We are still alive, and have plenty to update.
Cpc finally started Occupational Therapy and absolutely loves it. It helps him a lot and we are trying to learn how to give him the help he needs at home. Without therapy his alertness level is way above normal for his age, which causes some pretty tiresome days for me and him. But with therapy he comes down to a normal alertness level and can handle things pretty much like any other kid. As long as we're on this topic I would like to discuss a few things I've learned about SPD. I worry about my child getting picked on, or labeled. To most adults he seems like a pretty normal kid – but I can already tell that most kids pick up pretty quick on the fact that he responds a little differently to many things – particularly at the playground. Some kids take this to mean they should avoid him, others think it's funny and try to provoke him. So I've decided that whether I label it SPD or not, he's still going to be seen as different, at least by other children. But there are times when adults just think he's being obnoxious, when he's really just seeking some much needed input. SPD is a very broad label. One child with SPD could seem lazy while another might seem like they have ADHD. Cpc is a little further to the ADHD side of things. His system needs much more heavy work and proprioceptive input than most children. At therapy Cpc gets to carry around 8 and 9 pound medicine balls. He carries them up stairs, drops them in a tunnel, lifts them above his head out of the tunnel, et cetera. He gets to swing from his arms and crash into things, and crawl in a cloth tunnel or cloth swing that give him input all over his body. At home this means I get to make him my workhorse. We've learned that just carrying a laundry basket full of clothes up the stairs isn't quite heavy enough to give him the input he needs – so we add heavy books and bags or bottles of detergent. When I go to the grocery store I get pretty dirty looks from people who see me making my almost-3-year-old son carry the groceries while my hands are empty. But not only does he like to do it most of the time, if we can get him to do around an hour of this each morning, he is pretty well regulated the rest of the day. He can transition without a meltdown, he can accept no for an answer, and he doesn't beg to watch movies the entire day. Oh, movies. We also learned that although a weighted blanket doesn't help Cpc to sleep, it does help him when he watches movies. Usually after watching even a 20-minute movie, he is so wired he melts down just from being told he can't watch more, and then he's mean and whiney the rest of the day. But if that blanket is on his lap during the movie then he is perfectly fine.
So why would I post all of these details on our blog? I know a lot of parents are even scared of telling their children if they are diagnosed with something like this. Well, it goes back to this labeling issue. Yes, kids get labeled sometimes, and sometimes the get made fun of for these things. But frankly, kids are going to make fun of them whether there is a label or not. And kids that are different notice that they're different, and it can often cause serious depression. For me it's like this – any disability is not that different from a kid being paralyzed and in a wheelchair. No matter what you say that child simply cannot walk. If you pretend that the child is no different, then the child is confused and doesn't understand why they can't get up the stairs to play with the other kids. But if you say, this child simply needs a ramp instead of stairs, then they are able to participated. There still might be some awkwardness, but accommodations can be made and the child will be more comfortable. Cpc simply needs some accommodations. I want his extended family and our close friends to know this, and to be able to make these accommodations for him. He will always know he's a little different, but he will also always know he is not less. This is the thing that is most important to me. Sometimes we feel like SPD controls us, and I'm sure there are many who think we make too big a deal of it. We are merely trying to adjust and help our son to the best of our abilities. I am sure there are many who are pretty skeptical of it as well, sometimes I even doubt it myself. But then I get little affirmations here and there, like when my little sister (who is living with us) told me a few days after we moved in that she finally understands how real SPD is. If you're desirous for more information, the best book you can read is “Parenting a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder.”
Alright, on to other things. Like I said, we moved. We are so grateful to G&P who let us live with them and didn't complain about us taking over their space. We are all happy to have our own space again. We replaced my sister Cse's roommates, and she'll keep living with us until she leaves on her mission. She's been so sweet and helpful while we round up our stuff and try to get it all organized. She's done lots of playing with the boys and getting them special treats for being good and patient. She's been really trying to help Cpc with his potty-training, which completely digressed after a month or so.
We are experiencing Cdc's language explosion. He is just jibber-jabbering his way through life, and understands almost everything that goes on around him. His words/signs include baby, milk, more, dad, mom, (his brother's name), drink, dog, bed, eat, hat, hair, belly-button, beeper, brush teeth, and bath – and obviously some of these are very baby talk or baby signs. He is starting to overcome some of his clinginess (which skyrocketed when we moved), which we think actually relates to the fact that Cpc's sensory-seeking (aka – bumping his brother over on purpose) skyrocketed. We think Cdc was tired of getting knocked over and figured he was safe if he was being held by mommy! We decided that, since he loves sleep and goes to bed so easily, we would let Cdc switch to a toddler bed when we moved. He loves it. He just goes and climbs in his bed and goes to sleep when he wants to. Sometimes he does just go get his dog out of his bed, which has led to more thumb-sucking – so we're thinking about tying the dog to the bed or something. Cdc is also expanding his food selection which is a great blessing to this family!
Pmc is still enjoying the fact that he gets to use his creativity at work. Work is slow, and we're working on other means of income to tide us by. He's mowing some lawns and loves getting that outside work (so if you know anyone in the SL area who needs that, let us know). And I think one of these days he really will get on here and give an update for himself.
I am doing fantastic!!!! I finally decided to attend one of my cousin's Power of Moms retreats, and I am so glad I did. She gave me a discount since I'm family – but having been, I would definitely pay full price next time (after saving my pennies for a long time since we're not making them very fast), and it would be worth every penny. I also trained to be able to put these workshops and retreats on for other moms. I started another
blog for that – so if you'd like to read more about the workshop and my thoughts go there. Basically, I learned things that have helped me to be much more like the mom I envision being. I am getting things done AND enjoying my kids. My mind isn't cluttered with anything and everything. Housework is no longer a drudgery and our family is happier.
So how's that for an update? Now the real test of whether the retreat was helpful will be whether I really start updating the blog every week or not.
We bought an awesome pass that included some MLS Real Salt Lake games. We attended this night even though it was rainy. Even though Cdc looks miserable, he had a blast. We stayed for all except the most exciting last minutes of the game. Lame! 
We've gone to the zoo a few times with friends - this one was with my friend from elementary school Nph and her daughter.
Fun visit with the Cundick cousins to the Children's Museum at the Church History Museum.
Cdc was thrilled about dying eggs this year!
Doesn't Pmc's work look good? Things are looking up again!
Yes, this is from a while ago - overlooking Bear lake before hitting the slopes.
Are those boys not adorable? No, I'm not fishing for compliments. Ok, maybe I am. I just think they're cute!
