Ep 31 Part 2: The Apple Allergy Showdown: Older Dads Vs. Mothers Instinct!

More Laughs and Lessons from the Gray Hair & Daycare Podcast: Apple Allergies, Palmer Grips, and the Wisdom of Older Dads

Welcome back to the second part of Episode 31 of the Gray Hair & Daycare: Gen X Dad, Gen Beta Baby podcast! Frank and Carlo dive into more real-life stories and continue to explore the nuances of being a dad in your fifties.

I Was Wrong: Fine-Tuning Baby-Led Weaning

Frank kicks off the segment, admitting to an oversight in his previous fatherhood advice about baby-led weaning. He clarifies a couple of important details for other Gen X dads and new parents:

• Spices are OK: You can include spices in food, but you must avoid added salt or added sugar.

• Grasping Milestones: The size of the food changes with the baby’s development. Currently, Josie has a palmar grasp (using her whole hand to grab food). However, by nine months, she will develop a pincer grasp, which allows her to pick up smaller items like cubes of cheese or little pieces of food.

What Just Happened: The Apple Allergy Conflict

The core of this week’s discussion centers on a parenting mistake Frank felt he had to call out during Josie's six-month pediatrician visit. The family was on track to eliminate apples from Josie's diet after Kelly thought she saw hives following a feeding, a decision the PA initially confirmed.

Frank noticed the information presented to the PA was incomplete. The timeline of the rash was inconsistent with an immediate allergic reaction, and the rash itself could have been simple irritation from baby-led weaning messes or sensitive baby skin.

Frank recalls a difficult discussion with Kelly after the appointment, where she admitted she didn't want to answer his questions because she thought he'd be mad. Frank was pushing for a more scientific approach, prioritizing the best outcome over being right. He speculates that since Kelly is "brilliant," she might be wildly uncomfortable with being wrong, a sentiment he, as someone who is "wrong a lot less than you and me," is more comfortable with. Ultimately, they decided to re-test the apple later with baby Benadryl on hand, proving that a marriage built on honest communication is a key fatherhood tip.

New Milestones and Humor in Life

The podcast closes with some positive updates on Josie's growth and the fun of Dad life.

• Growth and Strength: Josie is now 83rd percentile for height and 16th for weight. They confirmed she's taking after the tall and thin women in her family. She is also getting physically stronger, mastering banging things together and grabbing Frank's face with her surprisingly strong grip.

• Music and Connection: Frank shares a tender moment of playing his guitar for Josie for the first time. She was "fascinated" and showed her version of "dancing" with head movements, confirming her love for bluesy music she heard in utero.

• Family Time: The family went out for Frank's birthday dinner to Delmonico's Steakhouse, where a cute "older lady" at an adjoining table declared Josie would be "highly intelligent" and "very observant". They also had a great time at their parish picnic and look forward to a visit from Uncle David and Auntie Gabe.

Frank and Carlo wrap up the episode, reminding listeners that despite the technical challenges, the humor in life and the joy of raising kids makes it all worthwhile.