"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." ~Lin Yutang

Thursday, March 15, 2012

prep prep prep

so i guess i need to start making preparations for this little one's arrival.  you know, now that she's due to come any minute...
last week i packed my hospital bag and her new little diaper bag i got. 
i have her car seat ready.
i'm making a phone list... if you want to be on it, email me your name and number and i'll call you sometime after she's born.

also, i need to write down a good agenda or "what we do" planner, so that my kids can stay in their routine as much as possible and hopefully nothing gets overlooked (like picking up jones from school each day!)

i never got around to getting to the grocery store peeled my butt off the couch and went grocery shopping this week.  but i was thinking, "man, if i have this baby and someone comes over to take care of the kiddos... they're not going to have any idea what to feed the poor starving children." 
so... on to my next "prep" step.  tonight i'm going to take my menu for the week, go shopping to double most items, hope that i'm able to make them all, and get some food in the freezer.  in case i don't (make it 'till next week), i'm going to post my menu WITH the recipes printed out right next to them for my kid-watch-helper-person.  how's that sound???
now... if that sounds a little too controlling, i need another plan for the next week's menu / grocery run.  what do you suggest?!  i'd love to be able to just completely stock my refrigerator and freezer and pantry... but we live on a budget.  our pantry is stock-able (and usually is stocked fairly well), but what about perishable food?!  whenever i buy just "stuff"... things go to waste and i HATE to waste food!  i need ideas people...

and then, what else?  what else am i forgetting to plan???

Try to remember, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

10 comments:

Sugarcoma said...

Just stick with easy recipes...like Granny's spaghetti, or hawaiian chicken sandwiches.
Can I come over and help you cook? Or maybe I could do some over here?
If you buy just "stuff", make a list of times when it would be good to eat those things...like snack time or lunch. So this is what it would look like for me:

Snacks:
yogurt (with granola, choc. chips or fruit)
apple
banana
grapes
granola bar
cheese sticks
veggies
applesauce

I really just wanted to make a list cuz I LOVE LISTS! Do you want me to make you some lists?

P.S. Can I be on the calling list?

Debbie said...

My personal opinion? I understand wanting to have everything well stocked and meals prepped but try not to stress yourself out too much! Pizza, corn dogs, tater tots, ham n’ cheese, mac n’ cheese, even scrambled eggs! It’s only for a few days while you’re away and getting used to new baby girl. Make some extra casseroles to put in the freezer in those tin’ baking trays, grab a few frozen pizza’s and you’re set...If all else fails call your birth photographer and I'm sure she'll be happy to bring a pizza over! ;)

Debbie said...

My personal opinion? I understand wanting to have everything well stocked and meals prepped but try not to stress yourself out too much! Pizza, corn dogs, tater tots, ham n’ cheese, mac n’ cheese, even scrambled eggs! It’s only for a few days while you’re away and getting used to new baby girl. Make some extra casseroles to put in the freezer in those tin’ baking trays, grab a few frozen pizza’s and you’re set...If all else fails call your birth photographer and I'm sure she'll be happy to bring a pizza over! ;)

Alexis said...

Does your church help out with meals? Our church always brings two weeks worth of meals when we get home. It really helps. Could you ask somebody and they do a sign up. It would take the headache of having to figure out dinner and worry about it. If I were closer I would bring dinner for you guys!! It is one thing I try to give a new mom no matter how many kids she has. If has more I think it is important as you need your rest and need not worry about that! Then maybe make some easy snacks for the kids. I saw homemade granola bars today. http://www.laurenslatest.com/no-bake-chocolate-chip-granola-bars-easy-healthy/ Also get some apples or even dried fruit and nuts. Those are healthy and will last longer. Not sure if your kids eat cottage cheese or yogurt but maybe get a couple containers of those. If you like rice pudding make some healthy rice pudding. Hope that helps!! Can't wait to hear of her arrival.

Anonymous said...

Stock your refrigerator with produce that is not so perishable. Things like apples, oranges, bananas, carrots, celery, onions, peppers, ginger root, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, and zucchini. Then your child care person can make anything she wishes because anything she would want to make she would have the ingredients to make.

MamaT said...

thanks gals! and sugar, you got it (just email me your name and number.) ;)

MamaT said...

and alexis, no! (our church doesn't) can you believe it?! i mean, not that i know of. and we go to a HUGE church!!!
i have a friend arranging meals for after my help leaves... but i was hoping to help my help with meals in this way. (if i have time)...

KristinaD said...

I want to be on the calling list!

And I am sure your children will tell your helper what they want to eat ... :)

Spaghetti is always fast and easy - even the way I make it. You could even make some sauce ahead of time and freeze it. :)

Alexis said...

They really should start something like that. Ask to be their first and mention it is a ministry that could be started.

Jonathan and Telcia said...

don't forget how much we love you.
(and please call us ASAYFC as soon as you feel comfortable to). we will all take care of your children; they will not starve! :D