Gettin' Groceries

Back when it was just me and my husband, I loved going to the grocery store. I loved cruising up and down the isles, reading labels, planning meals. Before Doug and I were married and moved to Charleston where we had great grocery stores, we would literally go on dates to the Publix on Lake Oconee. How sad, but Milledgeville had terrible grocery stores. Grocery shopping has always been sort of a pass-time for me. But, now when I'm going to the store, I'm always on a time frame, Keegan's time frame. And once you have a baby, it will take you at least an extra 20 minutes to shop..not because the baby slows you down, but because every old lady in the store wants to stop you, look at your baby, and ask the same questions over and over...boy or girl, how old, is he a good sleeper, what'd he weigh at birth....I swear, one of these days I'm just going to tape a sign with all the answers to the front of my buggy.

Now when I go shopping, I have a detailed plan. I'm going to share it with you! But, before I get started, I want to mention three key points: 1: If you're eating fresh food, you will be going to the store once a week. I promise, this will save you time, money, and your waist line. 2: Have a well stocked pantry full of staple items. Mine are garlic, onions, olive oil, pasta(variety), rice(variety), chicken stock, vinegars, canned tomatoes, canned beans, milk, and eggs. Check these items every week to see what needs to be replenished. 3. Have a sweet treat while you shop. This will prevent you from loading  your buggy with lots of crap. The Bakery/Deli is the first department in my Publix. I always get a cookie or apple strudel to snack on while I shop. And I never come home with a box of Oreos! A few calories now will save you lots of calories later.

Step 1~ Check your fridge and see what meats, produce, and dry goods you have and what is about to expire and be sure to incorporate those into step 2.

Step 2~ Plan your weekly menu. I go to the store every Monday. So, that morning or sometimes Sunday evening, Doug and I sit down and talk about what we want for lunch and dinner that week. This is not that difficult! My sister tells me all the time that she "just can not plan", but she's wrong. It takes us about 30 minutes to decide what we're eating that week. This will prevent you from walking in the door at 5 pm, hungry, tired, and end up ordering pizza.


Step 3~ Plan your meals so that your shopping list won't be too large or too wide of a variety. I plan all my meals so that I can use the same key ingredients through-out the week. You'll waste money if you're buying 5 different proteins, tons of different vegetables and herbs, and expensive specialty items. IE: If I'm craving mexican food that week, I know I'll need to buy peppers, cilantro, avocado, tomatoes, tortillas, and protein. So instead of spending money on cilantro, peppers, tomatoes just for mexican, I may incorporate them into an Indian dish. My favorite is red curry. I almost always have curry paste and coconut milk on hand, but if I don't it's not that expensive. Throw in some veggies and brown rice, and you have a very quick and healthy meal. And then, to keep the theme of ingredients going, I may make a chili or pasta using all the same ingredients. You're having completely different meals but utilizing every item you have bought. And I usually only buy 1 protein a week, but we eat vegetarian a lot. Or sometimes I buy beef, chicken, or turkey, and then go get some really fresh shrimp or scallops, depending on my meal plan for the week.


Step 4~ Know how to write your grocery list. Don't just randomly list items. When I walk through my kitchen before I go shopping, I list everything I need to buy. Then I take two minutes and organize my list. I make three columns. 1. Meat and Dairy. 2. Dry Goods. 3. Produce. Most of your stores are laid out in this order as well. This step is critical to saving time! If you just list things as you need them, you'll end up all the way in the produce department realizing you have to run back across the store to grab some cheddar.


Step 5~ Carry a pen. Plain and simple. If you don't mark things off as you put them in your basket, you'll realize you forgot something once you've gotten home. I've even gone to customer service and asked to borrow a pen when I've forgotten one. It drives me crazy not to be able to mark my list off!


Step 6~ Budget. If you budget your money and stick to your menu items, you will save money. And you'll be eating healthier. You won't buy those box of cookies because they're not in your budget!



And just a few extra tips....stay on the perimeter of the store as much as possible. All the unhealthy food lurks on the isles. And, buy local as much as you can. We have amazing Farmer's Markets here, but I know a lot of cities don't. Check the labels. Try to only buy produce that was grown in the USA. And never, ever buy farm-raised seafood. I don't care how cheap it is. It's disgusting. You don't even want to know about it...gross. When you get home and start cooking your first meal of the week, take 10 extra minutes and wash all your fruits and veg. And if you need onion, garlic, whatever it may be, go ahead a chop it all the first time you need it. That way it will be ready to go for the next meal.

I hope these steps will lead you to a faster grocery trip. You'll be so organized that it won't matter how many old ladies stop to coo at your baby....you'll have plenty of time to drink up their complements!
Thanks for your time!

Baby Goodies...Do we really need ALL that?!?

I've been reading other blogs, facebook, and moma wedsites, and I've come to a conclusion....everyone and their Moma has an opinion about what you do and don't need for your teeny tiny baby...myself included! I know so many people who are about to have a baby or have a newborn at home. I think the "moma" in us all want to give out advice to maybe make the life of the new mother a little easier. Unfortunately, with all the different opinions, we may make a seemingly simple decision become a very difficult one, and there fore, stress out an already stressed out new mom. All advice is given with great intentions, but maybe, just maybe, the person you're advising may not have the same beliefs, habits, routines, wants, likes, and dislikes that  you have. SHOCKER! I have to remind myself of this all the time. I'm very bad about posting a comment on facebook, offering my 2 cents when I see an opportunity. Heck, I've got a few post out there now! But, I've gotten some self control, only posting 1/3 of the time. Still, that's probably too much. Nobody cares what I think. If they did, they would ask me directly! But, there are a few things that I feel super passionate about that I think are great for most babies and I'd hate for anyone to miss  out on them.

So, in light of my "opinions", I wanted to make a list of things I think are "must-haves" and things that are useless. Remember...these things are perfect for me, Keegan, Doug, and our situation. Hopefully, they could be useful to you and your little nugget as well.

1. Moby Wrap. This is by far the best thing I have. I've used the Baby Bjorn and didn't care for it. Moby's are the safest and most comfortable for you and baby. And they're the #1 recommended wrap/ carrier by pediatricians. It's perfect in crowds, warm and cold weather, and for mom and dad. I always feel sorry for the moms and dads I see walking around pushing this huge stroller through crowded sidewalks and  grocery stores all while carrying the baby. I just want to tell them...MOBY! You'll love it!

2. Aden + Anais Muslin Blankets. These blankets are the single best blankets to have in your nursery. They are hands down the best swaddle blankets, nursing cover, and tummy time blanket. They're made of cotton muslin and they are so soft and breathable it's ridiculous! The price of cotton has gone up so they are a little pricey...$49.50 for a 4-pack, but they're worth every penny. Target has recently started carrying them and they're a little cheaper there. I love them and give them as baby gifts to all the new momas I know!



3. Eddie Bower Travel Bed. This is one of those things I saw at Target and registered for not knowing if I would really use it. I used this more that anything else! I love it! It's a little miniature bed that folds flat and pops up in seconds. I used it on play dates, meetings, outside, out of town, all sorts of places. It's $30 and can be used to put your baby down for a nap where ever you are. I'll admit, Keegan's too big for it now, but it was like gold those first 6 months!

Keegan relaxing. He's about 5 weeks old here.

4. Medela Breast Pump. Ok, if you're going to be an avid breast feeder and will need to pump, go ahead and invest in a good pump. It will save you time, energy, and  your nipples. I promise. Plus, you can reuse it with each baby you have.

5. Nursing Bras and Shirts. It took a lot for me to spend money on these things, but they're worth it. When you're out in public, you want your breastfeeding experience to be un-noticed. It will be if you are wearing the proper clothing. Plus, while you're at home, you don't want to strip down every time you need to nurse...you'd stay naked all day!



Ok. Time for my "useless" list.

1. A huge wardrobe. You'll have people tell you that babies need a change of clothes like 5 times a day. Unless you are squirting food at your baby, that's not true. Even if your child leaks everywhere, it would be surprising if it happened more than a few times a week. And if it is, stop using cheap diapers.

2. Every toy from Target. Most children play with the same few toys all the time. Our house is teeny tiny and we have no room for lots of toys. Keegan has small stuff that he plays with, but his favorite toy is an old remote control. Go figure.

3. Shoes. Babies who are not walking should not wear hard soled shoes. It's bad for their little feet. They need to be able to stretch and move their feet and toes at all times. While it's cold, I put little "booties" on Keegan. They would snap on and stay on like shoes, but were soft and pliable like socks. Other great options are the Bobux brand.

4. Swings AND Bouncy Chairs. YES! I said it...get over it! I know some babies live in these for the first few months, but Keegan hated his swing. Don't buy a swing, bouncy chair, walker-play-thing. Just pick one. There's no reason to have five 3x5 ft. toys every where, unless your house is huge.

5. Multiple Piece Outfits. Unless you have an extremely laid back baby and all the time in the world to change diapers, I would stick with onsies, union suits, and rompers. There's no point in spending 20 minutes snapping up 5 different layers of clothing for each diaper change. And once your baby is rolling over, forget it. They'll never stay still long enough to finish! 

I hope this list of stuff will help you in your process of buying for your baby. And like I said, this is my opinion and other moms may think I'm crazy. Enjoy! :)

Lady Love

Lately, I've met a lot of incredible women. Some are brand new Momas, some are old pros, and some are so far removed from the thought of children it's ridiculous! But, they all share one thing...they are truly incredible women. Last week, I was having a cocktail with my friend, Allison, and we got to talkin'. That conversation gave me the inspiration for this post.


All my life I watched women do incredible things. I never thought about it much, never really cared, honestly. Now that I'm a woman of my own right, I look at the world differently. As a teenager, I was extremely rebellious and gave my poor Moma hell. I couldn't understand why I couldn't wear eyeliner, or have friends over all the time, or ride in cars with my older friends. I just thought she was mean and I treated her that way. As an adult, it all makes perfect sense. The things she did and didn't do for us was for our own protection. She struggled for years, raising 3 children, working 2 or 3 jobs at a time. She did incredible things, all while keeping us housed, clothed, and fed. My sister and I did a lot of things that could have made her duct-taped world unravel.  Traci and I talk all the time about how much damage we could have caused her, and sometimes did cause her. My Moma is an amazing person who has profound strength and grace. She gives me courage to do things that I probably wouldn't find the courage to do on my own. And I'm thankful for her every day.


Along with my Moma, I see other women who do things that just blow me away. My dearest friend, Shelly, raised 3 boys, worked 2 jobs, and received her Bachelor's degree in her early 40's. That's amazing. My friend, Allison, labored with her daughter with no paid medication, pushed for 4 hours....4 HOURS, to eventually have an emergency C-section. Still to this day she's a huge advocate of Natural Child Birth. A new friend I just met, Lindsey, is 12 weeks pregnant. She had a root-canal gone bad, and her tooth needed to be pulled. She had her tooth pulled and worked on with no anesthesia, pain meds, nothing. Her dentist told her that he would have never done that on a man, men just couldn't do it. I watch my sister live her life with such ease and honesty. She is the true definition of what it means to be a friend.

Me with the two most important women in my life.

Sometimes, when I'm feeling sad, lonely, defeated, I think all the amazing things other women have done. We bare children, we hold families together, we would go through fire for our loved ones. If other women can do it, so can I. We as women, have to love each other, support each other, help each other. We shouldn't be jealous, caddy, or snobbish. We should give each other the respect that we all deserve. This is a challenge that I give to myself and others. I'm going to try to not judge others, for we have no way of knowing their situation and what has brought them to their actions. Women are incredible. God gave us the power to carry our child for 9 months before bringing them into this beautiful world. We must be special.