clarinda
Julia (LOL b/c it'll be a month or so before she does!)
Alexis

Little Boy

Okay, so there's just something about boys in overalls that just makes me want to squeeze them. Maybe it just seems fitting for little boys to wear them because of all the movies that show the little rascals in them..take Dennis the Menace for example. Gotta love him. He's an imp for sure but how can you not fall in love with him? I just had to take a couple pictures of Elijah in his overalls today. He's just so squeezable! And so loving too! Today he just beamed when Daddy came home and just had to give him hugs and kisses right away. He just makes your heart melt when he opens his arms for you and opens his mouth for a goobery kiss. We just love him to death!






He's been sitting up better and better each day. I put him in his toddler bed with some of his animals and he just had a ball. He just couldn't believe that all the animals were his to play with. He kept looking at me like "Really? They're mine?" I'm so glad that he enjoys them!

More (hopefully) tomorrow!