This post started as a how-to make your own baby food post. But then I realized I had more to say about solid food in general. So, here it goes…
As mentioned in her 6 month post, Analiese started eating solid food a few weeks ago. I did a fair amount of research beforehand to know what kind of foods to start with and the best time to feed them to her given her current routine. I dug out my borrowed copy of The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems and revisited the discussion boards at TheBabyWhisperer.com. The concept we’re following is “until 1, food is fun.” In other words, breast milk will remain Anliese’s primary source of nutrition until she’s 12 months old. In the meantime, we’re getting her used to what food is, what to do with it, and to learn that eating is an enjoyable, pleasurable, relaxed, positive experience.
You may remember that we’re following the Eat, Activity, Sleep routine throughout the day. As we introduce solid foods, breast milk remains the “E” and solid food is the first part of her “A”. The rest of her “A” time allows for the food to digest.
My friend, Krysta, recently wrote about her experience with starting solids with T. We’re using the schedule she found as a guide to introducing new foods every 3-4 days. As the schedule suggests, we’re starting out with two meals each day – one right after her first feeding of the day and one in the early evening when she wakes up from her cat nap. She’s usually fairly hungry and expecting food since all of her other feedings follow naps, but it’s not time to have milk again. This differs a bit from the BW advice, but it seems to be working for her and us. The timing of this later meal will eventually match up with when we can all eat dinner together.
Like most things we’ve done with Analiese, this change is a gradual one. (Also, as we increase the amount of solids throughout the day – both in the amount of each meal and the number of meals – we’re slowly decreasing the amount of her dream feed. Another gradual process. I think we’ll both be a little sad when we no longer have this opportunity to peak in on our sleeping babe.) We started with very runny rice cereal for her first meal (video to come soon). It was somewhat anti-climatic for Ross who was expecting “solid” food to be, well…more solid. Nevertheless, Analiese loved it, could tell it was different (especially since it was coming from a spoon) and wanted more. Carrots were next, which she enjoys a lot. (Side note: She hasn’t had carrots for three days as I write this post and she’s still pooping orange “play-doh” poop.) She wasn’t a fan of avocados, but I’m going to try them again down the road mixed with something else.
With each new flavor, Analiese isn’t sure at first, but eventually can’t get enough and really enjoys the new sensation on her taste buds. We can tell how much she likes something by the distance she sticks out her tongue when she opens her mouth for another bite. She has a long tongue! We get to see a lot of that tongue when she eats peaches, which is the latest food we’ve introduced her to.
I have really enjoyed making Analiese’s food. I registered for a few baby food freezer trays and the Top 100 Baby Purees which have both come in handy. When it’s time for a meal, it’s so easy to take a cube of food out of the freezer, heat it in the microwave and then let it cool. Depending on what it is, I’ll mix it with either breast milk, rice cereal, or both. Below is the process I used for making peaches. I could have just pureed the fresh peaches, but the idea of baked peaches sounded (and smelled!) so much better for some reason.
The first thing I did was cut the peaches in half, removed the pits, and placed them in a baking dish with an inch of water.
I baked them at 400 degrees for about a half an hour. I didn’t think it would take this long, but it needed to be long enough for the skin to start to wrinkle. This was a sign that the skin would come off easily. I got impatient and took the dish out to check the skin. It seemed loose enough, so I took them out and peeled the skin off.
Into the food processor. I love my food processor. Second favorite kitchen tool to the Kitchen Aid mixer. There’s a good amount of clean up involved whenever I use it, but I don’t mind it too much.
Voila! Pureed baked peaches!
This has been my go-to salad all summer long. With strawberries being as cheap as they are this year, I can’t get enough of it. Doesn’t it look yummy?
Summer Salad:
- romaine lettuce
- strawberries, sliced
- grilled chicken, sliced
- almonds or pecans
- shredded colby or cheddar cheese (not pictured)
When it comes to salad dressings, I’m extremely picky. I wasn’t always, but lately I have a hard time settling for anything store bought. If I’m in the mood to splurge on a nice bottled dressing, I’ll either go with Brianna’s Blush Wine Vinaigrette or Trader Joe’s Balsamic Vinaigrette. Both have a subtle sweetness that goes really well with the strawberries and nuts. The salad above was inspired by one that was served at a baby shower I attended last year. The hostess shared the homemade dressing below for what she called “Town and Country Salad”:
Poppyseed Dressing:
- 1/4 onion, grated
- 1/2 C sugar
- 1/2 C canola oil
- 1/3 C apple cider vinegar
- 1 t dry mustard
- 1 1/2 t poppy seeds
So good. A little bit of work to prepare.
I also resurrected a recipe I got from a friend’s mom way back in middle school. I think the dressing was inspired by a local restaurant. I remember trying the dressing at her house one night and loving it. I got the recipe from her and proceeded to lose it and find it over and over again for the next 10 years. If you saw the drawers in my mother’s kitchen you would understand. (Sorry Mom, I outed you.)
I don’t even know what to call this one…:
- 4 T brown sugar
- 1 t salt
- 6 T rice vinegar (KA-ME brand is good)
- 1/2 C oil
Anyway, there you have it. If you try it out, enjoy!
Dear Analiese,
We have been so busy this month, I almost forgot to write this post. 6 months! One half of a year! We can’t believe you’re this old already. You’ve become so active over the past few weeks. It’s almost hard to keep track of all of your accomplishments, but let’s see what you’ve been up to…
You’re not crawling yet, but you certainly can make your way around a room by rolling all over the place. You are so attentive to whatever is going on around you. Feedings can be easily interrupted by the sound of your Daddy saying goodbye in the morning or Parker shaking his collar around.
You love to play in exersaucers – so many toys and sounds all at once! Your neck, shoulders, arms and legs are becoming so strong! Walks are taken with a big girl stroller and we recently tried out the shopping seat cover for our trips to stores. It’s like a mini couch for you!
You also started sitting up with some support.
You continue to be a mellow, peaceful and happy baby. You’re such a fun shopping buddy for Mama – always so good in the stores, attracting lots of fun attention with your babbling and smiles. A few extra whiny moments have us wondering if you might be teething, but so far there’s no sign of any pearly whites just yet.
It seems like you’re constantly discovering another body part to suck on. Recently, it’s been your toes. We don’t know how you do it, but you manage to get them in your mouth a lot! You’re so flexible!
Although your toes are fun to suck on, your favorite thing to put in your mouth these days is…food! We started you on rice cereal last week and you enjoy it so much! It only took you one or two meals to get the hang of putting your tongue where it needs to be and how to swallow instead of spitting out. Next up…homemade pureed carrots!
You also had your first dip in the lake this month! Your little body in a bathing suit is so cute! You bring us so much joy, Analiese. You’re so much fun to be around and we love to take care of you. On to the next 6 months!
Love,
Mama and Daddy
A couple a weeks ago we went to the lake and a wedding in Fort Wayne. There’s more to come on that, but Parker was busy. Here’s Parker taking a pontoon ride.
Then after a long day of activity, Parker is resting here with my parents’ dog, Millie. She was nice enough to share her pillow with Parker.
And finally, he got a much needed hair cut. Thanks for the help Mom and Dad!
When we lived on the north side of town, we shared a duplex with a lady named Jane. The duplex next to us housed two older single men. One had an eye patch and shaved head – Wes. The other was still sporting a mustache and hair style from the 70′s – Dave. They were quite the pair. Dave never missed an opportunity when he’d see me outside to say, “Is that the Cincinnati kid?!”
A few weeks ago, Analiese and I headed to Cincinnati for a long weekend. This was my first solo trip with Analiese and she was a gem in the car. She didn’t sleep as long as I would have hoped, but when she was awake, she was a happy baby – talking and sing-songing to herself. It was hard to sit up front with her in the back seat all by herself, but we both made the best of it. We made it to Cincinnati safe and sound – and didn’t run into any shovels along the way!
Being back home without Ross was different. For the first time in a long time, the five Olsens had dinner together. I really enjoyed the extended visit with my family and friends. I always had a set of open arms to hand Analiese off to – Nana, Poppa, Uncle Erik and Uncle Greg all enjoyed spending time with their granddaughter/niece. While in the area, I corralled my Ohio friends for lunch and coffee dates, too.
Ross took advantage of us being out of the house to get some work done. Our house projects seem to take a little longer these days. Loud projects (like chiseling at the concrete sill of a basement window) are stop and go due to Analiese’s naps during the day. I came home to a foundation that is almost ready to paint and a new front door, too! I should go away and come back more often! Nah – we missed H. Ross too much and were happy to be back home again.