a picky eater, a clever mama, and a koala bear

If you've been on the phone with me the past week or so, you'd know that it hasn't been the smoothest one. I've probably talked your ear off about struggles with my sweet and usually very lovable 21 month old. We've had some trying days to say the least. Thankfully, I feel like we are making some progress on some discipline areas and things are really starting to mesh again. It's been a lot of hard work and being consistent, but I am feeling the fruits of the labor. Thank you, Lord!

One of the issues we've been dealing with is Lauren not really wanting to eat. At all. I know that this is probably just a phase, but it makes me nervous when she doesn't eat. Or doesn't eat well. Lunch and dinner have been stressful as I TRY not to act like her refusing to eat is a big deal. Because deep down inside the part of me that likes control wants the girl to just eat her food already. If there is one thing I have learned from being a parent it is that you cannot make a child eat.They have their own will. It is a strange thing! ;)

Today for lunch I thought I would try something different. First of all, I limited her morning snack and made sure that she didn't have anything to eat for about an hour before lunch. Even when I was making the lunch and she kept saying, "bie, bie", I didn't given in. I was afraid that if I fed her anything at all she would refuse to eat her lunch. Then, I put her lunch together like this:

From top right: strawberries, heart shaped pepperonis, grapes, grapes, strawberries, mac 'n cheese

I've made her "Muffin Tin" lunches before but it had been quite a while since the last one. Let's just say the girl was excited!

She went right for the grapes. She also loved the pepperonis. I have this adorable tiny heart shaped cookie cutter that I cut the round pepperonis with. They were adorable!!!

After she ate, her plate looked like this:

This was a BIG deal for this mama. I was so proud of her. She even asked for more of the pepperonis!!!!!

After lunch she wanted to play with her koala bear puppet. I think my mom got this guy for her before she was born and we have LOVED it. She likes to make him read books...

...and love on him!!!

My goofy girl!!!