Dear Benjamin-

Solids 101.

Beginner basics.

We all know that, the world over, people are still enjoying milk up to the day they die, whole industries are devoted to taking that milk and changing it into thousands of kinds of cheeses. The whole of the human race doesn't want to give up that first amazing baby food, and you don't have to either. You will enjoy milk still, but, you do need to move up from basic milk to non-human milk and its other accessory foods. Plain and simple, Momma can't be the spigot forever. We give that job over to other mammals so we can have our bodies back so to speak.

So, today we will start off with,... Yams. Good beginner food. Natural sugars and mellow flavor will ease you into the world of VARIETY.

Rice cereal is second...hmmmm.... looks like that one is a "keep trying food".

Next we try sweet potato. I see this is a winner. Then, um how about some dried plum puree to help that sweet potato finish its route through the gestational tract?

Ok, now we try pureed peaches.

OH. Uh... I see we will have to acclimatize to that flavor. We'll keep trying.

Pears and oatmeal? Un huh... well that's still progress.

Points to try and remember when learning to eat "real" food:

1. Open mouth, I know its difficult to master but I have ample evidence that you can do it.

2. Swallow, If you want it to work you need it to go down the back opening. Coming out the front opening will only necessitate starting over with no. 1.

I'm so glad you have begun this exciting, messy, gooey, slurpy, drooly time. Wuhoo!