Week 11: and We're Off......

To a really good start!

Today's sessions went very well. It started by Ms. Jerry meeting us in the lobby holding a weighted vest. She had never tried this before on Zach because he is so small, she wasn't sure she could get it to stay on him, and the weight has to be so very little (weights can be no more the 10% of the child's weight - Zach isn't even 20lbs). As she was putting it on she was telling me she was trying it because we were going into the dreaded "BIG yellow room" - where we have never had a successful therapy session. It was the only room open so we had no choice.

I swear this was one magical vest! Ms Jerry put it on over Zach's head, yes, it was big but it didn't seem to bother him in the least. I didn't see him fuss with the vest on even one time. Zachary took Ms. Jerry's hand as she headed us down the hall into "the BIG yellow room". Little man had such a wonderful smile on his face! He climbed right up onto the blue mat table and let me brush him, and try something new. Zach is now getting his mouth brushed (not teeth - he does that daily ;-) but the roof of his mouth. He normally doesn't like anything in his mouth but food. Ms. Jerry gave him some green tubing for him to chew and he seemed to really like it. I also had to use a massaging brush with a vibrator in his mouth since he bit my thumb. Now I need to go out and find one for him.

After a successful OT session of Zach doing his tasks and staying focused on them it was time for ST...

A good session there too and this time with an added element - we were still in "the BIG yellow room" and during this session another child had to use it with her therapist as well (told you it was big) This particular girl cries a lot and normally when Zach sees/hears her he turns off. Not today, today he put some focus on her but not for very long and went right back to what he was doing (play-doh). ST went so well - the best part of it all was his focus!

Go little man GO!!!!!

One of Those Weekends!

We've had one of those weekends where all of your problems get pushed to the side.

This was a well deserved, family fun weekend! I don't even really know why - we did a whole lot of nothing but it was such a GREAT nothing to be doing as a family! We were together, enjoying every moment we could, laughing, playing, watching movies, BBQing, more laughing and playing - I wish everyday was so wonderful!

I hope everyone reading this had a happy, safe, 4th of July weekend as well!

Allergy Testing =

Good News!!!!!

This morning was another Dr's appointment for my little man, another day of testing. Today Zachary had to see the allergist. He has seen him numerous times before, starting at the time he was just 2 months old. Today he had to have another skin prick test done, this time for environmental allergens instead of foods.

Zachary's test results took us all by surprise - I've never seen such a look on our allergists face (and we've been seeing him for over 4 years) First off, just to look at Zachary he just has the look of a kid with a ton of allergies, big puffy eyes, dark circles, always a runny nose, eczema. We all thought without a doubt we would find major environmental allergies happening with this child............BUT...............NOPE, NOTHING!!! Well a sycamore tree (picture included of that big bad sycamore), but that was it, nothing else, not even dust mites, molds, grass, cats, dogs -- Nada! If any of you know his big sister, Zoe, you would know the kid has major environmental allergies the strangest of her allergies being to a cockroach - but anything else you name she is allergic to as well. Just goes to show you really can't compare your kids in any way ;-)

WOW I'm so taken back! It really is a good thing!!!!

Yippee for today's allergy test!!!!

Week 10 Day 2

Today didn't go much better. I'm still in no mind to let my words out, I'll get there at some point.

Ms. Kristin and I had a very long talk today and have come to the conclusion something else is going on. At this point I'm crossing my fingers, trying to stay strong, hoping, praying that this has to do with his stomach issues and once he gets some treatment will return to our Zachary that we normally know.

My Big Girl..

While I'm on a Zoe kick, I might as well add one more picture of her.

I think this picture is the perfect (purrr-fect) photograph of my beautiful daughter. It is now, by far, my favorites of all the favorites I have of her ;-)

This is Zoe, the most beautiful child in my eyes - both inside and out!!!!!!!

Breathe...and Be Thankful.....

Right now I need to breathe! What better way then looking at a couple pictures of the kids. Happy moments, sibling love! Thanks Kori for getting this on film, oh and you can stop making me cry anytime now!!!

The life of a special needs mom is sometimes filled with a lot of whys and forgetting that life can be a good thing.

I am thankful that I have children who love each other so very much!

I'm very thankful that I have a wonderful daughter who is a perfect sister for Zach. She cares about him so much, like any siblings she gets annoyed by her brother from time to time. Zoe can do things to get under his skin but for the most part she would do just about anything for her little brother. I have never seen siblings get along the way these two do. I hope it lasts ;-)

I am thankful that Zoe has some sort of concept of all that is going on and is the most understanding, compassionate 5 year old I've ever met.

I am thankful for the sibling love they have! These pictures capture them perfectly - this is how it is in our house most days ---- smiles and hugs, I don't have pictures of the other times, but then again that would be best captured on video so you could hear the screams.

I am thankful for the smile that is on Zach's face everyday of his life even though he has been through more things then anyone should ever have to deal with.

I'm thankful for all the giggles that fill my house.

I am so thankful for both of my beautiful children - who even in times of sadness bring the sun into my life!

I admire my daughter's strength, compassion, honesty, and love for life! If we could all live the life of a 5 year old like Zoe - the world would be a much better place!!!!!

Week 10

So today is Tuesday the beginning of week 10 for little Zach.....

I'm going to take a step back and talk about yesterday....my BF came over and we had a blast taking pictures of the kids. She is a photographer, and does some amazing work! I was so worried Zach was not going to handle the day well - but he proved me wrong.

Fast forward to today..... AWFUL! I don't know if it was all the stimulus yesterday or what - but we are experiencing some major changes with him and his SPD. They are not good changes, they are not changes I'm willing to talk about just yet. I'll put it this way, I needed to walk out of both of his sessions today, not because I was told to do so but because I could no longer watch my little boy struggle. He has been slipping away for the past 1 and a half to two weeks now with no improvements in sight.

Something is going on, we have yet to hit the nail on its head and right now I feel like I'm repeatedly hitting the hammer on my thumb.