Eat baby, eat.

I really almost cannot talk about it- feeding therapy.  Friends ask how it is going so I'm going to attempt to provide an honest update.  In conversation, sometimes I tell the truth and sometimes I just lie.  It is often easier that way.  It has been 6 months-  when we began this journey I thought it would SURELY be over by now.  And it seems to just be getting more complicated, more involved.

It is true, I'm tired of thinking, breathing, planning feedings for Lillie.  I can barely keep up with dinners for my sweet husband and me.

I had to write down a "feeding" schedule for Lillie at daycare this morning and here is what I came up with.  I was a bit shocked myself....  (only three hours in any given day that don't involve eating!)

6am- bottle
7am- pureed bannanas or applesauce & straw work for chewing
9am- yogurt
10am- bottle
12 noon- lunch (some type of canned baby food)
1pm-bottle
3pm- straw work for chewing
4pm-bottle
5:30pm- pureed or mushed cooked veggies & straw work for chewing
6:30pm- bottle- usually completely refused so we try a cup (not a sippy cup, a big girl cup)

Even with 5 bottles, Lillie has never managed to consume the recommended 24 ounces of formula and she can barely finish a stage 2 jar of baby food in one sitting.   

Add in two full time jobs, getting back and forth to daycare, friends, family, the Lord, life and there is just not enough time in any given day to do anything but put one foot in front of the other.

I've just recently been able to reflect on how this 6 months has changed me- shaped me.  And as I even look back a bit further, I realize that I've not really been the person I once knew since the day my dad passed away.  Just weeks after he passed away I got pregnant.  But that story is for another day... 

Just a final note on the feeding front.  We have been reassured over and over again that Lillie bear is making progress, good progress.  I know that she is making progress.  I'm honestly desperate to ween her.  But then I think, what would she eat?  This weekend we are trying tofu.  Wish  us luck.

I'm overwhelmingly thankful that currently Lillie's biggest hurdle in life is food- chewing specifically.  The Lord has blessed our family with a bright, spunky, social butterfly who loves nothing more than playing with other children and telling stories in her baby language.  She is expressive, happy and oh so much fun.  I'm thankful for every moment we share- even if most of them involve food!