Weight

My husband and I spent three hours on Saturday making June a weighted blanket. Weighted blankets are used to give sensory input to people who have low-sensory systems and are sensory-seeking because of it.  It can also help with restless legs and make a child or adult feel more calm and snug.  June sandwiches herself between her tent and bed every night, making her legs numb and cold.  We were hoping to help her find a similar sensation through a weighted blanket.  I believe we were successful.  Online, these blankets are anywhere from $130-$200.  Here's what we did.

We sewed two pieces of 40" X 70" flannel together (opposite sides) on three sides.

We turned it right side out and sewed 5 inch columns down the quilt vertically.  Next we had to figure out how many pounds our blanket should weigh.

The formula is .10 X the child's body weight + add a pound (we added an extra pound because we were making a slightly larger blanket).

We needed a 6 pound blanket.  We used poly beads (found on ebay) and Rich figured out we needed about 1/4 cup of beads for each pocket.  We poured beads down each column, then sewed horizontal stripes after each pouring.  You can imagine how tricky this got toward the end, moving a near 6-pound blanket and smoothing back beads that were creeping their way out of the pockets.

Rich smoothing beads down. June doing her usual pilates moves.

Three hours later, we folded the top over and sewed it shut.  I must say that it looks pretty cute!  Also, I am happy to report that June has slept two nights with it soundly and has taken one nap in the stroller with it.  She is also enjoying it while reading books or watching TV.

I'm thinking it was worth it.
So she can sleep feeling weight on her shoulders.

And I wonder...

How many nights do I fall asleep with the weight of the world on my shoulders?  No weighted blanket needed.


"I praise you Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.  Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure....Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:25-26, 28-30.


On a lighter note, take a look at what we've been up to:

June shows empathy (for the first time) when her sister goes to time-out 

for stealing her toy.

Charlotte throws a T.T. because she can hardly stand being in time-out.

June actually watches the toy train without destroying the track. Big success!!

Charlotte dresses herself up every day (note upside-down coat) and says "Bye bye!" 

We had 9 inches of snow a week ago, resulting in several days of missed school

And tons of fun!!