And Jill Came Tumbling Down
Yesterday morning Lauren fell down the steps again. Yes, that makes 3 times in 3 months. I mentioned it to Doc (the Neurologist) and asked if he thought I should have her tested for dyspraxia. It is referred to has Clumsy Child Syndrome. We talked about all the things that are worrying me. It's not just the stairs. She trips all the time. She's fallen in the tub once or twice this year. He agreed that it is more than normal. With Brandon having it, it is likely that she would have similar problems. He wrote and note for her regular doc and asked me to talk to him about who he wanted to do the eval. He said I could bring her in again if I wanted. I guess it might mean that I will need to find time to get her back into physical therapy. Maybe they can help her with some of the gross motor skills problems. We'll see.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
He Used That Word
I know. We had discussed the possibility before. I sort knew it was coming, but part of me hoped it wouldn't. We went to see the Neurologist yesterday. We discussed that Brandon was still having problems with reading more than any other subject. He started having Brandon look at some charts and having him try to read different things. He then looked at me and said he was dyslexic. Like he really needed one more thing to deal with. He told Brandon that he was dyslexic too and I mentioned that so was I. Still, I feel a little depressed this morning. Today I will call the school and have them add it to the list. On the bright side, I mentioned how good Brandon is doing in math and he started giving Brandon some math word problems. Brandon got everyone right. Doc said the one was a 4th grade math problem. Pretty cool. He might have been guessing, but he did get all three right. Otherwise, things are good. He is gaining weight and height. There are no changes in meds, so we just need to keep doing what we are doing.
I know. We had discussed the possibility before. I sort knew it was coming, but part of me hoped it wouldn't. We went to see the Neurologist yesterday. We discussed that Brandon was still having problems with reading more than any other subject. He started having Brandon look at some charts and having him try to read different things. He then looked at me and said he was dyslexic. Like he really needed one more thing to deal with. He told Brandon that he was dyslexic too and I mentioned that so was I. Still, I feel a little depressed this morning. Today I will call the school and have them add it to the list. On the bright side, I mentioned how good Brandon is doing in math and he started giving Brandon some math word problems. Brandon got everyone right. Doc said the one was a 4th grade math problem. Pretty cool. He might have been guessing, but he did get all three right. Otherwise, things are good. He is gaining weight and height. There are no changes in meds, so we just need to keep doing what we are doing.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
SBD Lessons
Now I know my house is a little more lacks then some. But the gas situation has gotten out of control. The other night I had a little woman to woman talk with Lauren about Ladies and gas. Yes, it was one of those talks I don't remember my Mom having with me and I never expected to have to have. This being said, I told Lauren that Ladies do not make loud noises out in the open. They either have to leave the room or learn to be quiet about it. I swear she can be the loudest in the family at times. It's really shocking. So after I try to explain the art of the SBD I explain that she needs to start to practice. I guess it's going OK. Now every once in a while she looks at me and says, "hey, I did it". Great, . . .I'm so proud.
Now I know my house is a little more lacks then some. But the gas situation has gotten out of control. The other night I had a little woman to woman talk with Lauren about Ladies and gas. Yes, it was one of those talks I don't remember my Mom having with me and I never expected to have to have. This being said, I told Lauren that Ladies do not make loud noises out in the open. They either have to leave the room or learn to be quiet about it. I swear she can be the loudest in the family at times. It's really shocking. So after I try to explain the art of the SBD I explain that she needs to start to practice. I guess it's going OK. Now every once in a while she looks at me and says, "hey, I did it". Great, . . .I'm so proud.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Brandon On The Boat
Last Friday night Brandon and Jim went on a Boy Scout over night at the Battleship New Jersey. Pretty Cool. Brandon seemed to enjoy himself. Jim got no sleep due to Brandon not being able to sleep. Seems Brandon had the runs and was just too excited. When they got home, Jim just went upstairs and slept for 4 hours. Brandon sat down and told me all about what he had seen. At one point he couldn't think of the word he wanted and started snapping his fingers and then he looked at me and pointed at his teeth. I said "dentist" and it was right. It was great. He was able to cue me to give him the word. We then were able to go through the other stuff he saw with me cuing him from time to time. The next day he got a sore throat from the outside part of the tour, but all in all it went well.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Second Blog
So now I have started a second blog. It's just for the Genealogy stuff. I figure to post about the people I am researching about and see what happens. I would love it if I could find other people looking for the same people. They have to be out there. It can be found here http://www.ifinddeadpeople.blogspot.com/. Come and visit if you get a chance.
So now I have started a second blog. It's just for the Genealogy stuff. I figure to post about the people I am researching about and see what happens. I would love it if I could find other people looking for the same people. They have to be out there. It can be found here http://www.ifinddeadpeople.blogspot.com/. Come and visit if you get a chance.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Brandon Update
I occurs to me that I really haven't posted lately on the progress Brandon has been making. It really has been incredible. He has started reading small CVC words. He even can read some 4 letter words. The teachers wrote a note home that he has started to learn how to write in cursive. I do find if funny the his hand writing is neater than the other two. He seems to always have two stars for Math. At home we have started using some of Lauren's flash cards and doing really well. He has been really excited about the stuff he has been learning in health, science and social studies. Some favorites are anatomy and Benjamin Franklin. This morning he was telling me all about Martin Luther King Jr. He even came home yesterday and said he tied some shoes in OT. Boy scouts has been really great. He really loves all the things they do and wants to go to camp this year. We are thinking about boy scout camp, but also his school is having a camp expo of all the special needs camps in the area. I think we will go and see what's out there. Maybe he can do a week at both. Later this month we have our bi-annual appointment with the Neurologist. The one thing that really makes me smile is that a couple of years ago, I remember just wishing I could hold a conversation with Brandon. Back then it was next to impossible. Today we sit down and talk about his day and what he's learning. I still have to help with prompts when he can't come up with the word, but we do get through it and continue. Back then he would just get frustrated and give up. Now, he can be like a jabber box.
I occurs to me that I really haven't posted lately on the progress Brandon has been making. It really has been incredible. He has started reading small CVC words. He even can read some 4 letter words. The teachers wrote a note home that he has started to learn how to write in cursive. I do find if funny the his hand writing is neater than the other two. He seems to always have two stars for Math. At home we have started using some of Lauren's flash cards and doing really well. He has been really excited about the stuff he has been learning in health, science and social studies. Some favorites are anatomy and Benjamin Franklin. This morning he was telling me all about Martin Luther King Jr. He even came home yesterday and said he tied some shoes in OT. Boy scouts has been really great. He really loves all the things they do and wants to go to camp this year. We are thinking about boy scout camp, but also his school is having a camp expo of all the special needs camps in the area. I think we will go and see what's out there. Maybe he can do a week at both. Later this month we have our bi-annual appointment with the Neurologist. The one thing that really makes me smile is that a couple of years ago, I remember just wishing I could hold a conversation with Brandon. Back then it was next to impossible. Today we sit down and talk about his day and what he's learning. I still have to help with prompts when he can't come up with the word, but we do get through it and continue. Back then he would just get frustrated and give up. Now, he can be like a jabber box.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Lauren's Day
As you know, Lauren's day didn't start out to good. When I got to the school to pick her up, I noticed that she was starting to cry again. My first thought was the hair again, but asked her what was wrong. The tears really started then as she told me that the zipper on her coat just broke. I look at her coat and saw the zipper was half way up and not zipping either way. I worked with it for a minute and determined that this coat was done. If you haven't heard, PA is in the middle of a super cold period. Not the time for a kid to have a coat that won't zip. I start telling her that it's not her fault and we would have to just get her a new coat. I get home and inform Jim that I will be going out tonight to find Lauren a new coat. He made a face, but agreed. We did go out and found her a new coat. The silver lining was that it was 60% off, which was great considering I had to get her an adult coat. Oh, by the way. I didn't get off easy about the hair. While I was cooking dinner, Lauren came and sat in the kitchen. I asked what was up and she started in on me. "You yelled at me this morning and hurt my feelings". This prompted a discussion about why I yelled at her and how she should be responsible for her own hygiene. At least we had a good talk. Here's the new coat.
As you know, Lauren's day didn't start out to good. When I got to the school to pick her up, I noticed that she was starting to cry again. My first thought was the hair again, but asked her what was wrong. The tears really started then as she told me that the zipper on her coat just broke. I look at her coat and saw the zipper was half way up and not zipping either way. I worked with it for a minute and determined that this coat was done. If you haven't heard, PA is in the middle of a super cold period. Not the time for a kid to have a coat that won't zip. I start telling her that it's not her fault and we would have to just get her a new coat. I get home and inform Jim that I will be going out tonight to find Lauren a new coat. He made a face, but agreed. We did go out and found her a new coat. The silver lining was that it was 60% off, which was great considering I had to get her an adult coat. Oh, by the way. I didn't get off easy about the hair. While I was cooking dinner, Lauren came and sat in the kitchen. I asked what was up and she started in on me. "You yelled at me this morning and hurt my feelings". This prompted a discussion about why I yelled at her and how she should be responsible for her own hygiene. At least we had a good talk. Here's the new coat.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
What to do About the Hair
Lauren is presently have an issue with her hair. She has decided that she wants to grow it long. The problem is she is not one for brushing real well. Lately I have been finding HUGE knots in the back of her hair. She seems to take the brush and go over the top part but not the underside. I tried to have her flip her hair over and brush, but she fails to re-brush after she flips back. We're using conditioners and that's not helping. This morning I asked if she had brushed her hair and the response was yes. When it came time to leave for the bus I noticed a huge mat by her ear in the underside of her hair. I lost my patience at that point and ended up yelling at her while I brushed her hair at the bus stop. Of course she just can't handle being yelled at and was in tears. Now I feel bad. GUILT. Think we might need to rethink the whole long hair thing. What do you think?????
Lauren is presently have an issue with her hair. She has decided that she wants to grow it long. The problem is she is not one for brushing real well. Lately I have been finding HUGE knots in the back of her hair. She seems to take the brush and go over the top part but not the underside. I tried to have her flip her hair over and brush, but she fails to re-brush after she flips back. We're using conditioners and that's not helping. This morning I asked if she had brushed her hair and the response was yes. When it came time to leave for the bus I noticed a huge mat by her ear in the underside of her hair. I lost my patience at that point and ended up yelling at her while I brushed her hair at the bus stop. Of course she just can't handle being yelled at and was in tears. Now I feel bad. GUILT. Think we might need to rethink the whole long hair thing. What do you think?????
Disqualified
There are some things that a mother should not be woken up to. Two nights ago, Brandon woke me up at 4:15 am and said "Mommy, I disqualified". My response, after a 10 second delay (it took that long to register), was "Oh Crap". For those that don't understand, disqualifying is done when one is trying to make a "gassy" and something else comes out. So my response was appropriate. This is my family, and I love them. Really.
There are some things that a mother should not be woken up to. Two nights ago, Brandon woke me up at 4:15 am and said "Mommy, I disqualified". My response, after a 10 second delay (it took that long to register), was "Oh Crap". For those that don't understand, disqualifying is done when one is trying to make a "gassy" and something else comes out. So my response was appropriate. This is my family, and I love them. Really.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
The Bold and The Beautiful
Last night Lauren and I went to pick up her new glasses. Unfortunately, she seems to have my eyes. That would be the eyes of a bat. Last year at this time she got her first pair and was already 20/100. The school nurse sent home a sheet this year and said she was 20/100 with the glasses on, so Jim took her in for another exam. She went up another 3 points. NOT GOOD. Of course the problem is that she is falling so fast and our insurance only allows 1 exam a year. Not sure that's going to do it at the rate she's falling. It did pay for two pair of glasses and Jim let her pick both out. She decided on one bold pair for everyday and one more reserved pair for church and dress up days. So here she is in her new glasses. See if you can tell which pair is which.
Oh, Yes I Did
For Christmas, my good friend Shannon sent me a 1 lb. Sugar Daddy. It is one of my favorite types of candy. You people can keep your chocolate, I will take the caramel. Anyway, I know most people my age would not even think of really eating it. NOT ME. I started sucking on it two nights ago. I have to be careful not to pull out any teeth, but, man it's good. Jim keeps telling me I'm going to throw off my blood sugar, and I did feel it the next morning, but it was worth it. So far I really have only put a dent in the thing. We'll see how long it takes me to eat the whole thing. Thanks Shannon
For Christmas, my good friend Shannon sent me a 1 lb. Sugar Daddy. It is one of my favorite types of candy. You people can keep your chocolate, I will take the caramel. Anyway, I know most people my age would not even think of really eating it. NOT ME. I started sucking on it two nights ago. I have to be careful not to pull out any teeth, but, man it's good. Jim keeps telling me I'm going to throw off my blood sugar, and I did feel it the next morning, but it was worth it. So far I really have only put a dent in the thing. We'll see how long it takes me to eat the whole thing. Thanks Shannon
Monday, January 05, 2009
List Mis-Uses
I am a list person. Let's just get that out of the way up front. I make list everyday; work, home, you name it. If I didn't, I would never get anything done. It's the only way I can stay organized. My family has gotten to know this and are now starting to mis-use the lists I keep. For Christmas I had two lists going. One for what we were going to eat and what times they needed to go into the oven. I had another list for what I needed to do, such as set the table or peel the potatoes. Sometime after lunch Christmas day, Jim's mom noticed that "someone" had added that I should hug my husband. Yeah, like I had time for that. So I did it and then added "Give wife a back rub" to the list, and funny, that never happened. Big Surprise. Over the weekend I was talking to Lauren and said that I had so much to do and her response was to make a list. That's my girl!!!! So we got out my list paper and started writing all the stuff that needed to get done. The next part of the list is to assign letters next to each item for the person that should be responsible for the item. That way everyone knows what they need to do and everyone see that everyone is pitching in. A couple of hours later I notice that Arion and Lauren have been adding things to the list that really don't belong there and assigning it to one another. GREAT. Like this is going to help me get through another list. Did I mention how happy I will be when everyone gets back to school.
I am a list person. Let's just get that out of the way up front. I make list everyday; work, home, you name it. If I didn't, I would never get anything done. It's the only way I can stay organized. My family has gotten to know this and are now starting to mis-use the lists I keep. For Christmas I had two lists going. One for what we were going to eat and what times they needed to go into the oven. I had another list for what I needed to do, such as set the table or peel the potatoes. Sometime after lunch Christmas day, Jim's mom noticed that "someone" had added that I should hug my husband. Yeah, like I had time for that. So I did it and then added "Give wife a back rub" to the list, and funny, that never happened. Big Surprise. Over the weekend I was talking to Lauren and said that I had so much to do and her response was to make a list. That's my girl!!!! So we got out my list paper and started writing all the stuff that needed to get done. The next part of the list is to assign letters next to each item for the person that should be responsible for the item. That way everyone knows what they need to do and everyone see that everyone is pitching in. A couple of hours later I notice that Arion and Lauren have been adding things to the list that really don't belong there and assigning it to one another. GREAT. Like this is going to help me get through another list. Did I mention how happy I will be when everyone gets back to school.
Silver Lining to Boring Meeting
Let's start this little post by stating that about a month ago I couldn't find my Ipod. It really was upsetting. I remember putting it in my purse, but couldn't find it anywhere. Super Uterus was definitely not working. I was scared that I lost it in some graveyard, because that was the last place I remember using it.
So I was in this boring meeting the other day. Once a week we have to go to the head office to discuss how we are doing and if there are any problems. I really was ready to leave and had just grabbed my bag and purse and put them on the table. That's when a new round of some discussion started. I sat back down, wishing they would just stop so I could get out of there. As I half listened, I noticed a zipper on my purse. I started to think "what's that zipper to". "Was it always there". "I wonder what was in there." So of course I slowly pulled the purse over and started to open it without anyone noticing that I was now paying NO attention to their discussion. Low and Behold, there was my Ipod and all the lipsticks that I thought I had lost. Funny I don't remember putting them in there. Didn't even remember that zipper being in the front under that flap.
The lesson for today is that sometimes boring meetings have their purpose. You can clear you mind and find things you had totally forgotten about. To reward myself, I downloaded 4 more songs.
Let's start this little post by stating that about a month ago I couldn't find my Ipod. It really was upsetting. I remember putting it in my purse, but couldn't find it anywhere. Super Uterus was definitely not working. I was scared that I lost it in some graveyard, because that was the last place I remember using it.
So I was in this boring meeting the other day. Once a week we have to go to the head office to discuss how we are doing and if there are any problems. I really was ready to leave and had just grabbed my bag and purse and put them on the table. That's when a new round of some discussion started. I sat back down, wishing they would just stop so I could get out of there. As I half listened, I noticed a zipper on my purse. I started to think "what's that zipper to". "Was it always there". "I wonder what was in there." So of course I slowly pulled the purse over and started to open it without anyone noticing that I was now paying NO attention to their discussion. Low and Behold, there was my Ipod and all the lipsticks that I thought I had lost. Funny I don't remember putting them in there. Didn't even remember that zipper being in the front under that flap.
The lesson for today is that sometimes boring meetings have their purpose. You can clear you mind and find things you had totally forgotten about. To reward myself, I downloaded 4 more songs.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Just Catching Up on Things
It's really been a crazy Christmas season. I feel like I just stopped running. It didn't help that Brandon got really sick right before Christmas. I have never seen him so sick. I really thought we would be spending Christmas in the hospital. Luckily, it's pretty much gone now. So I guess I should catch everyone up on the happenings.
Let's see, we made gingerbread houses.
The girls scouts went caroling at one of the assisted living facilities.
Brandon's school had a concert on his birthday.
We later celebrated his birthday later. He really loved the snowboard and can't wait for the snow to come.
Christmas was good. Everyone got what they wanted. Nana spent the night and enjoyed our crazy morning and dinner with the big family. Jim and I really didn't exchange to save money. We have agreed that if we see something down the road we are each able to buy something small in the after sales.
We went to Mary's for new year's eve. We had a great dinner and then came home to watch the ball drop. Lauren and I fell asleep on the couch and Brandon and Dad got caught up on Survivorman and missed it too.
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