Carly still has no teeth popping through. As a result she didn't start putting everything in her mouth around 3 months, which led to her not being as interested in baby food early, and slowed me down in introducing her to table food. Dave and I would let her try soft foods if she asked for them. During a sick visit around 11 months her doctor asked how her progression into table food was going, I mentioned her lack of teeth and was reprimanded (nicely) for not having her on mostly table food. So home she and I went, with me feeling bad. David and I quickly realized that Carly was eating a lot of table food, just not pasta or vegetables. She would eat cheese, fruit, and bread products all day long if we let her. Meat was hit or miss, depending on her mood. However, she would eat almost any vegetable if we blended it. (Which the doctor was fine with at her 1 year visit, mentioning how most parents would be happy if their children ate a vegetable any form.)
Since this doctor's David and I have really focused on finding table foods Carly will try and can be successful eating without having even one tooth. Her stubbornness at times has led to some frustration and pretty boring meals. A lot of food has ended up on the floor and fed to Jake. I have tried to hiding peas in her fruit cocktail, hiding green bean pieces in her pureed green beans, calmly putting corn on her tray and walking away (at least in her mind), etc. Nothing has worked. I've read books and online articles about to just keep trying and she would just start one day. I was starting to have my doubts and was thinking we should look into investing in a Smoothy King franchise so Carly could drink her meals when in high school and college. Then tonight's dinner came.
Tonight's Dinner:
David and I sat down with Carly for tonight's dinner. We weren't having any bread, so she was able to start her sliced ham (her first course) when we sat down. As she finished her ham she began pointing and grunting towards my plate. I offered her a piece of pork chop, she pushed it away. I then put a few peas on her tray and into her mouth they went. So, I put a few more. Same thing. She was shoveling these peas into her mouth like they were mini sugar/candy balls. By the end she ate more peas than David and I did combine. We were both completely shocked.
I'm not confident that she will eat peas again for me tomorrow, and that's okay. I have had a glimpse of the light at the end of the pureed veggie tunnel, and we will get there eventually. At least I'm not currently have to puree veggies and hid them in not so healthy dishes (there is a whole book now out in the stores about this topic).
Don't give up hope! We've had MANY days go by that I know Caroline didn't eat ONE single vegetable. After all, you can't shove it down their throat (and I've tried). Even today, she may eat peas, carrots and sweet potatoes until she's sick, but the next day won't touch a thing besides a hotdog and cheese. We take it one day at a time...and let me tell you, I might as well be on Cloud 9 if I can get her to eat a veggie...it's the little things that make you happy!
ReplyDeleteSamuel is so much fun to watch eat peas. It's one of my favorite activities. Carly is getting lots of hair. It will be fun to see Samuel and Carly together. Jessica said she thinks they look alike. I can really see it in the last picture with the peas. But then, I always thought Benjamin looked like David without the dimples. Love, Aunt Bubble
ReplyDeleteThen there was Jonathan. He hated the first ten foods I gave him. Mostly he loved milk and bread. And look how big he grew. Love, Aunt Bubble P.S. Jessica loved all her food and still likes to try new things.
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