We are turning a corner...

...with this feeding stuff, I think.

Ever since beginning solids with Dylan, we've had our share of struggles. For over a year, Dylan had battled what we thought was severe reflux. However, after various procedures and then finally an endoscopy, we have come to understand that there is a high likelihood that Dylan has Celiac Disease. I have since stopped giving him anything with gluten and have seen remarkable improvements. Seriously remarkable.

So, once we made the decision to put Dylan on a completely gluten-free diet, we then had to begin getting Dylan more comfortable and controlled with gluten-free table foods.

For the longest time, whenever we placed any type of food on his tray, he would pick it up, ever so gently, look at it between his little fingers, and then proceed to fling it (quite forcefully, too!) across the room. That gradually changed to picking things up, again, gently, and leaning his arm over the side of his booster chair and dropping the food down to the dogs waiting below. He was gaining more control, but still wasn't eating anything.

Each time I tried to put the food into his mouth, he would either spit it out or would choke and gag on it.

We took small breaks, but gradually, always came back to it. I switched our OT from every week to every other - it was beginning to become a stressful situation and I knew that that wouldn't help.

Then, very recently, Dylan got quite sick, so again, we took a break. When we came back to it this time, it was different. Something clicked. He began to put the food in his mouth, chew it and swallow. He appeared to enjoy it as well. And, just like he does now when getting into sit, every time he puts a piece of food in his mouth, he cheers for himself! Many times now, I have put small pieces of food on his tray and have walked away, only to look back at him and see him sitting there clapping away - obviously proud that he's accomplished another skill.

A couple of weeks ago, we had a visit with a dietician through Children's Hospital. She gave us some decent gluten-free food ideas to try with Dylan. So this weekend, Cass and I headed to Trader Joes to see what we could find for Dylan. (Ahem, and for us - and can I just say - those chocolate covered pretzels are RIDICULOUSLY amazing?!!)

They had a pretty decent selection of gluten-free foods to choose from and it felt good, looking for real food for Dylan.

He's done well with what we've tried so far. Gluten-free English muffins, mac and cheese, pancakes, waffles...

He's getting there, he is. We have definitely turned a corner - I can see progress, now, whereas for a while there, I wasn't sure I could, and that concerned me. I remember mentioning before that we had been blazing through about 9 jars of baby food a day and now, little by little, we are moving away from that. And that's a very good thing...

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Do you have a child with Celiac Disease? If so, I would love to hear some suggestions for food ideas. I'm building a list, and would love to add to it. : ) Thank you!