In Loving Memory... We’re Going Deluxe! - A Jan 2013 PTR (TR Link 01/28)

[ronnmel]

If I remember right, I think I started with green beans, then peas. From there I think I went orange.

Thanks! Besides carrots and sweet potatoes, my friend made me buy butternut squash, pears and apples.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Thanks! Besides carrots and sweet potatoes, my friend made me buy butternut squash, pears and apples.

LOL, I forgot about the squash, but that was one of DD favorites! These sound good. I'll bet you are getting super excited with the holidays just around the corner and then your trip! Have a wonderful time.

 

[AvasMommy526]

I am so happy you got a nice day to relax, and brighten your spirits

Love the magical express and photo pass + info, yaya I cannot wait to get mine.......in 5 months

As for baby food! It's such a big step isn't it!? I think I cried lol!
I agree with the spacing, 3 days or so is what we did too. Ava started with sweet potatoes, butternut squash (which she loved!) carrots were her first purée and she ate so much orange baby food that her little nose had an orange tint to it! My doctor actually told me to start with the orange ones and pears and then move on to the green stuff, she never went for peas, they actually gave her a funny reaction so we avoided those! But I do remember in the beginning it was the cereal and like 1/4 container and then up to 1/2. I also used the pouches, like Plum Organics and Ella's Kitchen brands, the Plum brand has a spoon you can attach to the end and just squeeze the food right onto it! I really like the pouches and they had some great blends so she would get fruits and veggies together, obviously peanut has to try everything on her own but for the future

Do you have an area of her diaper bag that is insulated? If not I would just get a small lunch type bag and place a freezer pack in it while at the parks and store the unused baby food in there.
As for the diet, my DF is super picky, he's gotten much better since we've been together but he feels the same way, he wants Ava to enjoy everything or at least try it so I literally give her anything and everything (within reason ) and some stuff she loves, some stuff she hates. It's all trial and error, just keep giving her options!
Oh and how often, I know when Ava started solids it was her cereal a couple times a day with veggies once a day and then up to twice a day and so on. So by the time you go Claudia will probably only need baby food in addition to her cereal once or twice a day. Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it, doctors say at her age they still get all their nutrition from breastmilk or formula and solids are just an addition. So feed her cereal like you do and add the baby food when you can while in Disney! She's gonna do great, you guys are going have so much fun!
Sorry about the long winded post! I like to help other moms when I can

 

[PhoenixStrength]

You will LOVE Photopass Plus!!! I got it and was so happy just with the ride pictures. No redneck ride pics for me this time!

 

[ronnmel]

I am so happy you got a nice day to relax, and brighten your spirits

Love the magical express and photo pass + info, yaya I cannot wait to get mine.......in 5 months

As for baby food! It's such a big step isn't it!? I think I cried lol!
I agree with the spacing, 3 days or so is what we did too. Ava started with sweet potatoes, butternut squash (which she loved!) carrots were her first purée and she ate so much orange baby food that her little nose had an orange tint to it! My doctor actually told me to start with the orange ones and pears and then move on to the green stuff, she never went for peas, they actually gave her a funny reaction so we avoided those! But I do remember in the beginning it was the cereal and like 1/4 container and then up to 1/2. I also used the pouches, like Plum Organics and Ella's Kitchen brands, the Plum brand has a spoon you can attach to the end and just squeeze the food right onto it! I really like the pouches and they had some great blends so she would get fruits and veggies together, obviously peanut has to try everything on her own but for the future

Do you have an area of her diaper bag that is insulated? If not I would just get a small lunch type bag and place a freezer pack in it while at the parks and store the unused baby food in there.
As for the diet, my DF is super picky, he's gotten much better since we've been together but he feels the same way, he wants Ava to enjoy everything or at least try it so I literally give her anything and everything (within reason ) and some stuff she loves, some stuff she hates. It's all trial and error, just keep giving her options!
Oh and how often, I know when Ava started solids it was her cereal a couple times a day with veggies once a day and then up to twice a day and so on. So by the time you go Claudia will probably only need baby food in addition to her cereal once or twice a day. Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it, doctors say at her age they still get all their nutrition from breastmilk or formula and solids are just an addition. So feed her cereal like you do and add the baby food when you can while in Disney! She's gonna do great, you guys are going have so much fun!
Sorry about the long winded post! I like to help other moms when I can

Don't be sorry! I love that you have a lot to say to help me.

That's funny that Ava's nose started to turn a bit orange from eating lots of orange food. I think I've seen my friends use the pouches you are talking about, for their one year old daughters.

My main diaper is not insulated, but for the park we have a backpack diaper bag and that one is insulated I believe. So let's say I bring one jar of puree to the park, she eats 1/4 or half of it for lunch, and I store the rest in the bag next to a backpack. Then she could eat the other half for dinner?

Yeah, I have to remember that with the formula and the cereals, she's already going to be getting most of what she needs. It's not like we eat exactly the same amount of food everyday ourselves anyway.

Thanks again for easing my mind about baby food in Disney.

You will LOVE Photopass Plus!!! I got it and was so happy just with the ride pictures. No redneck ride pics for me this time!

I can't wait to use it!

 

[shan23877]

Hey Mel! I am so glad that you're doing PP+! I wanted to do it last trip, but it was so new that I hadn't heard much about it and wasn't sure I'd get my money's worth. I'm kicking myself now. Can't wait to hear if you like it.

As for the baby food: like a pp said, the pouches would be great for the parks. Easy to pack, and resealable. I too started with green food, then orange, then fruit. And, good for you trying to be a more adventurous eater for Claudia's sake! DH was REALLY REALLY picky when he was younger (and right up until we started dating). It took a lot of work but now he's less picky than me! And it's a great example for the little ones. They'll never eat what their parents won't. Good luck!

 

[monica23535]

Hi Mel, I agree that the Ella's Kitchen and Plum pouches are the best thing to take. I don't eat a lot of veggies but I made sure my son, who is now six, got used to them from the start. I remember he used to love squash, peas, carrots and spinach. Do you have a recipe book for purees? I don't know about Canada but here in the UK the best ones are written by Annabel Karmel. Her website is full of great ideas.

 

[LaniesMom]

Hi Mel,
I'm mostly a lurker here and don't post often but I think your family is adorable! I would love to offer you my $.02 about traveling to WDW with the little one & the baby food. I'm an RN too,with pediatric experience. And a Mom.
Most important thing is: try not to worry about passing along your habits to her. If you are worried, your daughter will sense that and it won't go as smoothly as it could. Good for you for being so self-aware for your child!
When I had my now 4 y/o, I did carrots, squash & pumpkin first, then green beans and peas, then pears and apples & prunes. I think with DD #2 (who is 3 mos. now) I will try the greens first. Do you know peas are sweet? I didn't until I tried the puree. (I can't stand the texture of peas myself lol)

I follow the three day rule as well. You can even mix some veggies/fruit in her cereal too. When we took my eldest to WDW when she was 15 mos, I took an insulated cooler in my bag & saved her uneaten food (she loves yogurt to this day!) for later. Pretty sure once you open a baby food jar it's only good for 24 hours, so keep that in mind.
Just a tip--most babies love, love, love the orange veggies (hence the orange nose from pp So if all else fails, go orange!
The best part is, you and Claudia are learning together. And she loves you for trying, Mama. Good luck!

 

[ronnmel]

Hey Mel! I am so glad that you're doing PP+! I wanted to do it last trip, but it was so new that I hadn't heard much about it and wasn't sure I'd get my money's worth. I'm kicking myself now. Can't wait to hear if you like it.

As for the baby food: like a pp said, the pouches would be great for the parks. Easy to pack, and resealable. I too started with green food, then orange, then fruit. And, good for you trying to be a more adventurous eater for Claudia's sake! DH was REALLY REALLY picky when he was younger (and right up until we started dating). It took a lot of work but now he's less picky than me! And it's a great example for the little ones. They'll never eat what their parents won't. Good luck!

At first I wasn't sure about Photopass +, but once I saw that it was only 30$ more than regular PP (or something like that) when pre-ordered, I knew it was worth it! We were going to take the regular PP anyway. One ride picture is close to 20$ (we bought one last time), so for less than the price of two ride photos you get them ALL! We don't care so much about the paper copy anyway, not enough frames to put them into. Plus, if we really want a paper copy we can get it printed ourselves here for cheaper.

I'll have to look at the ingredients on the pouch since by then she will only have tried a few different foods, but if possible I'll take those. If not for this trip, at least I'll know about those for later. The baby books and website I've seen all say orange food first (easier to digest or something), plus that's all I've bought, so I guess I'll start with that. I wish I had asked about the food before, maybe I would have done things differently. Oh well, at least if it doesn't work so well with Claudia I know I can try greens first for baby #2.

It is so much work trying new food as an adult, when you've been picky for years. I've been trying since I was a teenager to be less picky!!! Over the years I have added things like plain yogurt, bell peppers, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, filet mignon, brie cheese, etc. I even tried fried zucchinis last weekend and loved it! I find it's getting a bit easier now, probably because I've had several success in trying new food. It boosts my confidence. In a way in makes things harder though. I'm tired of eating the same whole things I used to eat all the time, but I don't quite know what to replace it with yet. I AM trying for Claudia's sake like you said.

Hi Mel, I agree that the Ella's Kitchen and Plum pouches are the best thing to take. I don't eat a lot of veggies but I made sure my son, who is now six, got used to them from the start. I remember he used to love squash, peas, carrots and spinach. Do you have a recipe book for purees? I don't know about Canada but here in the UK the best ones are written by Annabel Karmel. Her website is full of great ideas.

Thanks for telling me the name of actual brands. Now pouches, but here in Quebec we also have Mere Poule which is a brand that makes natural organic baby food. Reading your post reminded me to check them out. I didn't even know I needed a recipe book for purees! For now I just basically blend the veggie with water, but I guess it's true that later on I should add more variety to the purees. I checked out the book and it's sold in the local bookstore.

Hi Mel,
I'm mostly a lurker here and don't post often but I think your family is adorable! I would love to offer you my $.02 about traveling to WDW with the little one & the baby food. I'm an RN too,with pediatric experience. And a Mom.
Most important thing is: try not to worry about passing along your habits to her. If you are worried, your daughter will sense that and it won't go as smoothly as it could. Good for you for being so self-aware for your child!
When I had my now 4 y/o, I did carrots, squash & pumpkin first, then green beans and peas, then pears and apples & prunes. I think with DD #2 (who is 3 mos. now) I will try the greens first. Do you know peas are sweet? I didn't until I tried the puree. (I can't stand the texture of peas myself lol)

I follow the three day rule as well. You can even mix some veggies/fruit in her cereal too. When we took my eldest to WDW when she was 15 mos, I took an insulated cooler in my bag & saved her uneaten food (she loves yogurt to this day!) for later. Pretty sure once you open a baby food jar it's only good for 24 hours, so keep that in mind.
Just a tip--most babies love, love, love the orange veggies (hence the orange nose from pp So if all else fails, go orange!
The best part is, you and Claudia are learning together. And she loves you for trying, Mama. Good luck!

and thanks!

I'll try not to pass on my worry, but it's easier said than done. Like I said to a PP, I already about all the orange vegetables already since that's what the baby book said, but maybe I'll try greens first for baby #2 when the time comes. Congrats on your baby! No I didn't know peas are sweet. Texture is a big reason why I'm so picky. Even grapes, I love everything grape (juice, popsicle, candy, yogurt), but can't stand the texture (the skin, the juice, eww) of actual grapes. That's why my nutritionist said to eat the purees at the same time as I feed them to Claudia, to get used to the taste of new fruits and veggies. My diaper backpack is insulated, so I'll be able to keep the uneaten food in there. Since it's only good for 24 hours, she can have the same veggie or fruit twice in the same day, then something different the next day.

Thanks again!

 

[ronnmel]

MORE BABY ADVICE PLEASE​

I made my first puree! We did sweet potato, and put it in the freezer. We'll start feeding her purees this weekend, and do something new every 3 days. Which means, I need to make more purees over the next few days. What's the best way to heat up and serve the purees? How long in the microwave, do you wait a certain amount of time before serving, etc.?

As the title of this update suggests, I need more baby advice. It doesn't really fit just one category, so I'll just post all my questions and you can help me on stuff you know.

STROLLER : I plan on renting a stroller from an outside vendor. I already have an idea of which company I'd like to use, but I'm open to suggestions. Which one did you try, did you like it and why? Would you suggest renting from someone that offers insurance against theft, and would you pay extra for that insurance? Should I just use a bike lock and lock the back wheels together? Any other stroller advice, not necessarily related to renting?

PARK BAG : What are your essentials to bring in the park bag for baby? What did you bring that you should have left in the room? What did you forget to bring that you wish you had?

LUGGAGE & CARRY-ON : Same questions as park bag, but for the trip's luggage and the plane bag. What's a good amount of clothes to have? If I plan on doing laundry, should I try to find those "clear" detergent or is it no big deal if I use regular detergent just this once? At what temperature should we start to wear shoes or boots (instead of just socks)? She always kicks them off... Socks too... That's a big problem for me!

SUNNY WEATHER : Does she always need a hat and sunscreen, or would she be okay without if it's not super hot? Any brand of baby sunscreen you like better?

That's all I can think of for now, but if you think of something else related to packing, renting, buying, please let me know.


Since this is a baby update, why not post some baby pictures?

Her and I

An ornament I got for her

She's been discovering her feet, and I've been taking pictures of this. While looking at the photos I discovered she has a birth mark on the inside of her left leg, near her foot.

It's a bit hard to see, so I drew a black outline around it. Is it just me, or does it look like a hidden Mickey?

Here's a close up. I don't care if y'all think I'm crazy, I see a hidden mickey. See, she has Disney in her skin!

And one more, just because I think she's cute.

 

[KatMark]

We just got home today from Mark's surprise trip and I'm trying to catch up on some threads (sorry...but I had to skip the chit chat).

for receiving your Magical Express tags. Sorry you are missing your mom...the holidays are the hardest. I hope to keep up now that we're home.

 

[ronnmel]

We just got home today from Mark's surprise trip and I'm trying to catch up on some threads (sorry...but I had to skip the chit chat).

for receiving your Magical Express tags. Sorry you are missing your mom...the holidays are the hardest. I hope to keep up now that we're home.

Welcome back!! How was the trip??? Don't worry about skipping the chit chat, I do that a lot too. I wasn't even gone on a trip and I have a hard time keeping up with all my subscriptions. Why do you people write such interesting TRs that I need to read them all? Seriously though, I started reading yours and got to Marco Islands. Then I stopped because I wanted to know where Marco Islands is, so I looked it up on Google map. Then I saw it's just across the state from Fort Lauderdale and Miami, so I decided to try and see if I could find where my grand-parents had a mobile home in Hallendale. I found it! I had a lot of fun looking at the "street view", and recognizing the places I used to visit. I also found the beach we used to go to. As you can see, I kinda got sidetracked... then it was late and I ahd to go to bed... and I haven't had time to go back since. Oops!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Since I am childless I cannot help with any of the questions, but I wanted to say that Claudia is ADORABLE!!!!! And I totally see the HM in her birthmark! She was destined to love WDW!

 

[AvasMommy526]

Oh my gosh, she is precious!!! Beautiful pictures, and I definitely see a hidden Mickey! She was made for Disney!!!

Everyone made such great suggestions about the food! I again say the pouches are easiest to travel with and I know a lot of them are blends but there are pouches that are single foods. Like you suggested, feeding her what she can eat and storing it in the pack (or fridge)*then giving her the rest of the container at*her next meal! I remember the foods being good for a day or two! I had no problems getting Ava to eat different baby foods, orange, green, fruits, veggies, she pretty much liked it all, now? Lol loves fruits, veggies she is very picky about! Her orange nose did go away finally, it was so funny you could really see it in photos with the flash But yaya for you making your own food!! I did it once and it was a lot of work between nursing and working lol so I just bought organic but I definitely want to try again with the next baby!*

I can't give advice for stroller rental or what to pack for Disney because we haven't gone with Ava yet! As for laundry, if you use the free n clear or Dreft (not sure if you have that in Canada) but won't*have it in Disney I would try out the regular first, just in case she is sensitive to the change. I use free n clear Detergent for all of us, and just separate our clothes. As far as kicking off the socks.....if you have a solution please share, Ava is always taking her socks off, ohhh though she has these "skiddsie" socks, they have treads on the bottom for traction on the floors so they're a lot harder to get off, not sure if they'd be available in Claudia's size
I would say sunscreen or hat is a go, better safe than sorry and with the weather and sun in Florida being so different from up north, it can't hurt, they say if you can see a shadow you're getting sun!*
Weee another long post *

 

[lovethattink]

The pictures are darling!

I read through the posts earlier on my phone, going to try to remember what I've read.

I introduced fruit and veggies to my son by mixing it with his cereal. He didn't take to them individually, but mixed with rice cereal he loved it. I think it was the change in consistency that he didn't care for. The cereal made the fruit and vegies not so thin.

Even on an overcast day, you can still sunburn in Florida. I always used and still do 8 years later, Coppertone Water babies Sun Screen Stick on his face, and Neutrogena Sensitive Skin suntan lotions/sprays on his arms and legs.

Here are my Coral Reef dessert pictures that you said you would like to see.

Kid's meal brownie dessert. Brownie with icecream

Chocolate Lava Cake

Blood Orange Cheesecake

Better view of the layers

 

[monica23535]

In all honesty I would take my own stroller. It is obviously cheaper and definitely easier to carry a baby around an airport in one, also you have to think about flight delays and if she fell asleep. Would you and Ron be carrying Peanut the whole time at the airports?

 

[ronnmel]

Since I am childless I cannot help with any of the questions, but I wanted to say that Claudia is ADORABLE!!!!! And I totally see the HM in her birthmark! She was destined to love WDW!

Thank you! Nice to know I'm not totally crazy.

Oh my gosh, she is precious!!! Beautiful pictures, and I definitely see a hidden Mickey! She was made for Disney!!!

Everyone made such great suggestions about the food! I again say the pouches are easiest to travel with and I know a lot of them are blends but there are pouches that are single foods. Like you suggested, feeding her what she can eat and storing it in the pack (or fridge)*then giving her the rest of the container at*her next meal! I remember the foods being good for a day or two! I had no problems getting Ava to eat different baby foods, orange, green, fruits, veggies, she pretty much liked it all, now? Lol loves fruits, veggies she is very picky about! Her orange nose did go away finally, it was so funny you could really see it in photos with the flash But yaya for you making your own food!! I did it once and it was a lot of work between nursing and working lol so I just bought organic but I definitely want to try again with the next baby!*

I can't give advice for stroller rental or what to pack for Disney because we haven't gone with Ava yet! As for laundry, if you use the free n clear or Dreft (not sure if you have that in Canada) but won't*have it in Disney I would try out the regular first, just in case she is sensitive to the change. I use free n clear Detergent for all of us, and just separate our clothes. As far as kicking off the socks.....if you have a solution please share, Ava is always taking her socks off, ohhh though she has these "skiddsie" socks, they have treads on the bottom for traction on the floors so they're a lot harder to get off, not sure if they'd be available in Claudia's size
I would say sunscreen or hat is a go, better safe than sorry and with the weather and sun in Florida being so different from up north, it can't hurt, they say if you can see a shadow you're getting sun!*
Weee another long post *

I did some more research and found the pouch that are single foods. Now I jsut need to go to the store and see it for myself. Making my own food is work, but it's not *as* bad as I thought. Plus, DH is helping me. I'm not nursing nor working, so I have the time, then when I go back to work Ron will be off for 10 weeks so he can continue making them.

That's a good idea to do a test run with the regular detergent here, in case it gives her skin problem or something.

Right now my solution to the socks problem is... leave her barefoot! I check her feet once in a while and as long as they are not cold, she can be barefoot. That's at home, of course! One friend told me old navy socks work wel, and another say dollar store socks. I tried both, and they do stay on longer than other socks, but she eventually gets them off as well. I looked up those skiddies socks. I think I may have received a pair second hand, but not sure what size or even where they are at the moment...

Yeah, I guess better safe than sorry with the sun. I know that technically as long as the sun is out it can do damage to your skin, but it's so ingrained in my mind that sunburn = summer that I refuse to put sunscreen when it's -40, no matter how bright the sun is or that you can see a shadow.

The pictures are darling!

I read through the posts earlier on my phone, going to try to remember what I've read.

I introduced fruit and veggies to my son by mixing it with his cereal. He didn't take to them individually, but mixed with rice cereal he loved it. I think it was the change in consistency that he didn't care for. The cereal made the fruit and vegies not so thin.

Even on an overcast day, you can still sunburn in Florida. I always used and still do 8 years later, Coppertone Water babies Sun Screen Stick on his face, and Neutrogena Sensitive Skin suntan lotions/sprays on his arms and legs.

Here are my Coral Reef dessert pictures that you said you would like to see.

Kid's meal brownie dessert. Brownie with icecream

Chocolate Lava Cake

Thanks.

I'll keep the idea of mixing with cereals in mind if she doesn't like purees. I also want to try baby led weaning, which means serving them actual chunks of food instead of purees, but I want to wait a little.

Thank you for telling me actual brands of sunscreen. I'll look for those next time I'm out shopping. Or at least for any kind of stick for the face.

The brownie and lava cake look YUMMY!!!

In all honesty I would take my own stroller. It is obviously cheaper and definitely easier to carry a baby around an airport in one, also you have to think about flight delays and if she fell asleep. Would you and Ron be carrying Peanut the whole time at the airports?

I don't want to take my own stroller. For one thing, she has only been in the car seat art of the stroller, not the main seat, so it would be just as new for her. Mostly though, it's because it's an expensive stroller and I read in another TR (Shan's maybe?) about how they just throw the strollers in the plane. Wouldn't want it to be damaged.

This is what I plan to use at the airport (and in lines or other places I can't take the stroller at Disney):

It's a baby carrier, a Mei Tai. It's very comfortable, folds flat and doesn't take much space in a park bag, and Claudia has already fallen asleep in it a few times, including at a restaurant and during our salsa class!!

 

[Nermel9]

I'm sorry I can't help out with any of the baby stuff, but I love all the new pics of that little Peanut! She is too cute! I absolutely LOVE the peanut ornament!

 

[KatMark]

I forgot to say that I LOVE the baby pictures.

 

[monica23535]

lol I don't blame you for not wanting to take your stroller, I've seen how they handle them on the aircraft too. I bought a little inexpensive one just to take on vacation which worked well for us

That carrier looks very comfortable and I'm sure Peanut will love t!