The Family Bed

So last night was day a zillion of #2 sleeping in our bed. (Ok. so it may not be a zillion, but it's getting close.)

I love #2. He's so little, and so stinking cute that you just have to love him. (I'm not just saying that either, he really is!) But, he has a perfectly nice, big bedroom with a perfectly nice little bed/convertible crib/daybed contraption in it where he really should sleep.

But does he?

Nope. Nope. Nope.

Instead, we get this...

And to make things worse, he's a tosser. And a turner. And a "I'm going to hit you in the mouth with my adorable little two year old foot at 2 a.m. because I can."

I long, long LONG for the days when the hubs and I had the bed to ourselves. (Get your mind outta the gutter, I'm talking about sleeping!) When I didn't wake up to a little person who just rolled on top of me, and then was mad I was in HIS way! When I wasn't scrunched hanging over the edge of the bed because #2 kept squeezing me out, inch by inch.

We have tried everything. Lots of snuggling in his room, bedtime stories, staying in his room until he falls alseep and then you have to sneak out like a hot footed burglar, except you stepped on the squeaky part and now you woke him up.

He has Christmas lights in his room because we thought he was afraid of the dark. We have tried pleading, begging, bribing...at least as much as you can do all of the above with a little person. Nope. He steadfastly refuses to sleep in his bed.

The only thing we haven't tried is sleep training. But I can't. I can't, I can't, I can't. Could you look at this cute little face and sleep train him?

I can't. It'd break my heart. And his. But mine more I think.

So now what?

I'm addicted to watching Food Network. Which is funny, since I can't cook for anything. No, seriously, I can't. I burn water! (Thankfully my husband fell in love with me before knowing this!) But I do love the Food Network, and all of it's shows. One of my favorites is Giada De Laurentis. She's this amazing Italian cook who always seems like she could whip up a six course meal blindfolded, with her hands tied behind her back, jumping on one leg.

I was watching one of her shows  few weeks ago, and her daughter was on. Now keep in mind, her daughter can't be older then two? Three? And I watched this adorable little girl sit down and eat things I couldn't even begin to pronounce. (Chick peas was an ingredient. Kale was too I think. Other then that, you got me!)

I thought, "What's her sercret?" How does she get her toddler to eat all these perfectly balanced and beautiful meals without so much as a fuss, a scream, a tantrum? My just turned two year old? He went thru a phase of only eating waffles. All day long. Morning, noon, night, and in between. We've managed to broaden his horizons a little, but he basically only wants carbs now. Pasta, pototoes, bread, waffles. If we can get him to eat a chicken nugget we call it a success.

We have followed the doctor's orders, you know, make him what we eat every time, and just keep putting it in front of him. That really doesn't work people. He shrieks because he doesn't want it, he then tries to feed it to us, and in the end, it's a standby of buttered noodles or french fries and apples for him.

I know it's a stage, and he's trying out his personality, and all the other things people say. But for a moment watching Giada, I have to admit there was a feeling of inadequacy. Like she can get her daughter to eat hearts of palm without a fuss, I'd be happy if #2 ate peanut butter! Or a carrot.  Or something green. (And does anyone even know what hearts of palm is? I'm not gonna lie, it sounds a bit scary, like some poor something or another had to die so you could eat it's heart. I think it's veggie..but maybe not.)

How'd she do it? Did she have to bribe her with a lifetime supply of trips to Disney world? Did they have to do thirty takes, and give her a big chocolate bunny before and after?  Did she put sugar on her daughters food and we just didn't see? Is it even possible for a toddler to not have a tantrum and eat everything and anything?

What about you? Any tricks, tips, or just plain funny stories about trying to get your child to eat?