My little Peanut, you are growing, growing, growing.
We switched to Baby Led Weaning. But 95% of the time we only introduce solids to you by handing you the actual stalk (hand size) of broccoli, sweet potato fry, and so on...For the first week it felt like you were only going to gag for forever. But we are now on week 2 and you have picked up chewing really well already. The first couple of days with this method were very stressful. Gagging is very stressful, but by doing so you have learned to move foods forward, and out of your mouth. This is how you've also learned to chew. I finally bought the BLW book and I feel so much more confident in this method. Tonight we gave you angel hair pasta with sauce, you did so well with it, mainly you just sucked the sauce off of it! The 2 most important reasons why I made the switch were your gag reflex will eventually move further back down your throat and it's most important for you to learn now how to chew and swallow. Second and most important reason is, I want you to learn how much you need and decide what to eat.
Developmentally you are challenging yourself daily. You continue to sit well, you mostly fall forward recently since you now want to reach for everything. What I thought was once out of your reach is now right at it. Especially since you have learned how to climb. You reach for Mama or Dada, and you climb into our laps, then want to stand, of sit in our lap. You have also slowly started to pull yourself up, when either in our laps, or on the exersaucer. We are still working on our crawling skills, but now that you know you can get around with climbing easier, this is all you want to do. Which is fine by me, I'm not ready for a mobile baby just yet.
Two days ago you said "Dada" out of the blue, and now continue to say it quite frequently throughout the day. When you feel like you've forgotten how to say it, you'll first mouth it then switch to sound (my brilliant baby)! Two weeks ago you start with saying "Up," but now that you are saying "Dada," Dada feels like that is your true first word! To me it doesn't matter, it has just been so rewarding to see how proud you are of yourself when you say a word or pull yourself up!
Your relationship with our "Gi" or doggie (Sydney) has really blossomed. She of course still sneaks kisses on you. She knows when you are about to spit up and comes running from anywhere she's been. She has learned to be a loyal companion at dinner time, waiting for any droppings from your high chair. If you're upset she knows to come find me, tell me, and runs to you. She greets us when you wake up, and you have the biggest smile anytime she comes bursting in the room, or she needs cuddle time while we are playing. I wouldn't trade having a dog with a baby any day, it is so so so worth it!
You still have my beautiful blue eyes, and in the sunshine your hair is turning blond, and your Dada thought he'd have his dominant dark features.
You are more invested in your books, we read to you often, and instrumental music really helps you calm down to sleep. I have found one of my favorite children's folk artists: Elizabeth Mitchell. This is the kind of music I remember growing up and it helps me feel connected to my childhood by having us listen to this, and sing. You have started to sing once in awhile. Maybe you'll follow into your parents musical shoes when you are older.
And now it is time for bed.
Love,
Mama
