I like to think of myself as a competent mother. My children are safe at the end of each day, well-fed, clean, and current on their vaccinations. Other moms might feel a bit daunted by the fact that my kids are fresh-smelling and maintaining their health, but I can’t help it—I’m acing this parenting thing right now. I’m essentially Supermom. Scratch that—Batmom.
However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that my parenting approach has softened just a tad since the arrival of my second child. I had heard the warnings. Everyone kept saying, “Just wait, Laura,” but I rolled my eyes, thinking I would be different! Other moms may have relaxed with their second children, but not me! My second baby would receive the same treatment as my first, and that was that. I was determined to create photo albums filled with milestones, ensure peaceful nights, and serve plates overflowing with vegetables!
Fast forward a year.
My first child had monthly photos taken in a special chair to mark every tiny growth. My second doesn’t even have a chair. The first had an elaborate themed first birthday bash, complete with a smash cake and a plethora of family from afar. The second? A Twinkie in her high chair during grandma’s visit. My first savored homemade baby food, meticulously prepared to retain its nutrients and vibrant colors. He was an adventurous eater, enjoying a rainbow of flavors.
Now, my second child?
She’s all about bread and cheese.
Before you panic, I’m doing my best. However, with a million things on my to-do list, spending half an hour coaxing a boiled carrot into the mouth of a stubborn infant has become a low priority. It’s not like her diet lacks variety—she has a solid array of carbs and dairy. For breakfast, she enjoys raisin toast and string cheese; for lunch, cheese crackers and juice; and for dinner? Pizza! Which, I might add, is Italian. So, while she may be carb-heavy, she’s at least a little cultured.
I had the best intentions. With my food processor and butternut squash at the ready, I was prepared, but then my second baby arrived, rolled her eyes at me, and declared, “Yaaah, no. I’ll take a Cheez-It.” Those mythical babies who gobble up broccoli and raw bell peppers are the envy of my existence. The only way to recreate that scenario would be with a veggie-shaped cookie cutter and a slice of cheese toast.
I have tried.
Oh, how I have tried.
I’ve cooked everything! Fettuccine Alfredo with peas and chicken? She will only touch the noodles. Shrimp Caesar salad? Croutons and parmesan. A full English breakfast? Just the bread and cheese.
After exhausting my efforts, I took her to the pediatrician, convinced my Batmom status was about to be revoked. The visit went well; my little girl was thriving and hitting milestones like a champion. She was essentially a walking, talking miracle (my words, not hers).
Emboldened, I decided to address the bread-and-cheese issue. “So, doctor, I’m a bit worried about her lack of vegetables.”
“Oh? What does she eat?”
“Well, a variety of things. You know… crackers, cheese, toast, cheese, bread, cheese, pizza.”
The doctor chuckled softly while listening with his stethoscope.
“Well, I doubt she’ll eat that way in college, so I wouldn’t stress too much. Just try to incorporate more color into her meals. Keep at it, and we can revisit this next year.”
Just add some color to her diet. Simple enough, right? Armed with resolve, I marched to the grocery store, determined that today would be the day my second child would explore new flavors. We filled the cart with apples, squash, peas, green beans, and kale chips. I was ready to give her the First Baby experience.
Upon returning home, I unleashed all the pots, pans, and food processors. Second Baby was placed in her high chair, ready for the culinary adventure.
When my husband came home with our oldest son, the kitchen looked like a scene from a cooking competition gone wrong.
“Uh, honey? What’s for dinner?”
“Oh, this is for the baby,” I said, chopping up another squash. “We need to add more color to her diet.”
I casually placed a carrot on her tray. She picked it up, wrinkled her nose in disgust, and tossed it aside.
A pea? Vomit face.
Broccoli? Vomit face.
Butternut squash? You guessed it—vomit face.
“I just don’t know what to do!” I exclaimed in exasperation. “Why won’t she eat more colorful foods?”
At that moment, my three-year-old son marched in with a grin, holding a half-open bag. He tossed the colorful contents onto the high chair tray and announced, “Look, Mommy! Holland loves colorful food!”
The baby beamed, grabbed her first chip, and crunched away happily. It’s not the traditional route, but I’m counting it as a win.
Finally, some color has made its way into her diet.
For more on the journey of home insemination, check out some of our other articles, such as this one on home insemination kits. If you’re interested in expert advice on artificial insemination, you can find valuable insights at Make a Mom. Additionally, Resolve offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
Balancing parenting with the demands of life can lead to unexpected changes in how we feed our children. While I once prided myself on meticulously preparing organic meals for my first child, my second has gravitated more toward carbs and dairy. Despite the challenges, I’ve learned to embrace the humor in the situation and celebrate the little victories, like my toddler introducing colorful snacks to his sister.