"he's a star!"

Those were the words from Max's nutritionist tonight ..."he's a star, he's a star!" YAY MAX! :)

She is very impressed with how much progress he has made recently with his eating! (She was also teasing me about how happy my voice mails have been in the past few weeks. I'm always so excited to report our good news!)

She is amazed too at how quickly this is all happening...me too, me too! :) For many children with Max's "quirks" (i.e. disabilities), it takes years to achieve any oral feeding.

She was also incredibly wonderful at encouraging me for all of our efforts...and that this is our reward! I love how so many of his therapists and doctors do such a great job applauding the parent's role...it really does validate your work. We are blessed to have such a special team of people on our journey.

It's difficult to put into words my excitement on this issue. When you think there is a possibility your child may never eat orally...or perhaps not for many years, you try to find acceptance. You try your best to accept (with much tears and sadness) that it is not the end of the world and are thankful that there are such things as Gtubes to keep your baby alive with good nutrition. (I remember the exact moment I was first told of the need for the Gtube and how absolutely terrified I was. Now I realize he wouldn't be here today without it.)

During all of this, you still pursue the various methods to encourage swallowing and oral feeds but there are many discouraging days, weeks, months in the process. Times when other therapy goals or medical interventions take priority. Times when you feel like it's just never going to happen.

But then it happens (well begins to happen) and you realize that "oh my God, my child may actually eat someday. We may share a happy meal together or I will make him peanut butter toast or my very favorite pizza." Just the thought of all that gives me chills...so exciting.

We still have a very, very, very, very, very (have I mentioned "very") long journey ahead of us in the feeding department, but I am astounded at his progress already.

He truly is a miracle...and I truly am blessed.