*

*

Monday, April 26, 2010

The Love of a Daddy

Tomorrow Ashley goes into Children's Hospital to get a feeding tube. We will be there over night so that the doctors can see how she responds to the formula they give her and can also teach one of us (tyler) how to put it in. Getting Ash to grow has been a challenge over the years and her doctors have come to the decision that increasing her calorie intake overnight while she sleeps is our best option. She will have this NG tube for a few months and we will feed her through it each night which will hopefully jumpstart her growth a bit and get her caught up.

Needless to say, Tyler and I have thought a lot about this decision. We don't like having to put her through anything like this but we do know how important it is for her to reach a healthy weight - and this is temporary.

For Family Night tonight Tyler had his friend who is a nurse come over and put a feeding tube in him so that he could better empathize with her. He wanted to know exactly how it will feel and what she will be going through. I couldn't believe it - he took parenting to a whole new level!

If you look into his eyes, these pictures say a thousand words. He did it and was able to show Ashley what it will be like and tell her that it isn't all that bad. I could have cried.



10 comments:

Zach and Katie Hillstead said...

What an amazing dad Tyler is. Seriously I would have cried too anne!! Good luck tomorrow- we will be praying for little Ashley:)

natalie said...

WOW!!! way to go you guys. i bet that will make a huge difference for ash tomorrow. good luck with everything. you're in our prayers!!

Ali said...

what a good dad Ty is! We will be thinking of you all also! Keep us updated!!

natalie said...

so if i look down the tube, can i see what ty ate for lunch and dinner?

you're in our prayers little ashley and will do a great job tomorrow.

love, todd

Cami D. said...

I won't lie that made me tear up, Tyler you're a GREAT Dad!! How cute is that? Good luck, hang in there cute Ashley!!

alison huston said...

I should not have read this post in the middle of the night. Can't quit crying. OH MY GOSH! What an amazing husband you have. You and him are the best parents ever. I will pray for Ashley and you guys as well. I know as a parent it's super hard to do the things that are best but not the easiest for our kids. I hope this helps jump start Ashley's growth. Has she met with a metabolic specialist yet?

Anonymous said...

I'm a 21 year old college student who randomly came across your blog, so cute by the way! Anyways, I was REALLY REALLY small when I was younger too, I went to growth specialists and ended up doing a bone age x-ray to find out that my bones are 2 years behind in growing. Only 1 of the many specialsits had suggested we do this, all of the others wanted to do hormones and feeding tubes. If I would have done the feeding tube, I would have just gained weight, there is no way to make your bones grow/age faster. I'm just telling you this because it took us years to figure it out, and maybe there's a chance your daughter is how I was... I'm sure you have explored every option, I don't doubt that at all. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at steph8914@yahoo.com I hope I didn't intrude by commenting!

Jill said...

That is why you have an amazing family. Tyler is one of those fathers that just doesn't do the basic things to get by. He is a choice father and husband. You can feel the love he has for his family in his everyday actions! I admire that about him. We will continue to pray for Ashley.

The Spence Family said...

Wow the things we do for our kids! I can't imagine that if you had told Tyler 10 years ago that he would be letting someone put a feeding tube in him for FHE he would have thought you were crazy. Of course our prayers are with you guys!

kendall said...

hey Anne, it emily your mom just got me on your blog. you need to add me so I can see all the cute family pictures. link over to my blog so and leave a comment so I can add you to my friends and family. my blog is codnerfamily.blogspot.com or email me runneremily@comcast.net. Talk to you soon and I hope everything turns out well with your daughter.

Emily (frederickson) Codner