My Place at the Table

For the past three weeks or so, Gi has been sitting with the adults at the dinner table. And I must say she is most proud of herself. She now happily points to her "big girl" seat and cooperatively lets us strap her in. Gi hasn't quite gotten the hang of eating with a plate or bowl yet. When we've tried them with her, she has dumped her food on the table instead. So we proceed with caution. She loves to use her "big girl" fork and spoon but seldom manages to get her food from the table to her mouth. During most meals, she'll feed herself by picking up food with her little fingers from the tabletop. There are nights where food that can be stabbed with a fork (and stays put) is served and that's when we let Gi go to town with her utensils. She has also graduated to a "big girl" sippy cup, the kind that has no handles on the sides. Thanks, Miss Wendy, for that heads-up. She loooves that cup and hangs on to it even when she is engaged in other activities. So things are looking great as my baby turns 18 months, right? Well, yes and no. As most experienced mommies tell me, every milestone is always accompanied with changes that may be challenging. For example, Munchkin doesn't quite like to sit for long now in her stroller or shopping cart. Today we experimented with a harness buddy that Gi picked out herself. Hubs and I introduced it as her new "big girl" backpack. We practiced walking together on our driveway and sidewalk. So far so good. Let's keep our fingers crossed that it will go over just as well at the local mall or library.