We had a pretty good day…especially for a Monday!!! Gavin came so close to earning another trip
to Chuck-E-Cheese’s, but the last session was a rough one. Poor kid just gets pooped by the end of the
day. The first three were really good
sessions thoughJ. Gavin finished his entire meal before the
timer went off in the first and third meals!
Those are typically the meals where we focus on volume. In the second and fourth sessions, a solid
table food is included in Gavin’s meal to chew for at least the first
half. Gavin had little pasta stars with
marinara sauce in the second session, and he loved them!!! He sped through the pureed foods to get to
chew the real pastaJ. It was so encouraging to see! The last session Gavin chewed some homemade Mac
& Cheese (lower sodium than Kraft…and not as goodL). Unfortunately, Gavin can taste the difference
and was not thrilled. He chewed it
pretty well, but it took a while. We are
going to go back to chewing that one in the mesh again and see if that
helps. Today we really noticed
improvement in the time it takes Gavin to chew and swallow certain solid
foods. He practiced chewing some cinnamon
toast before one meal, and he finished a quarter of a slice in just under five
minutes!
There has been another little boy (22 months) staying at the
Clown House for the feeding clinic today and tomorrow. He has been coming once a month for the past
three months, and it was so nice to see him again today and notice such a
change in him in just a month! He has
gained a pound and grown two inches in height!
I talked to his mom for a little bit, and it was so refreshing to hear
how this program has really changed their lives as well…in only three visits! It is amazing how kids thrive on structure
and consistency. Once boundaries and
expectations are set at the table, kids learn how they are supposed to act and
feel safe enough to take their bites. (For a concept that sounds so simple, it
is sure hard to establish and follow through with! After a year of therapy at home and six weeks
of intensive therapy, we still struggle!) My conversation with this mom also reminded me
of our last trying session of the day.
Dr. Powell was in the room, and she could see my whole world crumble
when Gavin started refusing the food, spitting, kicking… In a relatively short time period, we were
able to turn him around and finish on a positive experience. Dr. Powell was very encouraging, and
suggested that I accept that we are going to have trying times, but to just
take a deep breath and focus on how well my two year old corrects himself when
things start to go a little south. We
had a day full of great feeding experiences, and that is what I am so proud
of. Gavin is a good little eaterJ.
Our friends Lacy and Tracey are going to be headed home with
their babies…hopefully by the end of the week!
We will miss them very much, but we are so excited for them to take
their now two month old babies home! We
got to celebrate little Alex with Lacy and Andrew tonight with a few little
treats. I can’t wait to meet Alex when
he is headed home!!!
Gavin and I had a little fun tonight after a decent dinner
and bath. With a few somewhat warmer days,
Gavin wants to be outside all the time now…even when it’s not so warm
anymore! As a treat, we put Gavin’s snow
suit and jacket on over his PJ’s and went outside for a couple of minutes to
play some ball. Gavin was pretty excitedJ.
Gavin got two cards in the mail today! My parents sent Gavin a card promising trips
to Chuck-E-Cheese’s, the zoo, and pizza when we get homeJ. We’re ready!!! Jim and Sheri also sent another card with Trenton,
Tanner, Coltyn, and Morgan our Missouri cousins. Gavin hopes to play with you guys again soon
too!!! Thanks for the
encouragement!!
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