Betty Crocker that!

   So here's something everyone will tell you but you don't truly understand until you actually have a baby - those little guys are expensive!! So in an effort to try to save money instead of spend it all of the time, I am making baby food. Yes, you read it correctly. I'm no Suzy Homemaker or Betty Crocker, but I have successfully completed my first baby food recipe today. It is Pom-Pom Apple (applesauce made with pomegranate juice).

My first creation!!

   I had thought about it a little bit over the summer but of course, didn't follow through. Now Harrison is eating like a monster. He loves his rice cereal with fruits and veggies. I'm starting to get sick of constantly buying those little baby food containers. It's not insanely expensive until you realize that your baby can eat what seems like a million of those little containers in one week...
   Anyway, my friend Courtney told me about a great baby food book she had. "Baby Love" by Norah O'Donnell and Chef Geoff Tracy. It is AWESOME! First of all they are parents of 3 kids. Second, he really is a renowned chef. Third and most importantly it is written for even the most beginner of cooks (ME!). I love just reading the darn thing.

My new favorite book!

   I was so excited about the book that I went out today and bought ingredients for 3 recipes. First up, Pom-Pom Apple. It could not be simpler. It took me maybe 20 minutes from start to finish. The most time consuming thing, cutting the apples (which wasn't bad) and using the blender (Harrison and the blender, not going to be friends any time soon...). One recipe made enough for 2 ice cube trays. Translation? About 34 oz. of applesauce. It actually smelled pretty good and I felt really useful (for once) in the kitchen. Tomorrow while Harrison is at daycare I'm planning on making Perfectly Basic Pear and Perfectly Basic Carrot. I'm super pumped!!

Seriously, I'm cooking!

   Now this next part is more for me than you. Let's compare the price of Gerbers Organic Applesauce and the beautiful stuff I made.

Them:

Gerbers Organic 2nd Foods Applesauce - $1.79 for 7 oz. total

Price per ounce: $0.26

Me:

Pomegranate Juice (8 oz): $0.62

5 Organic Apples: $5.60

Makes 34 ounces

Price per ounce: $0.18

Difference: 

Price: $0.08 per ounce

PLUS - I don't have to go out and buy food as often.

AND - I'm not wasting those glass or plastic containers.

Let's investigate my pears and carrots while we're at it. I'm still really pumped and proud, can you tell?!

Difference in Pears: My version is $0.16 cheaper per ounce.

Difference in Carrots: My version is $0.18 cheaper per ounce.

Did I mention everything I bought today was organic too! Seriously, I should get a prize. Maybe a golden apron! I can do this!

~Emily

So this is Christmas!

   Well, we all survived our first Christmas as a family of three!! Adam and I pitched in a whopping three gifts under the tree, but by Christmas Day our tree was full of gifts underneath.

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...

   Harrison received lots of gifts! He had a blast opening his gifts. Well, he really liked the wrapping paper and tissue paper. He was sent gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Thiele, Aunt Kara, Aunt Kelly and Uncle Kristofer, GJ and Pops Peak, Uncle Matthew and Uncle Daniel, Aunt Karen, Uncle Steve, and Great-Grandma Thiele, Aunt Sandy and Ann. We kept the mailman very busy this week!

There is just so much to look at and play with!!

   Christmas Eve we went to church with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Jack and Lindsay. We went to their house for a nap (for Harrison) and dinner. Christmas morning we opened our gifts at home and then went over to Grandma and Grandpa's again to open gifts with them. That evening we visited Aunt Mary Jo for our traditional Italian dinner - so delicious! 

How's this for a big boy bib!!

   All in all, we had a perfect Christmas! Now if we could just hurry up and get that Christmas tree down. I need the space for all of Harrison's new toys! :0)

~Emily

I'm not a baby anymore!

   Even though Harrison is only 8.5 months old, he's definitely not a baby anymore. It's bittersweet. I already miss the little nugget we brought home, but I love that he is beginning to become more independent and is developing a fun personality. Yesterday was the first day I did not nurse at all. It sounds really dumb, but I almost cried. Then I caught myself, I knew this was coming. Since Thanksgiving we began our weening dance. For the past 2 weeks I was nursing him at bedtime only. Last night we did bottle only. I'll survive and Harrison's ready to be a big boy. Did I tell you how much he loves his sippy cup?

My sippy cup is yummy! I chew on it all the time.

   Other changes? We have those top 2 teeth fully in! They just look so big in his mouth.

TEETH!!

   Harrison's also talking more and more. I love listening to him talk in the morning or when he wakes up from his naps. And, he's getting more hair in! Harrison's hair is a-growing and is super fluffy on the very top of his head. It's hysterical! Finally, he's venturing out to the world of standing. He hasn't quite gotten into crawling but he loves standing up. We were lucky that we had a friend looking to get rid of an activity table. Harrison LOVES playing with it and trying to push all of the buttons!

So many buttons to push!

   It's hard to believe that in 2 weeks he'll be 9 months old. Where is the time going?!
~Emily