When Little Bit was learning to walk, we called him a "walkin' fool". Now he has a new nickname to add. We went to an event on our town hall's lawn that had a band. Took him a while to warm up, but then Little Bit really got into the groove.
In case you don't recognize it, thats Elmo's "Turn Around and Fall Down Dance" Oh, and the crazy feet in the sandals in the back belong to big brother.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
I knew it had been a long time...
but I didn't realize how long. Its been a busy couple of months. There is definitely less time for blogging with all three boys home. Galileo did robotics camp and Maestro did gymnastics camp for two weeks. The first week I was able to car pool. The second week I was on my own. One day (most days actually) Little Bit and I spent 3 hours in the car shuttling.
Now were are in the mode of 3 day/week swim lessons, staying at the pool, fighting, TV, fighting computer, reading, fighting, playing in the yard, fighting. You get the picture.
I must say the slip n slide and Cranium's Mega Fort have been awesome today. The mega fort has encouraged more cooperative and pretend play than I have seen all summer. I have been feeling guilty that we haven't gone on more outings, but today when asked what they wanted to do the kids chose, slip n slide, fort and pool. Good for us parental units as I have tons to do in the house and Daddy is bone tired. He is napping the afternoon away. When the sun goes down a little bit more, I'm going to wake him so we can head to the pool. The boys and I are all getting way too much sun this summer no matter how much sun screen I apply.
I have also been dealing with some health problems the last few months. This has made it very hard to do more than just "survive". A lot of nights, I don't even cook dinner, when Craig gets home, I head upstairs and collapse. This leaves the poor man who has worked all day, commuted an hour plus in the heat to then come home feed children and get them to bed. He has been a trooper though. I hope to be on the mend soon and am all ready doing better. I just have to rest, eat well, stay hydrated and remember to take my meds. Those are always good things to do.
Anyway, I am sure I need to fold something, clean something or feed someone.
Now were are in the mode of 3 day/week swim lessons, staying at the pool, fighting, TV, fighting computer, reading, fighting, playing in the yard, fighting. You get the picture.
I must say the slip n slide and Cranium's Mega Fort have been awesome today. The mega fort has encouraged more cooperative and pretend play than I have seen all summer. I have been feeling guilty that we haven't gone on more outings, but today when asked what they wanted to do the kids chose, slip n slide, fort and pool. Good for us parental units as I have tons to do in the house and Daddy is bone tired. He is napping the afternoon away. When the sun goes down a little bit more, I'm going to wake him so we can head to the pool. The boys and I are all getting way too much sun this summer no matter how much sun screen I apply.
I have also been dealing with some health problems the last few months. This has made it very hard to do more than just "survive". A lot of nights, I don't even cook dinner, when Craig gets home, I head upstairs and collapse. This leaves the poor man who has worked all day, commuted an hour plus in the heat to then come home feed children and get them to bed. He has been a trooper though. I hope to be on the mend soon and am all ready doing better. I just have to rest, eat well, stay hydrated and remember to take my meds. Those are always good things to do.
Anyway, I am sure I need to fold something, clean something or feed someone.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mother's Day Part Two
By Maya Angelou
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
something perfect to wear
if the employer,
or date of her dreams
wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE . .
a youth she's content to leave behind....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill,
and a black lace bra...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
one friend who always makes her laugh..
and one who lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a good piece of furniture
not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
a feeling of
control over her destiny..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship.. .
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder...
and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...
but it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do
for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
how to live alone...
even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods....
when her soul needs
soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...
Happy mother's day everyone.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mothers Day
My Mother's Day Gifts
And actually I think Galileo may have forgotten to give me something he made at school. Craig let me sleep in, scrubbed the kitchen floor and watched the boys for most of the day. I made my mom's pineapple chicken salad for my "Gourmet Gals" get together tonight. The theme was "Mother's Day" and we were supposed to bring a recipe of our mothers'. I was nervous about how to serve the salad. I knew we needed more appetizers, so I put it in endive "boats" and put a candied pecan on top. It was fun to cook and experiment when I didn't have to worry about cooking a whole healthy meal and when I knew people would be nice about it even if they didn't like it. It turned out really well, and I actually got some compliments. I'm glad I added the candied pecans as they were the complimented the most. We had good wine, good food and great conversation. This is only our second month, but I'm really enjoying it and so glad I went!
So glad Little Bit was well enough for me to go. He is finally mostly over his illness, although he is still really picky over what he will eat. I'm not sure I should send him to the baby sitter tomorrow just because he is still not eating much.
So glad Little Bit was well enough for me to go. He is finally mostly over his illness, although he is still really picky over what he will eat. I'm not sure I should send him to the baby sitter tomorrow just because he is still not eating much.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Home!
Little Bit is still sick, but he is well enough to be home. He is miserable, and it is looking to be a long night, but at least I will be in my own bed when he doesn't need me!
I got huge hugs from Maestro and Galileo. I actually got tears in my eyes as we were hugging and I realized just how much I missed them. Then, they started fighting on the way home from school and I thought "the hospital wasn't so bad" ;-)
I'm not sure hubby gets just how hard and exhausting it was. I starting crying when we got home for no reason - just exhaustion and letting out the stress I guess. He was sweet then in his understated way. I just hope he will be done working soon and be able to spell me. 3 hours sleep in 3 days does not a happy mommy make!
I got huge hugs from Maestro and Galileo. I actually got tears in my eyes as we were hugging and I realized just how much I missed them. Then, they started fighting on the way home from school and I thought "the hospital wasn't so bad" ;-)
I'm not sure hubby gets just how hard and exhausting it was. I starting crying when we got home for no reason - just exhaustion and letting out the stress I guess. He was sweet then in his understated way. I just hope he will be done working soon and be able to spell me. 3 hours sleep in 3 days does not a happy mommy make!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
still here
It was a long rough roller coaster of a day. He seemed better, his labs were much improved, he was eating etc. Then he vomitted and the diarhea started again. They had stopped the IV, but then restarted it. The line blew the nurse had to take it out. They still haven't replaced it. Who knows if we will leave tomorrow?
Good news/bad news: we won't be getting a roommate because it is the highly contagious rotavirus.
Wearing down my blackberry battery. Post more tomorrow.
Good news/bad news: we won't be getting a roommate because it is the highly contagious rotavirus.
Wearing down my blackberry battery. Post more tomorrow.
Poor Poor Little Bit
Posting from my blackberry so this will be short. Currently in the hospital with LB. He has a stomach virus and got really dehydrated. Poor thing lost a pound+ since Saturday. Doc sent us to the ER for IV hydration. His labs came back so low he had to be admitted. They said up to 48 hours. I've slept about 90 minutes in the last es hours. We got a new roommate at around 3 AM. I finally got LB back to sleep and now the other little one is sleeping so I guess I should too. I'm sure rounds will start soon. ;)
Friday, April 18, 2008
Ask and Ye Shall Receive
Since adopting from Ethiopia, a friend has become quite the cook of Ethiopian cuisine. We were there for dinner last night and when she asked how much pizza my kids would eat, I told her Galileo would actually prefer Missir Wet (a spicy lentil stew) and Injera (the spongy flat bread the food is eaten with instead of utensils) if she had any. He and I then both got delicious food including the missir, injera, shiro (a yummy concoction made from chick pea powder) and beef tibs. When I asked where she gets her ingredients, she gave me berbere (the spice powder), shiro a list of recipes and a mini cooking lesson. She also sent home some missir wet with us. Yummy! Thank you Randi!
I had asked my Ethiopian babysitter about berbere earlier in the day and she gave me a little tub of paste she makes from the berbere powder her friends bring her from home. Maestro and I stopped at a small Ethiopian restaurant and bought some injera for Galileo. He had wanted to take the Missir for lunch today until he realized we had no injera to eat it with. I think I can handle making the missir and shiro, but the injera may be beyond me. I may try with the boys this summer as a cooking/science lesson, but I'm not sure we will be successful. Anyway, I'm feeling a little silly since my only connection with Ethiopia is my friend and her adopted kids, but I'm still excited to learn. Mostly I'm thrilled to have a yummy way to get protein into Galileo that he won't complain about.
Unfortunately I won't get to try my cooking skills right away since we leave for my mother's right after soccer tomorrow, but hopefully sometime next week, I will be able to try.
I had asked my Ethiopian babysitter about berbere earlier in the day and she gave me a little tub of paste she makes from the berbere powder her friends bring her from home. Maestro and I stopped at a small Ethiopian restaurant and bought some injera for Galileo. He had wanted to take the Missir for lunch today until he realized we had no injera to eat it with. I think I can handle making the missir and shiro, but the injera may be beyond me. I may try with the boys this summer as a cooking/science lesson, but I'm not sure we will be successful. Anyway, I'm feeling a little silly since my only connection with Ethiopia is my friend and her adopted kids, but I'm still excited to learn. Mostly I'm thrilled to have a yummy way to get protein into Galileo that he won't complain about.
Unfortunately I won't get to try my cooking skills right away since we leave for my mother's right after soccer tomorrow, but hopefully sometime next week, I will be able to try.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Such A Sweet Day!
We met some good friends of ours at Hershey Park today for Springtime in the park. It was a great day. We just got in and got the boys to bed. I hope to share more tomorrow.
We took the Chocolate tour at the end of the day.
Little Bit completely passed out.
The adults are tired. The big boys are ready for more fun!
We took the Chocolate tour at the end of the day. Little Bit completely passed out.
The adults are tired. The big boys are ready for more fun!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Well THAT was embarrassing
My car was a complete pit. Seriously, it needed to be condemned. I drove 3 other kids to preschool last week and was mortified. Tried really hard to grab them at the door and buckle them all in so the mom's wouldn't smell the fetid filth their children would be riding in to and from school.
So, I emptied it out today and had Craig take out the bucket seats in the middle row. I stopped at the car wash where they vacum the whole thing. Plus they wipe all down inside and out. Not a full detailing, but a lot more than my car has gotten all winter.
I wandered over to the vacum station thinking the guy must be finished. Just as I arrived, he moved from one side of the car to another. As he climbed in, I hear him exclaim "GOD DAMN! every time I think I'm done I find more SHIT!" I wanted to sink in a hole. It will probably be a long time before I go back to that car wash again! lol.
So, I emptied it out today and had Craig take out the bucket seats in the middle row. I stopped at the car wash where they vacum the whole thing. Plus they wipe all down inside and out. Not a full detailing, but a lot more than my car has gotten all winter.
I wandered over to the vacum station thinking the guy must be finished. Just as I arrived, he moved from one side of the car to another. As he climbed in, I hear him exclaim "GOD DAMN! every time I think I'm done I find more SHIT!" I wanted to sink in a hole. It will probably be a long time before I go back to that car wash again! lol.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
What a day!
This is long and boring, but was therapeutic to write.
Nothing really bad, just exhausting
Baby up and down all night. He has spoiled me by being a good sleeper, so I just don't know what to do with myself when he doesn't sleep.
Dh got up with him at 6ish (after I begged) so I could get a few more winks. Woke me up from a beautiful dream at 7:15 telling me he had a train to catch and I HAD to get up. Ok, no need to yell at me. Totally killed the gratitude I felt for the extra sleep.
Galileo took prednisone last night and this morning because we thought he was having an asthma flare. His behaviour on prednisone is horrid and as the doc reminded me its not his fault. Still hard to take.
Decided not to send him to school this morning because he had a 10:15 appointment to check on the asthma. Still had to get Maestro to preschool and baby to babysitter.
Wrong! Took baby's temp as we left the house. Fever. Called sitter to cancel. Realized how spoiled I am and how much I enjoy my 2 mornings a week ALONE!
Inform preschool teacher that we may have a tight window at pick up time. She lets me know that it is NOT ok to be even a minute or two late. Luckily another mom is willing to be a back up, but she is all ready car pooling and her car is small.
Run through dunkin donuts drive through as I am desperate for coffee and am unlikely to make it to the grocery store to get some to make at home. Spend way to much money on a smoothie for Galileo because he was so polite about asking and not begging etc.
Get home from drop off to find verizon fios tech here about to leave. He was 3 hours early. When does that ever happen?! Luckily it was a fairly easy fix and we were only a few minutes late to doc. I'm relieved to know I have the electronic babysitters to lean on later
Took Galielo to allergist. Sinus infection. Needs antibiotics no more prednisone. Hallelueah! Does need a chest xray just in case.
On a whim ask her to take a listen to Little Bit. He is wheezing and has rales. Even when he needed the nebulizer last spring, he has never wheezed. He also needs a chest xray, antibiotics and an asthma med. May have pneumonia probably also has asthma.
Race down the hill to get Maestro at preschool. We are late, but it all works out.
Call childcare at the center where we get xrays to make sure they have room for Maestro. McDonald's drive through for the healthy one and then off to center.
Drop M off in childcare, take the other 2 for chest xrays. They did well, but Galileo was so impulsive from the prednisone that he couldn't keep his hands off things. He did get to see the xray afterwards though.
Lots of phone calls from/to the pharmacy and the allergists' office.
Call mom to let her know we are canceling our trip to her house this weekend.
Little Bit is miserable- crying and nursing ALL day. Galileo is upset that he has to miss school tomorrow and weds is art day which is his favorite. Maestro monopolizing my computer, but at least he is quiet.
DH gets home. I run to CVS. The parking lot is completely full. I have to wait for a space and there are 3 cars ahead of me! Line at pharmacy is 6+ people long and they have to mix my meds while I wait. People are staring daggers into my back I'm sure.
Stop for milk and a bite of chocolate. Home to arguing, crying etc.
Dispense all the various meds. I have to hold Little Bit while dh holds the inhaler mask over his face. Not sure how one person will be able to do this.
Now, Maestro is begging me to come up and hug him goodnight. And Little Bit is crying to nurse.
So, off I go. I think the dishes will wait until tomorrow!
Nothing really bad, just exhausting
Baby up and down all night. He has spoiled me by being a good sleeper, so I just don't know what to do with myself when he doesn't sleep.
Dh got up with him at 6ish (after I begged) so I could get a few more winks. Woke me up from a beautiful dream at 7:15 telling me he had a train to catch and I HAD to get up. Ok, no need to yell at me. Totally killed the gratitude I felt for the extra sleep.
Galileo took prednisone last night and this morning because we thought he was having an asthma flare. His behaviour on prednisone is horrid and as the doc reminded me its not his fault. Still hard to take.
Decided not to send him to school this morning because he had a 10:15 appointment to check on the asthma. Still had to get Maestro to preschool and baby to babysitter.
Wrong! Took baby's temp as we left the house. Fever. Called sitter to cancel. Realized how spoiled I am and how much I enjoy my 2 mornings a week ALONE!
Inform preschool teacher that we may have a tight window at pick up time. She lets me know that it is NOT ok to be even a minute or two late. Luckily another mom is willing to be a back up, but she is all ready car pooling and her car is small.
Run through dunkin donuts drive through as I am desperate for coffee and am unlikely to make it to the grocery store to get some to make at home. Spend way to much money on a smoothie for Galileo because he was so polite about asking and not begging etc.
Get home from drop off to find verizon fios tech here about to leave. He was 3 hours early. When does that ever happen?! Luckily it was a fairly easy fix and we were only a few minutes late to doc. I'm relieved to know I have the electronic babysitters to lean on later
Took Galielo to allergist. Sinus infection. Needs antibiotics no more prednisone. Hallelueah! Does need a chest xray just in case.
On a whim ask her to take a listen to Little Bit. He is wheezing and has rales. Even when he needed the nebulizer last spring, he has never wheezed. He also needs a chest xray, antibiotics and an asthma med. May have pneumonia probably also has asthma.
Race down the hill to get Maestro at preschool. We are late, but it all works out.
Call childcare at the center where we get xrays to make sure they have room for Maestro. McDonald's drive through for the healthy one and then off to center.
Drop M off in childcare, take the other 2 for chest xrays. They did well, but Galileo was so impulsive from the prednisone that he couldn't keep his hands off things. He did get to see the xray afterwards though.
Lots of phone calls from/to the pharmacy and the allergists' office.
Call mom to let her know we are canceling our trip to her house this weekend.
Little Bit is miserable- crying and nursing ALL day. Galileo is upset that he has to miss school tomorrow and weds is art day which is his favorite. Maestro monopolizing my computer, but at least he is quiet.
DH gets home. I run to CVS. The parking lot is completely full. I have to wait for a space and there are 3 cars ahead of me! Line at pharmacy is 6+ people long and they have to mix my meds while I wait. People are staring daggers into my back I'm sure.
Stop for milk and a bite of chocolate. Home to arguing, crying etc.
Dispense all the various meds. I have to hold Little Bit while dh holds the inhaler mask over his face. Not sure how one person will be able to do this.
Now, Maestro is begging me to come up and hug him goodnight. And Little Bit is crying to nurse.
So, off I go. I think the dishes will wait until tomorrow!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Heaven Help Me
All my men have been fighting a virus. Miraculously, I am the only one to have not gotten it. (knock wood)
Galileo has asthma but it was discovered early and has been very well controlled. Never had an "attack" per se. He is now fighting the virus and has the most horrible deep cough.
Anyway, I called the allergist and she wants him to start prednisone tonight.
Heaven help me! His behavior is always challenging on prednisone, he is hell on wheels.
I'm stretched thin on a normal day, don't know how we are going to manage. Someone send lots of patience my way.
And hope my poor baby is better soon!
Galileo has asthma but it was discovered early and has been very well controlled. Never had an "attack" per se. He is now fighting the virus and has the most horrible deep cough.
Anyway, I called the allergist and she wants him to start prednisone tonight.
Heaven help me! His behavior is always challenging on prednisone, he is hell on wheels.
I'm stretched thin on a normal day, don't know how we are going to manage. Someone send lots of patience my way.
And hope my poor baby is better soon!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Happy Belated Birthday Mom!
I can't believe my mom turned 77 Monday. Her she is yesterday with my boys.
Despite my fever, we made her the carrot cake she asked for. The boys did the decorating.
Poor woman had to cook her own birthday dinner though. I couldn't face a restaurant with a toddler and no one wanted me spreading my germs by cooking.
Snow Day
What a lovely day we had. Finally we got a snow day. I didn't get out when the big fluffy flakes were still coming down, but I did manage a few pics.
Baby let me sleep in a little later than normal. The big boys played Bionicles really nicely together and shared my computer with no fights. I took Little Bit upstairs for a nap, but ended up playing with him for hours. He was obsessed with one of the Hess Trucks. Putting its motorcycles in and out and in and out forever. We watched the rest of American Idol that I had recorded and then headed downstairs for lunch. After lunch Craig told the Big Boys to get dressed and he would take them sledding. Galileo took forever, but managed to get all his snow gear on with no issues or tantrums. He actually let me help him get things just right. Maestro had been outside shoveling all ready for the longest time. I swear I love that 4 year old and his attitude. I went out and helped uncover the car while Craig and the boys did our walks and those of several neighbors. (Little Bit was finally napping). My cough started up again and got so bad that Craig offered to get my rescue inhaler. When he gets concerned I know its time to hang it up. I went inside for a wonderful hot coffee with cocoa while he took the boys to the school sledding.
While they were gone, I baked bread and called his mom. She reached out yesterday with a call to Craig saying she missed us and felt distant from us. We have had our challenges in our relationship that I would like to try to mend. She is my children's Grandmother after all and I would like them to have a good relationship with her. We had a nice long chat and I'm hopeful things will improve. I have to remember to continue to reach out. I need to be true to myself and respectful of her and hopefully things will mend.
Anyway, the boys were gone for hours. I figured Craig must be an icicle since he didn't have snow pants and all the gear the boys did. So, after LB woke up, ate, played etc. I finally cleared the car and drove over to get them. We ran an errand to get more baking supplies and then came home for dinner and hot chocolate. The bread wasn't ready for dinner like I had hoped, so we had it afterwards. When I pulled it out of the oven everyone came to check it out. Galileo actually high fived me and said "Great Job, Mom!" woo hoo! Later while eating it he said it was the best bread he ever tasted in his whole life! High praise indeed. I have never baked bread before, but the kitchen aid mixer I got for Christmas made it easy. So easy in fact that I then whipped up a batch of cookies.
Thanks Mom!(she gave me the mixer)
Craig and the boys started watching Star Wars while I was baking and I joined them after all was finished and cleaned up. Maestro has been playing star wars in school with one of his friends "who knows all about the movies and is teaching me". So he and I bought the first 3 movies while we were out yesterday (thank goodness Craig's bonus finally came). I thought 4 was a little young when Galileo's friends were all into Star Wars and wouldn't let him watch it. Maestro is a different kid though and did fine. He cuddled with me, clutched his toy light saber and made big claims about beating Darth Vader. Afterward he admitted he was a little scared and a little bored. We had such a nice night. I'm really glad the cub scout Blue and Gold Banquet was postponed.
Now, to sample a cookie and head to bed. I need to let Craig sleep in tomorrow and I have to beat this darn infection.
Now, to sample a cookie and head to bed. I need to let Craig sleep in tomorrow and I have to beat this darn infection.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
sick, sick, sick
This will be relatively short as I have a nasty sinus infection/bronchitis and should have been in bed hours ago.
Haven't updated in so long partly because the story of galileo's challenges was boring me and yet I felt compelled to finish it before I blogged about anything else. Some days have been so difficult that I just didn't have the energy to think about his issues anymore when I actually had the time and peace to blog. I have also had some health concers which have taken time and energy trying to figure out.
I'm re-thinkinking how much I should/want to share. The internet can be a scary place and I'm starting to do some serious thinking about privacy, internet security etc. Also not sure how much of Galileo's challenges it is fair for me to share. They are his after all not mine and maybe it isn't fair for me to put them all out there in a public forum. I don't have many readers, but as a strange comment I got a few weeks ago showed me, I just don't know what whackos may find this blog or what they might do with it once they find it.
Now, to bed.
Haven't updated in so long partly because the story of galileo's challenges was boring me and yet I felt compelled to finish it before I blogged about anything else. Some days have been so difficult that I just didn't have the energy to think about his issues anymore when I actually had the time and peace to blog. I have also had some health concers which have taken time and energy trying to figure out.
I'm re-thinkinking how much I should/want to share. The internet can be a scary place and I'm starting to do some serious thinking about privacy, internet security etc. Also not sure how much of Galileo's challenges it is fair for me to share. They are his after all not mine and maybe it isn't fair for me to put them all out there in a public forum. I don't have many readers, but as a strange comment I got a few weeks ago showed me, I just don't know what whackos may find this blog or what they might do with it once they find it.
Now, to bed.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Back to Galileo's Challenges
It was while he was a student in the 2 1/2 year old room that I finally started to figure out what the problem was. Someone posted "is my child just a brat" on the Parenting After Infertility board that I frequented at INCIID. In many ways this mom could have been describing Galileo, and yet I knew he wasn't a "brat". She got many responses. Several of them suggested she investigate SID or Sensory Integration Disorder which is more recently being referred to as Sensory Processing Disorder. OMG they were describing my child! I ran out to get the book The Out of Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz. So much of what I read made so much sense, not just for Galileo, but for me, my brother, and others in our family.
Unfortunately, but this time, Galileo was 3 and it was too late to have him evaluated by Early Intervention, so I called the school district. We went to the meeting that would decide if they would even evaluate him for special services through the district. He did great in the meeting showing how smart he is and how articulate. But, they also did see his issues. He especially showed his colors to the social worker with a major tantrum as we were leaving. I learned later that this difficulty with transitions is typical of a child with SPD. The OT also observed him in his nursery school. She found some significant issues that I didn't even realize were there. For example, he had such a hard time riding a tricycle due to his vestibular issues.
VESTIBULAR: the sense of movement; input from the inner ear about equillibrium, gravitational changes, movement experiences and position in space.
I hadn't even considered him having vestibular challenges since he had always been such a good climber. She also felt some of his interactions with other kids were affected by Proprieoceptive Problems
PROPRIOCEPTION: the sense of "positon"; input from the muscles and joints about body position, weight, pressure, stretch, movement and changes in position.
It all made so much sense. It was also very validating to hear. I was not a bad mother and Galileo was not a brat!
Unfortunately, he also did not qualify for services through the district. The OT felt his preschool placement was good for him, but did suggest we get private OT. As we were going through the district process, we also had evaluations by a pediatric neurologist recommended by our pediatrician and by a private OT (occupational therapy). The neurologist was really obnoxious. Didn't think any stay at home mom had any business knowing about SID and thought Galileo was defiant and on the verge of ADD. The way she described him was as a future psychopath. I was livid! Her manner with her was awful and all the things she was using to base her "diagnosis" on were related to his SID (not wanting to use her bathroom, not transitioning away from the toy he was enjoying etc.).
The private OT on the other hand did feel she could help him and I agreed. Of course a former friend pointed out that OT's have a bias to see sensory stuff, but my gut was telling me it was real and should be treated. We had to pay out of pocket and get only a portion reimbursed by insurance since the OT group was out of network. It made money very tight for awhile with the 2 and 3x/ week sessions, but I felt it was important enough to make it happen.
Sometimes I wondered if it was all hocus pocus and if it was really helping, but eventually, we began to see a difference. We could go into costco without him cringing in pain at the sound of the air conditioners, we had the occassional birthday party without tears, he started to participate in music class at school. We continued the private OT for over a year and met with a psychologist who specializes in Sensory Integration issues. Both really helped. We also helped Galileo learn how coping skills for when he was overwhelmed and stopped having power struggles over things like clothing. To this day, my motto is "if he is comfortable, I dont' care what he looks like. Peer pressure will start influencing him soon enough". He does know that there are few rare special occasions like family portraits or weddings when he will have to wear what is expected of him, but we work with him to make those outfits as comfortable as possible.
Oh wow, this has gotten way to long and I fear very boring. it is bath time now. I will continue and hopefully finish tomorrow. I may post date a few posts for continuity.
Unfortunately, but this time, Galileo was 3 and it was too late to have him evaluated by Early Intervention, so I called the school district. We went to the meeting that would decide if they would even evaluate him for special services through the district. He did great in the meeting showing how smart he is and how articulate. But, they also did see his issues. He especially showed his colors to the social worker with a major tantrum as we were leaving. I learned later that this difficulty with transitions is typical of a child with SPD. The OT also observed him in his nursery school. She found some significant issues that I didn't even realize were there. For example, he had such a hard time riding a tricycle due to his vestibular issues.
VESTIBULAR: the sense of movement; input from the inner ear about equillibrium, gravitational changes, movement experiences and position in space.
I hadn't even considered him having vestibular challenges since he had always been such a good climber. She also felt some of his interactions with other kids were affected by Proprieoceptive Problems
PROPRIOCEPTION: the sense of "positon"; input from the muscles and joints about body position, weight, pressure, stretch, movement and changes in position.
It all made so much sense. It was also very validating to hear. I was not a bad mother and Galileo was not a brat!
Unfortunately, he also did not qualify for services through the district. The OT felt his preschool placement was good for him, but did suggest we get private OT. As we were going through the district process, we also had evaluations by a pediatric neurologist recommended by our pediatrician and by a private OT (occupational therapy). The neurologist was really obnoxious. Didn't think any stay at home mom had any business knowing about SID and thought Galileo was defiant and on the verge of ADD. The way she described him was as a future psychopath. I was livid! Her manner with her was awful and all the things she was using to base her "diagnosis" on were related to his SID (not wanting to use her bathroom, not transitioning away from the toy he was enjoying etc.).
The private OT on the other hand did feel she could help him and I agreed. Of course a former friend pointed out that OT's have a bias to see sensory stuff, but my gut was telling me it was real and should be treated. We had to pay out of pocket and get only a portion reimbursed by insurance since the OT group was out of network. It made money very tight for awhile with the 2 and 3x/ week sessions, but I felt it was important enough to make it happen.
Sometimes I wondered if it was all hocus pocus and if it was really helping, but eventually, we began to see a difference. We could go into costco without him cringing in pain at the sound of the air conditioners, we had the occassional birthday party without tears, he started to participate in music class at school. We continued the private OT for over a year and met with a psychologist who specializes in Sensory Integration issues. Both really helped. We also helped Galileo learn how coping skills for when he was overwhelmed and stopped having power struggles over things like clothing. To this day, my motto is "if he is comfortable, I dont' care what he looks like. Peer pressure will start influencing him soon enough". He does know that there are few rare special occasions like family portraits or weddings when he will have to wear what is expected of him, but we work with him to make those outfits as comfortable as possible.
Oh wow, this has gotten way to long and I fear very boring. it is bath time now. I will continue and hopefully finish tomorrow. I may post date a few posts for continuity.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Was Hoping to Finish up today
I was hoping to finish up with what has been going on with Galileo today. Unfortunately, I feel down the cement steps at Maestro's school today (with baby in my arms of course) so I need to go put my leg up and ice it while baby is napping. Luckily baby is ok and there were other mom's there to walk M. in and get Baby back in the car. Craig is still at home (leaving for an onsite in an hour or so) so he was able to carry baby in from the car. Not sure what I will do about the Costco run or picking Maestro up from school. Hopefully my leg will be ok by then. There is a huge knot on my shin where I scraped it and my knee is really swollen. Of course its the one that I need to have surgery on at some point, but I am putting it off as long as possible (going on 5 years now).
OK, to the ottoman.
OK, to the ottoman.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
And Part Three
So, over the top reactions continued.
When I pregnant with Maestro, I was having a lot of preterm labor and Craig was working several states away. We decided caring for a 2 year old 24/7 on my own was not a good idea. As much as it broke my heart, I started taking Galileo to a day care center 3x a week. After the initial adjustment he really seemed to enjoy it. The toddler room head teacher was very warm and nurturing. He responded to her very well. Over the summer, he began transitioning to the preschool room upstairs. It was more typical "preschool" and less day care. He seemed to be doing ok with it, so I thought we would keep him there in the fall even though I had registered him in a local cooperative nursery school. Then September came. He HATED the preschool room. Would not go in if his life depended on it. In fact it was as though is life depended on not going in that room at any cost. He screamed and cried and ran and kicked and hit to such an extreme that I couldn't even hold him. I'm a BIG woman, fairly strong, and have worked with violent, emotionally disturbed kids. The fact that I couldn't "manhandle" him into that room told me something and we left the school to never return. He started a week late at the preschool he was originally registered at and did fine. He had his issues and tantrums etc, but over all he enjoyed going there. It was a small nurturing environment with lots of parent involvement and very little academic expectation. They were only 2 1/2 after all.
OK, Baby is NOT putting up with this. I will post more on this extremely long story later.
When I pregnant with Maestro, I was having a lot of preterm labor and Craig was working several states away. We decided caring for a 2 year old 24/7 on my own was not a good idea. As much as it broke my heart, I started taking Galileo to a day care center 3x a week. After the initial adjustment he really seemed to enjoy it. The toddler room head teacher was very warm and nurturing. He responded to her very well. Over the summer, he began transitioning to the preschool room upstairs. It was more typical "preschool" and less day care. He seemed to be doing ok with it, so I thought we would keep him there in the fall even though I had registered him in a local cooperative nursery school. Then September came. He HATED the preschool room. Would not go in if his life depended on it. In fact it was as though is life depended on not going in that room at any cost. He screamed and cried and ran and kicked and hit to such an extreme that I couldn't even hold him. I'm a BIG woman, fairly strong, and have worked with violent, emotionally disturbed kids. The fact that I couldn't "manhandle" him into that room told me something and we left the school to never return. He started a week late at the preschool he was originally registered at and did fine. He had his issues and tantrums etc, but over all he enjoyed going there. It was a small nurturing environment with lots of parent involvement and very little academic expectation. They were only 2 1/2 after all.
OK, Baby is NOT putting up with this. I will post more on this extremely long story later.
Challenging Child - Part Two
Feel a little like I dredged up ancient history yesterday and then just left it hanging. So, now while baby is sleeping I am going to ignore the laundry, the kitchen floor, the dusting etc and try to organize my thoughts. I'm hoping by writing this all down, I will come up with some ideas of what to do.
Anyway, throughout his babyhood, Galileo was a challenge. He didn't sleep on a regular schedule, only napped in the swing, screamed bloody murder when every time he rode in the car etc. Everything that was supposed to soothe a fussy baby just made him scream louder. He was a good solid food eater, but that was about the only thing that wasn't a struggle.
As he grew into a toddler, I started having more concerns. He walked rather late, but I kept telling myself it was because he could get everywhere he needed to go by crawling and climbing. He talked very late. In fact at one year old he became virtually silent. No babbling, no gesturing etc. I had him on a waiting list for a speech eval and was doing every autism spectrum checklist I could find. I knew he wasn't autistic, he was a social child, but he was never happy and I *knew* something was wrong.
In music class he would cry at the start and then just run in circles around the room. One or two other kids did it too, so I tried to convince myself it was OK. The teacher told me it was just a way that some kids react to the music and not to worry. He never tried to participate in the songs with motions, only wanted to be in my arms during the dancing and in general didn't seem happy to be there. I would have stopped torturing the kid by making him go, but he did like to listen to the cd's in the car and at home. In fact, they were the one thing that made car rides bearable.
In Gymboree, he never wanted to do what the group was doing and avoided the parachute like the plague. He loved climbing on all the equipment, but wanted nothing to do with doing the obstacle course with a group. By the end he almost always had a melt down. Yet he did enjoy a lot of his time there.
At birthday parties, he always had a melt down. He would scream and cry and tantrum over the most seemingly inconsequential thing. He usually couldn't tell me what was wrong. I would spend the time cringing with embarrassment and trying to cajole him out of his problems. After an activity was over, he would often get upset that he hadn't done it and yet at the time it was going on he would have nothing to do with it.
He was miserable in many of his messy art classes. If he got one speck of shaving cream, paint, glue, goop or whatever on his hands, he HAD to go wash it off. If I tried to get him to stay with the activity he would completely loose it. There were many a class that we had to step outside to calm down.
He had to quit a kids wood working class because he hated it so much. I knew then that he was sensitive to loud noises, so that one didn't surprise or upset me too much. He loved it the day they just did sanding and gluing, but the instant the hammers came out and the pounding started, he was out of there.
We could never go to places that I had looked forward to taking a child. Kiddie rides at amusement parks, the natural history museum, movies, chuckie cheese, somedays even Costco or the mall were all too much for him. He also hated swimming and his swim classes, although the bath tub was one of his favorite places.
It wasn't just that he had these quirks, it was his completely over the top reaction to them. (more later, baby crying)
Anyway, throughout his babyhood, Galileo was a challenge. He didn't sleep on a regular schedule, only napped in the swing, screamed bloody murder when every time he rode in the car etc. Everything that was supposed to soothe a fussy baby just made him scream louder. He was a good solid food eater, but that was about the only thing that wasn't a struggle.
As he grew into a toddler, I started having more concerns. He walked rather late, but I kept telling myself it was because he could get everywhere he needed to go by crawling and climbing. He talked very late. In fact at one year old he became virtually silent. No babbling, no gesturing etc. I had him on a waiting list for a speech eval and was doing every autism spectrum checklist I could find. I knew he wasn't autistic, he was a social child, but he was never happy and I *knew* something was wrong.
In music class he would cry at the start and then just run in circles around the room. One or two other kids did it too, so I tried to convince myself it was OK. The teacher told me it was just a way that some kids react to the music and not to worry. He never tried to participate in the songs with motions, only wanted to be in my arms during the dancing and in general didn't seem happy to be there. I would have stopped torturing the kid by making him go, but he did like to listen to the cd's in the car and at home. In fact, they were the one thing that made car rides bearable.
In Gymboree, he never wanted to do what the group was doing and avoided the parachute like the plague. He loved climbing on all the equipment, but wanted nothing to do with doing the obstacle course with a group. By the end he almost always had a melt down. Yet he did enjoy a lot of his time there.
At birthday parties, he always had a melt down. He would scream and cry and tantrum over the most seemingly inconsequential thing. He usually couldn't tell me what was wrong. I would spend the time cringing with embarrassment and trying to cajole him out of his problems. After an activity was over, he would often get upset that he hadn't done it and yet at the time it was going on he would have nothing to do with it.
He was miserable in many of his messy art classes. If he got one speck of shaving cream, paint, glue, goop or whatever on his hands, he HAD to go wash it off. If I tried to get him to stay with the activity he would completely loose it. There were many a class that we had to step outside to calm down.
He had to quit a kids wood working class because he hated it so much. I knew then that he was sensitive to loud noises, so that one didn't surprise or upset me too much. He loved it the day they just did sanding and gluing, but the instant the hammers came out and the pounding started, he was out of there.
We could never go to places that I had looked forward to taking a child. Kiddie rides at amusement parks, the natural history museum, movies, chuckie cheese, somedays even Costco or the mall were all too much for him. He also hated swimming and his swim classes, although the bath tub was one of his favorite places.
It wasn't just that he had these quirks, it was his completely over the top reaction to them. (more later, baby crying)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
My Challenging Child - Part One
I'm so worried about Galileo. He has always been a challenge. I came home in tears from a playdate yesterday. I fear the problems are getting worse instead of better as he gets older.
Galileo has always been challenging. He was a challenge to conceive - we did IVF. Luckily our first one took and except for having a vanishing twin, my pregnancy was really very easy. I ended up giving birth to him by c-section because he flipped from head down to breach at 38 weeks. Kind of indicative of the "my way or now way, Mom" pattern we have been in ever since. My doctor didn't believe me when I told him at the 38 week appointment. At the 39 week appointment the u/s confirmed it. He was born 10 hours later via c-section.
His babyhood was very challenging. He had difficulty nursing and I didn't know what I was doing. As a result, I started to lose my milk supply and for a few agonizing days, my baby was bascially starving. I had this blissful image that when baby cried I would put him to my breast and all would be right with his world. I would be the one person that could comfort him. Instead, I put him to the breast and he would scream and scream. That is until he became listless and lethargic with dehydration. When I first took him to the doctor, I was told to nurse, pump and supplement with pumped breast milk. The next time we went back, he was still losing weight so we we told to supplement with formula. I felt so horrible and so guilty for that for years. I felt like such a failure. In many ways and for many reasons that feeling has never left me where Galileo is concerned. (I'm over the nursing issues and he was not fully weaned until he was over 3 years old, so I guess I did OK there in the long run.)
I so want to write more, and will continue later. For now I have things I have to do before I go pick up the little boys.
Galileo has always been challenging. He was a challenge to conceive - we did IVF. Luckily our first one took and except for having a vanishing twin, my pregnancy was really very easy. I ended up giving birth to him by c-section because he flipped from head down to breach at 38 weeks. Kind of indicative of the "my way or now way, Mom" pattern we have been in ever since. My doctor didn't believe me when I told him at the 38 week appointment. At the 39 week appointment the u/s confirmed it. He was born 10 hours later via c-section.
His babyhood was very challenging. He had difficulty nursing and I didn't know what I was doing. As a result, I started to lose my milk supply and for a few agonizing days, my baby was bascially starving. I had this blissful image that when baby cried I would put him to my breast and all would be right with his world. I would be the one person that could comfort him. Instead, I put him to the breast and he would scream and scream. That is until he became listless and lethargic with dehydration. When I first took him to the doctor, I was told to nurse, pump and supplement with pumped breast milk. The next time we went back, he was still losing weight so we we told to supplement with formula. I felt so horrible and so guilty for that for years. I felt like such a failure. In many ways and for many reasons that feeling has never left me where Galileo is concerned. (I'm over the nursing issues and he was not fully weaned until he was over 3 years old, so I guess I did OK there in the long run.)
I so want to write more, and will continue later. For now I have things I have to do before I go pick up the little boys.
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