Wonders will never cease

Gremlin appears to really enjoy broccoli (go figure). It is on the funny list, so she's only ever had one portion then got cross she couldn't have any more. I phoned GOSH and am told that 65g of broccoli is one exchange (1g protein). So today I weighed out 32g (approx 2 florets) and gave Gremlin half an exchange at lunch. I was gobsmacked by the result given the tough times we've been having. She ate both florets with such efficiency that there was no mess or debris left at all when she had finished. None on the tray, in the bowl or on her! I've never seen anything like it. As if to prove a point she then proceeded to use similar ruthless efficiency to discard the carrots, cucumber and tomatoes over the side of the tray (whilst holding my eye the whole time) and didn't even try a bite of any! Unbelievable!

It's been a while

I have had nothing to report as the stand off continues. 2 days ago I discovered 2 molars coming through which explains why we have had such a grumpy little Gremlin for the last few weeks. Tie that in with the horrible nasty cold and cough and Gremlin has been right off her food for weeks now. Tonight, I am writing this having had to walk away and leave Daddymin to take over. I have had enough. She got cross before she got in her highchair and would not even take a mouthful of gel for me. Daddymin is able to stay much calmer than me, and has managed to get all her protein into her, by very sneaky manoeuvres, which is very good going. It is so exasperating.

Here is a photo of her I found on my phone from happier times. I hope we can get back to this soon.....

Humous

Gremlin has a stinking cold and is struggling to eat and drink. I decided to take a slightly new approach at lunchtime. I've given her things on PKU bread toast before but today she had the same as Moomin and I. Chick peas are high in protein so I measured out a quite small looking 13g (1 exchange) of humous and spread it on. She absolutely loved it! She seems to enjoy strong flavours, so this fits the bill perfectly. Moomin did, and still does, adore humous so it's lovely to find another thing we can all eat together. Now we just need the garlic to help shift this dreadful cold..........

Strawberry Dilemma

To strawberry or not to strawberry?

Gremlin loves strawberries more than anything. Full stop. With bells on.

Now we are getting into November, it is in no way even near to being strawberry season. Gremlin comes from a long line of Gardners and Growers on her Dad's side and Nanamin still has very strong opinions on out of season strawberries (which I'm inclined to agree with). So far, Grandpamin has overruled Nanamin and bought his smallest grandaughter her favourite thing when we go to visit, but today they just didn't taste right and had hardly any flavour......... what should we do?!

Hi Ho Hi Ho

This week I went back to work. With regards PKU, it's taken a lot of planning, training and quite some organisation but so far so good. We're very lucky that Grandmamin is looking after Gremlin, along with Moomin when not at mini school. In addition Daddymin has managed to arrange to work from a more local office for the days when I am at work. This is extra helpful as I start work very early so Daddymin can leave later on those days. This is how it has worked so far:

1. I plan and calculate all Gremlin's meals and snacks the night before and write them in her food diary.

2. Daddymin gives Gremlin her breakfast according to food diary. He records what she has eaten and what she has not!

3. Grandmamin gives Gremlin her lunch and afternoon snack according to food diary. She records what she has eaten and leaves what she has not on the side for me to recalculate later.

4. I review food diary and work out whether I need to recalculate her dinner. I give her her dinner according to food diary and any recalculations.

In addition there are lists on the fridge of protein free foods that Grandmamin can give as extra snacks should they be required. So far every day has required recalculations (as the independent streak continues unabated) but the system works. I'm so relieved because I spent months worrying about this and how it would all work!

Move on up

Well, I am very pleased to report improvements on both sides. I am making a massive effort to be less stressed, and Gremlin is eating a bit more happily. She still wants to be doing it herself but she is tolerating some spoon feeding by me and I am letting her play with the spoon more with her protein free stuff. It is a happy compromise. She is already getting more proficient with the spoon:



Another useful tip- Get a 5 year old friend to help. Lilmin came for tea and wanted to help- Gremlin loved it and ate far better for her than for me!