At our 6-month check-up a while back, the pediatrician asked me how the Little Miss was doing with eating solids.  The question just made me laugh, because despite our exciting beginnings…

…my Little Miss Independent had made it very clear that she was in no hurry to expand her culinary repertoire beyond breast milk.  On one hand I was a bit relieved, as I am in NO rush for my baby girl to grow up.  I swear, any minute now I’m going to turn around and she’ll be asking to borrow the car…or date a boy…or get a tatoo.

And yet I also had these dreams of introducing her to one of my very favorite things in this world – FOOD – and inspiring her to share my passion, one delectable nibble at a time.

So I persevered.  Armed with my baby food cook books and grocery bags, I got to cookin’.  Well, more like steamin’ and mashin’, if that counts.  And then day after day I presented my Little Princess with different culinary masterpieces…to which she pursed her little lips and replied:

“Sweet potatoes?  Can’t I just be your Little Sweet Potato?”

“Bananas?  Boring!”

“Peas?  Puuuuhhhh-lease!”

“Apple sauce?  More like sour sauce!”

“Carrots?  Lord have mercy!!!!!”

For one brief second I thought she liked avocados, but then realized she was really just interested in playing with the green goop.

Sweet, savory, creamy, chunky…it didn’t matter.  My Little Lady was an undiscriminating-food-disliker.  What was a Mama to do?

Relent, I tell you!  Cry uncle!  Wave the white flag!  …And so we took a break.

A few weeks later I caught the Little Miss eyeing me as I ate some yogurt.  When I looked up again, she was scooching her way over (she pushes up on her hands and knees and then throws her body forward onto a big belly flop).  I thought, “why not?” and offered her a taste.  Surprise, surprise, she loved it!

Though she may not be dining on a vast array of delights just yet, we are making progress…slowly.  And I continue to dream of all of the yummy foods we will try out together.

So what’s the moral of the story?  Parenting books and pediatrician recommendations mean squat if your baby isn’t interested – she’ll reach her milestones when she’s good and ready.  And despite all of the food we’ve wasted over the past few weeks, I love that Annabelle is an independent, free-thinking Little Gal.

That’s my girl!

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, my Little Mini has turned 7 months old!  Though if you asked Carter’s, Osh Kosh Bigosh, or any other baby clothing line, you’d think she was a much older tike.  Let’s just say that this frugal-fanny Mama is VERY grateful for all of the clothing hand-me-downs (thanks, Aunt Ashley!) and gifts we’ve received.

At her 6 month appointment (which was really at 6 1/2 months, since our appointment was delayed by an ice storm), our pediatrician chuckled when she shared this about my Little Weed:

• Weight: 20 lbs & 13 1/2 oz (97% – The average weight for a one year old is 20 lb!)
• Height: 29 inches (97%)
• Head circumference: 43 1/2 cm (75% – There’s the ONE sign that my genes put up a fight when they met Daddy’s big-headed ones. Put it this way, when my Mom and I shop for glasses, we start at the kids’ section. I like to think we possess “concentrated brilliance”.)

Now I know you all are on pins and needles to find out, how did this month’s photo shoot go?  To say it was challenging is an understatement, as our Little One has a major case of the wiggles!

First I tried to sit her on a chair with her fabulous quilt from Nena, but she kept turning it into a slip-and-slide.  Rest assured, all crash landings were averted.

Then I tried to lay her on a blanket, but no matter how far away I placed her, she would ninja-roll over to me before I could grab the camera.  I guess she was much more interested in a close-up.

Next we tried the crib, but any effort to convince her to look at me + smile + not eat the birthday paper was futile.

For my fourth attempt, I stuck her and the quilt on our big recliner, but the Little Daredevil was much more interested in playing a game of “burrito”.

So finally, all out of ideas, I gave her a bath and wrapped her up in a towel so that I could at least slow down her escape attempts.  The Little Goofball was so busy giggling that I could finally take a few shots!

On behalf of my Little Miss, this exhausted photographer wants to send a special shout-out to our California pal, Kristy, for the awesome handmade bath towel / Diva Cape!  Who knew that something so simple could tame the likes of one very wiggly babe?!?