Organic Mac n’ Cheese for baby and a few new products!!!

Happy Monday Friends!!!!

Today I am coming at you with one AMAZING macaroni and cheese recipe along with some of our favorite products as of late!! Jax has been going through a major growth spurt as well as cutting six teeth so a lot of our products are food and teething related!!!

I absolutely LOVE to cook for Jax.. not every mom loves to cook and thats OK! It can be time consuming and you have to pre plan and grocery shop and when you have three or four littles racing around your heels sometimes you want to throw your hands up in the air, give your kid a fruit pouch, and suck down a glass of wine. I totally get it. 

I try and post easy and not so meticulous recipes for baby so that even the busiest of mamas can find the time to whip up just something special for baby. 

**For my Maccaroni Recipe you can get a little crazy and add in some veggies ( broccoli and spinach were a hit!!) even some chicken would be wonderful to add a little protein.

To start I will post the most amazing and flavorful macaroni for baby!!!! Here ya go!

Homeade Organic Maccaroni and Cheese

Shopping List

10 cups water

1/2 pound whole wheat macaroni - I used shells 

6 tabelspoons unsalted butter

3 cups 2 % organic milk - I used whole milk and it was super creamy!!!

1 cup grated sharp organic cheddar cheese

1/2 cup grated sharp organic cheddar cheese

1/2 cup grated colby cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Procedure

In a large pot, boil about 10 cups of water ( just cover the macaroni)

and cook until tender

Next, in  a large saucepan over medium heat, melt unsalted butter, add flour, and continue stirring until the mixture thickens. Add organic milk and continue to stir until this thickens up. Remove from heat and add cheeses and the salt and pepper. Pour the cheesy mixture into your drained pasta.. mix well and season to taste if needed.

Serve to your sweet baby..and yourself!!!

Delicious!!!

Next Up!! I want to talk favorite products!!!!!

1.  My favorite cookbook for baby can be bought HERE

I know that most of us moms can get in a cooking rut for ourselves.. and then really in a rut when it comes to cooking for baby. I know that I have pureed avocado and banana 340298342 times and finally J was just done with it. I am constantly creating yummy baby foods to make for him but this book helps give you a little bit of a creative boost!!! It has a great older baby section that could be so useful during meal prepping ( before a new baby arrives) or just having healthful and organic snacks on hand for your baby to eat. My goal is for Jax to eat healthy and to learn habits that are good for him. This book is so great for that!!!!

2. THESE BIBS are a must if you are letting your child learn to self feed. High chairs can get downright gross!!! This is a catch all bib that is easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and comfy for baby to wear while eating. We love ours!

3. The teething monster has hit our house and hit us HARD!! Jax is cutting SIX teeth. Four uppers and two bottoms and his poor mouth is in constant pain!! In addition to rotating tylenol and motrin I apply Punkin Butt oil SHOP HERE

It is an all natural, safe, teething oil that can be applied throughout the day. I find that it takes the edge off of his sore little gums and helps him relax a little bit better.

4. Home made Applesauce pops.. 

use my “ Jax’s favorite applesauce recipe”  found HERE

and then pour the applesauce into the Nuby Popsicle Mold for some yummy and good teething pops!! 

Those are a few of our faves!!!

A mommy and Jaxie picture for good measure

I have an amazing Baby Banana Bread recipe coming up on the blog soon!!

HE IS RISEN!!!

“ For he is not here, HE HAS RISEN!”

This Easter has been so incredibly special to us. THIS year we are blessed with our sweet Jax Holden to join us in all of our joy! 

This morning started out crazy... the baby was up multiple times last night, I lost my shit mind around 4 AM and told my husband to just “ deal with it.” which he sweetly did.. and always does. He walked into the baby’s room and rocked him for about an hour. I didn’t even sleep the entire time he did that either.. I just watched them on the monitor feeling so lucky that I have a husband to help me out. I should have been smart and just fallen asleep but I was just truly grateful. 

 Teething is for real not a joke. Those poor babies and those mean teeth! Haha! Needless to say Brandon and I were exhausted this morning and MISSED our 8 AM alarm. We flew out of -bed home alone style- at 8:30 ( Jax is also still asleep) and immediately started getting ready ( we were supposed to leave by 9:20 ( HA!) Brandon scrambled to grab J , change, feed, and get him ready while I showered..then we switched. I packed the diaper bag, slapped on some makeup while J was at my feet...then we rushed out the door. PHEW. 

in the car by 9:30...only 5 minutes late. Ill take it.

We arrived to Church on time which was a blessing in itself ( moms you hear me!) grabbed some coffee and took our seats.

Church was beautiful today...I flashed back to last year

Easter 2016 

Beautiful and six months pregnant

and remembered how AMAZING our God is. Just the year prior I was crying and whining for God to give me a baby.. for him to hurry it up and answer my prayer. As I look back on that difficult time in  my life I am so encouraged by faith and patience, prayer, and hope. 

Christ died for US.

He died on the cross and washed away our sins. We are made perfect in his image. 

I am so grateful to owe it all to HIM. He is my loving savior and I am so happy to know Christ.. to know that he loved me SO much that he would bless me in his perfect timing. 

He always does friends. Even if you are in the midst of a struggle.. or clawing your way through the valley, his cheek is never turned away from you. Draw near to him and you will find peace and comfort. 

I promise.

Easter 2017 

was just the three of us, a beautiful blessing even though I was sort of put out by my parents deciding to travel last minute on Jaxie’s first Easter ( Bratty I know :)) but it was a BEAUTIFUL day. Today God gifted me the blessing I have been craving.. my family. The three of us make a beautiful family and today I spent it with just them. From Church, to brunch, a family walk, a small fight in the kitchen :), and an easy crock pot supper...oh and a HUGE mid day nap. It was the three of us and it was everything I could have wanted. I feel like today was perfect. My past Easters have been full of heartache.. I had many split easters due to my parents divorce, I lost a baby on Easter, I’m pretty sure I got my period on an Easter when I was trying to have a baby haha..just not the greatest. Today I felt completely fulfilled, joyous, and grateful. 

I owe it all to HIM.

The Frankhouser Family Easter 2017

Jaxie and Daddy!!! After our service at Oak Hills Church ( Clapping his hands for Jesus)

My heart could not be anymore full

At Easter Brunch at River Crossing

Mommy and Jax ( with his mouth full of PUFF!)

I pray he always follows his daddy’s footsteps. My faith would be weak if it wasn’t for my husband ..he strengthens me daily and my rock.

My love bunny 

Jax Holden

May you be richly blessed in Christ’s everlasting love. 

Today was a great day.. not every day is a great day or even a good day but what I do know is that I serve a BIG God and he will hold me in his arms forever.

xoxox

Callie Paige

Nine Months old and Product review!

NINE MONTHS!!

He has been out as long as he was in. * Insert me crying big fat tears here*

Y’all I cannot believe my baby boy is three months away from being ONE! ONE!!!!! ONE!!!!!! 

Lately I have been having MAJOR baby fever.. or I guess * pregnancy fever* if that even exists.. I absolutely cannot wait to be pregnant and I don’t think its too far off in the future for us :):) 

This older baby stage is SO MUCH FUN! I say that about every stage but really and truly when they gather up a little personality and let it shine.. your heart.will.melt.

Month Nine has us:

Clapping our hands. THE sweetest ever.. when Mickey Mouse Clubhouse comes on he will clap his little hands in excitement, when we arrive at circle time for our Gymboree weekly playdaytes.. the hands start clapping, when I ask him to clap his hands..he will bashfully do so and it is SO CUTE.

He also has started walking with his push cart UNASSISTED! One day he started pulling up ( I think around month 8) which obviously had us lower his crib immediately. Anyways he has become quite the dare devil and is into anything and everything.. walking along the coffee tables, TV console, push cart, Bath tub edge..you name it he GRABS IT! He is fun.. but soooo quick :)!

Pointing to familiar objects. Each afternoon after his nap, I walk to our hallway mirror and ask him “ Where is the baby?” “ Where is the mommy?” and he will dutifully wave or point to the correct one. Love it!

Eating Table foods. Right as I was kicking off my baby food portion of the blog he started demanding table foods.. Baby Led Weaning is our newest endeavor on the mommy menu and honestly.. its pretty simple. He eats what we eat. With that said, I cook wholesome and MOSTLY healthy meals for Brandon and I. I choose to NOT season Jax’s portions of meats or veggies with a bunch of different seasonings and instead focus on minute amounts of olive oil S&P. I make a variety of things ranging from Turkey Meatloaf, Sweet potato wedges, Fruit salads, Pulled Pork, Chicken/ Avocado/ Strawberry medleys and more.. easy peasy just make sure it is quite small!!!!

Tummy Sleeper. For whatever reason my baby has found his tummy. Like his momma in so many ways ( except looks :)) he sleeps EXACTLY like me. One leg up, arm under face, and on the tummy. It really is amazing to watch how your children take after you in so many different ways. 

Some nine month photos:

Here we are at Target.. sometimes nothing is better than a little Starbucks and a little Target

A fun soccer playdate after our Stroller Strides workout

A playdate with friends!!! I love and cherish this picture! A sweet friend took this and i just adore it.

Jaxie and daddy at his FIRST crawfish boil Notice the fishing shirt :)!!!! 

you can find a TON of cute fishing apparel for babies, toddlers and kids, HERE at the Prodoh website

My beautiful family. I remember last season when we were at the crawfish boil and J was in my belly.. I was SO excited to do all of these amazing things with him. I can honestly say that while each “ Adventure” didn’t go as planned, or as smoothly as I thought, I have never smiled more in my entire life while having this baby boy on my hip for every single event we attend. 

Kids are worth it.

So worth it.

Now for the product review!!!




Einsteins Aquatic Soother

BUY HERE





Honestly I should have purchased this earlier!! I bought one for both my God daughter who is only 2.5 months and my son and BOTH kids use and LOVE them.  The aquarium is comes with a ton of different features, has different sound noises ( much like a sound spa) , and looks like an actual aquarium with the fish moving around and a nice muted light which gives baby something to look at while drifting off to sleep. Jax even whacks the button so he can continue watching it!!!


2. Baby Bum Diaper cream

BUY HERE

I think this would have been great in the earlier months.. I got a little used to just getting my  hands dirty in Boudreauxs Butt Paste. However when I was gifted this by a very special friend I have used it every night and never looked back. Your fingers don’t get gross while putting butt cream on your kid. YES this is one of those silly little ventures that you DONT HAVE TO HAVE... BUTT ( no pun intended :)) if you do decide to buy one.. you will love it :) Your welcome!





3. Baby push toy


Buy HERE



This is what is helping Jax learn to walk!!! He pulls himself up and will take a few steps!!! It also has great and fun learning features for crawling babies to press and play on. These are available in a variety of different push toys but this seems to be the best one on Amazon and Jax loves it!


These are a small few of our favorites!!!

Happy Weekend!