Tonight was the first time where we all ate the same things for dinner.  I made a huge dinner.  Prime rib with a mushroom cream sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potato casserole, and dinner rolls.  Liam ate a bit of mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes,  sweet potato casserole, green beans, and a bite of a roll.  I make him a separate sweet potato casserole.  I mix up the recipe put it into the dish and scoop out a small amount into a little ramekin.  I mix up the topping without nuts put it onto his and then add nuts for ours. 

Tomorrow I’ll use the hand blender to mash up some leftover prime rib for him.  We’re eating like kings here.  All of this fine dining for Liam is all due to chewing.  He’s finally grasping the concept of chewing!  We have to put the food directly between his gums at the side of his mouth, then he chows down.  The magic trick to get him to chew was Blazin’ Buffalo Ranch Doritos.  Doug gave him a bite last week just to see the faces he made, but instead Liam started to munch away.  He’s been eating grilled cheese sandwiches, bites of fruit, toast, and pancakes.  He’s been eating a ton of graham crackers.  I think they’re a big favorite.  It’s a big relief to start to see chewing.  I can’t wait to tell his EI specialist.  He’s also been drinking from the sippy cup.  We still have to hold it for him, but he’ll actually drink from it.  It’s all little steps, but it’s big progress.  Yay!

P.S.  I only cook like this about once a year.  Around this time of year.  The prime rib is from my FIL’s farm.  We guess that a prime rib roast that we get from him would cost at least $25 in the grocery.  Plus we know exactly how fresh it is and how it’s processed so we don’t worry when we cook it rare.  Which is the only way to enjoy prime rib.