Adventures in Eating

When I started introducing solids to Caroline, I was really excited about the possibilities. I was an eager beaver; ready to make all her food from scratch, and therefore saving her from the horrors of jarred chicken and vegetable puree. But even though I really have enjoyed making her pureed acorn squash, pears, and sweet potatoes, I'm beginning to understand why my sister was dreading introducing solids with her second child, Sophia. Sure, it seems like fun, making your baby's food and helping her enjoy solids for the first time. But the reality is that it's quite messy and a bit frustrating. For adults, eating is second nature. For babies, it's a whole skill set that needs to be learned.
After about two weeks of solids, I'm a little worried Caroline thinks that food actually comes from the high chair tray instead of the spoon because she spends the majority of her "meal times" with her head lowered and her lips glued to the tray, sucking up wayward mush. I'm hoping this isn't an indication of her scholastic aptitude. :)

By the time we're finished with each eating session, we head straight for the bath tub because the amount of goo that covers Caroline from head to toe is no match for a wipe or washcloth. And the mess doesn't end there. I'm still finding dried bits of avocado: last week's new veggie. Luckily, I have two highly capable floor mops: Isabel and Frances. For them, introducing solids is the best thing that's happened in our house for quite a while. I imagine it almost makes up for Mommy and Daddy bringing this "creature" into their home. Almost.
Today I gave Caroline a biter biscuit, which is basically a glorified graham cracker. I handed it to her and left the room to grab my phone from the kitchen. When I came back in not 10 seconds later, this is what I saw:

Caroline was face down, sucking the biscuit! Who needs hands when you can face plant and eat your food?? She was happy as a clam, but I couldn't let her continue to believe that eating takes place in a face down position!! That is unless Caroline is destined to be a pie eating contest contestant for the rest of her life. After being propped back up, Caroline was finally able to secure the now slimy biscuit in her hand and happily sucked away until there was nothing left. I counted this as an "adventures in eating" success, but I could tell that Frances was very jealous that her services were not needed.