My baby turned 9 months old on Tuesday. His 9-month well-baby check-up is later today, so I will update with his stats next week.
Before I get to a typical day of Liam's eats, I wanted to share this photo from last weekend. We decided spur-of-the-moment to go out for lunch (which is SO much easier said than done with a 9-month-old), and then take a walk in a local park. I can't really pinpoint what it is about his face, but I find it simply adorable. Could just be because I'm his mom and everybody else thinks, "Yeah, I don't get it." Oh well.
It was his first time sitting in a restaurant high chair, as he recently started sitting completely unassisted. Other recent accomplishments include:
- pulling himself into a sitting position from lying down;
- army-crawling at a clip of about 60 mph across the living room floor;
- climbing a small step from my cousin's enclosed porch to her living room; and
- getting himself into the downward-facing dog yoga position. Seriously. No, I didn't get it on camera.
So, what do I do for quick, convenient eats for Liam? A few things:
1) Batch cooking: I make multiple servings of one food at a time and freeze them. If I buy ground meat or poultry for burgers or tacos, I will set aside a portion for Liam and make baby meatballs (¼-ounce in size before cooking). Four ounces of ground meat gets me 16 meatballs (4 servings). I freeze them in OXO Tot 2-ounce freezer containers.
2) Convenience foods: Pretty much all of the following come from Trader Joe's: frozen multi-grain waffles; fresh mozzarella sticks; Cheddar cheese slices; graham crackers; organic blueberries (so easy to cut in half and give to Liam); Joe's Os' cereal . . . . ok, most of Trader Joe's inventory.
3) Pouches: I buy Plum Organics, because they have the most variety. Liam still gets fruit puree with oatmeal and/or yogurt in the mornings (it seems to be what he prefers), and it's so quick and easy to grab a pouch instead of defrosting frozen cubes for a hungry, impatient baby.
1) Batch cooking: I make multiple servings of one food at a time and freeze them. If I buy ground meat or poultry for burgers or tacos, I will set aside a portion for Liam and make baby meatballs (¼-ounce in size before cooking). Four ounces of ground meat gets me 16 meatballs (4 servings). I freeze them in OXO Tot 2-ounce freezer containers.
2) Convenience foods: Pretty much all of the following come from Trader Joe's: frozen multi-grain waffles; fresh mozzarella sticks; Cheddar cheese slices; graham crackers; organic blueberries (so easy to cut in half and give to Liam); Joe's Os' cereal . . . . ok, most of Trader Joe's inventory.
3) Pouches: I buy Plum Organics, because they have the most variety. Liam still gets fruit puree with oatmeal and/or yogurt in the mornings (it seems to be what he prefers), and it's so quick and easy to grab a pouch instead of defrosting frozen cubes for a hungry, impatient baby.
A Typical Day with Liam
7:30 a.m.: Wake for the day, diaper change, nurse
8:30 a.m.: Nap #1, typically lasts an hour
10:00 a.m.: Breakfast: a Plum Organics fruit combo pouch and a tablespoonful of oatmeal (ate all of it)
11:30 a.m.: Nurse again, nap #2, typically lasts an hour
1:00 p.m.: Lunch: 2 sheets of graham crackers; 12 blueberries, halved; and about ¼ cup of shredded Cheddar cheese (ate most of it, there were a few blueberry halves and a couple of bits of cheese left)
3:00 p.m.: Nurse again, nap #3, typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes
5:30 p.m.: Dinner: 4 beef meatballs (about ¼ ounce each), an ounce of green beans and 2 tablespoons of brown rice (ate all of it, and wanted more green beans, so I gave him another ounce, which he ate); dessert (not pictured): three or four Happy Baby Organic Banana-Mango yogurt melts
6:30 p.m.: Bath
7:00 p.m.: Nurse
7:30 p.m.: Bedtime, he sleeps through the night
For about a week, he was taking two naps, the first around 10 a.m. and lasting at least 2 hours, and the second in the mid- to late-afternoon, lasting 30 minutes to an hour. I don't know why he regressed back to 3 naps. Should I try to get him back to 2 naps a day? Any tips on how to do it?
For about a week, he was taking two naps, the first around 10 a.m. and lasting at least 2 hours, and the second in the mid- to late-afternoon, lasting 30 minutes to an hour. I don't know why he regressed back to 3 naps. Should I try to get him back to 2 naps a day? Any tips on how to do it?
Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life) says
First off, Liam's eyes! I melt.
And coming from someone that just messed with naps (and tortured myself in doing so), I recommend following his lead. If he needs 3 for a while, let 'em! 😉
DNCWWO says
I read your posts about Hailey's naps -- I'll take your advice!
Melissa says
He is adorable! It's the eyes...and the hair! I hope my son eats this good when it's time to start solids. I never had luck feeding meat to my daughter. She's almost 3 and it's still not very popular with her. I agree with Brittany - follow his lead on naps and let him take 3. It won't last forever 🙂
DNCWWO says
Thanks! Liam loves himself some meat and fish!
Laura says
Love that picture- such a sweet face!! Utilizing batch cooking and the freezer are great time savers. My daughter was still taking 3 naps at 9 months, too. She dropped it soon after- you'll probably notice his wake times lengthening between naps, which will put you back to two naps eventually.
fuelmyfamily says
Its so big blue eyes! Beautiful! He seems like hes a great eater. Mine took 3 naps a day until 8 months I'd say so if he wants more naps, I'd say let him, unless they start becoming catnaps.