Dinner time

When I first imagined starting solid foods with Max, I envisioned mealtimes filled with homemade food that varied from night to night with all sorts of different concoctions that I had made for him.  I thought I would be able to stay on top of making all of his baby food.  In reality, that didn't really happen at all.  So, as a good substitute, he has been getting the Nature's Best food since we started him on solids nearly 4 months ago.  He moved from stage 1 to 2 and now onto stage 3.  Since we have decided to raise him vegetarian, there have been some difficulties with the stage 3 foods, mainly because a lot of them contain meat.  By stage 3, the food is thicker and contains more protein.  I want to be sure that Max is getting enough protein without the introduction of meat, so I have been mixing in hummus and avocado with his food.  I also have been giving him some cheese and he loves lentils which is wonderful.  I have some tofu which I will be preparing and adding to dinnertime meals as well.  And edamame, one of my favorites!  All of these are wonderful alternatives to meat protein and are easy enough to enhance an already healthy meal.

When I was younger, I was such a picky eater.  I know that my parents did their best to introduce me to different foods and to try and vary my palate, but I just never cooperated.  And I know that is a possibility with Max.  But, that won't stop me from trying.  I have started to add different spices to his food, mainly basil and curry powder so far.  He really has enjoyed both.  I am excited to continue to add to his meals, even if the food itself isn't homemade.  

Over the past 9 and a half months, I have realized that there are certain things that I had always thought I would do as a mom and certain things that I had ideals about.  And then once I became a mom, I soon realized that things don't always turn out as you had imagined them.  So instead, you find what works for you, what works for your family, what you can live with, what you can live without.  And you adjust.  One of the biggest lessons that I have learned so far with this whole parenting thing is that the best you can do is the best that there is.  And I am giving my best to Max.