When we go to Speech Therapy Luke often sits in a “cube chair” and he and his therapist work on several activities. They work on identifying pictures, singing songs, sign language and other games to work on Luke’s understanding of things like “up” and “down”.
Well the other day during therapy Luke decided he was tired of all the games the therapist was trying to do, so he decided to start his own game. Usually what happens during therapy is that his chair starts out by the wall, where there is a phone cord within reach…so when he start to reach for it the chair gets moved away from the wall. Well, this day he started to go for the phone cord, but then he changed his mind. Instead he decided to try some “chair aerobics”.
Luke would twist and hit the wall with one hand and then twist the other way and hit the wall with the other hand. It looked something like an aerobics move, I could just see an instructor saying…”twist and twist…and hit… and twist…and hit”. So funny to see. I think he was getting ready for a career as an aerobics instructor.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
A home for my toys!
I have shared how Luke seemed to be looking for a new toy box, when he placed all his toys from his wagon into the warmer drawer under our oven. Well, it seems he continues to find just the right place for his toys. He still loads them all up in his wagon and pushes it sideways…which I think is because when it goes forward or backward to goes too fast for him to keep up, while crawling along anyway. So he continues pushing it sideways down the hall or into the kitchen.
Well among his “hunting” for the right place he has taken to putting his toys in some strange places. He has taken his whole wagon into the bathroom and proceeded to put all the toys into the bathtub. He has taken his wagon into his room where he started to place all his toys into the “Diaper Champ”, which was pretty funny because there is only so much space and he couldn’t fit all his toys in. If you don’t know what this is, it is like a diaper Genie, except you place a regular trash bag in and there is a place to put the diaper in the top, and then flip it over so the diaper drops inside without opening it up all the time. So Luke was putting these toys in where we usually put our dirty or wet diapers to flip them over into the trash bag. Luckily I caught him before flipping it over to put his toys inside with his dirty diapers!! Yes…he has learned how to do this. Which…is really great OT…so I can’t be too mad about that!!
Anyway, the other day I was unloading the dishwasher…and I’m sure you know where I am going with this. I was unloading in the usual order; utensils, bottom rack and then came the top rack. I picked up a couple glasses to put away and underneath were a Lego and a plastic triangle piece. I just laughed….the little guy snuck those in. He has tried putting some toys in the dishwasher while I’ve been loading it up…but I thought I caught them all. Obviously I need to watch a little more carefully. Sneaky little guy!!
Well among his “hunting” for the right place he has taken to putting his toys in some strange places. He has taken his whole wagon into the bathroom and proceeded to put all the toys into the bathtub. He has taken his wagon into his room where he started to place all his toys into the “Diaper Champ”, which was pretty funny because there is only so much space and he couldn’t fit all his toys in. If you don’t know what this is, it is like a diaper Genie, except you place a regular trash bag in and there is a place to put the diaper in the top, and then flip it over so the diaper drops inside without opening it up all the time. So Luke was putting these toys in where we usually put our dirty or wet diapers to flip them over into the trash bag. Luckily I caught him before flipping it over to put his toys inside with his dirty diapers!! Yes…he has learned how to do this. Which…is really great OT…so I can’t be too mad about that!!
Anyway, the other day I was unloading the dishwasher…and I’m sure you know where I am going with this. I was unloading in the usual order; utensils, bottom rack and then came the top rack. I picked up a couple glasses to put away and underneath were a Lego and a plastic triangle piece. I just laughed….the little guy snuck those in. He has tried putting some toys in the dishwasher while I’ve been loading it up…but I thought I caught them all. Obviously I need to watch a little more carefully. Sneaky little guy!!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Look at Me Go!!
A few weeks ago Luke tried something new at therapy and yesterday we did it again. In order to get Luke to rely on his own core muscles more, his PT put Luke in a harness attached to a mobile unit. It is the same unit that we had been using, without the harness, when walking on their treadmill at therapy. It has handle bars that go up and down. When I first saw him in it, it reminded me of what Luke might look like if he were rigged up in a parachute or something. (see video below to visualize)
When Luke uses his walker he is able to put some of his weight on his arms and able to then use his arms to help him keep balance and walk. With this mobile unit he is not putting his weight on anything but himself. He wears a harness with four straps attached. Luke’s PT has him hold on to the two straps in front to have a place for his hands.
He seems to really like this, in fact this second time doing it yesterday he walked faster with it. But, you could tell by the second lap around the building that he was wearing down. He started leaning into the harness, like he was using it to help keep him upright.
The first time we did this Luke was so tired that when the PT tried to get him to sit and then stand up…he would stand for 1 or 2 seconds and then squat back to a sitting position. He usually loved to stand up and throw a ball or something, but he was so tired he didn’t even want to stand!! This time he walked most of the time either with the mobile unit or a walker, like his new one we ordered. Which by the way, this new walker we are working with at therapy has a “disability” of its own…we haven’t figured it out yet, but the left rear wheel catches and lifts off the ground and the friction causes Luke to keep going to the left. So it actually takes a lot of muscle on Luke’s part to steer the thing on the right path. So after walking two laps with the mobile unit, two laps with the “disabled” walker and doing some cruising exercise, he was pretty tired last night!! He did so well yesterday though, he kept fighting through it all. Go Luke GO!!
When Luke uses his walker he is able to put some of his weight on his arms and able to then use his arms to help him keep balance and walk. With this mobile unit he is not putting his weight on anything but himself. He wears a harness with four straps attached. Luke’s PT has him hold on to the two straps in front to have a place for his hands.
He seems to really like this, in fact this second time doing it yesterday he walked faster with it. But, you could tell by the second lap around the building that he was wearing down. He started leaning into the harness, like he was using it to help keep him upright.
The first time we did this Luke was so tired that when the PT tried to get him to sit and then stand up…he would stand for 1 or 2 seconds and then squat back to a sitting position. He usually loved to stand up and throw a ball or something, but he was so tired he didn’t even want to stand!! This time he walked most of the time either with the mobile unit or a walker, like his new one we ordered. Which by the way, this new walker we are working with at therapy has a “disability” of its own…we haven’t figured it out yet, but the left rear wheel catches and lifts off the ground and the friction causes Luke to keep going to the left. So it actually takes a lot of muscle on Luke’s part to steer the thing on the right path. So after walking two laps with the mobile unit, two laps with the “disabled” walker and doing some cruising exercise, he was pretty tired last night!! He did so well yesterday though, he kept fighting through it all. Go Luke GO!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
No daddy, they go here!!
The other night I convinced my husband to give Luke a bath. And Luke tried something he has never done before…at least to me, his momma. To understand I have to back up a little. Luke has been showing some signs that he may be ready for potty training…I know…how do you train a boy who can’t communicate or walk?? Ask me in about 6 months when we actually start the “potty sitting time”…then maybe I’ll know enough to give some advice.
To start we are no longer changing diapers in his room, but in the bathroom…so that Luke might start associating the toilet and diapers. So because of this my husband took Luke’s diaper, PJ’s, towel and wash cloth to the bathroom with him the other night. I don’t remember what I was doing at the time, probably getting ready for our garage sale…but our baby girl was also in the bathroom. You also need to understand that this bathroom barely has enough room to turn around in.
So here was all this stuff and two little kids and my husband all in the bathroom. The actual bath seemed to go well, but when Luke was done all of a sudden I heard, “NO!! Luke!!!” and then I heard “come get your son, I’m not dealing with him.” So here momma came to the rescue and I asked what Luke had done that my husband didn’t want to deal with him anymore.
It turned out that Luke took his diaper and PJ’s and threw them into the tub..that still had the water in it from Luke’s bath. He was obviously trying to tell his daddy that they belonged there…after all he just got washed…why not those too?? I thought it was quite funny!!
In the past Luke had thrown other things in the water on me, like his ball and the foot stool I use for him in the bathroom to wash hands….but the diaper and clothes was a first. The diaper did dry out and I used it the next night…it wasn’t in the tub long enough to absorb too much water…we can’t waste $0.24 now can we?
To start we are no longer changing diapers in his room, but in the bathroom…so that Luke might start associating the toilet and diapers. So because of this my husband took Luke’s diaper, PJ’s, towel and wash cloth to the bathroom with him the other night. I don’t remember what I was doing at the time, probably getting ready for our garage sale…but our baby girl was also in the bathroom. You also need to understand that this bathroom barely has enough room to turn around in.
So here was all this stuff and two little kids and my husband all in the bathroom. The actual bath seemed to go well, but when Luke was done all of a sudden I heard, “NO!! Luke!!!” and then I heard “come get your son, I’m not dealing with him.” So here momma came to the rescue and I asked what Luke had done that my husband didn’t want to deal with him anymore.
It turned out that Luke took his diaper and PJ’s and threw them into the tub..that still had the water in it from Luke’s bath. He was obviously trying to tell his daddy that they belonged there…after all he just got washed…why not those too?? I thought it was quite funny!!
In the past Luke had thrown other things in the water on me, like his ball and the foot stool I use for him in the bathroom to wash hands….but the diaper and clothes was a first. The diaper did dry out and I used it the next night…it wasn’t in the tub long enough to absorb too much water…we can’t waste $0.24 now can we?
Monday, September 20, 2010
Watch out Below!!
As you all know, Luke has been pulling up and cruising well the last couple of months. He pops up all over the place and he loves to get up to the couch and cruise along to find the remotes and other toys. Well the other day he brought his toys over to the couch in the wagon of his and started putting the toys up on the couch. Before he got them all on the couch he decided to stand up. Then he started putting all the toys he had thrown on the couch back into his wagon.
After he got all his toys back in his wagon, I think Luke was trying to get the toys back onto the couch…but somewhere along the line something went wrong with his plan. I don’t know if he was trying to bend over and get toys out of his wagon without going all the way back to the ground or if he was trying to go back to the floor and lost his balance. But, either way he fell and landed hard…and he didn’t land on the floor…no that would be too easy. He landed in his wagon!! So funny!!
The funniest part was that he couldn’t get out on his own. He tried and then started crying…like he was saying “momma, get me out!!” It cracked me up…and of course before I rescued him, I took a picture…which of course I have to share.
After he got all his toys back in his wagon, I think Luke was trying to get the toys back onto the couch…but somewhere along the line something went wrong with his plan. I don’t know if he was trying to bend over and get toys out of his wagon without going all the way back to the ground or if he was trying to go back to the floor and lost his balance. But, either way he fell and landed hard…and he didn’t land on the floor…no that would be too easy. He landed in his wagon!! So funny!!
The funniest part was that he couldn’t get out on his own. He tried and then started crying…like he was saying “momma, get me out!!” It cracked me up…and of course before I rescued him, I took a picture…which of course I have to share.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Singing Buddy
During Luke’s speech therapy, he and his therapist often sing songs together. Songs like “the wheels on the bus” and “itsy bitsy spider”. A couple weeks ago we brought in our own CD, the “party like a preschooler” CD by Go Fish. Which by the way are an awesome group, if you are looking for kid songs with positive themes and a Godly message…look no further. Go Fish take regular songs like “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and turn it into an upbeat and fun time!!
So we brought our CD in to share. And here we are partying along with the Go Fish Guys…and we start singing “If you’re happy”. You know the song…. “If you’re happy and you know it…clap your hands…clap clap…” and so on. Well in this version one verse says, “If you’re happy and you know it…shout Wooo Hooo….” So the second time Luke and his therapist sang through this, we hear a “Wooo Hoo” come through the wall. What was that?? Both Luke’s therapist and I looked at each other…and his therapist started laughing and said, “who could be over there?” Next door there is a conference room, so any number of people could be next door listening and “joining” in.
When we were leaving the therapist’s room that day, we stopped at the room next door. Who did we find? It was one of the doctors who sees patients at Easter Seals (the therapy facility we go to now). So we invited this good doctor to always join in whenever he wanted. He told us it was just too hard to resist we were having such a good time.
Who says therapy can’t be fun for everyone!!
So we brought our CD in to share. And here we are partying along with the Go Fish Guys…and we start singing “If you’re happy”. You know the song…. “If you’re happy and you know it…clap your hands…clap clap…” and so on. Well in this version one verse says, “If you’re happy and you know it…shout Wooo Hooo….” So the second time Luke and his therapist sang through this, we hear a “Wooo Hoo” come through the wall. What was that?? Both Luke’s therapist and I looked at each other…and his therapist started laughing and said, “who could be over there?” Next door there is a conference room, so any number of people could be next door listening and “joining” in.
When we were leaving the therapist’s room that day, we stopped at the room next door. Who did we find? It was one of the doctors who sees patients at Easter Seals (the therapy facility we go to now). So we invited this good doctor to always join in whenever he wanted. He told us it was just too hard to resist we were having such a good time.
Who says therapy can’t be fun for everyone!!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
No, my food!!
I have been so happy that Luke has been pulling up so well these last couple months, it is great to see. But along with his ability to pull up I lose some of my freedom. When he first started pulling up, I finally cleared off the end tables that held things that used to be too far to reach for the little man. Now he can reach those things easily. For example, just last night I left some water in a cup on the end table next tot the recliner. When I got back from giving baby girl her bath I found the cup on the floor and water all over the recliner!! I should have known better.
As I was saying, last week on top of moving stuff off the tables, I found myself fending off the little man just trying to eat my food. Usually I feed both kids and then I take my food into the living room and eat while they play. Well, not anymore!!
The other day I was sitting there, minding my own business, and trying to eat a sandwich. All of a sudden here comes Luke, cruising across the couch on a mission. His eyes were locked on my food. When he got close enough he went in for the kill. I laughed and said, “no, you already ate”…and then he kept trying to reach the food when I moved it. Then I said, “go get your own food.” Which of course I knew he couldn’t.
So began the game of “keep-away”. Only no matter where I moved my food, Luke was able to reach it. Silly little man. Is nothing safe??
Then I began eating at the kitchen table, and that worked for a couple days before Luke figured out how to pull up at the kitchen table!! Uuggghhhh. So now I have learned I must eat breakfast BEFORE he gets up and lunch has to often wait until he is down for his nap, around 2pm.
My baby girl has started pulling up as well, but thank the Lord at 9months old she is too short to reach my food!! I’m safe from her, for now anyway!!
As I was saying, last week on top of moving stuff off the tables, I found myself fending off the little man just trying to eat my food. Usually I feed both kids and then I take my food into the living room and eat while they play. Well, not anymore!!
The other day I was sitting there, minding my own business, and trying to eat a sandwich. All of a sudden here comes Luke, cruising across the couch on a mission. His eyes were locked on my food. When he got close enough he went in for the kill. I laughed and said, “no, you already ate”…and then he kept trying to reach the food when I moved it. Then I said, “go get your own food.” Which of course I knew he couldn’t.
So began the game of “keep-away”. Only no matter where I moved my food, Luke was able to reach it. Silly little man. Is nothing safe??
Then I began eating at the kitchen table, and that worked for a couple days before Luke figured out how to pull up at the kitchen table!! Uuggghhhh. So now I have learned I must eat breakfast BEFORE he gets up and lunch has to often wait until he is down for his nap, around 2pm.
My baby girl has started pulling up as well, but thank the Lord at 9months old she is too short to reach my food!! I’m safe from her, for now anyway!!
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