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For Mother's Day we braved the crowds and headed to Joe's Farm Grill in Gilbert (not to be missed if you are in AZ!). The kids were SO good about waiting in line. In fact, Gracie loved watching all of the people. You can also see into the kitchen and she got to watch how all of the food was being prepared. Then she sat up on the counter and helped us order. She was so excited when our food came out at the pick up window that she immediately grabbed a sausage off the plate and took a huge bite :) Then she dug into the pancakes which, Ramsey and I agreed, were very good. I swear, we are so weird. Me, my Mom and Ramsey were all taking videos and pictures of Gracie eating. I mean, who does that?! Ha! But it is a huge deal. *see posts from 2011- ugh* Ever since Friday 5/10/13 Gracie had been on this wonderful eating kick. She has been eating pretty well ever since last fall, I would say, but recently she had been back to not having a lot of interest in food. I think this was caused by a recipe that I do not recommend for those with feeding issues:
3/4 Cup of Turning 2 and everything is a battle
2 Cups of New Baby Brother
1/4 Cup of Mommy is distracted with said brother
5 Cups of being too busy and distracted with new words, shows, thoughts and life in general to bother with food
A Dash of trying a little milk mixed with formula- not so much
So it was time for this mommy to put on my feeding therapist hat and get creative! I sat down with that little monkey and literally coached her through each and every bite.
"Do you feel where the food is in your mouth? How does that bread feel? Can you tell where it is in your mouth? This food feels different. Did you remember to swallow it before you take your next bite? Yummy- that tastes so good! Now the food is going down into your tummy! Yay! Your tummy is SO happy now! Your body is getting so strong from this delicious food!"
I also enlisted some episodes of Curious George, which we use to keep her focused so she will sit and eat enough. But this time, I would pause George until she took a bite. I have been doing this 3 meals a day since last Friday and IT IS WORKING!! She is eating like we have NEVER seen her eat before!! I am talking 3 REAL meals a day, not just a few crackers and one berry. YES!!! I think she also likes the ridiculous dances and songs I do when she becomes a member of the "Clean Plate Club". One day when I tell her that I used to be a dancer, she is never gonna believe me ;)
3/4 Cup of Turning 2 and everything is a battle
2 Cups of New Baby Brother
1/4 Cup of Mommy is distracted with said brother
5 Cups of being too busy and distracted with new words, shows, thoughts and life in general to bother with food
A Dash of trying a little milk mixed with formula- not so much
So it was time for this mommy to put on my feeding therapist hat and get creative! I sat down with that little monkey and literally coached her through each and every bite.
"Do you feel where the food is in your mouth? How does that bread feel? Can you tell where it is in your mouth? This food feels different. Did you remember to swallow it before you take your next bite? Yummy- that tastes so good! Now the food is going down into your tummy! Yay! Your tummy is SO happy now! Your body is getting so strong from this delicious food!"
I also enlisted some episodes of Curious George, which we use to keep her focused so she will sit and eat enough. But this time, I would pause George until she took a bite. I have been doing this 3 meals a day since last Friday and IT IS WORKING!! She is eating like we have NEVER seen her eat before!! I am talking 3 REAL meals a day, not just a few crackers and one berry. YES!!! I think she also likes the ridiculous dances and songs I do when she becomes a member of the "Clean Plate Club". One day when I tell her that I used to be a dancer, she is never gonna believe me ;)