Day 2...Kid Update

Two days in a row...so far, so good.

This is more of a kid update. We started Benjamin on folic acid therapy recently. He's been gaining some words here and there, so I was hoping by starting it, maybe he would soon start putting 2 words together...if he responds the way we've seen Ian respond to it. He was so cute the other day because he imitated what he always hears Ian say after a video has stopped..."uh-oh, stopped!" So cute! I also just got loaned to me an auditory device from our early childhood intervention program. Or maybe it's called augmentory...not sure. Anyway, it's suppose to help with language by having him work on making a choice between 2 items, push the button with the picture of his choice, and hearing the item (plus, we'll add the word "please" to make it 2 words). Goal is that since he's a good imitator, he'll start to imitate what he hears on the device.

Benjamin has also the process to begin the PPCD program (same program Ian started in) at school. As I look at Benjamin, it's so hard for me to imagine Ian that little starting school (Pre-K). As soon as he turns 3 in April, he can start the program. We're so excited to be able to be working with the same teacher Ian had for 3 years. She's just wonderful. And, of course, there's a lot of nervousness because Benjamin and Ian are so different. But I've no doubt it'll be great for him.

Avery is just doing wonderfully....well, if you take out the huge amount of 'attitude' she's gained. :) I was so proud because her Pre-K sent home a note letting us know the kids will be working on learning their phone number....Avery already knows hers, and her address. Hopefully she'll 'show off' her knowledge instead of being shy and acting like she doesn't know it. She's been such a good big and little sister to the boys. She's so loving and caring toward them (when they're not fighting of course). Her and Benjamin are best buds.

Ian is doing great in school. We started working on recognizing numbers at home. I figured out that he can count really well, but he can't recognize that a written number actually stands for something. So, we've been working on the #1 for a couple of weeks now. I made this huge #1 and put it on the wall. Then I spelled the word out and put 1 dinosaur with it. Everyday we would go over it. Everyday he would say every other number but 1. We had a breakthrough 2 days ago! He only called it a 4 before then calling it a 1. I was sooooo proud!

We went to the neurologist a few weeks ago (which is always a waste of my time...gotta find a new one). I told him we would like to switch him off the guanfacine and back to clonodine. Of course, he didn't argue with me (since I know more than him in this area). We think it has helped him out at school by taking partial dose in the morning, then another 4-5 hours later. We've loved it at night because he's practically back to wanting to put himself to bed.

Once again, I'd better end before you decide to quit reading!

New Attempt

Okay, I've been out of the loop for a long time now. Thanks to encouragement from my friend Kathie, I'm ready to start making time for this again. So much going on. Bummer is, with such an open blog, I don't feel safe to post some of it. So, those thoughts and feelings stay to myself...and privied friends.

So, I went scrapbooking this past weekend to the same place I blogged about back several months ago. My friend, Jill, did a wonderful job organizing it, as usual. This group of women was competely different from the usual twice a year crew. Both are unique and fun and great in their own ways. This happened to be a group of 10 others, most of whom I knew the names, but didn't know personally, or barely knew. They happened to be a group I've highly admired for their servant hearts and uncompromising godly characters. So, I felt a bit intimidated going in. Everyone, including myself, was so incredibly blessed by the time we spent with each other. Lots of fun, fellowship, meaningful conversation and just plain silliness. Did I get much done? Ummm, no, but that's okay. I'll be going again in April. Maybe I'll catch up then.

Next thing: My niece (the 20 year old that got married last year and was diagnosed as a carrier) just had her baby this morning at 12:20am. She had a baby girl and named her Adelin Sage (not sure how to spell either). I can't wait to see her.

Next: Ian's program coordinator asked Jim today if we thought we might want to keep Ian in kindergarten another year. AMEN! That's exactly what we were going to ask for.

Next: Our family is transitioning to a new church that has (so far from what we've seen) an incredible special needs program called Special by Design. Although we adore our previous church, we have noticed that we have been so 'overwhelmed' by life that other than attending church on Sundays, we have not sought out ways to serve or fellowship. Even with our homegroup, we started alternating each week between the 2 of us because it gets hard on the kids. So, we heard about the caring SN support at this church, decided to attend, and are now looking for ways to serve to see if the Lord leads us to stay.

I think if I don't end now, this might end up being way to long for my jump back in. So ta-ta for now.