The Tube is OUT!!!!

That's right!!! The tube is OUT!!! We are so thrilled. Nathan had his appointment with Dr. El-baba today. He is happy with the progress he is making, and felt it was okay to remove the tube a month early as long as Sarah the dietitian was okay with it. Sarah came in and we went over what he typically eats in a day. We advised her that he eats ALL day long. Here is a break down of one day:

8am: Bowl of dry cereal

10am: 2-3 pancakes, and a glass of milk

11:30-12pm: Apple or Oranges

1-2pm: Bowl of Pasta, and a Boost Drink

4:30pm~Apple, Oranges or a cheese stick pack

6-6:30pm~Dinner (whatever we are having) Chicken, carrots/peas

Small snack before bed

2~9ozs sippy of water/juice during the day

This is just a break down of 1 day. Everyday is different. She said she would like us to lower the amount of juice he gets and up the amount of milk per day. And to limit the snacks. She wants him to feel more hungry at mealtime. We asked her about the tube, and if it could come out. She said it should be fine. She believes Nathan will continue to be tall and skinny like his dad, and will stay around the 10th percentile. She asked how we felt maybe keeping the tube in for a few more months. We told her that if it wasn't bothering him, I wouldn't mind, but the fact that it hurts him ALL day everyday is not good. We need it out. She felt comfortable enough for it to be removed. After seeing her, Dr. El-baba came in and removed it. Nathan screamed so loud, but bounced back quick. I could tell a difference in him right away. He seemed happier, and was standing up straighter. We are so glad it is out, and just pray that Nathan keeps going in a positive direction.

We decided to have a little pizza party to celebrate this occasion. I told everyone way in advance that when it came out, we were having a pizza party, but that it would be short notice since we didn't know until the appointment. Right after his appointment we called and texted everyone. They were thrilled. The pizza party was fun. Both grandmas, and grandpas came, along with Bryan, Lindsay, GGma, and Melissa. It was a nice little celebration.

Building his Vocabulary

Nathan is doing better at saying new words. I think now that the binker is out of his life, he is going to start talking much more. He said a new word for the first time yesterday. He said Diego. It was really adorable. I have complied a list of words he says. I am sure I am forgetting some, but so far I can only think of:

Momma, Mom, Dadda, Daddy, Dad, Grandma, Hi, Night, Kitty, Bubba, Huh, Bryan, Papa, Dog, Car, All, Gone, Good, Girl, Diego

He can also put a few words together:

Night night, All gone, Good girl

Nathan is Binker Free

Today is the first day Nathan is binker free. For the past few months we have only been giving it to him mostly at nap and bed time. And when he falls asleep and the binker falls out, that's it. He doesn't wake up for it anymore.

I decided today is the day...NO MORE BINKER!!!!

Well is has now been 4 days, and he has not had or needed his binker. The only time it has been rough, has been on a few car rides. He was tired, and fussy. I was thinking how nice it would be to give him a binker and make him happy. I held strong though. All the binkers are all put away. We are thrilled.

Nathan can put 2 words together

The doctor said at his well appointment that he is a little behind in his speech and if by mid summer he is not saying more words and putting 2-3 words together, then we would see about talking to a speech therapist.

Well today Nathan and I went to Costco with my mom, and as we were shopping Nathan was eating an apple I had brought. When he ate the last bite, I threw my hands in the air and said "All gone" All of a sudden he threw his hands up and said "All gone" It was the most adorable thing I have heard. Mom and I both paused and looked at each other in amazement. It threw me of guard, and I was not excepting it.

Of course trying to get him to say it again it work. He seems to play this game, after saying something new, if will NOT say it again for some time, knowing you want him to do it. He is so stubborn. I think by mid summer he will be just fine. He chats (blabble) all day long. I think he will take off soon.

Nathan knows his letters

Nathan had me in tears tonight. We were at Bed Bath & Beyond waiting for gift wrapping, and while we were waiting Nathan was on my lap and staring at all the words on the shopping cart. I proceeded to ask him where different letters were. He pointed to each letter I called out. My lil man knows his letters. I can't believe it. He is SO smart!!!!

Nathan's first time drinking from a straw

Nathan figured out how to drink from a straw today.

My mom and I were at grandma's house and we had pop from White Castles. Nathan kept trying to grab the straw to have a drink. Of course since it's pop my mom kept saying NO. Well I said let him try, it's not like he will get anything, he doesn't know how to drink from a straw. Well the little sucker proved me wrong. After a few attempts he got some pop in his mouth. We were shocked!!!! He started clapping, and was so proud of himself. It was adorable. Of course we didn't let him have the cup anymore. So when mom and I went to lunch, and Nathan's milk came to the table, I decided to keep the lid and straw on the cup. He did fabulous. I am super proud he figured it out. Now I am going to buy him this Diego straw sippy I seen at Babies R Us. It is really cute, and he LOVES Diego.

Dr. El-baba Visit

I took Nathan to see Dr. El-baba today for his tube change. Kevin and I tried changing it the other day, and it would not come out. I didn't want to hurt him, so we decided we were going to have him do it. Plus it's been bothering him a lot, so we wanted Dr. E to check it out. Everything went well. Of course he pulled it out no problem. Putting the new one in was a little harder since he was screaming and tightening his stomach. He said the site looks good. Nothing to worry about.

He did knock off a month though. YAY!!!! He originally said (on Dec 17th) the tube needed to stay in for 6 months of non use before we could remove it permanently. But he said give it 3 more months. We are extremely excited. Instead of it coming out June 17th, we will be removing it May 13th. (Fingers crossed, they don't put him back on tube feeds, I don't want to start all over again)

What a great Anniversary present. Per his approval, we will take the tube out the 13th at night. (That way he is not running around while it's healing) I decided I will take the 14th (Our Anniversary) off work, just in case I need to take him to the doctors. We are totally going to celebrate. Can't wait!!!!