Eating time

Our little girl eats everything. We started Evie on solid foods at 5 months old and from the first bite, she loved eating and never looked back on her milk days. 

I assumed my experience with the boys would be the same. Although I thought the boys were ready for solid foods at 5 months, the doctor told us that we had to wait until 6 months because they were born 4 weeks prematurely. So, we waited. However, during the past month, I’ve felt guilty eating in front of any of the boys because they looked at my solid food with such longing. 

Finally, a few days ago, I was eating a juicy peach, and Caleb gazed at it, smacking his lips with desire. Close enough. It was time. 

I told John that our boys needed solid food. One week early is not going to hurt anything. So this week, we mixed the boys their first bowl of baby cereal. Now for those of you who have had babies, you know that baby cereal is rather unappetizing.  It looks like wet sand, and I imagine it tastes like that too.  

I was so excited on Tuesday morning when we lined the boys up in their car seats, put their bibs on them and mixed up their breakfast. 

One…two…three…right in a row we fed them their food. 

I sat with eager anticipation of the smiles that were sure to follow such culinary joy; however, instead I was met with the opposite! Instead of smacking their lips for more, James made a face that was a mix between being utterly disgusted and offended. 

"Unfair"

Caleb was a little unsure; he wasn’t excited about it and spit most of it out.

"Don't make me"

 And then there was Levi. Levi’s reaction really surprised me the most. Levi is my hefty boy, my future quarterback. I assumed he was ready for steak and potatoes at 3 months old and that he would be thrilled by the idea of solid foods. However, after his first taste, his face filled with horror, then disgust and then rage! He screamed, kicked his legs in rebellion and twisted his whole body in an attempt to escape this torture known as solid foods.

"I can't believe you'd do this to me!"

 I couldn’t believe it. So, after only a few bites each, we had disgust and rage as a result. The second feeding had to go better right?! 

The next day we again lined up the boys for eating. This time, the minute we strapped on the bibs, they knew what was coming. Levi started crying and twisting his body to escape. James looked utterly devastated that we would put him through this again. And Caleb just cried sorrowfully, voicing his opinion that he’d much prefer babies’ milk. 

Yesterday, Evie declared she wanted salad, with dressing, for dinner. And steamed edamame. 

She devours her pulled pork sandwiches. She’s open to sushi. She’s never had an issue with eating broccoli by the bowl full. My friends would often comment how lucky I was that I had such a good eater. I didn’t know any different because she was my first, and she always liked to eat. Now I understand. Perhaps things will change with the boys; it’s only been a few days in this world of “solid foods.” 

I am constantly reminded that even though I have four kids who all came from the same DNA-3 from the same womb at the same time- they are indeed all very different kids. And, I have to remember to treat them like that as they grow. It would be easy to sign them up for the same sports, the same activities; but, I have to leave room for them to become an individual with their own interests and pursuits. 

Not as healthy, but definitely enjoyable

However, when it comes to meal time, I already know that there are far too many people to accommodate for everyone’s likes and dislikes. So far in the Patton family, everyone is pretty open to eating anything. 

The boys will have to grow into the Patton way. 

Sushi and Indian curry will be a part of their lives. 

For now, it’s cereal time. Open up boys!

The eating table made especially for the boys by John's father!