Vegetable of the Day

Today was the day to try a new food, and since we have done nothing but fruits, I decided to go with a vegetable. Since Shane and I don't really care for many vegetables except green beans and corn, it only seemed sensible for me to try green beans, even though they are not high in calories. We knew this was going to be an unpleasant experience for Camden and he proved us right. After a bit of gagging and funny facial expressions, he was able to get a bit of it down. Definitely not as exciting as pears or prunes, but we will keep working on it!

First bite - not so sure

Oh no, not so good

Gagging

Not too enthused, but eating them like a good boy

Really Mom, I have to eat more???

Almost . . .

For a week or so now, when I get home from work, Camden and I work on his sitting. For the past several weeks, he has really gotten away from being held like a baby. He no longer allows me to rock him to sleep or even hold him like a baby while sitting on the couch- which saddens me. But, in the same breath, I am glad to know that he is progressing in his development. When we practice sitting, he always seems to fall to the left side more than the right. I am convinced that he must have a rounded butt cheek on that side, and a flat one on the right side. Anyway, he is definitely getting closer to being able to sit by himself. Right now, he is able to sit there for about 3 to 5 seconds at the longest. I realize that is not very long, but it still makes me proud!

Sitting by himself

In the process of falling over

A Hairy Habit

Camden has a new habit that I just think is precious, and if I had to guess, I think Shane likes it too! When Shane is feeding him, he likes to reach his hand up and play with Shane's gotee. He just started doing it this past week, but has definitely made it a habit!

So sweet!

Weekly events

Today we introduced yet another food, and even though I really wanted to try green beans, we went with pears. I did this for two reasons, first of all pears are not supposed to be constipating and second they have way more calories than green beans. And since I am all about adding calories to Camden's diet, the pears won. He LOVES them. I can't shovel in the food fast enough, thank goodness!!!


Over the past week, his reflux has seemed to have worsened. I am not sure if it was the breast milk that we started adding back into his diet (we had quit giving it about two weeks ago because he acted like he didn't like it and we were trying to get him to drink all of his bottles) or the prunes, but today he did much better minus the breast milk and prunes. So after I get it settled back down, I think we will try the breast milk again and see if maybe it is just the prunes. I HATE to waste all the breast milk we still have in the freezer.


Yesterday I had my final appointment with Dr. Hogan, my neurologist here in Tuscaloosa, and he was pleased with how I am doing. My vision seems to be staying pretty stable in the affected eye aside from the floater that will be there forever. He told me that if I were to stay here, he would have me follow up in a year with another MRI and if it came back clean then he would wait two more years before doing another MRI. So, I guess I will have a year to find a good neurologist in Houston!

I turned in my resignation this week and my last day at work will be July 30th. I still can't believe that the time is almost near. I also received an email from my supervisor at my new job, and I have new nurse orientation August 5th and 6th. So good thing I had decided for us to move the first weekend in August! Still no lookers on the house, which is a bit depressing for me, but I have every intent to start packing this weekend!

Fourth of July Weekend

On Friday after I got off of work, we headed to Georgia to Shane's grandparent's house. I always love going there!! Camden did wonderful on the ride over, but due to his slow eating (30 minutes to get down 4 ounces) it took us a little longer than normal to get there. On Saturday, Granny and I went and did a little shopping, and Granny bought Camden a new outfit and a new toy. I don't know who was more excited about the toy, me or Camden!! On Sunday, after church we went to eat and then went to Shane's cousin's house and saw her new baby girl, Reagan. She is just precious! It is amazing that Camden used to be that small!! We headed back home today and Camden was asleep before we even got out of the neighborhood and slept for 3 hours. We stopped at Shane's grandfather's house outside of Birmingham and after visiting there for an hour and a half, we headed home and Camden slept another 45 minutes. We definitely had a great trip and enjoyed our time with Shane's family. We will miss being this close to his family, but hopefully with our school schedules we will find the time to visit them often.

Camden with his new toy - Mr. Moose

He really started chewing on everything this weekend

Still chewing. . . .

Reagan Emma Churcher

Me, Camden, Granny and Reagan

Granny playing with Camden

Zach enjoying his time at Granny and Granddad's

Cereal Equals Constipation

First of all, let me say that I do realize that when my child is older and reads these blog entries detailing his life, he will not be thrilled that I posted an entry regarding his bowel movements, but here goes. Since starting cereal, Camden has had a horrible time with constipation. Bless his heart - he grunts, groans, makes the veins pop out in his head, pushes and after a bit will finally produce something that is very pasty and formed. So after doing a little research, I read that barley cereal is less constipating than rice cereal, and that pears and prunes are less constipating than applesauce. So yesterday we started barley cereal and prunes. Let me just say, he LOVES prunes!!! He doesn't even gag when he eats them!! But I have seen no improvement in his bowel movements as of yet. In order to help our poor little guy, he is getting Lactulose daily, which seems to help. I will be looking forward to next month when we can start juice - perhaps that will help!!!

Playing on his mat

Criss Cross Applesauce

When Camden went to his last doctor's appointment, she said that we could offer him cereal two times a day for a few weeks and then add in a fruit or vegetable. Well, apparently I am impatient and after less than a week of giving him cereal twice a day, we introduced applesauce! Well, after he gagged for the first few bites, he got it down pretty good and seemed to like it.

Notice that he even has food on his eyelashes!