Friday, September 28, 2007

Just eat it!!!!


So, it's going to be one of those types of days. Let me explain what that means around my house:

1. The day begins before 6 am.

2. There is a lot of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth (by children and mom).

3. There are still tons of errands to be done and lessons to be administered before lunch begins.

4. See #2.

5. We fight about food and sleep.

6. Dad comes home and mom turns into a zombie.
Now, to explain to you who don't know the in's and out's of the Petersen family (note correct usage of apostrophes--see blog post below) my kids have two main issues: food and sleep. My kids are well-behaved, they don't destroy my house, they do as they are asked, they love me and my husband...okay really this is mostly describing Ryanna because Owen is too young to deserve such accolades as of yet. Back to their issues.

My daughter is not a good eater as you read about a couple of posts ago. She has an iron will about not eating things she doesn't want to eat. Big deal you say, my kid is the same way. That may be, but does your child take an hour to eat a piece of toast? Do you have to allow an hour for your child to consume her lunch which consists of 4 chicken nuggets (the dinosaur shape by request) and about 10 carrot sticks? Do you have to repeatedly remind your child to eat while she's at the table and there are no toys, other humans or anything else remotely fun in sight? Well, if you don't, you don't understand this struggle.

Two meals of the day Ryanna usually gets to eat food of her own choosing (chicken nuggest, fish sticks, bean burritos, etc. for lunch) and (go-gurt, apples, toast, cereal, etc for breakfast). It still takes an hour for consumption.

My sweet, little boy was looking to be such a great eater. He would gobble down his rice or oatmeal cereal whether it has anything mixed in or not. I thought, "Finally, I deserve this. God knew I couldn't deal with this again." Well, starting last week Owen jumped on the food issues bandwagon. He now immediately spits out all cereal I attempt to place in his mouth. Think of one of those play-do toys where you place the play-do in one end and push the lever down and see it come quickly out the other end. Only with Owen, the food is going in and coming out the same hole and it's not fun for the whole family.

Okay, so the kid doesn't want cereal, what does he want. Let me tell you what I've discovered that is: chicken and ONLY chicken. Did he miss the train when cave men were coming to earth and just come a couple thousand years too late? Am I not nurturing the masculine side of him? Should I get him a club and buy some chickens to run around the backyard and let him go at it? Come on, just eat already!!!!

You know, I would blame my husband for all of this, but he's not a picky eater at all. I don't think I'm particularly picky, but definitely more picky than him (I don't do watermelon, sweet potatoes, undercooked meats...I'm sure there's a few more things I haven't thought of).

Not only does Owen not want to really eat anything other than meat, he refuses to take naps in his crib. As soon as I lay him down he stands up and screams and cries at the top of his lungs for...forever really. I usually let him do this for about 20-30 minutes because I'm in the middle of trying to give my daughter some attention. However, today it's going to be longer because I just need the break.

Featured below was the funny face that he used to make when I would feed him something new. Oh how I long for those days...

9 comments:

Annie said...

Yeah, owen didn't eat the cereal for me either...he did the playdough thingy. :( I hope some mercy shines down on you soon! I'll tell you, Jack and I can not STAND picky eaters! Although, I will also not eat watermelon...hmmm maybe a picky eater is in my future?!?!

Adrienne said...

Hi Audrey, how are you? It's been years since I heard from you, but I check Jack & Annie's blog once in a blue moon and saw your name and voila, there you were! How are you? What a cute baby Owen is. How old is Ryanna now? I'd love to hear from you!

Crazymamaof6 said...

OH that is a huge nightmare. i have to admit i have 5 good eaters and one lame on but i don't fight the good fight that you do. i leave her to her own devices. if she doesn't want what is offered she is welcome to fix her own food. within reason. but lucky me she is almost 8 and she is capable. none of mine take a long time to eat and that would be hugely annoying. good luck with that!

DKAZ said...

You're lucky you posted this or I wouldn't have believed your message...ha, ha, ha. Sorry it was one of "those" days. Luckily it's the weekend and you'll get some help! I LIVE for the help.

wackywilsons said...

I love reading your blogs...I have been without a computer for a few days and have needed to catch up!

First of all, i love the posh look...have you seen my blog about the posh mom life style? For sure read it, it now applies to you and your cute do. How is Brooke by the way and her adorable baby girl?

I can feel for you with your kids and their pickiness...it is hard to make them eat..especially when they are small to begin with! Austin has issues every now and then, and i just hope that he will grow into the bribing stage that has worked so well with Wesley. If he eats certain foods, he for sure gets ice cream, etc.

how is your house? settled in yet?

Brooke said...

Seriously Isaac is EXACTLY the same. . . one difference, his four chicken nuggets (dinosaur shaped)only get half eaten (the heads and the tails get eaten off), and there would NEVER be any carrots consumed. Possibly one french fry and half a grape.

He has also started throwing fits. I am thankful that his meltdowns are normally at home, and not in public.

Isaac does like trashing the house. But he likes helping me clean up at the end of the day, so I can't complain too much!

Luckily the only struggle I have with Ainsley's eating habits is she refuses any kind of baby food. She wants to food off of my plate. She eats what I eat for dinner, just smashed with a fork a bit. Cereal, and any jar food FORGET IT!

Keep me updated on what works :)and maybe I can get lucky with Isaac.

Lara Neves said...

But, c'mon....when I see this kid's smile (and never even in real life!), I just want to do anything for him. Let him spit. :)

Sophie is my first picky eater. She's a good eater if she decides she likes it, but if she doesn't, she will spit it everywhere. Explosively...you don't want to be within 10 feet of the high chair when she decides she doesn't like something.

SHERI said...

OK- he doesn't eat- but he sure is cute!

Brooke said...

I am excited about your book list. I LOVE to read, and need some new ideas. Tons on your list! Thanks!