A Significant Disposable

When Luke was born his little arm was broken, snapped like a twig. 2 1/2 years later I'm still mad and could spit fire at the doctor and her over inflated ego. He was jaundiced pretty bad from the bruising and had to spend time in the NICU. When we visited him we had to scrub in, and used these little disposable surgical brushes. That NICU must have gone through a hundred every day. I methodically scrubbed my hands and forearms and threw the brush away. I haven't seen or thought about those little brushes for over 2 years.

Thomas seemed to be regressing with his SPD. His teacher and I both noticed it. I'd seen it over about a 10 day span. Him just progressively getting worse. Smashing and crashing. Growling, stomping, the usual SPD stuff. I wanted OT to work so badly and was worried that it wasn't. I spoke to his OT and she suggested the Wilbarger Technique. I think it's officially called "The Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique" or DPPT, but I call it brushing.

Wilbarger's is based on the theory that the skin is out largest organ, and when it's working well, you interact with your surroundings more efficiently. It kinda improves your Chi. The technique involves a deep pressure "brushing" of the arms, legs, and back; along with light joint compression. The outcome is supposed to be improved attention and focus, improved transition problems, increased nervous systems health, reduced emotional outbursts, improved tolerance levels, and increased self regulation and calming. You do it at 2 hour intervals throughout the day and it takes just a few minutes.

I am hands down, a "glass is have empty" person. Honestly, I see the glass half empty and leaking; so needless to say I wasn't too sure that brushing would work. Being a "Sensory Mom" I'm willing to give anything a try, especially something so easy. Thomas was very receptive to it. It was instantly calming. His behavior improved, along with major sensory improvements. He ate a ham and cheese sandwich (if you have a child with feeding issues, you know this can be huge) AND willingly got a haircut. He didn't squirm or cry. This is the same kid that literally RAN out of the the salon 4 months ago.

Brushing has become part of our daily routine and it's worked so well for us. There has been a significant change in my son's behavior, all due to a disposable scrub brush.

I can't keep up.

Man, have we been a busy family. I swear I can't keep up any more. I have to keep 2 calenders to stay organized, and I can't remember anything.

Thomas has been going to therapy twice a week. OT and Speech Therapy. He's in love with this his Speech Therapist. He did a feeding evaluation last week. I'm interested in what the outcome of that may be. This week I decided to throw a Psychologist into the mix. As if the therapy wasn't enough. Lord, I hope I'm not messing my kid up with all of these professionals. I kinda feel like I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. It's hard to know what's best for your kids. So far his psychologist seems to think that Thomas may be frustrated because he's a smartie with a learning disability. He goes later this month for some testing/evaluations. I wouldn't put him through it if he didn't love it. The kids loves the intelligence tests. I have a nervous breakdown over any kind of test, but my kid thrives on it...go figure. We've also started brushing therapy. It seems to help with the sensory issues a bit, but those brushes are so freaking hard to keep up with. I've lost it 10 times in 5 days. I think I'll invest in a box of them. eBay, here I come!

Mr. Luke has been a typical 2 year old...getting into everything and anything. He's so fun, when I'm not chasing him. His new thing is being "BIG." He'll climb on something tall and get the funniest look on his face and say, "Mommy, I'm big!" He spreads his little arms and is just so grandiose. He decided to get in on the therapy train. He has to go for a few sessions of PT. Thankfully, it's only temporary. He's got flat little feet and needs to wear inserts in his shoes to correct it.

Daddy had hernia surgery and was home with us for 2 weeks. It was hard, like having a third child. We loved having him home with us. I think he appreciates my job as a Stay Home Mom now. He's seen what my days are like, and respects it a little more. I'm going to miss him when he goes back to work in the morning.

I'm hurting. I don't think I've been getting enough sleep. My fibromyalgia is in full swing. My hands and feet are killing me, especially the feet. At least their cute. I'm thankful that they don't look like sore feet. You know you seen feet and thought, "They have to hurt." ;-)



The picture above is of the boys playing in the bubbles at Artsplosure back in May. We had a blast checking out the crafts, people watching, and jamming with the bands. The boys really liked the music and were out dancing in front of the crowd. I hope they dance like that forever. I never had it in me to dance like that.

Today we went to Hill Ridge Farms. Daddy and I wanted to do something special before he went back to work. It was so nice, all of us had fun. We rode the train, fed the fish and farm animals, and panned for gemstones. Luke was amazed by the animals and Thomas was so excited by the train that he couldn't stop yelling "All Aboard" and "Choo Chooo!" That place was really awesome. We'll definitely be going back. Luke went down the 80 foot slide 3 times. My sweet 33 pounder was definitely too big today. I would post pictures, but my 2 year old was busy being two while we were panning for gemstones. He tried to pan my camera in the water and it died.



Today I'm happy, sore and tired, but happy.