We are gearing up for our next appointment in Iowa City with our PKU doctor/dietitian, and because I know change is coming, I thought it is a perfect time to document what has been our routine for a long time. Long time meaning at least for the past year, maybe as far back as when Zay was 9 months old!
We do it every morning. It doesn't matter if it's Monday or Saturday, whether we are traveling or at home, or if it's Mommy or Daddy who does it - we have a routine. And Zay always remembers how it goes.
We make "Zay's milk".
We will soon be adjusting his formula to allow him to have a little bit bigger portions at his meals. The boy just keeps growing and his levels have been creeping up, so I contacted our doctors to let them know that it's time to increase the Phe from food and decrease the Phe from his milk.
And today, because it has become such a common story-line in our house I decided to take some pictures of just how predictable our mornings have become. And I thought capturing the moments of this scenario would make it a little more endearing, the next time I'm heckled halfway through my bowl of Wheaties. :)
The very first thing on our agenda in the morning is Zay's thyroid medicine. I'm usually slipping the little pill into his mouth while he's racing around the house trying to catch-up with Daddy before he leaves for work. Technically, he's supposed to have his medicine 30 minutes before he has anything to eat or drink. This can be a little unrealistic to a demanding 2-year old, but we do the best we can!
Usually once Daddy is out the door we get sat down for breakfast. We always have a sippy-cup full of formula from the day before for Zay to have with his breakfast the next day. Just works out better for us to schedule it like that, so he has something already made up first thing.
However, it doesn't take long before he thinks it's time to make more. (It makes no difference to him if he actually needs more formula or if he is just ready to help make his milk!)
After explaining to Zay that "Mommy will make you more milk after she finishes her breakfast", this is what I see...Zay taking matters into his own hands! Hauling, dragging, staggering across the kitchen floor with the first ingredient to his formula!
He's very good at getting the ball rolling. The other day he brought a box of his Macaroni & Cheese to Shane, then came to find me because Shane wasn't getting up to do the job (To Shane's defense he was taking a quiz for his graduate class!). The next thing I know, Shane is calling me because Zay is pulling the pots and pans out of the cupboard in order to make his Mac & Jack. The boy takes initiative!
I've always been insistent on letting Zay help in the kitchen from a young age. I know that cooking is going to be a big part of his life, so I'm determined to let him help and get him interested! In turn, he consistently knows there is a place for his chair by the counter!
Then the mixing begins...
170 grams of skim milk.
Add 1.8 mL of his iron drops.
Add 1 mL of his vitamin.
Add 90 grams of Periflex Junior.
Add water to make approx 25-30 oz.
I assure you - if we are in a hurry to make up his concoction, I will NEVER get the milk and formula to hit exactly the 170g and 90g on the scale the first time. There will be adding and subtracting...adding and subtracting, until I finally get the scale to read correctly!
After the water is added...Zay's job comes in. We sing a little "SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE!" song and he goes at it!
FINALLY...time to get the sippy cup filled up!
Then....only then, is our boy satisfied with the work we've done. And mom can get back to her soggy Wheaties. ;)
And he's such a obedient little boy - he even puts his chair back after we're done. Multitasking of course...drinking his milk while pushing his chair!
Clearly, it's time for trains after all that...
Or maybe a book to read? .......Let's be real - he's fishing out a Leap Frog video to watch. But the books will come. Guaranteed. And most likely, it will be before my Wheaties are gone.
Undeniably, at times, I yearn to just be able to go to the fridge, grab milk, juice or whatever else I can find and fill up Zay's cup. No measuring. No scale. No calculating. Seems so simple. So quick. And to have the option of letting someone else get him a drink, seems like heaven at times!
Nevertheless, how content I am with going through this process each day. It means that I get to teach my little boy. I get to show him that I love him in the simplest ways. And I will make his milk for the rest of my life if it is how my love is displayed best. He will know he is special. He will know he is loved. I will be sure of it!
