In Shock

Shawn took this picture

Today I asked Karen, Ian's OT, when might be a reasonable time to expect that Ian would be "normal" as far as eating - feeding himself finger foods, etc. When we first started the OT in January, I had it in my mind that he'd be eating by age two. I admit it was hard to think it would take a year, but I've recently realized that goal will never happen as it's taken 15 months to get him to the stage most babies are around 6 months old (although I can't say he's totally there yet as most 6 month olds can eat a Gerber puff or a Cheerio).

Riding the REAL whip for the first time (not the Kiddie Whip)

I was completely and TOTALLY unprepared for her response - five years old. She said it *might* happen sooner than that, but three more years is a resonable expectation. Oh. My. Word. I really thought the "worst case scenario" was that he'd need OT until he was three. I can't believe we might have more than 3 years left of OT. I think what made it hard to accept was I immediately was picturing 3 more years at the stage we are now, of Ian screaming while I force bites down his throat 4-6 times a day, but of course it's going to be a gradual improvement, and he's not going to be at this stage for 3 more years. I wanted to ask her so that I'd have a reasonable expectation in mind and not be frustrated that it's taking so long, but I truly had no idea she might say 5 years old. I am wishing I hadn't asked. Hopefully Ian will not take 3 more years to learn to eat.

He has quickly adapted to having his teeth brushed. I no longer have to restrain his arms while I do it. Karen gave me suggestions today of things to do to make it easier in the future for me to cut his hair. She observed him trying both methods of going downstairs (bumping down on his bottom and walking while holding my hands), and she doesn't feel he can do either safely. The new plan is to insist that he goes down on his belly. We are to NEVER carry him down the stairs. She figures if we are consistent and require him to come down on his belly (us pulling him down) that eventually he'll figure it out and learn to come down on his belly himself. That's the new plan. I told her that Ian's been taking longer naps, but he's been in a HORRIBLE mood for several hours after he wakes up. She agreed that the melatonin isn't a good idea for Ian. Yesterday was his last day of having that before his nap. Today he only slept about 20 minutes (in his stroller) and he was in a much better mood than he was the last week with longer naps that were with melatonin. Tomorrow I'm going to try putting him in his crib without melatonin. I'm hoping that he'll keep his usual pattern (sleep 20 minutes, cry 15, and then sleep for another 30-60 minutes) without the aid of melatonin. No matter how long he has slept, I am going to go get him after his second stretch (or after his first one if his first is longer than 60 minutes). We shall see how that goes tomorrow.

I'll post more pictures tomorrow. We had a WONDERFUL time at Knoebels today. We were celebrating Brandi's 17th birthday. The weather was perfect. The eight of us had a terrific time. I took over 100 pictures. Don't worry. I won't post them all, lol! Time to head to bed.