Reese continues to move forward with her progress but is definitely working at her own pace. One thing about Reese that I know for a fact, no one can rush this little girl. She has always done things at her own speed. Our little girl has a strong will and shows determination in everything she does. Reese has proven that with many things in her almost one year of life... She will get there in time. As time is very sensitive, we were told today that Reese will need to stay another week or two depending on her progress. Though we already prepared ourselves for this possibility. The words that Reese will need more time and more work for her to reach her goals, is upsetting to both John and I.
Her goal is to eat one ounce of baby food at each meal. This volume is really not allot when you measure it from a first stage baby food jar. If you think about it in terms of a child who has never eaten anything by mouth for one year, it does seem like allot for someone as little as Reese. She continues to accept the spoon with 1/4 amount of apple juice on a baby spoon and one dry spoon for a total of 30 bites per session. Sessions are 4x a day. This is hard work for Reese on any given day.
I stood and watched today with asking so many questions like.... How much pressure on the tongue, where the tongue should be positioned when the spoon enters the mouth, how hard the tongue feels with every acceptance, how long the spoon should be held to the child's mouth, different body actions when the child either refuses or accepts, when to increase volume. These questions are just a few that come to mind. The doctors measure everything so closely before any changes are made and timing plays a critical part in feeding.
We will be here for you, however long it takes! We love you chick-a-pea!
