Where's the Whiskey

Have you ever heard about those stories where an older folk swipes some whiskey on a young teething baby? And you thought, WTF? I figured it worked because that stuff taste like crap and they'd be so distracted by the taste, they'd forget their pain. Still, I've never considered doing it.

This past week, I admit, I've thought about it.

LilB has been just loads of fun. Like, I'm ready-to-rip-my-hair-out fun. Please talk me back from the ledge, kind of fun. For the love of God, if you don't stop screaming I'm going to make myself go deaf, kind of fun.

Yeah, he's been grumpy. His appetite has been sporadic. I've told therapist, after therapist that he's teething. I've told MrB I'm tired of giving him that excuse, until he gently reminds me that his gums are still very swollen.

Oragel does not work long enough. Teething tablets are not strong enough, not for as many teeth he's getting at once. I've been doing the Motrin thing on particularly bad days, but have been trying to lay off of it because I feel as if I'm drugging him.

But really, Motrin is the only thing that helps. Sometimes biting on a cold cloth, but mostly? It's the Motrin.

Seriously, it's been months. And so far it's mostly the left side of his mouth that's teething (top and bottom). So I assume I have more hell to look forward to since the other side of his mouth has yet to have molar appearances. Oh, but they're there. Waiting. Waiting for the other teeth to come through so they can start taking their sweet time coming in.

I feel for the little guy, really, I do. But I think his teeth have caused me more tears then they have him.

Preggo Pic: 32 Weeks

I've been really bad about this. What can I say though? Who really likes to see themselves get bigger? Last week, I gained 3 pounds.

According to BabyCenter, little one is almost 4 pounds now and is about 16.7 inches long. I should be gaining about a pound a week... He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (we'll see about that.

One thing I am liking about my body? My lady lumps are very prominent. And I'm not just talking about the girls.

I know it's usually a no, no when you're pregnant to change your hair, but I've never been afraid of change. I'm thinking bangs. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Glad you approve

Well, we missed a week of therapy with the Rehab Institute because the insurance wanted to make sure we weren't duplicating services with EI (our current therapists) and to make sure we basically didn't have the same goals.

Which is a little ridiculous to me. I mean, all of our goals tend to be along the lines of LilB reaching his fullest potential and being as independent as possible.

Of course, the Rehab Institute is a medical facility. They'll be applying intense therapy with the loads of medical equipment they have access to. They'll work him to a bone for the 2 hour sessions he'll be there, twice a week.

Our EI therapists come to his natural environment (our home) and teach us how to do things on a daily basis that will help him. They teach us how to use ordinary things for therapy. It's not the most intense therapy but it's not something I would drop either. They've been extremely helpful in helping us find our way and coping with this journey. I just know it's time for LilB to do more.

So needless to say, I was a little frustrated with the insurance company. It worked out though, thanks to the collaborative efforts of his coordinators at both EI and the RI. We start this Friday.

I still have yet to hear from the aquatics people, though. If I don't hear anything by next week, I'm just going to let our EI coordinator handle it. I have so many appointments to keep up with, my head is spinning. Plus, I'm seeing my own doctor every week now. More on that later.

I've really been inspired by a fellow blogger who's son is in a similar situation. His parents work really hard for him and while others tell me I'm doing so much for LilB, they've really inspired me to do and seek more. Check out Elijahland.

The Rehab Institute

Last Friday we went to the Rehab Institute for our two our evaluation. It was a different feeling, walking into this place and seeing all the children work, all the equipment they had. I was overcome with excitement.

We met with the speech therapist first, which I was thrilled about. I've asked for a speech therapist through our EI services (who our current PT and OT work from) but they didn't think he was ready.

The speech therapist thought she could help him learn some communication tools as well as help strengthen the mouth for feeding.

Then we met with the OT and the PT. They were wonderful. They checked his tone, did stretches, and did a mini-session of sorts. We discussed goals, his current therapy sessions, and equipment they could help us obtain. Then, with pedi-wraps on his arms (keeping his elbows straight) and with hardly any support, they had him sitting. Sitting. I could have cried right there.

He fussed and cried for a good part of the session, but it wasn't any worse then it is with Amanda and Megan. In fact, they said he was dealing with it pretty well, considering all the things they were doing with him.

They recommended we come twice a week, for two hours. The OT said she'd like to co-treat with both the PT and the Speech Therapist, she'll just need to get it approved. They talked about a third day, but wanted to wait and make sure the insurance would approve this first.

We're going to be busy. I'm still waiting on EI to contact me about the aquatic therapy, which I'm hoping we can do every week as well. That will be 6 therapy sessions a week, on top of my weekly doctors appointments and his other doctors appointments. I think it's good, though. I know LilB can do so much more, he just needs to be pushed the right way. Doing the same thing we have been doing was fine, but it wasn't producing the results I would like... that I know he's capable of. Sometimes I feel like we're on the cusp of making another step. but we just can't seem to find a way.

I'm really excited. MrB and I felt so good after the session. We'll be sacraficing a lot, like time at work, but there's no question on whether or not we'd do it.

The best part is, he gets to be interactive with other children, preparing him for his baby brother. And when they had finished the session? They held him till he stopped crying before giving him to us.

I almost cried again.