Making Homeade Baby Food- Move Over, Martha.

At Grayson Boy's 4 month check up we got the go ahead to start on some solid foods, and since he's already been on rice cereal off of a spoon since 6 weeks, we decided to start with some sweet potatoes. 

I've done a lot of reading, and I really wanted to try and make my own baby food using all organic veggies.  I figured, how hard can it be? I cant over cook anything, because its going to be pureed to mush so I mustered up the courage and gave it a whirl. 

Sunday I decided to whip up a few batches- sweet potatoes, butternut squash, carrots and green beans.  It really was pretty darn easy.  I put the oven on 400 and washed and scrubbed the potatoes, gave them a poke and wrapped them in foil.  The Squash got hacked in half, put in a pan with an inch of water and both went in the oven for about an hour.

Don't judge, this was the smallest squash the store had- it was ginormous.

The green beans and carrots got steamed on the stove top until soft.

Once something was soft, into the super fancy schmancy food processor we got as a wedding gift and still haven't used it went.

Add a little water or formula to thin the veggies out to give a nice smooth puree and pop them into an ice cube tray and freeze up.  The ice cube tray is the right size for a single serving, and you can reuse it time and again.  After they were frozen I popped them into a Ziploc baggie and stored them in the freezer.

All together I probably spent 2 or 2.5 hours in the kitchen making enough baby food to last us a good long time. That one squash made 48 servings alone.

 Now for the real test-

Super excited for some sweet potatoes!

First bite in...

Ma, this is not my rice cereal. This tastes kind of healthy. What are you trying to do to me?

I guess its not too bad...it tastes better than the formula I suppose.

Here Daddy, let me help you shovel this into my mouth- because Ive decided I like it!

Good job, Mommy. Martha should be shaking in her boots!

(love this kid.)

Holy Adult Stuff Batman.

Tonight we set up a 403b plan with a financial planner. We also picked out life insurance, did a cash flow analysis, made a financial plan and talked about creating living wills.

One question, lovelies,

WHEN DID WE GROW UP??

Well, I mean, I guess when this guy came along...

..but still.

A little over a year ago we were eating junk food for dinner and would actually spend our extra money on ourselves. We didn't do laundry but once a week, and if we would rather go out than clean the house we did.

Tonight, I came home from work, ran the sweeper, moped the floors made a dinner of grilled chicken, baked sweet potatoes, corn and salad.  We ate dinner, I did dishes and a load of laundry and then we sat down with a lady in a power suit and talked about mutual funds and aggressive vs conservative investments.

I feel old and responsible.

So now that the baby is asleep I will put my feet up on the couch, eat a bowl of ice cream and watch American Idol.  Because a person can only take so much responsibility in a day.



I was tagged- Play Along with Me :)

I was tagged by Kristen over at Life With the Ellwoods to answer some questions and pass along- so play along with me, it sounds super fun, right :)

The rules:
1. You must post the rules.
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself in the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.
4. Tag 12 people and link them on your post.
5. Let them know you've tagged them.

12 facts about me..

1. I'm an only child.

2. I've never broken a bone. I have however rolled my ankle and torn tendons in it and wished it was broken because then it would just heal right instead of hurting like a bugger whenever the weather changes.

3. My husband was the very first person I met in college. I almost ran him over on the street walking into the Student Union. His fault for crossing a busy downtown street without looking both ways.  Also, I may/may not have called him a few choice names in my car. Ha!

4. I have a new love for "The Big Bang Theory".  Its a new fave for sure.

5. I have seen every episode of CSI and CSI NY...I would have been a forensic scientist for sure if I could stand the site of blood.

6. I was determined to not let Patrick name the baby on his own, however once I was strapped to the table in the OR I told him "Name him whatever you want!"  THAT was the drugs talking for sure.

7. I still have my teddy bear I slept with as a child.

8. Im terrified of scary movies, will not watch them.

9. At work, I am the organized lady. At home, it takes me 30 minutes to find my keys some days.

10. My favorite place in the world is the Outer Banks- can't wait to take Grayson boy there.

11. I learned to read when I was 4.  

12. I drink regular Coke in the mornings. I need the caffeine buzz.

Kristen's Questions:

1. What is your favorite color and do you have it in your home? Where?

Im a pink girl. It just makes me happy.  I have little touches of pink in lots of places, but my master bathroom has pink walls with white bead board.  Love it.

2. What was your favorite home decorating, crafting, or clothing trend of 2011?

Flare leg jeans came back- Im not a boot cut girl.

3. What is your favorite TV show?

CSI or the Big Bang Theory

4. What is your favorite household chore?

I love to do dishes. Mainly because I hate the look of a sink full of dirty dishes.

5. Have you ever ruined anything in the wash? If so, what?

Alll the time. I hate laundry, its evil.  Most recently, a wonderful pair of blue work pants that after I took them out of the dryer and they looked 5 sizes too small I realized the tag said Dry Clean Only.  Im pretty good at just dumping EVERYTHING in together- the less time I have to spend in the creepy basement the better.

6. How many children do you want?

Two or three.

7. What was your favorite subject in school?

Speech and Debate or Science- but I chose to teach Science because it wasn't as easy for me to get.

8. What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Christmas- I love all the traditions we have, and Im super excited to share them with Grayson.

9. What is your favorite hair care product?

Aussie Scrunch Mousse- works like a charm on the mornings when you just dont feel like doing your hair.

10. Have you ever mowed the lawn?

Yup, I grew up on 2 acres.  They put me on the tractor with my cd player and made me cut it all.

11. What is your favorite kitchen tool, gadget, etc.?

The Pampered Chef Can Opener- no more sharp edges!!

12. What is your favorite snack?

Sour Patch Kids or Chips and Salsa- depends on my mood.


My tags:
Olivia at Her Random Rants and Rambles

Mariah at Formula Mom

Janette at Est. 5.26.07

Ashley at Me and My Boys

Rachel at Thats Life

Julie at My Cloth Diaper Stash

Brandi Yee at Yee Wittle Things

Diane of Dollops of Diane

Carli at Grandma's Guide to Life

Trisha at Mommy T and Baby E

Kortney at Kourtney's Krazy Life

AP at I Love You More Than Carrots

My questions for you:
1. What is your favorite thing to make for dinner in a pinch?

2.  If you could have any job, what would it be and why?

3. What was your biggest epic fail moment of 2011?

4. If you had $500 of free money to spend on anything, what would you buy?

5. What is your favorite new home find? (kitchen gadget, home decor item, vintage find, etc)

6. In photos- black and white or color?

7. What is your favorite vacation spot?

8. What was the best day of your life?

9. If you could have any super power what would it be?

10.  Name the one room/space in your house you're dying to redecorate.

11. Early to bed or early to rise?

12. What is your biggest fear?

Please send me a link to your posts!

Four Months Old

My Grayson Boy-

You are four months old today. Four months seems like such a short time, yet you have done so much in your short time here with us.  You constantly amaze me with the things you can do, and I'm so proud to watch you learn new things and grow up.

When Daddy and I put you in your crib to take your pictures this month, we realized that you touch both sides. You really are getting so big. At your four month well visit you weighed in at 15 pounds 10 ounces and were  25 inches long. You also had to get your shots, Daddy took you because Mommy can't bear to see you cry.  Grammy offered to go with Daddy, but once she learned that you needed shots she also refused to go.

This month you have learned so much and done so much its amazing to me.

• Your first Christmas was super fun, and Santa spoiled you rotten.  Everyone agreed that you made this holiday extra special, and you were so curious as to what was going on around you.

• You celebrated your first New Years, and none of us made it till Midnight.  I did manage to sneak into your room and smooch you around 2 AM. You were Mommy's first kiss of the New Year, don't tell Daddy he'll be jealous.

• This year you were also here to celebrate Mommy's birthday out of the tummy.  On my last birthday we didn't know you were coming yet, and this year I had my wiggly giggly baby in my arms. It was the best birthday ever if you ask me.
• You learned to jump like CRAZY in your jumparoo from Santa.  You could spend hours in that thing if we'd let you.
• You found your hands and started chewing away. I think you're starting to get some teeth because not only are you chewing on every thing, but you're also a droolin fool.  Like you go through three to five bibs a day at Grammy's alone.
• You spend tons of time staring at your puppy dogs. Kaos and Gizmo are your favorites in this house for sure, and they're pretty fond of you as well.
• You have mastered rolling from belly to back, and you're sooo close to rolling from back to belly. You just cant figure out how to move your arm out of the way, but once you do you'll be rolling all over the place.
• Its pretty easy to get you to laugh out loud, all we have to do is play Peek A Boo with you and you get the best case of the giggles.  Daddy and I can't help but laugh so hard when you giggle, and that usually makes you laugh harder.
• You moved up to size two diapers and 3-6 month clothes, and I have to say you are one handsomely dressed dude.
• You've started to reach for things you want, and have pretty good arm control. Today at Grammy's you saw a magnet on the fridge that you decided you wanted, and you just reached out and plucked it off.  Grammy said you were so proud of yourself you smiled and laughed, then you threw the magnet on the floor and reached for the next one. I think Pappy will be Grayson proofing the house soon, and he doesn't mind one bit. He really does love you.

Well my favorite baby pickle, thats about all for now.  Thank you for choosing me to be your Mommy, it is the best present I could have ever asked for.  Daddy and I thought we had it all before you, but now we know that with you we really do have everything.
Love you more than words my little man.
XOXO,
Mommy

Cheesy Bacon Potato Rounds

I saw this recipe on Pinterest and was dying to try it.  I'm a sucker for a good potato skin, but they're not the healthiest. Now while this recipe wouldn't fall under the healthy column, I will say it is much better than the deep fried version.

They're super simple to make. First take a potato, wash it well and slice it to about 1/8 inch thick.  Spray each side with cooking spray and pop into an oven set to 400* for about 10 minutes.  Flip over, add some salt, and cook for another 10 minutes.  This will give you soft centers with crisp edges.  If you want the whole potato crispy, cook longer, about 40 minutes total. 

Once cooked, take out of oven and sprinkle a little cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon on each round and pop back in the oven until all melty.

 I served mine up with some thin sliced chicken breast and the hubs seriously ate like 10 rounds. 

I showed some restraint, I only ate five.

Yum!

Month Four Must Haves

This month Grayson has been starting to actually PLAY with things. He wants to figure them out, he wants to see how they work and he wants to interact with them. I absolutely love it, because hes getting to be so independent and fun but it breaks my heart to see him grow up so quick.  My guess is that every momma and daddy out there knows this feeling all to darn well.

This month our favorite things are

 Fisher Price Luv U Zoo Jumparoo

He wasn't too sure of it at first, but he loves it now.  He realizes that he has to jump to get the music to keep playing and he really goes to town on this sucker.  Park him in this in front of the TV and I'm guaranteed about 30 minutes of un-interrupted time.  He was a little short at first, so we just stuck a Vera Bradley box under his feet and it works just fine.

Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Orchestra Toy

Our neighbors bought Grayson this for Christmas and he is obsessed. If you press the large red button, then all of the instruments will play but you can hit each instrument individually then add others in.  Grayson loves hitting each light and watching the turtle make music.  He babbles away and presses buttons and its the cutest darn thing. 

The Bumbo

At first Grayson wasn't too thrilled with this, until he realized that when sitting in it he is at eye level with Mom and Dad.  Now, he loves it. He sits in it all the time and couldn't be happier, especially when Mom and Dad are eating and hes on the kitchen table between us. We also take it to restaurants and don't have to worry about him falling out of a high chair.

Vtech Peek At Me Bunny

Peek a Boo is our new favorite game, and this bunny is our favorite person to play with. If you cover his eyes with his ears, then uncover the bunny says "Peek A Boo!"  Grayson laughs every single time. He also lights up and sings songs and talks, and our teething little man has decided that this bunny's nose is one of the best things to chew on.

My Pal Scout

This has got to be one of my favorite toys. You plug Scout into your computer and after about 5 minutes he knows your kiddos name, favorite color, songs, food and animal.  When Grayson squeezes his paw and he starts to sing the Grayson song, he gets this look of wonder like "Hey, this puppy knows my name!"  It has tons of games, songs and features and is totally adorable. Oh and whenever he barks it scares the beans out of our two real dogs, which I have to admit is pretty darn funny.

Thats it for this month.  Now that both Grammys know we like toys, more and more have started to appear at our house- so Im sure Ill have a whole new crop next month. 

Snow Day!

We woke up this morning to 5 inches of fluffy white stuff.  Now, Im a little peeved that Mother Nature couldn't do this on a school day but I'm okay with it as long as I don't have to drive in it. 

After breakfast we bundled up little man and took him outside for his first snow experience.

He LOVED the snowsuit. My child is the kid who hates to be cold, so he was in his glory.  

Not too sure of it until we laid him on his back and let him wriggle in the snow.

Then, he LOVED it. 

Little baby snow butt print- oh how I melt!

If its cold and snowy where you are, hope you are enjoying your snow day!