Takin it in

Last night Jarod pointed out the ironic symbolism in Tieran's decisions regarding what to "take in" literally and figuratively.
Recently, while in trouble for something, he was "helping" me sweep the kitchen. He does this with a really big paint brush (cause the broom is too dangerous!) So anyway, he's sweeping up the pile I already swept, into the dustpan. I am on the other side of the kitchen wall, and as I turn the corner, I hear him scramble, drop everything... and as I get a visual, he is standing with an odd look on face. I ask him what in the world he is doing, and he does nothing. I ask again, and he swallows. Then it goes something like this..."What are you eating?" "nothing" "Tieran, I know you just swallowed something, what was it?" He sticks his tongue out to prove there is nothing in his mouth, and I catch a sight of some dust bunnies. I ask him again what he has just swallowed and he finally responds, "cheese and coconuts" I have never had coconut anything in my house. I don't recall putting a slice of cheese out for him.. And it dawns on me. The "pile" is neither in the dustpan nor on the floor. My little darling has just swallowed a pile of nasty-who-knows-what from the kitchen floor. WOW.
Not even two days later as he's brushing his teeth and I mention that he did a great job of minding for the first time that day (I said, 'say eeee' and he did it without realizing that doing so would be accidentally COMPLYING!!!) and he spit that compliment right on out. Literally, figuratively, and all over my bathroom. He didn't miss a beat. "great job Tieran...." leads directly to BLAAAAH! Toothpaste, spit and water all over.
How do we deposit the necessary love/grace/knowledge/sustenance into a little man who will eat dirt and spit out a compliment? oh the intriguing questions of raising a traumatized kiddo!