A Sorry State Indeed

Just about a week ago, we handed Kev his very own fork and spoon to feed himself. I'm not sure why we didn't do it earlier - it never really crossed our mind. Perhaps because we have enough of a mess to clean up after every meal, snack, etc.? Anyway, it was probably long overdue and now Little Man is entirely full of attitude about eating.

Here we see his overall mood when it comes to being bothered whilst eating. It's a bit Mary-Kate Olson, don't you think? ie. If I glare at the camera long enough, it'll go away. He was new to the fork here, but the mashed potatoes seemed to provide a good incentive to getting it to work. The broccoli was finger food (and that's fine) and the meatloaf (made in an amazing cheddar cheese pastry crust) was pushed to the side with disdain.

Here you can see him when we take the fork away. Except that this is relatively calm. He looks upset but not terribly so. Had you been in our home just one short hour ago, you would have seen terribly upset. Screaming, slapping food away, etc. All over three lousy crinkle cut carrots. The child hates carrots and wouldn't eat them for anything. Poor guy doesn't yet know that without veggies, there's no dessert!

And then there was lunch today, when he would not, I repeat would not, sit in his high chair. Screaming, clawing at me to be held, etc., but no going in his high chair. So there he sat in my chair, eating his pear slices* and sucking on his grilled cheese until it dissolved in his mouth in a gooey, cheese slime. Nevermind that he bumped his mouth not once, but twice, on the table, resulting in a split lip that must have really hurt, there was no going to that high chair. So, we'll be pulling out the booster chair and strapping it to a regular chair for this kid.

And finally, because food is his favorite thing lately, he has figured out how to help himself to foods in the pantry. Let's cast aside all that stuff about how a parent should never compare children - Amiya is four and a half and has yet to help herself to a snack. Kev is 18 months and waltzes into the pantry like he owns the place and pulls out what he wants, clamors over to the table, hoists the snack up and then himself. So, I'm going shopping tomorrow and swapping out everything in the pantry. Carrot crackers, carrot chips, carrot whatever. That'll teach him!

*Yesterday's pearcapade seems to have no ill-effects on his digestion, in fact quite the opposite, so more fruit for Kev today!