Just returned from being away from my husband for the longest time ever in a very long time, (20 years or so). I went to be with my daughter, while she prepped and got ready to deliver her second child. In other words, mommy helps! That my friends, is an excellent reason to be gone from the Mr. that amount of time.
Our newest little was born healthy and extremely perfect and mommy did great too!
Anyone who has been a young mom can remember how difficult it becomes to have the energy or ability to do the usual basics like cleaning, grocery shopping, and meal planning but when you have a very active 2-year-old, well, it complicates things a little more.
I remember when my own mom came and helped me for several weeks while I gave birth to both of my babies. She helped with the laundry, the meals, cleaning, but the most memorable was simply having her there with me through it all. I love and miss my mom daily and it was especially beautiful to think of her during the time I was there for my daughter.
Preparing meals, doing laundry, and a clean house are HUGE mommy helps. So, I was glad that I could help in that capacity. When Mr. active 2-year-old was either preoccupied or taking a nap, I got some cleaning and organizing done. Then when night time rolled around, I came up with some meals that would work well for freezing.
Initially, I did a lot of running back and forth to the grocery store for ingredients and then to the Dollar store for the freezer foil trays that were a steal. I think the Dollar store ladies thought I was preparing for doomsday with the number of trays I bought.
Freezer Meals…
Some of the freezer meals we decided on were:
- Almond Broccoli Chicken casserole
- Pepperoni & Ham Stromboli
- Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Beef Enchilada Casserole
Each recipe made enough for 3 trays each of the freezer casseroles and 2 large Stromboli’s.
The freezer meals were labeled with baking times and now they have a quick hot meal for those very busy days to come while the family and especially mommy, gets a routine down with the new baby.
Fruit Pouches…
Beside the freezer meals, Mr. 2-year-old and I thought it be fun to make fruit pouches for his snack time. If you’ve not made homemade fruit pouches for your kids, they’re super easy if you get a kit like I did online. It came with the press and pouches which made it super simple to use and is a whole lot cheaper than buying pre-made pouches!
The little pouches are re-usable and you have the freedom of mixing or combining whatever fresh ingredients you want, you puree the fruits, (or veges), and then fill. You refrigerate or freeze for later.
Mr. L and I made blueberry mango and strawberry pineapple ones and he sure enjoyed ’em!
Mommy Helps…
Don’t underestimate the amount of help you can give a new mommy. There is always something that needs to be done, even if it’s only entertaining a 2-year-old while mommy catches up on some shut eye! My daughter is quite independent and self-sufficient but she can tell you that any little bit of help before and after the new baby came was way helpful. She might not know that it meant the world to me to be there and help, and the memories I made with all of them are priceless, as well as the bonus of a precious new little addition!
I just wish that I could’ve stayed a little longer for my own selfish reason of missing ’em so!
Wow, you get mom of the year award.
Ivory, I don’t know about that but I do know that we find ourselves doing what we can for our kiddos and as a bonus, you get to spend awesome time with the grand kids! LOL Thank you for stopping by~ ♥
You have to be the Best Mimzy there is. You are truely blessed.
Becky thank you for the kind words! You just wait-when you have the honor of being a grandma, you won’t believe how magnificent it truly is! ♥ ya