So far we have tried:
Fresh banana, both mashed and “fed” with a spoon, and as finger food. Both were ineffective means of nourishment since something about banana is a turn-off; plus, they are slippery. But we will revisit the banana now that we are gaining comprehension about this whole eating thing.
Applesauce: Eh.
Sweet potato fries: Very, very wonderful. Feeding oneself = excitement.
Mashed sweet potato on a spoon: Confusing, but okay.
Avocado in the mesh feeder and by spoon: YES MOMMY. The feeding oneself angle is again very popular once the mesh feeder was comprehended. The handle of the feeder is also quite appealing.
Mushy peas: ICK. And I agree.
Thus far we are trying (and largely failing) to drink water from a sippy cup at meals.
As the days have gone by, more food has entered and remained in the baby at each meal. I’m doing it 1-2 times a day. Each meal is thoroughly documented in a way I’ve never done with milk feedings, due to the Shame of the Bottle. Besides this picture of Baby’s first bottle of expressed milk,
and this incredibly rare very early picture of Baby “nursing” (we never really got the hang of it),
and this picture of Baby at five months old trying to eat and suck her hand at the same time,
her feedings have been largely ignored in my diligent efforts to photograph every other aspect of Baby’s life.
What I am loving about the solids, besides all the silly faces, is that I have NO IDEA how much Baby is ingesting, which is a first in our relationship. For the last six months I have been able to say exactly how many ounces of food little Baby is stuffing inside her little self. I am now not cognizant in any way of how much I am serving, nor how much is being eaten. It’s good for us. Well, it’s good for ME in my new efforts not to obsess about Baby’s food (originally that ideology was meant for pumping, but it can extend easily to the solid food thing, too).
And clearly I am not waiting the 3-5 days between trying new foods. I am a very bad mommy, yes, I understand this. But I just can’t get myself worried about allergies to apples and the like. So far the only adverse effect of starting solids is a little spit-up a couple of times from Baby. And the ruined clothes. Seriously, I had no idea banana and avocado were such bad stainers. I will have to amend my laundry procedures. And try to remember the bib! But the mess gets everywhere so I can’t see how a bib would help much.
Oh, and y’all were right about the poop: I am certainly encountering it more often! And it is smelly! And solid! Wow!
+++
The shower I threw for the bride whose wedding I am no longer attending was Saturday and it was, as planned, a very lovely Southern brunch, complete with party favors and corsages and key lime pie. The bride, however good friends we were up until now, ignored me icily at the party, and afterwards, her mother gave me a lecture on how the bride has been crying over my regrets (which breaks my heart), how I should “detach” from my baby, and since I “won’t” do that, why can’t I drive my six-month-old 12 hours in the car to attend an evening wedding? And this after I gave her daughter this beautiful party. I barely knew what to say. It was so rude and I’m still upset about it. I hope this friendship can be salvaged, but I know for damn sure I am not going to forgive her mother for her commentary.
