Mason turns "5"

 Mason turned 5 years old today.  It is hard to believe that 5 years have gone by.  He is a bright, tenacious and mischievous boy.  Mason enjoys French fries, lawnmowers, vacuum cleaners and video games.

We celebrated his birthday with French fries, cookie cake, ice cream and smarties.  The kids in our covenant group had a water party.  Sprinklers and water shooters kept everyone entertained.  It was a perfect night and fun was had by all.                                   

Mason received many nice birthday gifts.  His favorites were sheets for his bed, a weeder (new weed eater) and an android tablet to play minecraft with his brothers.  Thanks to everyone who sent gifts, cards, and called to wish him a happy birthday.  He felt very loved. 

To give you a little update…Mason took the year off from school to enjoy life.  He mows the grass, plays games, cars, Legos and vacuums.  Life is pretty good for this 5 year old.  He was accepted into TK next year and will get to go to school with his big brothers.  Though he would rather stay at home and spend time with Grammy, he knows that big boys go to school. 

This summer he will be taking swim lessons and gymnastics with his brothers.  He is looking forward to them being home for the summer.

The feeding issues are the same.  He still chooses to only eat fries, cookies and baby food.  In March of 2012 we were told by therapists that Mason would eat when he was ready.  There were no motivating factors to convince him to eat.  We could go home and wait for him to have a desire to eat or we could spend the summer at Kennedy Krieger Institute in a Pediatric Feeding Disorder Day Program.  The latter option is expensive and would require mommy to live in Baltimore with Mason for the summer.

His sensory issues seem to be increasing when it comes to food.  Smells are becoming a problem and he leaves the room if he smells any food cooking.  It amazes us that he will stand there and talk to us while we are in the “bathroom”, but he can’t stand the smell of freshly popped popcorn. 

Finally, Mason LOVES lawnmowers.  He has 6 mowers of various styles and sizes.  We believe he uses them as therapy for the sensory issues.  The methodic pushing of the mower calms his senses.  It also is something that he can emulate that his daddy does.  Mason LOVES his daddy.  He wants to be just like him when he grows up.  Jeans shorts and white t-shirts are his daily outfit because that is what he thinks his daddy wears.  We hoped that he would be like his hero and try new foods but not so far.

Our prayer for Mason is to develop a desire to eat.  Currently, we can get him to lick various foods.  Hopefully that will trigger a hunger for something new.  He is so sick of lentils and pears.  Also, we pray that God grabs Mason’s heart.  We cannot wait to see the man he will become.

DMLCM

For more on Mason's journey click here --> MASON