Food for my expectant sister and BIL

[NewMrsG]

My sister is pregnant, due in March. She and her husband live halfway across the country from me, and I won't be able to be there until a month or two after the baby is born. But I'm going home to throw her baby shower in a couple of weeks. Part of my plan was to prepare some food for her to have in the freezer for after the baby is born. This morning my mother was asking me what I'd planned to make, and I was giving her some of my ideas - meatloaf, spaghetti sauce, soup, etc., and she tells me that she had thought I planned to make baked goods, so that they would have things to offer guests who came by to see the baby - her thinking was that it was easy to throw a chicken in the oven, but harder to find time to bake.

MY thinking, on the other hand, is that it actually isn't so easy to throw a chicken in the oven (especially when you're not a cook, as in the case of my sister) and you can buy cheese and crackers at the store fairly easily and inexpensively. I guess the other part of my thinking, too, is that if I were visiting new parents, I certainly wouldn't be expecting refreshments or baked goods!

But, as we don't yet have children ourselves, I guess maybe I'm wondering from those of you who've been new moms yourselves, which would be the most useful and appreciated -

It's always something ...

Thanks for any thoughts you might have!

[SueK]

I would go with your idea of meatloafs, casseroles, etc. I just had a baby last month and we had visitors, but they honestly didn't expect us to have a big spread put out for them when they stopped by. Before I had the baby I made a lot of dishes and froze them and they've been lifesavers for me. I do have to say that I wish I would have made some muffins and froze them, since it's really hard to find time in the morning to grab anything to eat for breakast. But I would have made those for us rather than company anyway.

[nlh]

I'm also due in March! Congratulations to your sister!

I like your plan of doing meals to freeze much better....My reasoning is that people who come to visit will bring something with them and it's usually (in our neck of the woods anyway) something desserty. My MIL is the queen of the chocolate chess pie. Brings it everywhere for every occasion, and others in her generation tend to bring sweets when they visit (like a pound cake or something----or they tend to bring a chicken tetrazini (gack!).

I think it's the every day meals she'll need help with. If you've got a newborn I can't imagine you'll have a lot of energy to cook even if you're interested in cooking. I plan to start in late January filling the freezer with things. I'm dreading the 20 chicken tetrazinis that will come through the door (gulp).

[NewMrsG]

Thanks guys! I'm in agreement with you - I actually just returned from my best friend's - she just had her second baby a month ago, and I was exhausted just HELPING her for 4 days - so can't imagine getting dinner on the table.

But I think maybe I'll cross chicken tetrazzini off the list! :) And congratulations to you as well! I keep telling my sister how lucky she is not to be hugely pregnant during the summer months!

[MrsReber]

Go with the meals! They may or may not have visitors. I told my family when they stopped by after DD was born "you're more than welcome to stop in, but if you're hungry, you better bring your own food!" We didn't get all that many visitors either since I'm evil and just wanted to be left alone :D ! No, really, it's a very difficult thing to adjust to and I wasn't getting much sleep so we politely asked people to hold off on visiting. I definitely would have loved help with everyday meals. And also, as I always suggest, Omaha steaks (and other companies, I'm sure) have good prepared foods that you can just pop in the oven. I know Omaha will send gift packages to people and I als love their chicken cordon bleu- goes right from the freezer into the oven, as many of their side dishes do. Just a thought!

By the way, you're wonderful for helping out!

[lhall]

I think you've got the right idea. I would never expect new parents to provide a spread of food for visitors!

Although, I do think muffin, pancakes, or other quick breads would be a good idea in addition to some dinner foods. I made Banana Bread and Cranberry Pumpkin bread for a friend. Something good, healthy, and easy to eat with one hand for breakfast!

Leigh

[Gecko]

Another vote for the meals. I have four children and I can't tell you how much I appreciated those meals that were in the freezer some nights. And the truth of the matter is that everyone comes to see the baby, not to have an afternoon tea. Of course I'd always offer tea or coffee but I don't think anyone expected much, other than a cookie with it.

Another plus with the frozen meals is that her husband can easily turn on the oven and put something in to cook, which can be a gift on those nights were the baby is fussy and only wants mom! For that matter they can even use disposable plates and utensils if need be to help in the first few months. I know that this is not a very PC comment (I am usually the first to recycle etc) but I just remember who shell-shocked we were after our first baby was born.

Your sister is very fortunate to have such a caring sister to look after her - you are obviously going to be a fantastic aunt!

[LaraW]

I agree with the meals too. I am expecting a baby in 3 weeks, and have been stocking my freezer with meatloaves, chicken, etc. I think that those kinds of things will be much more appreciated than various baked goods. I think cookies/muffins, etc are much easier to buy ready-made from the store than a dinner entree, but that is just me.

I agree with whoever said that if you wanted to do some quick breads in addition to the meals, I am sure that would be great, but I don't think that's all I'd do.

[SueK]

Just adding that the meals I made ahead of time were soups and stews (which I could thaw and stick in the crockpot), meatloaves, the Chicken BBQ Potpie and Chicken Noodle Bake (both CL recipe) and several lasagnas. I think meatballs would be a great thing to make and freeze and if you're feeling energetic, make some of Alysha's (Lindrusso) marinara sauce to freeze, too! I also cooked a bunch of chicken and cut it up and that has come in handy when making casseroles, more soups, etc.

You're a great sister to be helping out with this! :)

[Leisa M]

I don;t have kids, but I agree with the meals. I would appreciate the meals more than say pies:rolleyes: .

[MandMs]

I'm a new Mom and having meals onhand was a total blessing for me. I do like the idea of making her some muffins or something for the am...anything that be eaten with one hand. That was the hardest thing for me. I remember one morning all I had were bananas. Slightly hard to peel with one hand.

My Mom made me red beans and rice the day I came home from the hosp with DD. It hit the spot and lasted for several more meals. I liked it because it was tasty right out of the fridge.

One other thing I always had on hand were pitas. Easy to just stuff with whatever, and eat with one hand...and there was no worry of stuff falling out the other end.

[NewMrsG]

This was so helpful - thanks everyone! I'm going to stick with the meals as planned.

I appreciate all of your compliments as well - I'm trying hard to overcome my guilt for not being able to be there when the baby is born. My Jewish mother trained me well! :)

We have only a couple of days (we're visiting my mom for 5 days, but are running around visiting relatives and friends, etc., so my plan is to make 5 meals or so - and I see your point about muffins or a quick bread for breakfasts, so I may try to do that as well. I think I'm going to need a vacation after this vacation trip!

SueK - thanks for the specific suggestions - that's so helpful!

Jori