Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Super Tuesday

Super Bowl Sunday, Super Tuesday....I guess tomorrow is going to be Stupendous Wednesday? So Annie has a bit of a runny nose today, and I'm hoping she isn't coming down with my cold. I'm going on Day 12 or 13 of this crud, I forget. I'm just sick of coughing, and I think everyone else around here is sick of listening to me cough. Even when our dog Millie sees me, puts her ears down and runs the other way. I figure the antibiotics I got on Super Bowl Sunday should be kicking in here any minute.

I thought I'd put a list of foods that Annie has tried, and maybe you guys can suggest other things, too. So far, crackers and things that are crunchy seem to be her favorite. But on the crackers, I've put peanut butter--which she'll eat a couple of bites of, sour cream--which she doesn't particularly like, and cream cheese. She's also tasted ketchup, yogurt again, and applesauce, and vanilla ice cream. She hasn't gagged on any of it, but she does show her preferences, like goldfish, Tim's Cascade Sweet Maui Onion Rings, and Trader Joe's Veggie sticks. It sure is a lot more than she was eating a month ago.

She's making more sounds too, some of which are charming, others that are less so. One new method of getting Mommy's attention is to open her mouth like a howler monkey and roar from the bottom of both lungs. No doubt she picked up this communication tool from one of her brothers. She also is saying "Hey, hey, hey," alot. She tries different volumes, and different sing-song voices...but still no words. I had a dream a few nights ago that she said her first word, "kangaroo." Three syllables would be pretty amazing, huh? You never know.

Jean


"By perseverance the snail reached the ark." Charles Spurgeon

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like she's favoring salty things...which, if you consider her underlying problem, might be what her body craves. Just a thought. But ya might want to run it by the dietician..?

Gretchen said...

"One new method of getting Mommy's attention is to open her mouth like a howler monkey and roar from the bottom of both lungs. No doubt she picked up this communication tool from one of her brothers."

So...life's pretty much back to normal again? ;)

I'm with Pam. Good idea to check with the dietician. Does she like easy cheese on crackers? Would she try a carrot stick w/dip? Or I'm even buying julienned carrots for my kids because of braces. Those are small enough, she could even work on her grasp.

The speech intentionality is coming, Jean. I noticed it so much on the video. Share that with Claudia if you haven't. Just an idea.

You are doing such a good job with Annie, Jean. I know it's beyond hard for you to figure her out at times, but she's so blessed to have you.
xxxooogretchen

Anonymous said...

When my blood pressure is low (well, it's always 'low' but I mean even lower), I crave salt. I also can get light-headed (more than normal, I mean), dizzy, sicky feeling, etc.
What about pretzels? Cracker with a spread of cheese (like a cheddar; not a super creamy one)?
Thinkin'...and prayin'...

Love - T

Jean Sullivan said...

Pam--I'll check with the dietician about her salt craving. She always has craved salt, but her electrolytes have been within normal limits every time they've checked recently.

Gretchen--thanks for your encouraging observations about her intentionality--I think I notice those things, but I'm afraid to hope.:)

Tracey--her BP is always on the high side, so I don't know what the deal is with that salt. It is related to everything, but I'm not sure how. I WILL check it out though. And your pretzel idea is good--I bought a bag of pretzels for her, but I neglected to write her name on the bag. So it's gone.

Love you guys,

Jean

Anonymous said...

Hello Jean... Hey I sure noticed the intentionality of her speech attempts, too, on the video! It's not your imagination!

What about trying something... maybe graham cracker (since it's not so salty) maybe with a bit of peanut butter on it?

Sue Powell

Gretchen said...

Know that all the ideas we give you and suggestions for this or that are purely out of love, Jean. You are doing a wonderful job, and have probably covered everything we could come up with, but we all just want to help out so very much. xxxooogretchen

Anonymous said...

Yah... what Gretchen said. :) You are doing a SUPER job and nobody (except God) knows or loves Annie any more than YOU do!

Sue Powell

Jean Sullivan said...

Well, I DID ask for suggestions-so thank you all for the ideas, and encouragement.:) We tried bacon last night, and she couldn't get enough of it. I'm going to talk to her doc about the salt craving today, though.

:)Jean

Anonymous said...

Way to go, Annie! Make 'em give you GOOD stuff!!! :)

Sue Powell

Anonymous said...

Hi Jean! Have you tried veggie booty, pirates booty, etc ... those are crunchy and some melt in your mouth as well! Sydney use to love the veggie booty although I thought it tasted pretty awful! That is so amazing and awesome to hear about her appetite and voice! Praise God!!! Kate

Jean Sullivan said...

Hi Kate--Good to hear from you.:-) Yeah, my SLP friend, Kristi, told me about the pirate booty, but we haven't tried it yet. She likes the Trader Joe's veggie sticks...is that the same thing as veggie booty? Tonight she tried meatballs for the first time, and ate about 4 bites. Also, the dietician at Children's said she can have pork rinds and Jimmy Dean sausage on the ketogenic diet. Kinda makes your arteries want to freeze up, doesn't it?

:)Jean

Gretchen said...

Mmmmm Bacon! A girl after my own heart. I go to TJs about once a week, so let me know if you want some booty, okay? :)

Sign me up for the ketogenic diet. I could probably finally stick to one.

xxxooogretchen

Anonymous said...

No other diet in the world - well, maybe the Atkins diet - would actually allow Jimmy Dean Sausage!

Imagine this: We're suddenly talking about all the different things Annie is chowing on...

What a wonderful and amazing thing. What a God.

(If her first word is 'Chocolate' don't be surprised!)

Love you all - T

Anonymous said...

I started to post and all of a sudden it disappeared and an AOL ad came up so hope nothing gets here twice. :)

But yah... great comment... it IS exciting that here we are yapping about all the things Annie is chomping on! We prayed for and dreamed of this! :)

Pirate's Booty and Veggie Booty are good stuff, I agree. And no, Veggie Booty is not the same stuff as TJ's veggie sticks. But a lot of the mainline grocery stores carry the Booty products. They also have some things that are like Cheetos only supposedly healthier.

Hey, I just had a thought! Gerber Graduates has some stuff called "veggie wheels" and "carrot wheels" or "apple wheels" etc. that are delicious and crunchy snacks but don't have as much sugar and salt, etc. in them supposedly. LOL I eat them at work sometimes!

Sue Powell

Anonymous said...

Oh and I see you said earlier you tried peanut butter so I suggested... peanut butter! Sheesh, I guess I had a major blonde moment! :)

Sue Powell

Anonymous said...

veggie sticks R MUCH better than booty!!!I thunk boot is made of kale and spinach! Praying for health for all your family! kate