Food Sorter in His Mouth

According to babysitter Vannessa, Jackson has a "food sorter in his mouth." He can sort carrots on one side and rice on the other. Wow.... how did I get such a gifted child?!

Seriously, though, he is very particular about his food. Texture makes a big difference, and if something isn't pureed, chances are good that he's not going to swallow it. At 14 months, Jackson still eats jarred baby food. Other than that, he'll eat poi, potatoes, beans, avocadoes, bananas and some other fruits. He loves crackers and bread, but not all carbs are created equal; pasta and rice don't make the cut. He loathes yogurt, cheese, milk and dairy. And while he doesn't seem to mind the flavor of most vegetables, meats and fish, he usually rejects them on the basis of texture. He also tends to chipmunk his food, storing it in his chubby cheeks for as long as possible.

I'm concerned about his eating since I'm picky and don't want to pass along my bad habits. And I know finicky eating is standard for most toddlers, but Jackson won't even eat the typical fare of chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches. If not for "boo" (his word for mama's milk), he would totally starve.