Review of the Infantino Squeeze Station

As promised, I am F-I-N-A-L-L-Y writing a review of the Infantino Squeeze Station. I've been making baby food for my 8 month old for several weeks now, and so far it's been working rather well. I am not making all of his food, just items that take minimal time, but also save some money.  I primarily make things like green beans, peas, squash, apples etc. These are all items I might keep in my fridge normally to cook for my husband and I. One or two days a week, I toss these items into a pot, cook them, and then puree them. I typically use jars from store bought food, however I wanted the option to make my own squeeze packs - hence my purchase of the Infantino Squeeze Station.

Overall, the station is very easy to use. No real instructions needed, and no real assembly required.  Based on reviews, its best to use the Infantino squeeze packs, but apparently you can substitute for cheaper brands. Also, Infantino also makes a reusable pack if you'd like a more 'green' option.


I chose to use pureed broccoli in the squeeze station's maiden voyage, and I'd give the performance a solid A.  I'm not sure if the issues I had were more based on the food item I chose, or if it was the station itself.

 As you can see, I had some water in the broccoli puree, and when filled into the pumps, the water began running out all over from the pressure. While the puree itself did make it into the pack, water went all over the bottom.

When it was all said and done, I had a packet of baby food and it definitely did the job. If you're looking for an on-the-go packet option, I suggest it. Although I like the station, I will probably continue buying packs from the store - simply because they are vacuum sealed and do not require refrigeration. I like to keep one or two of those in my diaper bag in case we are out and the baby needs a snack. However, I love the option to make my own packets (at a fraction of the cost) especially as those days of self feeding get closer. He might not be ready for spoons anytime soon, but I think we might be mastering the packet sooner than later!


I also think this station will serve me well as my kids get older - you can buy the larger tubs of yogurt and fill packs to save some serious cash. I never buy little cups of yogurt purely because of the cost - I can't imagine how much the go-gurts probably cost! Or, you can make your kids smoothies, or fruit snacks to take on the road. This is definitely something I will use for awhile, and I'm glad I made the investment (which, I might add was only about $19!).

Five on Friday

{ONE} 

Instagram Husband

This video MADE MY DAY.

{TWO} 

Holiday Baking

Today my mom and I are going to do some baking, and I'm so excited! We are pulling out all of my grandmother's old recipes and tin cookie cutters - a Christmas tradition that I've had to do on my own for the last 3 years. It will be nice to have some help this year! Cut out cookies (as we call them) are my favorite Christams cookie, and I probably eat 95 cookies in the 2 weeks leading up to Christmas. (Last year I never got around to cooking the last batch, so the dough stayed in my freezer....and it was my secret guilty pleasure snack. I can't ever resist cookie dough.) I'll be snapping some pics today, and sharing the recipe this weekend!

{THREE} 

6-ish Month baby photos

We had professional pictures taken of Beckett recently and I ADORE them. Need a photographer in the Greenville area? You've got to call Dear Lissie Photography!

{FOUR}

Christmas Sales

I must admit I've been pretty impressed wit the deals floating around this holiday season - I've scored some amazing deals!

Now, just because Cyber Monday and Black Friday are over, don't think you've missed out. THere are still some great deals to be had and I've rounded up a few that I came across this week.

Victoria's Secret / / Free Shipping on $50 & Workout Pair (bra + pants) for $75

J.Crew // 40% off of sweaters (30% off everything else) & 40-50% off sale

Pottery Barn // 20% off your entire purchase + free shipping

Hanna Andersson // 30% off sleepwear (not to late to get some Christams #hannajams!)

{FIVE}

Biltmore at Christmas

Last Sunday we ventured up to Biltmore Estate in Asheville NC and it was fantastic! It was my first trip to the estate and I loved every minute of it! It was sort of like being on the set of Downton Abbey. I was a little surprised at how much I had learned about the social norms/customs from that era just by watching D.A., as most of what the audio tour told us about everyday life was rather similar to what is portrayed on the show. The Christmas decorations were gorgeous, and Beckett stayed awake talking (screeching and babbling) the entire time. 

Five on Friday

{one}

Christmas Hanna Jams

My mother in law purchased Hanna Andersson pjs for all of the grandkids (5!) this Christmas. Over Thanksgiving, my sister in law and I dressed our little ones in the adorable Hanna Jams, and I'm completely obsessed. I can't wait to snap some pics of Beckett with his cousins in Montana in a few weeks!

{two}

Ben Carson calls a terrorist group a popular chickpea dip. Seriously, what adult that has ever watched a tv news broadcast doesn't know how to pronounce Hamas? And more importantly, why is he attempting to give a lesson on Israel-West Bank politics? This isn't school, it's a speech to rally support. #facepalm

And then Donald Trump said this:

{three}

My child's fear of Santa is REAL.

{four}

Homemade Christmas decorations

This year I got a little Martha Stewart and decided that I wanted to make my own decorations using real greenery. My parents live on 6 acres and have a ton of cedar and pine trees - the perfect source.

After days of clipping, trimming, and pinning greenery onto wreath forms. My pictures aren't great - but you get the idea!

{five}

I posted about this earlier in the week, but I'm just so pumped about it, I'm going to bring it up again! I snagged these baby animal prints online during the Cyber Week sales - buy 3 get 1 free. To purchase this print framed from Restoration Hardware, you would have to shell out $199 per picture. Or if you scour the internet like me, you find the photographer's page, order the print, and buy cheap Amazon frames and score this look for less...$150 less. (Even deeper discount if you got the free print on Tuesday!)

To see all the prints go to Sharon Montrose's site - The Animal Print Shop.