Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Prepping for Baby: Freezer Meals, Stocking Up & Such

When I mentioned that left on our to do list was make some freezer meals I had a bunch of questions about it so today I'm sharing what we did and other ways we did a little stock up to get ready for the baby.

We had a stock up day at the grocery store for frozen things and pantry items and also a day at Target for some household items.  We just finally signed up for Amazon Prime (late to the party, I know!) which I think will be a huge help but it's also nice to know the house is stocked before hand.

Freezer Meals:
We made a few of our favorites - luckily for us the season is changing and we haven't had any of these meals since early spring so they'll definitely be a treat.  We went more on the pasta/casserole route because our other go to is pulling out frozen chicken and then just grabbing an easy fresh side to go with it.

A lot of times when we do a casserole for dinner we'll put some in to bake for dinner for us that night and freeze the rest since it's just the two of use eating.  I always get the meal to the point where you'd put it in the oven and then just cover it, label it and put it in the freezer instead.

We went with our favorite baked enchiladas (which we freeze all the time!), derek's chicken ranch casserole, a sausage pasta and a chicken spaghetti.  We used 9x6 pans so they were a medium size and perfect for smaller portions so we split each recipe into half which gave us two of each meal, eight meals total.  We also got some ingredients for our favorite crockpot meals that can either be stored in the freezer or pantry (things like potato soup, meatballs and noodles, Mexican chicken, etc.)


Stock up items:
  • Household: toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, paper plates, kitchen soap, dishwasher detergent, garbage bags, containers for leftover, zip lock bags, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies that are running low, batteries.
  • Toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, makeup remover wipes, mouthwash, lotion, and make up items running low.
  • Grocery: freezer items, snacks, breakfast things (like cereal, breakfast drinks, etc.), coffee, soup, pastas/sauces, water, other drinks, etc.
  • Other: dog food, dog toys/treats, any cards for events/birthdays coming up, holiday items (for us it was Halloween candy).
Other Things:
  • Food lists: I made a list of our favorite restaurants for takeout, favorite meals my mom can make us (hi mom!), and grocery necessities I know we'll need right away so it's not something I need to worry about.
  • House clean: We usually just have our housekeeper in once a month and then do a small clean ourselves half way through the month to keep it going but I've been trying to keep things tidy around here so we do a little clean each week just in case and then I think the phone calls will go - the doctor's office, my mom and then the cleaner to get in and make things wonderful so we can come home to a clean house.
  • Laundry: You don't want to come home to a pile full of laundry! I pick one day a week for my laundry day - I like to just knock it out all at once and keep the machines running through out the day.  Starting this week I'm going to throw in a weekend load though too just in case to better keep up.

17 comments:

  1. Such a great list! I never think to make casseroles to freeze but I am going to try that this fall. I usually freeze leftover soup or chili in single servings and put those in freezer bags and lay them flat in the freezer.
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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  2. I am excited you did this post - such a good idea to stock up on household items, not just food! Those enchiladas are one of my very favorites - I think I need to make them soon and freezer some extra, too!

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  3. You will be so glad you made meals ahead of time!! Cooking will be the LAST thing on your mind once that sweet baby gets here!

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  4. you're so prepared - this is awesome! i hadn't even thought about all the food prep but it's like duh - important! and loving derek as a great little chef too - the best kinds of guys :) now i'm hungry haha

    xoxo cheshire kat

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  5. Freezer meals are great and so helpful when the last thing you want to think about is dinner!

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  6. What a great idea to stock up!! So excited for yall!!

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  7. We love stocking up like that! I'm always tired after a day full of prepping lots of meals to freeze but it's so nice when you can just throw them in the oven or crockpot when you need them and have the work already done. Great thinking ahead on all of this!
    Kelsey
    www.kelseypeacock.com

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  8. YUM! Everything looks delish! This was the one thing I didn't do, and wish I had before Serena was born last year. You'll be so thankful you did <3
    Green Fashionista

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  9. That is such a great idea. My friend did that as well and it really was a lifesaver. Your little one is almost here, how very exciting.

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  10. I loved getting to read about how you're prepping for baby because I'll be going through the exact same thing! I think that next weekend we'll probably have a prep day to get freezer meals ready to go, but I also love that you included household items that you might need to stock up on as well!

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  11. You are so prepared and it really does seem like you are all set and ready for him to come! And I can't believe y'all have never had Amazon Prime! B and I have been members since it started in like 2005 or something like that. Haha. I couldn't live without it. Every single time I need something I go straight to Amazon first. They are typically cheaper than Walmart for most everything and free two day shipping? Can't beat it!

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  12. You seem so ready and prepared! This was helpful - I’ll have to keep some of this in mind whenever it’s our time. You’re also so lucky that you have your mom close by and she’s willing to help. :)

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  13. You will be so glad you made meals ahead of time AND stocked up! Those are seriously the LAST things you want to do when that sweet baby arrives! I would also add to stock up on pads, panty liners, nursing pads, Dermoplast spray, stool softeners and Lanolin -- all things I didn't do with Walker and kicked myself for, but did with Knox and it was a lifesaver! :)

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  14. This is such an amazing idea!

    xx
    Lauren Elizabeth
    Petite in Pearls

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  15. Great idea to stock up on some freezer meals Derek's chicken ranch casserole sounds delicious. Your kitchen is gorgeous btw!

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  16. Nice, those freezer meals sound efficient and delicious! Sounds like y'all are getting ready!

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  17. My sister did some food prep before her last baby was born and she was so happy she did! That chicken ranch casserole has be salivating!

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