Chef Susan's Secret Recipe

Jackson has a cleft palate and feeding is an issue.

Susan has found the right combination of taste and texture.

When she feeds Jackson it is a symphony of happy eating!

Yum Yum

Aaahhh!

That's pretty tasty stuff.

It makes Jackson smile (yes, that's a smile).

He likes her to keep his chin nice and clean!

Jackson is a happy camper (at the moment).

After she feeds Jackson, we have to feed ourselves.

We have quite a few more choices than yogurt and formula.

Some nights we end up wishing we had stuck with yogurt!

We will be home in less than 3 days!

Difficult Roads May Lead to Beautiful Destinations

Our guides Aron and Miko took us for the medical examination.

Jackson did not like waiting around the clinic all morning or getting his blood drawn.

He was quiet on the trip back to the Garden Hotel.

He likes playing with his toys in our bed.

We decided to go to AEON (the local Target equivalent).

I couldn't help noticing that these look just like the ones in Petropavlovsk.

When we returned, Jackson had a nap.

Then he played some more in our bed.

Reality blogging: Cleft palate with feeding aversion

Susan tried him on some baby food. He resisted the puree' texture.

He was a bit happier with liquids.

But only a bit happier...

We took a walk outside to see the waterfall and the goldfish pond.

When we got back, he played pat-a-cake with Susan and she sang him a song.

After a warm bath and supper, he finally spoke something intelligible: "Mama"

Small steps.

Samuel and Family

Fake Smile

Who's number one?

We are!

Fins up! Go Ole Miss! Land Shark!

Okay....

Bubble goatee

Grace blew Samuel kisses from Mississippi

Samuel received them happily!

Samuel enjoys the turtles at the pediatrician's office.

He was less excited by the exam room.

He went for his pre-op evaluation.

Then he had revision surgery for his palate.

He is doing well.