OFFENSIVE INSTINCTIVELY

As you probably know, Liam is a good eater. Last week we finally found the first food that he absolutely rejected and he did so with such force that it reminded me of another person who feels the same way about that food. My boss, George, also hates this green veggie and I've heard him go on several rants about how terrible it is. I sent him this email after it appeared that Liam felt the same way.

George,

I'm sure you'll feel very vindicated by this story.

Liam has eaten every type of new food we have put in front of him with no hesitation. Whether it be mangoes, peas, pineapple, green beans or yogurt it has not mattered. He gobbles them down and eats as much as he can.

Not until last week did he flat out reject a food and refuse to eat it. That food was broccoli.

Normally I like broccoli but I tried some of his, which is steamed and then pureed in the food processor. I had to agree that it wasn't very good.

So far I have been able to fool him into eating it by mixing it in with his squash. I hope you don't think I'm a bad parent for doing that to him.

Colin Merna

SNOWBABY

I took photos while the two kids played in the snow.

LEFTOVERS

I LOVE it when this happens. Why? Because I get to eat the leftovers. Today's leftovers were a blueberry-apple puree and chicken with peas and carrots.

Before you judge me know that my normal lunch was a tuna fish sandwich.

Which would you choose?

NEMO

I didn't think that Liam would enjoy getting water on his face. It was an assumption I had made from seeing other babies being bathed. As it turns out, nothing makes him happier than a water war with his Nemo fish.

PLAY DATE

PLAYING GAMES

This morning Liam and I were sleeping in together but he was really just waiting for me to wake up because he had an evil plan in store.

After I opened my eyes and looked over at him he took out his ni-ni (pacifier) and held it out to me, as if he wanted to share. When I went to grab it he took it away and put it back in his mouth and smiled at me. Then when I took my hand away he took the ni-ni out and offered it to me again, and again, when I went to take it he put it back in his mouth and laughed at me. He did this four times.

By that time I was crying and Jamie had to get me my own ni-ni.

CHICKEN

Chicken has been a struggle but we're getting a little bit better and we can now contain it to a 3 inch radius around the mouth.

THE OFFICE

We just refurnished Liam's office. He spends a lot of time working with all his fancy new devices. I don't really understand the all that high tech stuff he has. What I do know is that I'm always excited when he's done in there and finally has time to come back out and play with me.

TALK TO THE HAND

Today it appears that Liam has learned how to use his hand to push mine away when he disagrees with what I'm doing to him. It's almost as if we've had our first official disagreement. When he has cried in that past about something I've done it has felt like he was just crying at the world, at whatever discomfort he felt. When he pushes my hand away now it feels much more like direct opposition to ME and refusal to adhere to what I'm asking.

The good news is that he has an insatiable appetite and so he has never, and has never given a hint that he will, refuse a spoon full of food. Probably setting myself up here but we all seem to be on the same page here when it's feeding time.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

New Year's Eve was highlighted by matching polar bear shirts. One of us looked cute wearing it and the other two looked a bit strange. Jamie did keep her's clean though as I spilled wine and Liam drooled all over his.

The Little Man stayed up late but not late enough to be to see the new year in. He had a different plan though and he was up with his mother to wish her well at about 2:00 am.