Wednesday, March 30, 2011

A Feeding Update and Life Update

You wanna know how our feeding venture is going? ...I think Colin says it all in these pictures...


















I probably shouldn't be doing an update on a day that was such a challenge because my mentality may be a bit skewed, but just about two weeks in and we are still working hard. Although Chris feeds Colin his breakfast, I have taken the most control over feeding and haven't let anyone else feed him yet. I just feel that since we have to buy into this program right now, I just want to make sure that it's getting done at every meal. I have even been going to Colin's school and feeding him lunch, not because I don't trust them, but because I have the opportunity right now for the next month while I am home and I want to make sure that every bite he takes, it is the way they say we should do it.


However, I haven't noticed much of a change in what they want to see change right now. When we give Colin a spoonful of food, we are supposed to apply pressure to his tongue and then push up and give jaw support under his chin. This is supposed to eliminate the "munching/sucking" motion that Colin has been doing since the beginning. We are only 2 weeks in so I'm guessing we wouldn't see BIG changes yet, but I feel like he has figured out how to accomplish his old habits, despite these methods we are using.


I feel uneasy at meals because we are deviating from the accomplishments we had made with self-feeding and it concerns me. I don't want to set ourselves back too far, but I also don't want to deviate from the "plan". I just wish I knew where we were going right now. It's amazing to me how easy eating comes to some children. Since I have been feeding Colin at school I notice how easily some of Colin's classmates eat. They are eating with spoons and forks things like pasta noodles, sandwich wraps (wraps!!), pigs in a blanket, pizza, etc. It's crazy! Poor Colin is sitting there eating his pureed cottage cheese with fruit (ugh!).





















I try to keep my frustrations and concerns to myself though during meals because I want to keep this happy face on my little boy.






















Tonight, I had a little boy that was not happy with the "plan" and decided to spit most of his food very forcefully at me while Kailey screamed in the bouncy seat at my feet...fun times!


In a lighter update, right before we were heading out the door this morning, Kailey had a poop explosion so I was busy changing her diaper and clothes. Colin kept busy by pulling all of her diapers out of the cabinet. Just follow the diaper trail and you will find where Colin was hiding...


























The trail led under the crib where Colin was sitting on this bin, shoving diapers behind the bin next to the wall...




















Silly boy!




















Colin is finally warming up the fact that Kailey is here to stay and is not as distant to her. He has taken more of an interest and is starting to do the things I have been waiting for...kissing and hugging his little sister. He still likes to hit and swat at her, but he is doing it less and less. I realized they both happened to be in their onesies tonight before bath and pajama time, so I tried to set up some pictures.


Colin was happy, Kailey on the other hand, was not...




















In this next picture, Colin was actually talking to kailey (I'm guessing he was telling her that it was ok)...




















...maybe hitting her in the face will make her stop crying...




















...but sweet brother is back talking to his sister and giving her kisses.




8 comments:

Suze said...

Melt my heart with that last picture! What a sweet brother Colin is! i give you so much credit pushing through with the feeding plan you are on. I know it's a lot with a new baby and trying to adjust to a new schedule, so don't beat yourself up because you aren't seeing results. The day you start to see it, it will all be worth it.

Sherry C said...

Love the kiss so sweet. Feeding is hard and challenging I know my girl was totally g-tube feed until 4 and now at 6 eats everything except steak but can eat a plate of pasta or pizza cut up. Love oreos.. i had days, weeks and months when I thought eating would never happen. But looking at Colin and living though the same issues with my girl I'm 100% positive he will be eating cookies and pasta one day in the near future try not to let it get you down in the mean time. I promise you it will happen when he is ready and who can resist oreos for too long. He's so sweet a total cutie with his sis.

Adrienne said...

That last picture is so sweet Kelli!

What you're going through, maybe not so much Colin's feeding issues but the crying baby at your feet, the poop explosions-I think every mother of more than one feels your pain. It's a hard transition going from 1 to 2-no doubt. And add Colin's eating or lack of and I know it's taking a lot not too get super stressed. I've got no advice for the feeding but I give you credit for trying to stick with the program and I'm glad you're able to feed him at lunch. You know I will always understand-from one mother of a non-self feeder to another;)

ch said...

Seriously? That boy's expressions are M.O.N.E.Y. I can't get enough. And get that girl a piano teacher, already. Wowza! Look at those long, lovely fingers.

You're such a champ as a big brother, Colin. But, LC wanted me to tell you that she's looking for a Vice-President of her "Babies Ruin Lives" support group...if you're interested. xoxox

Rochelle said...

I am with Courtney Colin's facial expressions are the BEST! So sorry the feeding stuff hasn't rapidly improved. That last picture though makes up for everything though. Sweet!

Wren said...

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Those last pictures brought happy tears to my eyes...what a sweet big brother! It took about 6 weeks before Landon realized Sutter was here to stay and I'm pretty sure after that he didn't remember life without him! I see lots of brother love and kisses in Kailey's near future!

As for the feeding issues, I just want to give you a big hug! I can't imagine what you are going through multiple times a day and I hope that one day soon it takes a turn in the right direction!

Erin said...

Those pictures really say it all don't they? Keep up the good work though, it sounds like you are being really consistent and that's the key! Love the last photos, too sweet.

Natalia said...

What a bunch of pictures!! Ranging from poor Colin's frustrations to SUCH sweet pictures of he and Kailey at the end.

Girl, you are AMAZING!!! :)