Picky Eating

Almost overnight, Eva has decided to exercise her power in making food choices. She's lost interest in the fresh fruits I cut up for her, and tends to pick the meat, bread or favorite veggies from her tray and leave the rest. Sometimes the novelty of using a toddler spoon or fork will engross her attention enough that she will eat whatever she manages to get onto it regardless, but not always. To be fair, she doesn't have much of an appetite for more than couple bites of anything right now. The heat probably has something to do with that. But if she ever catches us eating, she instantly wants a bite of whatever we're having, even if she turned her nose at the exact same thing on her plate not moments before. And it has to be from our plate; no fair serving her separately in the highchair.

Nursing has been reduced to a bedtime or naptime indulgence, although in the case of a boo-boo or unsettling event (such as a doctor's visit), mommy's breast is considered a soothing retreat from all evils. When she wants to nurse she uses the sign for “milk”, pumping her little hand so earnestly at me it’s hard to say no. With a reduction in breastfeeding, I'm realizing it is probably time for me to start returning to pre-pregnancy eating habits. I've always been more of a grazer, anyway, but I need to cut back on my portions and sweet tooth indulgences I previously would have been able to get away with. Since interrupting my day to make a sandwich or sit down and eat is such a hassle, I frequently catch myself snacking on whatever is available, which usually isn't much healthier than a cookie. I'm going to have to start stocking up on healthier finger foods. Dinner is a different story, because I always like to have a healthy meal waiting for Dave when he gets home, that I can chop up for baby food the next day.