One Week Under $100 (well ... except for date night)

I did it! I made a meal plan for under $100! (Saturday isn't included because we usually go out.) This may not sound exciting to you all, but it's an accomplishment for me. It doesn't even require eating the exact same thing two nights in a row (which we do a lot). Could it be improved? Sure, but it reflects our lifestyle (see Friday and Saturday night). If you're interested, I've included the grocery list at the bottom. We have three adults and a one-year-old.

Sunday

• Breakfast: Cereal, toast, and fruit (or sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches … save some sausage for the egg muffins)
• Dinner: Whole chicken, baked sweet potatoes, salad (with cherry tomatoes, carrots, celery, cheese)
• After dinner: Slice or pull the rest of the chicken, and save it for later in the week. Make egg muffins to last Monday – Wednesday (see the “Breakfast made easy” post from May). We sometimes do spinach, yellow onion, and crushed red pepper. Other times, we whisk the eggs and use sausage, green onion, and cheese.

Monday

• Breakfast: Egg muffins and fruit
• Dinner: Greek spaghetti (http://greek.food.com/recipe/greek-spaghetti-420320) with pulled chicken from Sunday, buttered garlic bread, same salad from Sunday night, save some lettuce for later in the week

Tuesday

• Breakfast: Egg muffins and fruit
• Dinner: Chicken noodle casserole (http://www.cooks.com/recipe/m02o75pd/chicken-noodle-casserole.html) with pulled chicken from Sunday

Wednesday

• Breakfast: Egg muffins and fruit
• Dinner: Black bean burgers (http://www.cooks.com/recipe/vl50832f/black-bean-burgers-chilis-knock-off.html or frozen Morningstar Spicy Black Bean Burgers) topped with lettuce, cheese, guacamole, and pico de gallo (or salsa); fiesta corn
• After dinner: Make banana bread (and resist the urge to eat it for dessert).

Thursday

• Breakfast: Banana bread (http://www.food.com/recipe/best-banana-bread-2886) and fruit, add peanut butter if you’d like
• Dinner: Bean quesadillas (http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/black_bean_quesadillas.html) topped with pico de gallo and guacamole, leftover chicken could also be used for chicken quesadillas

Friday

• Breakfast: Banana bread (http://www.food.com/recipe/best-banana-bread-2886) and fruit, add peanut butter if you’d like
• Dinner: Frozen pizza (because I do not want to cook at the end of the week)

Saturday

• Breakfast: Cereal, toast, and fruit
• Dinner:  OUT (because I don’t even feel like making a frozen pizza)

What does our little guy eat? He eats what we eat. We modify and separate some things for him. For example, we make a less spicy guacamole, and we avoid putting pico de gallo on his plate.

What do we eat for lunch? We typically have leftovers or sandwiches with fruit and veggies (carrots and celery this week). Other snacks can be added for a more filling lunch. 

Grocery List

Be sure to read the recipes. I am assuming you have some staples (flour, milk, sugar, oil, seasonings, etc.).

• Fresh spinach
• Lettuce
• Cherry tomatoes
• Carrots
• Celery
• Green onions
• Head of garlic
• 2 onions
• Sweet potatoes (one per person)
• Fruit (for breakfast, lunch, and snacks)
• Bananas (save four for banana bread later in the week, a little over-ripe is good for bread)
• Two avocados (not all the way ripe, so that they can last until later in the week)
• 1 packet of guacamole mix (unless you prefer to whip up your own)
• Pre-made pico de gallo (you could make your own or just buy a jar of salsa)
• Whole chicken (pre-seasoned in an oven bag if you prefer)
• Feta cheese
• 1 block of cheddar or pepper jack (to be used in eggs, on bean burgers, and on quesadillas)
• Spaghetti (we usually have this in the pantry)
• Egg noodles
• Loaf of bread (make at home or buy at store)
• Hamburger buns
• 1 package of tortillas
• 2 cans of black beans (or 1 can if you want to purchase Morningstar frozen spicy bean burgers)
• Sausage (if desired for egg muffins)
• Lunch meat
• Frozen pizza (we get two and have leftovers)
• Cereal
• Salad dressing
• 12-18 eggs (depending on how many egg muffins each person eats for breakfast)
• 1 can of fiesta/southwestern style corn

The Joy of Biodegradable Liners

Little man and I have recently rejoined the world of cloth diapering. When trying to introduce him to cow's milk, I laid off of cloth for a while. (Long story short ... cow's milk didn't go so well, and it was reflected in diapers. A very gradual transition is working well. Diapers are back to normal, and he is up to two cow's milk feedings a day.)

As we started using cloth again, I decided to buy some biodegradable liners to help with clean up. My cloth diapers have already paid for themselves, so I felt like I could spend five cents or less per diaper for a liner (still one-third or one-fourth of the cost of a disposable diaper). Now that I've been using them, I must share that I think they are awesome.

I should say that these liners are definitely not necessary. When babies are this age, it's really easy to just (pardon me) plop out the poo in the toilet. We actually plop when using disposable diapers, as well. It makes for a a less smelly trash can. There are still some "left-overs" when done this way, though.

So, what's so great about the biodegradable liners? They allow moisture to go through, but catch the solids. Then, you just pick up the liner by the ends and drop it in the commode. Done! There are no "left-overs," and you can just throw the diaper in the wet bag. If there was no poo to dispose of in the first place, you can throw the liner in the wet bag to be washed. (You can only wash liners once. There are some that cannot be washed. Be sure to read up on them if you are interested in purchasing.)

Why would I share all of this? It's proof that cloth diapering can be easy. In fact, I've found that cloth diapering is easier as babies eat more and more solids.

I know. I know. Enough about poo! I just had to share ...  

Our "Normal" Day

We've finally gotten to the place where Joel is consistently following a daily routine. He is a pretty flexible baby, so the times in our routine often change. He does, however, follow a similar schedule each day. I wanted to write it down, so that I can refer back to it with other children. I think it will be interesting to see what our other kiddos are like when it comes to sleep and scheduling. In my humble opinion, every baby is different. Some babies need rigid schedules, while others are successful on more flexible routines. It all depends on the family and the child. I'm interested to see how our next babes will be! 

All of these times are approximate. If Joel wakes up a little earlier, the whole routine moves up. If he wakes up later, the whole routine moves back.

6 AM: Nurse and change diaper, say "hi" and "bye" to dad, put back in crib

9 AM: Wakes up and nurses

11 AM: First meal (usually fruit and Cheerios/crackers/breakfast bread)

12 PM: First nap (I get work done)

1 or 2 PM: Nurse and second meal (usually whatever I'm eating for lunch ... rice, chicken, veggies, noodles, etc.)

4 PM: Nurse and second nap (I get work done and make dinner)

6 PM: Wakes up and eats dinner (usually vegetables and some of what we're having)

8 PM: Nurse

8:30 - 9:30 PM: Bedtime routine (bath, book, nurse, brush teeth, bed ... aka the five B's)

Yes; he goes to bed "late" and wakes up "late," but it works for us! It allows me to get things done in the morning and allows Adam to see Joel for an extended period of time at night. It also allows us to stay out late(ish). On the other hand, it does not work well when we have to be out of the house early in the morning. Of course, this will allllll change when I start working out of the home again and when we have more kids! Such is life!

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Ten Month Update

I haven't written in a while and have a lot of updates on Joel. It's crazy how time passes! Joel is

• Drinking from a sippy cup
• Self-feeding solids
• Nursing five to six times per day
• Typically taking two naps per day for a total of two to three hours 
• Giving high fives
• Waving bye-bye
• Following one-step commands
• Understanding (but testing) the words "don't" and "no"
• Saying "mama" and dada"
• Trying to dip his spoon into food (sometimes successfully)
• Feeding himself with a spoon (but often not getting all of the food off before pulling it out)
• Enjoying peek-a-boo
• Singing/squealing in the back seat of the car
• Sleeping 10-12 hours per night with one morning feeding
• Walking everywhere
• Learning to walk in shoes in public
• "Petting" animals
• Nodding "yes" and "no"
• Looking for objects after they are taken away from him
• Glancing at mom for approval when meeting new people
• Still loving to turn the pages of a book and "tell the story"/babble
• Taking things apart
• Sneaking up the stairs
• Clapping
• Finding and plugging in the outlet protectors when we've forgotten to put them back in (OH MY!)
• Trying to share his food with others (including inanimate objects)
• Getting and bringing back objects (including a ball)

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but that was a pretty good start. As for me, I am enjoying every precious minute with my little guy. I love the roles of nose-wiper, diaper-changer, grape-peeler, food-slicer, hand-holder, picker-upper, protector, playmate, teacher, etc. I am very thankful for the provision of being able to work at home this year!

A perfect fall day

First Halloween

Nine Months, More Steps, and No Naps

We can't believe that Joel is already nine months. We went to the doctor yesterday for his check-up. He actually lost ten ounces since his sick visit a few weeks again. He's also become more mobile and has started feeding himself lately, which probably has something to do with his weight loss. Joel weighed 22 pounds and 3 ounces (76th percentile). He was about 29 inches long (76th percentile), and his head circumference was about 18.25 inches (80-something(th) percentile). These are the lowest percentiles we've seen so far!

Joely celebrated his nine-month birthday by taking ten steps last night (with pauses to straighten up between steps). He's also been celebrating by skipping naps these past few weeks. I've taken lots of suggestions and nothing is seeming to help. Hopefully, it's just a stage. Is anyone else in the same boat right now?

Roseola, First Steps, and Another Tooth

Since I last wrote, we went to the doctor for a rash. It turns out that Joel had Roseola. The rash is almost all the way gone today. After taking him to Urgent Care (because it was Labor Day), he came home and took his first few steps. Four steps is his maximum for now. I think it will be awhile before he starts really walking. He is still pretty timid and only does it when he is beside something he can grab if he starts to fall. The next day, he cut another top tooth. This makes four on the top and two on the bottom. You'd think he'd learn how to chew with those chompers, but he still prefers baby food.

Five Little Toofies and Standing

I was able to snap a picture of Joel with all five teeth last week. I also got one of him standing, which has been one of his newer developments. This week, he got his first virus and fever. We were shut in for a few days, but I am thankful that it took him this long to get sick. Since he was sick, we spent lots of time reading board books. He picked up on how to turn the pages ... well, if the pages are separated a little. Here are some new pictures of his latest developments.