V, just sounds like avaleigh is becoming more independant. I think you have done pretty well to be able to feed her until this age. Jack has been solo feeding now for a few months, it's messy, but he will just refuse to be fed my anyone but himself. Unless that is he gets fustrated he can't and will let you do it.
I would just let her do her own thing for a while and see where that takes the two of you. From memory Charlize refused to be feed by me from about 8-9months but she still is a very independant little girl.
But if it were me, I would just give her bit size peices of food, so she can pick them up herself and feed herself or you could try a spoon or fork. Jack loves to experiment with these. Hasn't mastered them yet but is getting pretty good and is pretty dam proud of himself when he picks a bit up with his fork and eats it, so cute.