Little Lucia: 10/1/13

Monday, October 21, 2013

Giddy up Green Shake!

Our bird is turning into a lady and with that comes a distinguished palate and new activities! Lucia’s diet her first two and a half years lacked in variety-Muy Mucho! It consisted solely of my breast milk then infant formula then Pediasure. And not to forget her first year she was only fed by a feeding tube. Sure we wanted to give her more but we were worried about aspiration if we changed the thickness or flavor and I honestly just wasn’t ready to go there. BUT I DID! Move over sugary Pediasure, we are going GREEN! After working with different thicknesses, practicing the swallow for months with therapists and watching and listening with a careful eye and ear, Lu has shown us that she can handle other foods! She’s drinking real foods beautifully pureed via a powerful Vitamix and then given to her through a bottle. Whole foods-spinach, kale, apples, peppers, peaches, Greek yogurt, almond milk, beets, avocado, prunes, fresh herbs and more! Bacon and Eggs- YES! Chili-YES! Pumpkin spice smoothie-You BETCHA! And this past week -Salmon and veggies! Wow Lu! It is fun to make her “smoothie of the day” and this week we are consulting with a dietitian to make sure she is getting all she needs to BLOOM as she is meant to BLOOM! Katie Garces, I think of that card often- "Every flower needs to get through a little dirt before it can bloom" and Katie added “BLOOM LUCIA BLOOM!” Well, now we feel we are well on our way to watering her with the appropriate nutrients so she can bloom even more. We have also purchased some new eating tools- a vibrating straw, new teething and oral stimulation thing-a-ma-jigs, and Lucia is definitely showing improvement. We pray that one day she will be able to enjoy pureed foods by spoon, and use the spoon herself or just feed herself with her sweet hands. We dream of a family meal where our Lu can sit at the table and enjoy all the foods that we do! Up up and away-we will try!

Mom, you have got to be crazy if you think I'll drink that!

Well maybe, i'm pretty hungry and perhaps its a shamrock shake?!

Hey Lubirdy! She likes it!

Our bird has also been riding a horse- Horse therapy once a week for the past 6 weeks- Giddy Up! According to her horse therapy entourage-all 4-5 of them- they said this past Sunday was her best session yet! Riding, touching, smelling, walking and feeling every muscle of the horse can be so therapeutic for everyone and especially for kids that may need more input to develop and understand their muscle tone. It’s really awesome to watch. A little bird on a big horse, sometimes singing her song, sometimes trying to lay down and sometimes sitting up tall with a smile or her beautiful content look upon her angelic face.

We are happy. We are so happy she is eating well. We are so happy she is improving and enjoying her riding lessons. And we are so happy with our family of four, plus 2 dogs=six. And Scout, oh her little sister Scout is more than we ever hoped for. Things are happy in our little home.

sisters snuggling in bed

ps. Lubird has a new hairdo and we think it's her new do for some time to come-it suits her so well! Big girl! Love you Lu!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Times have changed

Last Monday Jason's grandpa passed away peacefully at the age of 89. Paul "Bud" or as family called him "Poppy" Dawkins was great and will be missed. Poppy was always so loving and caring towards his grandchildren, as was his late wife June. They both LOVED holding, cuddling, and visiting with their great granddaughters, seven in all! When Lucia was born and had her differences and challenges- feeding tube, oxygen, untypical baby strength, apparent vision and hearing difficulties etc, it was hard for Poppy to comprehend. He loved Lucia, no doubt, but you could tell that he was worried about her road ahead. He would ask many questions. We would explain she was happy, and "no she can't see well but yes, she knows who we are", and the one question he asked almost every single time, with a concern for our answer, "Will she be able to walk?". We usually answered with a positive "maybe" or "we're not sure, but it's ok". He didn't really understand it all and he had a heavy heart for Lucia, and maybe for us. One of the last visits Jason had with Poppy was when he took Lucia to watch the football game at his house. When they got home I was asking how he was, and I also asked if he asked his usual walking question. Jason said he was doing ok, couldn't really hear, slowing down, and this time, in response to Poppy's question he answered with a "probably not". We will never give up on Lubird walking but if it's not meant to be, it's ok. We feel we'll be pleasantly surprised and ecstatic if she does walk or exceeds expectations! I often wondered why Poppy seemed so unable to understand Lucia's condition. I know he just wanted the best for his grandchildren, Jason, and of course his great grandchildren, Lucia, but I also think it is because times have changed. Thank God times have changed!
When Poppy grew up, kids like Lu probably didn't have much of a chance due to lack of today's medical help. In his years growing up, and throughout much of his life, kids like Lu were possibly institutionalized, and if not that they were kept out of public. It is so unimaginable to think of that situation. Probably just over 40 years ago and definitely up to 89 years ago, that was how it was for many and still is in places around the world. Wow.
Poppy, you were a loving person and grandfather to our Lubird and our Scout and you lived a full life of 89 years! I think Jason answering his question this time with a nonchalant "Probably not.", just about a week before he passed, he may have been able to realize that it truly was ok. She would be our forever baby, walking, wheelchair or in our arms.. Love is really all you need. He would always say with his ear to ear smile, "look at that baby". "Look at the beautiful baby." We know she is beautiful and we can't look at her enough. We love you Poppy, I'm sure you now understand.