Dinner, PUH-LEASE!

Let me start with a demonstration of the topic of this post.
This is what Kaiya looks like most any time we try to feed her.

This is what we wish fervently that she would look more like when we try to feed her.

Ok, venting session begins! Why will my child not eat?! Oh my gosh, this is such a frustrating topic for me right now! Kaiya has never been a great eater, let's face it. She's been OKAY, at times, but I heavily stress the "at times" part. About a month ago, I thought we had finally turned a corner because she was eating like CRAZY! Like bowl after bowl, crying for more kind of eating. It was like mannah (literally) from heaven! We were breathing huge sighs of relief and actually enjoying meal times! Then, it was like someone flipped a switch and she won't eat ANYTHING now! No joke, it was like overnight! So, for the past few weeks, I think everyone dreads feeding time! And don't worry, I have searched the internet and asked everyone I know for advice. And of course, she was eating like a wild woman when she had her last doctor's appointment, so I never even thought to bring it up with him then for some help. I have tried pretty much everything! I have been offering every kind of finger food I can think of, which she will have nothing to do with. Won't even try to pick anything up to put in her mouth, unless of course, it's a piece of puffed cereal -- she will still eat those. And aren't they so packed-full of nutrition -- yeah right! So, then I will try to feed her pureed food with some chunks of whatever I can think of. You would think her mouth was wired shut. You couldn't pry that thing open with the jaws of life! Those beautiful, full lips of hers just disappear into the most tightly clenched pursing you have ever seen. And more recently, she has learned the art of swatting as soon as the spoon is within reach. Ahh, how I love food splattered all over me and her and everything in the vicinity! We have tried tricking, playing, sometimes forcing, singing, dancing, just short of standing on our heads with flippers on our feet, letting her try feeding herself, but nothing works. Every once in awhile, she will surprise us and eat a good portion of whatever we are offering, so we think, ok she likes that particular thing, so let's try it again. But the next time she won't eat it at all. But then within about 10 minutes of giving up trying ot feed her, she will start fussing and the minute we offer her bottle, she downs it. So, I know she's hungry! Yesterday, I actually shed a few tears, I was so frustrated! And people always say, oh don't worry, it's just a phase, she'll grow out of it, but when you are the one who is in the middle of very consciously trying to prepare 3 meals a day, only to have them swatted at or thrown down the drain more often, it's a little bit hard to just accept the fact that it will all be ok. Most importantly, though, is that I am naturally worried about her nutrition. I mean, she can't be on her bottle forever, and she obviously isn't getting any nutrition anywhere else at the moment! It is just so frustrating! And I know it must be frustrating for her, probably even more than it is for me! I try so hard to plaster on my smile and make it a positive experience when I sit her down in her chair, but after about 30 minutes of the battle, I have to throw my white flag up in the air and surrender. It's funny, too, because I have a couple of friends who tell me they wish their child was more like Kaiya because they can't STOP their babies from eating. Oh, how would that be?! I can only imagine! Funny how our individual trials can be at such opposite ends of the spectrum!

Ok, that's my rant. Back to the drawing board to try some more! I won't give up -- maybe persistence will be on my side! But anyone else ever had this problem? What worked for you?!

On a more positive note, we now have 2 top teeth (to go with the 4 on the bottom that came in first), and a new piggy friend to join the first lone piggy! I love me some piggy! And this girl has got some major wavy hair in the back! It's so cute! I always wanted a little curl, since my hair was so stick straight, so it's fun to see it on Kaiya! She is standing all over the place, holding onto whatever she can, started to crawl a lot more this week, and loves to walk while holding onto your fingers! So, we'll take progress in other areas if we can't get it in eating right now! Love this girl to pieces, even if she won't eat!!