United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am so lucky to be blessed with my 4 children. We had been trying for years to have a 4th and I kept having miscarriages. Finally after 4 yrs and 2 misc. (1 being twins) We got pregnant. When my 3 mos was up and I was out of danger of losing it we broke the news to the kids. Once again they got excited. But my second child asked why could'nt we just get a dog. So I promised him a dog of his choice as soon as the baby got older. Every so often friends would come and visit and ask him and the others what they wanted boy or girl. My daughter said a girl, my youngest son said a boy and my middle child said he wanted a dog. My friends thought it was so hilarious. That kind of hurt my feelings I was excited and I wanted all of them to be excited too. All thru my pregnancy my hard nosed son Cesar who wanted a dog instead took good care of me. If I wanted a glass of water it was there. If I was hungry, he brought me a sandwich. Sometimes I would'nt even have to ask he just brought me stuff so that I would'nt have to get up for it. Then his brother is born. The kids were so excited in the delivery room, their first glance at their new baby brother. Now, Cesar spends more time with him than the others do. Don't get me wrong, the other 2 love him to pieces. He is taken from me or wherever he is when they step in the door from school. Cesar asks questions about Aaron's therapy and he remembers it all. He knows how important tummy time is for Aaron. So, what he does is puts a blanket on the carpet in the livingroom right in front of a large mirror that I got as a gift from a friend for therapy. He sets Aaron on the floor on his belly facing the mirror and he lays on his belly too right beside him and they just look at each other in the mirror. Cesar will make noises or faces at him to make him laugh and they both will be busting up in front of the mirror. What really broke my heart was around 3 mos ago, Aaron was barely starting to use his arm. Cesar was playing with Aaron in the nursery and the monitor was still on, I was in my room so I was listening to them play and laugh. Then Cesar was giving Aaron a toy but told Aaron in a little boy voice, "no don't use that arm, move the other one. You have to move the other one cause if you don't move the other arm the doctor will operate on that arm and that will hurt. Why don't you use that arm? Why it don't work? Do you need new batteries? I'll buy you a truck of batteries if you move your arm please, I promise". That broke my heart, I started to cry. You think that the kids don't listen to conversations between you and your spouse but they do. He is scared for his little brother you can tell they all are. My daughter had a report to do and she did it on erbs palsy babies and their struggles. They have pics of Aaron in their school lockers. Their world almost revolves around their baby brother. They do have after school sports but always come running right after to see him. I am so blessed with my babies. Thank you Lord.
Emma 13yrs, Cesar 11 yrs, Michael 10 yrs and of course Aaron our BPI baby. Thanks for "listening".
---Paula

Oh Paula, (tears in my eyes) what a sharing! Thanks so much for making my morning. What a blessing your children are. God Bless you and your family,
francine

Oh Paula that was so sweet and brought back so many memories!!!
Bless your sweet family!
T.

Oh Paula!! I'm crying my eyes out! Your son Cesar has such a kind and loving soul. God is obviously working through your Cesar's heart and soul. God bless you all. Thanks for sharing.

Missy

Paula,

Thanks for sharing your funny and beautiful story.

Bridget

My baby Lexie, 3-1/2 mo. old, has had pretty good recovery, so you wouldn't think it would be noticeable to another child but my 4 y/o asked me one day "is this her hurt arm?" and pointed to the right arm. Yes, they are watching and listening and taking it all in! It's so wonderful that Cesar helps Aaron try to use his arm!

Here is a funny story too. I have four childre, 14,10,6 and 3 1/2 (ROBPI) My oldest 14 is a boy and my youngest, 3 1/2 year old is a boy with a right OBPI.
When my son was born my oldest was really mad, absolutely wigged in NICU wanted to know who hurt his baby brother. A few weeks ago, my youngest child was feeding himself with his affected arm and my oldest son yelled into the living room, "MOM, come check this out, the baby is using his bad arm to feed himself." All of a sudden I heard my little guy scream at the top of his lungs, darting up from the chair, I went running into the kitchen, asking what was the matter my little guy said "Markie says my arm is bad, mommy my arm works justd fine" I was so happy....3 1/2 years of not calling it the affected arm around him sure paid off. But I agree, kids do know and in some cases it is good, in others maybe not.

Kids are just precious, we can learn so much from them..................Thanks for sharing.