I've recently had another one of those moments when I realize I've done something as a mother I planned not to do. As most of you know, John (essentially) won't eat solids. He's had a few moments of successfully eating solids, but for the most part, he has no part of it. However, he has taken a liking to goldfish crackers, which aren't evil, but are pretty worthless nutritionally. The other night, we kept the bag of goldfish with us on the couch and watched as John ate about eight crackers! He'd eat one cracker, toddle off and play, come back for another cracker, toddle off . . . . So, that is one more thing to try: keeping healthy toddler snacks visibly available so he'll be inspired because he definitely does not seem to like properly sitting down in his booster seat and eating a meal with us. Anyway, since he's showing such favor for goldfish crackers, I actually bought some Gerber food designed for toddlers, something I never wanted to do. There's no reason a toddler can't eat a toddler-safe version of normal, human, grown-up food, you know? But I broke down and bought carrot-flavored wagon wheels and freeze-dried apples and strawberries. Indeed, John took an immediate liking to the wagon wheels and may be developing a taste for the freeze-dried strawberries. Harumph!
I'm not sure, but I might have seen a glimpse of John understanding me tonight. He was melting down and I knew he needed to rest. I took him upstairs, changed him into pajamas, and said "Let's go lie down together, honey." He was walking ahead of me, not following behind me, yet he trotted right over to his napping mat and lay down with a big smile on his face. Could have been coincidence, so I'll watch for him doing that again.
Well, as I sit here preparing for another New England ice storm tomorrow, I am envious of your balmy weather! Sorry for your Iris', but I am LONGING for warmth!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he totally understood every word you said. The other day Dave asked Christina in Spanish if she wanted to get down on the floor. She practically leaped out of his arms! He was surprised by her comprehension, too.
ReplyDeleteHas John showed any progress in making signs back to you? I rented Talking Hands and Soren, Miriam and Jireh have been doing the signs for a lot of basic words, and I use them on Christina, but nothing so far.
I was going to suggest the Gerber Graduates snacks at one point, but I didn't think they were something you'd want to give John. Emma's always liked those little finger foods.
ReplyDeleteThe Earth's Best Sunny Days fruit filled cereal bars are good too. I was never able to really get her to eat any sort of rice cereal or oatmeal (can't blame her, as I dislike hot cereal myself), but she loves the fruit filled cereal bars.
Rebecca: Don't worry! Irises die every winter and come back in the spring. I was just giving them a "hair cut."
ReplyDeleteSarah: Yes, I'm starting to see progress in John signing. First, he is pointing to everything in a new way, as if he is trying to communicate or ask for the label (which means I have to brush up on a whole lot more signs). In California, he created a sign for Grampa Neil, which he used consistently when he saw him or when he heard him in the other room. John has adopted his version of the sign for "eating." I was patting my fingers to my lips and smacking my lips simultaneously, and John now smacks his lips in an exaggerated way when he wants to eat solids.
ReplyDeleteJohn stares at my hands very intently when I sign. So, he hasn't imitated me much yet, but he is showing comprehension and is paying attention. I think it is a matter of fine motor skills.
Starting at 12 months with signing is a good time, I've read. It might take 2-3 months before Christina has her "Helen Keller moment." Then, I've read, once the baby gets what signs are, she really starts aquiring them with some speed.
Sarah: P.S. With Christina, you are saying the word outloud while you sign simultaneously, right? Then follow up with the action, if there is one (like, "Do you want to eat?" [sign] Then hand her some food.).
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't make any signs at all yet. I know she understands what I am saying, but as I am also saying the words (and she has already been demonstrating comprehension of the words for months) I can't be sure the signing part is having any effect. I guess the only thing to do is wait and see.
ReplyDeleteSoren does quite well with signing though. More, eat, drink, mommy, papi, etc. He picked up on it right away. It's nice, although he is starting to sound a bit more sensible these days anyway.