I mainly jot down little notes in the notebook instead of typing on here. It's just so much to keep up with!
The girls went to the lake and went tubing for the first time! They had a blast. They love the boat and Kymber loves the water. She already doggy paddles and will for sure be swimming next summer. I think if we could swim year round she would be already. She has no fear. Cailey is getting better but is still scared of water.... but she does go down the big slide at the pool, which is huge for her! She's enjoying summer but she's anxious for school too ..... she advanced SO MUCH in kindergarten, I'm excited to see her grow this year too.
Kymber has been using the potty for months now, but she is pretty much potty trained!!! She will hold it when in the car, tell me she has to go and hold it until we get into the store. She uses it all day long at home without any help and just goes on her on. She still has to wear a night time diaper.
Today she counted to 7 with me (said the number after I said it) then she counted on from 7 up to 10 all by herself!!
She has started saying 4 words in a sentence.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
From last year........
A year has passed with my beautiful daughter and after colic can no longer be the answer to this wild and crazy adventure, I have had a few minutes to myself to be able to research. Nothing fits better than Dr. Sears “High Needs Baby” http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/t050400.asp . Out of the 12 signs of a high needs baby…. Kymber fits…. TWELVE of them. While I look at parents whose babies sit in strollers,that take naps, that let another person hold them, that ride in cars without screaming, …. I wouldn’t change it for the world. My high needs baby has such a personality that lightens up everyone’s day when that “normal” baby sleeps it away or gets thrown into that “average” category!
.
In response to Dr. Sears 12 signs of a High Needs Baby… Here are the 12 Positives to having a High Needs Baby
All of this fits her and my life now COMPLETELY!
1. High Needs Babies teach us to let go. Forget showering, forget me time, forget date nights, forget a clean house, forget movies, forget a clean home, forget warm meals, forget it all…. You finally learn to Let things go!
2. High Needs Babies let us practice selflessly serving another being. What is self?! You are the playground, the burp cloth, the baby carrier, the high chair, the swing, the mattress, the tummy mat, the walker…. Anything that other parents buy to pacify their babies…. YOU ARE THAT ITEM.. (don't stop rocking, walking or bouncing whatever you do!!)
3.High Needs Babies teach us creativity. How exactly will we get the dishes and laundry done with one hand? How will we solve nap time today? Will the baby sleep on you? On the floor? How will you manage to get that sleeping baby from your body to the floor? What will today bring and how can we make this work? What the heck is wrong and how do I fix it? Thought tying your shoes was hard with a baby bump? Thought that bump got in the way when trying to reach down in that deep wash machine to switch laundry? Thought it was hard to make the bed with that bump in front of you? How about that bump moving, wiggling, squirming, screaming, and spitting up all over you while you try to do these tasks!
4. High Needs Babies teach us that parenting isn’t something that can be taught. Everyone will have their opinions on how you should parent, they will give advice, they will make comments, and even blame you for the reason your baby is like this. I just remind myself that if they think that parenting is something that is the same for every child, then they could probably never handle what you go through every day with a high needs baby.
5. High Needs Babies teach us to be flexible. Think you can plan a playdate for every Friday? With a high needs baby that Friday play group might seem great up until 5 minutes before its time to leave and your whole day changes! Your plans are not set, you have an open, flexible schedule for whatever you and your high needs baby can handle that day.
6. High Needs Babies give us extra hours in the day. The first year of life with a high needs baby feels like it is so long because we've been awake nearly the WHOLE time so it’s equivalent to 2 years.
7. High Needs Babies teach us persistence. We never ever give up even when we've given up. We have no choice. Even when you are ready to throw in the towel and say “I CAN’T DO THIS ANY LONGER!!!!” you just cry with the baby and realize the baby is still there demanding you no matter what you are feeling.
8. High Needs Babies teach us about sharing. No, not learning to share materialistic items. That would be so much easier. What once used to be your space, your time, your shower, your meal time, your body is now …. Our space, our time, our shower, our meal time, our body. I would say our bed…. But I haven’t met my bed in a long time. I have been sleeping with Kymber in the recliner for 2 years, "sleeping" I mean, occasionally passing out for a bit in the recliner in between pacing the floor all night.
9. High Needs Babies teach us to include them in our world and acknowledge their individuality. They will not just sit quietly in a carrier. Or sleep quietly in another room. Or play quietly on the floor. And by including them in our world and constantly holding them in our arms we form an amazing bond as only those who have suffered through hardship can. These high needs babies have such a personality that stands out and the things they do you can really tell that they have been completely involved in others lives. They aren’t just left to sit in the swing or playpen or left on the floor to entertain themselves.
10. High Needs Babies make us strong. Physically, emotionally, mentally. While other moms are complaining because they can’t lose the weight… yours is long gone because your personal workout machine has made you lose that weight and gain muscle. Constantly in your arms, pacing the floor, bouncing them higher and higher, swinging them more than any baby swing could ever endure…. Your body is back to what it used to be!
11. High Needs Babies Teach us that things can wait. Thought you HAD to go to the store today? Thought you HAD to have dinner at 5:00pm? Thought you HAD to shower daily? Thought you HAD to have sleep? All those things can wait because there is someone else that needs you more than you need those things. Maybe the store will be tomorrow or even next week. Maybe the baby will eat at 5pm but you won’t eat until midnight. Maybe you will get lucky enough to have one real shower a week, the other days you may get to rinse off. Someday, with enough waiting…. Those things will all come back.
12. High Needs Babies teach us to pray. Didn’t think you knew how to pray? Didn’t think you knew how to talk to God? Nobody else is there while you are pacing the floors at night and God is the only one that would willingly take your call at 3am when all you want to do is cry and say “How do I do this?!” But …. when that prayer is over, you see that the next morning you have the strength to make it through another day and that God is there to listen to you every time without judgement. What’s even more important… your baby hears you speaking to God, something “average” babies are not included in because prayers are usually said in private, after the kids are in bed, or never at all.
.
In response to Dr. Sears 12 signs of a High Needs Baby… Here are the 12 Positives to having a High Needs Baby
All of this fits her and my life now COMPLETELY!
1. High Needs Babies teach us to let go. Forget showering, forget me time, forget date nights, forget a clean house, forget movies, forget a clean home, forget warm meals, forget it all…. You finally learn to Let things go!
2. High Needs Babies let us practice selflessly serving another being. What is self?! You are the playground, the burp cloth, the baby carrier, the high chair, the swing, the mattress, the tummy mat, the walker…. Anything that other parents buy to pacify their babies…. YOU ARE THAT ITEM.. (don't stop rocking, walking or bouncing whatever you do!!)
3.High Needs Babies teach us creativity. How exactly will we get the dishes and laundry done with one hand? How will we solve nap time today? Will the baby sleep on you? On the floor? How will you manage to get that sleeping baby from your body to the floor? What will today bring and how can we make this work? What the heck is wrong and how do I fix it? Thought tying your shoes was hard with a baby bump? Thought that bump got in the way when trying to reach down in that deep wash machine to switch laundry? Thought it was hard to make the bed with that bump in front of you? How about that bump moving, wiggling, squirming, screaming, and spitting up all over you while you try to do these tasks!
4. High Needs Babies teach us that parenting isn’t something that can be taught. Everyone will have their opinions on how you should parent, they will give advice, they will make comments, and even blame you for the reason your baby is like this. I just remind myself that if they think that parenting is something that is the same for every child, then they could probably never handle what you go through every day with a high needs baby.
5. High Needs Babies teach us to be flexible. Think you can plan a playdate for every Friday? With a high needs baby that Friday play group might seem great up until 5 minutes before its time to leave and your whole day changes! Your plans are not set, you have an open, flexible schedule for whatever you and your high needs baby can handle that day.
6. High Needs Babies give us extra hours in the day. The first year of life with a high needs baby feels like it is so long because we've been awake nearly the WHOLE time so it’s equivalent to 2 years.
7. High Needs Babies teach us persistence. We never ever give up even when we've given up. We have no choice. Even when you are ready to throw in the towel and say “I CAN’T DO THIS ANY LONGER!!!!” you just cry with the baby and realize the baby is still there demanding you no matter what you are feeling.
8. High Needs Babies teach us about sharing. No, not learning to share materialistic items. That would be so much easier. What once used to be your space, your time, your shower, your meal time, your body is now …. Our space, our time, our shower, our meal time, our body. I would say our bed…. But I haven’t met my bed in a long time. I have been sleeping with Kymber in the recliner for 2 years, "sleeping" I mean, occasionally passing out for a bit in the recliner in between pacing the floor all night.
9. High Needs Babies teach us to include them in our world and acknowledge their individuality. They will not just sit quietly in a carrier. Or sleep quietly in another room. Or play quietly on the floor. And by including them in our world and constantly holding them in our arms we form an amazing bond as only those who have suffered through hardship can. These high needs babies have such a personality that stands out and the things they do you can really tell that they have been completely involved in others lives. They aren’t just left to sit in the swing or playpen or left on the floor to entertain themselves.
10. High Needs Babies make us strong. Physically, emotionally, mentally. While other moms are complaining because they can’t lose the weight… yours is long gone because your personal workout machine has made you lose that weight and gain muscle. Constantly in your arms, pacing the floor, bouncing them higher and higher, swinging them more than any baby swing could ever endure…. Your body is back to what it used to be!
11. High Needs Babies Teach us that things can wait. Thought you HAD to go to the store today? Thought you HAD to have dinner at 5:00pm? Thought you HAD to shower daily? Thought you HAD to have sleep? All those things can wait because there is someone else that needs you more than you need those things. Maybe the store will be tomorrow or even next week. Maybe the baby will eat at 5pm but you won’t eat until midnight. Maybe you will get lucky enough to have one real shower a week, the other days you may get to rinse off. Someday, with enough waiting…. Those things will all come back.
12. High Needs Babies teach us to pray. Didn’t think you knew how to pray? Didn’t think you knew how to talk to God? Nobody else is there while you are pacing the floors at night and God is the only one that would willingly take your call at 3am when all you want to do is cry and say “How do I do this?!” But …. when that prayer is over, you see that the next morning you have the strength to make it through another day and that God is there to listen to you every time without judgement. What’s even more important… your baby hears you speaking to God, something “average” babies are not included in because prayers are usually said in private, after the kids are in bed, or never at all.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Quick little update!
Quick update while the girls are in the tub!!
Cailey was Soaring Student this month! 1 student from each class a month is chosen, so not every student gets this! She was nominated this month for the month of the word- Perseverance.... it definitely fits her so well! She is doing great in school, spelling many words, reading, and just overall doing great.
Kymber is still seeing the chiropractor, but less often. She is doing so well, just has her moments! She is still very very strong willed, but getting so better! She is talking so much now and putting words together. She can say the whole alphabet by copying after you say a letter.
We are going to be out of diapers soon!! She is so interested in the potty again, thank goodness! She was interested at her first birthday then decided against it but now she loves it. Overnight she isn't staying dry though so that part I'm not sure how long it'll be. Cailey was closer to 3 years old for no night time accidents, so we'll see how it goes!
I'll post a link to Kymber's last chiropractor visit and here is a picture of Cailey after her assembly to receive her dogtag for Soaring Student!
Kymbers Adjustments
Cailey was Soaring Student this month! 1 student from each class a month is chosen, so not every student gets this! She was nominated this month for the month of the word- Perseverance.... it definitely fits her so well! She is doing great in school, spelling many words, reading, and just overall doing great.
Kymber is still seeing the chiropractor, but less often. She is doing so well, just has her moments! She is still very very strong willed, but getting so better! She is talking so much now and putting words together. She can say the whole alphabet by copying after you say a letter.
We are going to be out of diapers soon!! She is so interested in the potty again, thank goodness! She was interested at her first birthday then decided against it but now she loves it. Overnight she isn't staying dry though so that part I'm not sure how long it'll be. Cailey was closer to 3 years old for no night time accidents, so we'll see how it goes!
I'll post a link to Kymber's last chiropractor visit and here is a picture of Cailey after her assembly to receive her dogtag for Soaring Student!
Kymbers Adjustments
Monday, April 2, 2012
Chiropractor Care for Colic, Sensory Processing and many other symptoms
I know I haven't wrote on here in a long time, but I wrote up a testimonial for Kymbers doctor at Vance Chiropractic and I wanted to share on here, and hope that maybe someone who is experiencing the same problems will find this one day and get help.
Before going to Dr. Josh Vance, Kymber was constantly crying. At only 2 weeks old I knew something wasn’t right. She would cry constantly and had to be carried and walked around day and night. She wouldn't stay in a swing, a bouncer, or an exercauser. Everyone would speak about the importance of tummy time but she would scream non stop and vomit. Basically the only place she could be comforted is swinging or rocking in my arms. She had projectile vomiting until 7 months old all day long, after every feeding. We changed her clothes and my clothes about 5-6 times a day because of it all. Burp clothes were blankets. It resulted in many trips to the pediatrician and ER but always the same answer: take medicine for reflux and she will outgrow it. She would act as though she was constipated but would never have solid stools. From birth until seeing Dr. Josh Vance at 2 years old she was up every 2-3 hours at night. She would sometimes wake up screaming and it could take up to an hour to get her to go to sleep. And by “sleep” I mean her propped on top of me sitting in the recliner. For 2 years we were up for the day at 4:30am. We slept this way for 2 years but up and down all night, not real sleep. Doctors determined sleep apnea and removed her tonsils and adenoids but it never provided any relief. Throughout the day she would have crying fits for up to 45 minutes long off and on all day. It would sound like cries of pain or frustration, not a tantrum. The pediatricians would not listen to me; they told me she was your typical 2 year old. Car rides from birth until about 1 year old was constant screaming from the time we got in the car until she got out. Around a year old it was just off and on screaming. Naps were another nightmare. From birth she would nap for about 20 minutes then wake up screaming. She would take a few 20 minute naps as a baby but after about 9 months old, it was one 20 minute nap a day, sometimes two 20 min naps if I was lucky. She was constantly on top of me and I couldn’t get any break and I couldn’t find any help in the pediatrician’s offices. Every time we went to the pediatrician Kymber would cling to me, not let them weigh her, listen to her heart or anything without crying. I couldn’t find help.
I heard Doctor Vance’s advertisement and I called. I took Kymber in and while she was bashful acting she let the nurse weigh her, listen to her heart and sat on the table for her. Dr. Josh Vance came in and talked to us and Kymber let him exam her and adjust her on the first visit. They were so wonderful and gentle and understanding. I felt like I finally had someone on our side and willing to work with us. On the ride home Kymber sat and looked out the window, something that had NEVER happened before. She took a nap that day for 2 hours. We continued to see Dr. Josh regularly and the improvements are night and day. I can’t even explain how much he has helped us. She will now ask to see him and when we go she enjoys it.
Kymber is now sleeping through the night, and if she wakes it is only to get a drink and goes right back to sleep in bed. She goes to bed at 8pm and is up at 7:30am. She will ride in the car without screaming. She sits in her seat and plays with her toy or talks or sings. She is napping atleast 1 hour a day. She plays and now I can say she is your typical 2 year old little girl because of Dr. Josh Vance helping her.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Making HUGE improvements
Not in the sleeping area..... unfortunately! But days are going awesome!!! Tantrums are lessening and she is letting me do more and more! She will play with her toys while I do my work and isn't screaming for me to hold her the entire time. For the last 2 years I have had to wait until she was asleep to go take a shower, if I didn't want to hear non stop screaming. If I said "I'm going to go take my shower" she'd start screaming, crying and just down right upset. She'd cry pretty much the entire time I was in the shower. If she calmed down, the second I came out of the bathroom she would run to me screaming and I'd have to calm her down.
Tonight..... I said "I'm going to go take a shower". She hesitated, so I told her it would be ok, I'm going to shower, then I'll be right back and I'll cuddle you. She said "ok" then went to daddy! I took my shower, heard NO crying. I came out.... she was sitting in daddies lap talking to him. I sat down and she stayed in his lap talking! This was a FIRST EVER!!!! WOW!! Something people take for granted .... it was a miracle in our house tonight!
Today at the store I asked her if she liked a shirt I picked out, it was purple. She said "no, blue one!" and starting flipping through clothes in the rack. She is talking so much lately, I can't even think of everything to write about it!
We went and took her 2 year old portraits. The lady would tell her how to pose and she would actually pose the way she asked her to.... then she'd make up her own poses, clap for herself, and start dancing. It was cute to watch. I dont have the pictures back yet, but here is a watermark proof of one of them.
Cailey is going through a stage right now. It's understandable with everything she has put up with with Kymber, she's seeing her mom every other weekend again (that's a stress I can see it in her) and just kindergarten changes. She's starting to yell at Kymber alot (kymber does torment but I want the yelling to stop too), and just getting selfish at times. She starts up her cheerleading again on Tuesday... she hasn't had cheerleading since before Christmas so hopefully that gets her back in the swing of things and gives her something to focus her attention on. She's still the same girly girl, putting on makeup and dresses almost everyday after school :) She has lost 2 teeth now .... her bottom 2! She's also been asking for months and months to get her hair cut.... we have been telling her no but finally told her she could cut it however she wanted. She got it short and she looks cute!
Tonight..... I said "I'm going to go take a shower". She hesitated, so I told her it would be ok, I'm going to shower, then I'll be right back and I'll cuddle you. She said "ok" then went to daddy! I took my shower, heard NO crying. I came out.... she was sitting in daddies lap talking to him. I sat down and she stayed in his lap talking! This was a FIRST EVER!!!! WOW!! Something people take for granted .... it was a miracle in our house tonight!
Today at the store I asked her if she liked a shirt I picked out, it was purple. She said "no, blue one!" and starting flipping through clothes in the rack. She is talking so much lately, I can't even think of everything to write about it!
We went and took her 2 year old portraits. The lady would tell her how to pose and she would actually pose the way she asked her to.... then she'd make up her own poses, clap for herself, and start dancing. It was cute to watch. I dont have the pictures back yet, but here is a watermark proof of one of them.
Cailey is going through a stage right now. It's understandable with everything she has put up with with Kymber, she's seeing her mom every other weekend again (that's a stress I can see it in her) and just kindergarten changes. She's starting to yell at Kymber alot (kymber does torment but I want the yelling to stop too), and just getting selfish at times. She starts up her cheerleading again on Tuesday... she hasn't had cheerleading since before Christmas so hopefully that gets her back in the swing of things and gives her something to focus her attention on. She's still the same girly girl, putting on makeup and dresses almost everyday after school :) She has lost 2 teeth now .... her bottom 2! She's also been asking for months and months to get her hair cut.... we have been telling her no but finally told her she could cut it however she wanted. She got it short and she looks cute!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Creating my own solutions for SPD
"Children with sensory integration disorder may have a hard time tolerating the tactile pressure of a seat belt, the auditory onslaught of a rumbling engine, the olfactory offense of car exhaust, the vestibular challenge of stops and starts and bumpy motion." http://www.netplaces.com/sensory-integration-disorder/sensory-integration-in-the-community/in-the-car.htm
Kymber screams a lot of the time in the car. I haven't figured out everything about her SPD needs but her therapist mentioned that she is needing pressure in the car to handle the motion. She LOVES motion, but it has to be HARD and FAST. The car is not.
I took just a back pack that was in the garage and stuffed it with some blankets. I then took the one strap and hung it over the back of the seat that she sits behind. She can now take her legs and press against this "squishy" bag for pressure. It hasn't helped completely, she's still screaming at many times (but Im still looking for all the different ideas ... still not sure what to do for her to tolerate the seatbelt??? thats a BIG one). but she does use this!
Kymber screams a lot of the time in the car. I haven't figured out everything about her SPD needs but her therapist mentioned that she is needing pressure in the car to handle the motion. She LOVES motion, but it has to be HARD and FAST. The car is not.
I took just a back pack that was in the garage and stuffed it with some blankets. I then took the one strap and hung it over the back of the seat that she sits behind. She can now take her legs and press against this "squishy" bag for pressure. It hasn't helped completely, she's still screaming at many times (but Im still looking for all the different ideas ... still not sure what to do for her to tolerate the seatbelt??? thats a BIG one). but she does use this!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Bye 2011, Hello 2012!
The girls had a great Christmas. Last year we were having a lot of financial struggles so we really didn't do that much. This year I was able to shop clearance all year long and really give them a good Christmas and not spend a fortune! Cailey's favorite this year were her Holiday Barbie, Cupcake Maker, and Easy Bake Oven but she also loved her and Kymbers Sing a long Cd Player which is one of Kymbers favorites. Kymber got a set of veggies that you "cut" with a toy knife and they come apart, that was a favorite, and her play kitchen. Her and Kymber play house, restaraunt and LOVE it. It's really cute.
Kymber and Cailey Sing A Long Player
We had our annual Christmas gathering at Grandma and Grandpa Thompsons. The girls had a great time and Kymber warmed up towards the end, and actually let Gen hold her! First time ever letting someone hold her without crying! (I'll have to download that pic!)
Kymber has had 3 meetings with her regular therapist and 1 meeting with her occupational therapist. Things have already improved some and she is making such progress. They are teaching techniques and tips on what to do throughout the day to help her get the senses that she is seeking, and when she doesn't get those senses fulfilled she would normally be having tantrums,fits, frustration, anxiety etc. She is not sleeping through the night at all, but last night was the first night that she woke up and just came and got me, without screaming!
Kymber is talking SO much. She copies so many words, putting two words together (sometimes they are more of the beginning sound of the word, she can't complete the full word) but it is really progressing! She is also working on saying letters and loves it when Cailey and I sing the alphabet and she tries to sing a long with us.She is learning animals and the sounds they make. She has said more and please for quite awhile now, but in the past few weeks she has started using the sign language for them as well. She LOVES itsy bitsy spider and does the hand movements and asks to sing it over and over and over. Books is also her favorite right now. Read the same books over and over, and every morning we go through about 10-12 books. so much right now that she is doing more and more and little improvements with the sensory issue make a HUGE difference.
Cailey has now mastered all of her letters and all of the sounds. She is spelling more words and able to read a few words. She loves writing and asking how to spell, I think by the end of the year she will have made a big progress. It's already night and day progress! She had her last day of Cheerleading and received her medal for it. She can't wait to start back in February but is wanting to maybe do tumbling instead, but also is asking about soccer and Tball. Not sure what we are going to do.
Showstopper Dance
Cailey had her birthday party. We did a Barbie theme and she had 3 of her friends from school over. They had a lot of fun playing a game "pass the wand" and putting on makeup! She LOVES having parties, she had a great time :)
I know I forget so much that goes on that I wish I remembered to write down. :( Hopefully I will eventually get better at doing this more often!
Kymber and Cailey Sing A Long Player
We had our annual Christmas gathering at Grandma and Grandpa Thompsons. The girls had a great time and Kymber warmed up towards the end, and actually let Gen hold her! First time ever letting someone hold her without crying! (I'll have to download that pic!)
Kymber has had 3 meetings with her regular therapist and 1 meeting with her occupational therapist. Things have already improved some and she is making such progress. They are teaching techniques and tips on what to do throughout the day to help her get the senses that she is seeking, and when she doesn't get those senses fulfilled she would normally be having tantrums,fits, frustration, anxiety etc. She is not sleeping through the night at all, but last night was the first night that she woke up and just came and got me, without screaming!
Kymber is talking SO much. She copies so many words, putting two words together (sometimes they are more of the beginning sound of the word, she can't complete the full word) but it is really progressing! She is also working on saying letters and loves it when Cailey and I sing the alphabet and she tries to sing a long with us.She is learning animals and the sounds they make. She has said more and please for quite awhile now, but in the past few weeks she has started using the sign language for them as well. She LOVES itsy bitsy spider and does the hand movements and asks to sing it over and over and over. Books is also her favorite right now. Read the same books over and over, and every morning we go through about 10-12 books. so much right now that she is doing more and more and little improvements with the sensory issue make a HUGE difference.
Cailey has now mastered all of her letters and all of the sounds. She is spelling more words and able to read a few words. She loves writing and asking how to spell, I think by the end of the year she will have made a big progress. It's already night and day progress! She had her last day of Cheerleading and received her medal for it. She can't wait to start back in February but is wanting to maybe do tumbling instead, but also is asking about soccer and Tball. Not sure what we are going to do.
Showstopper Dance
Cailey had her birthday party. We did a Barbie theme and she had 3 of her friends from school over. They had a lot of fun playing a game "pass the wand" and putting on makeup! She LOVES having parties, she had a great time :)
I know I forget so much that goes on that I wish I remembered to write down. :( Hopefully I will eventually get better at doing this more often!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)