First Solid(ish) Food

We gave Owen his first solid food last weekend, and what an adventure it has already been. The boy loves to put everything else in his mouth, so food should be a breeze, right? Ha. What Beginner Mom naiveté that was.

Food #1: rice cereal. As it turns out, it tastes suspiciously like macerated Communion wafers. Non-starter. That food trial was halted after only four rounds. Okay fine. On to the next round.

Food #2: carrots. After Owen went to bed last night, I spent my precious quiet evening moments peeling, chopping, boiling, pureeing, portioning, and freezing four pounds of organic carrots. All the while I'm thinking, "Man, I can't wait until his breakfast tomorrow! He's going to freaking love me for this."

So morning comes and I'm all jazzed up for the orange goo that's about to coat my body and tickle the taste buds of my little nugget. I gave him some serious pep talks while I was prepping for the big meal: "Now listen, O, these are going to be the BEST carrots you've EVER had." And, necessarily, that would have to be true.

But instead of getting to watch his first look of delight at real live food, I got to watch his first full body shudder. Like a full-on eyes closed, frowny mouth, body convulsing, carrot expelling shudder. Hmm. Not exactly what I was looking for.

So a few lessons learned:

• Don't start with four pounds of an untested food
• I'm sensing a looming uphill battle for broccoli
• When life gives you rejected carrot puree, make carrot cake. (Good tip, Mom)

Furrowing brow: the first symptom of Carrot Rejection

And then it's over. Carrot Experience #1: Fail.

Smiley boy before his delicious rice cereal

Learning to eat is simply not a clean adventure.

An Emotional Tug-of-War

This is my last week of Stay-At-Home-Mommyhood, and my brain is having an emotional tug-of-war as it tries to figure out whether I should be happy or sad. Right now the relentless and foreboding Woe seems to be tugging hardest, but the nimble and unpredictable Enthusiastic may win out by Monday morning.

I'm really trying to look at the bright side...

• Right now I'm on track to completely lose the ability to converse with adults. Proof? Mama refers to herself exclusively in the third-person all day. She develops an awkward nervous twitch if others broach topics outside the realm of baby pooping/eating/sleeping/babbling. She has some difficulty avoiding interludes of song during sustained conversation. It's probably time to reintroduce some adult playdates into her life.
• As Owen grows and learns and becomes a big boy, I'm very obviously regressing. I've re-memorized every Disney song I ever learned. And while "Part of Your World" was fun to sing over boxed wine with my best girlfriends in college, it becomes far less cool to hum the entire Little Mermaid soundtrack during virtually every quiet moment in a day. (Though I swear Owen loves me more when I'm speaking like a Sebastian the Crab, mon.) Probably good to fill my mind with some more...er...stimulating material.
• Compared to being the full-time mom of a 4-month-old, school is going to my downtime. I'll be able to finish an email in one sitting, worry only about my own potty needs, eat breakfast on occasion, use both of my arms at the same time, wear clothes free of baby puke, untether myself from the baby monitor. Who knew pursuing a doctorate could be the easiest part of one's life?

But then there are things I'm having a harder time with...

• I really and truly love calling myself "mama" and am proud of my new pooping/eating/sleeping/babbling expertise. I sort of like having Hakuna Matada stuck on repeat in my head. And I especially love ending every day completely and utterly exhausted, knowing that every ounce of my energy went into raising that lovable little boy. I know it's important for both of us to have a little independence and to do a little growing on our own, but that's sure not going to make it any easier to be away from him. Ugh. (PS - If our nanny calls any of you in a panic on Monday morning, unable to locate the baby, you should probably tell her to check my backpack.)
• I will have soon "real" and "important" things to write, which sadly precludes regular Baby Spam updates. I'm going to continue posting pictures and hopefully writing every now and again. Not sure if anyone is even reading this anymore, but it's been such a great outlet for me and I truly appreciate anyone and everyone who has stopped by to check in on us over these last several months.

Mary Poppins sing-along + Bumper Jumper = happiest Owen

3-month vs. 4-month picture

Loyalty training starts early

Sleepy boys in the morning

I love me some ridiculous winter outfits

Awkward Hair Phase requires some 'do-experimentation

New Tricks

Apparently Owen's New Years Resolution was to break free from the stifling chains of infant immobility and put those God-given limbs to use. He started flipping over on New Years Eve, and has continued with great gusto. As fun as this new trick is to watch, it's made every virtually every flat surface -- barring only the floor -- a total hazard; Owen giggles mischievously as he tries to roll off his changing table and tried multiple times to flip out of his bath seat tonight. Oh, the excitement that comes with mobility and free will...

This is what happens when Daddy dresses you...