At our 6-month check-up a while back, the pediatrician asked me how the Little Miss was doing with eating solids.  The question just made me laugh, because despite our exciting beginnings…

…my Little Miss Independent had made it very clear that she was in no hurry to expand her culinary repertoire beyond breast milk.  On one hand I was a bit relieved, as I am in NO rush for my baby girl to grow up.  I swear, any minute now I’m going to turn around and she’ll be asking to borrow the car…or date a boy…or get a tatoo.

And yet I also had these dreams of introducing her to one of my very favorite things in this world – FOOD – and inspiring her to share my passion, one delectable nibble at a time.

So I persevered.  Armed with my baby food cook books and grocery bags, I got to cookin’.  Well, more like steamin’ and mashin’, if that counts.  And then day after day I presented my Little Princess with different culinary masterpieces…to which she pursed her little lips and replied:

“Sweet potatoes?  Can’t I just be your Little Sweet Potato?”

“Bananas?  Boring!”

“Peas?  Puuuuhhhh-lease!”

“Apple sauce?  More like sour sauce!”

“Carrots?  Lord have mercy!!!!!”

For one brief second I thought she liked avocados, but then realized she was really just interested in playing with the green goop.

Sweet, savory, creamy, chunky…it didn’t matter.  My Little Lady was an undiscriminating-food-disliker.  What was a Mama to do?

Relent, I tell you!  Cry uncle!  Wave the white flag!  …And so we took a break.

A few weeks later I caught the Little Miss eyeing me as I ate some yogurt.  When I looked up again, she was scooching her way over (she pushes up on her hands and knees and then throws her body forward onto a big belly flop).  I thought, “why not?” and offered her a taste.  Surprise, surprise, she loved it!

Though she may not be dining on a vast array of delights just yet, we are making progress…slowly.  And I continue to dream of all of the yummy foods we will try out together.

So what’s the moral of the story?  Parenting books and pediatrician recommendations mean squat if your baby isn’t interested – she’ll reach her milestones when she’s good and ready.  And despite all of the food we’ve wasted over the past few weeks, I love that Annabelle is an independent, free-thinking Little Gal.

That’s my girl!