So I think the most ridiculous thing I heard in the first few months of Sam's life was, "Don't put rice cereal in his bottles because he won't learn how to properly swallow. You always should spoon feed it." To which I answered with a perplexed, "huh?" I mean don't you think they'll get the swallowing thing down eventually?I know what its like as a new mother to hear info from someone's else's pediatrician that conflicts with your own. Early on (and even sometimes now), people would tell me things with such finality that I questioned my own laid back pediatrician and worried that Sam would somehow suffer at the hands of my poor choices about rice cereal. I mean, shouldn't ALL the pediatricians be on the same page? ESPECIALLY when it comes to feeding. I started with fruits where other pediatricians are anti starting with fruits. I put rice in Sam's bottle at about ten weeks and well, you saw the comment above. Apparently it impairs swallowing...whatever.
Some people's pediatricians have their new moms so tied up in knots about mixed fruits and veggies that they don't know what to give their kids. They treat eating like one wrong spoonful will make or break your child's future and then look at you like you're crazy when you question vaccinations and if they are really safe. Like carrots are more dangerous than viruses injected into your baby's system. It makes me insane. I'm lucky...I could order Sam a pizza and my pediatrician would simply ask me if he liked it. But not everyone wants a pediatrician as laid back as mine. I get that...but why the needless worry? They can make it sound like starting with the wrong thing can ruin your baby for life. It's completely unnecessary in my opinion.
I think it goes further than pediatricians. For example: "What to Expect When you're Expecting" and the equally evil sequel about the first year...should be called. "Are you a Good Mother or a Bad Mother...read this book and see, Rachel" We won't even get into the number of "rules" I broke while pregnant. Sam's here, he's fine. Let's just move on to the part about caring for your child. That book can create so much pressure. As well as all the other books out there about raising kids. In fact, my one rule about my parenting is that I will NOT read a book until I have an actual problem that needs solving (i.e. sleeping, behavior, etc). I'm not going to pick up a book called, "How to Raise your Baby to not be a Schitzophrenic" unless I feel that Sam might actually be a schitzophrenic. It will only say things like "Studies show that babies who were not breastfed and slept in a room decorated with airplanes and blue crib sheets are more prone to having multiple personalities." Don't you think I have enough pressure? I work hard every day to deal with the little things like keeping my son from choking on finger puffs and eating ball point pens when I'm not looking. Stop telling me that too many orange veggies will turn him orange. I don't see the long term effects and oh, by the way, I simply don't care. DISCLAIMER: THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE PREVIOUS PARAGRAPHS ARE OF THE BLOGGERS ALONE! NO OFFENSE MEANT IF YOU READ PARENTING BOOKS...MORE POWER TO YA FOR NOT LETTING THEM STRESS YOU OUT! THEY COMPLETELY STRESS ME OUT!
I feel much better! Okay, now to the Sam update. Sam is 8.5 months, and he is up to size four 
diapers (for his strong legs) and is now cruising and trying to balance without holding on. We will most definitely have an early walker...we're just not sure how early. He is just in a hurry and busy! We have one bottom tooth and the second one about to bust through. It has created some fussiness at times but for the most part he's been a trooper.
One milestone my son has that I didn't read about or expect is that he now checks out women at the grocery store. Yes, you read it right. Ladies will stop to talk to us in the grocery store and as they walk past to go in the other direction, he will lean out to the side around me so he can watch them them walk away while smiling. He's like checkin' them out! Let's hope he didn't learn that from his father :) haha! Uh Oh...I guess I'll have to go buy the book, "What to do when your baby checks out women."
All in all, Sam is doing great. He smiles, he laughs, he loves other babies. He's enjoying his Sunday School visits as well as play dates with his friend, Ashley. Andy and I love our little family and we are so excited about fall, Halloween, first birthdays and Christmas. What a joy it is to have a baby. I could have never truly known how amazing this experience would be!
Have a great day!
