Oh Jacob...

Okay, time to ask for a little advice from my happy readers...

Problem 1:  Jacob and the "Real" Shoes
So I've got a pair of "real" shoes for Jacob.  He will wear his soft-soled crib shoes all day with no problem, but with the weather warming up (well... sort of...) I want to be able to take Jacob outside even though he refuses to walk on grass or cement to play.  The other day, as I got him ready to go out and play on the deck, I popped on his "real" shoes, only to find that the minute he stood up in them, he started screaming like his feet were on fire and refused to move.  He kept his feet firmly planted on the ground and stared at his feet and screamed.  So I removed the "real" shoes and put his crib shoes on and he was miraculously suddenly able to walk.  I've tried the "real" shoes again a few more times since, but I get the same result every time.

So my question with this one is how do I help him get used to the "real" shoes and over the whole frozen-in-place-and-screaming phase?

Problem 2:  Jacob the Picky Eater
Jacob + Food = An Issue.  Here are things he likes to eat:

• applesauce
• butternut squash
• sweet potatoes
• yogurt
• fish
• Puffs
• Cheerios
• rice cakes

Things he will sometimes eat (if prepared the way he wants it -- which changes frequently... and by sometimes I mean he'll take a bite and eat some one day but won't touch it the next):

• oatmeal
• rice cereal
• bananas
• peaches
• apricots
• prunes
• chicken nuggets
• meatballs
• pancakes
• mashed potatoes
• cream of wheat

What we've tried that he won't touch:

• peas
• carrots
• broccoli
• pasta (any kind -- no matter what -- even mac & cheese... I don't think he's my kid...)
• toast
• beans (any kind)
• bagels/English muffins
• eggs
• grilled cheese
• cheese (any kind)

I'm getting frustrated.  It seems like whatever we try, he refuses, no matter how many times we make an attempt to bring it in.  I've tried dipping things (even in applesauce) but he doesn't like that.  So... what to do?  How do you deal with a picky eater?  I worry that he's not eating a balanced diet because, well, he dislikes so much or he eats something one day and then suddenly refuses it the next.

Problem 3:  Jacob and the Temper Tantrum
Jacob seems to have inherited my temper.  I apparently used to throw some wicked temper tantrums when I was little, and I'm afraid Jacob may be heading down the same path.  If he's not getting his way, he sits down, screams, cries, and falls face forward (maybe "falls" isn't the right word...).  This happens most frequently when he wants to be picked up.  We don't want him to think that he can be picked up every. single. time. he wants it.  And we don't want him to think that he can get whatever he wants whenever he wants it. 

How do we deal with these tantrums and redirect him to something else?


Any thoughts on any of these topics would be greatly appreciated...

Me?  Trouble?  You've got to be kidding...