So I might have mentioned
here that one of my precious ones has some very real sensory issues
and when it comes food and
eating
my sweet Caleb has a
really hard time
It was a struggle from the
very beginning when he was throwing up blood, po*ping blood and hurting
every – time – he –
ate
He was tongue tied
extremely tongue tied and
was so hard to nurse
but I did for as long as I
could
cause as hard as it was to
nurse him...
baby food was a whole
other challenge
and we won't even talk
about “real” food.
Sigh!!
My sweet child has just
had such a battle between wanting so badly to eat “like everyone
else”
and . well . eating.
The smell, the texture and
the taste are all very concerning and even favorites have to be just
right.
SO...
When there are victories,
even small ones
we celebrate...
and we had a victory the
other night
a victory born out of a
setback when my sweet child refused to eat something that he had been
eating and Caleb just can't afford to strike anything
off of his list of approved foods
so, it became a “thing”
and that was probably our fault but this was one of the very few
meals that we would all eat
It was not easy and Caleb
ended up being sent to bed without any supper and I ended up feeling
really yucky.
Until...
big brother Charlie
you know Charlie, the
peacemaker
AND
Charlie the disturber of the peace!
Came along to save the day
Charlie worked his magic
and brought a very excited Caleb down to try something new...
CELERY!
Yep – CELERY!!!
and not only did he try
celery but he tried celery with peanut butter and celery with just
salt and not only did he try it but he actually chewed it up
AND
swallowed it!!!
WOW!
I have to say it again
WOW!
Caleb was so proud of
himself
We were so proud of Caleb
and the best part...
Charlie was SO proud of
Caleb and so happy with being able to help his little
brother
I tell, ya, as much as a
struggle this eating thing is, watching the relationship
between my two boys grow and strengthen and watching the love and
trust they have with each other was right up there with the fact that
CALEB ATE CELERY!!!!!
Now, just so you know, my
sweet child is not alone in this and learning about sensory issues
and how it can affect/afflict a person has brought me to the
conclusion that it must be hereditary cause I am a picky eater and
not just picky
NO!
I cannot eat entire food
groups y'all!
No meat
and definitely
No seafood
Yeah, try living in the
South, right on the coast and not eating meat or seafood!
Just sayin!
I do cook meat for my
family because they like it but touching raw
meat is not something that this sensory person particularly enjoys
doing.
Bleh!
However, when it comes to
seafood...
Ahem
I – just – cannot –
do – it!
It smells and it is slimy
Yep, I'm done!
Hehe!
So, when my poor hubby,
who loves seafood gets the chance to eat seafood...
He does not turn it down!
So, when we were offered
some fresh fish by our wonderful neighbors, I just could not turn it down cause I knew hubby would love it
And love it he did!
I, on the other hand had
to just take deep breaths and look away for most of the prep and ALL
of the clean up!
Cause, my sensory stuffs
isn't just confined to the taste of food
nope!
My kitchen smelled – for
days – and the mess...
Oh the mess...
I just had to close my
eyes and trust that hubby would take pity and clean up too!
And he did!
And my senses thanked
him!!
Oh my dear, sweet Caleb, I
hope that it helps to see that your Momma struggles sometimes too.
I hope it helps to know
that I understand, that I have BTDT!
I hope it helps to know
that we love you just as you are and that you will be ok and that you
will eventually eat more and that the Lord will love you whether you
eat broccoli or not!
It has not been easy, I
know
I really know but..
I also know that eating or
not...
you are the most loving,
caring, thoughtful child
and we love you
just – the – way –
you – are
I love that Charlie helped Caleb - so sweet! Big brothers are the best! I don't know what my issues are, but I also cannot handle raw meat/seafood - I never, ever cook it. I will *literally* vomit/dry heave on handling/seeing raw meat sometimes, and ESPECIALLY the smell of eggs - my mother would fry some eggs for my brother and the smell alone would send me into the bathroom to throw up! I don't really have any ethical objections to meat, but it's easier to tell people that I'm a vegetarian just because I don't like the taste and I'll leave it at that. I was just at a conference today and someone asked me why I chose the veggie boxed lunch - I always get questioned about not eating meat! I thought I was alone in my strange food quirks. Poor Caleb!
ReplyDeleteLove it! and yes, my Conner is the same way - I will have to try celery for him! And yes, I can not eat coconut! NOT AT ALL! Just can't swallow it! :)
ReplyDeleteI am also an extra picky eater and although most of it is taste, some is textural- like mushrooms, lima beans and kidney beans and -OK beans in general (except green). No seafood for me either, although on rare occasion I fix it for Russ. I always said shrimp look like dead baby mice! Our oldest has Asperger's and used to throw up when asked to try a new food. He threw up on the table at Thanksgiving when Russ asked him to try mashed potatoes. I will say that with age and Prozac(!) he is slightly more willing to try new things- he hasn't thrown up in years. Celery is one of the few vegetables he will eat (raw carrots, cucumber and corn are the rest)- not much nutrition but at least it's green and fibrous! Keep it up and he will slowly find ways to expand his palate.
ReplyDeleteAwwwww- I love this post. We all have "an issue". a burden, something we struggle with, something that challenges us.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Caleb and thank you big bro Charlie! That's what families are for- praise God!