We got to celebrate one of our buddies turning 4 last weekend and had a great time at Jump Mania!
Birthdays will make ya jump jump!
Getting in the Easter Spirit
Last week we had a visit from our service provider with Capable Kids and Families. This is an awesome program that lends equipment and provides other resources to families like ours. I can’t say enough good things about them. Our visits from them are always so much fun and our friend brings the coolest toys to share with us. Many are switch adapted, meaning Gage can activate them with a simple push of a large button. He’s very motivated to reach for it, especially because he’s in control! The toy we got to borrow this month was the perfect way to set the stage for the upcoming Easter holiday, and is also hilarious.
I’d guess we’ve listened to ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ no less than 50 times in the week this guy has been on loan to us. At one point, Caleb had enough!
Upon seeing the bunny, however, Caleb requested I find our Easter eggs. So during nap time, I made my way up to the attic to drag down the Easter stash. There was a leftover egg dying kit from last year in the mix, so we put it to good use!
We managed to drop about half the eggs on the floor, and each time one fell, Caleb would say, “uh oh, it’s hatching!” Of course we had to sample the goods when we were done. I’ve got some awfully cute taste testers.
All this Easter cuteness inspired a photo shoot a few days later. Caleb does not share Gage’s love of having his picture taken, but I think I still captured some sweet moments.
Ache
The last few weeks, I’ve had some random instances of sharp, shooting pain in my lower back. This doesn’t come as a shock considering I’m lifting and carrying kids a lot, and loading Gage’s chair in and out of the car a few times a day. At a recent doctors appointment, they weighed Gage’s empty chair and I was surprised to learn it’s sixty pounds! No wonder I have to grunt each time I lift it into our SUV. I want to be stronger and able to care for my kids in the way they need, but I’m fully aware of my own limitations.
Thinking of my own aches and pains makes me think of how Gage’s little body must feel. His muscles are constantly in overdrive. You know that feeling when you’re stressed about something, or focused really hard on a task and all your tension seems to pool in your neck and shoulders? I imagine that’s how Gage must feel all over a lot of the time. When he’s working hard to do something as simple grasp a spoon, it takes several attempts and a great deal of focus and must wear him out. Even when he’s fully enjoying himself or super excited and laughing, he often goes into a full extension, with tense muscles from his head to his toes. I imagine that tension must take a toll on his body, and that my achy back is probably nothing compared to his.
And truly nothing can compare to an ache of a different kind – heartache. In the last several weeks, three other children with CMV have lost their lives due to their condition. There’s not an adequate way to describe the turmoil you feel while you grieve the loss of someone you only knew through photos and status updates online and a shared diagnosis with your own child. You can’t help but try to imagine what their families are going through, realizing you could never fully understand unless you’re in their shoes, and then hoping you never have to be. As heart wrenching as each loss is, I think one of the best ways we can honor their memories is to cherish the time we do have with our kids. Even with the aches and pains and added challenges, we get to have these precious souls with us day to day. Bringing joy through their smiles and laughs. Adding value and purpose to our lives. The simple gift of Gage’s presence is something I never want to take for granted.
So as Gage continues to grow, and his equipment grows with him, we’ll figure out better ways to manage the heavy lifting. Hopefully we’ll learn how to sense and better understand his pain and the best ways to address it. And without knowing what the future holds, we’ll strive to trust in God’s timing and treasure each day together.
Dynamic Strides
What a fun week at Dynamic Strides Therapy! Gage started out riding Johnny Cash, then moved on to the ball pit. If that wasn’t enough, he wrapped up the session with a trip down the zip line!
Big Week for the Wingos
It’s been a big week in the Wingo household. Several weeks ago we started a sticker chart for Caleb when he used the potty. He’s been having great success at school, but mixed results at home. One morning after having Caleb use the potty chair, I decided to let Gage give it a try. I waited a bit and thought, “oh well” and was about to lift him off when he started to go! I was so proud. Of course we had to make Gage his own potty chart too!
Over the next couple weeks Gage was given the chance to go on the potty a few times a day. He didn’t go every time, but soon enough was catching up to Caleb’s nearly full page of stickers (albeit with much fewer spaces to fill.) The race was on to see who would fill their chart first to get a prize. Caleb eeked out the victory on Tuesday afternoon! He was rewarded with a pretend fishing set.
Just a few days later on Sunday morning, Gage earned his final sticker! His prize? Green, slimy, fart noise making putty of course!
My diaper changing days may be far from over, but I am still one proud mama!
“He’s All Better.”
The bond between my two boys is special indeed. The other day, each time Gage would get upset and start crying, Caleb would climb onto the front of his chair and sing him a song. He’d then reassure me, “he’s all better.”