what goes into those cheeks

Look at those cheeks! They're just screaming out for a big messy kiss to land on each of them!

The latest update on Aiden's feeding habits: He's been really great with his solids so far - he's had parsnip, carrots, pumpkin, wintermelon, peas, green beans, cous cous (mixed in with the pumpkin) , chicken and beef. Rice cereal & muesli with formula have been staples too.

We found out a week ago that he hasn't been keen on formula via bottle since we returned from NZ. Expressed milk in a bottle isn't a problem. So Aiden's poor grandma has had to mix his milk with other foods and feed him with a spoon. Eeps. She must have the patience of a saint.

But as i've cut down breast feeding to just twice a day, Aiden still needs a decent amount of formula milk daily for another few months; spoonfeeding milk until August just isn't a practical option. So we've been really dilligent with feeding him formula by the bottle every night for the past week, and putting up with quite a bit of fussing at the start, but after persevering for 7 days, he's now pretty happy with the bottle and even gulped down 200ml in 1 sitting today.

Pears and apples go down pretty well, but he doesn't seem as keen on them as the veggies - which we're happy with as we don't want him to develop a sweet tooth. As Cookie Monster says, "Cookies are a 'sometimes' food." (as opposed to all the time.) Wait. Did I just quote Cookie Monster as an authority on moderation?

Stay tuned for more food updates in the next couple of months...

the dear (sic) in headlights

Aiden looks surprised in almost all of our photos, but this one taken today takes the cake.
Since it can't be the camera flash (which is always off), I attribute the stunned expression to seeing his crazy mother constantly holding up a shiny black box to her face and cooing "helloooo"/"over heeere"/"sweet peeeeaa" in a high-pitched voice (that's enough for anyone to look stunned).

fish

MWAH! Kisses to everyone!

This has been Aiden's latest trick on and off for the past two weeks.

It's quite mysterious how he's learnt to do this, but it always gets a lot of chuckles from us (maybe that's why there's always an encore.)

Some possible reasons of this circus trick:
A. He's got 4 teeth now and playing with his mouth/lips is his way of exploring/playing with the new additions.

B. Since he always gets laughs for his fish impersonation, he's learnt to repeat it.

C. He's imitating doting parents who pucker up before planting a big kiss on his cheek, forehead, belly, chunky thigh, hand and foot. (Yes, in that order.)

D. All of the above.

pay attention, this is how i munch.

Aiden has 3 teeth now, the top-right one having just popped into view, and we have found a fun way for him to start practicing with them - This little Fresh Food Feeder from Munchkin has a little mesh bag attached to a grab ring. He can chomp away on the food and get some chewing practice in without the risk of him choking on small pieces. Favourites so far are: Apple - he likes the crunchy sound it makes when he bites down on it, and Frozen banana slices - great for sore little gums.