Feeding Update

At Max's last swallow study, we were told we could give him an ounce of liquids with each of the meals he eats by mouth. I was a little worried about getting him to use a sippy cup or a cup to drink out of since he hasn't had a bottle since he was three and a half months old. Much to my surprise, he is doing great. He does really well with an open cup (with our help), but I also wanted him to drink from a sippy cup. I haven't been able to get him to drink out of a sippy cup with a valve since his suck isn't strong enough. I took the valve out of the cup and he did pretty good, but I was concerned about the milk coming out too fast. Last weekend, I tried the take and top sippy cups and he does great with them. He is able to get milk out and doesn't make a huge mess. He loves drinking! Milk is his favorite. He has also tried juice. It feels good being able to give him liquids. . . so far he has remained healthy. I tried to give him half milk and half pediasure and he wanted nothing to do with it!

As far as food by mouth, he is slowly progressing. He is currently eating small chunks of soft fruits and vegetables. He also still gets purees that are not too thick or have much texture. And of course his loves. . . cheerios and cheeto puffs.

I am glad that he loves eating by mouth. He would put anything in his mouth, it is just that he can't get it down without gagging. Small steps!

Santa Came to Town!

Friday night we went to the visit Santa! Ava was excited all week. Ava got a little "star struck" when she sat on his lap. She couldn't even tell him what she wanted for Christmas. Even after me telling Santa she wanted socks, she still didn't have any thing to say. So Santa told her that she could e-mail him with her list. Funny!

Max didn't want anything to do with Santa. I only got him on his lap for a quick picture. Two months ago, Max would have greeted Santa with open arms. He is getting a touch of stranger anxiety. My baby is growing up!!

Santa was in the school's gymnasium. Half of the gym was blocked off with curtains for the kids to shop for Christmas gifts. Each kid was able to fill out of list of who they wanted to shop for and a budget. The gifts ranged from ($1 to $5). One of Santa's helpers took them shopping and helped wrap the gifts. Ava came out with gifts for John, myself, and Max. And she hasn't told anyone what she bought. . . yet! Last year when she finished shopping, she came out and handed me the bag with the gifts and told me that she got me a snowman and dad a screwdriver.

Pig Is Back!

Last year we started the "Elf on a Shelf" tradition in our home. It is cute and Ava seem to really enjoy it even though it really hasn't made her behave any better. The elf, which Ava named Pig last year (go figure), arrives during the holiday season and is one of Santa's helpers. He watches the kids during the day and reports back to Santa while we are asleep. When Ava wakes up in the morning, she has to find Pig since he moves to a different spot in the house when he gets back to the North Pole each night. And there is a rule that if you touch him, his magic wears off. Ava is VERY strict about that rule. The hard thing is remembering to move it each night. I have to give John the credit for keeping Mr. Pig's spirit alive this year.

We've Been Elfed

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Go Pack Go

On Sunday, John and I got the chance to go to Lambeau Field to the Packer/Panther game. John got the tickets through work that included a bus ride to the game and a tailgate party. We left Madison at 6:30 and arrived in Green Bay around 8:30. The tailgate party was inside, which was nice. Being outside for the game was enough for me! John and I had a great time at the game even thought the Packers lost. John was much more upset about the loss than I was . . . he is probably still upset.

Not the baby anymore. . .

When we were at my mom's house for Thanksgiving, my brother and sister-in-law were there with their new baby Emerson. When my mom was rocking Emerson, Max stood at the bottom of the rocker thinking "what about me". So my mom picked him up and rocked both of them. It was too cute!



Max may be jealous of Emerson stealing a bit of his spotlight, but he has lots of love for her.

Turkey Cupcakes

Ava's class made turkey cupcakes on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and were told by their teacher that they had to take them home or they were going to be tossed. Well, we were home when Ava realized she forgot her cupcake and inconsolably cried because she forgot her cupcake and Ms. Mara was going to throw it away. So, Dad told her they would look on the internet and find the cupcakes they made at school so she could make them with her cousins when we were home for Thanksgiving. They found the cupcakes online and went to the store and bought items to make the cupcakes. Ava and her cousins really had a good time making the cupcakes and especially enjoyed eating them. Aren't they cute!