Slow Sloth Steps

When we found out we were having a baby I made one of those ridiculous mental declarations, the kind you know are so outlandish you dare not say them out loud or else everyone would remind you later of what you had declared. I mentally declared I would be a cool, relaxed, non-anxious mom that just went with things. Basically, I would have a child and do a complete 180 in personality all at the same time. That's how major change normally affects people, right? Our natural tendencies just give way and we become zen...poof, done.

Five years and now two kids later, turns out I'm still kind of bossy, a bit of a control freak, and have less patience than my three year old. But, if my friends and family wanted a zen, centered, peaceful goddess they most certainly would not be friends with me. Either that or I'm the friend that everyone uses as a baseline and I'm ok with that, we all have our purposes in life.

Sometimes, while tallying defeats, it is important to acknowledge a win. It may not be the win I was hoping for, but its a win none the less. (Something else that hasn't changed since having kids is my inability to set realistic goals for myself). Regardless, this one was pointed out with such complete and utter astonishment that I can't deny it.

We had a routine on Friday nights, the girls had swim lessons then we would meet up with a friend and go out to eat. Some how this single man honestly enjoys eating dinner in public with two small children. Around the holidays we fell out of our routine. Just a few weeks ago we met for dinner to catch up. About half way though dinner he literally exclaimed "Oh my god, I can't believe how well M is eating! I've never seen her eat this much before!" M was eating chicken strips, AGAIN, but she was eating them, all on her own. I'm fairly certain my husband and I hadn't recognize any change at all, but he was right, she was eating, without negotiations, bribery or coercion. 

This was a different meal, but it involved laughing and singing which I much prefer to sobbing and screaming. I'm not sure the surrounding tables enjoy either.

This isn't a huge win except it kind of is. M is still a ridiculous picky eater. Grandma stocks chicken nuggets at her house because even cheese quesadillas are out of the question, but we all buy different brands of nuggets so there is some variety in that, right? It is agonizingly slow, sloth-like steps, but there are steps being taken. She is walking, talking proof that you can live on chicken nuggets, pizza and fruit alone. I'm a little biased, but I think she's super smart too.

Just the other day I caught her stuffing Kleenex up her nose because it was "wunny." She has the same problem solving skills as the Office Manager at work and she's only three! She's obviously a genius, there must be something in those nuggets.