Right after the last update, she took to eating again. She opened her mouth, didn't push our hands hands away and no spitting out the food. Then, with trepidation we headed to a family reunion where we packed all her formula and tube supplies not knowing what to expect. The outcome - she ate her way through the state of South Carolina! She ate whatever we put in front of her including her first slice of pizza! Bite by bite she chewed and swallowed little cut up pieces! Family was all on hand to celebrate and send food her way!
Ellie's Aunt Louise was perhaps most excited about her eating progress. I think Ellie's success comes in large part to her aunt's good prayers all the time.
Ellie hangin' with her cousin John Paul.
Here Ellie is looking for some attention from the Bishop of Charleston after mass.
Ellie and Daddy enjoying some South Carolina sunshine.
Back at home it was chili night. In the past she spit out the beans. It was a rough start as she spit out the beans once again. So Daddy had the idea to mash it up with our avocado masher and here's how it looked. (note the little Ellie finger in the frame)
We've checked in with her pediatrician and he's given us guidelines to weight and suggestions to maximize calories. For example tonight we have a fresh loaf of wheat bread with oats and honey and butter in the dough...but more butter will go on top when it's hot out of the machine! In case she ends up wanting a bite of mine, I'll add extra butter to my piece. See how that goes in my head? Also we're really trying to push water since we've cut her tube feedings. She's a slow drinker but she is indeed drinking enough to have good "output". That's pee diapers my friends.
Some meals go better than others but we really do feel like a different family now. We're truly a table of 6! Occasionally I wear some of her food during a hard session, but what parent hasn't cleaned spaghetti off a wall? It's all going great - look how happy she is...
