This makes me so sad.
Today Elizabeth is six months old. It's been half a year since my last baby was born. In half a year she will be one. One means walking and talking and toddlerhood. It also means my days with a baby are numbered.
When Jacob was a baby I could not wait to shop the baby food aisle. In fact, I started him on cereal a full seven weeks earlier than recommended because I couldn't wait anymore. By the time the pediatrician gave us the okay to start the solids, he was already gobbling three jars of stage two a day. I was so proud of my little eater and couldn't wait until he could sit up, pull up, walk. Every milestone he attained was photographed and videotaped and then we pushed him towards the next one. Why did we do that? We weren't as forceful with Adam, but he was so gung-ho to be big, he just never seemed little. He crawled at four months so solid foods at six seemed long overdue and although he received his fair amount of fanfare over it, it really didn't seem like that big of a deal.
It sure does feel like a big deal this time though.
I no longer love the baby food aisle. In fact, I avoid it like the plague. When different pediatrician said we could start cereal at four months, I refused to hear her, telling myself that my regular, out on maternity leave, doctor would say six months and I waited. When the husband would tell me to pick up a box at the store because "she seems ready", I would always pretend I forgot, or they were out, or I could save a whole quarter getting it at another store. Today, though, she is six months old. As much as I would like to think she isn't ready, the fact that she grabbed a donut off my plate this morning and shoved into her mouth before I could blink, is kind of a sign that, yeah, she might want to try that good stuff.
So I took a deep breath, pushed back a few tears, and pushed my way into the baby food aisle today. I did it. It sucked, but I did it.
So tonight she feasts. On runny, bland cereal. At the table with the big boys.
Give me strength.
I can't even tell you about how she started rolling and scooting this week. That will just send me right over the edge.
10 comments:
Aww, that's such a huge milestone. I was super excited to start solids with my son. My ped gave the OK at 4 months, because he could hold himself up straight so well. We tried it, and he liked it. He only ate a tiny bit and then we started making it regular at 5 months and regular veggies then fruits at 6 months.
But I see what you mean about wanting to wait with the youngest ones. I know I'll be that way the second time around. I don't want to be in such a hurry for that baby to grow up. I think I understand already.
I feel your pain :( I actually tried to get our ped to okay exclusive breastfeeding longer then six months, but he thought we should try a few solids at six months. One more month :(
I know how you feel too, and my youngest isn't even born yet. Oh boy, I'm in for a breakdown!
Oh I can relate, just started B-Lo here on good ol' runny cement looking cereal this week. Sorry it made you so sad! :-(
I know exactly how you feel. :(
Big hugs!!!
My first is only three weeks old at the moment. I'll let you live vicariously through us - that'll buy you another five months. ;-)
I was so happy when they pushed back the recommendation to feed solids to 6 months! With each of my children I have wanted to put off feeding them solids longer and longer. And hoped they would stay babies just a little longer, too.
I was sad to have each of my girls no longer need the baby aisle at the grocery store. I would literally mourn the loss of picking out baby food and being able to pick up a pack of diapers or pull-ups.
Now that I've gotten my third and FINAL child past that stage? I find that I no longer miss it. I take that as an indication that three is enough for our family and I am good with it.
It's weird how moms and dads view things so differently.
De-lurking to say "Hi." I just started reading your blog. Our kids have the same birthday. Your girl, and my only boy (so far). I started the baby food early because I couldn't wait. I can see how you might want to wait with the other kids. I'm so impatient. I need to slow down with him.
P.S. I don't know a lot of people who love So I Married an Axe Murderer, but you and I are two of them!
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