So far, Claire has rejected cereal after one spoonful each morning. I’ve even offered it before her bottle first thing in the morning, but she won’t eat until a bottle is in her mouth. I’ve mixed in apple sauce. I’ve offered applesauce at the tip of the spoon hoping the first taste of sweet would entice her. No dice. However, this afternoon I was munching on an apple while at the park; Claire was sitting between my legs (she can almost stay upright all the time but I remain her backup) and showed interest. I brought the apple to her, and she pulled it to her mouth. First she licked it and not long after she began gnawing on it. I would take a bite to expose more fresh flesh for her to enjoy. I can’t say she ate any amount, but she enjoyed the taste and experience.

In the past couple of days, Claire hasn’t napped well in my arms, only a half hour. She slept a half hour in the swing once. Multiple attempts to induce a nap (she’s obviously tired) resulted in nothing but a restless tired baby. Husband spoke to me last night about trying the crib again. He asked me to commit to a date. Ugh. Do not want! However, this afternoon when she just wouldn’t fall asleep, I decided to put her in the crib with her lovey blanket. I rocked her the usual time and then laid her down. She immediately began to cry, and I said sweet things to her and then left the room. This time I did not go in to check and console every few minutes. That only seems to calm her and then set off an escalated round of sobs when I leave. She cried for 40 minutes. Then finally she just gave up. I checked on her shortly after the cries stopped. She had turned herself onto her tummy with the blanket over her legs and back. I made sure her face wasn’t obstructed and tiptoed out. She slept for 80 minutes! Wow!!!!!!

When she woke she was hungry and still tired but cheerful. We then met another mother and her daughter at the park and hung out for an hour and a half. Claire is only three months younger than this other little girl, so there’s some compatibility in terms of movement and interaction (i.e., one isn’t walking while the other is just learning to sit). Now she’s in the swing being quiet, and yawning. I’m not going to try the crib again today; let her doze in the swing, and bedtime will come soon enough.