10 bites

Since the beginning of January Clara has been interested in food and has been taking real bites with a spoon. Praise! I started noticing before her surgery in early January she was watching us eat and would even stick out her tongue. One of the first things we noticed she loved to lick was a Cheeto Puff. She would not hold it, but allowed us to run it across her lips and scrape it even on her teeth. She would smack the taste away and would usually ask for more by sticking out her tongue again. From that point on at lunch time, dinner time I would place a wee bit of whatever I was having on her lips and let her try it. I just knew there would be something she would like.

We had tried baby food for months (maybe a year), with no success. Even all of Clara's feeding therapists (we've tried about four) were not very optimistic. Probably last fall I think I had to prepare my self that she just might not ever want to eat food. I accepted this, let that "expectation"go  but also refused to stop trying. For months we actually just practiced getting a dry spoon in her mouth, to touch her tongue. As simple as it sounds this was not always easy. I felt we were stuck and then started finding new ways for her to taste. 

Spaghetti sauce was was the first thing I noticed she really liked. I began feeding it to her with my finger one evening as we sat together at the kitchen table. She tried several bites. I remember thinking "amazing".

The next day her day nurse tried spaghetti sauce again but on a spoon, which she also took. For a few weeks afterwards we continued to try, successfully different savory foods, like even chili. We celebrated and praised God for those great days, and prayed they would last.

Her tonsil and adenoid surgery came and Clara, obviously stopped eating and drinking. This was a set back, but slowly she began to want food again. We have since started using a Magic Bullet blending and pureeing anything we eat and offering it her at meal times. Some days are successful and others not. Our goal is to try alteast one time a day, but usually she gets something twice a day. Her spoon bites are not many. Usually about after 10-15 bites she is done with the spoon. So I started to think outside the box and put the food on a piece of cooked broccoli, piece of meat, or even a grape tomato. I will dip those in the food puree and she is more interested to taste it off them. This week her feeding therapist encouraged us to give her bigger bites. She is also working with drinking from water from a cup and even a straw. She doesn't know yet if she likes  that. She desperately wants to try, but the fast flow of the water spazzes her out sometimes. Last night we tried warm cows milk from a juice bear cup. 

I have found that just about anything can blend up nicely in the Magic Bullet with a little water. Last night and today she had last nights beef stew.

We continue to just so proud of Clara. Her trying food is such a huge leap for her. I especially enjoy the time we have together all at the dinner table ALL eating together. Feeding her has been a big desire of mine, and something I have prayed for.  She still continues to be fed by bottle for her calories during the day, and she gets here over night feed for 9 hours for her main calories. Eating by spoon is just additional now. Soon we will start Liquid Hope for her overnight feeds instead of baby formula. Also hopefully we can find something for her to drink other than formula during the day. We haven't found much success because all the pedisures have a vanilla or chocolate taste to them.

For me, I continue to be in awe of God's grace and love. Christmas and even months before was such a low point for me. I knew after the holidays that I needed to start releasing everything to Him. I was drowning in worry and fear. I decided then and every day since to passionately ask God to work in our lives and piece it all together according to his will. I completely surrender daily to him. There is so much ahead, I know. However I will wait, and bask in his Glory each day for what he gives. Such as..... 10 bites of beefaronni:) 

Clara playing with yogurt!