Mish-Mash Ethan Style

I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone that is still following my progress on this site. For every one that has been with me ever since my first post, and for all the new people I have met along the way. It has been an emotional journey, full of medical jargon, weird tests and unclear results. To know that people would take time out of a busy day to read up to find out how I am doing fills my heart. Thank you so much for your continued strength and prayers to get me through everyday.

My swallow study results came back. The study showed that I am still pooling liquid in my valleculae which then spilled into my periform sinuses.  It showed that even with a small amount of liquid I do a complicated set of mathematical equations and push a certain amount back and swallow multiple times to clear the liquid. However during this study there were no laryngeal penetration or tracheal aspiration.

The plan is to give me "thin puree" (rice cereal) on a spoon to get me used to texture, utensils, and practice so my mouth is more organized. It is still deemed "unsafe" for any oral feeding as I am still at risk for aspiration, however I haven't got sick or developed pneumonia from my trials before, so this is my reward.  My mommy, grandma and daddy have been very patient with me as I have gotten very good at protecting my mouth and tongue. I don't mind the taste or texture once it's in my mouth however I haven't come to understand the object/food relationship. I just don't want anything near my mouth that I can't control.

My mommy and grandma took me to get my 6 month eye check up at my daddy's optometrist office. Since it may turn out that I have a mitochondrial disorder it is very important for the doctors to keep an 'eye' on me as eye disorders are a common symptom of mitochondrial myopathy.  I was checked out by 2 doctors to make sure nothing was abnormal. I have medically and cosmetically perfect eyes... so far.. I will need to be rechecked in 6 months rather than the standard 1 year.

Mommy took me to see the Grand River Hospital outpatient dietician to get me weighed as I have been still increasing quickly in size. I was weighed in at 8.57kg which translates to 18g / day over the past 2 weeks. Before we change anything about my feeding I will be weighed again next Friday as I am starting to slow down a bit.  We think that it is due to my pukes every morning as my parents haven't been replacing what I lost every day. If I'm still gaining over the norm we will need to adjust my feeds. This dietician believes that my morning puking episodes are attributed to my reflux, as it's not uncommon for reflux victims to puke up mucus every morning. Ewww yay reflux!

This past Wednesday night my mommy and grandma took me swimming for the very first time! Kidsability has a therapuetic pool at their Waterloo location. It is kept at 92 degrees and can hold a maximum of 20 people. I was very busy observing EVERYTHING, in, around and above the pool to notice that I was actually in a pool. I wiggled my legs and splashed a few times, all in all I would say I did very well for my first time! We stayed in for 35 minutes until my mommy said it was time to get out because her hands were getting wrinkly! I have added a few pictures to my photos!

Lastly, I was assessed by infant development on Friday. They do not do percentiles or percentages for 6 months. There are 6 basic yes or no questions in each category.  Scored 10 points for a yes and 0 points for a no, 5 points for sometimes.
Here's how I stacked up at my assessment:

Communication: 50/60

Gross Motor Skills: (control of the large muscles of the body)  25/60

Fine Motor Skills: (control the smaller muscles of the body) 60/60

Problem Solving: 60/60

Personal-Social skills: 50/60

My next assessment will be done when I am 8 months old.

I would also like to thank my grandma who has given my parents the opportunity to go out for dinner sans me twice in 2 weeks!  It's only been a few hours but they greatly appreciate the time to themselves.

My mommy wants me to add that she is very proud of my sitting progress. I am considered ahead! Me Ethan! Ahead on something! I have been sitting propped on my arms for a while now and have just started to make the adjustment to sitting by myself with my arms free shaking a toy! A few more days and I'll be there!

My daddy wants to mention that as of right this minute I seem to understand "High Five" and I smack his hand. Or maybe it's just because I have this hand in front of my face!