Pax Eats!

Real food that is!  It's that time!  I was dreading the messy, pureed, tedious learning-to-eat stage for awhile, but I've finally come around and am excited again.  I guess amid the toddler pickiness, I am excited for the fun that babies have with new food experiences.

I've had several people make comments wondering why I waited so long.  This puzzles me.  So let me briefly explain myself.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting on solid foods until 6 months of age for several reasons.  One reason is to prevent development of allergies by early exposure to allergens.  The digestive tract also needs some time to mature.  I also felt he needed to be able to sit adequately in the high chair, which for now is mostly adequate - some propping required.  And finally, there is a tongue thrust reflex in which their tongue pushes food out of their mouth when introduced.  You can see why this would be a great survival skill and another reason why little humans are so amazing.  Trying to get them to eat before this reflex disappears...well it's really messy.  And learning to eat is already messy.  The final and very important reason to wait has to do with his genetically inherited (my fault) proclivity to regurgitate all day.  Spit up blueberries, beets, and such?  Not fun.  Been there with Ev.  Not anxious to go back. 

So Pax is 5.5 months, and he is showing great interest in participating in meals.  Yesterday I gave him a slice of apple in this device that holds food in a net.  He gnawed and sucked on it and thoroughly loved it.  Tonight he finally got to do what he's been begging to do for a few weeks.  He sat at the table and ate dinner with his family!  :)  It felt so right to have all four of us around the table. 

First I made sure he could sit in and tolerate the high chair. 

Those smiles are for Daddy.  :)
Then we sat down for dinner for the first time as four eaters.  I know, there should be something green on our plates.  I had salad for lunch.  :)

Paxton, like his brother, ate more than I expected.  He eagerly ate his oatmeal, and he did really well.  Of course I'm better at it this time around.  I didn't bother with the super thinned out cereal.  I mean, who likes feeding someone soup on a tiny spoon?  Not me!  We skipped to a thicker version.

And below - of course Everett decided he needed to wear a bib now too...while playing with his farm.