Eating Milestones

As of two weeks ago, we've officially kicked the bottle habit and we're exclusively using sippy cups. As of this week, we're also beginning the transition to real milk. Reese continues to feed herself three meals a day and two snacks. Her eating preferences change with the wind, so its anyone's guess whether or not a meal that was previously loved and devoured will produce similar results upon its next presentation. (For example, the video posted below shows her eating mashed potatoes--she hasn't eaten them since.)

Other food-worthy notes:
Reese is beginning to use a spoon by herself. She's able to scoop up sticky foods and get the spoon in her mouth. She doesn't use the spoon for the whole meal. Sometimes she uses the spoon to scoop items up and then picks them out of the spoon's bowl to put them into her mouth. Other times, she will use the spoon in one hand (usually her right) and simultaneously pick up food with her left hand. Her favorite "spooning" dish is currently apple sauce with oatmeal flakes mixed in. When feeding herself with the spoon it's a good idea to stand back, though, because she has used the spoon as a catapult a couple of times and covered me, the counter, and the floor with applesauce. It's always good for a laugh when I shout out in surprise when applesauce lands on my face.


Reese is also growing interested in using a "real" cup to drink out of. Currently, I let her take sips from my glass, or through a straw if I'm drinking something appropriate for sharing. I also let her try to give herself sips of water from a small cup at least once a day. She gets the water in her mouth, with large portions running down her chin. Two days ago, she took a few successful sips, set the cup down, then picked the cup back up, turned it upside down and watched the water pour out onto her tray. The water, mixed with her food, became a great playtime activity until she started dropping wet cheerios on the dog and screeching. (Funny? Yes. A habit I want to encourage? Not really.)

Strange observation: The tray on Reese's highchair has a rounded area where you can set cups. Now when Reese eats, she sometimes insists that her cup be placed in this area; after she sips, she works very hard and intentionally to get it back to it's place.