Transition to Finger Foods

It figures that right after I whip up a slew of purees for baby girl her doctor tells us to start with finger foods. I probably could've seen it coming but I decided to go ahead and make her purees of peas, carrots, spinach, lentils and pears just three days before her nine month appointment.  I stopped by Target on the way home from the doctor and bought all of the Gerber finger foods they had (fruit and veggie puffs and yogurt melts).  At her next meal I gave her the puffs and after a little while she figured out how to put them in her mouth and that she liked them!  However, she can't eat puffs at every meal so I began searching for good beginner finger foods.

Below is a list I compiled of beginner finger foods.  She still has a hard time getting them from her tray to her mouth and I think half of what I give her ends up on the floor or under her bottom but she is getting better at it every day!  The good news is that she is still eating the purees and I plan to keep giving them to her until they run out or she refuses them, whichever comes first.  Sometimes I add some bigger chunks to the purees so she has a mix of textures and sizes and so she can get more used to larger chunks of food.  Another note about going from purees to finger foods... it used to take us about 5-10 minutes to eat lunch and now it takes three times as long and she only gets about half of what she used to in her belly.  Oh boy!

Beginner Finger Foods

   

Everything that I used to puree, I just give her a "chunky" version of (peas, green beans, carrots, pears, banana, squash, etc.)

   
Chunks of soft-cooked sweet potato

   
Cooked or canned beans

   
Small pieces of cooked turkey or chicken

   
Well-cooked ground beef/chicken/turkey crumbles

   
Grapes sliced in quarters

   
Bite-sized pieces of ripe avocado

   
Cooked rice

   
Puffed rice cereal

   
Squashed blueberries

   
Squashed cooked peas

   
Cheerio-type cereals

   
Cheese cut into pea-sized cubes

   
Cooked pasta in small pieces

   
Pieces of pancake or waffle

   
Crackers broken into small pieces

Best of luck transitioning to full-on finger foods.  I imagine it is so much easier when they just feed themselves! Almost there! :)

Black Beans and Rice

Some days, ok a lot of days, I lay baby girl down for her afternoon nap, workout and get some free time in and then I realize it is 4:00 and Daddio and baby girl are probably going to want to eat dinner tonight.  Who do they think they are?  After I come to that realization I then remember that I am the one responsible for making sure we do actually eat dinner tonight.  Oh boy.  Sometimes I wonder how we survive with me in charge!  By this time I have obviously forgotten to take something out of the freezer so what does one do?  "Drum roll, please. Drum Roll"...Meatless Entree Night...ta da!  I make this delicious black beans and rice meal on those nights!  Black beans and rice together make a complete protein so this meal is incredibly good for you.  Oh yeah, that is how we survive with me in charge!  I usually have all of these ingredients around so I can make this on a moment's notice and it takes less than 30 minutes!  I recommend serving this with a side of something green!

(Excuse the super fancy plates.  These were taken during the World Series and we had to use them for good luck.  They worked!  Go Sox!)

Black Beans and Rice

2 cans of black beans (drain one can but not the other)

1 tomato (diced) or a can of diced tomatoes

1/4 cup of vinegar (regular or apple cider)

1 large onion (diced)

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp paprika

clove of garlic

salt to taste

1 cup of rice (dry)
2 cups of water (for the rice)

Start by boiling the water (2 cups) for rice.  Meanwhile saute onions in a skillet until translucent.  Once water is boiling, add rice as directed.  Add garlic and other spices to onions.  Add tomatoes, black beans and vinegar and stir all together.  Reduce heat and let black beans simmer and thicken for 10-15 minutes.  

That's it!  You are done! Congratulations, you have made a delicous and healthy meal for your family.  Now sit back with your feet up while your husband does the dishes! (In our dreams, right?)

XOXO Valentines for your Baby Boy XOXO

(1.  Prince Charming Body Double, 2.  My Mom Rocks Tee, 3. Handsome Tee, 4. Fleece Lined Pea Coat, 5. Fleece Lined Jeans)

Next up, options to dress your little prince for Valentines day.  I usually see way more cute outfits for boys when I'm out shopping for my baby girl but this time, girls win.  I guess there is only so much you can do with boy outfits and hearts.  On a side note, I just love the body doubles, they stay tucked in and your baby's belly doesn't show!  

Happy shopping! xoxo

XOXO Valentines for your Baby Girl XOXO

(1. Pleated Heart Dress, 2.  Heart Print Top, 3. Scallop Trim Ponte Dress, 4. Knit Pants, 5.  Cable Knit Poncho, 6. Dot Bow Ponte Dress)

The Holidays are officially over!  What better way to send off the holidays than to get ready for the next one?  The Valentines displays were up in stores around here on December 26...Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, pass the conversation hearts! While I haven't purchased baby girl's Valentines outfit yet, I have found some cute options!  Aren't holidays so much more fun when you have a little one to share it with?

xoxo

Making 2014 Count

I will make 2014 count by giving the year to my daughter.  She turns one this year and is already beginning to learn important things that will shape her life.  I am so blessed to be able to stay home with her and have the opportunity to watch her grow.

This year I want to give her all of my time that she wants.  She is a very independent little girl (I wonder who she got that from) and she likes to do so much on her own. I know she will only rely on me less as she continues to grow so I want to be here for her as much as I can.  She is also the most determined baby I've ever seen.  If she wants to do something she will try her absolute hardest, fall down and get up over and over until she finally does it.  I love the little girl she is becoming.

This year I will take more time to read to her.  I will help her walk until she does it on her own.  I will teach her signs and words and how to swim.  I will practice patience, contentment and serenity, I will dance and sing loud, I will be more like the person I want her to be so she can learn by example.  I will give her my time and all of my heart.