This absolutely terrifies me.

 James is a seriously picky eater. It seemed to start when when he stopped eating baby food and started eating real food. Currently James will ingest the following:

• grilled cheese sandwich (Subway makes the best ones. And MawMaw too)
• milk (whole and chocolate)
• homemade smoothies
• waffles/pancakes (no syrup)
• chicken nuggets (selective)
• french fries
• juice
• chips/pretzels
• nuts (almonds, pistachios)
• macaroni and cheese (selective)
• candy and cookies
• apples
• strawberries
• yogurt
• ice cream/popsicles
• cucumbers and green pepper (when forced)
• popcorn
• cereal (even some that are not "kid" cereal)
• cheese (American, Gouda, mozzarella)
• doughnuts

He used to eat carrots but he complains about them now and refuses to eat them. So there are two vegetables on his list. He used to eat watermelon and cantaloupe but he seems to have developed an allergy to melons. No pizza. No salad or tomatoes. No toast. No hot dogs or hamburgers. No sauces, ketchup, dressing. No mayo or mustard. No grilled chicken. No bacon. (can you even believe it???)

I am terrified that he will never ever be willing to try new food. REAL food. Mouth-watering Italian or cheesy Mexican. A perfectly grilled steak or fresh salmon. Mashed potatoes with the bits of red skin in it or fried okra. Greek salads and scrambled eggs. Biscuits. Butter beans. How does one live to be in their 60's without trying and loving these foods? Apparently, it happens. Just read this article.

I tell James that I am not worried. I tell him that when he hits puberty, grilled cheeses won't be enough. He will WANT to try new foods so he can feed and sustain his growing body. But sometimes I am not so sure. We have forced him to sit at the dinner table before and take a bite of one butter bean. I caught it on video. He cried and screamed. For over 15 minutes. I would post it here but it's too long and it wouldn't be very nice of me to show him at his worst. 

He did eat a few bites of pizza on his 4th birthday. He didn't really like it. But he tried it!!! But even now when we go to birthday parties, he is not thrilled to see pizza being served. He didn't eat any at the birthday party we went to last weekend. But a few months ago, we didn't say anything to him and he ate a few bites. I can't figure him out. 

I get glimmers of hope. He saw a commercial for McDonald's biscuits. In the commercial, the fluffy dough is rolled out in slow-motion and then the cutter is slowly turned in the dough to make each biscuit. Then they are shown quickly rising and turning golden brown in the oven. And, at last, someone loving brushes melted butter on top. James said, "I think I want to try a biscuit.". Holy Cow. I wanted to drive to McDonald's right then and there but they weren't serving breakfast anymore.

James has told us before that he will try new foods when he turns 7. Lord I hope so. He turns 7 this summer. Come on lucky #7!