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?
fuelmyfamily
Thursday 23rd of August 2012
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.
Laura
Thursday 23rd of August 2012
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.
Melissa
Thursday 23rd of August 2012
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
Thursday 23rd of August 2012
Thanks! Liam loves himself some meat and fish!
Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life)
Thursday 23rd of August 2012
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
Thursday 23rd of August 2012
I read your posts about Hailey's naps -- I'll take your advice!