what's cookin

Before I had kids, I imagined there would be certain unpleasantness that went along with the job, you know, like changing poopy diapers, dealing with temper tantrums, etc etc.  The one thing I had not anticipated despising was feeding the kids.   Excuse my dramatics, but it is the bane of my existence some days.  And I am not just talking about the spending-lots-of-time-making-a-meal-to-have-the-kids-not-eat-it stuff, which in and of its self is enough to make me scream.  Especially when they say things like "gross" and "disgusting" to all of your hard work.  And the stars rarely align when actually BOTH kids tolerate the meal.  And who taught Chase to be all snotty about left overs.  "This again? We just had this a couple of days ago"  "It's called left-overs Chase, and you better get used to it."   And the meal planning....nothing I hate more than Monday morning trying to come up with a handful of meals to make the family that is a) somewhat healthy and b) they will eat, and c) is different from what we had last week. 

And is it just me or do I get my best yelling done during meal time?  Does anyone else have to yell the entire meal to sit down and eat and stop running around, and don't put that food on your head?  Please tell me I'm not the only one. 

And no sooner than the last dish from a meal is put in the dishwasher do I hear my favorite three words...."I AM HUNGRY".  Are you kidding me?  And I hear "I AM HUNGRY"  nonstop from the hours of 1pm to 4pm.  I start with healthy options, but after the 3rd or 4th "I AM HUNGRY", I throw in the towel and tell them whatever they can reach they can eat.  I. don't. care.

So here is reason number 117 that we don't really appreciate the simplicity and ease of babies until our second or third time around.  Because they eat whatever we give them.  And are happy about it.  Pureed green beans?  Yes, please.  A snack of milk?  Sign me up.  No running, no complaining, no constant snacking. 

And let me just take a moment to congratulate myself on making so much of my own baby food this time around.  I seriously can't stop patting myself on the back.  I feel all Martha Stewart/organic Whole Foods Mom. If you've been to my house lately, I probably have showed off my freezer of homemade baby food. 

So at least one person in the family appreciates my cooking.  For being the tiniest peanut around, this little girl does not mess around when it comes to food.  She goes for seconds and thirds and is always trying to get her chubby little hands on whatever I'm eating.  Maybe I am secretly hoping my Martha Stewart-ness is gonna transform her into a better eater.  One can dream.

Anyone have meal time or snacking tips?  And btw, please spare telling me what great eaters your kids are and how they eat sushi and tri tip and grilled vegetables.  I seriously don't wanna hear it.