Week 50!!!!!!

He walks!! Without going into all of the details, he took 10 steps yesterday all by himself. Then he steadied himself on the recliner, turned around and did it again :o) Oh the pride. And the heartache. Such a big boy!

Your baby boy, Matthew, is 50 weeks (Approximately 11.7 months) old now.

Now that your baby is eating solid foods, it's important that you know how many calories he or she needs each day to grow strong and healthy without over-feeding him or her. A one-year-old child needs approximately 1200 to 1300 calories each day, or about 40 calories for each inch of his or her height. There are so many empty calorie foods on the market today and childhood obesity is rampant in the United States, so it's important to establish a healthy diet early. If your baby develops a "food jag" where he or she only wants to eat a certain food, don't worry. These ruts are normal and usually short-lived. Continue to offer him or her small portions of a variety of foods and praise him or her for trying any new ones. Your baby may keep you guessing from one minute to the next whether he or she will let you pick him or her up, or squirm away from you in a burst of independence. As these things usually work, he or she will only become clingy and needy when you are trying to get stuff done around the house and unable to pay attention to him or her. But the second you stop working and decide to play with him or her, he or she will be too busy with his or her own games. If your baby is demanding your attention while you are cooking or cleaning, try to involve him or her in your activity as much as you can, and as much as it is safe. If you can't involve your baby, at least talk to him or her and tell him or her everything you are doing to make your baby feel part of your world. Many babies can say a handful of words by now; but if your baby isn't talking much, or at all yet, don't worry. Remember, Einstein didn't begin speaking until he was 3 years old. Your baby will talk when he or she is ready. However, if you notice other developmental delays, check with your pediatrician.

Coincidentally, I'd been wondering how many calories a day Matthew should be eating. Now I can pay more attention...he's been doing really well with his Gerber Graduates. Last night he ate a whole container of chicken noodle soup! A couple nights ago he ate almost a whole container of pasta shells & cheese. So he's definitely adapting to the "chunks." He also likes broccoli, which I figured he would since chicken + broccoli used to be one of his favorite Stage 2 baby foods. I just bought a bag of frozen broccoli and put a few pieces in the microwave at a time. I eat the "trunks" and he eats the "trees!" He also ate quite a few diced pears (in light syrup, of course :oP) last night. So it looks like we're on track to have him on table food in the next few weeks. My husband and I cracked open Matthew's baby book last night to see how far we'd fallen behind. Pretty far! We tried to fill in the blanks as best we could. I feel bad, because I want Matthew to be able to look at the book someday and know that we cared enough to record all of his important moments and daily habits. But at the same time, come on! We're the parents of a (almost) one year old kid! We have no time! :o)