I know I’ve mentioned Baby Ella’s feeding challenges. Everybody always says, “Every baby is different” or “She’ll get it eventually” etc. etc. but it really doesn’t ease the worry you feel when your child is potentially behind in any area.

As time has progressed, we’ve noticed that Ella doesn’t put anything in her mouth, let alone food. In fact, I don’t remember the last time I saw her knawing on something. She will inspect things carefully – pick them up and study them, turning them over and over in her hands, even transferring them from hand to hand. She will pick a cheerio up, but only for a split second before she drops it.

She’ll eat most things you put in her mouth. What we know for sure is that she loves pureed food. She gobbles it down…if you are feeding it to her.

I’ve tried leaving her in her seat with a tray full of finger foods and all she does is scream. We’ve smeared vanilla pudding on her tray (recommended by the pediatrician) to stimulate her taste buds and she just smushed it between her fingers. It’s almost like the step between picking up the food and chewing it is missing…maybe it’s her fine motor skills that need tuning?

Keeping in mind that she is not quite a year (a month to go as of this w/e!), I recognize she may just be late in the game on this one. But when she shows absolutely zero interest in feeding herself…well, I’m just starting to worry, to be honest.

So all this to say, we would really covet your prayers on E’s development in this area. I would love for the lightbulb to just…go on. I would assume we can’t even proceed with early intervention until she’s officially reached a year anyway. Please pray for our patience too, as we allow her to develop in her own time.