Today was the day that we knew would happen eventually but hoped it wouldn’t be any time soon. Brendan managed to throw up so hard that his feeding tube came up from the back of his throat and out his mouth. The problem with his feeding tube is that it runs down his nose, through his esophagus, through his stomach and past the main stomach in to the duodenum. This way, he is unable to reflux or throw up his formula. Placing the tube this way requires an xray to verify that it is in correctly. The feeding tube coming out on a Sunday when the regular clinic is closed means a trip to the ER for reinsertion and xray.

BUT… if his tube is just up his nose, through his esophagus and in to his main stomach, then we can put that in ourselves at home. We can check placement by pushing a small amount of air in to the tube and listening with a stethoscope to hear the bubbles. It has been over 6 weeks since he has had anything in his tummy at all and the plan has been to try it when Brendan made it necessary.

So we started by putting a new tube in his nose, just in to his tummy. We gave him time to rest and then started him on pedialyte (orange flavor!) at a super slow rate. After each couple of hours, we increased the rate just a little bit. So far all day, he has not shown any signs of reflux, he has not had any vomiting, he has been in a pretty good mood. If he can move to just tummy feedings, this is a HUGE HUGE HUGE step in the right direction for him in terms of his eating. If he has trouble over the next day or two, we will be going back to the hospital for the tube to be put deep again.

Trevor seemed better today. He had a few crabby baby issues, but otherwise he has been a lot more agreeable and happy. His first tooth is so close to popping through so that bugs him too. Hopefully each day he gets better, his screaming wakes up his brother and makes him cry too!

We took so many pictures today, I couldn’t choose which to use. So there are too many! I keep telling Mom each day that we can’t possibly outcute the cuteness of the day before’s blog pictures but every day we still do. I think the loyal minibat followers are spoiled by too much cuteness and maybe I should cut back?
I had to include all of the Brendan pictures, especially when we can see his whole face with no tape or tubes!

Trevor had to come help comfort his brother and see his real face after the tube came out.

Gramma held Brendan while Bill and I prepped everything for the replacement.

First Brendan got a relaxing bubble bath.

“My pincher fingers are confused, there is no tape to pick!”

Eating the washcloth

He even got to play some turtle kicking game, he is getting better at it all the time

Trevor told him you have to make a really sad face when you get out of the tub

Trevor really was a good boy today, he is just too cute chewing on his cold wrenches from the fridge

Brendan’s new tube went down as smoothly as it possibly could go, and the boys had a little nap together.

Three crabs on a new play rug!

Trevor doesn’t usually have tape on his face, but his little expressions are so cute, I can’t leave any of these pictures out either!

Trevor is getting up on his knees better on this rug, he has some traction. He was feeling bold and was going to take on the yellow crabbie.

Yellow crabbie had backup!! Trevor gets taken out with an ambush attack!

The crabbies all make up and spot Trevor for some big boy sitting time.

Brendan wakes up and decides to show off his tiny little tooth

The base tape is on his cheeks to have a tape mustache back on, but so far he has been good and has not needed it. This tube isn’t as critical about being pulled out, so we won’t mustache him if we don’t have to.

Brendan plays Words With Friends against Gramma, but the game said that “hmfgroq” is not an acceptable word.

He has to think harder this time.

Happy Birthday to Grampa Dusty in Illinois, we hope you had a nice birthday dinner!