Our Little Bear is a Vigorous Gulper

Jake developed this horrible cough over the last week or so. Sounds like he's had 2 packs a day for 20 years, so I took him back in to see the peditrian and he referred me to a gastro doctor. That doctor said it still could be acid reflux but he wanted Jake to get a swallow test done. This was really cool. They strapped Jake in a seat and pulled this huge x-ray machine up next to his shoulder. We could see every gulp on a TV monitor and the nurse tried 5 different bottle nipples and liquid at different consistencies. Come to find out, Jake is a really strong sucker and he takes in too much liquid with each gulp which causes him to aspirate. The nurse kept calling him "little bear". She said he eats so "vigorously".

We found out that my breast milk is too watery so no more nursing unless I pump, add a thickener then give it to him in a apeical bottle. So now we just use special "slow-flow" nipples and give him formula. After just one feeding I could see a total improvement. He's not coughing as much, the congestion has almost disappeared and he is sleeping more peacefully -- no more squeeking. Thumbs up, Jake! Now we have to go back to the ENT for another scope to see if his esophagus is still swollen.

A quick Henry update: Henry can count to 20 now. Has been singing the ABCs for a few months and is very polite -- always saying please and thank you. He's good at sharing and only fights with Taylor. Those two together are so cute. Henry tackles Taylor and pulls him to the ground.

Melinda took some great pics of the family at the Dallas Arboretum just before Easter. Sorry there are so many of the same, but that's the only way to get a good shot with a 2 year old and a newborn. Taylor, Mike and Erin are in a bunch too. Enjoy!
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