The Rules of Parenting.

Do you know how many rules there are for parenting?

Me neither.

Probably about a zillion.

I generally like to follow rules. I understand the necessity behind them, and even if I don't I tend to err on the side of caution. But the parenting rules? They're impossible. You'll be violating one by following another. So I decided pretty early in my pregnancy to do my best to not get mired in the rules. I read up on some things. I ask my pediatrician about some things. But most things? I just trust myself. It might not always mean life is textbook perfect for our little family, but it's been really fulfilling so far. I go to bed knowing that I'm a good mom and that this mother part of me is enhancing the other parts of me. I love it.

Phew... All that when I really just wanted to fill you in on E's latest trick: eating!

The transition to solids schema ("rule") seems to be: Go to store. Get Gerber fortified rice cereal. Make it and feed it to baby, possibly with breastmilk.

But for us it was more like: Grab a banana. Sit next to Evelyn as she hops in her jumper. Decide to let her try it. Put some in a mesh feeder and let her rub banana all over her face. A few days later, put some carrot slices aside when cooking dinner. Steam and mash. Feed them to baby with your finger when you realize you haven't bought eating utensils yet.

She was pretty happy about the banana and a bit confused by the carrots. But she ate quite a bit of both.

For us, it works. No plan or rules other than leaving a few days' space between new foods (this is all the pediatrician said really matters... many other cultures start babies with meat or something else anyhow).

And the timing of it was just when it happened. We waited for her to be able to more or less sit up unsupported and to show interest in food. I certainly wasn't pushing it, because "real food" brings a whole new level of responsibility to parenting and takes our previously easy diapers to a new level of ick. But on we go.

Can she really be almost six months old?