Progress

Sorry it's been so long but things have been busy. For a quick update they had us do some experimenting this weekend to see if Mason would eat better by mouth when he was empty (before tube feeds). We worked on three "meals" of his preferred food gravy and he did great right before his tube feeds (which is when we think his belly would be empty. So on Monday afternoon we made some more tweaks to his feeding schedule so that during his therapy meals he wouldn't be so full and that has seemed to help! Today he took 20 g of his gravy at 8:00, 8.5 g of beef stew at 10:30, and 7 g of beef stew at 1:00...1 oz 1/2 by mouth! Woo hoo! I have also worked with Mason and taught him the cue "chew" which he thinks is hilarious (and it gets him to chew and swallow his bites faster)! Win-win. 

The plan is to add a new food and see how that goes and they will send food home for a 4th "meal" tomorrow. His oral motor skills are getting so much stronger and he is clearing his food with 2 swallows instead of 3 so we are pleased and will take it! So proud of our boy and his progress! Thank you for continued prayers!

Passing the time in between meals. 

Ups and downs

            Tired out after a long day. 

The past few days have been full of ups and downs. At the beginning of the week we were trying to figure out how to make things work with the feeding sessions to set Mason up for success. His 10:30 meal was always a struggle because he had just finished up his tube feeding which made his reflux worse and more gaggy. They decided to split his tube feeds up so it wasn't such a large volume at one time and that did help us be more successful. Today was a difficult day. We did switch back to the puree Mac and cheese and Mason just seems to have a hard time with it. I think we will move on to something else tomorrow. As of now the goal is to get him jump started to develop muscle memory and strength to take possible 25% by mouth with more being a very long term goal. I am hoping and praying that we can even get there at this point but I'm not losing the faith yet. Please continue to pray for success. He has improved with the acceptance of bites and a more timely swallow and he is closing his lips over the squeeze bottle which is much improved. He is trying very hard which is more than I can ask. 

Sunday came

Sunday came and it was time for Mason and I to head back to Richmond. This is getting more and more difficult and I have such a hard time leaving Corbin upset. But we are thankful for safe travels and for the opportunity to be here and for the wonderful time that we had together this weekend. 

  Love and miss this sweet boy. 

                          Silly face

It is amazing to see the bond between Corbin and Mason even without words. They love each other very much. Corbin has taught Mason to reach over from his car seat so they can hold hands while we are driving. We are blessed. 

"For where your treasure is,there will your heart be also." Luke 12:34

Please pray for good gains this week and progress with Mason's learning how to eat and continued health. I'll continue to update! Thanks so much for your prayers.