Daily Routine (with 6-12 month old baby)

 I've used a schedule for our days for several months. Though this latest schedule says "6 months adjusted - 8 months actual," it will probably be the one we use until he's a year old. I've once again aimed at pairing our activities up so that there are times in the day in which I'm fully attentive to him and times in which he can play independently while I work on the home or meals. I've learned that "doing it all" is all about balance and smart, proactive planning!

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Edits: 7:15-7:25am Get ready for day

7:25-7:45am Breakfast, Clean-up and Table activity

7:45-9:00am Independent play

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A few notes about our current schedule:

• Tennyson still wakes at least 2-3 times at night. (Some nights it's all night long!) I learned at about 5 months old that until he does sleep through the night, then I also need to rest during the day. I'm able to be more focused, enthusiastic, calm and patient with adequate rest. In other words, I'm able to be a much better wife and mama! I may rest the entire time or only half the time. The important part is that I am intentional about resting during the day if I'm up during the night.
• The blocks of independent playtime not only allow him opportunity to learn through exploration and develop his motor skills, but it also allow me additional time to accomplish remaining tasks such as laundry and/or dishes.
• We frequently use playtime suggestions found on the websites Productive Parenting and Let's Play as well as the book Retro Baby. All are excellent for providing interaction-based play.
• "Table activity" refers to any activity that can be done while seated at the table. Currently, this simply involves a toy or two (we often keep a toy or two stored in the back of his high chair that are brought out only at this time.). This teaches him to not expect to get up as soon as he is finished, which is helpful in developing patience for waiting until others are finished eating and for enjoying a meal away from home. It also allows me to clean up the mealtime mess before we move on with the day. I feel it's important for him to see that we are responsible for cleaning up after ourselves and maintaining order in the home.
• I've simplified my cleaning routine tremendously so that it is achievable within this block of time each day. This is important for maintaining order within the home, especially with a child(ren).
• David and I both enjoy cooking, and so we alternate nights in which each of us prepares a meal. Whoever doesn't cook spends time with Tennyson. Though it's not written as such on the schedule, we've since implemented the rule that the non-cook cleans up after the meal. This way the workload is shared in the evenings. 
• I don't always take my "personal time." If I haven't been very diligent or on-task during the day, then I may have work leftover that needs accomplished first. In a way, it serves as motivation to stay focused during the day! Other times, I decide that an extra thirty minutes of sleep is a worthy use of personal time!

Introducing Solid Foods

      

     We've entered new territory- solid foods! I originally intended to use the Baby-Led Weaning method in which the cereals and purees are skipped in preference to offering whole foods. I still believe in many of the advantage points of this method. However, the fact that nourishing the baby wouldn't be entirely on my shoulders (because our breastfeeding experience has been a challenge, but I'm proud to say we're still going!) was a deciding factor to going ahead and starting solids with purees. Plus, Tennyson is so curious and eager to explore new things that I was excited for him to begin experiencing the many tastes and textures of food.

      I liked the idea of purchasing real fruits, vegetables, and grains and making our own purees. There are no additional ingredients, just the actual grain, fruit or vegetable. I can also vary how thick or thin to make the puree according to his abilities. Moreover, there is also a cost advantage to homemade baby purees. I puree a larger batch of a vegetable or fruit and then freeze it in tablespoon size portions in an ice cube tray. Whenever I need that particular food, I simply pull it out of the freezer, let it thaw and then rewarm it (adding breastmilk to cool or thin it out if need be).

      In order to have greater ideas for foods to offer and in various combinations, I purchased the book 201 Organic Baby Purees by Tamika L. Gardner. I don't necessarily do the "organic" part, but I have otherwise really enjoyed this little book! The book includes lots and lots of great recipes from beginner single food purees to rather complex ones for older babies. We've tried about fifteen so far with great success. I've browsed the other recipes, and they appear to be pretty tasty and nutritious. My favorite part is the menu plans! The recipes are divided into sections based on age: 6-7 months, 8-9 months etc. At the end of each section is a weekly menu plan with the recipes inserted for breakfasts, lunches, and dinner (and then later snacks for older babies). I would've created a similar calendar on my own, and so I love that one is already done for me! The menus make planning and preparing his meals very simple. And like I mentioned above, I frequently make a puree in a large batch and then freeze it so all I have to do when I come across it on the menu is to pull it out the appropriate foods and thaw.

     I'm always eager to see what foods he'll get to try the next day! He hasn't had one of those picture moments in which he makes a funny face in response to a food. He is loving solid foods! So far, he's had: pumpkin, green beans, butternut squash, rice, oatmeal, zucchini, cantaloupe, apricot, mango, banana, apples, peaches, sweet potato, avocado, and pear.  His favorites are apricot and green beans.  We often can't spoon it into his mouth fast enough! He gets all excited and pops his little mouth open like a baby bird when we ask/sign "more" to him (see video).  We're enjoying this new stage of his and excited to see his response to even more food combinations!

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