Wow life has been busy!!

Oh my it has been quite awhile since I talked about my little man. Well school is ok, we are still working out the kinks. Cedric is needing alot more sensory stuff when he comes home, I think it is because of all the fine motor and increased structure that comes with kindergarten. We got our first packet for fundraising at his school. I have been crying everytime I look at it. I think about taking him to different homes and thinking about what he would say...if he could and then I lose it. Gawd you would think I could come to grips. But any who...I am getting his Step by Step and pre-recording what he would need to say and then he and I will go and do our fundraising. Cedric has started back up with speech in Sacramento, and Dad is taking him twice a week. It looks like we got another great intern this year. The goals she has laid out make sense, I am looking forward to seeing the growth. Dad has been taking him since Cedric does much better without mom around...I think my little man is really growing up and boy I wish I put him in a shoebox! We are looking forward to our first Northern California AS Family Gathering coming in October. I can't wait to meet all the families. I made business cards with this blog address for those moments at the grocery store and such when people are interested to know more about AS. Cedric's lil sister, Alyssa is doing fine as well, she gives her brother hugs before he goes to school on what she calls the "bubba bus". Bubba is Cedric's nickname.
Well take care all, and thank you for taking the time and interest in our kiddo.

Aromatherapy...Is it for you??

Good Day and thank you to all who read this!

First I would like to give you a little background about me. I am a mother of 2 gorgeous kids and wife of 1 great hubby. I have a mixed background, lots of medical experience, was raised by 2 nurses and have adopted siblings who have severe medical problems and I was a cosmetologist (love cutting kids and mens hair, but women, no thank you...too much of a pain myself!)

I have heard aromatherapy talked about for years, but never tried it myself. Not sure why. Then one day a fab friend of mine (owner of a web shop http://www.kananiessentials.com) started talking to me about my son. My son was born with Angelmans Syndrome,(for more info http://www.angelman.org ) basically he has tight muscles, making it hard for him to move about (but believe me he works it!) and he doesn't speak verbally, but can understand everything you say. With this comes a sensory problem, he is really sensitive to noise and has a hard time settling down, whether it is for bed or walking into a new situation.
After an extremely long round of not sleeping at night, my nerves were done, my friend was talking to me about adding a scented lotion to a brushing & massage regimen I have to do for my son's muscles. At that point I was ready to try anything, so over to her house we go to have my son smell some different aromas. Mostly he was excited about the whole thing until he smelled what I call our "magic scent", he visibly relaxed after smelling it. Still a little bit skeptic, but she mixed up an awesome lotion with our scent and home we went to try it.
Well night night time rolls around and I got out the lotion, did the brushing and the massage with our new "magic scent". I have got to tell you, there are times when he fights this process because he is so sensitive, but wow he was calm that night. In my mind I am thinking, "OK well we had a long day and this is just a fluke, he is just really tired." A week goes by with us doing this, he is settling down better and getting more sleep. So I decide to do some research, because there has to be a reason.
There are many sites out there describing the benefits of essential oils, and the various areas of the body they can affect. But in my understanding, I am applying it to the skin, granted that is our largest organ but how is it absorbing and causing him to relax? Until I started thinking about our noses, yes, our noses. Back to the computer I go. Smelling is the quickest way to affect our brains, and by affecting the brain we affect our entire body, responses, nervous system, etc. So I started thinking...my grandfathers workshop was a place I loved to be and the biggest part was the smell. The smell of wood, oil, metal, canned jars...I know it sounds like weird smells, but I loved that place and have great memories of working in there with him. Come to find out our memories have no time, we apply the time...like when we say "I remember when". But an aroma will automatically kick our brain into gear, triggering happy memories or unhappy memories as well.
So what does this all mean, well I can only speak for myself and the results I have witnessed. It has been over a year adding our "magic scent" into my son's life, and I swear by it. There was a time when we ran out, that was a very long night folks! Now I am not saying it is the cure all for him, because it isn't, he still has Angelman's and we have had to add some medication to his routine. But for for a little boy who for several years (he is 5 now) could not settle down to sleep without mom or dad being with him, a very important necessity of life, he now sleeps by himself!
My husband and I thought we were doomed to sleeping apart. I also use Cedric's "magic scent" prior to going to his therapies, I apply a little under his nose. The result has been a calmer lil man who does focus a little better. Aromatherapy has allowed our house to get a "normal" (whatever that is) rhythm. The most important thing is having a tool that will help my kiddo, that is priceless! So a big public hug and thank you to my fab friend!
For others out there, try it, for yourselves. To parents of any special need kiddos, we try many things to help our kids, it is awesome when we find "magic". I only hope my experience will give people a nudge to try something simple. It may take a while to find the right scent or maybe this isn't your "magic".

Good Luck & Love to All