Most of us take the ability to get food for granted.
Unfortunately, Ricky still doesn't understand the concept that he will be fed.
When we got Ricky in China, he weighed a whopping 18 lbs with clothes on. He was almost 17 months old. We were told he weighed that almost 6 months earlier. In my heart, I truly believe they fed him what they could. But he was malnourished when we got him. His belly stuck out - it wasn't baby belly.
That said, the food obsession for Ricky started when we were in China. He ate like there was no tomorrow. I distinctly remember we were at a Pizza Hut in Chongqing and Ricky ate 2 slices of pizza, about 6 meatballs (thank-you Paige's family!), and still wanted more. I never saw a child eat like he did. I was worried so much I placed an email to our International Adoption Dr. for advice. She said just to feed him. If he didn't get sick, let him eat. So we did.
When we got home and took him to the pediatrician (we had him about 3 weeks), he weighed 20 lbs. He gained 2 lbs in our care. We are now up to 25 lbs. This puts us in the 5 - 10% Weight Chart.
He still eats like there is no tomorrow and will often eat like a chipmunk - store all the food in his mouth and continue to pile in until he cannot get more in. We have to encourage him to swallow and show us what is in his mouth before he takes another bite. He eats more than our 8 year daughter Emily. When we are out a restaurant, Ricky will eat the entire time and continue to eat. Towards the end of the meal, we start to put napkins over the food that is left or ask the waitress to remove because he becomes very upset that he still sees food on the table and doesn't get to eat it.
People ask me what Ricky likes to do - my number one answer - EAT.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Food
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Litte T is the same way but seems to be getting better. She weighs 21 pounds and is 28 months old - just a peanut. She would eat and eat and eat some more. We can tell she was done when she starts to store the food in her mouth.
Eating is always a concern but it seems that littly Ricky is doing great under your tender care!
Hugs,
Carla
The Bing eats a lot too and I don't know where she puts it! Running and brain food, I guess.
AA is the same way! In China she would eat as long as we were sitting at the restaurant and as long as there was food on the table. She has slowed down her eating habits but I think she still has a notion that food may not be available again!
She gets so excited and giggles when it is meal time! In the beginning we let her eat whatever she wanted. She is an excellent eater and now is beginning to tell us (signs to us) when she is full.
She was 24 months old in China and weighted 19 lbs. She is 27 months old now and weighs 23 lbs. Tiny!
Alyzabeth's Mommy of Thirteen Weeks!
LID 01/27/06
Post a Comment