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5 months old – January 21, 2015
Hello, all! My #minivegan is now almost 11 months old…already! Which means– he’s been eating solid food for about 5 months.
As you well know, I’m the write-everything-down type of mom. Every food that crossed Todd’s lips was recorded! Every meal was logged…until last week.
Starting July 6th, I decided it was time to stop the madness and start just writing down the new foods that are introduced to Todd.
But– in this post, I thought it would be fun to go back and compile the full list of every FOOD that Todd’s eaten so far. (Just where does this vegan baby get his protein? Ha ha ha!)
PUREES AND SPOON FEEDING
First of all, Todd is practically made out of green smoothies. Pretty much every day that I was pregnant, my breakfast was a green smoothie. Still now– the green smoothie is our family’s #1 breakfast of choice. Naturally, the green smoothie is a BIG part of Todd’s solid food diet.
Green smoothie face – 6 months old – February 23, 2015
Our daily GREEN SMOOTHIE contains: ORANGE, frozen BANANA, dark leafy greens (KALE, COLLARD, or SPINACH usually), AVOCADO, frozen CELERY, frozen BLUEBERRIES, PINEAPPLE, PEA POWDER, and HEMP POWDER. Occasionally some frozen STRAWBERRIES, MANGO, PEACH, or APPLE gets in there.
In our kitchen, we found that our silicone Le Creuset pinch cups (1/4 cup size) are perfect for serving purees to Todd. He slurps while I hold and pinch the cup. Or, I can simply spoon feed.
Eric feeds Todd with the Le Creuset pinch cup – February 13, 2015
Todd’s first food was several spoonfuls of guacamole (i.e. AVOCADO + LIME)! It was actually a spontaneous feeding, not planned. It went well…until he gagged and regurgitated! (Picture of the gagging in process here.)
First solid food – guacamole – 5 months old – January 25, 2015
I don’t buy much jarred baby food, but Todd has sampled several of the Earth’s Best Organic flavors. He liked all of them except the green peas. I must admit I like buying the carrot and sweet potato flavors, for convenience.
- PEAR MANGO, PEACH MANGO
- APPLE BLUEBERRY
- PEACH OATMEAL BANANA
- PRUNES
- CARROT
- SWEET POTATO
- WINTER SQUASH
- GREEN PEA
Earth’s Best organic carrots – 7.5 months old – April 4, 2015
Another fruit in pureed form that Todd loves is organic unsweetened APPLESAUCE. I freeze portions in an ice cube tray.
Once or twice, Todd sampled a little bit of CHOCOLATE BANANA SHAKE (made with frozen bananas, cocoa powder, and SOY MILK, RICE/CASHEW MILK and COCONUT MILK).
And– when we were visiting family in Bend, Oregon, Todd had a few licks of a non-dairy (coconut milk-based) GELATO.
Here are the bean/legume purees that Todd eats. Todd doesn’t at all mind the stronger flavors of the lemon-y/garlic-y hummus or smoky paprika-y Romesco:
- HUMMUS (with CHICKPEAS, TAHINI, LEMON, and GARLIC; sometimes mixed with cooked QUINOA)
- refried beans (PINTO)
- canned BAKED BEANS (mashed)
- RED LENTIL dal (Picture here.)
- SPLIT PEA SOUP
- Romesco KIDNEY BEAN puree (with roasted red pepper, olive oil, unsalted ground PISTACHIOS, smoked paprika, and more)
Spoon feeding red lentil dal – almost 9 months old – May 18, 2015
Here are some soups and thick/chunky entrees that Todd’s had via spoon feeding:
- TACO SOUP
- MUSHROOM CAULIFLOWER LENTIL SOUP
- SLOPPY LENTILS
- MINESTRONE SOUP
- CABBAGE ROLL FILLING (with MEATLESS GROUND, BROWN RICE, and more)
- VEGAN TACO MEAT
Finally, Eric likes to offer Todd tastes of various condiments and homemade salad dressings:
- KETCHUP
- homemade BBQ sauce
- salad dressings (made with JUST MAYO, olive oil, vinegars/lemon, seasonings and more)
FINGER FOODS
When Todd was “younger” and first exploring foods (rather than truly eating them), I’d present him with various raw vegetable sticks. He liked to rub them on his gums, and he was able to taste the different flavors. I gave him:
- CARROT
- CELERY
- CUCUMBER
- RED/GREEN PEPPER
Gumming a cucumber stick – 6.5 months old – March 4, 2015
I also gave him ROMAINE lettuce leaves several times, but repeatedly it made me nervous when he’d get a large piece in his mouth and have trouble managing to spit it out. I finally decided the leaves are too much of a choking hazard. For now, Todd gets his dark leafy greens in his smoothies.
Another thing that I gave Todd a few times early on was APPLE sticks. But– they, too, started making me nervous. It seemed that no matter how small a cylinder or how thin a strip I sliced, Todd still managed to bite off pieces with just his gums. I know someone whose toddler died from choking on an apple piece, so I’m particularly wary about that food. For now, we stick to applesauce!
Sucking on a red pepper -5 months old – January 28, 2015
The following fruits Todd has done very well with in “stick form.” These fruits dissolve/mash up quickly, and therefore don’t pose a choking risk. Todd can really strip the mango flesh off its peel! (Picture here.)
- BANANA (quartered)
- MANGO strips (peel left on)
- PEAR slices
- CANTALOUPE (rind left on)
- WATERMELON (and other melons) (Picture here.)
- AVOCADO strips (peel left on)
Avocado is easier to hold with the peel on – Almost 8 months old – April 18, 2015
Todd doesn’t seem too thrilled about potatoes, but he has eaten these roasted vegetables in wedge-shaped pieces:
- RUSSET POTATO
- SWEET POTATO
- YAM
Eating roasted potato and bean burger – 8.5 months old – May 8, 2015
Dried MISSION FIG was an early favorite. At first, I let Todd suck on the biggest figs I could find in the bag (too large to present a choking risk), and he absolutely loved it. He could really extract the juice and pulpy bits from it with his gums. However– as Todd got older (it seems odd to say that), the fig in the whole form was no longer safe. Now, I only give figs to Todd within my Fig Banana Corny Oatcakes.
Sucking on a mission fig – 6.5 months old – March 13, 2015
Speaking of pancakes…
Breakfast is the one meal that doesn’t vary. Todd always has a green smoothie and a pancake/muffin. I make the pancakes/muffins without added sugar. They’re simply sweetened with fruit (typically banana). Pancake flavors have been blueberry, fig banana, cherry, and PUMPKIN. (Picture here.)
Who wouldn’t smile for a blueberry pancake? – 9.5 months old – June 2, 2015
In March, we went out to eat with family at Jimmy’s Pizza & Pasta. Todd had a lot of fun tearing apart and tasting some large, raw TOMATO slices. Juicy! (Picture here.)
Speaking of pizza…
Who doesn’t love pizza? Todd sure loves it. He’s had PIZZA CRUST with PIZZA SAUCE. Similarly, he’s been able to slurp ANGEL HAIR noodles with SPAGHETTI SAUCE. (Picture here.)
Other grain-based foods:
- strips of WHEAT BREAD
- CORN TORTILLA, FLOUR TORTILLA
- CORN BREAD, CORN MUFFIN
Munching on a corn tortilla – 6.5 months old – March 7, 2015
As a vegan, I think it’s very important to include beans/legumes in most meals. In addition to the bean/legume purees mentioned previously, I feed Todd these homemade foods:
- CARROT SUNFLOWER BEAN BURGERS (made with kidney beans, ground OATS, ground SUNFLOWER SEEDS/ground CASHEW and more)
- CURRY PATTIES (made with WHITE BEANS, ground QUINOA, ground CASHEWS, red curry paste, tahini and more)
- CHICKPEA FRITTERS (made with garbanzo beans, garbanzo bean flour, and more)
- TAMALE (my parents made them)
Curry patty – almost 9 months old – May 12, 2015
And speaking of the wonderful, miraculous (and not feared here!) SOYBEAN…
Todd drinks Earth’s Best Organic Soy Formula, but he’s also had tofu and tempeh. He loves Allison Rivers Samson’s Tempeh Reubens. (You need to try this recipe if you haven’t already!!)
- BREADED MARINATED TOFU STICKS
- TOFU LENTIL LOAF (made with TOFU, GREEN LENTILS, oats, onion and more)
- TEMPEH BACON
- TEMPEH REUBEN (Picture here.)
Tempeh bacon – almost 7 months old – March 14, 2015
Now, for the veggie meats and sausages. Yes, our family does enjoy a little Gardein, Field Roast and/or Tofurky each week. Here are the ones that Todd’s had. (Note– the sausages I cut up into little bits so it should be included in the next section instead of here.)
- GARDEIN BEEFLESS TIPS
- GARDEIN FISHLESS FILETS (Video clip below.)
- GARDEIN CRISPY TENDERS
- FIELD ROAST SAUSAGE (APPLE SAGE, ITALIAN)
- TOFURKY SAUSAGE (KIELBASA)
Finally, the only cracker-type foods that Todd’s had are BABY MUM RICE CRACKERS and (once) some VEGGIE STICKS. Typically, we save the Baby Mums for when we’re at a restaurant, waiting for our food to come. It keeps him occupied.
FOOD IN SMALL BITS
Todd seems to appreciate when I help him with the things he can’t manage quite yet, in terms of his fine motor coordination. I simply finger feed him small pieces of these foods:
Fruits–
- RED GRAPE (each cut into 8 pieces)
- CHERRY (each cut into 8 pieces)
- KIWI FRUIT
- RASPBERRY (broken up into several pieces)
- RAISINS (whole)
Little piece of cherry – 9.5 months old – June 8, 2015
Vegetables/Legumes–
- GREEN BEAN (very soft and cut into pieces)
- PEAS (whole)
- GARBANZO BEANS (whole) (Picture here.)
- MUNG BEAN THREADS
- CAULIFLOWER (steamed)
- BROCCOLI (steamed) (Picture here.)
- PICKLED BEET (cut into pieces)
- SAUERKRAUT (small threads)
- BLACK OLIVE (thin slices)
I mentioned (and posted a picture) in Todd’s ninth month update that Todd eats olives quite effectively by sticking his index finger in the hole. It’s super cute to watch.
Sometimes Todd can pick up something as a small as a pea, and sometimes not. He hasn’t quite mastered the pincer grasp pattern yet (i.e. index finger and thumb tips opposing each other). Frequently, he can get a pea (or a bean) onto his finger or thumb by smashing it first.
Regarding nut/seed butters…
As you know from my previous post (Oh No- Peanut Allergy!), Todd has had PEANUT BUTTER, but after May 1st (when he had an allergic reaction) we didn’t give it to him anymore.
Peanut butter banana face (the day of the allergic reaction) – 8.5 months old – May 1, 2015
He’s had some ALMOND BUTTER within some pancakes and TAHINI (SESAME BUTTER) within hummus and burger patties.
I’ve saved dessert for last (except for the mention of gelato above)…
Todd once took several licks off my square of unsweetened dark chocolate while I held it for him. Although bitter, he really seemed to like it!
The only really sweet thing that Todd’s been exposed to was just a few little pieces of a gluten free ALMOND SUGAR COOKIE. That was just last weekend.
A SAMPLE DAY
As I mentioned before, breakfast doesn’t vary. At lunch and dinner, I try to offer a balance of fruits, vegetables, beans/legumes, a source of fat, and some grains. I offer a mix of purees and finger foods. I sit with him to help him with anything he can’t get into his mouth successfully. I use a spoon or feed him with my fingers. Todd eats heartily and there aren’t any foods that he seems to dislike.
Breakfast–
- green smoothie (about 1/2 cup)
- small pancake
Lunch–
- pureed fruit such as applesauce OR leftover green smoothie from breakfast
- fruit pieces such as mango, watermelon, kiwi, etc
- curry patty OR hummus puree mixed with quinoa OR mushroom cauliflower lentil soup…etc
Dinner–
- fruit pieces such as cantaloupe, banana, etc (different from lunch)
- avocado slice OR black olive slices
- vegetable such as steamed broccoli, green peas, beet, potato, etc
- chickpea fritter with Romesco sauce OR baked beans OR Gardein OR spaghetti with Field Roast OR bean burger …etc
So I’ll leave you with this sad face picture. But– he wasn’t sad about the meal! I think he bonked himself on something right before. But to be clear, he does hate being cleaned up after eating, and he will cry or put up a fuss then!
Almost 10 months old – June 14, 2015
Charming the ladies at The Shire Cafe – March 28, 2015
EIGHTH MONTH
(MARCH 21 – APRIL 21)
WEEK 31 (PARTIAL WEEK)
Todd got to play with my sister’s family on his 7th month “birthday” (March 21st). They stopped by our house for lunch and a visit on their way from Oregon to Canada, for a ski vacation. We hadn’t been together since Christmas, and Todd has really changed since then!
My sister’s family visiting – March 21, 2015
Poor Todd had a couple **rough nights of sleep this week, and crying in the night didn’t seem to indicate he was simply hungry. Sure– he’d take some formula and it helped settle him, but something else was upsetting him. He cried, “ma ma ma” and I’m pretty sure it meant he wanted me.
When I tried putting him back in his crib, he tended to cry more and it took several attempts with rocking him in my glider chair to essentially get him asleep before I could put him in bed and then quietly slip away. I have to admit, it feels wonderful to be wanted! It’s precious the way he stands at his crib rails and pulls on my shirt, as if pleading me to pick him up.
**Fortunately, a “rough” night for Todd means waking up either more than once, or else waking up just once but taking a long time (i.e. up to 2 hrs) to go back to sleep. Believe me– I know I’m lucky that most nights Todd sleeps through the night without a peep!!
Sleepy Todd, ready for bed – March 24, 2015
Since Todd started really crawling last week, I’m now in “baby-proof” mode!
Getting into everything! – March 23, 2015
Developmental highlights:
- he does what I call the “Bruce Lee shriek,” especially when he’s concentrating or excited
- tries to put a toy in my mouth, offers me food, gives “kisses”
- lots of drool and blowing large drool bubbles
- has a ticklish neck
- sits and turns around in place on his butt by “walking” his legs
- standing up in his crib when we open the door to his room in the mornings
- looking down at his penis while on the toilet…or is he watching where the “pee-pee” goes?
Pulling-to-stand everywhere he can! – March 26, 2015
Other highlights:
- we got a Little Tikes Push & Ride Racer car for seated rides and assisted walking
- evening catnaps on mama and dada before it’s actually bed time
- “baby-proofing” in process!
New (vegan) foods this week:
- refried beans
- tofu
- mashed avocado
WEEK 32
This week I have to mention how much I love Todd’s kisses! He does seem to know what he’s doing when I ask for a kiss by bringing him near my face and pursing my lips. He “kisses” by first holding still (instead of offering a head butt!), then he opens his mouth wide and leans in. It’s so darn sweet! If I’m lucky, he’ll give me up to 5 of those sloppy, wet kisses in a row!
In addition, Todd sometimes brings a toy to his mouth and then he brings it to my mouth, as if he is sharing his toy with me. I tell him, “Thank you! You are such a nice boy!”
Still using the swing for naps but getting so big! – March 27, 2015
On the food front– In addition to handling finger foods, Todd is quite receptive to being spoon fed various purees. I offer the spoon near his mouth and he helps pull it in with one hand. He might first use an index finger to feel the food, sweep it off, then suck his finger. I have 2 spoons available for the process because he doesn’t always let me have the spoon back.
If I put the pinch bowl containing green smoothie up to his mouth, he insists on dipping his fingers in the bowl before he’ll slurp it down. Finger painting with food is a given!
Green smoothie face paint – March 31, 2015
Developmental highlights:
- able to crawl up 1 “step” (we don’t have stairs but we made a 6″ step out of an upside down storage container)
- jumps on the couch while holding on
- repeatedly throws and retrieves a toy ring
- can crawl quickly and goes from room to room
- seems to want more hugs and gives lots of kisses
- 1st time turning on his own Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother (it might have been an accident, who knows? – 3/31)
Enjoying the fresh air, the sights and sounds – March 27, 2015
Other highlights:
- standing at the window to look outside and feel the breeze
- loves to splash in his baby tub
- loves feeling dried moss out the sliding glass door
- smiles big when waking up in the morning and after naps
- stroller walk on the trail by the Arlington airport and lunch at The Shire Cafe (3/28)
- we lowered the crib 1 increment (3/29)
- stroller walks at Jennings Park (3/29, 4/1)
Jennings Park – March 29, 2015
New (vegan) foods this week:
- pureed Mushroom Cauliflower Lentil Soup
- apple blueberry organic jarred baby food
- spinach leaves
- homemade French bread
- pureed curry (mild…with kidney beans, cauliflower, yam, red pepper peas & more)
- Breaded Marinated Tofu Sticks
Jennings Park – April 1, 2015
WEEK 33
Developmental highlights:
- he gave kisses to his stuffed frog, Wilbur, and his bird rattle friends
- 1st time standing up with just leg strength (video below) (4/5)
- 1st crawl across the kitchen floor (sort of a crab walk – 4/8)
- doesn’t like to stay just where his toys are, so explores the house
Other highlights:
- having an issue with some diaper rash
- eczema has been much better but he continues to scratch above his left ear
- 1st time swinging at a park and sliding down a slide (4/5)
1st time in a swing – April 5, 2015
New (vegan) foods this week:
- flour tortilla
- Gardein Beefless Tips
- black olive
April 5, 2015
WEEK 34
This week we drove to Bend, OR to visit family for a 4-day weekend. Todd hadn’t done a car ride of that duration since Christmas. He did sleep quite a bit during the drive, but when he was awake, he’d practice his ear-piercing shrieks. I made a mental note to pack earplugs next time!!
My sister’s house has 2 stories, so during the weekend I was able to confirm my suspicion– that Todd is capable of crawling up stairs. Sure enough, he tackled a flight with ease. Of course, the only problem (as expected), is that he’ll stop to sit up mid-step which would topple him backward if someone wasn’t ready to catch him.
Another first during the weekend: Todd said “da da” and “ga ga”/”gee ga.” Of course, that was extra exciting for dada and mama to hear.
At a park in Bend, OR – April 9, 2015
Developmental highlights:
- 1st nap in the Pack ‘n Play travel bed (25 minutes – 4/11)
- 1st time crawling up flight of stairs (Bend, OR – 4/11)
- new sounds: “da da” (4/11), “ga ga,” “gee ga”
- scoots backward while sitting to slide across the kitchen floor
- follows me through the house/prefers to be where I am
- attempts to take one step but he sits down at the same time
- touches his penis while sitting on the toilet
- he likes to knock over stacked toys
Ashley, Todd & Eric at Old Mill – April 10, 2015
Other highlights:
- 4-day weekend in Bend, OR to visit family (4/9-4/12)
- stroller walks in Bend
- dining out in Bend (Spork (4/9), La Rosa (4/10), Bonta (4/10)
- one poop in the diaper (4/13)
- laughing when Eric snuck up on him at the couch (4/13)
Eric & Todd enjoying some live music after dinner at La Rosa and vegan gelato at Bonta – April 10, 2015
New (vegan) foods this week:
- licks of gelato at Bontà in Bend, OR
- homemade tamale with lentil/veggie fillings
- roasted baked potato stick
Homemade vegan tamales by my parents – April 11, 2015
WEEK 35 (PARTIAL WEEK)
Developmental highlights:
- able to take a step with one hand support instead of two
- crawls and pulls to stand very fast!
- launches forward from sitting onto outstretched arms
- emerging object permanence
- making a new, musical “motorcycle mouth” sound
- he seems to need to “get out of the house” most days now
1st time on grass – April 17, 2015
Other highlights:
- 1st time sitting in the grass (4/17)
- rollerblade with stroller on the Centennial Trail (4/18)
- birthday party for a friend’s 3 year old (Jennings Park, 4/19)
- likes picking flowers in the yard (4/20)
- interested in the sound of his pee splashing in the toilet and watching the toilet flush
- he bonks his forehead too often!
Rollerblading on the Centennial Trail – April 18, 2015
New (vegan) foods this week:
- pancake containing pumpkin
- avocado slice in the peel
- ground veggie taco meat
- cantaloupe wedge
- watermelon wedge
- pear slice
- Cabbage Roll Casserole filling
1st taste of watermelon – April 19, 2015
EIGHTH MONTH WRAP-UP
Food–>
Right now, Todd is finishing his 46th can of “formula milk.” He’s just starting to be able to tip his own bottle back from an upright position. When reclined, he can hold his own bottle with just one hand. Often, distraction gets the best of him when he’s left to feed himself (he flips over and sits up before he’s done), so I prefer holding him while he eats. I like that bonding time with him, anyway! Even when I hold him, he starts and stops. Mr. Curious About Everything!
Todd eats solid food about twice per day, consisting of a combo of purees and finger foods. Every morning he gets a green smoothie and a pancake. Every afternoon or evening he gets other foods based on what we’re having. I typically feed him the pureed food first and then offer the finger foods. Todd will try pretty much anything he can get into his mouth…and more is getting down the hatch all the time! He’s a good eater.
Todd eats the same foods that Eric and I eat, but I do open a jar of Earth’s Best organic baby food a couple times per week. It’s definitely convenient and Todd really likes the sweet potatoes and the carrots. (We first tried the jarred food when Eric’s mom gave us a small assortment.)
Sleep–>
Todd still takes a very consistent and long morning nap in his swing (2-3+ hours). He may or may not take an afternoon nap. Sometimes he doesn’t take one simply because I don’t offer one (it depends on the length of the morning nap and our afternoon activities). An afternoon nap in the swing does still happen, but more often Todd catches a few Zs in the car, in the stroller, or on a warm body (usually on Eric in the late evening if he’s lucky!).
I started out this post mentioning that Todd had some rough nights of sleep in that first week (week 31). I thought maybe a tooth would show up this month, but there’s still no sign of that yet.
After that week, he more or less continued his pattern of sleeping through the night 10-ish hours per night on 4-5 nights per week. 2-3 nights per week he woke up once in the night.
Over the past week, though– that pattern seems to be reversed. Presently, he’s waking up once per night most nights and only sleeping straight through the night a couple nights per week…
For example, last night (April 20 to 21), Todd went to bed at 8 PM and he was asleep when I put him in bed. He woke up crying at 11:15 PM. I fed him 1 1/2 oz formula, but then he didn’t want anymore. He just seemed ready to go back to sleep. I was able to get him back in his crib by 11:30 PM, then he slept soundly until 6:45 AM.
A rare daytime catnap on me – April 19, 2015
Toileting–>
Things are going great, here! The only poop that didn’t make it directly into the toilet this month happened because I failed to immediately react to an obvious sign that Todd had to go. I actually said something to Eric before it happened. It was totally my fault.
I have a running tally of the number of poopy diapers since we started taking Todd to the toilet (starting 12/03/14). We’re only up to 16 poopy diapers, which seems pretty awesome to me!!
Todd’s definitely more aware of himself when he’s on the toilet now. When he starts to pee, he immediately looks down between his legs as if watching where the pee is going. He’s definitely aware of the sensation of peeing and pooping. He still smiles big when I praise him for going in the toilet. Afterward, he likes to look in the toilet and watch it flush.
Well– I guess that’s all for now!
It’s been a busy month and I predict it’s only going to get busier. It’s all good, though…Happy Spring!
Enjoying some fresh air with Eric after he got home from work – April 20, 2015
Freeheel Vegan 