No! No! No!

"Here we go Cutie Pie! It's a new food. No, you put it in your mouth. What's wrong? It's not yucky, it's good. Put it back in your mouth. You'll like it. No, leave it in your mouth. It's good. Yum yum yum! What's wrong? Are you choking? Why are you coughing? It's not even in your mouth! OK, smile and open wide. Here comes another bite!"

Cutie Pie is expanding his repertoire of food. Each day we try a new food or texture. He used to be very adventurous, willing to try anything new. Now he is becoming more cautious. He is careful when he puts new foods in his mouth and sometimes makes his I don't like it face before the food even touches his lips! He's never had an allergic reaction or a bad experience with food. So, I'm not sure where this new apprehension is coming from. Luckily once he tastes it, he usually likes it. He's even starting to like bananas.

Just a few weeks ago, I could name every food he'd ever had. But now that he's a solid food pro it is easier for me to name foods he hasn't had.

Cutie Pie is now only mildly interested in eating but he is fascinated by the mess he can make with his food. He actively tries to knock the food off the spoon. Once there is a splat of something on his high chair tray, he reaches for it enthusiastically and smears it as far as he can reach. Then Cutie Pie likes to grab his sippy cup and slam it on the table. He knows it won't spill if he tips it over but he can get water to fly out the spout if he bangs it. So this is what he does. He closes his eyes because he knows he will get splashed in the face.

Meal time has become great fun for Cutie Pie. He especially likes it when we have guests over so he can show off his new tricks to visitors. He loves to smile and flirt with Grandma in between bites.

Somehow he has learned to shake his head as if he is saying "No! No! No!" I have no idea how he learned this because as far as I can remember, Cutie Pie has never even heard the word no! Meal time is especially fun to say No. Cutie Pie likes to do it right as the spoon is entering his mouth, sending food flying every which way. It's part of his plan for turning meal time into play time. The kid is a genius.

http://theadventuresofcutiepie.blogspot.com/