October Freezer Meals-Choosing the Recipes

This is my third month of freezer meals with a good friend. Our babies are 7 months apart and we both appreciate a healthy, ready-to-eat meal. After working (in or out of the home) all day, it's so wonderful to dig into a hot meal from the slow cooker or a casserole steaming from the oven. We met once a month with the ingredients for us each to make 6 recipes. Then, we go home with half of each recipe for a total of a dozen freezer meals!

Last month I had a lot of dump and go meals. These were mostly slow cooker meals, but I did have a casserole and a batch of white chili. This time I was drooling over some other more labor intensive recipes, so I decided to invest some additional prep time.

First, I went through my Pinterest board for freezer meals and analyzed my recipes for similarities. For instance, if I need shredded chicken for one recipe, I might as well shred a bunch of chicken and use it for multiple recipes. I chose to use shredded chicken in my recipes because my friend made this AWESOME hot chicken salad a couple of months ago. Little K and I especially savored it. It called for shredded chicken, so....I collected shredded chicken recipes.

Hot Chicken Salad from Add a Pinch

The second recipe I chose was Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. One of my co-workers was raving about the dish...so I had to put it on the list.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole from Tasty Kitchen

Keeping with the cooked shredded chicken, I decided on Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole. The recipe starts with shredded chicken and cooked rice, so.....

Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole from Jo Cooks

...I thought I would do Cheesy Chicken Broccoli & Rice Casserole.

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli & Rice Casserole from Mom on Time Out

Now that I'm cooking broccoli, I decided to try this super simple recipe for Jumbo Pasta Shells.

Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Shells with Alfredo Sauce by Eat at Home Cooks

Well, I ran out of shredded chicken recipes. About that time, I came across this delicious comfort food recipe for Oven-Baked Frito Pie. So, it finished my half dozen recipes.

Oven-Baked Frito Pie from My Family Meal Plan

I will post my shopping list and make-ahead prep after our cooking day! Until then, I'm drooling over the pictures.

Farm Life....

Tina from Catching Fireflies did a photoshoot for our family in the cornfield. She caught some priceless moments!

Baby toes!

Walking hand-in-hand through the field....

Playing in some corn!

Baby-Led Weaning: Why I Chose to Let My 5 month old Try Solids

First of all, if you are thinking of doing Baby Led Weaning (BLW), I highly encourage you to read the book. It made me feel much more confident in giving my baby solids when I knew the biology behind it.

My main concerns were - How does the baby chew food? How do you know the baby won't choke?

1. Your baby is just playing with food, not eating for primary nutrition, like an adult would. Food is a new 'toy' for your baby. She will discover that some substances have a taste and can be broken into smaller pieces. Little K started with a slice of fresh peach. She licked it and decided it had a yummy flavor!

In this case, since baby is getting the majority of calories and nutrients from breastmilk or formula, chewing is overrated. Baby can gum or gnaw on food, but she doesn't need to chew efficiently yet. Still, it's a good idea to stick with first foods that are melt-in-mouth baby friendly. Juicy foods (like a good steak) let baby explore a variety of flavors and textures.

2. Young babies have a gag reflux much further forward in their mouths than adults and older children. This helps teach your baby to take small bites and chew her food throughly before swallowing. She has to have the food in small pieces in order to swallow it. Baby will gag on food that is too big without danger of choking.

I knew Little K was ready to start Baby Led Weaning when she grabbed my bowl of cereal and dumped it, followed by grabbing my full spoon and attempting to put it in her mouth. Your baby will let you know when she is ready to try eating like Mama!

Daycare Decisions

Unfortunately, Day Two of daycare went no better than the first day. The good news was that the next day we sent Little K to stay with her aunt for the day. This worked much better. Little K was sleeping peacefully when I picked her up. She ate rice cereal and took a bottle. YAY!

The bottom line:

 1. Find a daycare location where your baby is comfortable. Little K had visited and spent several hours a time at her aunt's house while I was there, too. So, she had semi-familiar surroundings.

2. Provide opportunities for you and your baby to visit your provider. Let your baby know your provider is a friend.

3. Leave some baby clothes at your provider's house, then put them on your child when you are at home. This way your baby becomes familiar with the smell of your provider's home. Sometimes it helps to send something from home with a comforting scent (like a blanket).

Down in the Daycare Dumps

So, everyone said, "It's going to be so hard to leave her." Confession: It wasn't. I knew Little K would enjoy playing and watching the other kids. She had been taking a bottle of formula regularly for me during mid day. While she was shy around others, when I wasn't around, she didn't seem to care... So I left her, smiling and cooing, at daycare, confident she would enjoy herself.

WRONG! When I picked Little K up from her first day (only a half day) she was screaming. The daycare provider confided that Little K had bawled the whole time and refused to eat. My provider had rocked her, walked around with her, tried to distract her with toys, the pacifier, and a bottle to no avail. Little K quieted the instant I picked her up.

I spent hours crying, thinking, "She thought that she had to cry for FOUR HOURS until I came for her." To top off my anguish, the provider said she won't take Little K if she won't eat. (When we got home, Little K took 4 ounces from her bottle.)

What am I going to do? Well, we're trying it again, with pumped breastmilk instead of formula, and LOTS of prayer. Fingers crossed for a better half day this morning.

Almond Cranberry Granola Bites

Do any other breastfeeding mothers feel like they're always starving or is it just me? I have eaten so much food today, I don't even want to think about it.

One of my healthy snack foods has been granola bites. I got started with Funfetti Granola Bites, but, like my husband pointed out, they're too sweet. So, I tried to find healthier granola recipes. I tweaked this Almond Cranberry Granola recipe to fit my tastes. The original recipe called for peanut butter (why do that when almond butter is available?).


After assembling the ingredients, mix everything together and chill for about 30 minutes.






Use one of these nifty scoops to shape the bites. TA-DA!

Almond Cranberry Granola Bites

1 cup oatmeal

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup almonds, chopped

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup almond butter

1/3 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all ingredients together. Chill 30 minutes. Scoop into bites. Enjoy!

Dark Chocolate Granola Bites a.k.a. Mom Snacks

I got addicted to granola bites when I made a Funfetti version. My hubby complained they were too sweet.....which would explain why they were sooooo good. So, I tried several different recipes. My favorite (after the Funfetti) were these.

Dark Chocolate Granola Bites

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup flax seed

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, chopped

Mix all ingredients together. Chill 30 minutes. Roll into balls.  

 This is a great recipe for a breastfeeding mother because it has lactation encouraging oatmeal! Plus, they're quick to make and easy to snack on while nursing.

My Natural Childbirth Experience

Ever since I got married, I had a niggling fear that when I had a baby, it would end in a c-section. While I understand the importance of the medical procedure, I had no desire to be cut open! So, when I found out I was expecting Little K, I began researching how to avoid a c-section. My findings led to a home birth-which I knew my husband wouldn't go for. However, I thought I might be able to convince him to let me go to a birth center.

So, I shared all the information I had gathered on the medicalization of birth. I pointed out that I dislike hospitals. I emphatically stated that I wanted to recover in my own bed. After briefly trotting out the idea of home birth, I put that horse in its stall and suggested the birth center. My husband graciously told me I could decide where I wanted to give birth (as long as it wasn't at home). That settled it. I was going to the Topeka Birth and Women's Center.

The center is in an old Victorian home. I loved the pictures of the exterior and interior immediately. My house was built in 1900, so the center would be the next best thing to being at home. I knew I would be able to relax in such comforting surroundings. This also helped convince my husband, because he loves old homes as much as I do.


In the weeks leading up to Little K's birth, we got to know the ladies at the Birth Center and respect their incredible knowledge. After the first required childbirth class (which for me was a review of what I had read online about the dangers of medicalizing birth), my husband really understood why I had been so emphatic about avoiding a hospital birth. This information did not imply that you can't have a natural birth in a hospital, but just pointed out that it's much more difficult to do so.

I was encouraged to labor at home as long as possible. This ended up being about half the day. I labored on the bed at the center for several long hours. Then I moved to the tub. That was heavenly! I relaxed in the water....until it was time to push. I moved to the bed and my husband said the midwife did a great job of having me change positions to help move things along. (I just did what I was told at that point.)


After Little K arrived that evening, we had some quiet cuddles. My husband and I snuggled with her on the bed for quite a while. Then, four hours later, we got to go home! I was so excited to be headed back to my own, comfy bed. Although, to be fair, I didn't have any complaints about the bed at the birth center.

Even though I'll be the first to admit I didn't handle the pain of labor well, I will be going back to the birth center for my next birth. I felt like the midwives cared about our family as people, not patients. Bonus: no c-section needed!

Traveling with Baby: Avoiding Screaming Serenades

I never really worried about traveling in the car with baby. Everyone said things like, "Babies always sleep in the car. They love riding in the car. We always take our baby for a drive to put him to sleep."

They are some lucky ducks. My baby was only like that until about 4 weeks old. Then we were rudely thrust into a world where the baby screamed in the car seat. Oh, things would start out well. She would lay quietly. Then she would scream her head off until we reached our destination and took her out. So, aside from buying some earplugs, we came up with some solutions to content the baby.

1. Start with a full tummy and clean diaper. Whenever possible, change the baby's diaper and nurse her immediately before placing her in the car seat. If she doesn't fall asleep while nursing, being full will at least help her be more comfortable on the ride.

2. Give baby a comfort object. For Little K, we give her a lightweight or fluffy blanket, depending on the weather. It helps her relax when she has something to grasp. If your baby gets quiet, be sure to glance back and made sure she hasn't pulled the blanket over her face. Little K has never done this, but it's better to check just in case.

3. When the baby starts to show interest in toys, find a favorite one for car rides. Little K loves her turtle. It rattles, makes crinkly noises, and has a mirror on the bottom.

4. Give baby something interesting to look at.  We put one of those car mirrors at the base of Kaylee's seat so she can admire herself. Sometimes it also works well to have someone sitting back there to amuse her







5. Make sure baby is comfortable. Little K gets the sun in her eyes in the mornings and evenings, so we hang a light blanket over the bar of the seat to provide some shade.

6. Have a pacifier handy. We keep a pacifier clipped to the head support in the seat. Sometimes Little K needs a few minutes of sucking to tip her over into dreamland....








7. Sympathize with baby. Think of how you feel after riding in the car for hours on end. Your rear starts tingling and you just want to stretch out. Babies get the same way! Whenever possible, take your baby out for a stretch. Put her in the carrier or sling while you're in the grocery store. Let her nap in your arms over lunch. Giving your baby a break from the car seat will do wonders.

Good luck to fellow suffering parents...you have my deepest sympathies for your hearing. My final tip is to drive fast and don't take the scenic route! The sooner you reach your destination, the sooner your baby can be comforted.

Aren't Cloth Diaper Babies Exempt from Diaper Rash?

I was disappointed to discover Little K was developing a diaper rash even with 100% cloth diaper usage. In the past, she's gotten a little red, but always cleared up after a diaper change or two. If she started appearing irritated, I would use a Charlie Banana diaper with its soft microsuede to soothe it. That usually did the trick. Until....I used natural fibers for several diapers in a row.

The advantage to natural fibers is their absorbency. A thin bamboo layer will absorb much more than a microsuede or microfiber layer of the same size. However, the natural fibers don't wick moisture away from the baby's skin. This is an advantage for older babies, because it provides an incentive for potty training. Little babies, on the other hand, can suffer from horrendous rashes from rubbing against a wet diaper.

One way to handle the situation is to use a diaper liner. This seems like an annoying extra step...so I decided to try to heal the diaper rash. I investigated creams that were cloth diaper friendly, noticing two common ingredients-witch hazel and olive oil. Within 18 hours of patting Little K with witch hazel and following it with an olive oil massage, her skin looked much better.

To cut down on the mess, I try to pour the witch hazel on while the soiled diaper is still under Little K. That way the diaper catches any extra drips. (Sometimes she's too wiggly for this!) Then, to get just the right amount of olive oil, pour a bit into the cap. Dip your fingers in the cap and rub the oil into baby's bum. This is Little K's favorite part-she loves her olive oil massage.

So, if you want to invest in a cloth diaper friendly rash cream, there are some great options out there. But while you're waiting on your chosen treatment to arrive, pull out the olive oil. Your baby will appreciate the care.

Cloth Diapering 101: Prefolds and Flats

What's a flat?

If you're like me, when you hear the term flat used as a noun, you think of a box of peaches. But when you're speaking of diapers, it refers to a single layer of fabric you fold and lay in the diaper cover. You can make your own, but I wouldn't recommend it. They are the cheapest type of diaper to buy, so it's not like you're spending big bucks in the first place. You can buy the cheap cotton flats sold by Gerber...but mine absorbed so little I kept using them for burp rags. I prefer my bamboo flat from Nicki's Diapers. To use a flat, you fold it until it fits inside your cover, snap the cover around the baby, and change the flat when it's wet.

How's a prefold different than a flat? 

They're both absorbent pieces of fabric....

A prefold is more than one layer of fabric. (So, you don't have to 'fold' it into layers.) I have used the Gerber prefolds and the Econobum prefolds. Both are cotton, but the Econobum has more layers than Gerber. So, when I want a trim diaper that I don't mind changing every few hours, I pull out the Gerbers.

How to Fold a Flat

1. Fold the diaper into fourths (half, and half again, making a square).

2. Fold the diaper into thirds. TA-DA!

Using Flats inside a Diaper Cover

This is the best part of flats-just lay it inside the diaper cover.

How to Fold a Prefold

1. Fold the fabric into thirds.

2. Fan one end of the diaper.

Using Prefolds inside a Diaper Cover

The Easy Way

1. Lay the diaper (folded into thirds) inside the cover.

2. Fold the front of the diaper back to fit inside the cover.

Pinning a Prefold

1. With the fan of the diaper under the baby's rear, bring the folded end up to the front.

2. Fold the top of the diaper down as needed to fit the baby.

3. Pin the fanned part to the front, making sure it is tight around the baby's legs.

4. Put a diaper cover on.

5 Things to Know to Cloth Diaper Successfully

I tried to research cloth diapers before buying. Much of what I read consisted of, 'try different things until you find what works for your baby.' While it's true that everyone needs to experiment to find their preferred style (all-in-one, pocket, flats, prefolds, hybrid, etc), there are a few things I wish I had known beforehand.

1. If you are planning on using a diaper to as part of an outfit, purchase several of the same color (all-in-one or pocket) so you can keep baby color-coordinated throughout the day. If you are using a cover, you probably only need two of the same color. (When you are using a cover, you only need to change the soiled insert or the fitted diaper.) Free tip: It's a good idea to look through baby's wardrobe before ordering diapers....

2. Bamboo is WAY more absorbent than cotton. It's totally worth the extra money.

3. Snaps are awesome, but be careful not to pinch the chubby baby leg fat in them. I've done this three times now....and felt AWFUL about it every time. That's a plus for velcro-no pinched babies. 

4. Usually you can just lay a prefold inside the diaper cover-it doesn't have to be wrapped around baby's rear!

5. Online cloth diaper stores have regular sales and coupons. Closeout colors and factory seconds sell for a reduced price. Building a stash doesn't have to be expensive!

Good luck with your cloth diapering experience! Sometimes it takes a few weeks (or months) to feel confident, but stick with it! It will eventually seem as easy as disposables. 

Cloth Diaper Review: Blueberry-Part 2

Besides my Blueberry diaper with the microterry inserts, I also have one with bamboo inserts. This diaper (Swaddlebees) has a cotton velour lining and cotton/bamboo inserts. The exterior is soft minky.


The best thing about bamboo inserts is their thinness. This helps the diaper be a lot more trim. However, the rest of the diaper has plenty of space....so you can stuff it with different inserts. I have used the microterry insert in this diaper with the same success as the bamboo inserts. I was shocked to find the bamboo to have almost the same absorbency as microterry. Basically, it absorbs as much as the regular microterry insert without the doubler. So, it gets a little soggy when used for overnight, but it doesn't get dripping wet. 

I really don't care for this diaper because it is so wide across the bottom. Unlike my other Blueberry diaper, it doesn't keep Little K perfectly dry all night, so I only reach for this one if it is the last thing in the drawer. I know I've never had a leak...but I'm not sure LK's really tested it in that area, either.

Bottom Line: A nice diaper for an older baby, but go for the microterry inserts if you want higher absorbency.

Cloth Diaper Review: BumGenius 4.0

The BumGenius is a one size pocket diaper. It comes with a one size and a newborn insert. The diapers are available in a rainbow of colors and hues. (I have a variety of greens and yellows.) 

The BumGenius is a nice diaper. There's nothing really outstanding about it, good or bad. The absorbency is decent. It works for overnight, although it's a little soggy in the morning. It contains breastfed baby blowouts 99.9% of the time. It's not exactly bulky, but it's not exactly trim, either. I think the best part of the diaper is that it can be bleached once a month. After the bleach washing, it looks brand new!

Bottom Line: The BumGenius is a good diaper. But if you can afford the extra money, get Blueberry diapers instead.

Cloth Diaper Review: Blueberry Part 1

 The Blueberry One Size pocket diaper is one of the most expensive pocket diapers available. But, you get what you pay for. 




The lining of the diaper is bamboo. It's not as soft as microfleece, but very absorbent. The absorbency is the best part of the diaper. It comes with a doubled insert and a single layer insert.

This is the only diaper Little K has used all night (11 hours) and felt dry in the morning. It's all thanks to the many layers of stuffin-see right! Word of warning: This diaper did have a poop leak out the back when it was over full. But, that could be user error-it might not have been tight enough.

The downfall to this diaper is that it is wide across-LK has to spread her legs for it. Also, the bamboo isn't very soft. So, I wouldn't recommend it for a newborn. However, width aside, the diaper is relatively trim when snugly fitted.

Bottom line: I would highly recommend this diaper in bamboo with the microfiber inserts. It works great for heavy wetters and bigger babies. I know I'll be adding several more to my stash!

Cloth Diaper Review: Best Bottom-Part 1

I purchased the Best Bottom diaper after reading several blogs recommending it for nighttime use. However, I have not purchased the overnight inserts or the doubler, so I can't comment on it's effectiveness for that length of time. Best Bottom covers are one size, but their inserts are sized small, medium, and large.

The Best Bottom is a hybrid diaper. You use snaps to secure the 'stuffins' inside the diaper. Sometimes, instead of using the inserts, I use a prefold inside the cover. In fact, my favorite insert for this diaper is a bamboo flat! 

I spent the extra money to get the hemp/bamboo inserts for added absorbency. Also, I've read the microfiber ones tend to leak after months of use. I'm happy with the performance of the hemp/bamboo insert. However, it does stain. 

But the best part of using inserts is the ability to reuse the cover! As long as the cover is not dirty, you simply unsnap the soiled insert and replace it with a dry one. I LOVE this system! Although, it should be noted that dear husband prefers pocket diapers.

This diaper is extremely well made, including double elastic on the leg holes. I have never had a poop problem with a Best Bottom diaper. Little K has typical breastfed poos, so that's really impressive-NO blowouts with this diaper. Sometimes the elastic will get a little soggy-I think LK would need the doubler to go more than 3 or 4 hours with this diaper.

Bottom Line: You can't go wrong with this one! Experiment to find the inserts (or fitted diapers) that work best for you.