Diary of A First Time Parent

Homemade Baby Food Recipe – Corn-Beef Hash

Jen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:04:04 +0000

Another warm and tasty dish I make for Thomas during the cold winters nights is a good old favorite dish corn-beef hash! I make my homemade baby food corn-beef hash in a similar way to a casserole although I do add a tin of oxtail soup to my hash as Thomas is older now I feel he is ok to have the occassional tinned food – When he was younger I was worried about the salt content of tinned and processed foods, although he will be 2 in a couple of weeks so he is ok for some tinned foods. If you are worried about using oxtail soup, you can use some tinned tomatoes to make the meaty sauce as some tinned tomatoes mixed together with the corn beef will work well. Tinned tomatoes don’t usually contain anything but tomato juice, but double check the back of your tin to make sure.

Ingredients:

Onion
Carrots
Peas
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Sprouts
Potatoes
Tin of oxtail soup
Tin of extra lean corn beef

Method:
Pour the oxtail soup into a pan and heat on a low flame, adding the diced onion. Peel and cut the potatoes and place into the pan, peel the sprouts, carrots and slice placing into the pan, along with the cauliflower, broccali and peas. Place the lid over the pan and allow to simmer to soften the potatoes and vegetables. While the pan is simmering open your tin of extra lean corn beef and cut the corn beef into small chunks, add the corn beef chunks to the pan near the end of cooking, when the vegetables and potatoes are almost ready. Blend the corn beef has to your desired consistency, allow to cool before plaing into freezable containers.

With the cold weather setting in you cant go wrong with good tasty homemade baby food meals such as casseroles, bolognaise, cottage pie, corn beef hash, soups etc. Get stocked up on vegetables, potatoes and meat and get batch cooking for your little one this winter! It is so easy to pull an already pre-prepared tasty homemade baby food container out of the freezer this winter, giving you more time to play with your baby, more smiles and giggles with mummy xx

Homemade Baby Food Recipe – Lamb Casserole

Jen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:36:15 +0000

Warm and tasy homemade lamb casserole is just what baby needs during these cold winter days! There is nothing more satisfying then a tasty casserole to warm your baby from the inside leaving them feeling satisfied and full of wholesome goodness. Thomas loves my lamb casserole, I make his with more lumps in now but you can blend your casserole into a fine consistency for younger babies. I find that with a casserole you can throw a lot of different vegetables and potatoes together with lentils or pearl barley to make a really healthy and nutritious meal. I give Thomas a slice of wholemeal bread to dip into his lamb casserole, or make it into a “Butty” as Thomas likes to say

I have been giving Thomas my homemade baby food lamb casserole for around a year now, he has never got bored of the flavours! When making Thomas lamb casserole I make a large pan full and fill several small freezable containers with the casserole and freeze a batch of the lamb casserole, which is really handy!

Ingredients:

Onion
Carrots
Garlic
Sprouts
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Peas
White potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Pearl barley
Lamb chunks

Method:
Put a jug of cold water in a large pan, place the lamp pieces into the pan and heat on full, placing the onion and garlic into the water. While the water is heating peal the sprouts, peel and cut the carrots and place into the pan, along with the cauliflower broccoli and peas. At this point I place a small vegetable stock cube into the pan, to add more flavour. You dont have to add a stock cube, when Thomas was younger I did not add any stock but you can get baby stock cubes from the supermarket which contain less salt. Peel and chop the white and sweet potatoes and place into the pan along with a cup full of pearl barley. Once the casserole is bubbling, bring the heat down, sitir and place the lid over the pan. Make sure you keep your eye on the water level in the pan, if it looks like it is getting a little low just put some more water in.

When the potatoes and vegetables are soft, check the meat is cooked, I usually do this by cutting a few of the lamb chunks in half and testing them. Now you are ready to blend to your desired consistency, I use a hand blender just to blend the meat and veg a little. You can now place the casserole into containers and allow to cool before placing in the freezer.

As you can see my lamb casserole homemade baby food recipe is just as excuse to get lots and lots of vegetables and goodness into Thomas’s tummy in a lovely warm tasty way. I hope your little ones enjoy this heart-warming dish xx

First Day On The Advent Calendar Today

Jen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:37:56 +0000

Well its finally arrived 1st December! my favorite month of the year – I get so excited at Christmas time, I just love the build up, the Christmas carols, the lights, the magic! Thomas opened the first door on his advent calendar this morning, he was so suprised to find a piece of chocolate in there: “Oooh Nice” he beamed as he chomped away at a tiny chocolate Christmas tree

It is starting to get cold outside, I bought Thomas a new scarf, hat and mitten set this week to keep him warm when were walking out. It doesnt stop his big cheeks getting all red and cold though I cant wrap him up like a mummy though! Im just over protective when it comes to keeping him warm when out. I think its because he is a December baby, born when it was snowing outside and really cold. I was constantly worried about him being warm enough.

Well the run up to Christmas has begun, its my birthday first though in 3 days and of course my little man will be 2 on 18th December so much to look forward to this month I love it. I hope you all have a stress free Christmas with loved ones and friends xx

Winter Flu Vaccine

Jen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:23:03 +0000

Thomas had his flu jab today I had to put up a little bit of a fight to get it for him as he doesnt automatically fall into the at risk category. Although with his previous history of severe Bronchitus just last year as well as Thomas seems to catch every cold and flu going which goes on his chest giving him a cough, I thought enough is enough Ive got to get my boy the flu vaccine for this winter! I rang the doctors and explained my concerns, they said that they feel he does not fall in the at risk category but I can pay for Thomas to have the vaccine at the chemist. I thought great thats good I will simply take him to the chemist and pay for the vaccine no problem, I rang the chemist first only to be told they do not vaccinate under 18′s I was so frustraited. It was this point I thought no I am going to get back on to the doctors again and see what they have to say. Thankfully my doctors are quite good, they offered to write Thomas a prescription for the flu vaccine, I have to order the vaccine from the chemist once they have it in book an appointment at the doctors for the vaccine to be given making sure I collect the vaccine just before the appointment so its not out of the fridge for too long.

It has been a bit of a long way to go about it, but the main thing is Thomas had the flu jab today, he didn’t like it! But it Puts my mind at rest for the harsh winter months. I have read a lot of stories online about worried parents who can’t get the flu jab for their children, all I can say is just persist with it ring your doctors, ask about the prescription method that I did. The main issue with the flu vaccine is that the doctors are issued a set amount for their at risk patients and the chemists are equally given a certain amount for their over 18′s customers who wish to pay for the vaccine. Therefore if your doctors give you a prescription for the vaccine then the prescription has to be ordered therefore it doesnt actually come out of anyones budget so in essence everyone is happy.

I hope that Thomas doesnt have another winter like last year where he had illness after illness, we spent most of the winter indoors! I like to think that I am a responsible mum in my persistence to ensure Thomas has the flu vaccine, it wont do him any harm but could do him a lot of good.

Our Free Heating System For Winter! Yay

Jen — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:11:03 +0000

Thomas has been driving me crazy this weekend, we’ve had the heating installers at our home fitting us a brand new top of the range free heating system inclucing a new Worcester Bosch high efficiency boiler and 5 radiators! I couldnt believe it when my close friend suggested I look into the Warm Front Grant Scheme The Warm Front grant is a UK Government incentive to bring UK households to a certain level by providing free home improvement grants. The governments main aim is to reduce our carbon emmisions by ensuring we have high efficient boilers in our home, we have adequate loft insulation and cavity wall insulation as well as draught proofing.

The Warm Front grant scheme is a brilliant incentive to help those who would otherwise struggle to pay for a new heating system to replace your tempermental boiler which may be 10 years old or more! By installing a grade A efficient boiler you will automatically reduce your heating bills as it is much more efficient in the way it uses energy. The Warm Front grant entitles you to £3,500 to spend on home improvements improving the efficiency and value of your home. I can’t wait for the insulation team to do our loft insulation next week, it can get so cold upstairs in our home we have to have the heating on full, which is just throwing money out the roof really as all the heat we do generate just goes up and out of the loft.

I wanted to bring the Warm Front grant scheme to your attention, it has been a life saver for us I don’t know how we would have managed this winter it is really starting to get cold now. Since our new boiler has been in our home has been lovely and warm, we can really tell the difference it is brilliant! If you would like more details about the UK Government grant scheme Warm Front, to see if you qualify for the grant, and read up on what home improvements you could be eligible for simply click here to find out more.

Little Man “Found” His First Christmas Present!!

Jen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:20:04 +0000

I write Little Man “Found” His First Christmas Present! On the title it was actually Daddy who made the mistake of accidentally leaving it in the lounge downstairs after collecting it last night. Thomas like most boys is mad on trains and cars so we had a look round online and saw a fantastic brio kit on ebay. The brio kit has over 50 parts to it including bridges, trains, arches and even a zoo! we won it on ebay and Nathan went out last night to collect it. We had it all out last night looking through all the pieces and cleaning them making sure there ready for Christmas. Luckily Nathan had packed the majority of the brio away at the end of the night after I had gone to bed but he did leave a wooden car park on the floor in the lounge. So I am there carrying Thomas downstairs this morning, open the lounge door and there is a pretty impressive wooden three story car park….Well it was too late by then Thomas had spotted it, with a beaming smile on his face he got so excited wanting to play with it.

It was great to see Thomas so excited, he wanted me to play with him so I lay down on the mat next to him and shown him what to do, how to use the lifts and the ramps, how to park the cars he loved it! It sounds a little sad Iknow but I found a music channel on the tv that is already playing Christmas songs, it felt like Christmas morning! A small taster for what Christmas morning is going to be like when the lounge is all decorated and presents under the tree – Thomas is just going to be so hyper on the big day. Needless to say we decided to let Thomas have his early Christmas present, we couldnt take it off him after that he is a very lucky boy having an early Christmas present, I am just so glad that the car park was the only thing Nathan had left out.

It is Thomas’ 2nd birthday a week before Christmas, I cant believe my baby will be 2 where has the time gone! He is really growing up now, becoming a little boy. I am so excited about the future all the things we plan to do with him, all the experiences has yet to discover. Its upsetting to think around this time last year Thomas was very ill in hospital with bronchitis it was touch and go, I feel like crying every time I think about it, it was the worst moment in our lives. Nathan and I are blessed havin such a beautiful healthy little boy this Christmas and every Christmas is going to be so special, we love him so much words can not express.

Day Out To The Aquarium

Jen — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:03:02 +0000

Nathan and I took Thomas to the Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port over the Weekend, he loved it! He spent the whole time running round pressing his nose against the glass fish tanks in amazement shouting “Fish.” There is so much to do there, in one section of the aquarium there is a large open top tank with several sting rays in who came to the top of the tank to be stroked, it was a great family experience for us all! Our most memorable moment was the under water tunnel, where you can actually walk through a tunnel with all the fish and sharks swimming over you, its like a glass tunnel from floor to ceiling. A couple of divers were inside the tunnel cleaning the glass with long brushes, one of the divers waved at Thomas through the glass, well Thomas was amazed at the “Fish” waving at him, his eyes lit up and mouth wide open in amazement!

After several laps around the Blue Planet Aquarium, a couple of go’s on the kiddie rides and a play in the outdoor play area Thomas was knackered! We stopped for lunch half way through for a rest, but apart from that he managed to walk the whole way around! I am glad we didn’t take his buggy, to be honest I don’t think he would have gone in it anyway, he got so much more out of it being able to run around and get up close with the fish.

Last time we took him to the aquarium was 6 months ago, Nathan and I could definantly see the difference in him this time! He was so much more alert and aware of what was happenning around him. He’s also taking more now and understands a lot more now he is 22.5 months, can’t believe how quickly he is growing up.

Nathan and I are looking forward to many more special moments to come, especially over Christmas we cant wait! Thomas will take so much more in this year, I am really excited about the festive season, I keep checking all the music channels on the TV to see if the Christmas songs are on yet….I know it sounds sad but I am like a big kid I just can’t wait! xx

Pre School??

Jen — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:33:27 +0000

Nathan and I are considering putting Thomas into a pre school when he is 3, I have read when your child turns 3 they are entitled to a nursery education grant giving them up to 15 hours in a pre school nursery for free. Thomas will be 3 next Christmas, we don’t know what he will be like then its impossible to predict. But the good nurserys in my area have a year long waiting list, so its worth getting his name down now, we can always change our mind closer the time. I have put his name down at one that is really good, we’ve been to visit it and I have heard brilliant things from friends who’s children go there.

I am only thinking about Thomas going for either one day or two mornings, mainly to play with the other children to bring him on socially. Kids learn from eachother, being the only child Thomas doesnt have a sibling to play with and learn from. The nursery we have chosen allows the children to play out as much as they want, even when it rains they have an all in one waterproof jump suit! I know Thomas will probably be outside most of the time

I know a lot of mums think that 3 is too young for a nursery/preschool although others would argue that 3 is a good age to be in a nursery environment. All I know is that Thomas loves doing things, I have always taken him out evey day whether its to the shops, for a walk, soft play or swimming etc, he gets fed up in the house, by mid morning he is giving me his shoes to go out! I think that we will just wait and see how he goes over the next year, its a long time. My main worry about a pre school is the pushing and shoving that goes on amongst toddlers especially boys, I am very protective over Thomas, I would hate for him to get hurt of bitten by another little one, I know its all part of growing up but it still upsets me. I suppose it may do us both good! Thomas goes to both his grandmas during the week, he’s not with me all the time, but being in a pre school may help him develop socially without mummy or nannie being there to interfear.

Watch this space, I will let you know what we decide next year, feels ages off now but I am sure it will fly by! I can’t believe my little boy is two in 3 months! Wow what a rollercoaster ride xx

Thinking About Baby Number Two!

Jen — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:26:40 +0000

Thomas is 20 months old now, he is growing up so quickly and becoming a lot more independant! I take him round the block in his new Little Life reins I spoke about in my last blog, yay I finally got them and they are fantastic! I feel lost not pushing a buggy, he’s not ready to walk full time yet but it wont be long the way he is going Nathan and I are also looking into nurserys for when he is 3, when he will be entitled to a nursery education grant, were seriously thining about putting him in a private nursery for a couple of mornings a week….But thats another blog topic! I cant help feeling the need to have another baby, not just because Thomas is growing up, we have always said we want more then one child, but I dont want the gap between Thomas and his sibling(s) to be too big! I have noticed that Thomas gets bored when its just the two of us, even though I take him to places in the day, and he plays at his nanies a lot – Its just when we are back home and its quiet, no matter how much stimulation he has he still gets a little bored. Over the summer holidays I have had my nieces and nephews over a lot, you can definantly tell the difference in Thomas, he loves playing with them and being one of the kids just mingling in with the mayhem! Its lovely to see him with his cousins, when they go home the house feels empty again.

As much as we want to start trying for number two, there are a few things we need to make sure are stable first – I mentioned that I had been made redundant, I have started to do things from home following Nathans lead on the Internet Marketing side. Check out some of my sites:- Warmsure Free Heating Grants, Free Government Grants, Free Central Heating We need to wait a while to see how things pan out with me being a working at home mum. Also I would like to lose some weight before falling pregnant again, I still havn’t managed to get back to what I was before I had Thomas, I dont want to have any problems with blood pressure like towards the end of my first pregnancy! I have Thomas to consider now it won’t be as easy to drop everything and go to the hospital for monitorning every day like I did when I was pregnant with him.

I have set a target for myself though – 6 months to lose the weight and get fit, and of course to make more of a stable income for myself working at home, through Internet Marketing, content writing etc. If any readers are interested in any aspect of Internet Marketing for your business or website, whether it is:- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Pay Per Click (PPC), Google adwords, Website design or content writing feel free to drop me a msg by leaving a comment. I am an honest trustworthy work at home mum, recently made redundant but working hard to help support my family

Summer Holiday Blues

Jen — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:56:44 +0000

Were about half way through the summer holidays, and I am beginning to feel a little trapped and isolated! The weather is horrible, it seems to rain all the time, and the mum and tot groups we go to are not on during the summer holidays so I am finding it particularly hard to keep Thomas occupied this summer. I have been to the park with some of my mummy friends and got together a few times at each others houses, but I think because were half way through now things seem to have tailed off a little. It is suprising how much I actually rely on the mums and tots group, they help to schedule the days! Mums and tots groups also give me the chance to chat to other mums, make friends, have an adult conversation. Half way through the summer holidays I am really starting to feel a little fed up like I am letting Thomas down a little too. I can’t afford to go to the soft play centers every day, they are expensive so we keep them to once a week, plus they are usually really busy during the school holidays.

Ive ordered Thomas his first set of Little Life Reins, they look so cute and very practical! A little blue backpack that has a front fastener and has a rein connected to the top of the backpack for you to hold. Little Life reins are brilliant! A friend recommended it as she has one for her little girl, they give your little one more freedom and scope to explore the world. I cant wait for Thomas’ new little life reins to arrive, just hope the weather improves so we can get out walking, he will love it!

I hope these summer holidays blues clear, I love spending time with Thomas playing with him and taking him to places! I was made redundant last month from work so I have been worried about things, but fingers crossed we will be ok!