Send help. She will only eat my food.

One of the things I was strangely looking forward to in parenthood was our future child stealing food off of my plate. Then when we got Eloise’s diagnosis and saw many kids on feeding tubes, we realized it might not ever happen. Then when we discovered Eloise had severe food intolerances at the beginning of her life, we realized it might not ever happen. Then when we learned kids like Eloise who ate orally often never could eat anything but purée, we realized it might not ever happen. Then when Eloise stopped wanting to eat or drink for weeks because of teething, we realized it might not ever happen.

But here we are. I won’t lie and say lunch wasn’t a bit stressful trying to get a few bites in for myself as Eloise grabbed and reached and threw and took all my utensils and food and mostly refused to touch anything that was hers. Not to mention the cleanup afterwards and the reality that she probably didn’t actually get more than a few bites worth into her mouth.

But still. I sat there in awe. Here I am. Getting that parenting experience I was never sure we would ever get. Both of us sitting at a table together. Eating the same thing. Eloise much preferring my plate over hers.

I know it’s probably a thing that most of us wouldn’t think about. But today, for me, it meant the world.

It meant so much that I think I almost cried. (Although it’s hard to tell if the tears were from joy or the cleanup afterwards 😂.)

Sending our love on this incredibly normal Tuesday. I am savoring every moment. Because life won’t always be this good. 🥰

Mallory, Brian, and food-covered Eloise