Kira is eating solids!

We are starting on the 4th week of eating solids.  I've been forcing rice and oatmeal cereal into Kira's little mouth for 3 full weeks.  Some days I just wanted to quit because Kira put up such a big struggle.  She arches her back (Kira's signature maneuver), whimpers (with her weepy eyes), swats the spoon (getting slimy food everywhere), clenches her gums and lips together (preventing the spoon from going in her mouth), and of course, spits food out of her mouth.  Usually, I'll stop when she thrusts her tongue out.  This may happen after the 20th mouthful, or it may happen after the 3rd.  A friend of mine told me that her son started solids at 4 months.  He struggled not to eat as well, and she stopped for two weeks.  Upon the second trial with solid foods, her son ate it up like nothing happened!  Thus, based on her experience, I was tempted to stop.

Today was completely different.  Kira opened her mouth!  I got the spoon in her mouth easily!  Then, she closed her lips around the spoon!  I pulled out the spoon...and the food was gone!  She did it again and again until she finished all the food in her bowl!  I know it must sound silly how excited I am over one of the most basic human behaviors, but today was the very first time I can say without disclaimer, Kira is eating solids.  I hope tomorrow is as good as today.

Kira is also making excellent progress with weaning.  After today, I'm thinking of adding another bottle of formula to the existing three in her eating schedule.  I'm also having a lot less engorgement.  A week ago I was nursing Kira twice in the morning and twice in the evening.  Today I nursed her twice in the morning and only once in the evening, but I'm thinking I can get by with just nursing her once in the morning and not suffer too much engorgement.  So the new schedule will look something like this (give or take an hour, depending on when Kira wakes up):

7 am - nurse

10 am - bottle

12 pm - solids (lunch)

1 pm - bottle

4 pm - bottle

6 pm - solids (dinner)

7 pm - bottle

10 pm - nurse

I'm so happy I fit into B-cup bras.