Making Homemade Teething Biscuits

Recipe:

*1 1/2 cups flour 

(I use whole wheat but any flour would work)

*1/3 cup sugar

(this can be omitted if flavoring with a sweeter fruit)

*2 tablespoons butter

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1/2 teaspoon baking powder

*2 tablespoons baby food puree

(For this I use 2 frozen cubes from my freezer of frozen puree)

*1 large egg

*feel free to add spices to taste, I added 2 teaspoons cinnamon.

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Mix together: Sugar and butter until fluffy.

Add egg and beat

Fold in flour, baking powder and puree

 You should have a chunky dough

Either grease/spray a cookie sheet or put parchment paper or aluminum foil on a cookie sheet

Form dough into a loaf

Bake for 25 minutes or until loaf is turning a golden brown.

Take loaf out and let it rest for 15 minutes.

Cut into cookies. Cook another 10 minutes.

Take cookie out and turn over and cook another 10 minutes

Pull cookies out and let them cool on sheet. 

I only make one batch at a time to keep them fresh. 

WARNING: these make a mess, but having a happy teething baby is worth all the cleanup to me. 

Making Baby Food: Pumpkin Puree

Since Landon turned 4 months we have been making our own baby food, its cheaper and more healthy than store bought. Sometimes I even get to lick out the bowl :)

This post will walk you through making pumpkin puree.

First you will need a pumpkin for baking, not a carving pumpkin. These typically are smaller and are either labeled as baking pumpkins or 'pumpkin pie' pumpkins.

Step 1:

Wash pumpkin

Cover cookie sheet in aluminum foil, this just helps keep pumpkin from sticking.

If your pumpkin has a stem like mine did you need to cut this off.

**Set oven to 350**

Step 2:

Cut pumpkin in half (around the width)

Scoop out all the seeds and guts (save seeds for roasting if you wish)

Step 3:

 Place pumpkin stem sides up on cookie sheet

Place into oven and bake on 350 for 40-60 minutes depending on size of pumpkin

(This pumpkin took 45 minutes)

When you pull pumpkin out of the oven the skin should be a dark orange.

Let sit until you can touch outside of pumpkin without burning your hands.

 

Step 4:

Scoop out all the pumpkin and put into a bowl

You should only have the skin left when done

Step 5: 

Place all pumpkin into blender or food processor and puree to whatever consistency your baby likes. You may need to add a little water to help it mix better.

Once its to a consistency you like scoop all the puree into ice cube trays and then place in freezer until frozen. 

Once frozen pop out the cube and place into freezer safe containers. 

Step 6:

Mommy gets to put her feet up and relax (yeah right)

Packing babies bag

I have spoken with people that aren't packing anything but an outfit to take baby home in and some are taking more for baby then themselves. I think I am somewhere in the middle when it comes to what I am taking for baby. I would rather have a little more than I needed, then to not have something that I wish I would have packed.

Here is what I am packing for baby:

I am using this diaper bag that was given to me by my mom at my baby shower. Everything for baby will fit in this bag.

2 blankets- one to keep with baby and one for my husband to bring home so dogs can get used to what baby smells like.

1 short sleeve shirt, 2 footy pajamas, 1 sleepsack, 2 onesies, 1 pair of pants, 4 pair of socks, 2 hats and scratch mittens.

I have not purchased any special 'take home baby from the hospital' clothing. I don't see a point in it. As long as baby is comfortable and we get home safely that is all I care about. If you have purchased a special outfit make sure to also include this in babies bag.

I have packed a large empty sack, I have heard that you take home tons of stuff from hospital like diapers, pads, etc etc. So I wanted to have something to carry all that home in.

I have not packed diapers because the hospital provides those for you. But if you are not sure pack a couple to make sure. 

I am having my husband also put my pump and nursing pillow in the car, not sure if it will be needed but it will be nice that its already in the car if I want to use it.

Hope you enjoyed the list, feel free to add anything you have added to your bag in the comments.

Packing Moms Hospital Bag.

One simple google search and you will find many different lists of what to pack in your hospital bag. Most are pretty similar with slight differences. I am lucky enough that we live about 20 minutes from the hospital so if I forget anything my husband can get it on one of his trips home to take care of the dogs. So after reading all the different opinions on what to pack and what not to pack, here is my list of what I have packed.

* 2 pairs of yoga type pants (both maternity) and 2 t-shirts both very comfortable.

* 2 nursing tank tops (purchased at Walmart, Direct Link ), and 2 nursing nightgowns (purchased at Walmart, Direct Link )

*Medela Nursing Sleep Bra (Direct Link )

*Any toiletries that you feel you might need. I just got a couple travel sized items, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and deodorant. I have also thrown in lanolin, a pack of gum and 2 washclothes. (Pack a towel also if you choose)

*Socks and Underwear: I have packed 4 pairs of socks, 1 pair of non-skid socks, and about 5 pair of old (can be thrown away) underwear. (I keep all those plastic bags that sheets and curtains, and random other things come in, helps stay organized)

* Last I am bringing my pillow and a pair of flip flops

All of these items fit nicely in an weekend size bag. In comments please let us know what things you brought that are different or the same.


In addition to my packed bag I have a empty bag laying next to it with a note on the top for either me or my husband to get these things into the bag.

*ipad
*ipad charger
*hairbrush
*toothbrush, toothpaste and makeup bag
*grab snacks out of bin in pantry
*breast pump and nursing pillow (leave in trunk, just in case I need)

Making Postpartum Frozen Pads

At 36 weeks I wanted to make sure to have some soothing postpartum pads made and in the freezer so that I wasn't having to explain to my husband how to make them. After researching how others have been making them I made a couple changes. Here is how I made them, I have also included direct links on the products that I have used for your reference.

Ingredients:

*Always Maxi Overnight Extra Heavy Flow (20 count)  Direct Link
*Fruit of the Earth 100% Aloe Vera Gel 6 oz  Direct Link
*Thayers Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Original Alcohol Free 12 fl oz  Direct Link
*Doterra Lavender Essential Oil- Available from any Doterra Rep, I purchase through my mom. Direct Link

Step #1:

Take out all the pads and unfold them.

Step #2

Use a small bowl or measuring glass. Also get a single tablespoon measuring spoon.

In every pad you will put 2 tablespoons Witch Hazel, 1 tablespoon aloe vera and 2 drops of Lavender Oil. I mixed each batch (for each pad) into a small bowl and poured onto pad.

Make sure to evenly pour over entire pad. The aloe vera tends to be still lumpy so I used a regular spoon to spread out and make it even. Place the wax paper back on the top of the pad to protect the wings and fold back up. Place in large freezer zipper bag.

Step #3:

Place bags in freezer and they are ready for use postpartum.