[misshawna]

I need suggestions on what type of foods I should plan to have on hand when we return. I know we won't want to go right out and buy groceries, and since I have never fed a 14 month old before, I am clueless. Of course, it would need to be nonperishable items so they will keep while we are gone.

Also, have any of you prepared and frozen meals for yourself before the trip so you would have them to eat when you get home? Any suggestions?

Shawna

[Cathlena]

HI! We're in the same boat. We leave on Sunday and will be bringing home our 14 month old on the 18th!!

My Mother will be housesitting for us so I am sure she will be making some dishes for us to have. You could always buy the big Family frozen dinners like Lasagna, etc. That would give you something anyway until you could get to the grocery. Soups always freeze well..


This is our first child and I am clueless as well. I just wanted to post a few questions since they are under the same topic...

What did you feed your child while in country?? Cereal? - What kind?? Any canned baby food?? What kind and how much??

Our pediatrition recommended starting him on finger foods, but I think that would be hard while we are in Russia.....

any suggestions....I need all of them.... )

[Kasey]

My son is 14 months old and pretty much eats everything, except nuts, cand and certain berries and fish. But that being said, the key is finding out what your child has already had over there.
great finger foods to start with are potatoes, bananas, small pieces of pasta (whole wheat), scrambled eggs (if he has never had eggs, you would forgo that and start with yolk only stuff, french toast, waffles, gerber makes great finger food fruits (peahces, pears, apples), frozen peas, my son loves brocholi florets cut up, for meats I would start with chicken breast cut into very small pieces, and ham. Cheese is also great. My son loves grilled cheese sandwiches and the organic mac and cheese.
But you need to add one every couple days just to watch for allergies.
Obviously cheerios are a great snack, Gerber also makes things called fruit or vegetable puffs (like Cheerios).
Once you receive their schedule from the orphanage it should say what foods they eat, and I am sure you can get it all in country and at restaurants as well. I would pack finger food snacks like cheerios or the fruits or the teething crackers for your travels.

As far as home, family made us lasagna, baked ziti, jambalaya, red beans and rice, frozen burgers for when we came home, but truthfully our first two nights we ordered pizza and sandwiches, we missed our amercian faves!
Best wishes on your travels ladies and enjoy every minute!

[Katie63011]

Hi:

My friends and family thought that I was crazy, but I did perpare and freeze a lot of stuff before I left on my second trip. It definitely helped when I got home. I made and froze quiche, soup, lasagna, meatballs, chicken casserole etc. It did it between trips and it helped make me feel like I was working towards the second trip.

I dont' know what to say on the child's food. We brought home a 8 mo old. I do know that my son at 14 mos ate almost anything that was ground up or cut up small. You could also have some of the Gerber graduates on hand since they would be ready to serve.

I had a good friend go out and do some grocery shopping for staples the day before we got back. She made sure we had bread, milk, fruit etc in the house. It was really helpful because we didn't want to go to leave the house after getting home.

Katie

[stephw3boys]

Yes - have someone run to the store before you get home to get staples and fruit and veggies.
I also have been freezing food - but then eating it as our wait just keeps going on and on. Making a batch of meatball soup now.

[Jim_in_PA]

Whatever performs the function of "comfort food" to you and your partner should be the first choice to have pre-prepared and ready for your return! (And not really heavy stuff, either, since you'll dealing with time changes and fatique for a few days) And "stephw3boys" makes a good point...give a trusted family member and/or friend a key so they can pick up some fresh things the day before your return and have them waiting in your 'fridge.