Harrison and Roger Ebert

I tried to share Roger Ebert's blog post here but could only post the link below

http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2011/05/the_way_to_a_mans_heart_is_thr.html

I did not know this about Roger Ebert, that he has a G-tube for 100% of his nutrition since he recovered from his illness. I am grateful that he has shared it and shown the masses that it is really not that bad (contrary to how I felt when I learned we would be dealing with this when Harrison was less than 2 months old...ick!). We actually have not run into too many people staring when we feed Harrison in public, but I did wonder at first what people might be thinking. Now I could honestly care less what they think about that or the trach, and actually anyone who has commented or questioned has done so in the most sincere and polite way possible, which has made it very comfortable to explain or talk about. Thank you, kind strangers out there.

Speaking of Harrison's feeding issues, we have recently tweaked his diet some because he has not gained weight in a long time, and actually has lost some since we started adding baby food to his formula (which replaced some of the formula to keep the volume consistent). So now he is getting more than he was, plus a new formula (different type of Pediasure) with extra calories. Personally I think he is not gaining because he has been working so hard physically and making so much progress, and he is just burning calories faster. He has gotten much taller, and leaner, thus much bulkier for mommy to carry around everywhere, especially since he is dead weight. I'm all for helping him gain weight, but I really hope he starts walking soon!  In time, I guess...I know it will happen. Goodness knows he is trying.

He is also getting much better at learning how to eat...using his mouth! He enjoys lots of flavors and textures, and he is getting better at using his tongue to taste and move things around in his mouth, and swallowing little bits, and even starting to play with food and actually bring his messy hand to his mouth! I know, big deal, right...but in this house, these things are HUGE!!! Luckily for Harrison, the G-tube was placed for reasons that no longer are a factor in his health, and our goal is to get rid of it one day.

What has been incredibly fascinating through all of his developmental progress is the new respect I have for biological function, and the micro- steps that are involved in every move we make, of which we are not even aware. It is incredibly amazing to recognize and to watch human development play out in super-slow motion! I will probably come back to this revelation often...