Stage 2 Baby Food

Before I begin, let me preface this post with the fact that I have an acute fear of my children choking. Isabelle has done this on many occasions, most recently after biting into a plastic spoon and getting the sharp plastic stuck in her mouth. Madeleine occasionally gags on baby formula. Thus far I have not needed to use the Heimlich Maneuver, most likely because my shrieks of panic scare the food out of their throats. However, it is not something I want to test my knowledge at - yes I've taken first aid and CPR classes and even have "how-to" pamphlets posted around my house just in case.
So, this is how, at the age of nine months, I am still hesitant to give Madeleine finger foods. How I envy those mothers who have their babies snacking on delicious table food while my poor little Maddy is stuck eating yogurt and blueberry puree. But, I did recently move her up to eating stage 2 baby food with minuscule chunks of meat and vegetables and am quite pleased at my own progress. :)

I launched a full-scale baby food making operation.

Isabelle helped wash the leeks.

The beginnings of chicken casserole. We also made baby beef stew, chicken and apples, creamed chicken, peas, green beans and brown rice chicken and peach delight.

"Gee Mom, you're the best!...

...but I'm good."

P.S. You'll be happy to know readers that Madeleine was able to enjoy a lovely beef stroganoff the other night because I knew I'd be able to grind it up really well. She loved it and looked at me as though I'd been holding out on the good stuff these last four and a half months. Someday she will forgive me.