Breast-feeding

I have realized I have not talked about this much or even at all.

Let me start with how much I have enjoyed it, of course the first couple months were difficult just trying to figure out what to do, but once we both got the hang of it, I loved having those moments with her.

Then when I had to go back to work; I was able to pump three times a day, which produced enough for Bo to have the next day while my mom watched her.

Summer vacation hit and no more pumping, and a lot more quality time with Bo and I.

Then back to work, and Bo started eating solids.

This school has been so hard to pump at work, I just didn't have a consistent time everyday pump, so when I did I didn't produce a lot.  I think it had more to do with the fact that I was so stressed on trying to get it out in a short amount of time, then people would be calling or knocking on my door which just stressed me out more. 

So after a nice talk with my sister-in-law and her telling me that I need to do what is best for me, and that it was ok stop pumping at work and just feed her in the morning and at night.  I have been so much happier and less stressed.  It has also been so much more enjoyable to breast feed too.

However, last week I was crazy busy at work and worked way more hours then I normally do, which set my feeding times off, and I have started o produce less.  I am going to continue to feed her as long as I can, but I think our breastfeeding bonding time is coming to an end quicker then I wanted to.  

I have learned so much from this time around I think I will be doing things a little different the next time around.

So much Baby Food

Josh and I have been making all of Bo's baby food with the exception of her Puffs, and Yogurt melts.

So this weekend Josh and I got all of the supplies to make a TON of baby food.

2 Avocados, 4.33 lbs of Bananas, 2 lbs of Broccoli, 3lbs. Carrots, 1lb. of Chicken, 2lbs. Green Beans, 3.48 lbs. of Peaches, 2 lbs. of Peas, 2.42 lbs. of Plums, 3lbs. of Potatoes, 3.32 lbs. of Squash, & 3.70 lbs. of Sweet Potatoes. Total cost: $29.43 for 500 oz. of baby food. Price compare for same amount: Natures Best $93.65 saving $64.22: , Ella's Kitchen Organic $261.44 savings: $232.01 , Gerber $107.05 savings: $77.62.

The start of freezing Bo's baby food

 We also got the ingredients to make Super Baby Porridge from the book Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron  (Thanks Cathie for the great book).  For that we got, Barley, Brown Rice, Dried Black Eyed Peas, Dried Lentils, Dried Pinto Beans,and Dried Split Eyed Peas. Total cost: $5.81 for 91oz of ingredients.  Price Comparison Estimations: Gerber Organic Brown Rice Cereal $32.14 for 96oz; savings $26.33; Earth Best Organic $29.88 96oz; savings $24.07; Target brand Non-Organic Up&Up $17.40 for 96oz; savings $11.59.  

Side note: Ingredents in the Up&Up brand rice cereal: rice flour, tri-anddicalcium phosphate, soybean oil, soy lechithin, mixed tocopherols, electrolytic iron, zinc sulfate, alpha tocopheryl acetate, niacinamide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid and cyanocobalamin.

(Black Eyed Peas, Pinto Beans, Split peas, Lentils, Barley, Brown Rice)  All ready to go!

To make 2 cups of this high protein super porridge will now be: 1/3 cup dry whole grain (brown rice or barley), and 1/8 cup dried legumes (lentils, split peas, black eyed peas, or pinto beans).  Stir 2 cups of boiling water, reduce heat to low cook for 10 min, stir frequently.  Once made it can stay in the fridge for 2-3 days or be frozen for up to a month.  So today we ground 1lb. of Brown Rice, and 1cup of all of the different beans, and a 1/2 cup of barley then we labeled them and we stored them separately. 

This should last us until Thanksgiving.

I'm so glad I have such an amazing husband that helps make home-aid food for our baby girl.  

Thanks Honey!