Homemade Baby Food

Making homemade baby food was kind of like breastfeeding.  

I knew I was going to do it.  

Knew it was best for my baby. 

I didn't think much more about it. 

But when it came time for AG to have solids (at 6 months), I got a little overwhelmed.  

I didn't know where to start.  

Didn't know what to buy, what to feed her first, etc.

So, I sent a mass text to my friends with kids. 

They were all such wonderful help and made this whole baby food making process pretty darn easy!    

First, I went and bought this book, Super Baby Food.  

A few friends suggested it.  

It lists all the food you can think of, tells you how to cook it, when to buy it and how to store it. 

 It was exactly what I was looking for.  

Then, I gathered everything I would need to make the purees.  

{I started with carrots and sweet potatoes}

Most of the food I make AG is steamed.  

I use this steamer in the microwave for all of my steaming. 

This is a small one and there is also one a bit bigger. 

They are only $8-$11 from Pampered Chef.  

You can find them here.  

I fill them with veggies, add a little water and throw them in the microwave for 3-7 minutes, depending on what I'm making and how much.  

After the food is steamed or soft, I put it in the food processor.  

I was given a baby bullet for a shower gift but returned it when I started making baby food. 

This food processor is so easy to use and clean.  Plus it's quiet!

Then, I put the food into freezer trays. 

A friend of mine told me about these Good Grips trays that come with a lid. 

I bought two at Bed, Bath and Beyond for about $10. 

Once food is pureed, I use a small scoop (another Pampered Chef must have) to scoop it into the ice cube trays.  

I usually leave them in the trays over night to freeze.  

When you take them out of the freezer trays, let them sit for a few minutes until they easily pop out of the trays.  Then, place the cubes in freezer bags.  

I defrost them when needed for meals. It only takes a minute. 

I've done the freezer cube method for almost everything AG has eaten. 

Works wonders.  

As you can see....some things she has loved

And others...not so much! 

Struggle & Mommy and Me

Happy Monday!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  

Ours was pretty uneventful but well enjoyed.  

The topic for todays post for Jenni's Blog Everyday in May is STRUGGLE.  

Something you're struggling with right now to be exact. 

I think the thing I struggle the most with {these days} is trying to do it all.  

Trying to be everything for everyone. 

I know there is no perfect balance and realize that more and more each day. 

But I wish there was. 

I wish I could be the best mom, wife, friend, sister and daughter. 

I wish I could have a clean house all the time and dinner on the table every night when hubs gets home.

I wish I could make up for the salary I used to bring in with an at home business.

I wish I could get through my entire to do list each day.
I can't tell you the last time I've read through the blogs I follow.
Or responded to the comments via email.   

But there aren't enough hours in a day for all that. 

Yet, I try.  

I wake up, make a list and get to work. 

I rarely sit down unless it's doing something on my list. 

At the end of the day, I'm exhausted. 

Do I feel accomplished? Most days, yes. 

But, on top of that, I feel like I missed out on the little moments. 

Moments that I didn't see because I was too busy worrying about what needed to be done next. 

One of my personal goals this year was to slow down. 

Leave things on my to do list for the next day and be okay with it. 

Take some time each day and to do something FOR ME. 

Which is so much easier said than done. 

I want to feel okay with not getting something done. 

I want to celebrate what I was able to do and accomplish. 

Not focusing on what was not checked off the list. 

As silly as this may sound, it's my daily struggle.  

Something that I work on each day. 

To not put so much pressure on myself to be this perfect everything that we all know doesn't exist.  

{MOMMY & ME}

This picture is from out trip to Busch Gardens, a local amusement park. 

Part of our Christmas gift from my parents was year passes. 

We were waiting until little miss was old enough to enjoy it before we purchased them.  

At the park they have a fabulous kids area and lots of animals throughout. 

AG loved every minute. She was captivated by the gorillas and enjoyed cooling off in the kids splash zone. We're looking forward to many more trips over the next year.

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Island Pork Tenderloin & What's Cooking

Today, I'm sharing one of my recent favorite pork recipes.  

I couldn't get enough of this recipe. After every bite I took, I professed my love.  

Honestly, it was amazing.  

Make sure to add this one to your menu, you won't be sorry! 

Island Pork Tenderloin 

Ingredients

• 1 (2 1/2 lb) pork tenderloin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp packed brown sugar (light or dark)
• 1 Tbsp finely minced garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp Sriracha or Tabasco sauce

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together salt, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, black pepper and paprika. Press and rub mixture around all sides of pork tenderloin.
• Heat olive oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil just begins to smoke, transfer pork to skillet and cook for 2 minutes until bottom has browned, then rotate and cook opposite side until browned, about 2 minutes.
• In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, minced garlic and hot sauce. Spread mixture over the top of browned pork. Transfer pork (in oven safe skillet) to center of oven and roast until center of pork reaches 140 degrees on an instant read thermometer (about 20 minutes, I actually cooked mine about 15 minutes longer because I had a thicker roast and I don't like rare overly juicy pork). Allow pork to rest in skillet, loosely covered with aluminum foil, 10 minutes at room temperature (temperature should rise to 155 degrees while standing). Carve and serve warm.

Pineapple Baked Tilapia / BBQ Chicken Tacos  / Stuffed Peppers / 

Chicken Sausage with Summer Veggies   / Steak Burritos 

9 Months Old!

Dear Sweet Girl,

 You now have officially been on the outside longer than you were inside my belly.  At the end of my pregnancy I felt like I had been pregnant forever.  I couldn't wait to meet you and was done being pregnant. Those 9 months at times, felt like forever.  Yet these 9 months since you've been here are the fastest I've ever experienced (I know I say this every month).  The biggest change this month has definitely been your personality.  It's developing more and more each day.  It's so much fun to watch. I often find myself thinking...that is so your father. You know what you want, when you want it and have recently learned to arch your back to throw a mini fit.  Thankfully we can quickly redirect and all is good.  You are also one tough little lady.  There have been many times where you've fallen and your dad and I gasp, waiting for the tears to flow...but it doesn't happen.  You don't even flinch.  

       You continue to be a happy go lucky baby almost all of the time.  You love to play and get into things you know you shouldn't be in.  I don't know why we spend so much money on toys, you'd be happy playing with tissue paper, toilet paper, bags and pulling things out of the wall all day long.  The funniest part about your mischievousness is that you totally know you shouldn't be doing it.  You'll crawl to the location, turn around to see if we're watching, if not you go for it.  If we are you smile and wait for us to look away.  We know we're in for it with you! Something I have enjoyed watching this month is your love for books develop.  You bring books to me and can often be found looking through the pages on the numerous books scattered throughout our house.  That makes the teacher in me very very proud. I look forward to the days of being snuggled up in your bed reading the night away.  

       AG you bring so much joy to our lives.  There is never a dull or down moment these days.  Keeping up with you is a full time job! Your daddy and I try to beat each other to your room in the morning to catch that first smile.  There is no better start to our day. This month we will leave you with your nana and papa for the first time and I'm dreading it.  I don't know how I'm going to do without you for 4 days.  But I know your nana and papa will take good care of you and will keep us up to date with lots of pictures.  Thank you sweet girl for the happiness and unconditional love you bring to our lives.  Your daddy and I are blessed to be your parents, we love you to the moon and back sweet girl. 

Love, 

Mommy 

FEED:

4 hours during the day.  All mommy's milk. Once during a 12 hour night. 

Oatmeal & fruit in the morning, veggie and fruit for lunch and oatmeal, veggie and fruit for dinner.  

Sleep: 

We have made great strides with sleep this month.  You are now taking all naps in your crib (unless we're out and about).  You go to bed at 8:00 and wake up once to eat before you're up for the day between 7-8am.  Sometime the night time feeding is at 2, others it is 4. We started letting you cry it out

Weight: 

17  lbs 
15th percentile for weight 

Length: 

27.25 inches
38th percentile for height 

Diaper Size:

Size 2 Huggies Snugglers

Clothes Size:

3-6 months &

6 months 

Hair Color:

Dark Brown

Eye color:

Hazel 

Funniest moment this month:   Daddy: He said when you tried to eat his face. You do this often. 

Mommy:  When you climb all over when while she's working out.  You think it's sooo much fun and she tries to juggle you while still get a workout in.  

Milestone: Cutting TWO teeth! 

HIGHLIGHTS

Week 33

-Went to the beach for the first time

-Stayed at a hotel 

-Went with mommy to get a pedicure

-Started pulling up to stand 

-Ate squash for the first time 

-First tooth came in

-Started throwing toys

Week 34

-Aunt Danielle came to visit you

-Went to the splash park in our neighborhood 

-Started Gymboree play and learn classes 

-Fell in love with your toy train

-Ate zucchini for the first time 

-Started throwing mini fits

Week 35

-Started taking all naps in your crib

-Went in your first baby pool 

-Began crawling fast

-Ate applesauce with cinnamon for the first time 

-Said mama for the first time 

-Went to sign language class for the first time

Week 36

-Ate broccoli for the first time 

-Visited Busch Gardens 

-Started standing for longer periods 

-Became quite the chatterbox

-Started clapping  

-Your second tooth cut through

Really Happy

Today, I'm linking up with Jenni for Blog Everyday in May,
I loved the topic, 10 things that make you really happy.
I just had to join in.  

{1}
Being in his arms. 

{2}

A sweet smile (and wave) from my baby girl. 

{3}

Time with family.

{4}
The feeling after finishing a run.

{5}

Starbucks Coffee

{6}

When one of my favorite songs comes on Pandora. 

{7}

Lighting a candle and relaxing on the couch.

{8}

Quality time with friends.

{9}

Finished craft and DIY projects. 

{10}

HOLIDAYS!
Especially Christmas.



What makes you happy?

Mother's Day and Mommy & Me

Hello Monday. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. 

Mine didn't go as planned. 

On Friday, I started feeling bad.   

What I thought was a cough or cold wasn't going away. 

I took AG and went to Urgent Care around 6:00. 

My diagnosis was bronchitis. Ugh.
I was told I couldn't run the 5K I had been looking forward to.
I also couldn't go get the facial and massage hubs booked for me.

Needless to say, the weekend didn't go as planned.
I tried to get a lot of rest.
Hubs and I took a long walk on Saturday morning to the Dunkin Donuts in our neighborhood for breakfast.
I was able to pack away a lot of AG's baby things and did a little garage organization.
We played and played and played with our wild child.

On Sunday, I woke up to a sweet card and my new camera from hubs and AG.
Then hubs picked up First Watch takeout and Starbucks, which we enjoyed on the patio.
Later in the afternoon, my parents came over and celebrated with us.
We took tons of pictures, hubs cooked out and we enjoyed family time.

This weekend may not have gone as planned but it was still so perfect.
I have waited for so long to be able to celebrate this special day as a mom.
I couldn't ask for anything more.

{MOMMY & ME}

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Friday Letters & Photo Dump

Dear Hubs, AG and I enjoyed our day with your yesterday experiencing the amusement park first.  You're such a great dad and husband. Love you. Lots. Dear AG, How are you 9 months old today? Just how? On another note, my child, you are a wild one.  This week you've learned how to throw a mini fit, arching your back. Those have been FUN.  If this is a glimpse into my future, I will need to start stocking up on the wine now.  Dear Friday, I'm happy you're here.  Today, I'm hoping to get my car cleaned, then clean the house, finish a few orders and make a menu for our BBQ on Sunday.  Speaking of which...Dear Mother's Day, I can't wait to celebrate my first one.  I'm looking forward to a massage and facial on Saturday and time with my family on Sunday.  I feel so blessed to be able to celebrate this year. So very blessed.  Dear Moffitt 5K, I'm ready for you tomorrow.  I'm not running to beat a time. My goal is just not to stop. I'm proud of myself for being able to do it 9 months after I gave birth. I wished I would have been in this shape sooner. On the other hand, I could barely run a mile in the beginning, so to be here is an accomplishment.   Dear sickness that has taken over my body, I'm not a fan.  You're not welcome here and I will continue to do whatever I can to get rid of you.  Please don't ruin my weekend! Dear Mom, Happy Mother's Day.  Everything I am is because of you.  I can't think of a better role model, best friend and nana for Avery in my life.  Thank you for all that you've done and all that you continue to do for me.  I know how lucky and blessed I am to have you as a mom.

{PHOTO DUMP}

{Watching sports with daddy}

{Derby Hat}

{Modeling her new pillowcase dress}

{Enjoying her new baby pool}

{Family time at Busch Gardens}

{Simply Made with Love orders from the week}

SPD: Button Monogram

I am in full birthday planning mode these days.  I know I have over three months before the big first birthday but I have big plans and I want to make sure I am able to get everything done.  One of the first DIY projects on my list was a button monogram.  I knew it would be perfect for her "Cute as a Button" theme.  

Linking up with Katie & Stephanie today.

The Pinspiration: 

My Creation:

Here's how I did it...

Materials: 

Buttons

Canvas

Letter Stencil

Hot Glue

Pencil 

Directions:

 I printed out a letter and cut it out.  

I traced it onto the canvas with pencil. 

Then, I lined up my buttons on top of the letter. 

This took a bit of time. I ended up rearranging the buttons a few times. 

Once I had all the buttons in the place I wanted them, I started gluing. 

I used hot glue because I thought it would hold the best.  

To finish it off, I added ribbon and a bow to the top.  

One Piece of {New} Mommy Advice

Today, I'm joining Jenny over at Story of my Life for her blog everyday in May link up.  

The topic today is advice.  

I've decided to share the one piece of advice I have on motherhood.  

Ready for it? 

THROW YOUR EXPECTATIONS OUT THE WINDOW

When I was pregnant I had all these plans. 

 I would breastfeed for a year, my child would not have a pacifier for the first month, no bottles for the in the beginning, she would sleep in her crib, no naps in her swing, baby lead weaning, learn sign language at 6 months, do tummy time everyday, etc.  

And then I became a mom.  

Survival mode kicked in immediately.  

Many of the things on that list were thrown out the door in the first week. 

I learned really quick to let my expectations go. 

And I learned to do what works. 

If that means a nap in the swing so she'll sleep, then so be it.  

If she needs to sleep in the rock and play at 7 months in our room because she's fussy, let her.  

If I have to give her a mum mum to entertain her at Target so she wont fuss, eat up. 

Each and everyday is different. 

Something that works one day may not work the next. 

There is so much pressure on moms these days.
Pressure we put on ourselves and also from society.

I couldn't expect my newborn child and now my baby to conform to this picture in my head of what I had expected in the first year in her life.
Nor could I compare my child to what other children were doing, learning, accomplishing.
Which is hard not to do in the blogging/ baby play date world.

This was hard for me and my type A, want to control everything self. 

There were times I would be frustrated and others I would worry. 

Was I ruining her future because I would pick her up when she cried during tummy time?

Would she never crawl because of it? 

Fast forward a bit and she was crawling at 7 months.  

I beat myself up for no reason. 

I can't tell you how many things this is true for.  

Worrying if I was doing it right. 

 Worried because I don't let her cry it out or if I did something I said I never would do.  

Each baby is different and I'm learning what works best for mine, for each age and stage she is at.  

But that is honestly the one thing I would tell new and soon to be moms.

It is the best job you will ever have. 

It is the hardest job you will ever have.

The days will be long. 

The years will be short.

Don't beat yourself up because things are going as you originally planned. 

Let your baby be your guide.  

Your baby will tell you what he/she needs.

Things will workout in the time they are supposed to and how. 

Soak up the cuddles and ask for help when you need it. 

Give all the love in the world.  

Just remember, there is no such thing as a perfect mom.

All you can really do is try your best, learn from your mistakes and enjoy each stage. 

Most importantly, get ready to experience a love like no other.  

For all you moms out there, what is one piece of advice you would give new moms?