Hippotherapy

We got a grant from a foundation called Unite 4 Peyton.  They are paying for 10 weeks of hippotherapy for Benson!  We are super excited about it.  He is working hard and doing great.  It is a really good workout for him.  I am hoping to see some big improvements in his core strength.  And although there is no research to suggest it would help with scoliosis, if those muscles are stronger, it makes sense to me that it will help keep his back from getting any worse.  I'll let you know how my hypothesis goes ;)

Trying to Get Through The Endless Winter

February and March brought some intense winter blues.  It's that time of the year when everyone is fed up with being inside all the time and itching for some warm weather.  But the weather just wasn't cooperating.  So we had to come up some inside activities to make it all a little more bearable.

 Remember ooblek?  Good times with corn starch and water.

 We found these cute little rollers in an egg dying kit at WalMart.  They were kind of tricky to use, but also kind of fun.  Worth the $2 anyway.

 

 Jon took these cute pix of Rocky.  Even if this pup does make me crazy sometimes, he is cute at least.  And, let it be noted that we did make it out into some sunshine a time or two!  I blew bubbles but the kids wanted to dig in the garden.  It was allowed since nothing is planted yet.  And their sandbox wasn't completed yet.

Brigham's Birthday

Jon made this awesome sandbox for Brigham's birthday.  We wanted something that Benson could access from his power chair so we came up with a somewhat unique design.  It happens to be a tiny bit too high for Brigham to stand up to it to play.  We are going to have to work on a bench for him.

Brigham also got the movie Frozen.  The kids are all obsessed with it, along with everyone else in the country.  It was the first movie they saw in the theater, maybe that has something to do with it.  We had some yummy cake pops for his birthday cake and....yup....watched Frozen!

Brigham turned Two

Nicknames: Brigham Robert, Brig, Briggy, The Destroyer. 

Favorite Food: candy, fruit, whatever I'm eating, anything unless it's green.

Favorite Toys: books, tools, whatever Vanessa has, remote control cars

Favorite Movie: Frozen

Quirks: he has to have a binki and rub your face to go to sleep

Brigham is a dynamite ball of personality. He is the craziest funniest kid. He makes laugh and makes us crazy. He is extremely loving and gives hugs and kisses all around.

Brigham didn't talk at all until about sixteen months but then was putting two words together within a month. He now talks in full sentences. We miss a lot of the filler words because he talks very animated and slurs them all into one word. But he repeats everything he says at least two, usually three times so you have multiple chances to figure it out. 

Brig loves to point things out that he finds interesting. People get a kick out if him at the zoo. You always knew when he spotted an animal. He would tell anyone near him. It never phased him to tell a stranger about the monkey.

Brigham is very sweet. He shows concern if someone is hurt or crying. He picks up toys off the floor for Benson all the time. He says thank you and your welcome in the same breath, every time, whether it makes sense or not.

Brigham is dramatic. He had floor-throwing-leg-kicking tantrums down by 18 months. His voice, his tone, his body language. Nothing about him is chill.

He has a hankering for mischief and Rocky is his perfect partner in crime.

Brigham loves to eat, especially breakfast. He likes to play in the sand, and if there's water, he'll climb in.

I wish on a daily basis I could freeze time and his funny little comments and the way he says things. Thank goodness for video recording! I'm not quite sure what we'd do without this crazy boy. He is sure a lot of fun!

St Pattys and Bday

I have a history of being super horrible about making Holidays extra special. So it's been a goal to do more holiday activities. We made Leprauchan hats and had Lucky Charms for lunch (and possibly dinner too).

I turned another year older, again. My sister got me a mani/pedi! It was a fun treat. I also got a hair cut but I hate it so there won't be pix. And I got a Chi. Very excited about that!

The Lost Nail

So about ten days ago, Benson had an accident going down our suitcase ramps from the house to the garage. The ramp runs right next to our van? Which has a nasty dent from the cable I hit this winter. He banged his foot on that an it caught at just the right spot and ripped his toenail off. It was sooooo sad. His first response was, "I'm ok!" But I lifted his head, because it had knocked him forward, and he saw the blood. Then he wasn't so ok. After cleaning it a bit, I realized his toenail looked like it was gone. Sure enough, I found it out on the ramp. It hurt pretty bad for about four days. I had to give him Tylenol one night because it kept waking him up. But then it started to get better. It's pretty pain free now and has a thick scab. I can even see the beginnings of a new nail. 

I'm Behind and Life Is Crazy Recap

We had planned to do a Valentines party with some kids from the ward but everyone ended up having colds.  And we pretty much go on lock down when colds are about the house.  So we did a few Valentines activities at home.  Like decorating cupcakes eating frosting.

We also made Valentines boxes for the kids.  I shouldn't say we because it was all Jon.  He's way more artistic than me.

 

We implemented a new rewards program for the kids.  The earn quarters by doing chores and other things.  These are the toys they picked out at the store.  They have to earn what we paid for them at the store (only we don't charge tax).

 

Here is a pic of Benson with the first prize he earned.

We also started our seeds for our garden.  We bought all heirloom seeds and I am hoping to be able to harvest the seeds from the fruit and plant those next year.  It'll be fun to try.  I'm also hoping that they taste amazing so we can have some rockin salsa.

Jon set a goal to perfect the apple pie.  This was his first shot and it was really good!  He better be careful or he's going to have a new chore.  Haha

Benson's braces got adjusted and she added Ninja Turtles

Brigham fell flat on his face one night and didn't stop himself at all with his hands.  He had a very flat lip for two days.  I felt so bad for the kid.  This was the only way I could get a picture.

I haven't done finger painting with the kids for a while but we busted it out the other day and had a lot of fun with it. 

 

Really, I am really behind and a little overwhelmed right now.  I have been spending hours and hours and hours trying to figure out what to do with Benson's diet and gtube and fighting insurance to cover what I need.  I think I may have finally decided on my solution.  Or, at least the direction I am going to go for now.  There are still some pieces to fall into place and then I'll report on Benson's blog.  Oh, I guess I forgot we started a new blog for Benson:

 

bensonmatthewbrady.BlogSpot.com

 

Bits and Pieces

I was putting Brig down for a nap one day and found this when I came out. Bens hasn't done this since. I didn't yell (which I was very proud of myself, there was considerable damage and I've yelled for less) but he did go to time out and ended to crying himself to sleep. It's funny now tho, right?! It would be more so if it weren't for all the damage to the house from his chair. Oh, and never mind the mess that was under the couch.

Brig fell asleep like this and I had to grab a pic. He's so cuddly.

My dog eats everything. This is broccoli.

Sibling Love.

Vanessa asked to pose with her awards from her last meet. That never happens. This meet they did medals, instead of ribbons, for third place and up. She loved that medal. So cute.

Brig sporting the big boy undies. It's cute but he's so not ready yet.

A Pinterest activity that only kind of worked but it was a cute idea. We just needed stronger magnets.

This was a bad day. A very very bad day. I spent five hours. Yes, five hours. On. The. Phone. With insurance, doctors, medical supply, etc. Trying to figure out how to get Bens what he needs and why our insurance sucks So. Bad. This was Brigham's choice of entertainment while I was otherwise engaged. That glass is my crock pot lid. Tear.

Funny story about this day. At my breaking point, I called my mom and immediately burst into tears. Aren't moms wonderful for putting up with that?! Anyway, my crying led to a rather fierce bloody nose. Brig was concerned and came to see if I was ok right as I started choking on some blood. I coughed right in his face and coughed blood all over him. He barely flinched and stayed by me for the next ten minutes, blood speckled and all, continually asking if, "mommy sad?" "Mommy cry?" "Mommy ok?" 

Benson IS rocking the big boy undies and he's doing great so far!

Our ponies went missing for two months but Vanessa found them the other day. They are definitely the toy of choice. Benson must have one at all times. And he keeps reminding me they are girl AND boy toys.