Before I had a child, I always thought "picky" was just an excuse for a kid. My Mom had daycare kids that wouldn't eat spaghetti sauce on their pasta, or wouldn't drink milk...and I always thought it was lame-o. Come on! I was never going to have a picky kid!
I think the Lord does have a sense of humor. Our food issues with P started when he was just about a year old, and still continue (although he's made some progress) at the age of 3!
I nursed P until he was 11 months, but started supplementing with formula when he was 7 months. It was so convenient when we were traveling, or going to church, etc. and I could just make him a bottle that I didn't have to worry about thawing, keeping cool, etc. This is about the time that P started having trouble with eczema. Severe trouble. One doctor put him on an antibiotic (because P's skin was raw) another gave us STRONG topical prescription cremes to apply. The connection was not made until LATER that the eczema was a result of the milk product in the formula.
Just after his 1st Birthday, P had a reaction to a peanut butter cookie at Christmas time. It was horrible. We were five hours from home. He had red hives everywhere, swollen eyelids & ears, vomiting...but no breathing problems. It scared me to death. And I'm sure it traumatized him. We now carry an Epi-pen-but have never had to use it-thankfully!
By the time P was 18 months, we had determined that he had milk, soy, and peanut allergies...with some sensitivities to strawberries and eggs as well! I felt like I was doing an experiment on my child whenever it was meal-time! Maybe P picked up on some of my anxieties about him eating new foods? Maybe it was a texture thing? Maybe he became SCARED to try new things? Just after he turned a year or so...P's FOOD ISSUES began! He wouldn't eat meat. Refused MANY new foods. If we forced him to take a bite...he'd throw it up. Along with the rest of his meal. His gag reflux was EXTREME.
Chicken nuggets & 3rd Stage jarred food were a sure bet at getting some protein in him. Frustration was (and still is) an understatement. There were meals where he and I would both be in tears at the end of it.
When he turned 3 (last December)...things began to change. A glimmer of light appeared at the end of the tunnel. P was more willing to TRY new foods. Before, he'd not eat his supper, and would go to bed with OUT any...but now, he was eating bits of foods that were new to him, yay!!
This past week P went through a possible growth spurt and began eating...a lot! Everytime I turned around he was asking for something more to eat! Joel and I decided this was a good time to push the 'new' foods!! Last week he ate part of a pulled pork sandwich...and he also ate part of a hamburger!! WOW! :o) This may not seem like much, but is BIG for our child.
When P was about 2, a friend recommended the book "Just Take a Bite" by Lori Ernsperger. This book introduced to me the concept of food neophobia, which is the fear of new foods. It actually is a real thing! And my child has all the symptoms. It is so exciting to see progress though, whether he is just extremely picky...or is, like he says, afraid of new foods. P says, "It looks scary!" when I try to get him to take a bite of something that's not his favorite.
Because he was eating more...he was, ahem...pooping more. Some times this causes him pain. I told P he needs to eat more fiber! I explained that fiber is found in cereals & bread.
Today, in the van, our conversation went like this:
P: Mom, do chicken nuggets have alot of fiber in them?
Me: Nope, not alot.
P: Well, then we should get alot of them!
At least he's thinking about what I'd said right? Being a Mommy keeps me entertained to say the least! :o)
The first night I didn't sleep much...at all. Joel insists that my parents deprived me by not taking me camping as a kid. I told him that I don't feel like I was deprived! I really enjoyed staying in hotels while we vacationed. :) That first night, I heard the crickets chirping LOUDLY & was freezing cold since it got down in the 40s Friday night there...But, Saturday night, I slept! Outside. In a tent. I feel very accomplished. :) I even told Joel that a few more times, and I maybe wouldn't mind camping-and maybe would eventually ENJOY it! Baby steps. There was 16 of us camping...4 tents set up at our campsite, and my sister & her family slept in their camper (now THAT is camping!) There is just something about being away from the internet and not having a phone signal...that allows you to really relax and enjoy your surroundings. I definitely want to do it again! 
