On November 12th, just after Chandler turned 5 months old, we began,or should I say attempted with best intentions, to feed Chandler rice cereal. He took it suprisingly well on the first day. We should have known that attempt was way too easy (aside from the big mess!! refer to pictures for proof!!) In the days to follow, he would refuse every bite you put to his mouth. The bites that he did take were quickly projected from his mouth, many times dierctly into my face. After several days of catastrophic cereal attempts, I sought advice of a friend, and pro mother. She advised that I let him play with the bowl and spoon, letting him familiarize himself with them before the actual event. This seemed genious! Why did I not think of it myself, I pondered. So, I give Chandler empty bowl and spoon. He had apparently already developed a disdain for the spoon, because he immediately would catapult the spoon across the dining room. With each attempt, the same results. We have since continued upon this escapade of cereal attempts, to no avail. Well, two nights ago, we had what I considered to be a tremendous breakthrough!!! He began eating the cereal, and I couldn't shovel it in fast enough. Well, suddenly, as if a light bulb went off in Chandler's head, he remembered back to the days when I used to let him play with his bowl and spoon. He was adament that he needed to have control over the spoon. These were a few VERY MESSY attempts at him doing it himself, (and if you know me, the mess doesn't really bother me) but, you see, a 5 month old doesn't yet know how far is too far, when putting a spoon down his throat. A few gag reflexes later, his mean mother took the spoon away. Suddenly someone kidnapped my littlest angel, and a something else took his place in that highchair. He hit his little fist on the high chair, arched his back and began to scream, and reach for the spoon. Just a little taste of tantrum mixed with cereal that day!
