Solids...kind of

So, I've tried a few more tricks with Costner Bleu since we've been in Louisville regarding solids, and I've figured out (kind of) what the problem is.  Basically, if he can't do it himself, he doesn't want it.  So, like when I'm bringing the spoon towards his mouth, he instantly tries to grab it.  When I hold his hands, he turns his head away and closes his eyes and his mouth.  Some people said, "Well, try the fruit!  My kids would never eat baby food veggies, but they eat regular veggies."  So, I even did that.  Apples, to be exact.  He shivered and made the same horrified face as he did with everything else.  Am I giving up?  No.  From what I've read, he's actually a pretty typical baby.  It can take well over a dozen times to like a certain food...or in his case, any food.  But what he DOES like, is doing it himself.  The day after we got here, we went to the mall and I asked for some saltine crackers.  That was always a favorite of Sage's and for years, Travis and I could eat at almost any restaurant in peace if she had her crackers.  So I gave it to him, and he did REALLY well with it.  He made a nasty mess with them, but he didn't choke and he enjoyed them.

Here he is with bits of cracker still on his face.

 And another thing he loves?  FRESH produce that he can gnaw on.  This requires a little more work from me making sure he doesn't get a bite off and choke, and I still don't think I"d call it eating as much as chewing since he's not really swallowing anything other than juice.  He has tried and loved red bell pepper, green bell pepper, cucumbers, carrots (as I showed)...and watermelon.  He actually ate watermelon in his baby mesh feeder, and I WOULD definitely say he ate that because it literally dissolved through the feeder 4x or more.  He screamed for more too.  :)

Here he is with his red bell pepper.  We'll keep trying with baby food.