When I was little, I swore I wouldn’t be the kind of grown up who constantly remarked on how much a child had grown: it’s such a boring conversation opener. And yet here I am, parent to an almost five month old and constantly amazed by how he changes every day. The time since February feels both long and life-changing and simultaneously gone in an instant, those snuggly newborn days a thing of the past and this bright, beady, blue-eyed little boy now making himself and his personality known. 

Last night I discovered a ticklish spot under Nino’s chin whilst washing him, and the rest of bath time was spent in fits of squeaky giggles. Our boy is a considered little chap and reserves his smiles and laughs for only our most deserving parent moves. When he’s not smiling and chattering, that inquisitive mouth is engaged is all sorts of chewing and chomping as any and every object within reach finds its way between the soft, dribbly folds of his lips. There’s a barely there white bump under his bottom right gum and I’m pretty sure that a tooth (or two) are in our not too distant future.

With the possibility of teeth comes also the exciting thought that within the next month or so we’ll be starting solid food. Nino turns six months old while we’re away at my parents’ house in Italy and with plans to go the baby-led weaning route, I can’t wait to share with him what we have at our table. A travel high chair and bibs have been bought, I’ve brushed up on my first aid (the choking/gagging thing? Don’t even . . . I’m terrified but hoping we’ll take it in our stride) and am already excited (this may be foolish) about the mess he’s going to make.

While we’ll start with the basics – slices of avocado, carrot sticks, smushy bits of various fruits – I’m also thinking longer term about the family recipes I can make to share. Incorporating fruit and veg into our daily diet isn’t something I really struggle with (my husband will tell you I make too much), but I’m always open to a new recipes and recently have been loving Rachel de Thample’s new cookbook Five. Each recipe includes a fruit and veg count, with lots of interesting ideas from around the globe. Perhaps picking these basic muffins doesn’t do its creativeness justice, but they’re so delicious and full of fruity flavour I wanted to share the recipe here.

For the purists, I realize that Nino shouldn’t be eating refined sugar to begin with.  If I were to serve him these in a month or too I’d omit the muscovado altogether and replace it with mashed banana or similar. But for now these muffins are a grown ups-only treat (albeit very virtuous) so I’m posting the recipe as written. Tender apple muffins rich with crunchy peanut butter. The perfect way to start your Monday.