Independence Is Such A Pain...

It's a daily battle. 3 times a day too, for that matter!

It's a thrill to see how Johno is developing. No more milk-only diet. He's started eating solids: cereal, baby food, crackers, soft fruit and pretty much anything he can gum or swallow without gagging. If he eats something his stubborn mind tells him he can handle, but his guts disagree, he just ends up throwing everything up in a gross stinky mess, and starts all over again!

It was fun to feed him initially and hear him whining for more. He also has this distinct expression he makes which shouts, "More please! More! Now! I want more!"

But as he discovers the fascinating world of spoons, bowls and that sticky mushy goo they hold, all hell breaks loose! Sometimes in the midst of yet another mealtime battle with food splatter in my ears, I swear I miraculously received the gift of comprehending baby talk...

• Ang goo - How hard is it to use a spoon? I totally nailed it!
• Yeeee - Why use a spoon when you can lick it straight from the bowl?!
• Tiap tiap - So what they say is true! Food does taste better from the fingers!
• Mmmmm - Running this warm goo through my hair feels so good...

His insistence of "feeding" himself in the most exploratory ways leaves me dumbfounded and clueless of whether to encourage it and cheer him on, or scream and bind his hands. Sure, learning independence and eating right are equally important and should be well-balanced, but what's a mummy to do when more food lands up on baby's tummy rather than in it? Just brace yourself, make more food, grit your teeth and present it to baby with a smile!