I am NO Martha Stewart. I proved that many years ago when my hand-painted holiday wrapping looked like a 7-year old made it (I was 30 at the time) and when my dried-flower-wreaths were a hot-glue-gun-mess and epic failure! I do have great creative ideas. I love to invent. It’s just the execution of these crafty delights that trips me up. Anyone that knows me, knows that I completely believe in and support outsourcing. If there is someone who is GREAT at what they do, why not let them continue to do it and then I can be the benefactor of their excellent service. I really do NOT need to be good at everything. Specifically not necessary would be things like cleaning our pool, washing my car, painting my nails. So, when I was asked about whether Bella was going to eat store-bought-jar-food or if I was going to make her food, my answer was… to everyone’s surprise.. a resounding “OF COURSE I’M GOING TO MAKE HER BABY FOOD.” I am a huge fan of all things organic and I hate the thought of her ingesting chemicals or preservatives. So, this seems like a natural for me.
We registered for the Beaba baby food steamer/food processor and my mom’s business partner gave it to us. This machine is amazing and so easy. I just wish it was a little larger. I can steam the food and puree it all within the same machine. Then I freeze the puree in ice-cube trays and transfer to Ziploc bags once they are hardened. Our freezer, which once had vodka, lobsters, lemoncello and ice cream has now been taken over by ice-cubelets of sweet potatoes, avocado, banana and pears.
I think Keith is skeptical that this new hobby of mine will last. But, I am having fun with it. So much so, that last night I mentioned that I thought I should start my own fresh baby food business. Yeah, yeah, don’t quit your day job rang through my ears.
I guess the proof will be in the pudding. Bella has just started on “solids” from a big girl spoon. We had our first puree of banana two days ago and she had some sweet potatoes today. She seems to like mommy’s cooking so far. Another BIG milestone for our little girl! And I feel good doing my part to make sure she has the freshest, yummiest meals possible. Although I have heard that chicken and beef can get pretty gross when they are pureed. And that diaper time is not going to be so fun with the introduction of these new things. Oh, and that her nose can turn orange if she eats too many sweet potatoes.
I pride myself on trying at least. And I crown myself the Top Chef of Baby Food. I’m thinking it’s a niche that BravoTV has not yet thought of. Watch out Padma and Tom!

You may be no Martha Stewart (and a good thing, too), but Martha Stewart certainly is no Jennifer Brafman Staffen!
I think Grandmother Carol said it best …
Great Uncle Bill & I couldn’t agree more …. it’s like I recently told Keith that, in my expert opinion after being in the Staffen family for 45 years, I experienced that “all the Staffen men are & were wonderful father’s” …. given to them from their father’s… but, they couldn’t be as good at their inherited gift if they also didn’t have such loving & caring mother’s. I know, I had the same loving & caring parents myself ….
Keith & Jennifer definitely interited their parents & grandparents’ loving ways …. keep up the wonderful gift you received …. like our Lisa, Bella has already become the luckiest little princess because of her parents, grandparents & hopefully a few aunts & uncles ….
Good parenting will bring you a lifetime of beautiful memories, laughter & content. We all have a brand-new reason to smile because of “Bella” …..
Love,
“Great Aunt Diana”
I hope that Keith likes the puréed meal that you have planned for the two of you!
I think it is awesome that you are making the attempt… I know how much you love to cook! 🙂 She is a lucky girl, for sure. Keep us posted on how this goes in another couple of weeks!
You are sooo good and trying soo hard to have everything “right” for baby Bella! She loves you for it I am certain…but even more when you sing her favorite songs and Bzzzz like a bee…that sound definitely gets a smile out of Bella. I marvel at my Jennifer as a mother…how great she is in every way…and Keith as a father: just wonderfful, loving and perfect. These two parents of Bella’s make me soooo proud. She is a lucky little Bella to be in their very capable hands…..well, other than an occasional drop of sunshine on her very pale leg on the boat….All kidding aside, Bella’s parents are the best! If only they could bottle their “goodness” they would become Martha Stewarts of Babydom…..I love the three of them very much (just in case you can’t tell)….xoxoxo