We also have started putting him in a highchair when we go out to eat - which he also loves! The first time we did it he talked and jabbered so loud we were pretty embarassed. But he sat up and ate his dinner while we ate and played with anything we mistakenly set to close to him. He is quick! And he can reach a lot further across the table than I gave him credit for. A few days ago I was at the mall doing some Christmas shopping (finally!) and decided I would eat some chinese food for lunch at the food court. It wasn't Hudson's lunch time so I didn't get him a high chair. But I wanted to get him out of his stroller since he had been in it the whole time we were shopping, so I thought I would just hold him. BIG mistake. Although I had moved my plate so I thought it was out of reach, he still managed to grab it and knock the sauce container over. Luckily I had thought to grab a bunch of napkins. So I cleaned that up and by the end of lunch my plate was almost clear over at the other side of the table so he couldn't reach it. And I was eating lo mein, which has noodles, so that was messy. I kept dropping food on the table and he would grab it. Then I had to fight him to take it away before he got it in his mouth.
I've decided I will never try to go out to eat by myself again!
