Independence

Eli is all about asserting his independence lately. Mostly this is taking the shape of food battles. In general, he has always been a very picky eater. Now when he has his toddler mood swings, it becomes an impossible guessing game to feed him. One week he loves cheese and yogurt raisins, the next week they make him gag and he spits them everywhere. Right now he is on a "real food" strike and will only eat breakfast bars, tortillas "tillas," dried fruit bars (like roll ups but real fruit) and dry cereal. Forget apples, avocado, nuts or anything that might actually nourish his growing body. Apparently anything remotely moist, warm OR cool is evil - he will sign and scream "HOT," start crying, and throw it as far as he can. It makes a lot of stress for mom! I have a hard time finding the balance of supporting his need for autonomy and letting him choose things to eat, and trying to force feed him something with nutrients! Lol. Forcefeeding doesn't actually work around here, or "waiting it out" by letting him starve/cry in his high chair etc. So breakfast bars it is... hopefully next week he will be on to something else. Does anyone else feel like pulling out their hair over their toddlers' assertions???

Anyway, I know that developing his independence and testing his world is a good thing.
For instance, he can now sweep my floors .....


Completely disassemble small appliances when
I'm not looking ......

And operate the computer (ie. adjust the monitor settings) all by himself .....


What a smart, independent boy I have on my hands! I love you Eli!