It's funny how different one kid is from the next. When we started feeding Anna solids, she really was befuddled by the process. We'd stick the small spoon in her mouth, coaxing her to swallow the rice cereal, and it would essentially tumble out the sides of her mouth. We'd try again and it would slide out her mouth again. She eventually got the hang of it, but I wouldn't say that she got any nutritional value out of her food for several weeks. It was more along the lines of, "Anna, meet spoon... Spoon, meet Anna... eventually you guys will get along."
Abe, however, Abe never met a spoon he didn't like. We've now been feeding Abe rice cereal for a little over two weeks. From the first time I placed the spoon in his mouth, Abe swallowed and opened for more. I really expected it to be a total mess and more about getting him used to the spoon, but he's taken a shine to this. Oh, it's still messy because he's trying desperately to swallow and it doesn't always time out right, but overall I'd say it's a major success. As soon as it hits his tongue, he grunts and leans forward for more. And when my timing is off and there's a delay, he raises his little fists from under his bib and shoves the bib in his mouth. I end up having to pull his hands down and get him sorted out before I can even put another bite in his mouth. Trying to land the rice cereal jetfighter in his mouth can actually be a little challenge.
Right now I'm feeding him cereal just once a day, but I may start doing it in the morning also. Of course, I can't remember how I did this with Anna. How soon do you start veggies after rice cereal? Do you just add more times a day with the cereal first? Let me know if you remember.
You may wonder why I haven't posted more about his developmental milestones, like reaching for things and rolling over, etc. It's not because the second child doesn't get any attention. Actually, Abe is taking his sweet time and has yet to really do these things. While I do think he's trying to reach a bit more for things some days, he's no where close to rolling over. Part of me panics every time I think about this. What if there's something wrong? What if he never does these things? What if? What if? In talking to his physical therapist, we're currently operating under the idea that Abe's torticolis has presented some challenges and that has caused some delays, but right now he appears to be physically able to move and do things, it's just a matter of waiting for it to happen. He's operating at more of the three month stage rather than the five month stage.
I pray this all resolves itself and that a year from now I don't even remember that he was behind. But I know that no matter what, we just take it one day at a time and keep working to move him forward - regardless of where he is developmentally.
On the lighter side, he is such a loving guy. He smiles the biggest smiles and wants to be held and loved and kissed and talk to constantly. Several people have told me independently that Abe is a total flirt. I agree. Even when he wakes up at night, crying because he's hungry or in need of a diaper change, Abe will turn his body around towards the door and the second he sees me, he'll give me the biggest grin. "oh, it's you... love me, will ya?" And, of course, I do. He's such a sweetheart. I am, indeed, in love.
1 comment:
Don't forget that boys are typically developmentally slower than girls. Don't compare him to Anna b/c he most likely won't be doing things as soon as she did.
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