Bread and Toilet Paper

Hannah had her 9-month checkup today.  One of the tests the pediatrician does is to hold Hannah's hands and pull a little, I guess to test the strength her arms??? Make sure her shoulders are intact?? No clue, but of course, Hannah took that opportunity to pull herself to standing and then started prancing around the exam table.  Her doctor said, "You're not supposed to be walking yet!" and then proclaimed that there was no doubt she'd walk (unassisted) into her 12-month checkup. She also said that Hannah had good social skills as evidenced by her eye contact and the way she squealed her way into our conversation.  Her only concern was with Hannah's weight which is only in the 25th percentile.  (She's 28-1/2 inches long/tall which puts her in the 80th percentile for height, but she only weights 16 pounds, 3 ounces. And her head circumference, by the way, is 45.5 cm.)  The doctor didn't really seem concerned, but said to not skimp on the fatty foods (butter, olive oil, cheese, avocado) and suggested I sneak some formula into Hannah's food.  I nodded, but I have no intention of giving Hannah formula.  I try really  hard to only give her whole foods, and it's not always possible considering I am not yet making my own pasta (among other things), but I see no need to start giving her formula.  She's petite, but she's not malnourished or even the least bit unhealthy.  Anyway, my mom said that I was also petite at her age.  Hannah is one of the most active, outspoken babies I've ever met; I think she's doing better than fine on her current diet of breast milk and whole foods.

While we're talking about whole foods, Hannah's diet now includes things like rhubarb, polenta, soba noodles, radishes, leeks, mango, and tofu (and yes, I know tofu is a processed food).  Surprisingly, she loves all these things.  I cut the rhubarb with strawberries and apple to take out some of the tang, but it's still pretty tangy so I wasn't sure how she'd take to it, but the gal has a sour tooth.  The radishes and leeks were in this awesome recipe for spring vegetable ragout that I found in my Body + Soul (couldn't find the link on the magazine's website, but this blogger retyped it). I pureed some of it for Hannah and although she didn't scarf it like she scarfs a mango, she was pretty into it.  Tonight we made her an egg yolk omelet with red onion, tomato, and goat cheese, and she LOVED it.  We put it whole on her tray, and she couldn't shovel it into her mouth fast enough.  I've tried giving her egg yolk before but she was never into it, probably because I usually put it with avocado which much to my dismay, she is not that into.  For the most part, she's shaping up to be a pretty good eater!

Of course, bread is still her number one favorite food. Bread and toilet paper....