Quirky kids and Therapy

Ok, my seasonal depression has kicked in full force. Come on warmer weather! I'm tired of all the sick germs! I think the only thing I talk about with friends is our sick kids. It's depressing! Luke has now had the flu twice - the same strand both times. I have some how (thank the Lord) stayed well through all the sicknesses here. Mamas don't have time to be sick!

I think the biggest thing around here lately is Landry's eating and her therapy. It's been so refreshing to get some help and to become more educated on her "condition". Funny thing is, if I would've heard about a kid having this "oral aversion" when Luke was 18 months old, I would've thought it was bogus. I would've thought the parents were just unhealthy eaters and pushovers. Is that wrong? Maybe. I'm just being honest.

I remember writing on here a few years ago about Luke being "quirky". He heard background noises (air conditioners, refrigerators, cars driving by), hated loud noises, never played in a sandbox because of the way it felt, asked me to cut tags off his clothes, didn't like walking in the grass barefoot, didn't like his hands dirty, hated having his hair washed in the bathtub because he didn't like water in his face or around his ears.... The list could go on. Come to find out, his sensory processing was heightened, and it caused him lots of anxiety. His triggers were more towards his touch and hearing senses. We loved him through it, and he's outgrown most of it. Like this last summer, he finally went under the water in the swimming pool and didn't freak out. -- Come to find out, Landry has the same sensitivities, but hers are mainly oral. The therapy is needed in her case because it has affected her growth and nutritional status. She might out grow most of it, but we can't wait and count on that to happen.

Some people have had the reaction I would've had if I had never experienced what life is like with a child like Landry. I get vibes from people like "She's just picky, and she gets by with it." So, let me tell ya! It's much more than picky eating. Landry has narrowed down her "yes" foods to about 8 things. None of these things include age appropriate table food. She eats chex cereal, full fat greek yogurt, oatmeal with cream, most chips and crackers, some fruits, baby food packets, and she picks the cheese off of pizza. That's it. Nothing else. She was nursed for a year, and she never took a bottle or a pacifier of any kind. She doesn't drink milk, pediasure, chocolate milk, soy milk... just juice and water. She was around the 50th percentile for her size at 9 months, and at her checkup at 16 months, she had fallen to the 14th percentile in her weight and height.

So, the therapy is very interesting and enlightening for me. Right now, the plan is for her to go for 6 months, one time a week, and we work on different things at home between appointments. Just to get calories in Landry and quit fighting her, I finally did surrender to just giving her the "yes" foods. This was good for a while because it eased the tension of meal times. So, this week, we are working on incorporating her "no" foods into one meal time per day. For example, at supper time, she gets maybe 1/2 of a slice of pizza, but then she gets what we're eating, too. If she attempts to eat what we're eating (even if she spits it out), she gets rewarded with more pizza. We have done this a few times, and if she gets the food to her mouth, it always comes out. Now, I know how to reward her for doing this. If she is uncooperative, we get her down and get calories in her a little while later. Getting her down doesn't hurt her feelings though, because she would rather not eat than eating her "no" foods. It's baby steps we're working on! Next week, I'll be getting a special brush for her. I'll "brush" her arms, hands, cheeks, around her mouth, and inside her mouth four times a day. It is supposed to help desensitize her. -- At therapy, they're just still building rapport. This last time, she ate her usual lunch up there (greek yogurt, chex cereal, and a fruit cup). Next week, she'll have the same thing, but we're bringing chicken nuggets to work on. She loves going, and if you've ever seen an OT "gym", you'd know why! Tons of toys and activities. She cries to leave.... a good problem!

My little guy is starting preschool in the fall! The days are just inching closer, and it's stinging me a little! I know he's ready... He'd go today if I'd let him. But, I'm just not looking forward to it.. I love having both of my kids home! I feel so lucky to have had the chance to just love on him here and not miss a thing. Don't get me wrong... I'd take a job some days! But, it's been a joy 99% of the time. And, I'm getting to pass him off to my sister-in-law, Stephanie. She'll be his teacher. How lucky am I!? Yep, pretty dang lucky. Baby steps. Ha.

Landry likes lotion, too. I guess I should've listed it a "yes" food. Haha