Homemade Baby Food: Sweet Potatoes

What you will need:

• one sweet potato 
• a mixer {blender of some sort}
• a steamer / pot + steaming basket
• breastmilk/formula 
• water
• a potato peeler 
• knife

 First thing you will do is get your steamer going. Just add a tiny bit of water under your steaming basket & put it on a medium setting on your stove.

While that's going, go ahead & wash, peel & cut up your sweet potato.

 Be sure to wash it really good once it is peeled!

Once its cut into nice, small pieces put it in your steaming basket. & put the lid on the pot!

While it is going, is a good time to get your milk together! I pumped during this time. If you choose breast milk, make sure it is FRESH. Because if you plan on making a batch, you cannot refreeze your milk!! If you plan on using formula, now is a good time to mix!

I believe I let it steam for about 20 minutes. You just have to keep checking on it. When you're able to EASILY stab a piece with a fork, you're good to go!

Once it is done steaming, you'll add the slices into your blender. I use a baby bullet. You can use any type of blender that can puree well! You don't have to, but I would recommend adding breast milk or formula to the slices! The amount of milk depends on how smooth you want the texture. I added about 2 oz of breast milk, and also added some of the water from the bottom of the pot because some of the nutrients from the sweet potato is in there!

Then you're ready to blend!!

It is a good idea to stop & stir while blending!

If you see it's still too thick while blending, you can add more milk/water/formula.

When it just falls off your spoon, it is perfect for your baby!!

This one sweet potato made about 8 servings for me! I decided to freeze 6 servings since I used breast milk, I don't want risk using bad milk if it stays in the refrigerator too long!

ALWAYS be sure to date when you made the baby food! These nifty baby bullet containers have a date dial. {I recommend the baby bullet if you don't have a mixer!}

 This container will go in the fridge for tomorrows lunch!

& this large holder will go in the freezer!

 And tada! Now you're ready to feed your baby! My son actually seemed to like the sweet potatoes at first but was unsure after a few bites! We will give it another go tomorrow :)


Here is a little bit of information on safely storing baby food! {from www.foodsafety.gov}

Storing and Reheating Baby Food

First and foremost: always throw away any uneaten leftover food in the baby’s dish!

Other ways to keep your baby’s food safe:

• Never allow cooked food to stand at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or more than one hour when the temperature is above 90 degrees)
• Do not store prepared baby food in the refrigerator for more than 24 hours for meat, poultry, fish, and eggs or more than 48 hours for fruits and vegetables.
• Thoroughly reheat refrigerated or frozen food to an internal temperature of 165 ºF.
• Never defrost baby foods by leaving them at room temperature or in standing water.

To freeze prepared baby food safely, put it into labeled and dated containers. You may freeze it for up to one month.

I definitely recommend researching about what are good first foods for your baby if you are just starting out! It's always good to start with foods that are less allergenic.

We just started Ollie on solids & sweet potato is his third food. We are alternating between fruits & veggies each week so he doesn't grow to just want fruits because they are yummier! It's always a great idea to try a food for a week before switching to a new one so you can make sure your child is not allergic to that one food!

There is tons of useful information online & in books. :)

Postpartum Must Haves for Mommy

{TMI WARNING: IF YOU'RE NOT A MOM/MOM-TO-BE, YOU MAY NOT WANT TO READ THIS!}

Okay, mommas! I am going to share with you some things that I needed after having my son. Note: this is from my experience and it may vary from women to women.

Obviously, having a baby is an amazing thing. You hear all the lovely things to come. What you don't hear is how miserable you may be after giving birth.

When I gave birth, I had an epidural so immediately after I was feeling GREAT. It wasn't until I had to get up for my shower, that I realized just what my body had gone through. After you have a baby, you are constantly being checked on by nurses. They will press on your belly, rather hard, to make sure your uterus is where it should be and to check for other things as well. It is not comfortable at all. But they also take a look at your lady {if you know what I mean}. You will expect for her not to be the norm, because well, you just pushed out a baby...But what you may not expect is for her to be swollen so big you can barely walk. And don't even try to look, ladies. Because you WILL cry. I made that mistake.

Along with that scary sight, you will be too sore to even care that while attempting your shower, you made the bathroom look like someone was murdered. Yes, we all know you bleed after having your sweet baby. But what you don't know is how uncontrollable it might be.

One last thing, that may haunt you for a while. Hemorrhoids. Need I saw more? 

There are plenty of other things that will make you feel unlike yourself and you feel like you never will. But give it time. You'll be back to normal in a few weeks!

Here are some MUST HAVES. Your hospital will probably provide these things, but if they don't -- make your husband go get you these things ASAP.

First off, granny panties = your best friend. They will go nicely with the rather large pads you will need.

THESE BOTTLES. It is VERY important to wash yourself after every bathroom break after giving birth. After what you just went through, the last thing you want is an infection. And it will relieve some soreness. I used these for probably 3 weeks, I just felt so much better if I did. I filled it up with warm water and just washed after I used the restroom.

The hospital will provide you these, or something similar. BUT I recommend buying more. Because you will run out quick. You will want to stack a few of these onto your pad and add a little epifoam {which should be provided to you} after you clean yourself. They will help with the swelling and relieve some soreness as well.

Witch hazel. I cannot stress how important this stuff was to me. I used a huge bottle! If you don't want to spend money on more tucks pads, just sprinkle some witch hazel on a pad! I did this for weeks. Also, if you are unfortunate & get the dreaded hemorrhoids, THIS works wonders. Don't waste money on those expensive creams. This stuff is amazing! 

One last thing, I know you won't be feeling wonderful. Up all night with a newborn, being sore, and just puny. But take some time out of your day to freshen up. Take a shower, throw on a dab of makeup. Makes a world of difference and will make you feel better. 

I know this post isn't helpful if you have a c-section, but this is just from my experience & I hope I helped prepare you! :)

What items you will {and won't} need for your new baby.

All new moms wonder the same thing: "What do I need to buy for my new baby?!"

The answer is quite simple: Whatever YOU think YOU will use. 

You will hear different things from other moms while you're preparing for your bundle of joy to arrive. There will be items one mom used, while the other never touched.

For example, when I was pregnant, I was told by several moms I would not need a changing table because I would just wind up changing my baby on whatever was closest to me: bed, floor, couch, etc. I was SO close to not purchasing a changing table but decided the extra storage would be nice. Let me tell you, we have NEVER changed a diaper anywhere BUT on the changing table. I am so glad we made that purchase! I can't imagine not having one!

Another item is the Diaper Pail {or Diaper Genie}. You will hear, "Oh, you don't need that! Just double bag those dirty diapers and put them in the trash!" Although this MAY sound easier. It's not. We received a Diaper Pail as a gift and we LOVE it. It sits right beside our changing table. Change that diaper, open the pail lid, insert diaper & shut it! Not to mention, it's super easy to empty out and holds quite a few dirty diapers!

It is like this with several baby items: wipe warmers, pack n' plays, bouncers, swings.

It is all about what YOU need. Every mom parents differently and every baby likes different things. If there's anything you wind up buying and don't use, it's not the end of the world! Just sell it! :)

There is not a manual on what YOUR baby will need. Follow your instincts, they're usually right! Never base your decisions on another moms experience.

Honestly, go ahead and register/purchase all the baby items you can. Nothing is worse than having your little babe here and thinking, "Man, I really wish I had that *insert item*" You can always return/sell an item but it's so nice to have it right there if you need it!

It is a learning process: being a new mom. So experiment and decide what works for you and your family. And enjoy every second of it ;)

You never know who you truly are until you're a mom.

You never know how scared and nervous you can be until you see two pink lines that will change your life.

You never know how amazed you can be until you see that little heart flicker for the first time on that screen in the doctors office.

You never know how excited you can be until you find out if you're having a dancing little girl or a bouncing little boy.

You never know how strong you are until you have those contractions and welcome a new life into the world.

You never know how much love you have until you have the baby you've felt for months and only imagined, laying on your chest just a few minutes old.

You never know how obsessed you can be with the smallest eyelashes and the cutest fingernails. 

You never know just how much you adore your husband until you see how much he loves your child. 

When you see that sweet little love, you never knew you could put someone before you self like this. You could give up everything, to make sure this little human has everything they need & more. To see this sweet baby smile, you'd do anything. Make the scariest faces in public just see those squinty eyes beam and that gummy smile spread across that face. 

Your whole life changes when you have a little baby. You truly never know yourself completely until your faced with being a mom. You learn more about yourself as you go. Not only are you watching this amazing baby grow -- but you're growing as well. 

It's a once in a lifetime love that makes you realize what you are capable of.

forever yours.

How long do you wanna be loved?

Is forever enough, is forever enough?

 

Homemade Enchiladas!

This is one of my favorite meals!

What you will need:

• 2 cans of mild enchilada sauce {I get 2 hot and one medium because we love spicy}
• 1 can of hot enchilada sauce
• 1 block of mild cheddar cheese 
• 1.5 pounds of ground beef
• tortilla shells
• onions - optional {I prefer onions but my husband doesn't like them so I cook it without} 

Preheat the oven to 400.

I like to go ahead and grate my cheese before starting so that it will be quicker. After you do that, you will want to go ahead and start browning the meat. If you're wanting onions, you will cook it with the meat. Once it's all good and cooked, drain the meat really well. I pour the meat into a drainer and wipe the grease from the pan with a paper towel. Once that is done, put the pan back on the burner on a medium heat, and pour in one can of mild sauce and half of the hot.

Keep that on a medium heat and stir it all together.

Next step, you'll get the dish you plan on baking it in. You will lay out a tortilla and begin adding the meat and sauce into one and rolling it up. Repeat. Do this until your dish it full.

 You will cover the top with the rest of the enchilada sauce {one can of mild and half can of hot} and top that with your shredded cheese!

Stick that in the oven. Just until the cheese is melted!

And viola! It is DELICIOUS.

Breast is best.

Breastfeeding has been one of the most challenging things as a new mom. Sounds silly, right? It is the most natural way to feed your baby, yet the most difficult. It takes a toll on you emotional and physically.

When Oliver was just a newborn, I HATED breastfeeding. But I refused formula. I have nothing against formula feeding. But for me it just was not an option. Just thinking about it, I was overwhelmed with guilt. Being able to produce what he NEEDS and being too selfish to give it to him -- I couldn't handle it. The first few weeks were the hardest. I felt like it was ALL I did, and it was. Cluster feedings when all I wanted to do was sleep. Literally HOURS at a time.

The first night we were home from the hospital, I was so exhausted and frustrated, I gave him formula {and cried while I did so}. When he projectile vomited it up and cried because it upset his tummy, I told myself NEVER again. I felt so guilty.

The moment I realized breastfeeding was worth it was at his 2 week appointment when we realized he had gained so much weight already. To know I did that: I created all the nutrients he needed to gain so much and be so healthy. NOTHING comes close to that. I did that.

I am SO happy when I hear about new moms breastfeeding. Especially when they stick through the first weeks. A lot of women think formula is the easy way out. And it is, in some ways. You don't have to worry about your child not getting enough, you don't have to worry about clogged ducts or Mastitis, no worrying about your milk supply because it's in a can in the cabinet. Breastfeeding is FREE. And it is SO good for your child. Breastfed babies don't get sick as much as formula babies. Did you know it is actually good to breastfeed your child while your sick? Because of the anti bodies in your milk, your baby builds up an immunity to the sickness. Is that not amazing? Honestly, I don't know why every mom doesn't at least TRY breastfeeding?

Once I hit the 2 month mark is probably when it became something I am used to now. Yes, it sucks getting engorged in the middle of the night and having to get up and pump to make sure your supply doesn't decrease. But it is worth it. Breastfeeding can prevent obesity as well.

I was back down to my pre-pregnancy weight about 2 weeks after delivery. I blame breastfeeding!

You would think, breastfeeding is a hassle. But it's not. If you forget a bottle at home or the milk... No problem! You have some ready! I personally like to pump before going somewhere just to have a bottle ready. But if I ever forgot it and needed to feed Oliver ASAP, it is no big deal at all! I carry my breastfeeding cover in his diaper bag at all times.

Breastfeeding also makes those long nights of feeding so much easier. No getting up to make a bottle. I simply wake up, reach over into the co-sleeper and get him, feed him, lay him back down, go to sleep. I have no reason to get up unless it is to change his diaper. It's actually proven breastfeeding mommas get more sleep. {and boy, do we need our sleep!}

The benefits for your baby are endless. That isn't all thought -- you, momma, have a lower risk of breast & ovarian cancer, diabetes and heart disease!

One thing I want all new breastfeeding mommas to know is: IT GETS BETTER. I know the first weeks are miserable. At least it was for me. I wanted to quit so bad. But in the end, it is totally worth it. I am not 3.5 months in, and I have learned to appreciate it. Breastfeeding now, is my time to relax. It's calm. Sometimes Oliver will be nursing and just stare at me, I will glance at him & he will smile so big at me. It's like he knows how amazing it is. <3

I do know some people just are not able to do it. And I have loads of respect for them even trying because some moms don't even give it a chance! I advocate breastfeeding. I am no expert. I have had my issues with it. But I can't imagine it any other way!

See those chubby cheeks!? Breastfeeding :P