As a new mom, you’ll be lucky if you have time to sleep at all – spending an hour on dinner the way you did before you got pregnant is probably out of the question until your baby is old enough to spend time alone. Plus, the first few weeks after you’re home from the hospital, you’ll want to spend your time resting and bonding with this new member of your family – not slaving over a hot stove! That’s why it’s a great idea to find a few recipes that you like that freeze well. With a few hours in the kitchen before your due date, you can prepare family size portions of your favorite meals that just need to be heated up after the baby arrives.

The following are a few stand-by recipes that freeze well and can be stored in various portions, depending on the size of your family:

McCormicks Chili Packets

You’ve probably seen McCormick Seasoning Packets in the cooking supply aisles of your local grocery store – if not, check them out, as the chili mixes are surprisingly good. In most cases, all you’ll need is a pound of meat (typically ground beef or ground turkey), a can of kidney beans, and a can of tomato paste – just check the back of the packet to find out what you need to purchase. Brown the meat in a separate pan, then combine the ingredients in a large pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and then allow it to simmer for as long as possible to allow the flavors to mix together. Add chili powder, cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to increase the spice to taste. Allow the mixture to cool and then freeze it in single-serving containers or larger Tupperware tubs.

Basic Lasagna

Lasagna may look complicated, but it’s actually surprisingly easy to make. Typically, you’ll need a box of lasagna noodles, a jar of spaghetti sauce, a tub of ricotta cheese and at least a cup of shredded mozzarella (although you may want to spice up the sauce or add herbs to the ricotta, depending on your preferences). Cook the lasagna noodles ahead of time until they’re al dente, and then remove from heat and drain. In a 13×9 pan, begin with a layer of sauce, and then add a layer of noodles and a spread of ricotta cheese on top. Repeat until you fill the dish or run out of ingredients, ending with a layer of sauce. Spread the dish with the shredded mozzarella and then cover it with tin foil. Bake at 350 degrees for at least 45 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Allow the lasagna to sit and cool for an hour, then cut it and freeze it in the desired portions.

Winter Pasties

Pasties are a common treat in the northern parts of the country, but they’re also a great choice for preparing ahead of time. A pasty is a meat and vegetable pie, typically comprised of ground or chunked beef, carrots, potatoes, onions and parsnips in a bread dough shell. A healthier variation can be made with seasoned ground turkey, or with additional vegetables of your choice. To begin, prepare a batch of bread dough and shape the dough into 4” round diameter balls. Cook your filling mix by browning the meat and roasting any vegetables you’ll be including. Allow the filling to cool, then press the bread dough into oval shapes, approximately ¼” thick. Place the filling in the middle of the dough and wrap the dough over the filling, pressing it closed with the tines of a fork. Brush the top of the pasty with butter or egg yolk and then bake until the dough is no cooked through. Freeze them completely cooked, then heat them up in the oven or microwave when you’re ready to eat.

If you’re a die-hard dog lover, you’ve got to be prepared for the fact that bringing home a baby will have a huge impact on the relationship you and your pooch share. Certainly, you’ll have less time to spend walking and playing with your furry friend. Your dog will also have to adjust to the idea of watching you spend time caring for your new baby. Unfortunately, if proper introductions aren’t made, your dog could experience a number of different stress symptoms, including wetting and accidents, destructive behavior and a loss of appetite.

The meet and greet

If you’re about to have your first child, you won’t be able to predict how your dog will respond to a newborn baby. Even the sweetest, mellowest dog can turn aggressive when presented with a challenge for your affections. To combat this possibility, do a little pre-baby training with your dog. Ask a fellow dog-loving friend, relative, neighbor or co-worker to bring their children over to your house to meet your dog. Restrain your dog on a leash and allow him or her to sniff the child without coming any closer. If the dog seems comfortable with the child, ask the child to pet your dog gently. Reward your dog with treats for good behavior.

Watch your words

You’re probably used to praising your dog with phrases like, “That’s a good girl,” or “Mommy’s little boy.” However, if your dog hears you using those phrases with your new baby, it may become confused, leading to stress and aggression. Instead, before the baby arrives, come up with a new set of phrases that will be used exclusively with your dog. For example, you might begin praising your dog by name or incorporating the words “doggie” or “pooch” instead of “good girl” and “little boy”. After your delivery, your dog will already be accustomed to these new phrases and will respond more positively to them.

Set a schedule

Dogs respond well to structure and routine, so try to create a schedule for your dog and stick with it – as much as possible – after you bring home your baby. For example, you might plan to feed Fido at 8:00 am every day and take him for a walk immediately afterwards. Sticking with this schedule will help to reduce stress on your dog, cutting down on the number of wetting or marking incidents you may experience. And, of course, try to make the times you do share positive for your dog – shower it with praises and treats for good behavior around your child, and spend a little extra time grooming and playing.

House rules

If you plan to hold your baby on the couch, you may need to train your dog not to jump up on the sofa. This can be difficult if your dog is used to napping on the sofa, but it can be done. First, identify an alternative to the couch – whether it’s a different chair or a new doggie bed. When your dog begins to jump up on the couch, say “no” firmly and gently push it off. Direct your dog to the new bed and give it a treat or other reward for using the alternative location. It will take some practice, but it is possible to train your dog to sleep in a new location.