Mealtimes = Messy Time

So, lately, Natalie has been wanting to be extra independent lately at mealtimes. She is refusing to be fed, unless of course it is off our plate of food. She seems to eat very well if she can pick up her food and feed herself. Sometimes, I can feed her but only if she is holding a spoon in her hand, as if she was feeding herself. She also basically refuses anything pureed like baby food, such as applesauce and yogurt. Her favorite finger foods are really most vegetables, mandarin oranges, peaches, raviolis, and of course, let's not forget...cheerios!

She may take a couple bites, but then spits it back out to you. The spitting usually means she is done or does not like whatever it is you are trying to feed her. The spitting thing is really annoying and she does not respond to saying "no" or to lightly smacking her mouth. I really don't know what else to do.

I'm all about her feeding herself, but the mess is crazy and LOTS of extra work for me!  I can't wait until she uses silverware to feed herself (much longer down the line, I know)!  She still will not take a sippy cup other than meals, the rest of the time she takes a bottle. I have not yet had the patience/courage to refuse to give her a bottle and only let her use a sippy cup, but the time is coming soon!  She still won't take a sippy cup that has a hard spout...only the soft spout like her bottles, but it's a step in the right direction I guess.

Bath time after dinner tonight! Then, straight to bed because she was really fussy and didn't even want her bottle. Daycare must have worn her out today!

In the mornings lately, she has been very clingy. As soon as she drinks her bottle and is dressed, she does not want to be let down. If you set her down to do something or have her play, she just cries. I'm all about snuggling/cuddling her, but on my work days, I have to make sure I don't get her up (hope she stays asleep until I'm ready) until I am ready to go because otherwise I won't be able to get ready the rest of the way without a lot of increased time and with only one hand!