If I may make a suggestion or three regarding preparation of the baby foods, I found it useful to mix up a bigger batch of cereal just the way my kids liked the consistency and with whatever add ins i was putting in it, then pour it into a clean ice cube tray and freeze. Pop the cubes into a zip lock, and when you're ready for them put them in a bowl and float it in some hot water for a few minutes. Or carefully microwave for a few seconds and then test test test the temp. I also fed them with a spoon in one hand and a couple of damp washrags in the other and wiped their mouths almost as often as I stuffed them. As for the highchair, I would wipe it down and wash the tray (i made sure mine fit in the dishwasher) and about twice a week it went into the shower with one of us for a real hose down with the sprayer. If you have a dog, I hear they're usually quite happy to help with the clean up, although they tend to miss some of the odd cracks and crevices babies have. Your mileage may vary, but I hope something helps. It can be very overwhelming. Some days I plopped them in their bath chairs and fed them in the tub when I couldn't face cleaning up another big mess.

I found a big plastic sheet on the floor under the high chair helped too.

Re: the sand-as-snack thing ... I think you can pretty much count on it.

Enjoy your vacation!

Learning to eat food and feed oneself is such an interesting thing. I had an aunt that would get so frazzled when I fed my girls because I let them get a feel(literally) for their foods. I bathed them when they were done and just accepted that it was a messy process. If they got any food in their mouths, it was a good day.

Don't worry, the eating a ton of sand and changing two tons of sand enhanced diaperfuls is a very special beach-baby rite of passage. Enjoy!

Just as long as you enjoy every minute of this feeding thing. Because it seems to go by so quick. I miss those days. Mine are now 10 and 13. Brings back some good memories watching your bundle of joy enjoy her meal.

Have a great mini vacation! Amy

Oh my. That made my retired ovaries ache a little.

I'm not sure how much sand she will eat -- some, because that's one way she experiences the world right now, but usually that peaks when babies are older. Be prepared that she may not like the feel of the sand on her feet if you try to "walk" her along the beach. If the water's warm, she'll probably love being held by one of you in a fairly calm surf. Man, I love babies and the beach!

I'm not sure how much sand she will eat -- some, because that's one way she experiences the world right now, but usually that peaks when babies are older. Be prepared that she may not like the feel of the sand on her feet if you try to "walk" her along the beach. If the water's warm, she'll probably love being held by one of you in a fairly calm surf. Man, I love babies and the beach!

I waited until 6 months to do food, I was so glad I waited!

How much sand will she eat? Enough. I remember taking Lucy for her first day at the beach, and watching that little fist climb up towards her mouth, and just chanting to myself -- "it's good for her immune system, it's good for her immune system, it's good for her..."

Sigh. :) Enjoy.

I agree about the sand texture aversion! We had the same thing with grass. Have a great time and happy knitting. And remember NEVER put sunscreen on a babies hands. They rub their eyes WAY more than you think. Ask me how I know!

Wow that Enjay is smart. Where was she when my kids were starting "solid" foods?

My daughter was also a big fan of those little mesh bags with handles. They look sort of like a pacifier with the bag where the nipple part would be, and you open them up and put some food inside for the baby to kind of gnaw on for a while. It worked really well with canteloupe or other juicy things. Bananas worked well too, but were just about impossible to clean afterward (although I don't have a dishwasher so you might have more success if you do).

Anyway, have a great time at the beach!

I've always thought that time-release pill would make great sense. Kind of spoils going out to lunch however. :) Meli is adorable.

i hear ya on the feeding! i'm horrible about feeding myself much less a small baby. i found the "super baby food" book to be a lot of help. made up big batches of pureed foods, froze them in ice cube trays and just nuked them when i needed them. i still freeze a lot of soups in small batches for the peanut. it's really helpful when you have no idea what to make!

I started feeding Moira at 5 months because she just seemed hungry All The Time. She seems to love it too even though I find it totally exhausting. I'm feeding her about 3x a day and it seems like right now I am doing NOTHING but feed, change, try to get her to nap, feed, feed, change feed (because she is still nursing too), try to get her to nap, change, change, change etc. I hope you have a great vacation without too much feeding, changing or sand eating. :)

Oh my gosh, I just cannot handle the cuteness! The pictures are sweet but seeing her on video is even sweeter! Oh, and the eating thing gets better. These days the kid feeds himself. Yes, there is prep and cleanup but at least he can get the food from plate to mouth on his own! :)

I love that excited breathing thing Meli does! Raley is similar - they sound pretty much alike. Are you deafened in the car yet? Raley hangs out in the back seat and just carols away at the top of her lungs. AAAAAEEEEEEEEUUUUUU! Cute, but ear-shattering.
We're off of solids at the moment, after a Very Bad Experience the first time around. We'll be trying again shortly, only somehow even more gradually this time. Or differently. Or something... I'm not sure. Which is why we haven't started back up yet.
Anyway, love the videos! Glad you're having a good time, and have fun at the beach!

she is just awesome.
i love how pleased she looks with herself after she wipes her mouth!

have a great holiday!

Damn, I wish I were going to Rhinebeck :-(

I'll miss you, sweetiepie!

Know what I used to love to watch? An interactive Meli-type baby squishing a chunk of ripe banana in their fist and watching it ooze out through their fingers. The reactions can be priceless. (Worth the clean-up!)

oh that heavy breathing thing is SO cute.

you are going to make my ovaries burst at Rhinebeck you know that Miss Meli?? :)

Oh that Meli, she is so adorable, even when eating! I love the videos you are sharing with us, along with all the beautiful photos. I hope you have a really nice vacation together.

Just catching up w/ everything after a hard drive crash followed by Hurricane Ike and 10 days of no electricity or 5 with no potable water. Such great fun -- I could hardly stand it (not). These pictures of Meli are priceless. What a doll-baby! She's grown so much, sitting up there like a big kid. An adorable girl with a beautiful smile. Lucky you, lucky her. Thanks for sharing it all.

Oh how I've missed the Meli pictures; we were on vacation. On a Disney cruise, our first one without a stroller. Boy did that feel odd.

I have to write 3 things, for you to do with as you see fit.
1. On cleaning up the whole food thing - I gave my first one baths a few times a day. Most of the time, it was just easier to put him in the bath and let him splash off that cereal instead of using 47 wipes. I'd put the high chair tray in there as well. Leave it to dry on the bathmatt.
2. Teething from previous post - a little Crown Royal on the finger then rubbed on the gums. Just saying. My dad used Old Grandad on me, my dear sweet MIL gave me a teeny bottle in a pretty purple bag when my 3rd was teething and the Ambesol and whatever else wasn't working. It got to where he'd see my grab that purple bag out of the diaper bag and get all excited. Plus then, you can lick your finger afterwards and not have that nasty grape taste with a numb tongue.
3. A little sand in the digestive system never hurt anyone. Think of it as extra fiber.

One more thing - you seem to be such a great mom. From all I've read, you treasure every moment, and don't worry about the things that usually take care of themselves. I wish I had been more like you with my first one. I think he'd be a lot more relaxed if I had been. You're doing great!