Two Weeks of 'Bliss': Freezer Meal Extravaganza

Bringing Baby Home and NOT Going Hungry: Our Two Weeks of Freezer Meals Dinner Plan

In anticipation of having our hands full with the baby, we have decided it would be wise to prepare a couple of weeks worth of dinners and freeze ahead, so that not only the guess work of "what's for dinner?" is taken care of- the actual time and dedication to daily cooking will be minimized. The reality is sinking in that amidst the cloud of love and excitement over this new being will come true exhaustion and loss of the concept of reality. Worrying about a meal plan, grocery shopping, and spending time in the kitchen won't be feasible. And thus, we have come together to create a hard day's work of cooking in exchange for additional 

sanity points when baby comes home! 

I thought it would be valuable to share this information with my readers because not only do I have friends who are also expecting; I think it would be a great resource for those who would just like to stock the freezer in general for rainy days.... you know, the ones where you get stuck at work late, end up getting sick, or just plain don't feel like being Martha Stewart on the daily. 

And so... after hours of internet research for the best recipes, compiling the mother of all grocery lists, and putting it all together, I bring you the following: 14 dinners and a handful of breakfasts in 'freezer friendly fashion'- all for about $200 bucks!

*Disclaimer: I live on a military base overseas where who knows whether or not the taxes, cost of living, shipping and supply/demand affects and or matches up somewhat to the prices comparable to your area.

General notes if you want to use my list:

-I realized that we are an "onion-lover" family... if you don't like onions, i'm not sure you will love this list.   ....I also try to shove as many vegetables/healthy options in where possible- so substitute and subtract where you see fit. 

-All of my portions are designed for two adults with minimal leftovers... while making this list I tried to be mindful of the fact that while I love casseroles and food in general, I don't love them for three days straight!

-I didn't buy every single ingredient needed, I assume you will have many of the 'staples' I have (see the list below)

-I suggest pairing a few of these meals with fresh sides if possible; salads, garlic bread, etc. 

***Just wanted to give a shout out/ super big "Thank-You" to my husband for helping me out with the shopping and cooking ;)  ****

Let's get started! 

*The Meal Plan*

>Dinners:

1. Pulled Pork Base- good in tacos or sliders

2. Chicken Pot Pie

3. Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas 

4. Creamy Noodle Bake

5. Crockpot Beef & Broccoli 

6. Spaghetti 

7. Crockpot Chicken Chili 

8. Steak 'Fajita-Style' Enchiladas

9. Tuna Casserole

10. Black Bean Soup

11. Pot Roast 

12. Broccoli, Chicken & Rice Casserole

13. Lasagna

14. Hearty Stew 

>Breakfasts:

1. Sausage Biscuits and Gravy Base

2. Breakfast Burritos 

*Recipes* 

1. Pulled Pork- Pair with tacos or sliders. I suggest making this first, as you can have it going all day in the crock pot whilst making the other items; then simply divide into freezer bags and have half for dinner that night!
Ingredients:
-3lb pork shoulder
-1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
-1/4 lg. onion
-2-3Tbsp. minced garlic
-optional: a few dashes of franks red hot
->Simply put thawed pork shoulder in the crock pot with bbq sauce, onion, garlic, franks and cook on low 6-8 hours. Divide and shred when cooked. 
->Label: "Pulled Pork: thaw, heat & serve"

2. Chicken Pot Pie- made this before for Matt and it was a hit!
Ingredients:
-frozen pie crust- feel free to google methods on making your own, in this case I prefer the simple way
-10 oz frozen or canned peas
-8oz other frozen or canned vegetables
-1 large chicken breast (baked and shredded_
-1 Tbsp. garlic
-1 Can cream of celery soup
->Combine all ingredients (peas/vegetables, chicken, garlic and cream of celery and vac seal together. When you are ready to prepare pot pie, simply pull out the vac sealed bag/pie crust and thaw overnight. Follow instructions on the pie crust box for baking. 
->Label: "Chicken pot pie: thaw in fridge overnight with pie crust then bake according to directions" 

3. Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas- crossing my fingers on these, as I haven't had them.. but they sound great ;)
Ingredients:

-6 tablespoons honey
-1 lime (squeezed for juice)
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-½ teaspoon garlic powder
-2 lg. chicken breasts 
-3/4 large onion
-2 Tbsp. garlic
-8-10 fajita-size flour tortillas
-1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
-16 ounces green enchilada sauce (one can)
-½ cup plain Greek yogurt 
-3 Tbsp. Cilantro 

->Mix together the honey, lime juice, chili powder and garlic powder into a Ziploc bag (or other covered container) then add the COOKED shredded chicken. Sauté onion and garlic in a little olive oil and add to the meat mixture. 

-Lightly grease a 9X12-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray and pour ½ cup of the enchilada sauce on the bottom of the pan. Lay out tortillas and equally fill them with all ingredients while reserving a little enchilada sauce for the top; roll up and lay seem down. Save about 1 cup of cheese to sprinkle on top of enchiladas. Pour remaining sauce on top of the enchiladas and top with cheese. Cover with foil and freeze. 
->Label: Honey Lime enchiladas: preheat oven to 350* NO thawing-bake enchiladas for 1 hour covered. Uncover and bake 30 minutes

4. Creamy Noodle Bake: Also haven't had this but looks like good comfort food... definitely one I would try to pair with salad to decrease the guilt factor! 
Ingredients: 
-1lb ground beef
-15 oz can tomato sauce
-8 oz egg noodles
-1/2 cup greek yogurt
-1/2 container small curd cottage cheese
-1/3 cup diced green onions 
-2 cups cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
-Salt and pepper to taste

->Brown and drain ground beef, then add tomato sauce- this is your 'meat sauce'. Meanwhile, get your egg noodles cooking until al dente (drain and empty into medium mixing bowl). Add greek yogurt, green onions, salt & pepper and half the cheese to the noodles.  Layer in a 8X8 pan: first with a small amount of meat sauce on the bottom to keep the noodles from sticking. Noodles/meat sauce/Cheese and repeat. Top with remaining cheese. Cover with foil and freeze.
->Label: "Creamy noodle bake: Thaw in fridge. Bake 350* for 25 minutes uncovered."

5. Crock Pot Beef & Broccoli- this is actually more than just "beef & broccoli"- I like to add a few extra vegetables to pizzaz it up!
Ingredients:
1 ½ lbs. boneless beef chuck roast, sliced into thin strips ( I bought it sliced that way)
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 Tbsp. minced garlic
4 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons sauce from the crock pot after being cooked
16 oz.Broccoli florets 
1 cup baby carrots
1/4 onion (I like it sliced lengthwise or fajita style)
1 can of baby corn

->Mix together beef, beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic, tossing so that all beef is coated. Vac seal and freeze ingredients together. Pull out and let thaw overnight when ready to serve. Placed thawed ingredients in crock pot on high 4 hours; When done, in a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cooking liquid to create a slurry, pour into crockpot, stir to mix well. Cook on low for an additional 30 minutes to thicken up the sauce. Best if served with brown rice. 
->Label: "Crockpot Beef & Broccoli: Thaw overnight: cook in crockpot on high 4 hours"

6. Spaghetti- yummy!
Okay, so for this one I totally cheated and used the same sauce as I put in my lasagna- Simplify Baby! 
Ingredients: (**half recipe if not making lasagna sauce at the same time) 
- Two 29 oz cans pasta sauce
-Two 6 oz cans tomato paste 
-1 can large black olives, sliced
-1 can artichoke hearts, diced
-3 Tbsp. minced garlic
-1 package of italian sausage 
-2 large onions
-olive oil
-Seasonings (as desired) Oregano, italian, pepper. 
-> In large stock pot brown italian sausage with onion and olive oil. Meanwhile slice and dice up all of your olives and artichoke hearts. Once browned, add tomato sauces, pastes, and olives/artichoke hearts/garlic/seasonings to your stock pot. Simmer and allow to cool before bagging and freezing. Serve with freshly boiled spaghetti noodles. 
->Label: "Spaghetti- heat & Serve"

7. Chicken Chili 
Ingredients:
- 2 cans of beans (I use kidney)
-1 large chicken breast, baked and shredded 
- 1Tbsp chili powder, 1 Teaspoon hot shot, 1 teaspoon cumin (I typically skip this and just throw in a seasoning packet for chili 
-4 oz can diced green chilis 
-14 oz can stewed tomatoes 
-1/4 large onion, diced
-1 red belled pepper, diced
-1 can of yellow corn, drained 
-1/4 cup cilantro

->Dice up your onion and red bell pepper and put in large bowl. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Vac seal and freeze. Simply thaw overnight. Can be heated via stove top, microwave or crock pot. *Best if 'slow cooked' (crock pot). 
->Label: "Chicken Chili: Heat & Serve"

8. Steak 'Fajita-Style' Enchiladas- for the tex-mex lover
Ingredients: 
- Beef chuck strips (cut length- wise: think fajitas) 
-3/4 large onion cut into strips
-1 bell pepper cut into strips
-1 4 oz. can green chilis
-1 can rotel
-1 can corn
-1 can black beans
-1 can red enchilada sauce 
-10 oz.  pepper jack cheese, shredded
-1/2 cup greek yogurt
-1 packet of taco seasoning. You can use fajita seasoning, but I'm a cumin hater so I go for taco. 
-8-10 tortillas 
->Brown beef stips in frying pain with slices of onion and bell pepper. Once cooked (I undercook just a bit to prevent from drying out the meat and making the vegetables soggy), put in large mixing bowl. Add all canned ingredients (drain the corn, black beans and green chilis). Add greek yogurt and taco seasoning. Add half of the cheese and half of the enchilada sauce. Roll ingredients into tortillas in 9X12 pan. Cover with remaining enchilada sauce and pepper jack. Cover dish with foil, allow to cool then freeze. 
->Label: "Steak Fajita Enchiladas: Thaw, uncover, and bake 375* 30 mins" 

9. Mediterranean Style Tuna Casserole- comfort food nummy-ness! 
Ingredients: *disclaimer: I discovered after making this that it actually makes 2 8x8 trays of casseroles, so adjust accordingly if you wish; I left the portions as-is because I didn't mind having an extra considering they stay good in the freezer for a few months. 
-1/4 large onion
-10 oz egg noodles
-8 oz frozen peas
-1 large can or 2 small cans of drained tuna  (depending on how much tuna you like)
-1 can cream of celery soup
-1/4 cup greek yogurt 
-1/4 cup milk 
-2 cups shredded sharp cheddar 
-1 can artichoke hearts
-1/2 jar or bag of sun dried tomatoes 

->Boil egg noodles al-dente and drain. Dice onion. Combine all ingredients (reserving 1/2 the cheese) and lay out in 8X8 pan and top with remaining cheese. Cover with foil and freeze.
->Label: "Tuna Casserole: Thaw overnight: Bake at 350* 20 mins"   ... be sure when you bake that cheese looks bubbly/golden before pulling out of the oven.

10. Black Bean Taco Soup: serve with tortilla chips or corn bread. 
Ingredients:
-1lb ground beef, 95% lean meat ( (or ground turkey tastes so good in this recipe too!) ) 
-1/2 large chopped onion 
-1 bell pepper, diced 
-1 packet of taco seasoning 
-1can (16 oz)    yellow corn ( (undrained) ) 
-1can (16 oz)    black beans ( drained)
-1can (14 oz)    stewed tomatoes 
-1can (14 oz)    tomatoes ( diced ) 
-1can (8 oz)    tomato sauce 
-1can (4 oz)    green chiles ( diced ) 
-1/2 can or package sun dried tomatoes 
*add cilantro if desired. Dallop with sour cream or greek yogurt. 

-> Brown beef with onion in frying pain then drain; add taco seasoning. Allow burger to cool and add remaining ingredients into a bag along with it and freeze. Thaw overnight, heat and serve- best if heated in crock pot on low 3 hours. 
->Label: "Black Bean Taco Soup: Heat & Serve" 

11. Pot Roast 
Ingredients:
-1 small pot roast cut
-1 can cream of mushroom
-1 packet of brown gravy mix
-1 packet of french onion soup mix
-1/4 large onion
-1/2 bag baby carrots
-2 cut ribs of celery 
-1 can of mushrooms or a handful of sliced fresh button mushrooms
-2 red potatoes, diced

->Mix all ingredients and put in freezer bag. Pull out to thaw the night before. Cook on low in the crockpot 8 hours. Serve over rice.

12. Broccoli, Chicken & Rice Casserole
Ingredients:
-3 cups cooked rice (I use brown)
-2 large chicken breasts, baked and shredded 
-2 cups chopped broccoli, lightly steamed (can use frozen or fresh)
-1 can cream of mushroom soup
-1 can cream of celery soup
-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

->Once rice ad broccoli have cooled, combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Place in 8X8 baking dish and freeze.  Allow to thaw overnight before baking. 
->Label: "Broccoli Chicken Casserole: Thaw overnight. Bake at 350* 30 mins" 

13. Lasagna- this is one I would pair with salad and garlic bread if possible, but would work greatly as a stand-alone dish if needed
Ingredients:
-'meat sauce mix'**See spaghetti sauce above for this... 
-1 container of small curd cottage cheese
-2 eggs
-1 7 oz container of Parmesan cheese 
-1 lb. mozzarella cheese 
-1 box of lasagna noodles 

->Boil lasagna noodles until el dente. Meanwhile, prepare "white sauce mix" by combining cottage cheese with Parmesan cheese, 2 eggs and 3/4 the mozzarella cheese in mixing bowl. If you haven't already, prepare 'meat sauce mix'. Once finished with each mix, drain noodles. Layer in 9X12 pan, starting with a small amount of 'meat mix' to prevent noodles from sticking to the bottom. Layer: noodles/'white mix/'meat sauce mix' twice, then top with remaining cheese. Allow to cool before covering and freezing. 
->Label: "Lasagna- Thaw overnight. Bake 375* 45mins covered, then 15 minutes uncovered" 

14. Hearty Stew 
Ingredients:
-1lb beef stew cubes
-1/2 bag of baby carrots
-3 red potatoes, cubed
-1/4 diced large onion 
-1 packet of dry onion soup mix
-1 can stewed tomatoes
-1 8 oz can tomato sauce
-10 oz frozen peas 
-1 zucchini cubed 

-> Combine all ingredients in freezer bag. Thaw overnight before cooking. Place in crock pot and cook on low 8 hours. 
->Label: "crock pot beef stew: Thaw overnight, cook on low 8 hours" 


Lastly, our two breakfast meals...

1. Sausage Gravy base for biscuits and gravy (makes 2 servings for 2 people)
Ingredients: 
-2 packs of country gravy mix
-1 roll of jimmy dean sausage (flavor of your choice)

->Brown sausage in frying pan then drain. Meanwhile, whisk gravy mix on stove top as directed on package. Combine the two and allow to cool, then divide into portions and place in freezer bags. Thaw and reheat, serve with freshly baked biscuits.

2. Breakfast burritos- you can add or subtract whatever you desire in these. Yields 24 burritos
Ingredients: 
- 12 Tortillas 
-1 lb sharp cheddar cheese shredded 
- 8 eggs 
-1 roll jimmy dean breakfast sausage (flavor of your choice) 
-1/2 bag homestyle potatoes (cubed- I use O'brien) 
-1 jar of salsa 

->Brown and drain sausage. Meanwhile scrable eggs and fry them up. Allow the sausage and egg to cool. Mix all ingredients together and roll into tortillas with sealed ends. Vac seal in packs of two and freeze. Thaw, then can either be heated in the microwave for a few minutes or baked 15 minutes at 375*

**THE MASTER GROCERY LIST**
Meats:
6 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 lb Ground turkey
2 lb Ground Beef
1 pot roast
1 pkg. italian sausage 
1 lg. can tuna
3 lb pork shoulder
1 pkg. flank steak (tri tip)
1 pkg. chuck roast thin strips 
1 lb. beef cubes for stew
2 rolls of breakfast sausage (I suggest different flavors)

Soups/Seasonings 
2 Cream of mushroom 
3 Cream of celery
1 beef broth
2 pkg. dry onion soup mix
1 pkg. brown gravy
2 pkg. taco seasoning 
2 pkg. country gravy mix
1 pkg. chili seasoning 

Mexican food Aisle 
1 bottle salsa
1 can red enchilada sauce 
1 can green enchilada sauce 
1 can rotel 
3 4oz cans diced green chilis 
2 cans of black beans
28 tortillas 

Canned or frozen vegetables/goods
2 cans of kidney beans
1 can large black olives  
1 can baby corn 
3 cans of corn
2 packages of frozen peas
1 package variety frozen vegetables 
1 lb package of frozen cubed or homestyle potatoes 
3 14 oz cans and 2 29 oz cans of tomato sauce
3 cans of stewed tomatoes 
1 can diced tomatoes
2 6 oz cans tomato paste 
1 package or jar of sun dried tomatoes 
2 cans artichoke hearts 


Vegetables
4 large bushels of broccoli 
5 red potatoes 
2 bell peppers 
6 large onions (I use white)
1 bushel of green onions
1 bushel of cilantro
1 bag of baby carrots 
3  cans of mushrooms 
1 zucchini 
1 lime 


Pastas/Rice 
egg noodles
1 box lasagna noodles
1 box spaghetti noodles 
1 bag Rice (I use brown) 

Dairy
1 stick of cream cheese
2 small or 1 large container of small curd cottage cheese
1 lb brick or shredded mozzerella 
1 lb brick or shredded pepper jack
4 1lb bricks or shredded sharp chedder 
1 container parmesan cheese 
1 large container (2.5 cups or more) of greek yogurt 

Other:
1 dozen eggs 
Sesame seed oil
honey 
minced garlic (It's easier to just get a big jar)
freezer safe tins: 
4 of the 8X8 size (accounts for extra tuna casserole)
3 of the 9X12 size
tin foil
freezer bags- (I have a vac seal thinggy but large zip locks will work if you don't) 

Staples I already have- (you should add if you don't):
milk, italian/oregano seasonings, corn starch, soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil

***Meathod***
It will truly make your head spin once you have all this stuff.... now what?
Well, to keep things from getting overwhelming I ended up doing this over a course of a few days. I implied a couple of "rules of thumb" when tackling this project- 1. cook 'alike' foods/ingredients at the same time and 2. take advantage of your meal needs for the day (example: do the pulled pork throughout the day so that you can use half of it for dinner that night or make a couple of breakfast burritos on the side to serve that morning while you prep the ingredients for your freezer ones.) 
Also, I wouldn't personally tackle the whole cooking extravaganza the same day you do your grocery shopping. Not only is it overwhelming and exhausting, it suggest allowing any frozen meats to thaw so that they are easier to deal with if you aren't in the habit of using your defrost function on your microwave. BUT, if you have the motivation, by all means get it done in a day if you can! The following 'set' style of prepping isn't how I went about it due in part to busy schedules and lack of planning, but if I were to do this again, I would do it as follows: I put these 'sets' up so that you can divide them into half or full days of cooking, depending on your level of ambition, simply as a guide. 

Set 1: Pasta meets chicken (well, not really)
Goal: knock out lasagna, spaghetti and set the ground work for chicken dishes. 
Preheat oven to 375 and place all of your chicken breasts (thawed) on a baking tray. In the mean time, get all the ingredients you will need for your lasagna and spaghetti sauce out. Once oven is preheated, pop the chicken breasts in there and bake them. Whilst chicken breasts are baking, start your 'meat sauce' for your spaghetti and lasagna. Follow instructions on those two until completion. Pull chicken out and allow everything to cool down. Once your lasagna and spaghetti are put in the freezer, let the chicken shredding begin! Once finished, refrigerate. 

Set 2: tortilla madness 
Goal: knock out breakfast foods/enchilada dishes. 
Start by getting your breakfast sausage going. In the mean time, gather your ingredients for both Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas and the Steak 'Fajita-Style' Enchiladas. Meanwhile, your sausage should almost be done. Be sure to get your scrambled eggs and gravy mix going on the other burners. Once all that is done, set aside and prep burners for your steak, onions/bell peppers, etc. You should essentially have a station of three things going here- breakfast burrito stuff/ honey chicken enchilada stuff, and steak fajita enchilada stuff. Remember to cook alike ingredients while being mindful of dividing and separating into these three categories. 

Set 3: Chicken, Chicken Chicken!
Goal: knock out all dishes with shredded chicken. Bonus: you already did the Honey-Lime Chicken Enchiladas ;) So, that leaves:
Broccoli, Chicken & Rice Casserole, Chicken Chili, and Chicken pot pie

Start by setting up stations for these three, dividing remaining shredded chicken accordingly. Get out your ingredients from the above recipes and get to work!

Set 4: Beef, It's what's for dinner!
Goal: knock out remaining beef related dishes. So, beef stew/pot roast/ Beef & Broccoli/Creamy Noodle Bake

Start by browning your beef for the creamy noodle bake. Meanwhile, get out your ingredients for the stew/bot roast and beef and broccoli. This will be a simple set because three of the four dishes in it will go in the freezer uncooked. Simply follow the list, divide and concur! 

Set 5: Randomness 
Goal: Finish this madness! For this set, we want to finish what's left:  pulled pork, tuna casserole, and black bean soup. 

Start (in the morning) by getting your pork shoulder going in the crock pot. Once that's started, gather your ingredients for the black bean soup and tuna casserole. Get the burger meat browning with onion while the egg noodles boil. Follow the recipes and Voilà- you are all set!

HAPPY FREEZER MEAL PREPPING! 

I'm so excited to become a 'mommy'

Dreaming of the Good Times

Christmas is right around the corner, and i'm so excited because December 25th is not only my favorite holiday; it's extra special this year because it marks one calendar month from my due date. The anxiety and anticipation of experiencing labor and the subsequent exhaustion from becoming new parents is an ever-looming theme in my mind these days. That being said, I try to think about the positive. 
I'm so thankful to be in a place in my life where i'm starting this journey of parenthood with an amazing person in an environment fostered with stability and love. I know so many people who struggle in their relationships or as single parents every day and I can't help but feel blessed to not have to deal with those worries. I see Matt come home from work and take his first few moments to give love and attention to me and our pets before he does anything else. I see him smile and laugh when he helps me out at school functions for my work and I know he's going to be a natural.
As we put decorations up this year and decorated our Christmas tree I couldn't help but think of how different next year will be with our little one. I thought of how exciting it will be to watch her experience so many 'firsts', like her expression tasting her first bite of pumpkin pie or the glimmer in her eyes as she sees Christmas lights. I even think about other holidays like the 4th of July and how darling she will look in red, white & blue- she will already be 6 months old!
Since completing the nursery, I can't help but smile when I go in there knowing she will want for nothing and subtly reminding myself she must not become spoiled! I know the reality is, it's not all rainbows and butterflies. I know there will be sacrifice and trying times. I know there will be sleepless nights, tantrums, disappointments and the like.... BUT, there are so many things about becoming her mommy that I look forward to and try to focus on. Some of these things are big milestones and then others are part of every day life. 
The thing about life is, you never know when you might be making a memory. I remember things from my childhood like Easter egg hunts, and I can't wait to see her in her little dress with her basket as the magic unfolds when she finds eggs. I can't wait to see her giggle, go down the slide, solve a math problem. Then again, I can wait! I think of how exhausted we will be and I try to remember all those who have warned me to try to enjoy it before it's gone. So for now, I will dream of the good times and try to appreciate them as they happen :)

During the mean time, I thought I would share this video for those of you who haven't seen it yet: we have a ninja on our hands! She moves all the time like crazy, and the other night I finally got video evidence of it! 

The Nursery Is Finished!

Sunny Days- Baby Naomi's Sesame Street Nursery

With a little over six weeks to go until her expected arrival, I think it's finally safe to say the nursery is ready! I am so pleased at how it turned out, in-fact it might be my favorite room in our home :) With so many colors, shapes and characters it's stimulating yet functional. I have secretly worried throughout the process of designing, putting this together and in-visioning the final outcome that it would turn out tacky considering all the elements. All things considered, I think it turned out wonderfully. I want to say a big "Thank You" to everyone who has taken the time to make things for the room, as well as to those who have purchased items for it.  

She's Due Next Month!!!

Due Date Approaches- Mommy is Anxious!

I would have to say that one of the hardest things with pregnancy is practicing patients. With over nine months of waiting, waiting, and more waiting there is plenty of anticipation to be had. I have spent the entire pregnancy clinging to milestones, dates- anything that can be considered the next step towards baby's debut. I have been especially looking forward to December 1st so that I could say "I'm due next month!" This year, I'm welcoming Christmas to come along more than ever; not only do I love Christmas, but it marks December 25th... Baby Girl is Due January 25th- I think you get it ;)

Aside from being silly with my little milestones and countdowns, a few smaller new things have started to happen. Doctor appointments are now only a couple weeks apart instead of a month apart. I've been having my first bouts of braxton hicks contractions (no funzies), and my winter coats might have another week or two of fitting thanks to the fact that I look like i'm smuggling a basketball under my shirt. 

Baby moves so much and kicks so hard that other people can see my tummy do the wave. Her daddy bought her some baby buds, so we play her music, which she seems to really like (I say this due to increased activity when we put them on). I've also been calling her by a nickname "Noni", which is sticking for me. 

Other than that, we are in the final stages of nursery prep, with pictures to come very soon!

The video link below will explain what's happening this week: 

http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/video/pregnancy-week-33

30 Week Maternity Pics

Baby Belly With Hubby Photos

I suppose a "necessary evil" of pregnancy is taking the 'fat pics' so everyone can see the baby bump. Nah, it's not that bad.... but I will admit I am definitely feeling more heave and self-conscious these days. We decided to take our own maternity pictures last week and I have to say that i'm pretty impressed at how well they turned out. We took the fall photos in the afternoon, and the rail road tracks pictures the following morning. Both sessions were taken on base, and yes... the train tracks are out of commission- no longer in use!

My DIY nursery projects

For the Ambitious Crafters

I've gotten some requests from people asking about some of the nursery projects i've done for baby Naomi's nursery, so i've decided to include pictures and instructions below for the do-it-yourselefers. Hopefully those of you who aren't necessarily eager to bust out the sewing machine and hot glue will enjoy the post anyway. ***Tip: print coupons online for Michael's and Joann Fabrics/ hit sales!

'The Letter N- N is for Naomi'

Supplies/Tools Needed:
-light weight wooden letter N
-light weight wooden frame
-acrylic paint of your color choice (glitter paint optional)
-foam paint brushes 
-variety of buttons and jewels in your color choice
-card-stock in a variety of colors (scrapbook paper works too)
-hot glue and hot glue gun
-1.5 inch round paper punch
-scissors 

Firstly, paint your letter and frame with your acrylic paint and allow to dry several hours. Apply multiple coats as needed. I used a top coat of a glitter paint that was like colored to give mine a girly flair. In the mean time, you can start prepping your card-stock/scrapbook paper by punching the holes in it, then cutting each one in half. Once your paint is fully dried and cured (I gave it overnight before proceeding), you can begin to cover or partially cover your letter with buttons/jewels using a hot glue gun. Next, take a solid piece of remaining card-stock and use it as your background to layer the half circle dots- make sure to leave some overlap so that it can be glued to the wooden frame. To achieve the fish scale pattern, simply layer them across but touching, then take the next layer and start them in the middle like you would a brick pattern. Each individual half circle dot needs to be hot glued to the card-stock background. Once your half circles are all glued down you can carefully (but quickly) apply hot glue to the edges it and stick it to the frame. Lastly, apply a generous amount of hot glue to your letter and stick it to the half circle papers you just created. 




The Paper Chandler 

Supplies/Tools Needed:
-card-stock in your color choices (must be thick enough paper to be sewn)
-2 circular frames (can use wreath frame or quilting hoop- I used a 10" and 12")
-1.5 inch round paper punch
-sewing machine and thread of your color choice
-fishing string
 -tape or hot glue
                                     -eye hooks for hanging 

Start by deciding on your color scheme. I calculated roughly how many 'dots' I would need to go around each hoop, and how long I wanted them to hang and went from there. Next, you can start punching out your dots using the hole punch tool. After punching and punching and punching, line them up into rows to make sure they are all inn order by color and amount. Next, prep your sewing machine and get ready to sew. Take each dot and run the sewing line straight down the middle, following it with the next dot and so on. Be sure to leave enough thread on each end to tie them off, or attach them to the hanging hoops respectively. Once all your strands of dots are sewn, tie the ends off and cut them, leaving your top end long to attach it to the hoop. Next tie each strand to the hoop and double secure with tape. Attach the two separate hoops to each other at four points to ensure the bottom hoop will hang level. Do the same to the top hoop, except to your eye hooks for hanging. Hang and adore!

The Tulle Crib Skirt 
 Supplies/Tools Needed:

- 6 yards of tulle in your color choice(s)
-1 yard of fabric in a like color (I used a cookie monster blue fleece)
-Scissors, stapler, staples, tape measure
-Industrial strength Velcro strips. 

Measure your crib (I did three sides) length wise as well as frame to floor distance. This will tell you the measurements you will need to cut your tulle and fabric, depending on how you want it to look. I wanted an extra crib skirt to cover the gap from the crib being raised initially while she's young, so I basicall did the same thing twice and made two. Once you have all your measurements, cut out your bottom fabric (this was the fleece for me) into the lengths and widths needed. Next, if you are feeling super creative (or simply can't cut a straight line to save your life like me.... ) cut a pattern out along the bottom. I choose rounded half circles, comes out looking like a little flag banner. Next, cut strips of tulle- I used two layers (folded in half), so made sure that one was shorter than the other. I made one the same height as the fleece (crib to floor) and the other about half that. The strips should be anywhere from 6-10 inches wide and again, folded in half so that you have enough to show (one layer is too transparent). Don't worry about getting them all uniformly cut; that's the beauty of the next step. Once all your strips are cut you can begin to staple them to your fleece or fabric bottom. Take your folded tulle and staple it to the top of the fleece end to end, allowing the bottom to hang freely. To achieve the nice little ruffle/tutu look, fold it over itself about one inch (and staple) every 4 inches or so. Once it's all stapled together, you can take your Velcro strips and attach them along the top of the fleece where the staples are (at at least three points), leaving the sticky side exposed to be attached to the crib frame under it.  

Hurry Up! ... And Wait.

Sometimes something so 'eventful' can be so 'un-eventful'

Well, as the title says, I don't have much to report this time around. As much as time flies, I find that pregnancy can really drag on. So, I will fill you in on 'the little things' that are going on. 
Yesterday, I had my 28 week appointment. No fun ultrasounds or news to report there; I got a shot and the disappointing news that I gained a bunch of weight since my last visit. I'm finding solace with that in the fact that between 24-28 weeks it's very common for the baby to have a huge growth spurt and is often when women report the largest amount of weight gain. That, and I posted my first real pregnancy pics on fb today and have been getting several really sweet and encouraging comments on them. For those of you who follow the blog but do not have fb, I will include one on here. 
I'm one of the lucky few who has to get the Rhogam shot at 28 weeks due to my blood type. In a nutshell, having my blood type could mean that my body is incompatible with that of the baby's blood, and the shot of Rhogam keeps my body from producing antibodies against her. 
Other than that, not much is new. I am finding myself slowing down a bit with my daily activities. It's a tough pill to swallow with the busy holiday season and birthdays to come. I'm happy that the nursery is mostly complete, and lots of the wardrobe sorting is finished. I'm gearing up for lots of baby laundry and cloth diaper prepping next. 
Other than that, i'm looking forward to November wrapping up. I'm excited for Thanksgiving and Matt's birthday, as well as the start of December. The first week of December will be my 32 week Dr. appointment, as well as the landmark where I get to say, "I'm having my baby next month!". As exciting as it is, I am also trying to remember how much life will change and appreciate it as it is in the mean time. 

Liquid Gold- Choosing to Breastfeed

Bottoms Up Little Baby!

           I've had several people ask me whether or not I plan to breast feed, and for good reason according to the research i've done. So, why is it so beneficial and important? Well, I think the number one reason is the countless advantages with regards to the baby's health. 

Breast milk is not only highly concentrated in nutrients and antibodies, but its' tailored to the baby's needs. Cells, hormones and antibodies carried through breast milk helps build baby's immune system and fend off illness. It's also easier to digest. To add to the list, breast milk has been shown to fight off SIDS, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and lower respiratory infections. Also, you can check out the first link below for information about breastfeeding being linked to higher IQ.

            As if those reasons aren't enough to motivate me, there are actually added benefits to the mother too! Initial amazing benefits are hormones produced by breastfeeding that help quickly reduce the size of the uterus. The mother can also burn up to 500 calories per day breastfeeding... ( I don't even reach that doing my 45 minute gym sessions). It's linked to lower risk of diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and postpartum depression. Added bonus- It saves money! You wouldn't believe how much formula can add up. 


           So, as natural as it is and as motivated as one may be, there are challenges to this feat. I will try to keep it PC and merely mention that they make creams and doctors for some of the issues mothers can encounter ;) Other than that, the most common problem is supply and latching issues. 

I was most surprised to learn about latching issues. Apparently there is a science to positioning and holding that allows for a good latch. Sometimes latching issues can stem from what's called "nipple confusion", which is when the baby begins to refuse the nipple because she prefers a bottle. This happens because bottles give a constant flow of milk and she doesn't have to work as hard to get it. My understanding with this scenario is that patience and pumping are my best friends. 

           All that being said, I have a goal to keep at it for about six months. Some people might say this is too long or short, but I would say that it's just a goal for now. I have no idea what the demands of motherhood will be at this very moment in time, and have yet to even venture into breastfeeding. I will say that i've come up with this time frame because it seems to be the most practical and realistic time frame for me and my little family. Much of the research i've read also tends to indicate that six months is a good amount of time for which the baby to benefit from the above mentioned advantages. 

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-who-were-breastfed-longer-have-higher-iqs-new-study-6C10787012
http://www.medela.com/IW/en/breastfeeding/good-to-know/breastfeeding-facts.html
http://americanpregnancy.org/firstyearoflife/bflatch.html
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/common-challenges/index.html

Movin' & Shakin'

The Pitter-Patter Of Little Feet

This week brings us a couple of milestones that are showing me some light at the end of the tunnel with pregnancy- I should admit rather, a couple of upcoming milestones that will have me celebrating the beginning of November. All things considered, there's definitely nothing wrong with having something to look forward to in the immediate future. 
Matt told me that he would be starting mid-shift the first or second week of November. I normally despise mid-shift as I know it is hard on Matt, not to mention we have challenges with adjusting to the schedule with regards to sleep and spending time together. It was just a few days ago however, that we were talking about how he will be on mid-shift when the baby is born. It's crazy to think she will be here before he changes shifts back to days again. So, when he told me this, I simply replied, "You will be thoughtfully exhausted in time for the baby." Maybe we will get lucky, and he will be more like 'well adjusted'. 
I also couldn't help but feel like the time is getting closer as I finished my fourth of five paintings for the nursery. Initially taking on the task of five sesame street paintings was daunting and overwhelming. At this rate I will not only finish in time of the goal I set, but by the end of the month! After the paintings are completed we can commence set-up and moving of the furniture. 
Other than these couple of milestones exclusively significant to us, we have a few exciting baby developments happening. Namely, baby has begun to kick and move regularly. She moves so much and so strongly that it can be seen and felt! She tends to be most active after meal time and really gets to bouncing around after I eat anything sweet. We have a future cookie monster on our hands!!!
Development wise, it's no wonder she is so active. Looking at some fun growth and development comparisons, baby can be compared to a fruit or vegetable each week. So, what's the fruit of the womb this week? Well, she's about the size of a head of lettuce. More significantly, that means the following: 
your baby at 26 weeks

• Her eyes are forming, and his eyes will soon start to open.
• And her eyelashes are now grown, too.
• She's getting her immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up your antibodies.
• She's taking breaths, too. They're of amniotic fluid, not air, but it's still good practice

Crafting or Nesting?

We'll Call it "Pre-Nesting" 

I like to think that I've started to "pre-nest" as of recently... You know, taking small steps towards achieving the goal of getting everything in order and baby-ready. I've been in full-swing crafting-mode with all things baby related. My recent endeavors include a paper chandelier for her room, a valance with the letter 'N' to be adorned above her crib, as well as my first paintings and what is the start of her baby book. For some reason, I feel like I can't continue with further steps into setting up the nursery until all of the details are ready to go. 

Mainly, I'm sure this is a step I'm taking towards buying time. I'm currently 24 weeks along and still have 16 more to go! I guess part of me feels like it's too early to be in full-swing nursery set-up mode. I know that it's not only going to take a lot of work to get it how I want it, but it will also be a major adjustment for both myself and Matt. Admittedly, we are very 'spoiled' and have our own rooms for our hobbies and things. As we set up this nursery for baby Naomi, we will be combining not only these rooms into one, but finding space for our office and guest room things as well. I know it probably sounds a bit petty, but it is a big change for us, and if we can wait until a more 'reasonable' time to finish the nursery (prolong the inevitable) it will be better in general. 

Another factor with the crafting of all of the little things and making sure the little things are 'good to go' for the nursery is convenience. Having all of the art and details ready will be a nice finishing touch once all the major moving and cleaning is done. 
Although it's overwhelming, I'm glad I've entered the beginning phases of nesting considering there is so much to think about and do. Not only are there many "big and obvious" things to think about, but also the many "small details" that will make our lives easier once she arrives. From preparing the hospital/diaper with the bag with the essentials to de-tagging/washing/and organizing her wardrobe by size and season. 

So, let the lists begin! Even with so many weeks to go, I feel like our days are numbered. We have not only the nursery to set up and house to prep, but also baby classes/education to consider; all of this amongst both of our birthdays and the holidays before the arrival of our little bundle. So, for now I suppose I will keep working on what I can. My goal is to finish her nursery art and be ready to set up the nursery around the first weekend of December.