But, let's face it. Babies have the worst table manners.

They open their mouths as wide as possible. Whatever food they're eating is sure to get smeared all over their faces and clothes or be dumped on the floor with glee. They often rake their food-covered hands through their hair like they're solving a really hard math problem. And other dining habits that are simply too disgusting to mention.

At the point when most parents put away the camera, Baltimore photographer Justin Tsucalas kept snapping photos on his iPhone. He captures colorfully grotesque moments every parent will recognize in his Tumblr series, "Look at this messy baby."

The pictures started shortly after Tsucalas' first child, Oliver, began eating solid foods. Like babies do, 8-month-old Oliver often ended up covered in his meal. And like first-time parents do, Tsucalas, who took turns with his wife, Michele, staying home with Oliver, thought he was supposed to get in front of the mess.

"I'd be constantly wiping his mouth after bites," he said. "You think by doing that, you're going to make everything easier, but it just makes things more complicated."

He realized Oliver just wanted to "explore the food." He picked up his camera and turned his son's culinary adventures into a photo project, partly as a way "to be cool with the mess."

Tsucalas documented his son's mealtime adventures from January 2014 through May 2015, photographing only the lower half of his boy's face to emphasize the universal experience of a child learning to eat and drink on his own.

Gradually, you can see Oliver gain control of the fork and spoon.

Tsucalas thought he would end the project when Oliver was evicted from the high chair by baby sister Hazel, but his wife encouraged him to pick it up with their daughter.

"I think most parents can relate to this. Babies and little kids have these pretty disgusting moments."