Baby Food - Squash

Hunter loves squash so I decided to make him some! This was so much easier then I thought it would be. I got a pretty small squash so it didn't make as much as I was hoping for, but definitely enough for a couple meals.

First, cut the squash in half, lengthwise. Then scoop out the seeds.

Then, lay the squash in a baking pan with 1-2 inches of water with the insides down.

Bake at 400 degrees for 50 minutes. I just scooped the squash out with a spoon and put it in a food processor. I added a little of the water and processed until smooth. I then added it to a couple of containers I had and an ice cube tray. Wait until the food has cooled before putting it in the freezer! Hunter loves it! And it made a lot more for less, which is always the point!

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Today was a baby making food day! It wasn't as extreme as I was planning on it, however, I did make a few meals for my little Huntman. I grabbed some apples and bananas and went to work!

For the bananas I cut them up and pureed them in the food processor. I added a little water to make them more smooth. I put the bananas in containers by themselves.

For the apples I peeled them and cut them up into small squares. I then put them in a pot with a little water and steamed them until I could mash them. I had some banana left in the food processor so I just added the apples and processed it all together! Apples and bananas!! Whoo! I put the mixture in the two containers that I had left and the rest of the mixture in the ice cube tray.

TIP: Wait until the food has cooled before putting it in the freezer. This helps eliminate the ice crystals!

I'm excited for Hunter to eat these. I know he is going to love them!

It is the simple things...

Hunter experienced his first Christmas this past weekend. As I probably have said before, everything Hunter is learning and experiencing is more exciting for me then it probably is for him! I took so many pictures of him opening his presents and of course his stocking. Santa did not forget my 5 1/2 month old! When we made it to my parent's house, which was our last Christmas of the weekend, he loved their tree. He loves all Christmas trees but as I was helping him stand in front of it I couldn't help but notice how he just stared at the lights on the tree and felt the branches. Can you imagine how different the branches must free compared to all his soft, fuzzy clothes and blankets? Everything he is learning, I learned too. I once felt all these different textures and saw all these new things. It doesn't take much to make a baby happy. Heck, the other day I gave Hunter a water bottle and you would think he won the lottery! As we were spending time with our families over the weekend, I once again was hit with reality at how fast life can change and how precious the time is that we share with our loved ones. We never know what is going to tomorrow or even an hour from now, but we have those memories that eventually fade a little more everyday, but we never lose the feelings we had when we were with the people we love. Christmas is a magical time and I think that having a baby around makes you realize how much magic there really is. You get to live like a child again. I wish I could look at life like Hunter does. I wish I could see everything for the first time again. I think I would be much more appreciated. Hunter teaches me more then I think I teach him. 

Hunter opening his first tractor! 

I made three desserts for Christmas and I think they were a great hit. I made a cheesecake and was pretty nervous about how it would turn out, but I thought it was pretty good for a first time! Cheesecake is kind of confusing because the middle isn't suppose to be completely firm, but it turned out great. I also made reindeer cookies and santa hats. 

Reindeer cookies!

Santa hats!

White Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake

Now, it's time to get back into the swing of things. Pick up the house, find places for all the gifts we received, and start the weekly meal planning again. Gosh, when you get off your regular schedule it is very hard to get back on. I have to find time to run this week. The weather here for December has been super mild and I need to get in a couple runs soon. I miss those roads, or well, sidewalks. Hunter is sleeping in his swing so I should take advantage of this quiet time and get some things accomplished. 

Hanging out in his Fisher Price swing. This thing has been a lifesaver!

Until next time...between diapers and miles.

I did it!

My first batch of sweet potatoes! 

Last night I made my first batch of baby food. I made about 13 ounces of sweet potatoes for little Huntman. I am pretty proud of myself! It was so much easier then I thought it would be. I am definitely interested in making more veggies and fruits for this little guy. The new food processor we got is amazing! However, last night when Hunter was in his high chair and I turned the food processor on turned out to be a horrible idea. Hunter DOES NOT like the noise! I turned it off, looked at him, and he immediately turned his mouth into a frown and started to cry. I put him in the other room, but the noise still made him upset. I'm hoping that he will soon get used to it or maybe next time I'll have to put him upstairs in his crib. We will see! I recommend every mommy at least TRY to make their own baby food. I think you will be surprised at how easy it is! I didn't use a specific recipe. I just did some research and put all my information together and BAM! I peeled and cut up the sweet potato and put it in a sauce pan and barely covered it with water. I boiled/steamed it until the potato was soft. I didn't time it because Hunter and I were dancing around the kitchen! Opps! After the potato was soft and I could mash it with my spoon, I put it in the food processor and mixed it until smooth. I added the left over water that was in the sauce pan when I boiled/steamed the sweet potato into the processor. After I had it mixed pretty well, I poured the sweet potato into an ice cube try. Froze it and put the cubes into a freezer bag! Labeled the bag and it was all finished! Success! I am very excited about the other foods I will try. I will definitely keep you all posted on how it works out!

I made the Monterey Chicken last night and it was AMAZING! So easy to make and had great, great flavor. Everyone should make this! I added some green beans and it was a yummy meal! My husband loved it!



Yesterday was a very successful day in the kitchen! I can't wait to try out my Manicotti tonight and see how that turns out!

Oh...Monday...

Everyone always says how much they dislike Mondays. I've never been one to understand that. I'm not going to go out on a limb and say that I LOVE Mondays, but I definitely do not dislike them. I feel like it's a start to the week. If we didn't have Mondays, then Tuesdays would be Mondays. I usually try to do my weekly grocery shopping on Monday mornings since usually it isn't too busy. I enjoy it! I plan out what the meals are for the week and then I buy groceries. I find it really exciting. Haha! Meal planning is interesting to me and takes a lot of stress off. It is nice to know what you are going to make for dinner and already have the ingredients on hand. I hate when it gets to be about 5:30 and I have no clue on what to make. I feel VERY accomplished when I know what we will eat all week! 


I am going to try to make baby food today! Pears and sweet potatoes! We will see how this turns out. I'm not really sure how so if anyone has any advice, let me know. Hunter tried applesauce Saturday and yesterday. He loved it! I think that is how we will finally get him to eat rice cereal. He is not a fan of that, but when I added applesauce to it, he scarfed it down! He's getting so big. Yesterday Ross took him out of the swing and laid him on his tummy on the floor and he was holding himself up and then just rolled from his tummy to his back. It was such a BIG roll! We laughed so hard at his expression while he just laid on the floor and smiled. He is getting a personality that is so sweet and cute. He has to be the funniest little guy I've ever met. Hunter surprises me every single day. 


Last night Ross and I were talking about how we cannot imagine life before Hunter. It is amazing how a child just captures all your emotions and can change every second of your life. The mornings with Hunter are my favorite. This morning when I went in to get him from his crib, I said, "Good morning Hunter!" And the little guy just smiled and got all excited! When he gets excited he makes this little squeak and bunches up into a ball, kind of, and then will kick his legs out really fast. It is so cute. My heart just smiles and feels so warm inside. I look forward to each day with Hunter and learning new things with him. When he learns something, I feel that I'm relearning it again too. I love sharing everything with him. The best thing is experiencing all the FIRSTS with him. 


We will see how today goes with baby food and the first day of meal planning! I should probably get some Christmas shopping and present wrapping done today too! I hope everyone has a great Monday! Tackle it! 


Meals for the Week!
Monday: Monterey Chicken
Tuesday: Manicotti        
Wednesday: Spicy Country Ribs
Thursday: Sweet and Sour Chicken w/Fried Rice
Friday: (we have a party so I don't have to cook dinner!! Yay!) 

My big baby boy! He's getting so big!!! 

....BETWEEN DIAPERS AND MILES....