Day #5.......First Week Behind Us!

At last, the day that completes the first week of feeding clinic. This week has been very emotional for our entire family. From the moment we drove away from our house leaving our boys behind, to handing over our daughter to strangers for 7.5 hours a day, to watching her cry every time a spoon touched her lips and not be able to comfort her. Driving her back to a strange hotel to only have to do it all over again the next day. At times we thought this could not possibly be happening to our family. Through it all, we did it, we made it to the end of the first week. Only three more weeks to go!

Reese is the strongest of us all. This little girl has intense therapeutic feeding sessions along with occupational therapy and continues to be that pleasant and smiling little girl you all remember. I can only thank God for this gift he has given to our family.

Though Reese is still on a dry spoon, we have been told she has made great strives this week. She should soon transition to either formula or baby food. We had a goals meeting yesterday to discuss her goals and where we would like to see our daughter at the end of this process. Our #1 goal for our our daughter is to eat orally, but also help control her reflux. The feeding team thought this is very possible and felt Reese showed great potential. At the end of this process, Reese should be able to eat 1 ounce of food at each feeding.

Daddy and the boys arrived at 3:00pm, just in time for Reese's feeding. The boys entered the clinic smiling from ear to ear. They asked immediately where Reese was and could they see her?? We then went to the back where she would have her first feeding session by her mommy. I have to say this was a pretty intense moment for me. So many feelings raced through my mind. Was this good for my boys to see? Would she accept the spoon from me and would I be feeding my daughter the correct way? Only time would tell. Things seemed to go OK with the feeding. She cried throughout the feeding session but continued to open her mouth. The boys seemed to be handling things good, still anxious to see her. We had to leave and go back to the waiting room until her final feeding at 4pm. We went back at 4pm and I fed her again. She seemed better this time. Opening her mouth and less crying. It was soon over and daddy and the boys came bursting through the door. I do not need to tell you that once in the arms of her daddy she was calm as ever.

Off to a weekend of family time. We have decided to spend the weekend up at the hotel since the boys were off from soccer.

Please continue to follow her progress.......