Eating Habits of a 15 Month Old

Isn't it amazing how well your child eats can completely affect your entire day?  Nothing is more frustrating than when you spend countless hours cooking and preparing a special meal for your toddler and they don't eat it.  Yet, when she does eat well it puts me in a good mood, the entire day.  I don't know if it is that feeling of accomplishment or knowing there is one less factor that can make your child fussy, but it is so exciting when they eat great.  My daughter just so happens to be the greatest eater in the world, at least this week.  It makes my life so much easier when she eats the first thing I put in front of her.  Like I said, she is like that this week but last week it took at least 3-4 attempts of various foods for her to eat anything.   Did I mention she also refuses to drink milk?  So, we also have to find ways to get liquid and calcium in her.  There are a few items we can usually count on that are fairly healthy.  Here are a few go to items for us:

- Whole grain Waffles
- Nutri-grain cereal bars
- Grapes (cut in quaters of course)
- Little Cutie mandrin oranges (Too bad they are now out of season - damn!)
- String cheese (for some reason she will only eat the precious brand)
- Quesadillas (mission makes a brand that has omega fatty acids and calcium!  Also a great way to hide veggies and meat)
- Milton's crackers (don't ask why she loves that brand of cracker)
- Guacamole - LOVES IT
- Quaker oatmeal square cereal - the only way we can get her to drink milk
- pancakes (we add baby food puree to add some nutrients)
- Orange juice with calcium
- Steamed carrots for dipping (I mix them in a bowl with mine so she thinks so is eating the same thing!)
- Homemade water popsicles with a splash of juice to keep her hydrated when she won't drink anything
- Last but not least, anything I am eating.  We pretty much have to eat EVERY meal with my daughter now so that she will eat.  As long as I am eating it she wants it so she usually eats half my meal.  AKA the greatest diet ever :)