Oranges

The boys recently tried oranges and really loved them.  Our pediatrician had us hold off on citrus fruits until 9 months.  Some doctors say hold off on citrus until after babies first birthday due to allergy concerns.  But, August and Jude haven't had problems with any foods so we dove into a bag of Cuties.  That bag was gone within one week!

Oranges are known for having an abundance of Vitamin C.  Oranges are also very high in fiber and lots of other healthy vitamins and nutrients.

I cut them up into little pieces and let the boys pick them up and eat them.  As you can see if the picture to the left, August really investigated his first piece of orange before eating it!

I also put these little pieces in their yogurt/cottage cheese lunch along with raspberries and blackberries.

Cheerios

The boys haven't had Cheerios yet.  They've been snacking away on Puffs and yogurt melts.  I wanted to make sure they could really chew their food well before introducing Cheerios.  They don't melt as easily as some of the other baby snacks.  But, August and Jude had no trouble chewing up their new snack.

Our 1st Cheerios along with some flirtiness by Jude

Juliet loves Cheerios.  She also adores my Mom, her Granny.  While Juliet was staying with my parents over Winter break, they came up with a great meal using Cheerios.  They were both having yogurt for lunch.  As Juliet watched my Mom put granola in her yogurt, she decided she would be "just like Granny" and add a little something extra to her lunch too: Cheerios!  I thought that was such a good idea.  Sometimes I feel like yogurt isn't enough of a meal and Cheerios make it a bit more filling.  This little dish, along with some fruit, will make a great breakfast or lunch for the boys.

Dancing diva!

Split peas

Split pea soup is yummy!

August and Jude are now 11 months old.  I cannot believe it.  My little loves, who started out at 6lbs, 11oz (August) and 5lbs, 14oz (Jude), are now 23lbs each.  They are cruising along the furniture in our apartment, usually heading towards a remote control or the dog.  August has stood, unassisted, for a few seconds.  But, being the more cautious brother, he realizes what's going on and immediately sits.  Jude has taken a few steps with the walking toy and always looks quite proud of himself.  They each dazzle me on a daily basis with all the things they are learning and how different their personalities have grown to be.  

Sentiment aside- and I am sure I will post some very gushy words when they turn the big 1- they have been eating protein for 5 months already.  I have yet to highlight one of their favorite meals: split pea soup!  Split peas are part of the legume family.  As their name suggests, they are peas that have been dried and split.  Split peas are high in fiber, protein and iron and low in fat, making it an excellent choice for babies.  There are yellow and green split peas.  I read that yellow split peas have a milder flavor.  August seems to be more enthusiastic about green split peas.  Jude doesn't seem to have a preference but he is enthusiastic about ALL food!  

Yellow split peas, zucchini and pumpkin soup!

It is very easy to make a split pea puree for your baby.  All I do is boil water on the stove top and add the split peas with any or all of the following veggies:  carrots, zucchini, squash (summer or butternut) and/or pumpkin.  Simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes, drain but leave some of the cooking liquid and puree in the food processor or blender.  

5 fun facts about Blueberries!

1) Blueberries are one of the only natural foods that are truly blue in color.

2) Native Americans used blueberry juice to treat persistent coughs and other illnesses.

3) Almost 100% of the blueberries in North America are harvested in Maine.

4) Blueberry muffins are the most popular kind of muffin in America (and Juliet's favorite!)

5) Blueberries are extremely healthy, containing more antioxidants than most other fruits and vegetables.  They are also naturally low in fat and sodium.

August enjoying blueberries!

Yogurt. Frozen!

Baby Pinkberry!

Juliet and I came home from the park today to find Joel feeding the boys his very clever idea for dessert after their lunch.  This morning Jude and August left over part of their breakfast of yogurt with chunks of strawberry and blueberry.  So Joel stuck it in the freezer and literally had frozen yogurt to give to them. They really loved it.  Juliet used to love gnawing of frozen fruit at this age.  Jude was also having some teething pain today and it seemed to sooth his poor gums too!  Bonus!

Jude

August

Salmon Sticks

Two thumbs YUM from August and Jude!

The boys tried these salmon sticks for dinner and they really enjoyed it.  I know, it's not homemade and that is the premise of my musings but, as the boys grow, I will be feeding them a mix of homemade and store bought food.  They really enjoyed these fishies and I am sure they will love fish fingers and chicken fingers made with love by Mama!  I found these Happy Family Salmon Stix at Whole Foods.

I baked them in the toaster for 10 minutes and they were very crispy which is better for an older child.  I think for now I will put them in the microwave so they are soft for these 10 1/2 month old babes!

Improptu delish! "Hippie skillet"

In the park when the boys were brand new.

My husband, Joel, is a pro in the kitchen.  He can go to the farmer's market, pick out a bunch of ingredients, improvise and create an awesome meal.  He is a great cook.  We call his creations "hippie food."  They always include lots of veggies and tofu or ground turkey diced up and stir fried with white rice and spices to delicious perfection.  And it's always different every time.

Tonight we got back from a play date on the late side and I needed to throw something together for the boys' dinner.  I was thinking "baby breakfast for dinner" of eggs and pancakes.  Easy.  As I was scrambling the eggs I thought of throwing in a few Dr. Praeger's Sweet Potato Littles and sprinkle shredded cheese on top and let it melt.  The whole scramble got warm and melty!  Joel enthusiastically named the meal "hippie skillet."  It did remind me of the breakfast skillets we used to order from our favorite breakfast place in San Diego, The Broken Yolk.  My favorite breakfast scrambles always include eggs, potato and cheese.  August and Jude ate it heartily!  I took a taste and, I must say, it was delish!

Hippie Skillet's maiden voyage!

I love the different Dr. Praeger's "littles."  Besides sweet potato, they sell spinach and broccoli littles.  Those were literally the only green veggies Jules would eat.  They are packaged in cute shapes like stars and dinosaurs.  They make great finger foods too.  Dr. Praeger's sells a kids line of foods in the frozen foods section that I've always had good luck with.

Juliet, Daddy's little girl.

The Sandler men!