Homemade Baby Food

I am sooo not a fan of processed food of any kind. I try to make most of my family's food from scratch, so why should the baby's food be any different? At the suggestion of the kiddos doctor, I started Sophie out on avocados and sweet potatoes, instead of the boxed cereals. She started at about 4 months, when she was holding her head up and taking food off my plate. The avocados I would just mash and give them to her as needed. The sweet potatoes I would boil and toss in the food processor with either the water from boiling, or breast milk if I had any on hand. I would do a whole sweet potato and freeze it in the ice cube trays with covers. I LOVE these trays. The covers keep the germies out and the tray makes the portion size easy.

When it came time to introduce new fruits and vegetables, I found the site Wholesomebabyfood.com really helpful. Actually, I am addicted to it and have it on bookmark tab. For each fruit and vegetable, the site lists the vitamin and mineral content, the recommended age of introduction, and recipes.

Another thing I love when making Sophie's meals is my immersion blender. Honestly, we had gotten this thing as a wedding present and I had no clue what to use it for. One day (4 years after it had been shoved in a drawer) it clicked that I could use it to smash baby food. I will throw some organic frozen veggies (right from the bag that I bought at the grocery store) in the microwave (enough for one serving). I use the water it's cooked in to thin out the consistency and maybe add some apple sauce, or a cube of sweet potato (thawed) and blend it all together. Voila, one serving of baby food!

Cloth Diaper Blog Carnival! What Do I Know Now About Cloth Diapering that I Wish I Knew Before?

This is my first time participating in a blog carnival. It is being hosted by Kim at Dirty Diaper Laundry.
Until I can figure out how to put the link on here, go to Dirty Diaper Laundry to catch the link to the other blogs participating in the carnival.




I have been cloth diapering continuously for almost 3 years. For a while 2 kiddos at a time. What do I know now about cloth diapering that I wish I knew when I first started?

A few things. The first being, don't get overwhelmed! When I was first researching cloth diapers I knew nothing. Friends and family members thought I was insane and either tried to talk me out of it, or were making bets that I wouldn't last long. There were no stores in my area that sold cloth diapers, so no help there either. The computer was information overload. Pre-fold, fitted, all-in-one, or pocket???? Who knew there were so many different kinds of diapers!!! I have since had several friends call me in a panic when they go to purchase their first diaper.



Secondly, there is no "right" way to cloth diaper. Of all the Mommas I know that cloth diaper, no 2 have the same system going. You and your baby will choose what style best suits your needs, be it all in one, or fitted with cover. Be it snaps or hook and loop. I know moms who wet pail, who dry pail, or who use a laundry bag. And washing the diapers? I have tried every method and combination of methods out there and have learned that what works for me, doesn't work for everyone. It depends on your baby's skin, what type of water you have, what kind of washing machine you use, and how you dry. Don't get disappointed if one way doesn't work, there are other options!

Lastly, it's so easy to make cloth diapers! I had been considering making my own for a while, but it took me 9 months into cloth diapering before I finally convinced myself to whip out the sewing machine and make my own. With basic sewing knowledge you can turn an old sweatshirt and T-shirt into a diaper. These pictures are actually of the first diaper I made. When ever I make a mistake I just tell myself "it's just gonna get pooped on"!

So, to some it all up, the most important thing I have learned since I started cloth diapering is that every mom eventually finds her own "way" through the maze of cloth diapering products and information. It takes time and some experimenting, but you'll get there!

Finally!!!!

I opened this blog account weeks ago and am finally writing. At first it was because I couldn't find time. With 2 little ones it is hard to find time uninterrupted. Then it was topics. Soooo many running through my head that I did not know where to start! So today I just decided to start typing. L, my 2 1/2 year old son, is quietly playing with his trucks. S, my almost 9 month old daughter, is napping. It seems I have a moment to myself. For now.

I guess I will start with an introduction. I am a married, stay at home mom. The hubby is working 2 jobs so that I can stay home with the kiddos. It is hard money wise, but we are making it happen. We have been married for 4 years, together 10. I had both kiddos in my mid thirties. I cloth diapered both kiddos until L was potty trained about 6 months ago (YAY!!). We co-slept with both kiddos for at least the first 6 months. I breast fed L for 7 months and am still breast feeding S. All of these will be topics in later posts as they are all very important to me.

Well, first post accomplished!!! Hubby just got home from job number 2. Family time :)