August is eating solids!

It has been an exciting month around here; August is firmly into a routine with solid foods!  It is awesome.  I love watching him discover new tastes and expand his world to include something so essential to our daily lives.  It really does feel like he's becoming more grown up just by eating what we do.

We started giving him tastes of solids about 6 weeks ago, and, though he was completely disinterested at the beginning, now it's part of his morning and night routine.  Our pediatrician gave us the okay to start solids at 4 months, but we waited until he was 5.5 months based on some new research that says babies can totally subsist on breast milk for the first 6 months.  Our nursing routine was going so well, I was a little hesitant to switch it up. 

 August's first food was sweet potato puree, and he's since had carrots, green beans, peas, avocados, bananas, applesauce, pears, prunes, peaches, apricots, and even butternut squash!  The only thing he's not crazy about is avocado; I didn't like them until I was about 20, so will cut him some slack on that.
I make most of his food, but have bought a few jars of organic baby food to have on those days when I need to grab something quick.
The process of making baby food is so simple, though: steam or roast veggies, and puree until smooth.  I am in love with my immersion blender for making this even easier.

I store the food in ice cube trays, and freeze until needed.  So simple!  

August got a great high chair for Christmas, which he sits and plays in while we get his meal together.  We just defrost the food in a ramekin or on a small plate, add a bib, and feed him.  He's a quick eater, so it doesn't take too long. 

Generally, it's a neat process, but we have our messy nights.  Peas can just get out of control sometimes!

After he eats, we let him play with the ramekin and spoon to get him used to eating utensils, and he really enjoys it.  I can't even tell you how fun it is to watch a smile spread over his face when he tries a new food and likes it.  We're having fun with this stage!