Feeding frenzy

I just got done feeding William. I need to shower again.

Since when do children believe their feeding technique is more efficient than mine? I insert the little spoon into the mush, scoop some mush, scrape the spoon on the side of the mush container, insert the spoon with mush into a gaping wide baby mouth, and scoop upwards as I pull the spoon out. Repeat until mush is gone.

William seems to think that his motor skills are better than mine. Once the spoon is in his mouth, he clamps down with his terrible teeth of terror, and he won't let go unless the spoon is in his own hands. He inspects the spoon with his eyes and fingers, taps on his plastic high-chair table like a drum, and points and grunts to the mush container as if to say, "Come on, let me try." "Sure, why not?" I think, not remembering that he tricked me like this the last time I tried to feed him.

So I helped William guide the spoon into the mush, scooped out a small amount, and helped him guide the spoon back towards his mouth. Again he wanted to inspect the spoon, this time with mush on it. Of course if he's not happy with my assistance, he flaps his arms, grabs my shirt, and wails for a second or two. Mush everywhere.

I quickly finished off the last of the mush and gave him some Cheerios, a piece of toast, and a bottle with diluted apple juice. Amazingly, in the process of snarfing down the Cheerios like there's a war on, and sloshing the juice around like a bum, his face and fingers ended up relatively clean. I don't know how he does it. Maybe his method is better.