Foodie Thoughts

 

So, lately some friends of ours are displaying an increasing tendency toward "foodiness". 

We already have several friends who are seriously into gastronomical exploration. One couple we unfortunately don't get to see very often, because they live across an ocean, and, well, let's face it, Gavin and I aren't able to drop everything and fly over for a visit. Another couple we get to see frequently, when our children aren't ill or suffering insomniac spells. I have watched the progression of these friends' hobbies, listened as more friends caught the foodie bug. I've noted the cookbooks from which they draw inspiration, considered their cheeses, sauces, and mains, and I've joined with them (vicariously) in enjoying each carefully photographed and homemade gourmet meal. 

So, foodie friends, this post is for you. 

Gavin had a special request for his birthday dinner this year, and who was I to deny him? I said "It's your birthday. 

Anything you want, I'll make it, or we'll buy it." It took him several days to decide. I admit, a part of me longed for him to express a wish for pan-seared scallops, or something involving truffle oil, or caviar, or similar expensive nummy novelty. But, those who know Gavin know that two things reign supreme in Kingdom Stomach Hammel. Green apples, and fried chicken. Last night, I discovered that his gift for getting cats to lick (and enjoy licking) apple cores is going 

to extend to our daughter. 

Help me, foodie friends, help me. Because part of me 

really enjoyed my first piece of that chicken. The other part of me had to stop midway through the second piece.

Strike Two

Having declared the solid food strike officially over before we had our agreement in writing, I (Management) unintentionally forced Morgen (the Union) to file a grievance.  Preliminary expressions of displeasure included small spit ups, fussiness, a moderate temperature, and refusal to sleep. The Union escalated the conflict yesterday, refusing solid food in a final bid to force Management to relieve her over-worked stuffy nose and to halt discussions over quantities of food consumed and prospects for dietary expansion.

Negotiations produced a small compromise in the form of a milk-free organic rice rusk cracker, offered by Management and deemed acceptable by the Union. Investigation by Management revealed this to be slight, if any, progress, as the aforementioned cracker contains a mere seven calories, and only .15 grams of protein - insufficient nutrition for any infant worker, even with frequent liquid refreshments. 

Advice from a pediatrician (newly appointed by the General Practitioner to mediate for the better interest of both parties) has led to the cessation of  any attempts on behalf of Management to offer the Union soy or milk-based products. Management is currently researching goat's milk and hypoallergenic formula, and, being assured that the latter tastes like bile and the former is slightly difficult to digest given the age of the Union, we are confident that food strike number two will be concluded once the offending stuffy nose subsides and hunger asserts itself. 

Breakthrough

Morgen ate a whole tablespoon of carrots today and even some broccoli and potatoes before we had to put that away and bring out the oatmeal rice cereal, and then she ate most of that before giving us the signal. You know the one. And if you don't, here it is. Still, dinner was much better than usual, and I'm calling it a breakthrough.

  

Earlier in the day, before this breakthrough, I took these pictures of Morgen in her new brown and pink ensemble. Thank goodness for cloth diapers - they make all the fun clothes that we thought she'd have to grow into fit her right now! Can you believe that our landlord said she looked like a boy today? No, me neither. But he did - right after he said she didn't look like me or Gavin. I'm trying not to take it personally.

 

Still working on the whole swallowing thing ...

Mmmmm, sweet potatoes! Morgen's adventures with solid food continued this week as she got her first taste of a vegetable. And while it wasn't a complete success, we are happy to report that orange is really Morgen's color.

In other news, Morgen also spent this week getting acquainted with her new plush doggy toy, courtesy of Beth, David's mom. Here she is giving her new puppy a kiss, which seems to be her favorite activity with all plush toys. Just remember the joy of the puppy toy, Morgen, because when you get a little older I am going to have to rely on you to help me to convince Mommy that what our family really needs is a dog of the non-stuffed variety!