Motation and Digestion

Johanna turned 6 months last week! I can hardly believe it is moving so fast. It seems like just yesterday yet also a lifetime ago that she was born. At 6 months Johanna weighs in at 12lbs 14 oz and 24 inches long. Still tiny but a very healthy little girl!
Around mid June/5 months, she began pushing herself up into a push up position and really getting her knees off the ground. By June 30th when we left for vacation, she had figured out that many series of pushing up and down and slight pulling or rolling would get her where she wanted to go. By the time we returned back from Florida she was "motating" as her great uncle Buddy said. She was piking, downward dogging, scooting, sitting in the crawl position, even attempting a bear walk. Everything but crawling. But she can certainly still get where she wants to go. She can now move 5-6 feet in any direction using her different methods of motation.
We've been trying to introduce solid foods, but Johanna apparently already has a "refined" palate. She refused the carrots and sweet potatoes. She endured the rice cereal and peas. She seemed to enjoy the apples and pears, but her first real, solid food and truest of true loves is... marinara sauce!
After unsuccessfully offering her the vegetables, we had decided to take a break from introducing solids while in Florida since she still wasn't showing much interest. Until we had spaghetti for dinner. She was sitting on Berto's lap while we ate, staring as the food when from plate to mouth while making this face:

He gave her a finger full of sauce which she attacked like a wild animal! She was insatiable! Berto couldn't dip his fingers in sauce fast enough for her appetite. After eating close to a tablespoon of marinara sauce, I finally had to dip her pacifier in sauce to "calm her fat gene" as Berto put it. Since then she has eaten peas, apples, and pears with some interest, the pears maybe even some enjoyment. But nothing tops red sauce! She loves pizza and pasta nights! Mamma mia!
Starting last Friday, she is also holding her own bottle. It may be time to try a sippy cup soon. Miss Independent!