Baby Food 101

When we first were able to feed Maryellis solids I was so excited! We did hold off on the baby cereals until she was 5 months, once we started we opted for the baby oatmeal. Our personal preference, we understand everyone has their own timeline and preference of when to begin. 

Maryellis did a few weeks of the oatmeal two times a day. She is definatly not the neatest of eaters- (maybe she's learned from me?!!) But all in all she eats and is happy! 

Around 5 1/2 months we started her on homemade baby food! I really enjoy cooking, being able to have the opportunity and time to make her food is so much fun for me & a blessing. I know what she's eating, and it does save us money. The time to make it honestly doesn't take too much time out of my day and I would say it's worth it. 

A good friend of mine recommend the book "Be'be' Gourmet". It's a wonderful book, inspired by a French mother, who desired to make her children's baby food and with a hope they would become adventurous eaters. I would say so far it's been a wonderful read and guide for me in the kitchen with preparing food. She gives recipes, tips & tricks, wonderful wisdom and all together practical cooking for or family. 

My goal is to that Maryellis will have a balanced diet, rich in nutrition and that she too will develop a love for cooking and healthful food. I won't deprive her of all the treats in the world, but high fattening foods & loads of sugar will have it's limits. (Sorry grandparents- I'm already looking and debating on what her first birthday cake will be.... Something I can create that's for sure!) 

Maryellis is a lover of vegetables, like her mamma! Fruit is coming along, and she's had some meat too which she's enjoyed. Today I'll share a favorite of hers: Green beans & Kale. 

I have frozen green beans and kale from the summer's garden that I rinsed and steamed  in water for about 5-7minutes.

Once they've been cooked I then put them in the blender with some of the leftover water. I also add a tablespoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of some Italian herbs. Makes for great flavor and encourages her to like flavorful
food at a young age! 

Other spices we've tried: 

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, garlic, curry & rosemary.

Then blend away! You can also use a food processor, but this was a much easier route for the amount we were making. 

I have little containers that I put in the freezer which makes for  easy storing and the perfect portion to pull out the day of and thaw for lunch! 

Then we eat! And she is happy! 

Who wouldn't want to eat this? It actually is yummy! She clearly thinks so too! 

Blessings to you! 

Emily 

Swim Lessons!

We had a wonderful time doing swim lessons with Maryellis, she did lessons two times a week for 5 weeks, "Water babies" sure was an adventure.

We had a few other friends who had their babies in the class as well, which added to the fun. Each time we had a lesson the mammas typically did the swimming with the babes. We had lots of songs, baby fetch, wall crawling, jumping off the wall, blowing bubbles, learning to swim with arms, learning to kick, floating and kicking on their backs....and the best/worst part of all: The Dip! I'd say Maryellis did "well" she sure didn't like going to the instructor to dip her, and coming out of it she seemed to shake it off quickly. Towards the last lessons the parents got to dip your baby, that seemed to be better in our case. Our girl is a natural "kicker"-this was her strong suit!

Each class was fun, though some nights she was more tired then others and indifferent about the whole thing, over all we enjoyed them all.

I learned a lot about myself through this, on the evenings that she was having a harder time, I just had to go with the flow, not get sad that she was unhappy. Remembering shes a baby and were going to a evening class to swim in not the warmest of water, so I understand the little cranky moments that she had. Thankfully in the setting we were in- and by the grace of God I didn't ever feel the "parent competition" factor....which I know (unfortunately) is a reality of being a parent >>> feeling judged for how your child is doing, how you are reacting, etc. Its amazing what I can learn from a swim class.

The last class was a play swim, the instructor encouraged the dads to participate too! The babies went on a boat ride...which Maryellis wasn't too sure about at first, took some coaxing that it was fun. Then we each took a turn to go down the slide! Oh it was so fun! The dads did a good job at going down slow with their child, but I'd say the mom's struggled in this. Yikes! Thankfully everyone did well and there were no tears.

 

I'm looking forward to doing swim lessons again with her, I know there is so much more for her to learn, this will be the first of many lessons she'll take. I have lots of memories from doing swim lessons growing up as a young girl, then doing swim team with my sister. I sure hope Maryellis develops a liking to it as her parents do!

blessings,

Emily