Here's our latest video of Luke who has now developed a taste for solid foods.
I suppose you're wondering what happened at the Doctor's. Well, lots. Luke has been placed on a high fat diet. Apparently we have to teach Luke exactly the opposite of what we teach most American kids...Fat is a good thing. We've been instructed to do things like add Pediasure to his formula (his breath now smells like scented candle), add whipping cream to his sweet potato, and add butter and sour cream to anything he eats. I like his diet better than mine. God bless America, the boy likes peanut butter!!!
They took many samples of the stool and blood kind, and so far everything is normal. The 5 shots and the blood "letting" were traumatic for all of us, but we rallied.
His internal organs are all fine, but she was concerned about his size (join the club) so he is off to the orthopedist to do an initial screening of his feet and full skeletal x rays to figure out if he is small due to malnutrition, or some bone disease. We will all be relieved to hear the results, we hope that his bones are normal, but just need nourishment.
Next week we visit the pediatric urologist to plan his hernia surgery and to take care of his other "boy part" problem.
Luke has been developing at the speed of light! My dad says, "Its like it was in him all the time, he just had to have a chance to let it out." After raising two children in normal circumstances, I know how long and hard babies have to work to say, accomplish pincer grasp and willfully grab and shake and drop and pick it up again. Luke practices a skill one day, and the next, he has it! Its like he is morphing before our very eyes! We forget sometimes that there is a 15 month old brain inside a tiny 6-9 month old body. He now says "more more moe!!" When we don't get the sweet potato in his mouth quickly enough! One issue that is lagging far behind is his gross motor skills, he can't crawl or even roll over yet. I can tell he has very little shoulder and arm strength, having never used his hands or arms until a month ago. He has his early intervention evaluation on Monday, and we can't wait to find out what we can do to help him get going.
We promise to update soon, and thanks so much for all of the support from our family, friends, and friends of friends!
At the end of the day, when Luke goes to bed stimulated, nourished and loved, you all helped us accomplish that, and have kept us going. A million thanks!!
7 comments:
So glad to hear you are all doing great. I love the little video - he's definitely enjoying his meal.
Best of luck with the upcoming tests. Will be checking back for updates.
Oh my goodness, how wonderful!! He is growing and changing so much due to the love of his forever family :) I am so happy to hear how quickly he is picking up new skills, he sure is a cute little man!!
Will be praying for you guys..What a beautiful family
We can't wait to see you all and give Luke a big squeeze!
I've never been so excited to see anyone eat a sweet potato!! :) Seriously Anne & Family - after not seeing Luke for a week, he has made such amazing improvements and changes in just a short amount of time! Best of luck at future appts, you all are constantly in our thoughts and prayers!
Jenn (& the Summervill family)
I am so happy to see Luke's progress. He is making such incredible progress! You all will stay in our prayers.
Trish, Buck, Austin, and Izzy
Anne, here's a little tip I got from the nutritionists at Children's Hospital when my son was diagnosed with failure to thrive as an infant -- zinc is an important part of processing fat & fat-soluable vitamins, and it can be hard to come by. Red meat & lamb are good sources, as well as zinc-fortified cereals & formula. Not all cereals have zinc (some are only iron-fortified), so you have to look carefully. We learned that Earth's Best cereal is NOT zinc-fortified, but Healthy Times is.
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