Eating Cheerios

I've been working hard for the past few months, trying to figure out how to get these little O shaped things into my mouth. When a grown-up puts one in my mouth, it's very yummy, but when I try to pick one up, it gets caught in my fist and I can't get it out.

The past few days, though, I've been getting some of the O things into my mouth! I can pick them up with my thumb and another finger (Mommy calls it the pincer grasp), and then I stick all five fingers in my mouth. I use my tongue to find the yummy O, and then I take my hand out of my mouth. I'd estimate I get about 75% of them into my mouth, and the rest fall on the floor, into my seat, or inexplicably into my diaper (even when I'm wearing clothes).

Since I'm getting better at feeding myself, I've been allowed to try pears (yum!), biter biscuits, apple slices, bananas and tofu. I still use my mesh feeder for grapes because I might choke on them. Everything else I eat is either mushy babyfood from a spoon or best of all, milk from Mommy.

That reminds me, I understand a few words now. The first thing that Mommy realized that I could do is look at Daddy when she asked, "Where's Dada?" Now, she has checked me on a few words, and I understand Dada, milk, Mama, ball, up and truck. Whenever Mommy or Daddy says "Up!", I get all excited and raise my arms because I know they are going to pick me up. I can say mamama (sounds like mum mum mum) and dadada, but don't say them in relation to Mommy or Daddy.

We're working on waving and clapping. Sometimes I wave, but Mommy isn't sure if it's coincidence or if I do it to say hello and bye-bye. I haven't learned to clap yet, but everyone always claps for me so maybe I'll start doing it myself soon.

I'm going to be taking a plane and visiting Syracuse and Hemlock Farms later this week, so I'll blog more when I get back.