Preparing for Baby

During this past month I have been working steadily on my to-do list. My list of things to do before the baby comes is quite long! Here are some of the things I was hoping to accomplish:

1. Wash baby clothes and diapers (I have the clothes done, I just need to do the diapers).

2. Wash car seat cover and install car seat in van.

3. Make birthday cake to freeze for Baby’s birthday (something we started several babies ago to celebrate the baby’s birth).

4. Sewing for girls.

5. Obtain desired baby equipment. After having several children you’d think we’d have all we need!
But things do wear out, and many of our things were already used when we got them. Our neighbor was having a garage sale, and she gave us this super-cute bouncy seat! I was very happy to have it, as the one we used to have got broken after our last baby (an older child sat in it, and that was the end of it!).

6. Organize/de-clutter our bedroom and closet (done!).

7. Make a list of activities for little ones to do in those first few weeks.

8. Make breads and meals to freeze for after the birth.

One of my favorite things to do in preparation for each baby is to fill the freezer with good things to eat! This gives me such a feeling of accomplishment, as I know my family’s needs will be taken care of while I relax with Baby. My first step was cleaning out the freezer. I have thoroughly cleaned out the refrigerator freezer, and it looks so nice and clean! I still have the chest freezer in the garage to do (it’s going to be a bigger job!), and then I can really start filling it up. Here is my list of foods to freeze:

1. Pumpkin muffins (have 2 dozen frozen already!)

2. Raspberry muffins–2 dozen

3. Strawberry Coconut Surprise muffins (have 1 1/2 dozen frozen already!)

4. Whole wheat bread loaves–6+ loaves (have several frozen already)

5. Whole wheat waffles (have 8 frozen so far)

6. Cornbread muffins–2 dozen

7. Cookies

8. Applesauce Bread

1. Lasagna

2. Chicken and Dumplings

3. Chicken Divan

4. Chicken Curry

5. Shepherd’s Pie

6. Homemade Pizza Crust

7. Chicken Enchiladas

8. Cheesy Beef and Rice

9. Hamburger Stew

10.Meatballs

11. Meat Spaghetti Sauce

This list looks kind of ambitious, doesn’t it?! Well, my method for freezing meals is to simply double or triple a meal I’m making for us to eat, and then put 1 or 2 in the freezer. It doesn’t take much extra time. In our early married years (when it was just the two of us) I used to do Once-A-Month cooking, and it worked well for us. But now it would just take too long! I usually don’t get everything finished on my list, but I’m hoping to at least get my highest-priority items done.