So Mr. Hank turned 5 months old this past Sunday! OMG! Where has the time gone?! It's kind of sad that he's getting so big, so quickly. Don't get me wrong. I am so grateful that he is doing so well...growing and thriving. But I'm also sad that I'm beginning to forget how he was during the newborn days. His mannerisms. His body language. I've been taking a ton of photos, but I'm beginning to wish I had taken more video so I can see him in motion. Oh well.
I bought an 8-speed Oster blender at Costco a few weeks ago (only $26.99!) in anticipation of preparing homemade baby food. I use it nearly every day to make frozen fruit smoothies and I have to admit I've made a few milkshakes as well. So far I've done peanut butter-banana, blueberry-banana, and strawberry-banana smoothies. Yummy! Anyway, I digress....
Other things I've purchased to get started with solids include:
- Graco Contempo high chair (found a great deal at Babies R Us for only $70!)
- The First Years Take and Toss Infant Spoons
- Pocket bibs (a Babies R Us Dinosaur one and a Bumkins one)
- OXO Baby food freezer trays
I haven't used the blender yet because the first food we decided to introduce to Hank was avocado. I've bookmarked the Wholesome Baby Food website and LOVE it! I got the idea to start with avocado from this website. Avocado? Who knew? I just cut one up and mashed a slice with a spoon. I added some breastmilk to thin it out and served it to Hank.

Hank looks kind of scared

Hmm, what's this?

Ooookaaaaay???

I don't think I love it...

...but I don't think I hate it, either.

Still trying to get the hang of the "swallowing" part

Okay, I'll try more

But only if I get to hold the spoon!
I was going to make all of my own baby food, but ended up buying some Gerber Squash baby food today. I could have sworn my local grocery store carried frozen butternut squash, which I had every intention of purchasing, steaming and pureeing, but I could not find it today! Boo! :( I also wanted to introduce sweet potatoes. My Granpda (the one with the coffee gang) has a bit of a green thumb. I think he grows both sweet potato and Okinawan sweet potato! I will ask him if I can have some for Hank. After that, I'm thinking green beans. My strategy for now is to do veggies first and then fruits.
And as I conclude this post, I think I hear Hank stirring from a nap. Perfect timing. :)