I posted this on Instagram and wanted to share here, too:
This might just look like a dirty bowl to you. To me, it represents a HUGE answer to many, many prayers.
After 8+ months of weekly feeding therapy and so many, many, many failed and discouraging attempts at trying to feed Baby D, tonight he ate his entire dinner and wanted all of it!!!!!!
It was only about a fourth cup of macaroni & cheese and applesauce — which might not seem like a big deal — but this was a massive accomplishment for our sweet boy who has never been able to/wanted to swallow more than 2-4 bites of anything that wasn’t puréed at any one meal.
This is your reminder that even if it feels like you’re not making any progress, even if it feels like all your efforts aren’t going anywhere, even if it feels like nothing you are doing is making a difference, keep going, keep believing, don’t give up! ❤️
Note: If you have a child who is capable of and willingly eats and drinks at each meal and who can suck out of a bottle or sippy cup and/or who easily gains weight, please never take it for granted! I never knew what a gift that was as a parent until the last two years with Champ and Baby D!
One of my favorite snacks — peanut butter and chocolate chips!
I made a version of this Black Bean Soup for dinner one night last night, using what I had on hand.
Lori Cooks sent me a bundle of her seasoning packets to try out so I made this yummy rotisserie chicken in the slow cooker with one of them.
It was delicious!!
Kroger has an 8-lb bag of navel oranges on sale for $5.99 this week!
And Nathan’s Franks are $3.47/package with the weekly digital coupon (you can get up to five packages).
Last week, I found SO many great deals and markdowns. This week, it was slimmer pickings, so I am grateful for all the great deals we’ve gotten in previous weeks because our fridge and freezer is well-stocked. I ended up spending $69 on all the above groceries.
This is what we’re having for dinner tonight. Can you guess what we’re using these ingredients to make?
Congratulations on the eating breakthrough!
It’s interesting that this post came right after the one on Comparisons. My mother used to complain that my eldest nephew’s development was slower than that of her friend’s grandchild, with the implication that this somehow made her look bad. He met all his milestones, just at the last minute.
We’re celebrating it so much!!
Yay Baby D!
Hooray for everyone who has worked so hard to help him learn too.
We have autism, adhd, and motor delays here, so I am intimately acquainted with the months/years of work necessary to learn skills that other kids pick up in a moment. I say that I measure success in micrometers, and I try to celebrate even the tiniest ones. And we have parties for huge moments like these. 🙂
Yes! We’re definitely learning to celebrate every tiny little step forward!!
This bowl is such a thrilling monument to allllll the love, patience, and care you and your family have gifted to both babies!!! I wish we still made altars, like in the Old Testament…this would surely be a moment for one.
Yes! It was such an evening of celebration!!
Yay praise God for a finished bowl!!! I know what a victory this is, my 5th daughter was born 14 weeks early and ended up with a feeding tube until she was 2 years old. There were many many days where just one bite was a win! I never knew how much I had taken for granted all of my other girl’s normal eating habits!! Praising God with you and your precious boy!!
Thank you so much! I’ve learned there’s so much I’ve taken for granted in the past!
I would have to go with meatloaf.
Yes!!
Please do share what you’re making as I buy the beef pork mix on sale too and need ideas. Thanks!
Meatloaf! We used the stuffing mix in place of bread crumbs/oatmeal.
Ah! Hope it was good!
Go Baby D! Go Mama! 😀