Five Things I Have Learned Transitioning My Son from G-Tube to Oral Feeding

Five Things I Have Learned Transitioning My Son from G-Tube to Oral Feeding

Kim Rankin
Oral and Tube Feeding

I typically use Nathaniel's quarterly GI appointment as a reason to write about his progress transitioning from g-tube to oral feeding. I skipped writing about April's appointment because there was nothing spectacular to share.  Nathaniel's extended PICU at the end of February required us to return to full g-tube feeds. He lost two pounds while sick and had no desire to eat orally when discharged. I write a bit about that recovery here.

I probably should have written about feeding through that season. The ebb and flow between success with oral feeding and relying on the g-tube has been very much a part of the transition.

July Backyard Visitor: Fireflies

July Backyard Visitor: Fireflies

Kim Rankin
AAC, Homeschooling

When we decided to homeschool this year, I did not want every piece of our day to be remedial and fixing weaknesses. I wanted to do something that built on Nathaniel's strengths and things we enjoy. His receptive language skills are fantastic. He loves stories. He loves being outside. This intersection is where I am building some fun learning into our day.

"Backyard Visitors" is the name I am giving to our nature study. We are learning about one animal a month through children's literature, crafts, and time outdoors. We are working on core AAC vocabulary. The first critter that we learned about was the firefly.

Visiting New Mexico and Climbing Mountains

Visiting New Mexico and Climbing Mountains

Kim Rankin
Parenting, Our Family

I drove nine hundred and fifty miles across Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico earlier this month. Rich and I won big at the only lottery we have ever played - the timing of a trip to Philmont High Adventure Scout Ranch. Scout troops put their request for a trek in a literal lottery eighteen months in advance. Josiah and Rich headed west by train with others from our local troop mid-June. Our personal win? Their one hundred mile backpacking trip ended on July third, the day before Andrew would participate in the 95th Maverick Club July Fourth Rodeo in Cimarron, New Mexico. Philmont sits just a few miles outside of Cimarron. Andrew took a full time cowboy position with the Scout Ranch last September. The opportunity to visit Andrew, see the guys come off the trail, and watch the rodeo called me west.

Stop Working So You Can Talk To Me: A Lesson For Mom On Modeling AAC

Stop Working So You Can Talk To Me: A Lesson For Mom On Modeling AAC

Kim Rankin
AAC, Parenting

Nathaniel pinched play dough bits off the ball I held out to him. He poked each piece into the Fun Factory press.  Diligently and silently, he worked at the task. Once the press was full, he pushed down on the lever. He watched the play dough ooze through the three holes moving blue snakes across the table. For the twenty minutes that he worked, I modeled language on his communication device.

See Me? See My AAC

See Me? See My AAC

Kim Rankin
AAC, Disabilities

I know it has been a long time since I posted on the blog when I can not remember my log in password. I have many topics for blog posts floating around in my head; I haven't made writing a priority this last month.

I am going to ease back into blogging. Nathaniel and I participated in a week long challenge to share photos that represent the hash tag #seemeseemyaac. The goal of the Facebook campaign was to bring awareness of alternative and augmented communication. People participated from all over the world. Pretty cool. Here are our photos and the snippets of information I shared with each photo about our AAC efforts.

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