Late-Night Dinner & What’s on Our PlatesDinner tonight was late—8:49 PM to be exact. By the time we sat down, I was exhausted, but I still wanted to make sure we all had a good meal.
On my plate? Sautéed chicken with my favorite chipotle adobo vinegar sauce, a side of broccoli, and white rice—because that’s what I had on hand, and my trusty rice cooker never lets me down. Simple, flavorful, and satisfying.
Ermias, on the other hand, had homemade mac and cheese made with a cheese sauce packet, nutritional yeast, sweet potatoes, and some of the chicken I cooked for dinner. Since he won’t eat chicken or meat on its own, I blended it all together to make it more appealing. Before blending, I boiled his noodles in the same pot I cooked the chicken in, letting all that yummy sauce infuse into the pasta. I even added some of that flavorful water to the mix before blending it all up. A side of peas rounded out his plate.
The Pea Dilemma
Peas. Once upon a time, he loved them. Now? Not so much.
At first, he completely ignored them. Then, he started popping them between his fingers—one by one, like tiny little balloons. Progress? Maybe. Engagement is a step toward eating, right?
I knew the TV would be a distraction, so I turned it off to help him focus. He wasn’t happy about it. I get it—he loves his comfort shows. But I also know that when he watches, he zones out completely, barely noticing the food in front of him. Instead of turning it back on, I put on a live stream of the ocean with calming music. No bright cartoons, just gentle waves and soft sounds. A compromise.
And then it happened—he actually put a couple of peas in his mouth!
I held my breath, trying not to react. If he caught me watching, it would be game over. He rubbed his tongue, clearly unsure about the taste, but he didn’t spit them out. Instead, he went back to popping them. Maybe he wasn’t ready to love them again, but he wasn’t completely rejecting them either. Small victories count.
But the best moment of the night? Ermias went to put a handful of mac and cheese in his mouth, only to realize that some peas had snuck onto his food. He dropped the whole handful on his tray and looked at it like, “Wait a minute... is that what I think it is?” He was so funny about it, trying to decide if he really wanted to give the peas a chance or if he should just leave them behind. The peas didn't win this round, but it was a funny moment that perfectly captured toddler logic.
Post-Dinner Chaos & Sugar Highs
After he was out of his highchair and cleaned up, Ermias had plenty of energy—he’s been running back and forth, playfully head-butting me. A little tired now, but still not quite ready to wind down. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that Pop-Tart I had earlier but didn’t finish. Ermias ended up eating it, and let’s just say, he’s definitely feeling the effects of the sugar. He’s about to have a crash any minute, so I'm holding onto my patience. Right now, he's so hyped that I had to put on one of his favorite shows just so he could dance along. He really does love Gracie's Corner!—there’s just something about those songs that get him moving! #GraciesCorner always brings the energy.
A Reminder for Fellow Parents
To all the mamas and daddies out there, don’t forget to put those leftovers away and give them to your little ones the next day—or the next day or two if you made enough. Leftovers are a great way to keep reintroducing meals. Repetition is A-OK!
And while you’re at it, clean the highchairs and wash those dishes. Straighten up a bit, you know the drill. Trust me, I know you know—no one likes cleaning in the morning. A clean space means breakfast is done that much faster. We have to do this—for ourselves. I know I love the first yawn to be over a nice hot cup of coffee. What about you? To be fair, I love all kinds of hot drinks, but coffee is a must when I wake up. And I always try to get that coffee before the baby wakes up!
Reflections on the Journey
Toddler mealtime is unpredictable. One day they love something, the next day they act like it’s poison. Tonight reminded me that patience, creativity, and a little bit of compromise can go a long way.
As a family, we’re also working toward more plant-based meals. It’s going to take some research and experimenting to make sure everyone’s tastes are met. There’s no rush—the goal is simply to add more veggies and fruits to our diets. For now, I’m sneaking in extra nutrients where I can, one meal at a time.
These little wins—the extra bites, the tiny tastes, the moments of curiosity—are what keep me going. Because in the end, they all build up to something bigger.
Have you had any funny or unexpected toddler mealtime moments? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
What Happened Next
After dinner, Ermias was full of energy—too much energy. He was running wild, laughing hysterically, and making some unsafe choices, like standing on the edge of the bed. I could see he was having a blast, but I knew I had to step in before he hurt himself or me.
So, I made the decision to close him into his playpen, which, thankfully, is set up as a big safe bed. There’s plenty of room for him to move around, and it’s a safe space where I can let him wind down without worry. He sure didn’t like it at first, but he was pretty wired from that Pop-Tart he had earlier—no more of those for him! He’s just not used to sugar like that, especially since most of his sugar comes from fresh fruit.
At first, he was still a little wild, making noises and trying to get my attention, but eventually, he calmed down. He stayed quiet for a while, and once I heard him start to cry, I knew he was finally ready for sleep. I went over, comforted him, and he quickly passed out—holding his toy block in his hand, no less! It was the perfect end to a hectic evening.
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