Eating and climbing

It never fails to amaze me how much I used to take the idea of eating orally for granted.  You just have no clue how difficult it really is to teach someone how to eat when they have never eaten with their mouth before.  

Babies can develop oral aversions for many reasons.  Evan just was never given the opportunity due to poor health while he still had his sucking reflex as a baby. Yes, they lose it. Add to that some reflux, and being intubated (on a ventilator) and (ironically) having a naso-gastric feeding tube, and you have a child that won't eat or drink. It takes time and patience for him to learn what is instinctual for most babies. 

That being said- OH MY GOD, I AM SO PROUD OF HIM! 

We started an experiment where we gave him formula through his feeding button only once in the morning and once in the evening.  The rest of the day we give him water through his g-button, since he's still not drinking, and let him experience cause and effect with hunger and eating. He's doing AWESOME. We started the "experiment" over two weeks ago, and have not looked back! He eats great through the day, chowing down on bread and peanut butter, cheese, crackers, soft meats, apples, bananas, etc.  We're working on expanding his food choices. 

I really can't express how amazing this is to me.  

I'm hoping that we can get him drinking sometime soon in the coming months.  

His little sister is 2 months in a few days. She has been fantastic, getting more and more expressive and sweet. 

She resembles her big brother an awful lot. 

Evan still isn't sure about her, but I think they'll be good buddies when she's big enough to play. 

In the meantime, he is FAR too busy climbing.  On everything. And running.  Because I needed a workout routine, obviously. 

In just a month, we will be celebrating two years since we began our crazy journey with Evan. <3

The problem with social networks is....

I have a love/hate relationship with social networks.  

I love them because they do help me stay connected with people I like and find support for rare things like a child with an Omphalocele.  Support groups and shared stories have made the difference for so many people out there. 

I really, truly hate social networks because they become a popularity contest for many people. Or even better, they become an unhealthy outlet for terribly unhappy people, who feel the need to say ugly and hurtful things in order to get a reaction. 

Unfortunately, these two collide more than they should. 

I can't help but imagine a day in the life of someone who puts so much effort into APPEARING perfect and put together all the time, or at least for their friends on Facebook. It boggles my mind the energy they invest in getting JUST the right photo posted of their kids (carefully groomed, posed and consequently unhappy) , or their home (seriously did you put those flowers in the glass vase out just for that photo, because I can't imagine a small child leaving that alone), or a video their pets doing something that took HOURS to teach. 

Consider my brain boggled. 

Because I am so terribly imperfect. I'm not going to represent myself as otherwise. 

Through the years I've been criticized for being a little too honest at times- I just can't shake this bad habit.  

My house is an utter mess, no makeup has graced my face in weeks, a tank top, flip flops and maternity pants qualify as "getting dressed", and my child doesn't even understand the notion of "posing". 

I'm cool with that.  Because what's more important?  Spending hours on the appearance of having everything put together, or investing that time in being a parent? 

It's a tough job to do, but the benefits are pretty awesome when you take the time for them.