Ronan Shows Interest in Solids...FINALLY!

We're so happy that Ronan is finally showing some interest in solids. When we first started introducing him to solids, he wasn't having any of that! We were stressing out because everyone was telling us that he needed to start eating "real" food. And of course came the well-meaning advice.

We didn't start offering rice cereal first because we think that is just a filler food, no nutritional value. Besides, we wanted to make our own baby food. That way, we know exactly what he is eating. Or in our case, not eating! Ha ha. We tried mashed up avocado (both with and without breastmilk added), butternut squash, sweet potato, and banana.

Steamed butternut squash.



Mommy was so excited, but Ronan wasn't!



Daddy tried to feed Baby some avocado. Ronan wasn't interested.



Another day, another try. Notice Ronan using his hand to block.



Here, Daddy, you eat the carrots!



Even Grandma Martin had no luck.



Aunt Carol didn't get you to eat the pureed carrots.



You weren't interested in anything other than breastmilk, not even your 1st birthday cake!



We gave up for a few months when he seemed stressed out from all the foods we had offered. It was stressing us out as well. People tried to convince Mommy and Daddy that we needed to offer you different foods, like rice cereal or commercial baby food like Gerber. However, Mommy and Daddy thanked them for their advice but stuck with their instincts as to what is best for you - and that is to just stop trying to feed you solids. So we just stopped offering him solids and went back to our stress-free (well, as much stress-free as first-time parents can be) lives.

Mommy did a lot of research and talking with others about 'baby led weaning' and felt a lot better about the decision to let YOU decide on when YOU want to start eating solids.

At around the end of 14 months to the beginning of 15 months, Ronan started to show some interest in the foods that we were eating. So we decided to give solids another try. We didn't push it like before. We just placed the food in front of him and if he took it, great! If not, that's ok, too. No pressure! Everyone was much happier.

At first, he just pushed the food around with his utensils (plural because both hands needed to hold something), threw it on the floor and wall, and hand-fed us. It was extremely messy, but we had many laughs over his shenanigans.

Then he finally took his first itty bitty bite of food! All by himself! We gave him pureed pears, sweet potatoes, peas, and yogurt. He picked up his spoons and scooped and put it in his mouth...several times! And then he dumped the contents of the bowls onto the floor and threw the bowls and spoons on the floor. We had a huge mess to clean up, but he finally tried some food all on his own!





Within a few days, we wanted to try whole foods, not mashed up or pureed. So we gave you a whole peeled banana. It was new texture for you, so you just held it in your little hands for a little while. Then to our surprise, Ronan put it to his mouth and took a teeny tiny bite! Then on the floor the rest of the banana went. But that's ok! You took a bite!!!! Yay!



And then a peeled apple (not sliced but whole)! Silly boy threw it against the wall after just a few nibbles. He must've thought it would bounce like his toy balls. Ha!

Pictures to come!

We even offered you some veggies - steamed brocolli, cauliflower, carrots, peas, and green beans! So healthy! You had also just learned how to use the sippy cup. Look at him being such a good boy!



A few days ago, I wanted to try more "advanced" foods. So I cooked some spinach spaghetti noodles (made with spinach and brown rice), poured some garlic tomato sauce on top, and a side of steamed green beans. And he took a few bites!



While cooking some mac and cheese (quinoa pasta and organic chedder + colby cheeses), you wanted the block of cheese that Mommy was grating. So I gave it to you to see what you would do with it. Lo and behold, you started munching on the block of cheese! See the tear? That's because Mommy didn't give it to you fast enough!



Tonight, I cooked chicken and rice. I gave him a few cut up pieces of chicken and some rice. I used white rice (not as healthy as brown rice), as I had a feeling that he wouldn't eat any. Just as I predicted, he was more interested in the chicken than the rice.






I think we are on our way to eating solids! What a milestone! He's a little bit "late" at 15 months, but it's the perfect timing for him!