A Whole New World

If any of you follow Emmett's page on Facebook, you have probably seen a few videos of him walking. Every time I post one, I am amazed at how much he has improved in such a short period of time. His little Frankenstein walk is becoming more natural and relaxed every day. He has mastered turning in all directions and his balance has improved. He is beginning to navigate around obstacles and transitions well between different floor surfaces. He even claps his hands while he walks sometimes. He still falls pretty easily, but he is doing great!

When we are home, he spends much of his time just walking around, exploring the house. He knows when someone leaves the room and will quickly follow after them. What used to take him several minutes, only takes him a matter of seconds now. If one of us "escapes" to the bathroom, it isn't long before we hear his rhythmic, two-handed drumming on the door.

I think the best part about Emmett walking better is that he is becoming more interested in everything around him. He's trying to turn door knobs and he is just tall enough to reach things on the kitchen counter and table. I have caught him snatching food off of his brother's plate and have even saved a few dishes before they hit the floor, but I don't mind a bit!

Just last week, we visited the children's museum and it was the first time I really felt like he did more than just watch the other kids. He was able to walk around a little and check things out on his own. He especially enjoyed pounding on the drums and feeling the sand on the spinning turntables. I have to watch him carefully when we go out in public because he doesn't really understand the concept of strangers or personal space, but it is fun watching him as he discovers and explores new territory. I can tell that he is enjoying it too because he has a little smirk on his face that says, "Hey, I'm walking all by myself!"

Keep it up, little man. You'll be running before we know it!

Choosing Thankfulness

Sometimes having a child with special needs can make day-to-day life a bit overwhelming. However, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought it would be nice to focus on the things that I am thankful for:

• Instead of being sad that Emmett can't do what other kids do, I am thankful for everything he CAN DO.

• Instead of being disappointed that he is still very much like a one-year-old, I am thankful that I get to ENJOY THE BABY PHASE LONGER!

•  Even though Emmett wakes up by 5:30am almost every morning, I am thankful that HE SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT.

• Although having several therapy appointments every week can be exhausting, I am thankful that HE HAS HEALTH INSURANCE, which makes these appointments possible.

• Instead of thinking that my older son is missing out on a "normal" childhood, I am thankful that having Emmett as his brother will make him A MORE COMPASSIONATE PERSON.

• Even though Emmett can't tell me with words, I am thankful that he has A BEAUTIFUL SMILE AND AN AMAZING LAUGH that tell me that he's happy.

• Even though it took him over three years to learn how to walk, I am thankful for EVERY BEAUTIFUL STEP.

• Even though Emmett often cries when we leave the room, I am thankful that HE LOVES TO BE CLOSE TO US AND GIVES GREAT HUGS.

• Instead of being bitter that I have a child with special needs, I am thankful for ALL OF THE AMAZING PEOPLE that we have connected with because of his special needs.

• Even though our days can be challenging, I am thankful that GOD CHOSE US to be Emmett's parents.

• Even though he may not be like other children, I am thankful that EMMETT IS FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE, just the way God intended.

School Days

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when Emmett started preschool. For the first few days, I almost forgot that he wasn't home with me. I halfway expected to feel him pull at my leg or to hear him crying for me in the next room. I've been without him before, but I'm rarely home, when he isn't. It definitely took some getting used to.
Thankfully, Emmett is adjusting well to school and likes being there. His teacher writes little notes to let me know what he has been doing and she sends home a daily behavior sheet. He has gotten a "green light" every day, but that is no surprise because he is normally a happy boy, as long as he has food in his tummy and a grown-up friend nearby. His big brother, Corbin, even gets to be a peer student in Emmett's class once a week. Even though Emmett's teacher keeps us informed, it is nice when Corbin can tell me about their day.
Emmett receives PT, OT, and speech therapy at school. He rides the bus and is home before noon every day. When I first learned that he could ride the bus, it sounded a little strange, but with two different preschool schedules in two different towns, it has worked out well.
So, you may be wondering what I do with all of my "spare time", now that Emmett is in preschool. One thing I get to do is spend extra time with Corbin, which has been good for both of us. He even works out with me sometimes. I'm not sure which is funnier, me trying to do Zumba or Corbin trying to follow along! 
The rest of my time is spent doing household chores, making phone calls, doing research online, and taking Corbin to preschool. I have also been able to tackle a few deep cleaning projects, but my personal favorite is running errands ALL BY MYSELF! It's amazing how many stores I can run in and out of, when I'm not buckling and unbuckling car seats at every stop.
Although it's still a little strange not having Emmett with me all of the time, it has been a good change for all of us. He's learning how to do things without me by his side and I'm learning that it's okay to let someone else take care of him for a while.

The chalkboard should say, "I'm going to be EVEN MORE AWESOME!"

Corbin's first day going to school with Emmett.

The Perfect Patient

Sometimes when I watch other children Emmett's age, it's hard not to feel a little sad that he isn't doing the things that they can do. This is partially because I feel like he's missing out on things, but today I experienced something that actually made me a little thankful that he's not like a "typical" 3-year-old.

Emmett had to go in for a fasting blood draw this morning, to check for micronutrient deficiencies. Thankfully, when we arrived at the doctor's office, he didn't seem overly hungry and was in pretty good spirits. However, he has tiny veins and it is sometimes hard to find a good one. The nurse was very sweet and spent a long time trying to find a vein before actually sticking him, but she was having no luck, so she asked another nurse from a pediatric office in the building to come down and try. They were all amazed at how calm and still Emmett was. One advantage of low muscle tone is a high pain tolerance. Emmett barely even flinched when they were looking for a suitable vein. A typical 3-year-old would have been squirming and crying at the sheer sight of a needle! In this moment, I was thankful that he didn't completely understand what was happening and that he didn't seem to have much pain. He did get a little restless while they were filling the vials, so the nurses started singing to him and he just kind of looked at them like they were crazy.

Emmett's big brother, Corbin, was also along for the appointment and he was really good too. It probably helps that he gets to raid the prize drawer every time he comes with us. I think he was just thankful that the needle was for Emmett and not for him!

Emmett might not be able to do what most 3-year-olds do, but he sure is a good patient and for that, I am truly thankful!

A Funny Thing Happened...

Although Emmett's schedule varies a bit, on most days he has preschool in the morning and therapy in the afternoon. Today was like most days, except a funny thing happened on our way home from therapy: we got stuck in the elevator!

Emmett had finished his OT session, so we got in the elevator and Corbin pushed the button for the first floor. (We were only on the second floor) The doors closed and I felt the elevator move, but the doors didn't open. I waited for a minute, then I tried pushing the open door button and the other floors...nothing! Then, I pushed the alarm button a few times and finally decided to call the front desk.

The nice lady on the other end said she would call maintenance right away. About ten minutes later, I heard a voice ask how many were in the elevator and she said that emergency personnel was on it's way.

I couldn't help, but laugh! I had seen this happen on sitcoms, but had never experienced it myself. Corbin and Emmett didn't mind at all. Corbin was taking videos on my phone and Emmett had the giggles. They were having fun. I had snacks and drinks in the diaper bag and there was a mirror on one wall, so that alone could entertain Corbin for hours!

On a side note, just before we got on the elevator I asked Corbin if he wanted to use the restroom on the 2nd floor or downstairs. He opted for downstairs. He was a bit concerned when I told him that the elevator was stuck, but he managed to wait and I had diapers in the bag if he couldn't! 

Seth always thinks I overpack for short trips, but this is a prime example of: "it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!"

They managed to get the doors open about 40 minutes later, which was perfect timing because Emmett couldn't wait like Corbin did and that tiny space was becoming quite fragrant! We made a pit stop on our way out and told the receptionist that the next time we have an appointment, we will definitely use the restroom BEFORE we get on the elevator!

Having fun on our little adventure!

Walking on Sunshine

Something big happened this week that we have been waiting to see for a long time: Emmett started taking multiple unassisted steps! He has been transitioning between furniture or people for a while- just two or three unstable steps. However, this week, he has been taking 5-10 steps without lunging forward or holding on to anything! I actually missed the first time because he was in a separate therapy room, but I could tell by the sounds in the other room that he had done something impressive. Thankfully, he decided to show off more that evening and has continued to for the rest of the week.

Every time he accomplishes something big, it takes me a while to get used to it. I remember when he first started crawling, I would watch in amazement and almost disbelief for several weeks.

All of his doctors and therapists had assured me that Emmett would eventually walk, but we just didn't know when. It may be a while before he's able to walk very far or on uneven surfaces, but I don't mind waiting. I think I have watched the videos of him walking 50 times already! His steps are a bit awkward and calculated, but he is walking and it is beautiful.

Waiting for Words

We were on the road a lot this week. Even more than usual. For the most part, both boys do really well in the car, but there are times that Emmett does not do so well. One of the most difficult things for us right now is the fact that Emmett is nonverbal. I realize that there are many typical 3-year-olds who say very little, but most of those children can communicate there basic needs or at least show others what they need.

We are working on using pictures or sign language, but this is still difficult because Emmett has limited fine motor skills and cognitive delays. I can normally tell what Emmett wants by asking basic questions and waiting for a clap or giggle. However, when he gets really frustrated, he just fusses or lets out a very loud, throaty cry. Whether he is hungry, thirsty, tired, or mad... we hear the same cry and it is worse when he is confined and can't crawl to who or what he wants. As you can imagine, this is great fun when we are driving down the highway with almost 2 hours ahead of us! It is a guessing game and is especially fun if I'm the only parent in the car.

It is hard not to get frustrated and believe me I DO get frustrated, but then I have to remind myself how much more frustrated Emmett must be not being able to express his needs. I'm not completely sure how much Emmett understands, but I do know that he understands quite a bit, which is why I try to be very careful about what I say to him and about him. He may not be able to talk, but that doesn't make his opinion or his needs any less important.

As we prepare for Emmett to start preschool, I pray that his teachers and caregivers are understanding and take time to figure out what he needs. Many people think that once Emmett starts walking, talking won't be too far behind. I am hopeful that this is the case and look forward to hearing his first words. In the meantime, I will enjoy his babbles and giggles and will do my best to understand what he's trying to tell me, even if he's screaming as we drive down the highway!

I can't take credit for the quote,

but I can at least take partial credit for this handsome boy!

Mommy's New Adventure

A few weeks ago, I shared with you how Emmett aging out of the Early Intervention program will start a new adventure for us. This has proven to be true with at least 6 appointments a week, but this is only the beginning of our new adventures.

Many of you know that over the past 14 months, we have been taking Emmett to see an Anat Baniel Method (ABM) practitioner to receive "movement lessons." The closest ABM practitioners are at least two hours away and we can only afford to take him every 8 weeks or so, but we have seen incredible improvement in his movement, as well as his overall awareness and involvement with the world around him. These lessons are normally done in blocks of 2 lessons a day, for 3 days.

The results we are seeing are so profound that I have decided to take the training myself, not only to benefit Emmett, but also other children with special needs and adults with chronic pain.

This was not an easy decision to make! When I first saw the cost and the logistics of traveling for the training, I honestly thought it was unattainable. However, the more I watched these lessons and how Emmett responded to them, the more I felt like this is what I am supposed to do. Leaving my family for several days at a time will not be easy, but we are going to make this happen.

Please remember our family in your prayers, as we prepare for another big change. My training will start next March. I am both excited and terrified to start a whole new career at nearly 40 years of age, but I know that it will be awesome for our family and I hope to help many other families along the way. I will keep you posted as we get closer to start time and look forward to sharing our ABM journey with you.

Our little water bug... The reason I decided to "take the plunge!"

New Adventures Ahead

Today was a big day for us. Not only was it Emmett's 3rd birthday, but it was also the day that he officially aged out of First Steps (our early intervention program). Emmett has received in-home therapy through First Steps since he was 9 months old. This will definitely be a huge transition for us because we have been truly blessed with a great team of therapists. I'm not sure who will miss them more. Every day Corbin asks, "does Emmett have any therapy today?" and Emmett knows that when I unlock the front door, there is a good chance that he will see a familiar face very soon. Having four different therapists come to our house every week has become our "normal" routine and I don't think that either of one our boys remember what life was like before therapy!

Does this mean that Emmett is done with therapy? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Thankfully, he will continue with weekly Hippotherapy, which we plan to continue for as long as possible. We also started the process of lining up his summer therapy several months ago, which entails more evaluations and insurance approvals. I think things are finally coming together, but we will definitely be on the road a lot this summer. I will have to scope out some parks along the way, just to make sure that our summer isn't all work and no play!

Then, starting in mid-August, Emmett will start preschool and receive therapy at school. These will be big changes for all of us, but I'm thankful that our boys adjust well to new situations and I look forward to our new adventures.

Big Brother Knows Best

Several weeks ago, I thought it might be fun to interview our older son, Corbin, to see what he had to say about Emmett. Corbin just turned five and was 25 months old when Emmett was born. He has been present at the majority of Emmett's therapy sessions and many of his doctor's appointments.
As you can imagine, the interview process was a bit silly, but I enjoyed hearing what he came up with and I am sure he will enjoy reading it, when he gets older. The questions are in red, Corbin's responses are in blue, and further explanations are in black

Emmett: According to Corbin:

Emmett's Favorite Color: Red and blue (first answer) green (second answer)
Favorite Drink: Milk and orange juice (Milk is his favorite. However, we rarely even have orange juice in the house)
Favorite Food: Macaroni and cheese (one of Corbin's favorites) Then, he came up with: cottage cheese, applesauce, and pear sauce (which was a little more on track)
Favorite Thing to Do: Go outside
Favorite Song: The Ants Go Marching (Corbin's favorite)
Favorite Toy: His stuffed dog (which is actually Corbin's latest obsession) Then, I reminded him we were talking about Emmett's favorite toy and he said, his musical drums
Emmett's Favorite Thing to Do: Watching me play games (on the phone or computer)
Favorite Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Which one of Emmett's therapists do you like the best? His occupational therapist (he actually called her by name) and when I asked him why, he said "because she brings snacks" (Part of Emmett's OT includes feeding and she always brings a little extra to share with Corbin. For the record, he loves all of Emmett's therapists and they all try to include him as much as they can)
What does Emmett like to do with you? Bonk me in the head (I'm not sure where this answer came from, but he does occasionally like to pat Corbin's head like a drum)
Corbin's Favorite Thing to Do With Emmett: Play outside
Favorite Exercise to Do with Emmett: Karate chop (this one just made me laugh)
What do you remember about when Emmett was first born? I said, "Stand up!" (he probably doesn't actually remember this, but I have told him about it. When we first brought Emmett home from the hospital, Corbin walked over to him and said, "Stand up!")
How is Emmett different from other kids his age? He's weak (his muscles are weak) and he can't play (like other kids)
Why can't Emmett have water? Because it makes him choke (aspirate)
Why can't Emmett talk? His mouth is weak
What can Emmett do now that makes you proud? Crawl and walk (with help)
What does Emmett do that makes you crazy? Clap 
Does that make you crazy in a good way? Yes
What makes you crazy in a bad way? When he's sad
What does Emmett do that gets you excited? When he tries to jump with me
What do you do to make him laugh? Funny stuff (no one can make Emmett belly laugh like Corbin!)
What do you like to teach Emmett? To be bigger
What do you think he will be when he grows up? A police man like me
What show do you like to watch with Emmett? Paw Patrol

Although Corbin is only five, he knows a lot about his little brother. He knows all of Emmett's therapists by name and therapy type. He understands that Emmett is different from other children, but loves him for who he is and has a pretty good grasp of how low muscle tone affects him. He tells me if Emmett is going into the kitchen, so he doesn't fall and get hurt. He is also good about making sure that Emmett doesn't eat things he shouldn't and will even pry his little mouth open to retrieve something, if necessary.
Now that Emmett is getting close to walking, Corbin likes to take him by the hands and help him walk. He also truly gets excited when Emmett stands for several seconds or does something he has never done before.
I know that it must be hard to have a brother with special needs, but I am thankful that Corbin doesn't take it out on Emmett. Just the other day, I was busy making dinner and Emmett was having a snack that required me to spoon feed him. He was ready for more and Corbin said, "I can do it, Mommy." I thanked him for helping and he said, "That's what brothers do!"
I know that there are days that Corbin may feel a little overlooked, but it's moments like this that make me realize that it doesn't change how much he loves his little brother.

This made me think of Corbin and the love he has for Emmett!

I am one lucky mommy!

 
 

The Friends I Have Never Met

The world is a very different place, than it was when I was young. Sometimes it is hard to remember what it was like before the internet. It was a simpler time and I do miss it sometimes, but then I think about how different our journey would have been without modern technology. The countless hours I have spent researching Emmett's symptoms, new therapies, and doctors, would have literally taken me years to navigate, without the internet. I never would have heard of some of the best treatments out there and I don't even want to think about how many times I would have gotten lost on my way to one of Emmett's appointments, without navigation on my phone.
One other thing that would have been profoundly different, without modern technology, is my network of friends. I am blessed to say that I have an amazing support system of family and friends who love Emmett unconditionally, but I also have a whole other network of "friends" that I have never met. These are the families that I have connected with through online support groups, that never would have existed without the internet. These are people from all over the world who are on a similar journey. Some of them have children with only a few similarities to Emmett, while others have the same diagnosis.
Even though we have amazing family and friends, having a child with special needs can still be lonely at times. However, being able to connect with other families, who face similar challenges, has made this journey a lot less lonely. These groups have been a great place to vent, share ideas, ask for advice, and share exciting progress. The past few months have been especially exciting because we are beginning to connect with other families that have children diagnosed with Xia-Gibbs Syndrome. When we were given the diagnosis in November, we were told that there were only four other known cases. We don't know much about the syndrome yet, but it has been interesting to compare notes and see how similar our children truly are.
I may never meet a lot of the people that I have been in contact with and I may not even know much about them, but I do know that having them to relate to has been a lifeline for me. The internet can be a dangerous place, but it can also be a great resource to connect with people in a positive way, to encourage them, give them advice, and let them know that they are not alone. So, thank you to all of the friends I have never met. It is good to know that I am not alone in this journey and I hope that I have been able to help some of you, like you have helped me.

How God Prepared Us for Emmett

When I used to think about getting married and having children, I never really considered the possibility of having a child with special needs. While I was pregnant, we never considered doing any extensive tests to determine if our unborn child would be born with anything out of the ordinary. We weren't oblivious to the possibility, it just didn't matter. No matter what child God gave us, it wouldn't change how much we loved it, so we chose not to do any testing. Standard prenatal screenings wouldn't have detected Emmett's syndrome anyway. A few months ago, I started thinking about how God prepared us for Emmett. The more I thought about it, the more I realized He had been preparing us for most of our lives.

Although my husband, Seth, and I had never met anyone with Xia-Gibbs Syndrome before Emmett's diagnosis, we did intimately know people who faced challenges in life and we loved them unconditionally. My first experience with someone who had a physical impairment was with my dad. He was severely injured in an accident as a toddler, which left him with only two fingers and a thumb. Although he may have looked strange to others, he was just my dad and he learned how to do just about anything, with very few limitations. I think that by seeing what my dad had overcome, it helped me realize that you shouldn't put limitations on people, regardless of their disability or diagnosis.

When I met Seth, I quickly learned that he had a twin brother, Nathan. He was mentally impaired and epileptic, as the result of a childhood illness. Although Nathan had his challenges, his family treated him as an equal and had high expectations of him. He was a hard worker and had a child-like spirit that could always brighten your day. I only knew Nathan for a short time before he passed away, but I am thankful that I got to know him and it gives me hope that Emmett will be happy and accomplish many things, even if it isn't what others perceive as normal. I truly believe that having Nathan as a part of the family, helped prepare us for Emmett.
I'm sure that my dad sometimes wondered why he had to lose his fingers and I know that Seth has wondered why his brother had to get sick. No one truly knows why these things happen, but I do know that these circumstances did help prepare us for our journey with Emmett.

I also often wonder why Emmett has Xia-Gibbs Syndrome, but I can't help but think that what we are going through now will help someone else along the way.

Mr. Mischief

I first suspected that something was "off" with Emmett very early on. I remember telling my close friends that I was concerned because he didn't smile much and was not easily amused by things that most babies would love. It was too early to pinpoint developmental delays and many people said that he was just taking everything in and that he would be fine.
When he was diagnosed with low muscle tone, I began to understand why he was "the observer" and seemed more serious. As he became stronger and was able to do more, his personality began to come out more and more. It has been a slow process, but he is really starting to show his mischievous side.
A few weeks ago, we were playing outside and he had mittens on his hands. He loves chewing on things and managed to pull one of his mittens off with his teeth. Well, a few minutes later, he managed to pull the other one off, the same way. These are the pictures that I took and I think that it is very clear that he knew exactly what he did and that he is very proud of himself.

He isn't saying any words yet, but he will mimic kissing, laughing, and even coughing. He loves copying these sounds and loves to see our response when he does it.
He has great facial expressions and will look off to the side or flash a mischievous grin, when he is up to something or doesn't want to do something. He will also scrunch up his face in disgust or make an awful, throaty sound when he gets upset or mad.
These may seem like little things, but it shows me that he understands far more than he can express and that he is learning to communicate, even if it is only with a silly face, grin, or giggle. I love watching his personality unfold and look forward to seeing him get into more mischief. After all, that's what little boys are supposed to do!

Toddler proofing and loving it!

I know that many parents dread the phase when their child starts getting into things, but as a mom who waited almost 2 and a half years for her son to crawl, I say, "bring it on!" For many, many months, I watched Emmett pretty much stay in the same general area. It took him a little longer than most, but he did learn to roll, pivot in a circle, and eventually, scoot backwards on his tummy.
I still remember the day that he backed himself up under our couch, but couldn't figure out how to move forward. Of course, I helped him out, but not until after I took a quick picture on my phone. I know that most parents are proud of their children when they do something new, but I never imagined that watching my child get stuck under our couch would be something that I would celebrate!

Now that Emmett can crawl FORWARD, pull to stand, and cruise, I have to be much more careful about where I put him and what things are in his reach. However, I am not complaining... I am loving every minute of it.
Emmett had shown so little interest in moving for so long and now it is like he is seeing the world for the first time. The other day, I left the room for a minute and came back to find Emmett eating a piece Corbin's cinnamon toast. He wasn't simply eating it. He was shoving it in his mouth with both hands, as if he hadn't eaten in days. It was almost as if he knew that he only had a few seconds before either Corbin or Mommy caught him in the act.
I've also had to fish dog food out of his mouth and change his clothes after he put his hands in the dog's water dish. And I'm quite sure that we will have to start closing the door, when he discovers the even bigger "water dish" we have in the bathroom. It may be a slight inconvenience, but I can't help but be happy to see him acting like a typical toddler.
Of course, I do also worry about his safety. He loves to cruise around things and doesn't really know the difference between the couch and the rolling office chair. All he sees is something to pull up on, which isn't always in his best interest. He also likes to cruise along walls, which is fine, except he hasn't quite mastered how to get down safely. Needless to say, if he cruises into our kitchen with the hard tile floor, we definitely have to watch him more closely.
I guess the point that I am trying to make is that having Emmett has made me appreciate all of the stages of development more. We may have our television surrounded by a safety gate and have a few more messes to clean up, but I don't mind at all. Our little man is doing new things and that makes me one happy mommy!

What's in a name?

It took me a few weeks to decide on a name for my blog. I wanted something simple, but also something that meant a little bit more. While I was brainstorming, I kept coming back to how loving Emmett is and how he gives great hugs. He loves people and doesn't know a stranger. Every time we see a new doctor or specialist, he willingly goes to them and will often times lay his sweet, little head on their shoulder.

He is the same way with his therapists. It is not uncommon for him to do a few repetitions of a therapy activity and then, lean in for a big hug. We joke that he is trying to get out of work, but I know that he truly needs that physical connection. No matter where we go, Emmett is looking for someone to cuddle.
Just last week, we were waiting for a therapy session and another mother was waiting with her child. I put Emmett down and instead of playing with the toys on the floor, he immediately crawled to this woman, that he had never met before. She happily picked him up and a new friendship was formed.
So, that is how I decided that "Embracing Emmett" would be a good name. Not only because he gives great hugs, but also because his affectionate nature steals the heart of everyone he meets. It is so easy to embrace his sweet spirit and love him for who he is (and I'm not just saying that because I'm his mom).

A Different Perspective

I like to think that I have always been a fairly compassionate person, but I believe that having Emmett has made me much more aware of others and slow to judge. When we were first told that Emmett had low muscle tone, I didn't know much about it. I quickly learned that it could affect many things in his life, not only his gross and fine motor skills, but also his eating, drinking, breathing, and speech.

It used to drive me crazy to see a child using a bottle, when they were clearly "old enough" not to. Now I know that low muscle tone can make it difficult to eat and drink and that a bottle may be their only option. I never imagined that I would have to help my 2 1/2 year old hold his cup and thicken his liquids, so he doesn't aspirate, but that is exactly what I do. I also never imagined that I would have to spoon feed him a large percentage of his food because he has difficulty chewing certain foods and doesn't have the fine motor skills to spoon feed himself.
These challenges, and many more, have made me look at things in a whole new perspective. Maybe the 4-year-old with a pacifier isn't coddled, but has sensory issues and it helps keep her calm. Maybe the 7-year-old in a stroller isn't lazy, but has low muscle tone and tires easily. Maybe the 9-year-old who is crying and screaming isn't unruly, but is autistic and is unable to verbalize what is bothering him. Maybe the student who is fidgeting and slouching in her chair isn't hyperactive, but has a weak core and just needs someone to put a stool under her feet. Maybe the toddler that doesn't respond isn't ignoring you, but has a slow processing time and needs time to absorb what is being said. Maybe the baby that wakes up several times a night isn't spoiled, but has sleep apnea and is just trying to breathe. Things are not always what they seem. There are many disabilities that aren't visible and many situations that can be misunderstood.
I'm not saying that there aren't spoiled children or that every child that misbehaves has a disability or a medical condition. I just want everyone, including myself, to be more compassionate and slow to judge.
I found a quote, several years ago, that I absolutely love:
"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."
                                                                                                        -Angela Schwindt

Even without being able to talk, Emmett has taught me so much and I can't wait to see what else he will teach me, in the years to come.

Making Progress

It was nice getting back into our regular routine, after the holidays. We are so used to seeing therapists every week, so it was a little strange to just be home with no appointments. Emmett still had some therapies, but only a few. Corbin is so used it, he almost always asks, "who are we going to see today?" I am so glad that they both embrace our busy schedule and don't mind new situations.
Emmett had a follow-up appointment with his Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctor this week. We had only met with her once before in September. She is an awesome doctor. Last month, she called us on a Friday night at 6:30 pm with his MRI results, just so we wouldn't be worrying about it over the weekend. (The results were normal, in case you were wondering) She was very pleased with Emmett's progress over such a short period of time. He wasn't pulling to stand on his own, cruising, or crawling when she saw him last. She was very optimistic and is anxious to see what he is doing when we go back in April. I told her about some of the holistic therapies we use and she agreed that they are definitely beneficial.
We have been so blessed to have such a great team of doctors and therapists for Emmett. I hear horror stories of doctors telling parents that their child will never walk or never talk and I am thankful that we haven't had to deal with that kind of negativity. It is okay to be realistic, but only God knows what a child will or will not do. It is our job to help them and to love them, no matter what.

Some of you may have seen this already, but I wanted to share the testimonial I wrote about Emmett:


Emmett - 2 1/2 year old diagnosed with hypotonia and global developmental delay

(caused by Xia-Gibbs Syndrome)
     "Our son, Emmett, was diagnosed with hypotonia at 8 months of age and started traditional therapy shortly thereafter.  One year later, he had made some progress, but was still delayed in all areas.  At that time, Emmett could sit up with assistance and roll.  He could bear weight in his legs, but wouldn't stay on his tummy or attempt to crawl.  He had very inconsistent eye contact and limited fine motor skills.  He also tended to hyperextend his legs and used his right side more than his left.  We had heard about the Anat Baniel Method from an online support group and decided to do a block of lessons when Emmett was 22 months old.
     We could see progress almost immediately and others noticed the changes in Emmett, even those who had no idea we had tried ABM.  He had better eye contact, a longer attention span, and was more observant.  His body movements were also more organized and more deliberate.
     We continued to see similar results after each block of lessons.  We have had 5 blocks of lessons in the past 8 months.  In this time, Emmett has learned to transition to all positions on his own, crawl, pull up to stand, and cruise.  He is bending his arms and legs much more and he is using both sides of his body more effectively.  His eye contact and interactions with others is better.  His feeding and fine motor skills have improved.  He has better balance and has faster reflexes. 
     Since we started ABM with Jon, Emmett is more in tune with himself and with the world around him.  We believe that Jon has helped Emmett "put the pieces together" and reach his full potential.  We are so thankful that we found ABM and look forward to seeing what the future holds.  ~ Arika

http://yourmovementmatters.com/testimonials.html?m