And now I'm a worried mom because Owen is obviously way ahead of Annabel in what solids you're giving him, and I'm afraid I'm being too cautious! Our pediatrician recommends waiting on finger foods until 8 months,

He's not that far ahead. He's only been eating Cheerios for maybe a month or two (I'm not sure). He's been eating biter biscuits and Zwieback for a little less time. I first gave him fresh, ripe fruit in teeny pieces two or three weeks ago and today was the first time I'd tried cooked, cubed veggies.

I tried to take it slower, but he kept taking the spoons out of my hands when I was trying to feed him. I went through 8 spoons in one feeding and heard that that was an indication that he wanted to feed himself. The combination of finger food and me shoveling in pureed baby food seems to work.

You're not overly cautious--you and Annabel are your best guides.

I am a little paranoid, but a close family friend lost his son who choked to death four years ago and that left a mark.

I'm telling ya, it's an okay subject to be paranoid about. Like I said, three times we had Emmett turning purple in the face: Piece of bread, piece of apple, piece of pear. It's scary as fuck.

I read that hot dogs are the worse offenders. Apparently they're perfectly sized to stick in a small esophagus. Of course, I came pretty close to being killed by a bay leaf when I was in my 30s.

Fun, irrelevant health information from Connie. Whee!

Remember my ill-starred attempt to kick caffeine? Or at least cut way back? Remember the damned blood pressure pills that knock me flat when I take them?

Guess what counteracts them? See, I was trying to replace the high-test diet Coke at lunch with caffeine-free. I'd been wondering why the morning pill doesn't knock me down, and a light went on.

So I'm not going off the caffeine. The blood-pressure-raising thing counteracts the side effects of lowering the blood pressure. This makes sense in some dimension, I'm sure.

VW, I honestly think firebombing the insurance company would be a lot better strategic move....

t thinks

They really should actually...

Thanks Susan.

They really should actually...

They really should. Or at least the section that sets policy.

AmyLiz, I hope he keeps it up. It could be that he's just fascinated by the new textures for now.

It's scary as fuck.

It's my worst nightmare, Hec.

Yeah, that story, shitty and depressing. Not going to leave that up.

t hides under bed

Of course, I came pretty close to being killed by a bay leaf when I was in my 30s.

Of all the many accident-prone Buffistas, you and Hil worry me the most.

Annabel has her 9-month appointment on Friday, and I think I'm going to ask if I'm bringing her along fast enough then. I think sometimes I get into a rut, which would work fine if she weren't growing and changing so fast, but she is. For example, I've tried two versions of sippy cup, and she's not much interested in either. I think they're too slow-flowing or something. Rather than look for yet another version to try, I just dropped it altogether, because I didn't feel like dealing with Target or Babies R Us in December. But I'm starting to feel like I'm putting my baby on the slow track when she ought to be on the fast track because it's easier for me.