Dylan and Mike rocked her PT session the other day. It was unbelievable. Especially after how poorly her last session was (It was in the afternoon and she was NOT having it, lesson learned.) Remind me to tell you about "Michael Potter" ...maybe that had something to do with it? Whatever it was, she did AMAZING.
All of this from someone who's not supposed to walk? Go girl!
She hasn't yet taken any spontaneous steps, but man she's close. She HAS to be close. Lots of videos below.
I forgot to mention that we haven't seen any more spasms since we upped her Zonegran, so that's good. Bad of me not to mention that since it's been nearly two weeks! Sorry about that... I know that she has been in many of your thoughts.
She hasn't been feeling well the last couple of days, all of the kids have a bad cough and I was wondering how she managed to escape it, well... she didn't. So she coughs and gags and then throws up. Darn it! Just after she has started to fill out a little bit. So we will be battling this (for a long time judging by the boys...) and trying to keep food in her. At least we have the pump though, it's been so helpful in making sure she doesn't skip feedings. Now I can time feedings as well. I went in this morning and slowly gave her a couple ounces with her meds and set the pump at an ounce and a half an hour until she wakes up. It's a bit of a guessing game as to when she needs food, but all is well as long as we err on the side of too much!
Remember the car that Aunt Jane and Uncle Dee brought Duncan? Well, daddy got a hold of it and gave it a make-over. He thought it would be a fun little project to paint it so he took the body and the seat off and made it look brand new. Uncle Dee made it run like brand new, daddy made it look it. A great team! It's been so rainy this week that I didn't get any pictures of Duncan on it... coming soon!
I also forgot to mention the train story... Papa Bob and Grandma were over the other night for games and Duncan wanted to show Papa the big trains. Matthew's dad had quite a few trains that they would set up around Christmas, gradually Matthew and Duncan collected a good portion of them and they hang out down stairs and run around the pool table. (I have been trying to send them home, or a good portion of them anyway, but this kid LOVES trains and daddy's a sucker!)
Duncan's very careful with them...
So he and Papa Bob went down to look at the trains. Bob asked if they ran and reached to turn them on, Duncan told him not to... and proceeded to UNPLUG the control from the wall! I guess Papa Bob couldn't be trusted?!
So I asked him later "Did you and Papa Bob go see the trains?"
"Yep"
"Did you play with them or just look at them?"
"Just look at them"
"What if Papa Bob wanted to play with them?"
"He can't play with them, maybe someday, maybe when he's as big as my dad he can play with them."
Little stinker, he unplugged them!
Ian has a bruise smack dab in the middle of his forehead. No, he didn't fall or run into anything, what he did do was bonk his head into pretty much anything and everything. It's how he pouts, he throws himself on the ground or into a wall and bonks his head. Hard. And now it's bruised. Really, if we say, just a minute he will run away, arms flailing and BONK! And then we say, "here, Ian, look!" and hold something out he immediately starts laughing and smiling running towards us. The head bonking gets him no where.
And with no further ado...
The best one first!
She was turning mid-walk part of the day, redirecting and catching herself.
Thsi time she didn't catch herself, but you get the idea...
She does it a little in this one though...
This is a very smooth walk, with practical use since she stops, and then continues on.
Again - After doing it just once she even got better.
One more little one...
Monday, May 30, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
I love the whistle
I love the whistle. I love the whistle I love the whistle I love the whistle. See, this is like one of those times where you tell yourself "If they ever ___ then I will never complain if they ever ____. So I love the whistle (the one in the video in the last post) I like it lots. Especially when you blow really REALLY hard and it makes a very loud high pitched squeal. That's my absolute favorite.
Now, if Dylan ever talks, I won't complain if she ever talks back. m kay?
Dylan got new AFOs, they are very blue with butterflies and very cute and adorable. And bigger than what she had, a lot bigger. When we went in to get casted I told Dylan she was going to walk as good as the guy who was doing the mold and he said "Oh yea, she has the potential to walk better than me one day!" He wears AFOs, and has since he was about 13. I am not sure what his diagnosis is, but he said he had them and that's how he got interested in the business.
So I had to ask some questions.
I asked him if it felt good to get new AFOs. Here's me thinking that if you are outgrowing them and they are getting tight and not fitting right you would breath a sigh of relief when you got a new pair. Nope, not the case. He said it's more along the lines of a great pair of old tennis shoes. It seems as soon as you get them all broken in and the plastic's getting softer and they are getting comfy, BAM! It's time for a new pair. And they are hard and uncomfortable.
Hence a new breaking in period, just a few hours the first day, gradually building up to having them on nearly all the time over the course of a couple of weeks!
Who knew? So there you have it AFO moms. Interesting right?
The D's had their end of the year school program on Tuesday and Duncan was naughty, he refused to sing, or even stand up with the other kids for that matter. He was naughty, not shy, naughty... since he knew I wasn't going to climb over all the other parents heads to get to him and make him stand! So funny. In this area he definately did not take after dad. LouAnn said "Yea, his dad wouldn't be hiding behind the chair, he would be standing on it!"
So there he was, the only one not singing "I'm a little teapot." Silly goose.
Meanwhile, Dylan loved it, she loves singing and Itsy Bitsy Spider is one of her favorites!
We had a big day because afterwards we went to grandma LouAnn's to play with lots of cousins. (Aunt Meggie had Ian so mom could go to the show) The neighbor's sport court had a huge mud puddle right in the middle of it and when boys were walking through it Duncan just looked longingly and tried to hike up his jeans. I leaned out and told him it was okay to get wet, he siad "It's okay?" when I said yes he got so excited "It's okay, thanks mom!" and away in the puddle he went.
We should have known what we got ourselves in to. After a short while they were swimming in it. Muddy, nasty water. Duncan's face was BLACK! Blech! So everyone was stripped down, marched to the basement bathroom and there stood five nekked muddy boys! So funny. They seemed to have a blast but man their clothes were nasty!
Meanwhile the others did damage enough, my HUGE drink got dumped everywhere when I wasn't looking (I think I was counting heads... and missing one at the time). Ian pulled over grandma's spider plant, he loves to pull the leaves off, and sometimes he has to pull hard to make it happen. Turns out if you pull hard enough... Yup, the whole plant, upside down. Good times. Maybe I shouldn't have made that drink run! (And well, since the drink got dumped out anyway...)
This is the last week of preschool but Dylan has summer school, and I can't break Duncan's heart (or buy him a cookie every time Dylan had to go to school) so I am planning on having him go to school too. They only had Dylan down for three times a month through summer, but they have a summer program so I am not exactly what the hours are or when she will go, or just him on some days, I have no clue. Probably ought to figure that out at some point.
Small medium and large - Not in that order though
Now, if Dylan ever talks, I won't complain if she ever talks back. m kay?
Dylan got new AFOs, they are very blue with butterflies and very cute and adorable. And bigger than what she had, a lot bigger. When we went in to get casted I told Dylan she was going to walk as good as the guy who was doing the mold and he said "Oh yea, she has the potential to walk better than me one day!" He wears AFOs, and has since he was about 13. I am not sure what his diagnosis is, but he said he had them and that's how he got interested in the business.
So I had to ask some questions.
I asked him if it felt good to get new AFOs. Here's me thinking that if you are outgrowing them and they are getting tight and not fitting right you would breath a sigh of relief when you got a new pair. Nope, not the case. He said it's more along the lines of a great pair of old tennis shoes. It seems as soon as you get them all broken in and the plastic's getting softer and they are getting comfy, BAM! It's time for a new pair. And they are hard and uncomfortable.
Hence a new breaking in period, just a few hours the first day, gradually building up to having them on nearly all the time over the course of a couple of weeks!
Who knew? So there you have it AFO moms. Interesting right?
The D's had their end of the year school program on Tuesday and Duncan was naughty, he refused to sing, or even stand up with the other kids for that matter. He was naughty, not shy, naughty... since he knew I wasn't going to climb over all the other parents heads to get to him and make him stand! So funny. In this area he definately did not take after dad. LouAnn said "Yea, his dad wouldn't be hiding behind the chair, he would be standing on it!"
So there he was, the only one not singing "I'm a little teapot." Silly goose.
Meanwhile, Dylan loved it, she loves singing and Itsy Bitsy Spider is one of her favorites!
We had a big day because afterwards we went to grandma LouAnn's to play with lots of cousins. (Aunt Meggie had Ian so mom could go to the show) The neighbor's sport court had a huge mud puddle right in the middle of it and when boys were walking through it Duncan just looked longingly and tried to hike up his jeans. I leaned out and told him it was okay to get wet, he siad "It's okay?" when I said yes he got so excited "It's okay, thanks mom!" and away in the puddle he went.
We should have known what we got ourselves in to. After a short while they were swimming in it. Muddy, nasty water. Duncan's face was BLACK! Blech! So everyone was stripped down, marched to the basement bathroom and there stood five nekked muddy boys! So funny. They seemed to have a blast but man their clothes were nasty!
Meanwhile the others did damage enough, my HUGE drink got dumped everywhere when I wasn't looking (I think I was counting heads... and missing one at the time). Ian pulled over grandma's spider plant, he loves to pull the leaves off, and sometimes he has to pull hard to make it happen. Turns out if you pull hard enough... Yup, the whole plant, upside down. Good times. Maybe I shouldn't have made that drink run! (And well, since the drink got dumped out anyway...)
This is the last week of preschool but Dylan has summer school, and I can't break Duncan's heart (or buy him a cookie every time Dylan had to go to school) so I am planning on having him go to school too. They only had Dylan down for three times a month through summer, but they have a summer program so I am not exactly what the hours are or when she will go, or just him on some days, I have no clue. Probably ought to figure that out at some point.
Small medium and large - Not in that order though
Cute baby face
Cute baby faces
Monkey love (and a new hair cut!)
Cute baby faces
Monkey love (and a new hair cut!)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The Seizure Monster
That's what they call it you know... The seizure monster and that little jerk is back at it. Yup - She's having spasms again. I noticed a few twitchy kind of movements here and there over the last couple of weeks and threatened to up her anti-seizure med but never did it. I kind of expect seizure activity because of how abnormal her brain is. I have said it before, at some point I kind of expect Dr. Neuro to tell me too bad, the side effects of the meds out way the damage from the seizures (since they don't appear to be damaging) but I am going to fight it as long as I can.
But then... it attacked. A series of spasms. There were only 10 or so, but they were good ones, and it became official. It's back. The seizure monster.
We have noticed a trend of poor(er) sleeping habits when the seizure monster is around, that and a generally not terribly pleasant disposition. Both of which have been getting increasingly worse over the last couple of weeks.
So I upped her meds and called the nurse to tell her that's what I was doing and we shall see. Apparently it's still a small dose so we can even up it from here. But... boo I say, boo boo boo. (Which is better than what her dad said about the situation...)
Last night Matthew fed her a little at 2, I heard her at 4 and fed her then (and slipped her some Melatonin) and then she was up when I awoke at 7 to get them ready for school. Not sure when/if she even slept at all. She just quietly plays in there, in the pitch dark, until she hears us come in the door and then she books it to the open door and down the hall. I think how quickly she responds to you getting in the room and how fast she crawls out the door is hilarious.
She's so dang CUTE! Wish she didn't have to deal with seizures, she doesn't deserve it.
Also she's getting so much better and looking for you (and smiling!) when you say her name. If she's in the car and you lean in and say "Dylan..." She will look for you and give a big grinner. SO much better than before when she wouldn't acknowledge you at all unless you were in her face and/or singing. She couldn't have cared less, so this is a great development.
The other day Duncan and Matthew went on an adventure and as they drove by the hospital Duncan said "Look dad! It's the baby Costco!" Yes indeed! We buy babies in bulk at this house! That's my boy!
He also just told me the sky is broken and we need a really taaaallllll ladder to fix it. Uhhmm hmm... okay. Random!
Also, seriously, he's just at a funny age, I can't help myself... We went into Dylan's room and she was out of bed and he said "Look mom! Look! It's Dylan! She got out of her's bed herself!!" He was so proud that she got out of the bed! It was cute that he was so darn excited about it.
He and I had a project this week. A long time ago I made a book of Dylan's favorite toys based on a suggestion from her Vision Therapist. Duncan was playing with it the other day pointing toys and either proclaiming that we had that toy or asked where it was. So a light bulb went on, if Dylan can have a book, so can he! We took pictures of some of his Thomas trains and I mounted them and laminated them. I made him a book of his trains! He LOVES it and is still carrying it around. Combined with a new Conductor had he just got and he is on top of the world!
I took Ian to the doctor this morning and he has an infection in both ears. I had just text Trina last night to ask about her taking a peek but then he had a terrible night so I figured it was all but confirmed and we went in. Poor little guy. His lungs are pretty gunky too so bronchitis was looming. We got a script for antibiotics and I doped him up and he is now napping the best nap he's had in a few days.
Let's hope no one else gets it that bad, though if he gets sick it's hard to avoid since he's more than willing to give you a big fat open mouth, tongue hanging out, kiss. Yummm! Thanks buddy! He's really affectionate, he often walks up to you and give you a nice hug on your legs and then runs off. He's adorable. One is so fun! (But not great for avoiding germs!!)
The verdict is IN! Clear as the sky, or ocean, or maybe a BLUEberry!
Can you see this? I am not sure what setting my camera was on but it was the stare down of the century! (Yes, by the way, she IS just standing there against the wall...) This is her PT Mike, making her work.
This picture is also in his book, he was so excited!
isn't this amazing? We used to have to wait two weeks for pictures. Now we go from click to picture in less than two minutes!
Look who climbs!
He is so proud of himself I can't stand it!
Thought our friendly PT that worked so hard on Dylan doing things with her mouth might appreciate this video.
Dylan and the whistle again. It doesn't look like a big deal, but it is. I promise.
Duncan and me being suckered in to buying him more trains. It's long, and maybe only a mother can love it... but I can't help myself.
But then... it attacked. A series of spasms. There were only 10 or so, but they were good ones, and it became official. It's back. The seizure monster.
We have noticed a trend of poor(er) sleeping habits when the seizure monster is around, that and a generally not terribly pleasant disposition. Both of which have been getting increasingly worse over the last couple of weeks.
So I upped her meds and called the nurse to tell her that's what I was doing and we shall see. Apparently it's still a small dose so we can even up it from here. But... boo I say, boo boo boo. (Which is better than what her dad said about the situation...)
Last night Matthew fed her a little at 2, I heard her at 4 and fed her then (and slipped her some Melatonin) and then she was up when I awoke at 7 to get them ready for school. Not sure when/if she even slept at all. She just quietly plays in there, in the pitch dark, until she hears us come in the door and then she books it to the open door and down the hall. I think how quickly she responds to you getting in the room and how fast she crawls out the door is hilarious.
She's so dang CUTE! Wish she didn't have to deal with seizures, she doesn't deserve it.
Also she's getting so much better and looking for you (and smiling!) when you say her name. If she's in the car and you lean in and say "Dylan..." She will look for you and give a big grinner. SO much better than before when she wouldn't acknowledge you at all unless you were in her face and/or singing. She couldn't have cared less, so this is a great development.
The other day Duncan and Matthew went on an adventure and as they drove by the hospital Duncan said "Look dad! It's the baby Costco!" Yes indeed! We buy babies in bulk at this house! That's my boy!
He also just told me the sky is broken and we need a really taaaallllll ladder to fix it. Uhhmm hmm... okay. Random!
Also, seriously, he's just at a funny age, I can't help myself... We went into Dylan's room and she was out of bed and he said "Look mom! Look! It's Dylan! She got out of her's bed herself!!" He was so proud that she got out of the bed! It was cute that he was so darn excited about it.
He and I had a project this week. A long time ago I made a book of Dylan's favorite toys based on a suggestion from her Vision Therapist. Duncan was playing with it the other day pointing toys and either proclaiming that we had that toy or asked where it was. So a light bulb went on, if Dylan can have a book, so can he! We took pictures of some of his Thomas trains and I mounted them and laminated them. I made him a book of his trains! He LOVES it and is still carrying it around. Combined with a new Conductor had he just got and he is on top of the world!
I took Ian to the doctor this morning and he has an infection in both ears. I had just text Trina last night to ask about her taking a peek but then he had a terrible night so I figured it was all but confirmed and we went in. Poor little guy. His lungs are pretty gunky too so bronchitis was looming. We got a script for antibiotics and I doped him up and he is now napping the best nap he's had in a few days.
Let's hope no one else gets it that bad, though if he gets sick it's hard to avoid since he's more than willing to give you a big fat open mouth, tongue hanging out, kiss. Yummm! Thanks buddy! He's really affectionate, he often walks up to you and give you a nice hug on your legs and then runs off. He's adorable. One is so fun! (But not great for avoiding germs!!)
The verdict is IN! Clear as the sky, or ocean, or maybe a BLUEberry!
Can you see this? I am not sure what setting my camera was on but it was the stare down of the century! (Yes, by the way, she IS just standing there against the wall...) This is her PT Mike, making her work.
This picture is also in his book, he was so excited!
isn't this amazing? We used to have to wait two weeks for pictures. Now we go from click to picture in less than two minutes!
Look who climbs!
He is so proud of himself I can't stand it!
Thought our friendly PT that worked so hard on Dylan doing things with her mouth might appreciate this video.
Dylan and the whistle again. It doesn't look like a big deal, but it is. I promise.
Duncan and me being suckered in to buying him more trains. It's long, and maybe only a mother can love it... but I can't help myself.
Monday, May 16, 2011
That pesky r-word
Again? Yes... Again. Fresh after doing some blog stalking and reading this post from a woman who has adopted two special needs children.
Matthew asked me last night if it really offended me when people used the r-word. And this is what I told him.
"It doesn't personally offend me."
But this is where it gets a little tricky right? I have yet to have one of my boys be hurt because someone called their sister (who is superbly awesome by the way) 'retarded.' But I know of siblings who have been offended.
I am not sure Dylan will ever have the mental capability to be offended when someone calls her that word. But I know of children with social challenges that have been hurt. Not only being called it directly (which is ridiculous), but by also hearing it and making the association to themselves, assuming people are talking about them, and knowing that it's not nice.
So, no, I am personally not offended. But it just wouldn't be like me to stop there would it?
I will say that if someone knows that this word is offensive to some (many) people and they still choose to use it, that it says a lot about that person. A little part of my heart hurts when people, especially someone I like, say it un-apologetically. And especially if we have had conversations about it. It just makes me look at these people a little differently. After all, if you could cut out one little word from your vocabulary and avoid offending some (many) people, why in the world would you not just get rid of that word?
Don't just not use it around me, don't use it at all.
I just don't get the defiance with regards to using it. And I honestly think it's weird.
Maybe, just maybe they don't get it for real. To that I would probably argue that there is still no harm in cutting it out of the vocab, even if you personally DON'T get it.
BUT, let's just try one more time...
When people say "You're retarded" It isn't meant as a compliment right? They are saying it meaning challenged, slow, awkward. So basically what they are saying is "You're like Dylan, and that sucks." I can see how a sibling, parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent of Dylan might (should?) be a little offended by hearing anything about Dylan sucks.
Now think of all the siblings, parent, aunts, uncles and grandparents there are of special need kids. (Lots!)
Does that help? Because again, knowing that by using the r-word you are basically saying "You're like someone I/you/we love, and that is really not a great thing" just shouldn't roll off the tongue as easily as the word 'retarded' does.
I know, I know, I know... I KNOW we were raised using this word in jest, we just were, everyone was saying it. But now that we are older and more wise? Now that we have the knowledge that this word hurts feelings, should it be okay to still use it? Or should we just get rid of this teensy word?
I do know many people who have been working on not using it (isn't it crazy how words become habits? The same with ALL swear words right?) and occasionally it slips, but they catch themselves. They are trying. Several people have actually mentioned to me that the last time I posted about it, they got it, they read the link I gave and they understood and are now paying closer attention.
I also know that my niece Eden pays attention when people say it, notices and has gone as far as telling people it hurts people's feelings. She also said she rarely hears that word used amongst her friends. (Yay!)
If you still really don't get it, you can learn more at http://www.r-word.org/ and you can also make a pledge not to use it and to promote the acceptance of people with disabilities.
That pesky little word...
[Now here imagine the CUTEST picture of Dylan ever because I didn't have a chance to get to the PC to add one to this post, maybe I will add one later!]
Matthew asked me last night if it really offended me when people used the r-word. And this is what I told him.
"It doesn't personally offend me."
But this is where it gets a little tricky right? I have yet to have one of my boys be hurt because someone called their sister (who is superbly awesome by the way) 'retarded.' But I know of siblings who have been offended.
I am not sure Dylan will ever have the mental capability to be offended when someone calls her that word. But I know of children with social challenges that have been hurt. Not only being called it directly (which is ridiculous), but by also hearing it and making the association to themselves, assuming people are talking about them, and knowing that it's not nice.
So, no, I am personally not offended. But it just wouldn't be like me to stop there would it?
I will say that if someone knows that this word is offensive to some (many) people and they still choose to use it, that it says a lot about that person. A little part of my heart hurts when people, especially someone I like, say it un-apologetically. And especially if we have had conversations about it. It just makes me look at these people a little differently. After all, if you could cut out one little word from your vocabulary and avoid offending some (many) people, why in the world would you not just get rid of that word?
Don't just not use it around me, don't use it at all.
I just don't get the defiance with regards to using it. And I honestly think it's weird.
Maybe, just maybe they don't get it for real. To that I would probably argue that there is still no harm in cutting it out of the vocab, even if you personally DON'T get it.
BUT, let's just try one more time...
When people say "You're retarded" It isn't meant as a compliment right? They are saying it meaning challenged, slow, awkward. So basically what they are saying is "You're like Dylan, and that sucks." I can see how a sibling, parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent of Dylan might (should?) be a little offended by hearing anything about Dylan sucks.
Now think of all the siblings, parent, aunts, uncles and grandparents there are of special need kids. (Lots!)
Does that help? Because again, knowing that by using the r-word you are basically saying "You're like someone I/you/we love, and that is really not a great thing" just shouldn't roll off the tongue as easily as the word 'retarded' does.
I know, I know, I know... I KNOW we were raised using this word in jest, we just were, everyone was saying it. But now that we are older and more wise? Now that we have the knowledge that this word hurts feelings, should it be okay to still use it? Or should we just get rid of this teensy word?
I do know many people who have been working on not using it (isn't it crazy how words become habits? The same with ALL swear words right?) and occasionally it slips, but they catch themselves. They are trying. Several people have actually mentioned to me that the last time I posted about it, they got it, they read the link I gave and they understood and are now paying closer attention.
I also know that my niece Eden pays attention when people say it, notices and has gone as far as telling people it hurts people's feelings. She also said she rarely hears that word used amongst her friends. (Yay!)
If you still really don't get it, you can learn more at http://www.r-word.org/ and you can also make a pledge not to use it and to promote the acceptance of people with disabilities.
That pesky little word...
[Now here imagine the CUTEST picture of Dylan ever because I didn't have a chance to get to the PC to add one to this post, maybe I will add one later!]
Monday, May 9, 2011
Back into the routine
Settling back into the routine if having daddy home has been great. Though, my house isn't nearly as clean as it is when Eden's here... I miss her. For more reason's than that (but that's a biggie).
On Friday night Eden and I took all the kiddos to Chloe's birthday party... Which begs the question, once you meet an imaginary friend, are they still imaginary? I might have to ask Matthew that question. Any who, Chloe turned four and her mom was having a little celebration in town and Eden and I thought it would be fun to go. It was fun, Duncan was running around the gym like a mad man, he kept revisiting the treat table and eating some sort of blue candy that turned his whole mouth and lips blue. He also thought the gum ball machine was great. He's never had gum, whenever he asks for it I tell him he can have it when he's five. I saw him chewing and chewing away and realized he was chewing on gum, he did fine, of course. He was very proud of himself.
When we got home I told him to yell dad what he had that he wasn't supposed to have until he was 5 and he said "GUM!!" all excited like.
Chloe is just as adorable as she looks on all of her pictures. She's very charming, and smiley... I was amazed as I watched Eden interact with her form across the room. Eden leaned in and talked with her as she brushed her hair gently from her forehead and tucked her cute little blond curls behind her ear. Chloe was just grinning away, they instantly connected. When Eden said good bye she leaned in closely and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
Later they wheeled Chloe over in her fancy chair so we could get a picture of her and Dylan, so funny... iIt's hard enough to get a great picture of Dylan alone and then combine two Dylan's? So funny.
Speaking if Chloe's chair, Duncan loved it! He's such a mechanics and gears kind if guys that he just loved all the bells and whistles! He kept pulling things and pushing levers and buttons, here was me hoping he didn't do anything to the chair that couldn't be reversed!
Friday turned out to be a very exciting night for us. When Matthew arrived, his bags did not, they took a route through Atlanta (which is funny, because Matthew went no where near Atlanta). They were going to call and deliver them in the middle of the night, so... When the phone rang at about 2:00 am, we weren't surprised.
Looking back, the dog had howled/barked about 20 minutes before the phone rang, I thought he was dreaming, turns out he had heard something,
The call was from the city police dispatch letting us know that there was an officer out front who would like to talk to us, Matthew went out and a few minutes later came in and told me our mailbox was obliterated! My respond "no way! Awesome!" and I change out of jammies and went out with him. Not so awesome it was a drunk driver who plowed through it! She did it and drove off, one of our neighbors heard and followed her to the next neighborhood over where she pulled over. Naughty naughty!
Needless to say we are so happy it was JUST a mailbox since this woman was no where near her home, and said she didn't know anyone in this neighborhood or the next one over. Perhaps nailing our mailbox got her off the streets before she could have gone any further? Hope so, and I hope she gets some help. In the meantime the damage she did was darn impressive!
The rest of the weekend was VERY low key! Matthew just spent Saturday picking up the mess, then a quick visit to my mom's for Mother's Day.
Duncan's been straying busy because the Thomas Fairy (Jill) stopped by again and dropped off some of the coolest tracks EVER to match all the trains she brought before. We have them set up in the entry way, before the kid gate, so he can play on his own without destructo boy Ian knocking it all down. He's been a little spoiled by the fairy, so much so that he saw a commercial the other day and announced that it was something he wanted, then added "I have to wait for Jill to get it first, then I can have it!" Oh yea buddy?
We pick up Dylan's nw AFOs this afternoon, LouAnn will have the boys.
This was the first time Eden went over to visit with Chloe, I couldn't resist taking a picture from accross the room since it was so adorable.
Adorable, Eden didn't want to leave...
This is what happens onEden's watch? Ian was done and out of the tub, guess he didn't think so? Michael and he were in cahoots because Michael distracted Eden and Ian hopped right back in.
Baby Love - This doll was from Jessica and Steve for Christmas but Dylan just recently found the love... Her name is Satin (though how you pronounce that depends on your expeiences with Satin)
Because Satin is one of thoe real life babies or whatever, and she tends to giggle at random times... even in the middle of the night.
Mailboxes before (These are our neighbors...)
Mailboxes after. (That other square topper was on the hood of her car when they found it...)
And this picture shows the tire marks as she went accross our driveway and exited back to the street between those two trees. Nice! (And that's my neighbor Larry, 'Hi Larry!', his wife makes the BEST cookies!)
Helping out.
Picking up car parts. Man I would have loved to see the car!
On Friday night Eden and I took all the kiddos to Chloe's birthday party... Which begs the question, once you meet an imaginary friend, are they still imaginary? I might have to ask Matthew that question. Any who, Chloe turned four and her mom was having a little celebration in town and Eden and I thought it would be fun to go. It was fun, Duncan was running around the gym like a mad man, he kept revisiting the treat table and eating some sort of blue candy that turned his whole mouth and lips blue. He also thought the gum ball machine was great. He's never had gum, whenever he asks for it I tell him he can have it when he's five. I saw him chewing and chewing away and realized he was chewing on gum, he did fine, of course. He was very proud of himself.
When we got home I told him to yell dad what he had that he wasn't supposed to have until he was 5 and he said "GUM!!" all excited like.
Chloe is just as adorable as she looks on all of her pictures. She's very charming, and smiley... I was amazed as I watched Eden interact with her form across the room. Eden leaned in and talked with her as she brushed her hair gently from her forehead and tucked her cute little blond curls behind her ear. Chloe was just grinning away, they instantly connected. When Eden said good bye she leaned in closely and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
Later they wheeled Chloe over in her fancy chair so we could get a picture of her and Dylan, so funny... iIt's hard enough to get a great picture of Dylan alone and then combine two Dylan's? So funny.
Speaking if Chloe's chair, Duncan loved it! He's such a mechanics and gears kind if guys that he just loved all the bells and whistles! He kept pulling things and pushing levers and buttons, here was me hoping he didn't do anything to the chair that couldn't be reversed!
Friday turned out to be a very exciting night for us. When Matthew arrived, his bags did not, they took a route through Atlanta (which is funny, because Matthew went no where near Atlanta). They were going to call and deliver them in the middle of the night, so... When the phone rang at about 2:00 am, we weren't surprised.
Looking back, the dog had howled/barked about 20 minutes before the phone rang, I thought he was dreaming, turns out he had heard something,
The call was from the city police dispatch letting us know that there was an officer out front who would like to talk to us, Matthew went out and a few minutes later came in and told me our mailbox was obliterated! My respond "no way! Awesome!" and I change out of jammies and went out with him. Not so awesome it was a drunk driver who plowed through it! She did it and drove off, one of our neighbors heard and followed her to the next neighborhood over where she pulled over. Naughty naughty!
Needless to say we are so happy it was JUST a mailbox since this woman was no where near her home, and said she didn't know anyone in this neighborhood or the next one over. Perhaps nailing our mailbox got her off the streets before she could have gone any further? Hope so, and I hope she gets some help. In the meantime the damage she did was darn impressive!
The rest of the weekend was VERY low key! Matthew just spent Saturday picking up the mess, then a quick visit to my mom's for Mother's Day.
Duncan's been straying busy because the Thomas Fairy (Jill) stopped by again and dropped off some of the coolest tracks EVER to match all the trains she brought before. We have them set up in the entry way, before the kid gate, so he can play on his own without destructo boy Ian knocking it all down. He's been a little spoiled by the fairy, so much so that he saw a commercial the other day and announced that it was something he wanted, then added "I have to wait for Jill to get it first, then I can have it!" Oh yea buddy?
We pick up Dylan's nw AFOs this afternoon, LouAnn will have the boys.
This was the first time Eden went over to visit with Chloe, I couldn't resist taking a picture from accross the room since it was so adorable.
Adorable, Eden didn't want to leave...
This is what happens onEden's watch? Ian was done and out of the tub, guess he didn't think so? Michael and he were in cahoots because Michael distracted Eden and Ian hopped right back in.
Baby Love - This doll was from Jessica and Steve for Christmas but Dylan just recently found the love... Her name is Satin (though how you pronounce that depends on your expeiences with Satin)
Because Satin is one of thoe real life babies or whatever, and she tends to giggle at random times... even in the middle of the night.
Mailboxes before (These are our neighbors...)
Mailboxes after. (That other square topper was on the hood of her car when they found it...)
And this picture shows the tire marks as she went accross our driveway and exited back to the street between those two trees. Nice! (And that's my neighbor Larry, 'Hi Larry!', his wife makes the BEST cookies!)
Helping out.
Picking up car parts. Man I would have loved to see the car!
Friday, May 6, 2011
He's coming home, again!
Guess who's coming home today?! Again! Well, if it isn't Matthew! After a trip around the world... Literally, he's decided to come back home, for the last nearly two weeks he's been in India and the Philippines. Crazy guy... Instead of moving on to China with the rest of the bunch he's coming home. He called me from the plane that was headed to Japan at about 3:30 yesterday afternoon and he lands here at about 7:15 in the evening. That's over 24 hours in an airplane or airport... Yech! Bet he will be happy to be home. We have missed him!
Just like last time, Eden and Jenna came to help me wrangle the littles. It's so awesome to be able to rely on them at night (when I really need back up) and Eden cleans too! Seriously so helpful! Since he's been gone so long Michael and Megan have also been helpful and my mom, Traci and Beth came and took Duncan to lunch (Ducan's first time IN McDonald's and they taught him about happy meal toys!), Eden came and got him one day as well. It take a village right? It would be SUPER hard if I lived out of state!
It's been a rough couple of weeks because Duncan's deciding that he doesn't need a nap. If he naps, he stays up too late and wakes to early. If he doesn't he goes down at 7:30-8 and he's out like a light which is way not like him. It's been driving me a little bonkers, good thing he says cute things...
Duncan said something something "... loves that cereal!" and I said "Who loves that cereal? And he sais "That girl loves that cereal!" and pointed to a smiling child on the side of the corn flake box.
I asked him how school was the other day and he told me that he was naughty and mean on when they were outside. Evedently he got in a little bit of trouble today. Have to love it when he confesses. He must have a good guilty conciense because I got after him for waking Ian up the other day and I heard him leaning in really close to talk to Asher. I asked him what he said and he told me he told me he was talkin to Asher (!!). I heard him say "And then I was naughty. I was waking Ian up with my noises. And I got in trouble. Ian was awake. It was my fault." This probably won't last long, you know, when it might *really* come in handy...
And update on Dylan's school and eating. They will not be requiring a swallow study for Dylan (*grin*). I am having a permission slip from her doctor sent over and a copy of her clean chest x-ray sent via snail mail. Hopefully they will get that soon, you know... just in time for the end of the school year. I am pretty happy about that and I owe some thanks to Pat and Jen C (feeding therapist from the NICU and now, my buddy) for their help in crafting the mama bear letter and further arguements. It just seems so silly to have a swallow study done when it's just not needed!! I spoke to the aide Shelley Tuesday and she is *so* with me, and she was the one feeding Dylan so she would know. (Though while we were talking she did keep looking over her shoulder, ha!)
I mentioned it before, Shelley is deaf. She has hearing aides and can read lips but she often signs while she is talking... I caught myself talking more with myhands while we were having our conversations, so funny! She was probably thinking "Your hands aren't making any sense!" Ha!
I think it would be fun to learn sign language... they teach classes at the Hearing Centers but the time would be an issue! Someday! I have friends that speak sign language and they were over for games one night and I saw her sign something accross the room to him, I busted her... she was signing "Did you pay them back the $20?" Hilarious.
The kids missed Thursday class because Duncan's sick and I couldn't bear to drop Dylan off in front of him. He's getting better and will be back in action in no time.
Monkey Love
Ironically, her bib says "Grandma never says no!" and that's where the monkey came from.
She *really* loves the monkey
Look who can climb the ladder to Duncan's bunk bed?
Yes I made Eden be the bad guy and go get him!
Sleeping baby, awwwwe!
Just like last time, Eden and Jenna came to help me wrangle the littles. It's so awesome to be able to rely on them at night (when I really need back up) and Eden cleans too! Seriously so helpful! Since he's been gone so long Michael and Megan have also been helpful and my mom, Traci and Beth came and took Duncan to lunch (Ducan's first time IN McDonald's and they taught him about happy meal toys!), Eden came and got him one day as well. It take a village right? It would be SUPER hard if I lived out of state!
It's been a rough couple of weeks because Duncan's deciding that he doesn't need a nap. If he naps, he stays up too late and wakes to early. If he doesn't he goes down at 7:30-8 and he's out like a light which is way not like him. It's been driving me a little bonkers, good thing he says cute things...
Duncan said something something "... loves that cereal!" and I said "Who loves that cereal? And he sais "That girl loves that cereal!" and pointed to a smiling child on the side of the corn flake box.
I asked him how school was the other day and he told me that he was naughty and mean on when they were outside. Evedently he got in a little bit of trouble today. Have to love it when he confesses. He must have a good guilty conciense because I got after him for waking Ian up the other day and I heard him leaning in really close to talk to Asher. I asked him what he said and he told me he told me he was talkin to Asher (!!). I heard him say "And then I was naughty. I was waking Ian up with my noises. And I got in trouble. Ian was awake. It was my fault." This probably won't last long, you know, when it might *really* come in handy...
And update on Dylan's school and eating. They will not be requiring a swallow study for Dylan (*grin*). I am having a permission slip from her doctor sent over and a copy of her clean chest x-ray sent via snail mail. Hopefully they will get that soon, you know... just in time for the end of the school year. I am pretty happy about that and I owe some thanks to Pat and Jen C (feeding therapist from the NICU and now, my buddy) for their help in crafting the mama bear letter and further arguements. It just seems so silly to have a swallow study done when it's just not needed!! I spoke to the aide Shelley Tuesday and she is *so* with me, and she was the one feeding Dylan so she would know. (Though while we were talking she did keep looking over her shoulder, ha!)
I mentioned it before, Shelley is deaf. She has hearing aides and can read lips but she often signs while she is talking... I caught myself talking more with myhands while we were having our conversations, so funny! She was probably thinking "Your hands aren't making any sense!" Ha!
I think it would be fun to learn sign language... they teach classes at the Hearing Centers but the time would be an issue! Someday! I have friends that speak sign language and they were over for games one night and I saw her sign something accross the room to him, I busted her... she was signing "Did you pay them back the $20?" Hilarious.
The kids missed Thursday class because Duncan's sick and I couldn't bear to drop Dylan off in front of him. He's getting better and will be back in action in no time.
Monkey Love
Ironically, her bib says "Grandma never says no!" and that's where the monkey came from.
She *really* loves the monkey
Look who can climb the ladder to Duncan's bunk bed?
Yes I made Eden be the bad guy and go get him!
Sleeping baby, awwwwe!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
A sweet note and random motherly thoughts
I received such a sweet note from one of my imaginary friends the other day. (An imaginary friend is what Matthew has dubbed my many online pals that I have never met. I have quite the online social circle, I am not exactly sure what that says about me!) I quickly sent her a note of appreciation and warned her that I would soon be sharing it with the world, or at least all of my other imaginary friends via this blog. I hope she doesn't mind... it's just the risk you take when corresponding with me I suppose!
Here's the note:
I don't know if you'll find this silly or not, but I figured I'd tell you anyways and let you laugh at me if you want. LOL. Dylie walking really motivated me to get off my couch and exercise this entire last month. I just thought that it's so silly that I have the ability to walk as I please, but I wasn't taking advantage of that. So anyway, I've only lost 3 pounds this month (BFing does NOT help me lose weight and instead makes it harder) but those 3 pounds are a direct result of Dylie's tenacity! Thanks for sharing her with the world.
So thanks for taking the time to write this Jamie - I love to get this kind of feedback, knowing that Dylan has motivated and touched someone is the best possible thing I could possibly be told. I would never laugh at you... and I better use YOU as an example and get cracking myself!
As a random thought, I just want to mention how awesome it is watching all my kids together. They are all so caring and love each other so much. I think it's beyond amazing when I see one of them do something so sweet, when it's not expected or, in some case, something I didn't even think they were capable of.
Dylan is very aware of her brothers and she does this thing when she's looking at them, and she tilts her head to the side, puffs out her cheeks and leans in really close to try and get them to look at her. She does it to Asher when she's checking him out. Then, the other day I saw her doing this to Ian and then she took a couple small knee steps to him, open mouth kissed him on the forehead and then turned and knee walked away. (Megan even saw, I have a witness!) It was such a special moment! (Whether Ian noticed or not... he so didn't.) She will also look when people say her name now where previously it didn't get much of a response unless she recognized your voice and wanted to come see you (ie, Michael, Matthew) but just the other morning my mom was over and said something to her while she was on my lap. She just looked at my mom and smiled.
Duncan's giving her quite a bit of practice at this name recognition stuff because he calls her name a LOT. He always wants her watching him when they are in the same room. It's really cute... and she likes that he's interacting with her. It's still a bit of a struggle with Duncan not knowing his own strength when it comes to the other boys but with Dylan he's very nice, even tender some times. He very rarely is rough with her and when he is, it's more of a lean in to her to see if she's ready to rough house.
Ian though, Ian teases Dylan, he will take something, show her and then run away and she will follow after him. It's very naughty. But, the other day, she really wanted something he had. He wasn't in the mood to tease apparently because he walked over to the toys, picked up her beloved cow and handed it to her and walked away. Realizing that she would no longer follow him. Amazing! I really didn't think he would come to that on his own, especially this early, since it's something we had to teach Duncan fairly recently. I was very impressed.
Over all though, he's a very caring little guy. He's been very gentle with Asher, rubbing the top of his head. He went through a brief stage of whapping him on the face, but it's back to the gentle rubbing. He's very careful. Same with Owen, he knows they are babies... Even when Dylan's face down throwing a fit (her very typical "I just need to go to sleep" fit position) he will walk up to her, lean over and rub her back gently. Really. And then he will just move on to playing with whatever he was playing with in the room.
I try to keep it cool when I am being yelled at by Dylan because I want the boys to keep cool in a sometime chaotic environment. We don't always know what a fit is about so we try to do what we can and move on and give her a minute if we can't solve her problem. Ian is obviously picking up on this.
This is turning into a brain dump on how great my kids are with each other but I can't help it. I start writing one thing and I am reminded of another example, and another... I am really proud of them what can I say?
Moving on... We did get the feeding pump for Dylan. I was just sick and tired of her losing it all over in the morning and I am hoping that nightly feedings will keep things moving along. I can work around a smaller breakfast most days, but school presents a different problem because she needs to last from when she gets breakfast to when we get home. Finally Matthew gave the okay. He was the hold out, not wanting yet another medical contraption in the house for his little girl.
Because she wanders around at night we will need to get those gates you can put together to make a 'pen' for your toddler and put it around her bed. That way, if she gets out of bed while she's hooked up to the pump she can't go very far. She has a tendency to go over to the door, we aren't sure why... it could be that she knows where it is, it could be the teensy light from the smoke detector or maybe light from under the door? We keep her room pitch black because she will get out less that way.
Until we get the gate, I have been using the pump at least once a day to give her slower feedings. If she is tired I will hook her up and have her feed go in over an hour or if she konks out for the evening I will have it go in over two. I am hoping just doing the feedings slower will help but I am sure it's more comfortable for her anyway. We need a good weigh in in a couple of weeks to find out, I think she's due for the Spina Bifida Clinic in May.
We have a routine going where she gets up at about 5:30 in the morning and I give her an extra 2.5 ounces to get things moving and get a few extra calories in. If anything I am sure it makes her feel better in the couple hours before the rest of the world wakes right? She may or may no go back to sleep... I have no idea. Unless she's sad, I go back to sleep!
I also took Dylan to get fitted for new AFO's. We go through a company that makes the AFO's in house, from what I understand most send them away, and we have few choices on the pattern. Instead of the same butterflies we opted for a blue pattern with pink butterflies. I need to make an appointment to pick them up in a couple of weeks. Shout out to grandma LouAnn who came here to sit the boys, all of them, while we went!
We wanted to go to the Tulip Festival again on Saturday to meet a group of special needs kids. Chloe's mom Tara (Of Kidz fame) was trying to throw something together for everyone to meet. Get it, tulips, "Welcome to Holland", awesome. However, we woke up to several inches of snow! So sad...
Meanwhile, drama drama drama. Dylan's school has refused to feed her by mouth. It wasn't a big deal or a battle I wanted to take on until just recently when it's been difficult to give her a full feeding before school and she gets hungry. So I faxed something in to the hospital so they will send the school her Upper GI study which is not a swallow study, but it's all we have. She told me they make kids have swallow studies before they feed them... They are afraid of a child aspirating and them being liable. Well, I don't want to do a swallow study... Aside from me just plain old not wanting to, it wouldn't produce accurate results because it's not food she's used to and the nurse feeds her! There are a couple other reasons too, but over all, it's just not necessary! So I sent a very stern e-mail to the woman who runs the special ed program, stern is by Matt's description... stern is good, abrasive is not, and I was walking a fine line. I went all mama bear on them and stuff. We will see where it gets me. This is just ridiculous.
He was sitting on the couch watching TV, one hand on the drink and one on the remote. I was trying to get a picture of that, but I got busted.
Sleeping baby, awwwwe. Incidentally, this is one of the blankets gifted to him from Jessica. I get compliments on it everywhere I go. Everywhere.
My (very) blue eyed baby. There's still time for them to change, think they are going to? I tell you, I am thinking not!
Cousin Jenna snuggling up before bed
It was snowy so I brought the slide in. It's still quite a bit too big for Ian. I can't get him to climb the steps and I have to catch him. It was a failure of a snowy day activity. At least Duncan has fun on it though!
I know the shirts bad, but that face! We have cut 3 of the four canine teeth and can't wait for the drool to stop!
Here's the note:
I don't know if you'll find this silly or not, but I figured I'd tell you anyways and let you laugh at me if you want. LOL. Dylie walking really motivated me to get off my couch and exercise this entire last month. I just thought that it's so silly that I have the ability to walk as I please, but I wasn't taking advantage of that. So anyway, I've only lost 3 pounds this month (BFing does NOT help me lose weight and instead makes it harder) but those 3 pounds are a direct result of Dylie's tenacity! Thanks for sharing her with the world.
So thanks for taking the time to write this Jamie - I love to get this kind of feedback, knowing that Dylan has motivated and touched someone is the best possible thing I could possibly be told. I would never laugh at you... and I better use YOU as an example and get cracking myself!
As a random thought, I just want to mention how awesome it is watching all my kids together. They are all so caring and love each other so much. I think it's beyond amazing when I see one of them do something so sweet, when it's not expected or, in some case, something I didn't even think they were capable of.
Dylan is very aware of her brothers and she does this thing when she's looking at them, and she tilts her head to the side, puffs out her cheeks and leans in really close to try and get them to look at her. She does it to Asher when she's checking him out. Then, the other day I saw her doing this to Ian and then she took a couple small knee steps to him, open mouth kissed him on the forehead and then turned and knee walked away. (Megan even saw, I have a witness!) It was such a special moment! (Whether Ian noticed or not... he so didn't.) She will also look when people say her name now where previously it didn't get much of a response unless she recognized your voice and wanted to come see you (ie, Michael, Matthew) but just the other morning my mom was over and said something to her while she was on my lap. She just looked at my mom and smiled.
Duncan's giving her quite a bit of practice at this name recognition stuff because he calls her name a LOT. He always wants her watching him when they are in the same room. It's really cute... and she likes that he's interacting with her. It's still a bit of a struggle with Duncan not knowing his own strength when it comes to the other boys but with Dylan he's very nice, even tender some times. He very rarely is rough with her and when he is, it's more of a lean in to her to see if she's ready to rough house.
Ian though, Ian teases Dylan, he will take something, show her and then run away and she will follow after him. It's very naughty. But, the other day, she really wanted something he had. He wasn't in the mood to tease apparently because he walked over to the toys, picked up her beloved cow and handed it to her and walked away. Realizing that she would no longer follow him. Amazing! I really didn't think he would come to that on his own, especially this early, since it's something we had to teach Duncan fairly recently. I was very impressed.
Over all though, he's a very caring little guy. He's been very gentle with Asher, rubbing the top of his head. He went through a brief stage of whapping him on the face, but it's back to the gentle rubbing. He's very careful. Same with Owen, he knows they are babies... Even when Dylan's face down throwing a fit (her very typical "I just need to go to sleep" fit position) he will walk up to her, lean over and rub her back gently. Really. And then he will just move on to playing with whatever he was playing with in the room.
I try to keep it cool when I am being yelled at by Dylan because I want the boys to keep cool in a sometime chaotic environment. We don't always know what a fit is about so we try to do what we can and move on and give her a minute if we can't solve her problem. Ian is obviously picking up on this.
This is turning into a brain dump on how great my kids are with each other but I can't help it. I start writing one thing and I am reminded of another example, and another... I am really proud of them what can I say?
Moving on... We did get the feeding pump for Dylan. I was just sick and tired of her losing it all over in the morning and I am hoping that nightly feedings will keep things moving along. I can work around a smaller breakfast most days, but school presents a different problem because she needs to last from when she gets breakfast to when we get home. Finally Matthew gave the okay. He was the hold out, not wanting yet another medical contraption in the house for his little girl.
Because she wanders around at night we will need to get those gates you can put together to make a 'pen' for your toddler and put it around her bed. That way, if she gets out of bed while she's hooked up to the pump she can't go very far. She has a tendency to go over to the door, we aren't sure why... it could be that she knows where it is, it could be the teensy light from the smoke detector or maybe light from under the door? We keep her room pitch black because she will get out less that way.
Until we get the gate, I have been using the pump at least once a day to give her slower feedings. If she is tired I will hook her up and have her feed go in over an hour or if she konks out for the evening I will have it go in over two. I am hoping just doing the feedings slower will help but I am sure it's more comfortable for her anyway. We need a good weigh in in a couple of weeks to find out, I think she's due for the Spina Bifida Clinic in May.
We have a routine going where she gets up at about 5:30 in the morning and I give her an extra 2.5 ounces to get things moving and get a few extra calories in. If anything I am sure it makes her feel better in the couple hours before the rest of the world wakes right? She may or may no go back to sleep... I have no idea. Unless she's sad, I go back to sleep!
I also took Dylan to get fitted for new AFO's. We go through a company that makes the AFO's in house, from what I understand most send them away, and we have few choices on the pattern. Instead of the same butterflies we opted for a blue pattern with pink butterflies. I need to make an appointment to pick them up in a couple of weeks. Shout out to grandma LouAnn who came here to sit the boys, all of them, while we went!
We wanted to go to the Tulip Festival again on Saturday to meet a group of special needs kids. Chloe's mom Tara (Of Kidz fame) was trying to throw something together for everyone to meet. Get it, tulips, "Welcome to Holland", awesome. However, we woke up to several inches of snow! So sad...
Meanwhile, drama drama drama. Dylan's school has refused to feed her by mouth. It wasn't a big deal or a battle I wanted to take on until just recently when it's been difficult to give her a full feeding before school and she gets hungry. So I faxed something in to the hospital so they will send the school her Upper GI study which is not a swallow study, but it's all we have. She told me they make kids have swallow studies before they feed them... They are afraid of a child aspirating and them being liable. Well, I don't want to do a swallow study... Aside from me just plain old not wanting to, it wouldn't produce accurate results because it's not food she's used to and the nurse feeds her! There are a couple other reasons too, but over all, it's just not necessary! So I sent a very stern e-mail to the woman who runs the special ed program, stern is by Matt's description... stern is good, abrasive is not, and I was walking a fine line. I went all mama bear on them and stuff. We will see where it gets me. This is just ridiculous.
He was sitting on the couch watching TV, one hand on the drink and one on the remote. I was trying to get a picture of that, but I got busted.
Sleeping baby, awwwwe. Incidentally, this is one of the blankets gifted to him from Jessica. I get compliments on it everywhere I go. Everywhere.
My (very) blue eyed baby. There's still time for them to change, think they are going to? I tell you, I am thinking not!
Cousin Jenna snuggling up before bed
It was snowy so I brought the slide in. It's still quite a bit too big for Ian. I can't get him to climb the steps and I have to catch him. It was a failure of a snowy day activity. At least Duncan has fun on it though!
I know the shirts bad, but that face! We have cut 3 of the four canine teeth and can't wait for the drool to stop!
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