9-3

Kade is crawling...everywhere!! His only limitation is his "cord" when it is hooked up for feedings, so now it is more like a leash :-) He is enjoying his new found independence, and the rest of us are getting back in the mode baby proofing the house again!

Our therapy schedule is now 3 days a week. Kade is doing well with tastes of food, but still not swallowing without difficulties. We continue to include him in all meals by putting him in his highchair and giving him a spoon and a dish of something such as pudding, pureed peaches or rice cereal. He usually just makes a big mess, but does end up getting a little in his mouth via covered fingers. We are grateful that he allows items into his mouth, as that would be a huge challenge to overcome.

I recently attended a group for families that have children with feeding difficulties, and learned a lot just from one meeting. In today's society, the problem is usually eating too much, and people understand that, but when a child doesn't want to eat it is very misunderstood. Eating is just another thing that we all take for granted. In the first year of life, there are so many different things going on in the mouth and brain that make eating possible. We were fortunate that Kade developed most of the skills necessary to eat before he became ill, whereas a preemie in the NICU for months may never learn to eat without extensive therapy.
Kade had tubes down his throat for many weeks, a machine breathing for him, and nutrition going directly into his blood stream, all saved his life, but also made his little body forget how to do some things. Obviously, the physical stuff is coming back quick, but it will be a while before he is eating enough by mouth to satisfy is daily nutritional needs. We pray daily that as he becomes physically stronger, the rest will fall into place.

Home health came again on Tuesday and Kade weighs 27.9 lbs!! We do not see Dr. Russell again until next week, but we are going into see a PA today for a cough/cold he has. Hopefully his ears will be clear and we will just have to ride it out.

Last night we went to the fair to the Newsboys concert and ran into one of our favorite Respiratory Therapist from Children's. We had made a connection in the hospital, so it was a blessing to catch up with her and meet her beautiful family. She gave me the bracelet she was wearing, which bears a beautiful verse I know a lot of you are familiar with, and it says it all. Thank you Chantel.

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13