Congratulations Graduate!

On Thursday, April 22nd, Ben graduated from Kennedy Krieger Institute's Intensive Feeding Clinic. He made incredible gains while there. I am amazed at the improvements that were made in 8 weeks. His variety of foods and textures are many, his meal time has been shortened dramatically, and his overall attitude toward eating is very positive. He has become one of my better eaters. He seems proud of himself for the growth he has made, and is excited to show off his new skills.

Since being home, I have added cheese cubes, grapes, watermelon, and ham to his list of foods he will eat. He has a big enough variety of foods, that it is usually no problem to put a meal together for him that is similar to what his siblings are eating for lunch, or to our family's meals. Last night, for example, we ate Hawaiian Haystacks. I served Ben chicken, rice, cucumber, and carrots, as well as his yogurt that he gets with every meal. To be able to fix him a plate like ours was awesome! I am not missing those purees at all.

Ben is still working on developing his eating skills, however. He is overcoming his oral sensory issues, and is learning to move food around his mouth effectively. He is working on chewing. When he doesn't chew enough, or tries to swallow too big a bite, he gags, and sometimes throws up a little. I am working on being patient with this, and it is hard for me. I have to remind myself about how much progress he has made, and try to dwell on the positive, especially when he leans over and spits his food out on my floor. It is then that I try to think of all of the miracles that have happened, and not about the mess that has just splattered around my feet.

The transition home has been better for me this time. When I returned home from Richmond, VA, 3 years ago, I felt like I didn't belong there or here for about 2 weeks. This time I slipped back into my life easily, but the jet lag was killer. I found no pleasure in waking up at 3:20 in the morning ready to get busy with my day. Old habits die hard. The housework was also a bit unpleasant. When it only took me 30 minutes to clean my room, bathroom, and to fold laundry, I got spoiled. Doing laundry for 7, and trying to keep up with the house is demanding. I suddenly have a lot of hungry people looking to me to provide a yummy dinner, while a yummy dinner was provided for me every night at Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore. I am not complaining, because I am so happy to be home to my sweet family, I am just adjusting. I do love being able to hug my kids again, rather than staring longingly through my webcam. I also love being able to go running outside...safely. The "House" is in a very bad area in Baltimore, and I never ventured outside of the House late at night. In fact, most of Baltimore was an area I did not venture into if possible. I am grateful to be home.

My whole trip was, overall, a wonderful experience. I loved being at KKI, and feel like the opportunity to stay at the House was a huge blessing. I met incredible people along the way, and made some great friends. I am also grateful for miracles, and know that they still happen today.