Brendan is 5 months today!

We saw signs of readiness and decided to try the rice cereal. He gobbled it up, pushing John's hand to get the spoon in faster. It was so funny! He even squealed!

This is a bittersweet day for me... The day my milk is no longer the only thing he consumes. The day he ceases to have a virgin gut. He will from now on have truly stinky poop. It's both exciting and a little sad for me! I am, however, proud that we finally waited until at least one child was truly ready and that we ignored the suggestions to start sooner. Signs of readiness include:

• Baby can sit up with minimal assistance
• Reaches for food
• Can bring hands and toys to mouth and hold them there
• Eats like he's hitting a growth spurt- but it does not end by a week or so
• The tongue-thrust reflex is absent. This one is the biggie. The digestive tract matures  as a whole from mouth to anus. It's important not to go too soon to 1)- prevent aspiration in a child that cannot bring the food to the back of the throat and swallow. It is a different process that sucking and swallowing, and it is a maturation that comes in time. 2)- Beginning solids before the tiny cells in the small intestines have a chance to grow closer together predisposes a child to allergies and other tummy issues.

Here are some pics I took to commemorate this milestone! My little baby is growing up so fast...

Brendan really, really looks like Jay here!