Therapies and Back to Work

Blogger has apparently had some issues...so those comments left on the Wednesday post are now lost to the twilight zone of the Internet.

About a month ago, Samuel began occupational and speech therapies.  He also qualified for physical therapy but we haven't started yet.  I am thrilled.  I'm also pretty annoyed that we had to wait this long to qualify.  I may even write a letter to someone (not sure who yet) adamantly suggesting that ALL preemies born under 2 pounds receive therapies upon arriving home from the hospital. 

::Steps off soap box::

Anyway.  I love the therapists.  They are both really sweet.  But Samuel has a different opinion.  He's become quite a momma's boy after spending months cooped up with me, and those women ARE NOT his momma.  As flattering as it is, I find it a bit frustrating.  For therapy to work, he will have to do something other than fuss and cry.  I suppose it's going to take time for them to get acquainted.

Unfortunately Samuel did NOT qualify for feeding therapy.  I was pretty bummed about that.  I still feel like I need help getting him to eat.  Bottles are going 'ok' for the moment - he's been drinking a lot less recently but it's probably because he's sick.  Baby food is absolutely horrific.  We are REALLY lucky if we get in 4 or 5 ounces a day.  Crunchies, Cheerios, crackers, bread....etc are his favorite.  He has at least 3 servings of carbs a day.  lol.  I've tried giving him bits of fruit to eat but the pieces are so slippery that he has a hard time chewing them and ends up getting choked.  I honestly fear that he's going to be 20 months old and still taking the bottle because he won't eat anything other than Cheerios!  Suggestions are welcome...and well, just down-right encouraged!

On a different but partially related note, I am considering going back to work next year.  There are so many pros and cons that I just don't know how I'm going to make this decision in the coming days.  I loved teaching for so many reasons.  I love the kids.  I LOVE teaching them to read.  I love seeing improvement.  I love little hugs.  I love feeling accomplished and feeling like I'm good at what I'm doing. 

But there's this sweet little boy who needs me more than anyone else.  Who will take him to his therapies when I'm gone?  I can't put him in daycare with a bunch of other germy kids...who will take care of him?  Who's going to give him kisses and tell him how special he is?  Who can I trust to take him to his doctors appointments and ask all of the appropriate questions?  Who is going to feed him since he won't eat for anyone but me? 

I've worked so hard with Samuel over the past year that I think I deserve to have some fun with him now that he's not so labor intensive!  If I go back to work I'm going to be missing some really fun stuff!

It seems like life is riddled with big decisions at the moment.  Either way, I feel blessed that I have the option of staying home.  We might not have the nicest house or the nicest cars or the nicest clothes.....but we have been provided for beyond measure.