1 in a Million (literally): Feast Day!!

I am, as I have stated before, never going to doubt my instinct again. After the labor and delivery debacle, I have realized that I know somethings and I ought to give myself the chance when in doubt. I am taking this tact with the task of motherhood, tempered (of course) by Nathaniel's perspective and input.

I know I run the risk of making some family or friends a bit frustrated, but I believe this approach to be best... and, now, I have evidence that Auggi is a clear enough communicator to make it work.

As you know, Auggi's weight gain has been a bit slower than most would expect (especially with my genetic material at play in him). We've been considering starting him on cereal. The pediatrician said that my milk is still the best for him nutritionally. My mother, always looking for baby dimples to emerge, wanted me to go forward with giving him cereal bolstered by my milk. Nathaniel and I investigated and decided that we would wait until Auggi told us he was ready, based on the signs he was giving us.

Sure enough, Auggi very recently started taking an interest in whatever I put in my mouth, watching curiously and even reaching for my water bottle. Additionally, he has been spending some time in his high chair and is enjoying that activity. He also is diminishing in his tongue thrusts. The straw that broke the camel's back, though, was when Nathaniel took a strawberry (NOT a good first food... high incidence of allergies) and rubbed it along his gum line so he could taste the essence of the fruit without having to actually ingest it and Auggi really enjoyed it.

So, not wanting to extend my mother's cereal anticipation longer than necessary, I asked her if she wanted to be here for his inaugural spoonful. It took her 3.2 seconds to say yes and get here.

We are starting him on Farina, a Mediterranean grain that is very fine and my mother prepared for us on cold mornings in New York. Using my milk to dilute it and sweeten it, we prepared Auggi's new baby bowls and spoons and bibs and gathered every photographic device in the house. These moments were captured in video (which I have yet to figure out how to upload to Blogger), still pictures and on telephone for quick sharing.

Auggi never thrust his tongue inappropriately even once... he took it all in, seeming to savor the sensation and opening his mouth again for a repeat spoonful. He giggled and laughed and pondered and wondered. All in all, it was a terribly successful event, allaying my mother's anxiety about him getting enough to eat and promoting even further confidence in his ability to signal when he is ready for the next step....