The Dance of Life

5 months: Wyatt’s First Solid 

On
the first of this month, Helena had her 5 years/kindergarten shots and
Wyatt got his 4 months/second vaccination.  They also gave me my copy
of the Toddler’s First Steps - Best Chance Guide Book since Wyatt will
be turning 6 months soon.

—

Wyatt’s been showing us and letting
us feel he’s about ready for solid food.  He drools and moves his mouth
up and down and stares at our food with envy.  The look on his face
makes us want to share our food with him.  And he has been nursing more
and more.  After I nurse him, he’d cry for more so I give him formula
milk and he’d finished the whole bottle to the last drop.

—

I’ve been reading the
book and it says that I should wait until my baby is 6 months old  to
start solid foods.  But last night, i jumped the gun and gave 5-month-old Wyatt his first taste of beef with broth baby food.  I would have
chosen veggies or fruits but there was a part in the book where it says
"If giving solids before 6 months, do not offer vegetables with high
nitrate levels such as beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, green
beans, spinach or turnips."  So I prepared just a small amount of
iron-fortified meat by Heinz.  Mike gave Wyatt his first spoon and I
followed it up with just a few drops of water to help him take his first solid.

At
his first taste, he gave us a funny face but so enthusiastic and
excited that when I put down the bowl he followed it with his eyes and
started kicking his legs and lapping his hands on his lap, opening his
mouth.  We gave him another spoon, and slowly he devoured his
first food in his mouth toothless.

My baby is
growing so fast, he’s getting heavier and he’s outgrown most of his
baby clothes.  Mike, Helena and I have been shopping new clothes for
him.  Before Wyatt was born, I really missed having a baby and now that
he’s here, I keep reminding myself to slow down and savor this time.
This might be the last time we have a baby in the house.

Nothing Compares.

Helena doesn’t voice it out but I can feel she has been grudgingly
tolerated her little brother a little.  Most of the times I know she
feels petulant and weepy because her little brother is getting a lot of
attention now.  That is why I try my best to always make her know and
feel that our love for her and her little brother’s the same, and I
always remind Mike to make sure he gives Helena quality time together.
I also try to make her understand that Wyatt is getting more attention
because he is a baby and needs mommy and daddy and sometimes even his
big sister’s help and attention to grow.  She understands this but of
course being still a kid, she still tend to crave our full attention.

–

There
are times that Helena would even pretend to be a baby or wish to be a
baby again.  Sometimes she becomes needy and demanding and I, being her
exhausted mother, tends to be impatient with her.  I have to constantly
remind Mike and myself that this mood or behaviour is probably a
reaction to having someone who is getting all mommy’s and daddy’s time
when it’s supposed to be spent with her.

–

"Mommy
can you play with me?" And I answer, "Later, baby, I am still feeding
Wyatt." Sometimes she listens and goes her way to play by herself.  Or
come disturb me and Wyatt so Wyatt would stay awake and she can play
with him even if Wyatt needs his sleep.  But there are times when she’d
turn around and I swear I could see her face pouting and feeling sad.  It
breaks my heart.  When this happen, I really go and play with her as
soon as Wyatt falls asleep. 

–

But without the drama, Helena
loves and adores her little brother.  She is crazy about him just as we
are.  She showers him with lots of kisses and big hugs.  She knows how
to make him laugh, she knows how to play with him (although from time
to time we have to remind her to be gentle).  Helena loves being a big
sister and very proud of that.  She even include Wyatt as one of her
guests during her Tea Time play with her dolls.  It’s so cute, all
these dolls around little teapots and plates and cups and cookies and
Wyatt is one of the them. 
Then
other times, when I am feeding Wyatt, she takes one of her dolls, sits
with me and says "Look, mommy, I am also breastfeeding my dolly!"

–

Wyatt
is also very fond of his big sister, he knows her voice very well.  The
moment Helena comes in the room saying something, he turns to her
direction suddenly, leaving my boob dripping milk to his cheek,  then
he turns to me, and gives me that smile that always melts my heart. 
Of course, he doesn’t want to feed anymore,  it’s time to play with his
big sister.

–

She plays peek-a-boo with him, blows on his
tummy, tickles him, sings to him and dances for him.  Wyatt goes
laughing, all excited, kicking and cooing in response.  "Mommy, look,
look, Wyatt is laughing!" I tell her, "He loves playing with you,
sweetheart."  And she answers, adoringly, "And I love playing with him
too, he’s sooo cute (with her heart-melting grin), I love my little
brother so much, mommy!" I smile at her. "And Wyatt loves you too,
baby" Helena nods, gives his baby brother a hug and says, "Yep, I love
him more and more!"

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