So we just finished physical therapy and you're making some big improvements.
Here is what you can do:
- reach out and grasp an object
- sit forward with your hands on the floor for balance
- hold your circle rattle with both hands
- roll from your side to your tummy
- lift your head up during tummy time
Here is what we are working on:
- holding on to an object with just one hand
- roll from your back to your tummy
- stability in your trunk
- prop up on your elbows during tummy time
- Bending and straightening your legs
Next week you get to start working with a therapy ball. We'll see how well you take to that, it does not sound like something you are going to enjoy!
Your therapist says she can definitely see a big improvement in your skills every week. I am really glad about that because honestly? Therapy is the worst part of our day. You are not a fan. You like the whole "playing with toys" part of it but you get so frustrated that you can't do exactly what you are supposed to. It's only an hour of our day but it is a pretty challenging hour. Luckily for mommy, you nap pretty well afterwards because doing all that work tuckers you out.
This week has been particularly challenging because you are really acting out. You've learned how to make yourself choke/gag/vomit in order to get our attention. You've been doing this for a few weeks now.
It's stinkin' terrible Scarlette, and we'd like to make an official request to management that you put an end to it.
You work yourself up into a tizzy if you want us to play with you and we sit you down for point five seconds to do something like switch the laundry or grab a glass of water or run to the potty. You immediately begin screaming and then start gagging yourself. You're daddy and I had many discussions and agreed that you seemed to be doing it on purpose, it is different than your typical reflux gagging. And also? You totally stop and smile at us when we pick you up. But you are ACTUALLY making yourself gag so we have to pick you up because you can not afford to throw up because if you lose weight they are going to put the feeding tube back in.
Do you see the situation you are putting us in here?
Your developmental therapist came by this week and witnesed this take place when I put you down to offer her a glass of water. This is called being polite, Scarlette. We live in the south. It is not becoming to puke on your guests.
She says that it's really common for babies who have been in the hospital for a long time to have issues like this when they come home. She told us that you learned that when you were choking/gagging on the feeding tube we would rush to you and pick you up right away.
The problem with that is she says you're so little we just have to meet your needs until you grow out of it. So let's work on that, k?
I know. We're asking a lot. But trust me when I tell you that you do NOT want that feeding tube in again.
