Vivien was recently released from BabyNet. She graduated her speech therapy by starting oral feeds (I still have difficulty with this, because the goal was not to orally eat "safely," only to eat orally). Regardless, she has done amazing things recently. Her speech is still limited, she's only mastered a few words; Mama, Dadda & No. Words like; more and please, come out sounding very phonetically impaired. But I know she will get there. She even tries desperately to say things like "how are you doing today?" and "I want that." I have full faith that our sweet girl will get there, time is becoming more of a friend and less of an enemy lately. That is something I can accept :)
About three months ago we started letting her eat organic melt aways to just test the waters. The first few days were a bit rocky, but within a week, she seemed to be choking less and less and wanted them more and more. So, I then allowed her to graduate to the dissolvable puffs (we still broke them into small pieces for her). After about a month of that, I felt we may be able to try Cheerio's. She eagerly took to them and began to want nothing to do with the organic jared food I was giving. I'll take it! Anything to see my girl working those fine motor skills and wanting food. Parents that have encountered oral aversion know the sheer joy we have when our child wants food.
So, just last week I brought out the Goldfish. I would bite them in half, only giving her the other half, just to see how she responded to the texture and consistency in her mouth. Again, I couldn't get them on the tray fast enough for her. She couldn't get enough. I began having such excitement when packing her cooler to take with us out and about. Not only am I now packing a syringe for bolus feedings I am able to include a sippy cup with a stopper & a small container of Goldfish. Amazing how snacks can change my way of thinking. One morning she went to the pantry all on her own and grabbed the bulk size box of Goldfish and held it up with all of her might, signaling she wanted a snack :) I am so happy for her and her accomplishment and pray that she can continue to enjoy food and tolerate more and more textures and consistencies.
Evening before last I made chili for the big kids and thought, why don't I give her a spoon and a few beans to see how well she can coordinate a spoon to her mouth. To my surprise and fascination she did so well. She was accurate and careful in her precision of placing the bean on the spoon in just the right way. She was enjoying having the opportunity to scoop her own food and I could see the pride on her face as she sat beside her older brother and smiled up with the hope that we would commend her for her efforts. And, man-o-man did we?! She was so in-tune with what takes place at the dinner table, that she held out her dirty little palm to proclaim she needed a napkin. As she picked up the pink napkin to wipe her chili bean mustache I couldn't help but apologize to God. I apologized for underestimating all of the things that are possible through him and for ever doubting that a spoon and bowl were impossible for her to master.
She shows me everyday how strong willed she is and how much I underestimate all that she can do. I am grateful for moments when I realize I am wrong and I am the one that needs to just trust and have faith that she can move mountains.
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