He's Eating New Foods!!!

The last several posts (click #1 or #2 to read them) have been leading up to some very exciting news! ETHAN HAS BEEN EATING NEW FOODS THIS WEEK!!!! Pinch me 'cuz I think I'm dreaming!

 The food issue is sooooo maddening to me.....a girl who literally loves all food. I don't understand this "picky-eater" thing AT ALL! And I used to REALLY fight this battle with all my might. But, whether good or bad, I just grew tired of fighting with Ethan at EVERY meal. I just decided to focus on what I could help him with....table manners & sitting at the table LONGER than a minute. We also eat in our living room a lot now because we have an eat-in kitchen & the smells are too much for Ethan. In fact, we have even moved our dining room table INTO our living room!

But THIS WEEK....THIS WEEK ETHAN HAS EATEN & ENJOYED SEVEN NEW FOODS!!!

Beef Stew

Pizza Pocket made with crescent rolls

Pringles

Jelly Beans

Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits

Spice Cake

Chicken & Noodles

Ethan & I "cheesing it up" at dinner!

He also TRIED cheesy scalloped potatoes & LICKED apples slices in therapy at Easter Seals. This is from a child who wigs out whenever he sees apple slices approaching the dinner table! However, when we went to the new Chick-Fil-A restaurant & was served WAFFLE fries, he wouldn't touch them. Fries are not shaped like waffles. Oh, that kid cracks me up!

Now, I realize that all of these foods are not SUPER healthy, but they are foods that he would have NEVER tried in the past....and now he is willingly eating....and loving them!!! CRAZY AWESOME PROGRESS!

This just reiterates that doing sensory play at home as well as having Ethan in occupational therapy is paying off big time! I can't wait to see what new foods he will eat this week! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!

***OH YEAH! One more thing! Ethan's school occupational therapist has told me that Ethan is able to zip up his own coat, but he has NEVER done it for me. It was always a frustration/trigger that would set him off, and I would end up doing it for him. Recently, we dug out a "new to us" hand-me-down jacket for Spring.....and ETHAN HAS ZIPPED IT UP EVERY TIME HE'S WORN IT!!!!!! WOO-HOO!!!!!!!

G.I. Referral & Gluten Free Diet

WARNING!!! THIS POSTING WILL BE TALKING ABOUT POTTY ISSUES! CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED!!!!

Today marks 5 weeks of Ethan having severely loose stools. It started at the same time as cold-like symptoms occurred, so I assumed it was all related. When we saw the doctor the first time, I mentioned this to her but it was more in the form of a list of other things going on with Ethan. However, everything else has cleared up....but this explosiveness remains. We have followed doctor's instructions, and eliminated milk products (we already do that anyway), removed juice from his diet (only a splash to his water to add flavoring), and started him on a pro-biotic. Yet, the diarrhea remains.

This poor kid is unable to make it to the bathroom many times, having accidents at school, and says his belly hurts. 5 weeks of this.....arg. We have been to the doctor 2 times during this time as well as calling weekly for updates & "what now?" We have collected stool samples & had them tested. Everything has come back fine.

Today, we just came home from the pediatrician's office, and they are now referring Ethan to a Gastro Intestinal Doctor. It won't be for a few weeks, but I'm already sick to my stomach over this news. On one hand I am glad that things are moving forward which, hopefully, means that relief is coming soon. But on the other hand.....I am soooo dreading these next steps. I'm already envisioning horrible invasive testing, a new doctor's office, new faces, and a whole lot of trying to keep Ethan from being anxious.....which also means trying to keep me calm so he doesn't feed off of my nerves. UGH!

In the meantime, the doctor suggested trying to switch over to a gluten free diet as well as watching his sugar intake. So....I guess I have a lot of homework to do. I just went to Kroger & bought pretty much anything that said gluten free on it. :0) If anyone has some helpful advice or tips regarding any of this, I would REALLY appreciate it! I just want my little guy to feel better!!! THANKS!!!

Here is what I got at my quick Kroger shopping trip. With a 4 year old in tow, it was hard for me to read labels or focus, but I guess this is a start.

Plasticware, I Love Thee

This past Sunday, Easter, we had lunch with my side of the family. During a yet another typical frustrating lunch trying to get Ethan to eat, my brother-in-law posed a question. "Do you think he doesn't like the silverware? What if you tried a plastic spoon?" During the seconds that followed this statement, several thoughts ran through my mind. It went something like this....

Why have we not tried that before? Why did I not think of that? It makes total sense. Corey can't stand when people bit on their forks because it gives him "fingernails on a chalkboard" shivers. Plus, Ethan will generally LICK foods instead of eating them. And, he usually prefers food that he can eat with his fingers or toothpicks. What a brilliant idea! Let's try it!!!

So, we have been trying plasticware ever since Monday....and it has been quite a change at our dining table!!! Not only is Ethan eating foods that he would never eat before, but he is also TRYING new foods without a battle! It's been AWESOME!!! I should have taken a before picture, but here is a picture of Ethan's dinner plate after he was finished eating the first time we used plastic silverware....

For dinner, we had grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, and applesauce (the red stuff is his loved ketchup). Before Ethan would have only eaten the chicken & applesauce. But because we switched to plastic silverware, he also WILLINGLY ate peas & mashed potatoes!! AWESOME!!!!

This week, Ethan has WILLINGLY TRIED steamed broccoli & pretzel strawberry dessert. He didn't like them, but he tried them. He has also gobbled up a few foods that we typically have to trick him into eating (bribing with fruit snacks). These are corn, mashed potatoes, taco soup, waffles, Chef Boyardee, BBQ chicken, chicken fettuccine alfredo, and peas.

It has been amazing to see my child eating food...and willingly! Eating time is not as stressful now that we don't have to battle for each bite. Corey & I can actually talk to each other & enjoy family meal time instead of just taking turns trying to get Ethan to eat!!! It's wonderful to know that he is getting more nutritious food, too. The last time he ate such a variety of foods was before we switched to table food. I thought it was the texture of toddler food versus table food, but I'm thinking now.....it was probably the difference in flatware. His toddler spoons were plastic. How did I not realize this?!?!

Yesterday was so interesting. Ethan actually said to me, "Mommy! I am very hungry!" NEVER have I heard these words from him. In fact, by the end of the day, I was out of "Ethan foods." He had eaten everything that I had given him, and I had no other snack food to provide! So, we just did a repeat of an early snack! I HAVE TO BUY HIM MORE FOOD!!!! YEE HAW!!!!!!! I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE, AND I AM SUPER PUMPED!!!!!!!

I'm sure we aren't done with his eating issues, but this has been a HUGE helpful change. I'll take it!!!!!

Progress on Ethan's Eating

This past week, we have really been focusing on expanding Ethan's diet to include all of the food groups...and not just bread. We have tried a lot of new foods, and have had a variety of reactions.....

Loved it - Bananas, new fruit snacks, smoothies, whole grain Chef Boyardee, V8 Fusion juice, pumpkin pancakes, and apple cinnamon oatmeal cereal bars. 

Ate a few bites - Grilled cheese, yogurt covered raisins, GoGurt, taco meat, salsa, and brown sugar oatmeal cereal bar

Spit it right out - Scrambled eggs, watermelon, mandarin oranges, canned sweet potatoes, and McDonald's Shamrock shake (not healthy...but a new food)

I was pleasantly surprised with Ethan's reaction to new foods. When Ethan was about 18 months old, he began to stop eating most of the foods that he typically ate...which was a wide variety. Then, he started loosing weight. So, I adapted the idea of, "I don't care what he eats as long as he eats." He regained his weight, but was developing TERRIBLE eating habits. I actually felt a relief when I watched the Temple Grandin Film, and they showed that she only ate green jello & a specific type of yogurt. Not only could I see Ethan's eating habits in Temple, but I was glad that Ethan ate more than 2 foods.

Ever since then, every time I would have Ethan try a new or different food, he would have a meltdown. I decided to pick my battles & focus on Ethan's behavior & speech. He would occasionally surprise us, and eat something out of the ordinary....like a pork chop at Grandpa Buster's house or a strawberry at Aunt Rachel's house. But when I would try those things at home, he would refuse & meltdown.

Well, since I have started watching my sister's kids during the day, Ethan has been more apt to try new foods. In fact, I wrote awhile ago about him actually TOUCHING a hot dog & even taking a few bites. Amazing. So, since I am trying to ask for help & not do it all on my own, I have brought my husband into this challenge. Corey & Ethan have very similar tastes in food, so I basically bought the food items that Corey likes....when he's eating more than just meat & potatoes.

But this week, I would swap out an old food for a new similar food, and encourage Ethan to take a bite. We have also been eating in the living room in order to avoid the strong smells in the kitchen. Surprisingly.....very few meltdowns!!! It has been AWESOME!!! He has been trying more food this past week than he has EVER tried for me!!! I'm so excited!!! So, this week at the grocery store, we bought....

*White American cheese (to try on grilled cheese)
*Strawberry/banana flavor of V8 Fusion juice
*Red grapes
*Corn
*Peas
*Sweet potatoes
*Peaches
*Sausage links

***Update - I gave Ethan & his cousin sweet potatoes at lunch. Neither of them liked them, but they both tried them! Then, at dinner tonight, we had corn & mashed potatoes. Both of these were foods that Ethan loved as an infant, but stopped eating. In fact, whenever we would try to give him mashed potatoes, he would throw up due to the texture of it. However, tonight at dinner.....he ate ALL of his corn & ALL of his mashed potatoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was fighting back tears so Ethan could see me being happy that he was eating his new foods. (Tears = Sad) Another miracle at the Wolfe house! I know it's just food, but it is a HUGE step for Ethan. It's these little victories that lift my spirits & give me the energy to keep doing what I can for my son. I want the world for him, and I pray every day that God continue to keep His hand on Ethan. So, yeah, when Ethan eats a food that he was throwing up a couple of months ago, I see it as a miracle......a mashed potato & corn miracle.

Ethan's New Food - Day One

Here is how the first day of trying to help Ethan eat more balanced went.....

Breakfast - One his plate, I had 2 slices of bacon (typical), and instead of a Pop-Tart or cereal bar, I placed an Apples & Cinnamon Oatmeal breakfast bar. Even though the oatmeal bar has more sugar than one Pop-Tart, there is a lot more fiber, so it will keep him full longer. He ate the whole thing! And, actually, there was a little bit of bacon left on his plate when he was done....and that NEVER happens. This kid LOVES bacon. I also gave him a drink of 1/2 water & 1/2 V8 Fusion Concord Grape Raspberry...and he drank it all! YEAH! So for breakfast, he had more fiber & more fruit than usual. We are off to a great start!!!

Lunch - He & his cousin split a can of Chef Boyardee Whole Grain Mini ABC's & 123's with Meatballs. Again, this is something that he typically will eat but this time I bought the whole grain option. It does have more fiber, and they also claim that there is a full serving of vegetables in every bowl....so there are some veggies this meal. He doesn't eat much of it...maybe 1/4 of a can, but it also mixed with our new fruit snacks. If he takes 2 bites, then he gets a fruit snack. When he tells me, "All done"....then I don't push it anymore.

Snack - For snack today, I simply pulled out the Phineas and Ferb Summer Punch / Perry Punch GoGurt box...and all of the kids went nuts! They were ALL so excited! Ethan kept saying, "This one? This one?" It was awesome! So....all 3 kiddos had a GoGurt. Ethan had four tiny bites before saying all done. I'm calling this one a success!!! 4 bites of yogurt is HUGE!!!! Thank you Phineas and Ferb!!!! He also had his Goldfish as well.

Dinner - Tonight we had tacos for dinner. We have tried to give Ethan tacos before, but he always ended up gagging & asking if he could, "Pleh." So, tonight, I just put some of the taco meat in a bowl...with a bit of ketchup. He took SEVERAL bites of it without me having to ask him to take another bite....he did it all on his own! This is PROTEIN! And we use ground turkey instead of ground beef....so this was REALLY amazing! Shortly after dinner, however, he did ask for a Pop-Tart. And I gave him his request. I felt like he had tried a TON of new things & done very well, so he could still have his beloved Pop-Tarts. So, he ate these while we went on a bike ride.

Another Snack - Later in the evening, he asked for his chicken nuggets. Then he asked for fruit snacks. When I asked him if he was hungry, he said yes. So, I cut up a a banana, placed it on toothpicks & gave it to him along with his old fruit snacks. He ate is all & asked for more....and I obliged.

So, all in all, a VERY good day...eating-wise. No pressure...just try it & see. Oh....he was interested in the watermelon that I had cut up today, and he tried a bite. However, he just held it in his cheek for about 5 minutes & then spit it out. Maybe we aren't ready for watermelon, but that's alright. His diet today was sooooo much better than a typical day. Not all bread & a lot more nutrients. I'm a super excited mama!!!! Tomorrow we will try......smoothies!!!!

Ethan's Eating

I have mentioned before that a common thread among kiddos with ASD is becoming a "picky eater"...and my Ethan is no exception in this area.

"No one really knows why so many children with autism are picky eaters," says Kimberly Kroeger-Geoppinger, an assistant pediatrics professor at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. "But there's no doubt that it's a common phenomenon. That means that parents' permissiveness is probably not the cause." Kroeger says there are several possible reasons for autistic children's pickiness. "We know that children with autism tend to select down, eliminating one food from their diet at a time. The reasons could be sensory (a new discomfort with a particular smell, taste or feel), or even a randomly developed routine."  
http://autism.about.com/od/childrenandautism/ss/howtofeed.htm

This is becoming more & more frustrating as I see my son basically eating bread all day long & getting no nutritional value into his body. He does take children's vitamins each day to help combat his lack of a balanced diet, but I just don't think it's enough.

Here is what Ethan' typically eats at each meal:

Breakfast - Bacon (always) with cereal or Pop-tart. He does enjoy pancakes & cinnamon rolls as well.

Lunch - Chicken nuggets, fries/chips, & fruit snacks

Dinner - Popcorn or pizza or chicken nuggets & fries/chips

Snacks - Goldfish, animal crackers, sugary cereal bars

That's it. I have tried & tried to get him to eat different things, but he would just refuse to eat. At that point, I became so desperate that I just wanted him to eat ANYTHING! Well, for the past month, I have started putting a new food on Ethan's plate even though he wasn't eating it. I would encourage him to take a bit, but he would usually just put it up to his lips for a lick & then say "All done." However, in the past week, Ethan has started eating a banana (cut up with toothpicks in them...he doesn't like the feel of the banana) as well as natural applesauce. He will also eat a few bites of the dinner that Corey & I were eating if I chopped it all up, mixed it together & smothered it with ketchup. I'm not really sure how healthy that is, but he was definitely getting a variety of foods that way.

So, realizing that I needed help in this area, I talked to my husband about this issue. He & Ethan have pretty much the same likes & dislikes as far as food goes, so I "interviewed" my husband to see what kinds of fruits, vegetables, protein, and dairy foods he enjoys. The list is short, but I feel like it's a good place to start. So....here is my new plan.

Corey & I went to the grocery store last night. Grandma Linda asked to take Ethan on a date, so we thought this would be the perfect chance to go & browse for some Ethan groceries. These are several of the things that we bought. Some of them are to replace his existing foods. Oatmeal to Go is going to replace his breakfast Pop-Tarts. He has eaten these at my sister's house, so I think that switch should go smoothly. We also bought some additional fruit for me to put on toothpicks. These are fruits that Corey likes, so I'm hoping Ethan will like them too. Yes, some of them are in heavy syrup, but my opinion is that is better than no fruit at all. We bought some other things to try....smoothies, yogurt...to increase his protein intake. And since Ethan LOVES to drink, I bought V8's drink that contains fruits & veggies.

Not pictured: I bought pretzels to replace his chips, stuff to make grilled cheese (I'm hoping to make them look similar to the french toast sticks), and fruit snacks where the 1st ingredient listed isn't 'corn syrup'. I also already have apples, grapes & strawberries that I will be trying on a toothpick. We also bought canned corn & canned peas. Corey says these are the only veggies that he himself likes....I still count them as breads, but I'm willing to try it. We bought canned instead of frozen because we thought the smell/taste wouldn't be as strong. Plus, Ethan loves salty stuff & canned has a lot of salt.

So, we have lots of new things to try. The plan is to switch the old food with a similar new food....a little bit at a time. I'm hoping that some things he likes right away while others he will tolerant just licking. The goal is to help Ethan have a well-rounded diet, so hopefully he will like SOMETHING! I honestly am still THRILLED that he has eaten 2 bananas this week!!! THAT IS HUGE!!!! WOO-HOO!!!

Ethan all dressed up for his date with Grandma! She took him to Wendy's (his new favorite place) & Menard's.

Ethan & Grandma Linda...ready for their date!!!