What day is it?

I had big plans of updating our progress in Feeding 101 on a daily basis, but I had misjudged how exhausting doing something new can be. Like when you start a new job, or when you become a new mom--you figure it's a good day when you remember to brush your teeth. That's where I am. And, yes, I have brushed my teeth at least 7 times in the last 7 days.

So, today we finished our first week of intensive feeding therapy. Each day, the goal is to sit down with Annie 4x, for 20-25 minutes, and in a calm, relaxed way introduce new food. Yeah, right. Smile, chat, ignore the gags and watery eyes. "Annie likes crackers. Annie likes apple. Annie likes carrot. Annie likes peanut butter." Fortunately, she keeps touching the spoon with her lips, occasionally opens her mouth a bit, and continues to persevere through the gags. She really has been a trooper, and quite patient through all the "newness" of this routine.

And, in an effort to prepare her little system for real food, we started feeding her a combination of 1/2 her regular formula mixed with 1/2 real food--or what is known in g-tube circles as a "blenderized diet." I think the plan is to transition her to a complete blenderized diet, maybe next week. Her calories have been cut 50% so that she might develop an appetite, and her weight is being monitored closely. It's assumed that she will lose some weight as she learns to eat, but I think that especially in Annie's case where she is already on the lean side, they really want to see her begin to eat significant amounts of food...quickly.

Today she had tiny licks of peanut butter, strawberry jam, applesauce, and ketchup as well as tiny bites of carrot and apple. She didn't like the Pringles or Cheez-its. She hasn't been too keen on the Veggie sticks either for some reason. So tonight I went to the store and slowly pushed my cart up and down the aisles trying to come up with something that she might like. I got a few different kinds of yogurt, flavor-blasted goldfish, a few different kinds of baby food, and dill pickles. A few people have mentioned that sometimes kids who haven't eaten in awhile like the strong flavors. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

My prayer is that she will turn a corner in the next few days--tomorrow would be good--and open her mouth and willingly receive a spoonful of real food. I would so love to have her eating real food again. And I know I need to be thankful for the progress we've made--but she needs to begin to get the calories in her mouth--not just on her shirt--sooner rather than later!

Grateful for all your prayers,

Jean

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24