A lot of work= progress baby

                                                                               

        "Every child is gifted.  They just unwrap their packages at different times."

Masons physical therapist comes to our house once a week and she always says "Mason you look like you got so much bigger. You have changed so much!"  I know exactly what she means.

When Dylan was a year and half Mike and I flew to Las Vegas and got married. Leaving Dylan with my aunt. I remember coming home from Vegas seeing Dylan and it seemed like he grew taller, gained weight, could talk more and he changed completely in a week.  

Every week Masons therapist comes and says "OHHH Mason that looks great your doing that better this week." I always seem to be amazed by her excitement Probably because I work with him everyday and dont see a HUGE change. Her encouraging positive words keep me motivated to continue to push Mason.

The other night Mike says "STACY, Mason just pivoted around" He works all day comes home in the evenings so he doesnt know what I have been working on with Mason or what Mason is working on in therapy so for him to point out his progress with excitement is also motivating. 

What kids at the age of 4-5 months can do takes Hours, tears and determination to get Mason to accomplish when he is twice the age. 

Therapy teaches me new things to work on throughout the week to focus on certain areas. Mason has determination and wants to do things but he gets tired very easily because of his low muscle tone. Right now we are working on strength. techniques to build his muscles and he also gets a body massage (from me) at every diaper change so I can help strengthen his muscles.  

Feeding time can take up to 2 hours per meal working with hand eye coordination, grasping, and hand to mouth techniques, trying different foods, hand on hand sign language, introducing Mason to holding his own spoon, cup ect. 

After his feedings he sleep about 2 hours. It takes alot out of him because of his hyptonia (low muscle tone) After physical therapy, with the therapist or just me pushing him Mason will sleep about 3-4 hours afterwards. 

All the pushing and time I put into Mason is starting to pay off. 6 weeks ago when we did an evaluation to see where Mason was he wasn't even holding a rattle or toy on his own. Now he grabs everything in site. Had no interest in food or holding his bottle now he is eating mostly table food and able to hold his own sippy. When I get compliments and reassurance weekly from his therapist I know that in 5 more months when another evaluation is done he is going to knock it out of the park and impress his team! Cant WAIT! :) 

Fun Factor:

The difficulties experienced by children with a diagnosis of low muscle tone

May be late learning to sit and walk - but not always Have trouble sitting erect and working at a table - tend to sit with back rounded, may lean on one hand when drawing and writing Have difficulty sitting still, tend to fidget, not complete school tasks May tire very quickly, not like walking far, have trouble going up stairs May be good at games that involve short bursts of running,  but have difficulty with posture in sitting, drawing and handwriting - these tasks require sustained activity in the postural muscles Sit between legs on floor (w-sitting), do not like cross legged sitting Appear to have poor attention span or concentration, give up easily Cannot hang on the monkey bars, do not like climbing on the jungle gym, are fearful