Eating!!

Eating! Did you hear me?! EATING!!!! Asa is eating! And not the old way he was tasting. Not with our trickery, distractions and hoop
jumping! This is all on his time. His plan. And completely on His plans!!!!

We have worked so hard for this! And I'm not confident we have mastered anything. This may be one of those brief glimpses of "normal" that fades away. Either way, I'm gonna enjoy and celebrate!

Asa never wanted a bottle or sippy cup. It didn't matter if it was full of breast milk, nasty Neocate, juice or tea. He didn't want anything in his mouth! Then he started letting us put a few textures in his mouth but only on certain spoons, from certain containers, in certain chairs with the perfect amount of quietness or distractions. And we complied!! We did whatever it took! We sung,we danced, we were still, we did it all! And it was tiring and frustrating and sad. And then he'd take a bite and it was wonderful, glorious, amazing!

I'll never forget the day he first drank from a straw! We'd tried a honey bear cup with a straw but we'd squeeze out the liquid without him sucking. We'd tried thickening liquids. We'd tried juice boxes, Capri Suns and cups. And then one day, one beautiful day, he finally sucked from a straw! That opened up a whole new world for us! He could have juice boxes for extra fluids. We put the Pedisure in straw cups and he'd drink it.....usually!

Still he was only living off the Pedisure. He'd have applesauce or yogurt a couple of times a week and only if we had his environment perfect! We add texture and he'd gag. We'd just put it in front of him and he'd gag. Sometimes he seemed to have stomach issues and he wouldn't eat. Other times he just wouldn't eat. Gradually we got him to eat chocolate cheerios, DumDum suckers, Smarties, pudding. What a menu, right!

Gradually Asa started tolerating more textures. He was still picky about the environment he'd eat in and he was so wishy washy there was no consistancy! The ups and downs are so frustrating! Not to mention he had no desire for food! He never asked for it and at best tolerated if we offered!

Then a few weeks ago Asa started willingly eat during feeding therapy! And there was his love of bananas! Then marshmellows! And then he actually WANTED to eat! He'd ask to eat! He'd get all excited and squeally! Now that is fun!!! I've been raving on Facebook about his
eating and I really can't remember everything he has tried! He had a
few bites of meatloaf yesterday. He had spaghetti squash tonight!

But the most amazing thing is his desire to eat! We can work through
his texture issues but only if he has a desire to eat! I wish I knew
what the magic switch was but your guess is as good as mine! Now we
just need to increase the amount he can eat and tolerate! He will
still be dependant on at least 2 bottles of Pedisure for calories and
nutrition. He isn't tube dependant though! We only use it a few times
a week and usually in the mornings when he has gotten too hungry and
then refuses to eat! We use it nearly everyday to drain when he gets
sick. I'm not really in any hurry to get rid of the tube. It is a
comfort item for me! Doesn't that sound odd but as long as he has the
tube I can keep him hydrated and growing!

A cute story....Asa can and will sign "more". He pokes his open palm
with his pointer finger of the other hand. I recently taught him
"please", open palm makes a circular motion over your chest. I'd give
him a bite of cookie. He'd sign "more". I'd do "more, please" until he
got it! It took a whole cookie but he'd finally sign back when I said
the words! I was thrilled!! Then he wouldn't do it again the next day!
Oh well! Until tonight!!! I gave him a bite of squash and he signed
"more". We did this for a while! Then he started making circles on the
table with his palm. Anna said "what is he saying" and I realized it
was "please"! As soon as I said please and did the correct sign, he
did it back!!!! Wow! He has trouble and wants to rub his leg or the
table but it is close and we can definately tell what he is saying! A
step closer to communication! And not a moment too soon!

A not cute story.....I took the radishes away from Asa at the grocery
checkout. Couple that with being tired and hot and he lost it! He
started squealing and schreeching! Ear piercing!!! Several people
around us I signed deeply and there a "maaann" comment from somewhere.
No paci would do, no marshmellows would do, only me holding him which
is impossible while checking out you groceries! So I let him screech
and scream. No need to get flustered, I couldn't change it! That is
just what he does! In between outbursts a family asked how old he was,
in a nice way not that mean, judgemental way! We had a nice chat and
they completely got it! You gotta love when God puts angels in your
path! Just a little "good job mom" when it is tough! Gotta love those
God moments!!