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Some may call me a wee bit obsessive when it comes to “advanced meal planning” for the days after Barney Kneeknuckles’ arrival.
Getting Ready to Make Some Freezer Meals
I assure you… I am not obsessed. In all honesty, I’m really just terrified.
I know what I’m like when sleep deprived and coming off of pregnancy hormones — it’s not pretty. And this time, I will have three kidlets to handle instead of two:
- One of whom is starting Preschool 4 days after my c-section;
- One of whom is a two year old boy (’nuff said);
- One of whom will probably have his/her days and nights mixed up and want to use me as a 24-hour dairy bar.
THREE. KIDLETS.
All year, since the discovery that there would BE a “Numero Three,” I have tried out various freezer meals in anticipation of making up a BUNCH of meals for the first two weeks after Barney’s birth.
This weekend… I finalized my meal plan and assembled and froze the majority of the meals.
(and, now, I’m exhausted — but that’s beside the point)
Crock-Pot Minestrone Soup Kit
What kind of meals did I choose for after the birth? Easy meals — crock-pot meals and meals where a main component could be prepared (and frozen) NOW. For the most part, every meal will require a mere thaw and dump in the slow cooker … or a thaw and then a trip off to the grill.
EASY MEALS here, folks.
For some of those meals (like tostadas and sloppy joes), I made it even simpler by batch cooking ground turkey. Several pounds of browned meat now sit in my freezer — ready to complete a quick meal.
Ready to see our post-birth meal plan? Below is the list (and links) for what we’ll be eating those 2-3 weeks after Barney Kneeknuckles arrival. At this point, every crock-pot meal, grill meal, and protein is assembled/cooked and waiting in my freezer. Between now and my c-section date, I will be gathering the other components (vegetables, breads and rolls, sides, etc.) and freezing them as well.
Just trying to make it easy on myself!
The Post-Baby Meal List
- Crock-pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Crock-pot Minestrone Soup
- Pizza (pepperoni/mushroom) – dough already prepped and frozen
- Pasta/Bolognese Sauce (pasta sauce is made and frozen), add Italian Sausage or pre-cooked Homemade Meatballs, and serve with salad/green beans
- Grilled Bleu Cheese Burgers (burgers have been assembled and flash-frozen), buns, roasted potatoes
- Crock-pot Greek Chicken (ready to go in the freezer), served over egg noodles with salad
- Grilled Sweet and Sour Kebabs (assembled and frozen), jasmine rice
- Sloppy Joes (using precooked/frozen meat), buns roasted red potatoes
- Tostadas (using precooked/frozen meat), salad
- Tacos (using precooked/frozen meat), refried beans/Spanish rice
- Crock-Pot Roasted Chicken and veggies
- Grilled Marinated Chicken Breasts, vegetables/salad
- “Brinner”– waffles and bacon
Whew! Now, someone . . . anyone . . . please reassure me! Three kidlets is gonna be a piece of cake, right? ? ? ? ?
For more freezer meal ideas, visit Once a Month Mom and Good, Cheap Eats. For menu planning tips and ideas, visit Org Junkie.
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About Rachel Lacy
My name is Rachel -- I share tales about food and family. I'm a home-cook who focuses on fresh & simple meals to both fuel us and to help us celebrate our family-life. My day starts with coffee. Lots of coffee. 
Monday - Corn Casserole, Pepper Steak, Salad
Tuesday - 
I so admire your organization and preparedness! You are going to rock this.
And sure, 3 kids is super easy. Yeah.
What a great idea. I wish I was as organized as you when my children were babies. I did make homemade baby food with my last child though.
I freezer cook all the time to make sure we don’t resort to a fast food drive thru on busy nights. I am currently in the process of a HUGE marathon freezer session to prepare for when school and all our after school sports events start again. You will be so happy to have all that work done! Good luck with your new little one.
You are going to do great! Really!
I love how organized you are. I didn’t really make any preparations and I did okay
Somedays I truley laught at the similarities between us.
Lets see
#1 started kindy one day before c-sec.
#2 home with 2 year old girl child
#3 24/7 milk bar for #3
I won’t lie to you and tell you it will be perfect nad wonderful from day 1, BUT I can tell you that you can handle 3 and it will NOT be as bad as you probably think it will be most days.
Such a good idea!
There such satisfaction in opening the freezer and having all of these options, isn’t there? I did the same with Baby G, and did plenty of ground turkey, rice, pasta sauce, burgers, and meatballs. I actually just did a big batch of crock pot rice to portion out for the freezer this morning!
3 kids under four is not familiar but 3 total is. It’s definitely a challenge when you have one more kid than parent. The jealousy was something I didn’t anticipate, and now I’m regretting all the spoiling I did with number three because she is giving us a run for our sanity!
But overall now that we know our family is complete, it’s the best number we know! <3
Love those recipes! Can't wait to try the tortilla soup! You are so on top of things!
Not obsessive…smart! I had NO IDEA how little time I would have after having a baby. You know, so good for you for planning ahead!
I need to start planning my post baby meals but I’m so darn lazy these days.
Sounds like a great plan! I’m still working on finishing up my cooking ahead for the baby… hoping this one sticks in there for a little while LOL
How awesome are you?! I wish I was as organized. You’re gonna do great… and everything will be fantastic!
i would have loved to have some freezer melas ready to go after Giada was born but never got to it. now 10 weeks later and exclusively breastfeeding..we have been trying to get little by little made ahead and put into the freezer for easy meals.
i would love if you would come visit my blog and check out my Menu Plan
Enjoy your week
From Cristin To Mommy
My brother and his wife have 3 and they say that honestly, the third one was the easiest. Mainly because the two older kids are a constant source of entertainment for him. But it took about 12 months for that to happen.
Good luck
I have a 4 year old boy and twin 2 year old boys, so from experience I will tell you..you will survive!! Problem is the kids out number the adults!!! Great job on preparation! I always make double the amount of food and freeze almost every meal! It is so helpful for those not so wonderful mommy days! Good luck!
Wow, I’m impressed you are so organized – what a great idea as you will be super busy once baby #3 comes – best wishes for a happy and healthy baby (and a smooth delivery and recovery for mom!).
That’s a slick answer to a challenging queotsin
I am 34 weeks pregnant right now and I have been pacing the floors trying to think of some way to do just this. II couldn’t wrap my prego-brain around what to pick and what would work.
You are a Prego Godess!!
Thank you and God bless