Family Pics =) Finally!

Monday morning, my boys and I got our family pictures taken. After rescheduling THREE times due to crappy weather, I was so happy! It was a beautiful day, and even though it was also pretty much Brady's nap time... I knew it went great and we'd get some fabulous pictures. Melissa is SO great at what she does and anyone anywhere near Katy, TX should look her up. Snapped with Love Photography. I got the cd of 60 pics back in 2 DAYS (that was extra fast!) and here are some of my favs :)

Covered in puke, the homemade baby food I slaved over - puke!

Brady is the pickiest little eater. Serves me right, I suppose. I have ALWAYS been a picky eater myself. I sure wasn't thinking about alla that when I got busy in the kitchen with my baby bullet. Brady got his rice and oatmeal first at about 4 months, then a few premade baby foods until I got the bullet for Christmas. That was all easy peasy. Making the food however, I struggled to get the textures and consistencies JUST right. Brady doesn't appreciate anything but puree! Now that he's almost 8 months, I've tried tiny chunks of banana, cheerios, etc. He is NOT interested. I try to find the balance between going at his pace, and gently pushing him to try new things. It's not easy!!

Last night I made him his first meat (I've given him meat in a jar baby food, but this was my first time making it for him). It was potato, chicken, and carrots. He LOVES carrots and will eat them solo in large quantities, so I thought this would go well. One tiny little taste made him THROW UP! 8 oz of baby food for dinner and about 4 oz of milk. Let me tell you, after Eric and I calmed him down, cleaned him up and the mess on the floor, and recouped, it was not a good feeling. I'm trying so hard to make him healthy food so he gets the best nutrition. And he throws it up?? It was just one small bite :( I could've cried. I've made him plenty of things that he likes, but I would consider them all 'firsts'. Carrots, bananas, peaches, squash. I want him to get some new things and new combinations. This baby puts up a real fight! But I ain't backin down.

That's the chicken concoction. Frozen.

I try everything before I give it to him, so I KNOW it tastes GOOD. Eric is also my Guinea pig! :) I don't think it was the taste, but the thicker consistency that grossed him out. I put the chicken combo back in the blender with more water and made it much more puree ish. I will try it again in a few days.

Brady is our first, so I suppose I've got to live and learn. But here are some things I wish someone would've told me to help a sista out :)

My first recommendation is to absolutely, positively get a GOOD PEELER. You will be peeling til your fingers hurt so make sure you don't have a cheap or old one going in. I had a cheapo from Wal Mart and it was stupid! Peeled my fingers more than any fruit. I recommend Pampered Chef for this.

http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=15547&words=peel

Next, you will need lots of storage. The baby bullet really should come with more containers. I thought about ordering more online (which you can do on their website www.babybullet.com/accessories) but I went with Tupperware instead. Wal Mart and Sams have great options!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermaid-40-Piece-Food-Storage-Value-Pack-Set-with-Easy-Find-Lids/15029326

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod3180024&navAction=

Get a steamer! My first baby food making extravaganza, I boiled the fruits and veggies. It's a pain and the nutrients don't stay in the food as much as when steaming. I got mine at Kohls and I love it. It's plastic but it's also two tier. Very convenient for steaming 2 things at once.

Use http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/ for advice and recipes.

Apples and pears are so good and easy to mix with other foods to sweeten them for baby. I mix them with pumpkin (NOT as hard as it seems to make) squash, and sweet potatoes. Brady LOVES his peaches. A good go to when I need my picky little booger to eat without any conflict.

LABEL all the containers with what's inside. Some foods (like bananas and plums) change colors when refrigerated or frozen. I make about 2 weeks worth at a time, so I may even forget what is what and my hubby sure doesn't know :) I use tape and a sharpie.

My biggest suggestion, is making sure baby is sound asleep, very occupied, or the husband is home to watch him. The baby bullet advertises an hour in the kitchen will get you a week's worth of baby food. BS! I spend about 3 – 3/12 hours total to get 2 weeks worth. Pumpkin and squash have to bake for 45 min to an hour alone. Multi-task. But it will still take a while!

Don't forget why you're going to all the trouble. I don't believe making the baby food saves much money. Some things like bananas and potatoes, it definitely does. But mangos, squash, organic apples.. are expensive. But giving your baby healthy, homemade food makes ya feel great! Even if they throw it all up at you once in a while ;)

Peek a Boo with Brady bed head =)

Sleepier & Snottier

I went to my 3rd meet up yesterday. A walk at George Bush park. Once I found where the girls were (ended up at a rifle range first?!) It was perfect weather and great company. Brady got a little fussy because of his teeth and then slept. I think there were about 8 moms and their babies. What I learned is that my child is huge. :) Brady is SO BIG compared to these other babies his age and even a few months older. It makes me laugh. I guess with a Momma that's 6 ft tall, there wasn't much of a chance at being short. At 6 months he was 29 in and almost 20 lbs. About the 97%. Love it. I have always hoped he will be a baseball player.. should I change that to basketball now ;) We got lunch after and grocery shopped. It was a great day. Until I realized later that evening he was getting a fever :(

Brady had a runny nose all week, but no cough, no fever, or anything else sickly. I kept a close eye on things and realized he was sleeping a little more too. After his bath, bottle, bedtime story, he felt a little warm. Sure enough his temp was 99.3. (Side note: I often get “temperature” and “fever” confused. Example: “Eric, I don't think Brady has a temperture” What!?) I called the doctor first thing this morning and they got him in at 11. The congestion was not in his chest at all. Good news. But as soon as she went to check his ears I could tell it hurt. He has a little fluid in his right ear. Apparently colds can turn into ear infections :( Bummer! His doc said on average babies have 3 ear infections by 1 year old! Sheesh! So we are actually doing pretty well since this is his first illness and it's pretty mild. Thank the Lordy. Brady is such a champ! Still all smiles and giggles. Just sleepier and snottier :)

I've lost 2 more lbs and am only 6 away from pre Brady :) I have a feeling these last 6 will be tough to get off but I'm determined to kick them to the curb. I feel crappy sometimes that it's taking so long, but at least it's coming off! So easy to gain, so hard to lose! I've gotten good at promptly sending any bad food in the house to work with Eric.

We are talking about our family trip to Florida later this year. In October we will go to Tampa with my Dad, sister, and brother-in-law. Can't wait!! Eric and I have never been able to go together (I mean we've moved across the country together a few times, but can't think of any real vacations together!) and this time will be with Brady bear of course. He will be almost a year and a half! I can't wait to see his little tush runnin all around the pool and beach :)