Hmmm, I have a friend who was "fed up" as a baby/toddler and wound up with overweight/obesity issues (so far) for the rest of her life. Is the worry that thin toddlers just aren't growing? Couldn't they just be people who grow at a different rate?

I can't answer medically, but I will say that as a mom who frequently takes her daughter out, part of the reason I want her to gain weight is so that people will STOP TELLING ME TO FEED HER. I feed her. I feed her as often as she wants to eat, She is never denied a snack. She's sometimes denied chips and given a cheese stick, instead. Or grapes. Or carrots. Let me introduce my husband, a.k.a. The Beanpole. Over six feet and barely 170 lbs.

Public opinion is not usually something I listen to or raise my child accordingly, but the weight thing bugs me. It's such a...frustrating thing. Kids are either too skinny or too fat. No wonder there are such issues with body issues in this country.

I didn't mean a criticism! I was just surprised that it's something that is still done. I mean, it could be that what happened when she was a baby/toddler had nothing to do with the way she eats/ate now.

(Heck, I was a skinny kid and teenager and now I'm obese -- in a family of lean people. One thing may have nothing to do with the other.)

Plus, given the amount of press we get about obesity in young children . . . well, actually -- probably the REASON we have so much obesity in young children is this idea that all kids should look a certain way. I guess it does all tie in together.

I've always thought that Em looked like a perfect combination of her parents.

Raq, those pictures are aww-inspiring. My particular favorites are United, pursuit, , wrassle, and love.

ND is eagerly awaiting the moment he has the money to buy a Roomba.

R surprised me with it as a prezzie, although he's mainly been the one playing with it. It's very cute. I can see why people name them; very easy to anthropomorphosize.

Yay for waking up in your new house!

I dread the day Mal starts getting picky about food. So far the only thing he's refused (other than pre-made Gerber baby food) is a raspberry that I picked for him. He even ate dried fish, which grosses me out.

Of course, it's possible that rather than getting picky, the future will be more like "Mom! My fridge is empty again!"

Oh sumi, I didn't think you were criticising at all!! I promise, it's all those Jackholes OUT THERE. That are Not Us.

I've always thought that Em looked like a perfect combination of her parents.

Exactly. It would be different if a child were not healthy. But both Lillian and Emma are active happy children. As little attention as I'd pay to the charts I would pay even less to people's comments.

The children are given ample opportunities to eat healthy foods. We are told as adults to not eat when not hungry. It doesn't make sense to me to force kids to do this.

I think that a lot of childhood obesity has to do with stressed out parents, the use of high frustose corn syrup in EVERYTHING, and other junk food. In no particular order. We try very very hard to make sure Em doesn't get a lot of high fructose corn syrup. I was relieved to find out that Cheez-It's don't as they are one of her favorite snacks.

Morning, all. Nothing to add to the kids eating argument -- I never had a problem as a kid. Mom and Dad never pressured us into liking anything, but made us try all kinds of things, and there was never any picky eating. If we hated something (like I hate beets, but everyone else likes them) we didn't have to eat them...but there were no special meals. If we were having pot roast with potatoes and carrots, that was dinner. If you didn't like it, tough shit.

By the time I was seven, I'd eaten almost every kind of veg (only didn't like beets and brussels sprouts -- and NO ONE in the fam liked brussels sprouts), rabbit, venison, raccoon, squirrel, rattlesnake, and frog. Oh, and brain and liver. Liked liver, hated brain. Oh, hated tongue too. Those were experimental foods, when we lived on the farm and my dad was going through his Country Farmer/Outdoorsman Phase.

Grew up on iced tea; still only rarely drink soda, but there's always a pitcher of unsweetened brewed tea in the fridge, summer or winter.

ION, took my car to the shop yesterday. I have to get the whole left rear wheel suspension replaced. $470, and I won't get the car back till Thursday or Friday. And teachers report back to school Monday. Bleargh.

What great pictures Raq! Also melted with Love.

I am a bad camera person. I just don't have the habit. Need to work on that.

How are you doing Beverly? I think of you and yours countless times each day.