My nine month old child is a really great eater.
Of course now that I’ve thrown that out into the universe, she’s going to reject all foods and go on a nursing strike, which is par for the parenting course. It smacks you upside the head when you least expect it.
Parenting, at least in the early months (I can’t speak for the rest yet), is a roller coaster ride with as many peaks as valleys. It’s exhilarating, exhausting and it leaves you feeling hung over without actually drinking. Then again, maybe I did have a glass of wine. Who can remember these days?
In any event, my child has pushed every button, hit every nerve, fatigued ever muscle including my mental prowess and brought me to the brink of insanity more times than I can count. It’s possible I’m being a bit dramatic, although only slightly.
Each time, exactly when I’m at my limit and ready to break, she sleeps through the night, calms her cries, or gives me a great big toothless grin. She mumbles “momma,” nestles her head into my breast or snuggles into my side. Those little moments give me power and propel me forward. Sleep returns and with it my sanity. After a couple of good days, maybe even weeks if I’m lucky, I find myself saying, “I’ve got this,” and then the next storm hits. Teething is in her near future.
In order to survive, you need a great sense of humor, a strong support system, coffee, all the coffee, chocolate, did I mention coffee, booze and Zoloft, but we’re not here to talk about my needs and eats today.
Instead, I’m sharing what the kid downs on the daily. Happy What I Ate Wednesday. Thanks Arman and Laura for hosting.
First Breakfast (multiple breakfasts is a baby after my own heart): milk, specifically cultivated by me and from me for her. Yes, the tiny human and I are still nursing, which I never would have thought possible given our rocky start and yet, here we are.
Second Breakfast: we share a bowl of oatmeal almost every morning. I make it with rolled oats, water, almond milk, rice cereal, flax powder, half a mashed banana and cinnamon. I top the whole thing with whatever fruit we’ve got on hand. Ave also gets a dose of vitamin D.
Snack: she hits up the boob bar again for more milk.
Lunch: rye bread, avocado, broccoli and cottage cheese. She’s a big fan of anything she can feed herself, especially bread. Can’t say that I blame her.
Snack: more breast milk.
Dinner: cheddar scalloped potatoes without the salt and a side of baby puree made of pears, peas, green beans and chia seeds. This kid loves potatoes. Her Irish and German are showing. Hashtag spud love.
Dessert: one last dip into the milk pond, also known as my knockers.
This kid knows how to eat, and for that I’m super grateful.
As a child, were you a picky eater or a good eater? What was your favorite food growing up?
I was a really picky eater until my 20′ and ive gotten even better in my 30’s! my son was never a picky eater although right now, he protests basically anything I make just because it’s the age to do so. I miss when he was 9 months old after reading this though! although, life was so hard then in a different way because I had to monitor his every single move and that’s exhausting. not to mention, the nursing. like a lifetime ago but I remember it so well.
meredith @ cookie chrunicles recently posted…Altar’d For Life
I’m so glad reading this brings back fond memories. Reading your posts make me realize all I’ve got to look forward to. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
Aww..such a cute little baby. I don’t have kids now but I and the hubby think about having kids recently. Great stuff…gonna follow your blog for my future parenting.
Mary@Swimming Pool recently posted…Best Pool Shock Reviews 2017 & How to Shock a Pool
Kids are a game change but I’m sure you know that already. I hope I can pass along some helpful tips.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
Meg I adore that nursing photo. Totally cool. Emma nursed until she was 3–keep on while it works for both of you!
Kirsten recently posted…How to Make White Pizza with Arugula and Sausage
My nursing goal is a year and I’m already equal parts excited (so I can have my body and a little slice of freedom back) and sad to start the weaning process. It’s going to be bittersweet, although necessary since she doesn’t take a bottle. Thankfully she loves food.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
Wow. Where/how did you get that moon-esque breast feeding picture? That is absolutely beautiful.
A fan of bread and spuds… I think I know who’s daughter this is 🙂
I was not a picky eater at all, apparently. My parents brought around a little blender with them and just gave me whatever they were eating… smoothie style. I think I learned very quickly that my Dad – having been brought up in a poor farm family – would NOT tolerate and waste or pickiness.
Cora recently posted…Aiming for Fullness (What I Ate Wednesday)
I was a horrible eater growing up, so I’m super grateful Ave is the opposite. Bread and spuds…she likes cheese and beans too. So my kid. Ha.
I used an called PicsArt for the nursing photo. You can add the tree and they have some really cool and crazy filters. Check it out.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
That is so wonderful that she’s not picky; I was super picky when I was little till I was about 15 or 16… O_O I love that you share oatmeal in the morning, and I hope she continues to try all the yummy foods you feed her.
You and me both. Her being a good eater is a huge win. I’m very grateful.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
Oh I hope she stays a good eater. My sisters and I were so picky, my poor mother. But now we are open to almost everything! So weird how that happens.
Patricia @Sweet and Strong recently posted…[Solidcore] Workout Class Review
I can understand since I was a picky eater too. Thank goodness Ave didn’t get that from me.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
I love that you did this post! That breastfeeding photo is SO COOL. It’s a framer! Not sure where you’d put it though. Ha! And I doubt Ave would be cool with it hanging in the living room when she’s 13. Callum is a good eater…when he’s hungry. If he’s not hungry, you couldn’t even pay him to eat cake. But when he is hungry? Watch out! He loves broccoli.
Suzy recently posted…Settling Into the Crack
Thanks, I thought the nursing pic was super cool too. I used an called PicsArt. It’s sweet, you should check it out for sure.
Go Callum, eating his broccoli.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
Ahh the ups and downs of motherhood…children are the epitome of the commercials for Sour Patch Kids (“first their sour…then they’re sweet”). I was not a picky eater growing up. My favorite after school snack was a bagel with melted cheese. Actually, that’s still my favorite snack.
Jamie@TheMomGene recently posted…25 Mood Boosting Songs
I just so happen to have bagels in the fridge right now, and I’ve always got cheese on hand so I think I know what’s for dinner tonight. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
Ave just might surprise you by popping up one morning with a bright little tooth and no fussing at al! Not that it ever happened for me, my kids were all very sensitive but I’ve heard about it happening, so I’m crossing my fingers and toes for you. Seems like it’s your turn at the “easy” button! Though if I were you I’d save it for the teen years.
I grew up in a family where by the time my dad was 23, he had (intentionally) become the father of 7 in 7 years. He always said he wanted a bakers dozen but my poor mom wore out. They fed us what they grew in the summer, and canned, and what my dad hunted and fished, butchered himself, also canned or put up in the freezer.
So being picky eaters was never an option. Snacks, treats, and big meals were a rare treat we had when visiting Grandmas house. When a meal was was put in front of us, we ate because we were hungry. We always had a starch, potato, green veg or corn from the garden the summer before, and meat, but it had to last the year, so a lot of extra wasn’t cooked. If we didn’t like something we didn’t have to finish it, there was always an older brother who was more than happy to have our portion. I only did that on Saturday nights, popcorn night! An inexpensive treat that we could have as much as we wanted of. Mom and Dad would keep making big kettles of hot buttered popcorn for as long we’d eat it. And we had two big pitchers of Koolaid!
Your memories sound pretty awesome. I think the idea of growing up in a big family is really cool. My father-in-law is one of fourteen (!) so I’ve seen the big groups in action. That being said, I’m happy to be one and done with little Ave. I’m also crossing my fingers on easy teething. We went on a lunch date today, just the two of us, and it went swimminglu. Big sigh of relief.
I swear babyled weaning got our kids to eat more… until they were older. I tell them that they used to love something when they were babies and they just roll their eyes and think I’m full of crap. My love of bread and cheese has continued since childhood. My grandmother used to call me Mouse because all I wanted was cheese (like most kids) and I still love it… I wasn’t an adventurous eater as a kid, but once I moved out and started cooking for myself I began to experiment more with foods.
Heather recently posted…Week In Review – Bugs and a Road Trip
Who doesn’t love cheese? Seriously, it’s amazing and I adore it too. When I’d go grocery shopping with my mom, my younger self would go to the deli counter and always ask for a “piece of cheese please.”
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
ohhhh i can’t wait till i can feed L more foods! she tries a lot of things but i will have her try some scalloped potatoes soon, and that bread, avo, broccoli, cottage cheese combo sounds great! L thankfully loves her formula – mama’s bm was making her vomit so after a small breakdown and switched. she is so much happier so i’m happy and relieved.
i used to love anything that i didn’t get at home when i was a kid, which was fried chicken. my great grandmother made chinese style fried chicken but i wanted the american stuff, the stuff that came in a big popcorn bucket. well that never happened but every now and then my mom would get my fried chicken with gravy from the grocery store counter = happy kid. the gravy was way better than the chicken, but i couldn’t ask for just gravy and no chicken…
my favorite foods that we ate at home were fried bananas, green onion pancakes, quiche, and rice with stinky tofu and sweet sesame oil. very strange but good stuff 🙂
danielle recently posted…WIR sleep less play more
It’ funny, we never seem to appreciate our mother’s food growing up. It isn’t until we’re older and wiser that we recognize the value of those home cooked meals.
You know what I say? Fed is best so you feed little Ms. Lulu in whatever works for you gals.She’s healthy and thriving and that’s all that matters.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
She’s adorable! I was never really a picky eater. I ate almost everything. I did have my “that’s gross!” phases but they never lasted long.
That’s awesome. Your parents were lucky, I was horribly picky growing up and none of my foods could touch or else I wouldn’t eat anything.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
I can’t believe she eats all that! I’m impressed. I also don’t blame her for still hitting the boob bar hard.
I was an insanely picky child. I really feel bad for my mom. Like, if we went to Mexican she’d have to make me a PB&J to take along because I wouldn’t eat the restaurant food. Except sopapillas. I’ve never has to be convinced to eat dessert.
We were fools when we were younger. I wish I could say that’s changed, although we will eat now. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
That nursing picture is beautiful! Did you do that? Did you have a friend do that? That’s the sort of portrait you can treasure. <3
Joyce @ The Hungry Caterpillar recently posted…Low-FODMAP Green Chili Chicken Stew
It’s a brelfie (breastfeeding selfie). I took a regular picture and used an app called PicsArt to add the tree and the cool filter. Pretty sweet right?!
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
Go Ave! I don’t remember being a picky kid… But if defintiely wasn’t eating avocado or rye bread! That’s one lucky lady, who hopefully, will have a great palate because of you!
Both my parents didn’t really like fish so I never grew up eating it, in fact I thought I didn’t like it! I wish I had been introduced to it, and shellfish, when I was younger. Making up for that now though!
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape recently posted…The BEST thing you can do right now to prep for the CrossFit Open #5TTT
There’s so many foods I wouldn’t touch when I was younger and of course my food wasn’t allowed to touch or I wouldn’t eat anything. Talk about a problem child. Thankful Ave didn’t inherit that from me. Phew.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
This interests me because my youngest son required a separate fork or spoon for each food on his plate which also could not be touching! It started as soon as he was able to articulate his ‘quirk’, probably about the age of 14. So because he was an early talker. I ended it when he was about 4 and it began impossible for him to eat in a restaurant without all of the family offering up our spoons! We had a few weeks of tears and food strikes. Eventually hunger won out!
14 months, that is!
My horrible habit went all the way through college. In fact, my parents are astounded I became a food blogger because I was so damn food adverse. I would eat like 10 things. You were good to nip it in the bud when you did. although I can’t blame my parents. They tried everything, including hunger. It didn’t work for me..I was also incredibly stubborn, a trait Ave is already displaying. Gulp.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
Wow you’ve raised a good eater- love that Ave is already eating her greens! Growing up, I was completely averse to veggies- wouldn’t eat them unless they were covered in cheese, cream or puff pastry! Looks like up I am making up for lost time right now because I can’t get enough of ’em…until at least the fibre baby kicks in ;)!
Yep thus far, we’ve gotten real lucky with Ave’s eating. Cross those fingers it continues.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
Granted Ave eats better than me these days! Rye bread, avocado, broccoli and cottage cheese – I wouldn’t mind sharing her lunch 🙂
I was the pickiest of the pickiest as a child. I basically refused to eat anything but mashed potatoes until I was about 3 years old. It’s funny because mashed potatoes are the only form of potatoes I really absolutely cannot stand now. Oh and tater tots – because this is basically mashed potato in solid form.
Juli@1000lovelythings recently posted…Week in Review – The Happy Edition
I was very much like you, an incredible picky eater. Thankfully Ave didn’t inherit that gene, at least not yet. Also she loves potatoes in all forms. Smart kid.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
Yea I totally love that tree of life photo you made, very artsy. I’d hit the boob bar multiple times too if I could. Although I don’t drink milk…but if I were a small child I’m sure I would. OK this is getting weird.
Brittany recently posted…Seattle Staycation
Your weirdness is always welcome here.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
Wow she really does know how to eat! Very impressive. You’re actually making me miss nursing now too, it was the only time I would really relax and not feel like I needed to be doing something else. I wasn’t a picky eater but 2 of my kids are, still are and probably will always be, so much respect for Ave!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…Whole30 Challenges and Updates for the Week
Her eating is really impressive. We got lucky in that regard. Now I’m just hoping it sticks, especially since I was horrifically picky growing up.
Meghan recently posted…WIAW: Ave’s Edition
I was a relatively picky eater when I was a kid, and then at 16 I became a vegetarian, which my parents had no idea how to deal with!
Lisa @ Lisa 3D recently posted…BoxyCharm | January 2017
I was the same way. Our poor parents, we sure made it tricky for them, huh?!
Meghan recently posted…Week in Review: Silver Linings (#67)
That nursing picture of the two of you is beautiful! I have to say it looks like Miss Ave is eating better than me somedays… I really need to get my butt back into gear when it comes to cooking.
I wasn’t terribly picky as a kid, but I was never very adventurous, of course I’m cursing myself now for not enjoy all the gluten-y goodness of the world back when I had the chance :0
I understand because I think Ave eats better than me most days too. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Week in Review: Silver Linings (#67)