Back to School

Time has flown!  Here we are past the equinox and Fall is falling here in Seattle.  But today the weather is as perfect as it comes, so I'm typing on the porch among sunbeams and shade.

Since last we blogged so much has happened.  We had a super-fun visit from Grandma and Grandpa Montgomery.

   

Heath started preschool too -- what a big boy.  We go together twice a week for two hours.  He gets physical therapy and occupational therapy during classroom activities and is fascinated with all the new people and things to do.  The first day was overwhelming, but on the second day he seemed to be having a pretty good time.  We'll see if he continues to enjoy it... Drawing is sure fun!

Last week we took an old-fashioned road trip to Eugene, Oregon to visit my extended family.  We stayed with my 93-year old great aunt, Helen, who is a miracle and an inspiration!  

Aunt Helen put us up in her cozy house, cooked us pork chops, regaled us with stories, and hosted a passel of relatives who stopped in to meet Heath.  He enjoyed exploring her beautiful backyard, which is as neat as a pin and still full of pretty flowers.  It was so nice to connect with family and see the places where I spent so many happy summer vacations as a kid.

Last we blogged, I was looking forward to the removal of Heath's button.  Unfortunately, we still aren't there yet.  His pediatrician is just not sure his weight gain is sufficient, so she and Markus are going to speak this week.

As you can see, he is still not back up to his pre-wean weight, though he does continue to gain whenever he isn't ill.  We stopped giving him supplementary milk through the tube in late July, and right after that he got sick and we had a heat wave.  Ever since, he has been gaining between 1-2.5 oz. a week -- not bad!  At this rate he will find his ideal weight eventually.  His BMI is 14, which Markus says is OK.  He looks slim but healthy to us.

Since Heath was always tube fed at a caloric level determined by us, we are now in the process of discovering what his genetic body type really is.  My dad (whom Heath takes after) was quite skinny as a kid.  Aunt Helen told me that my grandma used to constantly try to fatten him up with half-and-half, to no avail! 

When he got married, my dad was 6'2" and 139 lbs!!   He has always been a relatively slim and healthy adult, and his brain development was apparently OK, since he ended up with a Ph.D. in mathematics!

At a time when 17% percent of children are obese, I'd rather that Heath start out on the thin side, but Dr. Heather wants to make sure we have all our bases covered before we take the more or less irrevocable step of removing the button, which I understand.  Ergo, the button remains, until she consults with Markus. 

Heath eats 1100-1200 calories daily (we recently did a micro-analysis of his calorie, fat, protein, and sugar consumption for the dietician) and gets supplementary vitamins, probiotics, and cod liver oil.  We offer him food every 3 hours or so, he is always excited about it and eats with gusto until he is full.  Sometimes a little, sometimes double the normal amount, just like any other kid.  I just can't imagine that there is a problem preventing him from eating more if his body needs it, but we'll run blood tests at his next appointment just to make sure his nutrition is on target.  I am feeling a bit beleagured by all this, as I watch him eating and enjoying new foods (crab cakes!  beef and sweet potato casserole!) and wolfing down his meals happily.  Sometimes I feel like my Grandma Alice must have, hoping her little string bean would fatten up and trying to sneak in a little more half-and-half...

Next week we are headed to Missoula to see some real estate and have meetings about the distillery we are starting up in spring.  We are looking forward to meeting Grandma and Grandpa Montgomery there and having some playtime on the shores of the Clark Fork River.  

Take care everyone!

Comments

[melissa aka equidae]

so much going on in your lives - God Bless! I am sure Heath is eating what he needs...doctors are fussy from my experience and I am glad I managed to find one for Greg who is quite relaxed. The weather is still hot here though not bad...nice autumn weather :) hugs to you guys

[Emily]

I ♥♥♥ those pictures! Heath does look a lot like your Dad!! Christopher has always been a skinny little thing. Still is. He is going to be 6 in December and only weighs 40lb. He can comfortably wear a 4T in pants/shorts. Apparently the "average" 6yr old is 46lb. *Shrug* Every kid is different. I wish his whole life wasn't consumed by scales. Poor weetle guy! He will be all knees and elbows! :)

[olga]

what are the chances your dad would've been tube fed for FTT or at the very least your grandmother soundly scolded for his not being on the charts?!?
genetics, people. it's kinda important. (i'm talkin' to you, medical community!)

[Nikole]

What a big boy! I love your tales of all of your adventures and seeing Heath become so big and strong. I miss you so much! Sending lovelovelove.

[Tara]

Hopefully the button will come out soon! I wonder why the doctors get so hung up on weight. Looking forward to the distillery adventure!

[Sylvia]

Dear Jenny,

I love your blog. You and Heath are such an inspiration. Heath might still have his tube but he is definitely not a tube fed kid anymore. He is a kid that loves food and does not need the tube. A BMI in the 14 percentile is great! Sara's BMI is only on the 3rd percentile... I guess someone has to be on the bottom of the stats. It's just math and statistics... Our kids do not know about the growth charts and are just developing fine and enjoying life!

lots of hugs

[Abeer]

What a lovely boy Heath is turning to be and it is amazing to see how much Heath has taken after your Dad!

You are right about him eating on his own genetic body formula and I think that you and Ryan are doing all the right things by offering him the type of foods that he takes a liking into and watching when there is any sudden loss in weight (God forbid)..I know that you were phenomenally patient and it has paid off!
I think that Heath is really close to the button free moment. I say that looking at how happy and healthy he looks..I am praying..

I send you lots of love, big big hugs and hope that you all will have good time in Missoula, in Montana.

Abeer