While I am grateful to be back in the Orlando area with doctors that know Sam and everything he endured as an infant/toddler, I do NOT have faith in the school system we are part of. A shining light so far has been the assistant principal.
After a discussion with the sped coordinator at the school, where I was informed they'd be removing the "developmentally delayed" coding from his IEP and placing him under "speech and language impaired," I set about making some phone calls. I should note here, I registered him for school the first week of August and here it was the start of September and they had not yet requested his records from his school in Michigan. All they had was his IEP, no evidence of testing. ????? I gave her the name of the school, telephone number and the name of who she needed to talk to. Why was she so surprised that I knew this information?
Anyway, first I called and left a message with the pediatrician's nurse. I stated I needed to know what could be in Sam's file to help me do more than just an SLI coding. I got a phone call after hours direclty from the pedi. We spoke briefly and he said whatever I needed from him, including forms to be filled out, he'd do. (he's incredible, truly incredible)
My next call was to the pediatric neurologist. Thankfully, because it was less than three years (barely) since his last visit, they could still take him with his insurance. Got him an appt for yesterday.
When the school called again to say they were sending home paperwork for his IEP, she indicated they had a medical form. I asked for two so the pedi could do one as well as the neuro.
The appt with the neuro went very well. It was with one of hte Nurse Practitioners, but NPs down here are fairly common and we have yet to have one at a specialist's office that wasn't well-qualified. They picked up right where we left off in December 08.
An MRI with blood work is ordered (scheduled for Oct 20) and a referral for a neuropsych evaluation has been made. Just have to find one close enough.
When Sam had some work done three years ago, one urine test came back weird, so they want to redo that one. The MRI will give them a study of his brain to see if there's any seizure activity.
While so far no one believes Sam is ready for a full Autism diagnosis, he is definitely still on the spectrum. Keeping the PDD diagnosis was what was best for him at the time. There are tendencies, but nothing huge or outward. He just doesn't fit it.
Showing posts with label Duck's progress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Duck's progress. Show all posts
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Thursday, June 3, 2010
It's been a crazy couple weeks
I'll post some pictures later, but basically, Henry had reactions to three antibiotics this month. Amoxicillin, Omnicef and Zitrhmax. nice huh?
My poor baby had hives coming and going all because of a double EI. So, we're seeing the ENT on Monday to discuss tubes.
Sam is doing INCREDIBLE. Last week he walked intot he bathroom at Penney's, closed the stall door in my face, locking it, saying "I do it myself, mama". I damn near cried. He did it all by himself, well, except for getting his pants up all the way, but he tried. The next day he did the same thing at a restaurant & that time he did it start to finish by himself.
So much for my "delayed" chid. Not even 5 years old yet and thinks he's "man enough" to go potty publicly on his own. Yep, that's right, he thought he was even going to go into the boys' bathroom w/o me! Think again little man!
My favorite phrase lately is "use your big boy voice and your big boy words." Amazingly, it STOPS the whining and screaming. I know I know, I have talk calmly if I want him to! J/K
But seriously, it really does work. I also have been using a lot of Harvey Karp's techniques outlined in Happiest Toddler on the Block. Have I ever mentioned that man is a genius? I really believe it! The best part is that HTotB can be used at any age (even with husbands).
There's more to come tomorrow, with some details. Right now I think I have a graham cracker mess to clean up.
My poor baby had hives coming and going all because of a double EI. So, we're seeing the ENT on Monday to discuss tubes.
Sam is doing INCREDIBLE. Last week he walked intot he bathroom at Penney's, closed the stall door in my face, locking it, saying "I do it myself, mama". I damn near cried. He did it all by himself, well, except for getting his pants up all the way, but he tried. The next day he did the same thing at a restaurant & that time he did it start to finish by himself.
So much for my "delayed" chid. Not even 5 years old yet and thinks he's "man enough" to go potty publicly on his own. Yep, that's right, he thought he was even going to go into the boys' bathroom w/o me! Think again little man!
My favorite phrase lately is "use your big boy voice and your big boy words." Amazingly, it STOPS the whining and screaming. I know I know, I have talk calmly if I want him to! J/K
But seriously, it really does work. I also have been using a lot of Harvey Karp's techniques outlined in Happiest Toddler on the Block. Have I ever mentioned that man is a genius? I really believe it! The best part is that HTotB can be used at any age (even with husbands).
There's more to come tomorrow, with some details. Right now I think I have a graham cracker mess to clean up.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Sam's annual IEP
They started with the OT, and when she said that it was group setting, I kind of stopped the whole IEP. I started by saying to the teacher that I had challenges and that if we needed to talk after the meeting, that was fine. They let me go on. I let them know I wasn't all that happy with the program and that while I didn't want to be the pain in the butt parent, I felt that his services were being reduced even though he'd been making great progress. that the more progress he made, the less he was getting. Granted, that's what we want, but it seems that the older he is, the less services he's receiving one-on-one. And in order for him to continue on the same pace, he needs the same level, not less.
I told them that in the last 18 months he's gone from daily one-on-one services to none. That I understood we went from a phenomenal EI program supported by Arnold Palmer Hospital (Orlando's big children's hospital) and a school district with multiple elementary schools to a district with only three elementaries and one pre-k special ed program. This program is our only option right now unless I look at school of choice and make my own transportation arrangements. (which is something I may look into depending on the job hunt....if it meant a better program, I'd work 2nd or 3rd shift)
ANYWAY........
They responded by telling me that with a small class (8 kids) and already two adults, the kids are getting 1:4 help. When the OT is there, she has an intern, making it 1:2. They also sometimes have half the kids at gym, making it 1:1. I felt MUCH better after this.
Then they said they wanted to change hisdiagnosis classification. No one felt, after having spent 5 weeks with Sam and looking at his scores from May 08, that he needed the "developmentally delayed" label. They have now placed him solely in the "speech and language impaired" program.
This made my heart very happy that we could get rid of the PDD label for now, but sad because it was really something Eric needed to hear.
They all agreed that Sam's main problem is (and always has been) his expressive communication, but there is a receptive communication problem. Knew this, but okay.
The teacher said that she feels Sam needs visual cues for listening. Almost like he's still trying to learn to read facial cues. I said it could be that he had to read faces to listen before getting tubes that it's almost like a crutch for him. She said he sometimes doesn't respond when she talks to him if he's facing away from her. We agreed that some of that was probably selective, but that the majority of it was that he just really needs to face you to hear and understand what's being said.
I had every intention of asking for him to be retested since it's been 2.5 years and he's an entirely different kid. But they brought it up first saying they would redo it in the spring if I felt that we needed to.
We talked about kindergarten readiness for next year. And that's where I feel more of my frustrations came out. His program last year was ALL about getting every kid in the class ready for kindergarten, with or without services. They did a lot of academics, he was doing the Letter People, cutting/gluing/coloring/writing, even some math. The teacher admitted their program is basically a preschool for special needs kids. It's the only program in the district and right now Sam is one of the higher functioning kids, whereas last year he was middle ground.
The speech therapist gave me a few more ideas of how to get Sam's face muscles working harder. She also gave me an explanation of why my kid thinks he needs to shovel food in. With the low muscle tone, he's not feeling the stretch in his cheeks until it's bordering on way too much in his mouth. She said to use the electric toothbrush on the insides of his cheeks to get them stimulated.
Eric and I are fine with him going to kindergarten next year (w/ or w/o services) and repeating the following year. He turns 5 in July, so while he'll be ahead of the deadline (Dec. 1 in MI), but that doesn't mean he'd be totally ready. I told the teacher today, I'd be fine with him doing two years in her class then kindergarten in 2011 at age 6.
I signed my papers, happily that I got my frustrations out and that they understood where I was coming from.
I told them that in the last 18 months he's gone from daily one-on-one services to none. That I understood we went from a phenomenal EI program supported by Arnold Palmer Hospital (Orlando's big children's hospital) and a school district with multiple elementary schools to a district with only three elementaries and one pre-k special ed program. This program is our only option right now unless I look at school of choice and make my own transportation arrangements. (which is something I may look into depending on the job hunt....if it meant a better program, I'd work 2nd or 3rd shift)
ANYWAY........
They responded by telling me that with a small class (8 kids) and already two adults, the kids are getting 1:4 help. When the OT is there, she has an intern, making it 1:2. They also sometimes have half the kids at gym, making it 1:1. I felt MUCH better after this.
Then they said they wanted to change his
This made my heart very happy that we could get rid of the PDD label for now, but sad because it was really something Eric needed to hear.
They all agreed that Sam's main problem is (and always has been) his expressive communication, but there is a receptive communication problem. Knew this, but okay.
The teacher said that she feels Sam needs visual cues for listening. Almost like he's still trying to learn to read facial cues. I said it could be that he had to read faces to listen before getting tubes that it's almost like a crutch for him. She said he sometimes doesn't respond when she talks to him if he's facing away from her. We agreed that some of that was probably selective, but that the majority of it was that he just really needs to face you to hear and understand what's being said.
I had every intention of asking for him to be retested since it's been 2.5 years and he's an entirely different kid. But they brought it up first saying they would redo it in the spring if I felt that we needed to.
We talked about kindergarten readiness for next year. And that's where I feel more of my frustrations came out. His program last year was ALL about getting every kid in the class ready for kindergarten, with or without services. They did a lot of academics, he was doing the Letter People, cutting/gluing/coloring/writing, even some math. The teacher admitted their program is basically a preschool for special needs kids. It's the only program in the district and right now Sam is one of the higher functioning kids, whereas last year he was middle ground.
The speech therapist gave me a few more ideas of how to get Sam's face muscles working harder. She also gave me an explanation of why my kid thinks he needs to shovel food in. With the low muscle tone, he's not feeling the stretch in his cheeks until it's bordering on way too much in his mouth. She said to use the electric toothbrush on the insides of his cheeks to get them stimulated.
Eric and I are fine with him going to kindergarten next year (w/ or w/o services) and repeating the following year. He turns 5 in July, so while he'll be ahead of the deadline (Dec. 1 in MI), but that doesn't mean he'd be totally ready. I told the teacher today, I'd be fine with him doing two years in her class then kindergarten in 2011 at age 6.
I signed my papers, happily that I got my frustrations out and that they understood where I was coming from.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
He's come a LONG way in the last 2.5 years!
I recorded this 5 minute video of Sam talking to me and Henry the other day. Not bad for a kid who couldn't even say "mama" at 18 months of age. I am so proud of him I could cry. In fact, there are days when I do cry thinking back to those days of the single tone "babbling" that we hear from Henry at 5 months.
Past updates
February 12, 2009
December 24, 2008
October 23, 2008
September 13, 2008
May 23, 2008
March 31, 2008
Past updates
February 12, 2009
December 24, 2008
October 23, 2008
September 13, 2008
May 23, 2008
March 31, 2008
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Developmental Update
Things in GREEN are what he's able to do as of today, February 12, 2009. Just two short years after starting OT and speech and behavior therapies.
12 - 18 months of age - Receptive Language Skills
- Understands simple one-step commands
- Recognizes body parts when named
- Understands names of common objects by bringing them from another place upon request
- Identifies two or more familiar objects from a group of three to four objects by touching/pointing
- Enjoys listening to rhymes and jingles
- Begins to look more selectively at pictures to recognize them when named
Expressive Language
- Attempts to get objects by pointing and vocalizing
- Uses from three to 20 single words meaningfully
- Imitates many new words
- Uses words of more than one syllable
- Answers questions such as "What's this?"
- Asks for "more"
- Uses two-word combinations as single words such as "gimme"
- Communicates primarily through true words and gestures
18 - 24 months of age - Receptive Language Skills
- Recognizes body parts and clothing articles in large pictures
- Understands simple yes/no questions
- Understands differences in personal pronouns (me, you)
- Follows a series of two - three simple relations commands with the same object
- Appears to listen to meaning of languarge, not merely words
- Recognizes many common objects and pictures as they are named
Expressive Language
- Replaces jargon with meaningful words
- Imitates animal sounds and other environmental sounds in play
- Refers to self by name (only in pictures and mirror, not if you ask him his name)
- Uses "no" frequently
- Uses "my" to declare ownership
- Begins combining words to form two-word phrases
- Asks questions by raising pitch of voice at end of word or phrase
2 - 3 years of age - Receptive Language Skills
- Understands actions in pictures
- Recognizes names of smaller body parts (chin, knee, elbow)
- Understands functions of objects
- Understands size concepts big and little
- Understands quantity concepts one, more, all
- Understands spatial concepts in, on, under
- Becomes aware of a sequence and organization for daily routines
- Understands question forms who, where, what doing
- Understands genders (boy/girl)
- Likes to listen to short stories
Expressive Language
- Combines words to express: - Possession: "my coat"
- Recurrence: "more juice"
- Action: "go outside"
- Location: "want up"
- Negation: "no eat" - Usually uses two- to four-word phrases
- Asks for help with personal needs
- Uses I, me, mine, you
- Can say first and last name when asked
- Can repeat two numbers in sequence
- Talks about an event that has just happened
- Uses many commands ("go get it")
- Uses here, there
- Begins using "is" verb form
- Speech is understood by others 70 - 80 percent of the time
3 - 4 years of age - Receptive Language Skills
- Understands concepts hard/soft, rough/smooth
- Understands spatial concepts front/back
- Understands question forms, "What do you do when you're hungry? Sleepy?"
- Follows two-step directions involving two different actions
Expressive Language
- Asks many who, what, where, why questions
- Uses four- to five-word sentences most of the time
- Engages in detailed conversations
- Uses language in imaginative play
- Imitates whispering
- Relates two events in correct sequential order
- Completes simple verbal opposites
- Uses verb forms is, am, are
- Uses regular plural forms consistently ("blocks")
- Uses possessives ("mommy's car")
- Begins using "because" as an explanation
4 - 5 years of age - Receptive Language Skills
- Follows series of three unrelated commands
- Identifies two - three primary colors
- Understands concepts heavy/light, loud/quiet, day/night
- Understands directional concepts above/below, top/bottom
- Understands variety of question forms (where, when, how)
Expressive Language
- Combines four to eight words in sentences
- Describes objects according to size, shape, color
- Enjoys re-telling stories
- Enjoys asking meaning of new words
- Uses could and would verb forms
- Uses if and so in forming complex sentences
- Uses no and not" appropriately
- Uses contracted negatives (can't, don't)
- Regularly uses pronouns he, she, they and possessive pronouns his, her, our, their
5 years of age - Full Language Skills
- Defines objects by their use and can tell what objects are made of
- Knows spatial relations like on top, far, behind, and near
- Has a sentence length of five to eight words
- Has a vocabulary of about 2,000 words
- Knows common opposites like big/little and hard/soft
- Understands same and different
- Identifies all primary colors
- Counts ten objects
- Knows his/her address
- Identifies a penny, nickel and dime
- Carries a plot in a story
- Uses future, present, and past tense
- Stays with one activity for 12 -13 minutes
- Asks for information
- Distinguishes left and right hand in him/herself, but not in others
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
It's time for a development update
It seems that every time Duck gets sick, about a week later, he has an all-out verbal explosion. so, here goes. The following was taken from the Arnold Palmer Hospital Howard Phillips Center for Children Development Center website (click here) to see the full outline.
I've changed all the things he CAN do to blue.
18 - 24 months of age - Receptive Language Skills
- Recognizes body parts and clothing articles in large pictures
- Understands simple yes/no questions
- Understands differences in personal pronouns (me, you)
- Follows a series of two - three simple relations commands with the same object
- Appears to listen to meaning of languarge, not merely words
- Recognizes many common objects and pictures as they are named
Expressive Language
- Replaces jargon with meaningful words
- Imitates animal sounds and other environmental sounds in play
- Refers to self by name
- Uses "no" frequently
- Uses "my" to declare ownership
- Begins combining words to form two-word phrases
- Asks questions by raising pitch of voice at end of word or phrase
2 - 3 years of age - Receptive Language Skills
- Understands actions in pictures
- Recognizes names of smaller body parts (chin, knee, elbow)
- Understands functions of objects
- Understands size concepts big and little
- Understands quantity concepts one, more, all
- Understands spatial concepts in, on, under
- Becomes aware of a sequence and organization for daily routines
- Understands question forms who, where, what doing
- Understands genders (boy/girl)
- Likes to listen to short stories
Expressive Language
- Combines words to express: - Possession: "my coat"
- Recurrence: "more juice"
- Action: "go outside"
- Location: "want up"
- Negation: "no eat" - Usually uses two- to four-word phrases
- Asks for help with personal needs
- Uses I, me, mine, you
- Can say first and last name when asked
- Can repeat two numbers in squence
- Talks about an event that has just happened
- Uses many commands ("go get it")
- Uses here, there
- Begins using "is" verb form
- Speech is understood by others 70 - 80 percent of the time
3 - 4 years of age - Receptive Language Skills
- Understands concepts hard/soft, rough/smooth
- Understands spatial concepts front/back
- Understands question forms, "What do you do when you're hungry? Sleepy?"
- Follows two-step directions involving two different actions
Expressive Language
- Asks many who, what, where, why questions
- Uses four- to five-word sentences most of the time
- Engages in detailed conversations
- Uses language in imaginative play
- Imitates whispering
- Relates two events in correct sequential order
- Completes simple verbal opposites
- Uses verb forms is, am, are
- Uses regular plural forms consistently ("blocks")
- Uses possessives ("mommy's car")
- Begins using "because" as an explanation
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Duck's progress
If I counted right the word list below has over 130 words. I'm sure there's a lot more that he uses in school, though.
hi
bye
hewo (hello)
Mama
Dada
Daddy
Papa
Nana
nana (for banana)
Money (Mommy)
Baby
boy
grrl (girl)
hat
cat
dog
doggie
bunny
hop
chinin (chicken)
cow
howse (horse)
house
barn
bwue (blue)
yewwow (yellow)
geen (green)
wed (red)
puhpl (purple)
bwue cwue (Blue's Clues)
mmeeeehhhhh (how he identifies a sheep)
pen-in (penguin)
eh-way (elephant)
ion (lion)
bug
sidey (spider)
hipooo (hippo)
zeza (zebra)
Jambo! (hello in Swahili thanks to Go Diego Go Safari Rescue)
Cece (this is the babysitter)
uh tun Mama (your turn Mama)
skoo (school)
bus
car
tuck (truck)
choo choo (can mean either a train or that he wants The Polar Express dvd)
tain (train)
book
ousigh (outside)
in
down
up
open
close
how you (how are you)
Dooby-Dooby (he wants me to read Dooby Dooby Moo by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin)
atsoo (achoo)
we-come (welcome)
thank you
buh-byee! (with attitude, totally different than bye)
kwa-kwin (Franklin)
bear
Pinky
Dago (Diego)
Oobi
Uma
Kako
Ampu (Grampu)
dance
jump
sake (shake)
snake
wuuurm (worm)
duck
pig
piggie (his stuff at school is labeled with a pink pig)
owie
boo-boo
flower
Zee (the bird on Noggin)
wow
pee
poop
poh-yee (ptty)
mee-mee (pacifier)
I want ......
waz that sou? (what's that sound?)
wazis? (what's this?)
bay-el (bell.......like a southern belle would say bell)
eye
nose
head
hair
ear
belly (and he knows that there's a baby in Mommy's belly)
pee-pee
feet
hands
happy
sad
Jo-Jo
geoge (George, as in Curious George)
mo (more)
all done
down
peees (peas)
sceered (scared)
So..... (like Dory in Finding Nemo "so, what's......")
bruke (broke)
Pa-lo (Pablo from Backyardigans)
sruit (fruit)
sfoot (foot)
han (hand)
fwush (flush)
Henny (Henry, figure we better start working on it now)
Pam-pa/Pom-pa (Grampa)
gwass (grass)
soos (shoes)
sock
sirt (shirt)
pizza
wa-wa (water)
cup
staw (straw)
hep (help)
yup
no (snow)
baff (bath)
dino (dinosaur)
dah-no (dolphin)
boak (boat)
bee
owl
seet (sit)
cheer (chair)
Oosy (Lucy, my MIL's dog)
ware dog go? (Where'd the dog go?)
ware go? (Where are you going?)
toos me (excuse me for burps)
I'm still not convinced he's hearing CLEARLY. there are certain words that he says that make me think he's hearing something muffled or because he had ear infections/untreated allergies for so long that because he always heard them muffled he thinks they are supposed to be that way.
Hency, why I hate toddler hearing tests. They only test THAT they're hearing, not WHAT they're hearing.
hi
bye
hewo (hello)
Mama
Dada
Daddy
Papa
Nana
nana (for banana)
Money (Mommy)
Baby
boy
grrl (girl)
hat
cat
dog
doggie
bunny
hop
chinin (chicken)
cow
howse (horse)
house
barn
bwue (blue)
yewwow (yellow)
geen (green)
wed (red)
puhpl (purple)
bwue cwue (Blue's Clues)
mmeeeehhhhh (how he identifies a sheep)
pen-in (penguin)
eh-way (elephant)
ion (lion)
bug
sidey (spider)
hipooo (hippo)
zeza (zebra)
Jambo! (hello in Swahili thanks to Go Diego Go Safari Rescue)
Cece (this is the babysitter)
uh tun Mama (your turn Mama)
skoo (school)
bus
car
tuck (truck)
choo choo (can mean either a train or that he wants The Polar Express dvd)
tain (train)
book
ousigh (outside)
in
down
up
open
close
how you (how are you)
Dooby-Dooby (he wants me to read Dooby Dooby Moo by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin)
atsoo (achoo)
we-come (welcome)
thank you
buh-byee! (with attitude, totally different than bye)
kwa-kwin (Franklin)
bear
Pinky
Dago (Diego)
Oobi
Uma
Kako
Ampu (Grampu)
dance
jump
sake (shake)
snake
wuuurm (worm)
duck
pig
piggie (his stuff at school is labeled with a pink pig)
owie
boo-boo
flower
Zee (the bird on Noggin)
wow
pee
poop
poh-yee (ptty)
mee-mee (pacifier)
I want ......
waz that sou? (what's that sound?)
wazis? (what's this?)
bay-el (bell.......like a southern belle would say bell)
eye
nose
head
hair
ear
belly (and he knows that there's a baby in Mommy's belly)
pee-pee
feet
hands
happy
sad
Jo-Jo
geoge (George, as in Curious George)
mo (more)
all done
down
peees (peas)
sceered (scared)
So..... (like Dory in Finding Nemo "so, what's......")
bruke (broke)
Pa-lo (Pablo from Backyardigans)
sruit (fruit)
sfoot (foot)
han (hand)
fwush (flush)
Henny (Henry, figure we better start working on it now)
Pam-pa/Pom-pa (Grampa)
gwass (grass)
soos (shoes)
sock
sirt (shirt)
pizza
wa-wa (water)
cup
staw (straw)
hep (help)
yup
no (snow)
baff (bath)
dino (dinosaur)
dah-no (dolphin)
boak (boat)
bee
owl
seet (sit)
cheer (chair)
Oosy (Lucy, my MIL's dog)
ware dog go? (Where'd the dog go?)
ware go? (Where are you going?)
toos me (excuse me for burps)
- he can/will now identify himself in a picture as "Sam" not baby
- can eat cereal from a bowl WITH MILK! (lots of milk down the front, but i'll take it!)
- eats from a bowl in the car without spilling.....this is big for those long trips
- when he's done with his plate/cup he hands them to us
- he's consistently asking for help
- knows that words on the screen of a tv program means it's over, so he tells it bye-bye. (like bye-bye kwa-kwin when Franklin is over)
- he can correctly identify the letters N, M, O, H and A
- he can identify and match red, blue, yellow, green, and purple. still has difficulty even attempting to say orange, but he can match it
- knows the potty routine of pants down, potty, pants up, flush, wash hands
- knows to cover his mouth when he sneezes
- We're seeing a lot of inflection in his voice these days
- has yet to figure out what to call my mother-in-law. Grandma is too hard yet.....and he just inserted an "m" in Papa for my father-in-law. I'm sure he'll come up with something
I'm still not convinced he's hearing CLEARLY. there are certain words that he says that make me think he's hearing something muffled or because he had ear infections/untreated allergies for so long that because he always heard them muffled he thinks they are supposed to be that way.
Hency, why I hate toddler hearing tests. They only test THAT they're hearing, not WHAT they're hearing.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Today was a crap eating day
Although, he did eat something other than chicken nuggets. Granted it was a taco shell, some shredded cheese and a NutriPals bar, but at least it was a variety. Duck's eating habits suck big time lately. I mean, it's the same thing every day and God forbid I expect him to eat what's been made for dinner. (though I don't force him, not a parenting practice I believe in) I'd at least like to see him eating protein other than chicken and peanut butter.
I can sneak in tuna when I make mac-n-cheese (one small can of tuna, one can of no salt added peas, and one box of Kraft mac-n-cheese is enough for us all to eat with leftovers. And everybody likes it. Reheats the next day for lunch too!
That's why I like the NutriPals bars.....I know he's getting protein and fiber from those.
Oh and he's on a milk kick. I'm fairly certain he had 4 cups of milk today. Chobby is Duck for "chocolate milk". I did pick up a trick from my sister. The first cup has chocolate in it, the next one? I fake it. I mean, there's enough milk in the cup so that he gets a bit of flavoring, but otherwise, I don't add any more to it.
And I think this is why we're back to 3 poops a day. Two months ago, he was backed up and only going once a week. Now? Now I'm rushing him to the potty. We didn't make it a single time today. I don't like cleaning up poopy diapers, but I hate giving an enema even more.
Milk is so good for him, though. Calcium, protein, fat (at 3y2m he still only weighs 30 pounds).....but what it does to his system is just plain horrible.
Unfortunately this is the cause of the crap eating. He's too full. Need to go back to water and juice. If anyone needs to be drinking more milk, it's me or E. I do get plenty though because I generally drink the milk from my cereal, which I had for breakfast and lunch today.
I can sneak in tuna when I make mac-n-cheese (one small can of tuna, one can of no salt added peas, and one box of Kraft mac-n-cheese is enough for us all to eat with leftovers. And everybody likes it. Reheats the next day for lunch too!
That's why I like the NutriPals bars.....I know he's getting protein and fiber from those.
Oh and he's on a milk kick. I'm fairly certain he had 4 cups of milk today. Chobby is Duck for "chocolate milk". I did pick up a trick from my sister. The first cup has chocolate in it, the next one? I fake it. I mean, there's enough milk in the cup so that he gets a bit of flavoring, but otherwise, I don't add any more to it.
And I think this is why we're back to 3 poops a day. Two months ago, he was backed up and only going once a week. Now? Now I'm rushing him to the potty. We didn't make it a single time today. I don't like cleaning up poopy diapers, but I hate giving an enema even more.
Milk is so good for him, though. Calcium, protein, fat (at 3y2m he still only weighs 30 pounds).....but what it does to his system is just plain horrible.
Unfortunately this is the cause of the crap eating. He's too full. Need to go back to water and juice. If anyone needs to be drinking more milk, it's me or E. I do get plenty though because I generally drink the milk from my cereal, which I had for breakfast and lunch today.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Duck's progress.....
I guess it's about that time again. Time for a full Duck update.
I'll start by saying that he's all but dropped sign language completely. He only consistently signs "all done" and even then it's only when he's on the potty or in his high chair. I started working on dropping the thank you sign a few months ago. I wanted him to say it rather than sign and say it. So, I cruelly held his hands down. He finally just started saying it. Of course, he's picked up BOWING while saying thank you. (yes, thank you Oobi!) And he'll sign "more" when he wants more and we're saying no.
He started school on August 18th and started riding the bus from school to the sitter's on September 2nd. The bus ride is very smooth and SHORT. The sitter lives about 0.25 miles from the school. Basically two turns and he's there. The big "developmental" news here is that every day as they round the corner, Duck starts saying "eesa, eesa" because he knows he's going to see his friend (sitter's daughter).
He's following two-step directions fairly easily now. Only if they're directions that he's familiar ith, though. Like "get your shoes and bring to mom".
Juice is joos, water is wa-wa, but milk is cup or cuppy. The important thing there is that he's distinguishing the three AND asking for each individually.
Everything in a wrapper is a "cookie" which did cause confusion at school for a while because I send a NutriPals bar in his lunch every day just in case he refuses to eat lunch. He LOVES KitKats, though. He even knows that the mini ones come with two bars. The cool thing about that is it's helping with counting! Whatever it takes right?
He has so many words now. I wish I could think of all the new ones, but I'm sure I'd miss 2 or 10. He hasn't lost any verbal words, just signs.
Phrases and Words that I can think of on 4 hours of sleep....will explain that in a minute:
hep me (help me)
i tuc (i stuck)
pobby (potty)
poop
pee
doggie
mee-mee (the pacifier---more on that in a minute too)
First, the mee-mee issue. I had thedamn thing almost gone, definitely a nap and bedtime thing only. And even then, if he was at the sitter's, he wasn't getting it at nap time. But then he had to go and NAME IT. He walks through the house saying "meeeee-meeee, air ar ou?" like a mom looking for a hiding child. Once he finds it, it's as if they're long lost pals who haven't seen each other in YEARS (when in reality it's probably been 20 minutes). I have, however, taken to throwing some away.
Last night, Duck walked into our bedroom at 1:00. I'd been in bed since about 9:30. He was WIDE awake and chatty. E took him for a while, but then he came back in when the tv shut off. I yelled at E to come back and get him. He put him back in bed....10 minutes later, E's PASSED OUT snoring and Duck's opening our bedroom door again. Somebody didn't put the door knob cover on again. So, I've been up since about 1 a.m.....fully since 3, though.
He's potty-training pretty well. Good days and bad. He will poop on the potty more readily than pee. We at least get notified he has to poop, he tells us AFTER the fact with pee. We've taken to giving mini M&Ms if he uses the potty. And I have to tell you, I like not having to clean his entire rear end from a poopy diaper.
I think the biggest proof of his language finally starting to try to become more cohesive and understandable is the other night he said a bit of jibberish, then doggie, jibberish, then mee-mee, and more jibberish. I was so proud.
I'll start by saying that he's all but dropped sign language completely. He only consistently signs "all done" and even then it's only when he's on the potty or in his high chair. I started working on dropping the thank you sign a few months ago. I wanted him to say it rather than sign and say it. So, I cruelly held his hands down. He finally just started saying it. Of course, he's picked up BOWING while saying thank you. (yes, thank you Oobi!) And he'll sign "more" when he wants more and we're saying no.
He started school on August 18th and started riding the bus from school to the sitter's on September 2nd. The bus ride is very smooth and SHORT. The sitter lives about 0.25 miles from the school. Basically two turns and he's there. The big "developmental" news here is that every day as they round the corner, Duck starts saying "eesa, eesa" because he knows he's going to see his friend (sitter's daughter).
He's following two-step directions fairly easily now. Only if they're directions that he's familiar ith, though. Like "get your shoes and bring to mom".
Juice is joos, water is wa-wa, but milk is cup or cuppy. The important thing there is that he's distinguishing the three AND asking for each individually.
Everything in a wrapper is a "cookie" which did cause confusion at school for a while because I send a NutriPals bar in his lunch every day just in case he refuses to eat lunch. He LOVES KitKats, though. He even knows that the mini ones come with two bars. The cool thing about that is it's helping with counting! Whatever it takes right?
He has so many words now. I wish I could think of all the new ones, but I'm sure I'd miss 2 or 10. He hasn't lost any verbal words, just signs.
Phrases and Words that I can think of on 4 hours of sleep....will explain that in a minute:
hep me (help me)
i tuc (i stuck)
pobby (potty)
poop
pee
doggie
mee-mee (the pacifier---more on that in a minute too)
First, the mee-mee issue. I had the
Last night, Duck walked into our bedroom at 1:00. I'd been in bed since about 9:30. He was WIDE awake and chatty. E took him for a while, but then he came back in when the tv shut off. I yelled at E to come back and get him. He put him back in bed....10 minutes later, E's PASSED OUT snoring and Duck's opening our bedroom door again. Somebody didn't put the door knob cover on again. So, I've been up since about 1 a.m.....fully since 3, though.
He's potty-training pretty well. Good days and bad. He will poop on the potty more readily than pee. We at least get notified he has to poop, he tells us AFTER the fact with pee. We've taken to giving mini M&Ms if he uses the potty. And I have to tell you, I like not having to clean his entire rear end from a poopy diaper.
I think the biggest proof of his language finally starting to try to become more cohesive and understandable is the other night he said a bit of jibberish, then doggie, jibberish, then mee-mee, and more jibberish. I was so proud.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Lots of exciting news......
First, I'm proud to say my husband has finally quit smoking. It's been about a week and he's doing so very well. He said today that the crap in his chest is breaking up and even though he's coughing up that nasty stuff, he feels a lot better than just two weeks ago when he was still smoking.
Second, my little duck continues to make potty progress. He pees at school and home and will even poop when he lets us know. Of course the communication part is a bit slow, but at least he's trying.
We have 4-word sentences to mimic.....such as "mama, i want _____." it's a good start and he's learning so much at school and at home. Working for a publishing company has its benefits. Old books are given away and Duck has found love with an old Science program big book. It's great to see your 3 year old standing up to the couch, hunched over a book almost as tall as he is.
The bus is a WONDERFUL thing. He rides the bus from school to the sitter's house and as soon as they turn the corner, he starts shouting out the sitter's daughter's name. (funny, as soon as she hears the bus, she runs to the door shouting Duck's name. She also refuses to nap if it's a school day when Duck will be there)
As for me? My appetite is back in full swing. It's nice because I finally feel like I can eat again. But, I feel like I've eaten non-stop the past three days. There are two good things here. First, my weight is still down at this point. Second, the weather is starting to cool off a bit and maybe once we get the hurricanes/tropical storms to calm down, I can get out for evening walks with Duck. (though we'll have to avoid the pool area becuase he think he belongs in the water....silly Duckling!)
I had my new OB appt today and it was WONDERFUL! The nurses were phenomenal. I really liked that the same nurse who weighed me, also took my blood, told me to pee in a cup and listened to the baby's heartbeat. While I didn't see the dr, I was still well taken care of. We were in and out in less time than it takes to just get to a room at the old OB's office. (note: old OB's office never called to see why I switched, only confirming to me they were only out to make money, not to be personable with the patients. Hell, even the first pediatrician we had who routinely had 90-minute wait times called us to see why we left. So, I'm glad we switched)
Meant to ask what my BP was.....My weight was 164 pounds at 14 weeks, 5 days. At this point with Duck, I'd already gained back the first 8 pounds I'd lost and a few more. 164 is my pre-pg weight with Duck. So, I figure 25 pounds from now would be a good gain.
Baby's heartbeat was hovering around 155/minute. I have to call the diagnostic center to have them fax over all their bloodwork from two weeks ago. We're still opting out of amnio at this point. If there was a marker from that bloodwork, they would have called us by now.
Did I mention two weeks ago that the nurse that did my blood draw blew the vein? I mean, I don't like needles AT ALL. I had to stop giving blood because I keep passing out. (definitely weigh enough and I'm not anemic) Anyway, I kept tell her that it REALLY hurt. Basically ignored me.......I had a lump for a few days and it's still a little red with mostly yellow.....but wow, two solid weeks to heal from a bruise?
Anyway, I'm really super happy with the new OB's office.
Second, my little duck continues to make potty progress. He pees at school and home and will even poop when he lets us know. Of course the communication part is a bit slow, but at least he's trying.
We have 4-word sentences to mimic.....such as "mama, i want _____." it's a good start and he's learning so much at school and at home. Working for a publishing company has its benefits. Old books are given away and Duck has found love with an old Science program big book. It's great to see your 3 year old standing up to the couch, hunched over a book almost as tall as he is.
The bus is a WONDERFUL thing. He rides the bus from school to the sitter's house and as soon as they turn the corner, he starts shouting out the sitter's daughter's name. (funny, as soon as she hears the bus, she runs to the door shouting Duck's name. She also refuses to nap if it's a school day when Duck will be there)
As for me? My appetite is back in full swing. It's nice because I finally feel like I can eat again. But, I feel like I've eaten non-stop the past three days. There are two good things here. First, my weight is still down at this point. Second, the weather is starting to cool off a bit and maybe once we get the hurricanes/tropical storms to calm down, I can get out for evening walks with Duck. (though we'll have to avoid the pool area becuase he think he belongs in the water....silly Duckling!)
I had my new OB appt today and it was WONDERFUL! The nurses were phenomenal. I really liked that the same nurse who weighed me, also took my blood, told me to pee in a cup and listened to the baby's heartbeat. While I didn't see the dr, I was still well taken care of. We were in and out in less time than it takes to just get to a room at the old OB's office. (note: old OB's office never called to see why I switched, only confirming to me they were only out to make money, not to be personable with the patients. Hell, even the first pediatrician we had who routinely had 90-minute wait times called us to see why we left. So, I'm glad we switched)
Meant to ask what my BP was.....My weight was 164 pounds at 14 weeks, 5 days. At this point with Duck, I'd already gained back the first 8 pounds I'd lost and a few more. 164 is my pre-pg weight with Duck. So, I figure 25 pounds from now would be a good gain.
Baby's heartbeat was hovering around 155/minute. I have to call the diagnostic center to have them fax over all their bloodwork from two weeks ago. We're still opting out of amnio at this point. If there was a marker from that bloodwork, they would have called us by now.
Did I mention two weeks ago that the nurse that did my blood draw blew the vein? I mean, I don't like needles AT ALL. I had to stop giving blood because I keep passing out. (definitely weigh enough and I'm not anemic) Anyway, I kept tell her that it REALLY hurt. Basically ignored me.......I had a lump for a few days and it's still a little red with mostly yellow.....but wow, two solid weeks to heal from a bruise?
Anyway, I'm really super happy with the new OB's office.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Mama....I...want......cookie.
And so it begins.........the WONDERFUL transition between jibberish and talking. We are so excited about this. We've been working on mimicking 3-4 word statements of "I want...." and he's finally doing it on his own.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
You cap (clap)!
So, we're watching Oobi this morning before I went to work as it's one of the shows that has Duck interacting. He even did "itsy bitsy spider" with Oobi and Grampu today. So, anyway, Oobi and Keiko were singing and Grampu said "Oobi Grampu clap" and Duck responds right with them "You cap" and he starts clapping!
He's also starting to do a lot of reasoning. We say "okay?" and he says it back and the behavior changes. AMAZING. I don't like asking him if it's okay because really, doesn't matter. If it's time for bed, it's time for bed. But, right now it's playing to our advantage.
He's also starting to do a lot of reasoning. We say "okay?" and he says it back and the behavior changes. AMAZING. I don't like asking him if it's okay because really, doesn't matter. If it's time for bed, it's time for bed. But, right now it's playing to our advantage.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
How am I feeling?
Crappy. Purely crappy.
Headaches are daily now. And ya know what? Tylenol doesn't do SQUAT for a headache. Alas, I am destined to be riddled with headaches through this pregnancy too. I think they finally died down with my pregnancy with Duck somewhere between the epdiural and 2 weeks post partum. Funny, I didn't take anything stronger than Tylenol in the hospital after having a c-section, yet it won't touch these headaches now.
The nausea comes and goes. I have good and bad days. Today was an okay day. The first whiff of someone's heating up in the department microwave sent me reeling and I made my way to the cafeteria. Grateful to be pregnant.....but looking forward to when the nausea subsides a bit. I do work 1-2 hours in the cafeteria on some days. Why is it that the smells in the cafeteria don't bother me, but one person's lunch in the dept microwave does?
I know I've lost 6 pounds already. That puts me 3 pounds lighter than the same time with Duck. At 8 weeks with Duck, I weighed 164 pounds. (this was after a 17 pound loss over the summer after our wedding day) So, yep, at 8 weeks this time I was 161 pounds. And that's a total of 14 pounds since starting WW in April. For those that don't know.....I got my BFP the last week of my WW at work program.
I feel like I am going to have to go back to regular clothes because my maternity pants are no longer feeling comfy.........why can't I just wear my pajamas to work? Do they make dressy yoga pants?
It's been 2.5 weeks since I've had any spotting, so I'm feeling good, but paranoid. We're not making any plans for out of town trips til we see the high-risk OB. Which, who knows when that will happen. They originally scheduled my appointment on the same day as my regular OB appt and more insanely, on Duck's first day of school. No way am I going to be in downtown Orlando for a 1:00 appt with a specialist when my Duck gets out of school at 2:30 in Kissimmee. Not a fat chance in H E double-hockey sticks. So, I'm waiting for them to call me back with a new appt.
My FIL is coming for a visit. Got his flight booked tonight.I don't know why, but his visits never make me anxious. My own parents and my MIL? Oh yeah....totally. Maybe it's because my FIL is so freaking laid back about everything that it just makes every thing okay. I love my mom and my MIL dearly, but sometimes they drive me crazy. (I know you're both reading this) However, that's what mothers and mother-in-laws are supposed to do, right? I guess it's more because I feel like I have to pass inspection. True or not, that's how I feel.
So that will be a good thing to look forward to.
Duck? How's he doing? Hmmmm, refusing bed time before 8:45, selectively eating and on a poop strike. Had to add Miralax back into his diet this week. What is it about this time of year for this kid? Leading up to his birthday, he was actually pooping 4-6 times a day. Since his July 19th birthday? THREE TIMES! and two of those times it was NOT pretty and one involved me cleaning up puke.
We bought plum juice to add to his diet, I figured that would go down easier than prune juice. He's had that for three days now. PLus 1 tsp of Miralax in his milk at night. I figure we should be good for a pure blowout tomorrow or Thursday.
Can heat be a cause of constipation? I mean, it was his birthday week last year that started the 2 weeks of no pooping and landed me in the pedi's office. Subsequently having to administer an enema to my screaming 2 year old. (yes, I cried and I felt so bad for having put my own mother through the same damn thing 30+ years ago)
That's about it from the land of Duck.
Headaches are daily now. And ya know what? Tylenol doesn't do SQUAT for a headache. Alas, I am destined to be riddled with headaches through this pregnancy too. I think they finally died down with my pregnancy with Duck somewhere between the epdiural and 2 weeks post partum. Funny, I didn't take anything stronger than Tylenol in the hospital after having a c-section, yet it won't touch these headaches now.
The nausea comes and goes. I have good and bad days. Today was an okay day. The first whiff of someone's heating up in the department microwave sent me reeling and I made my way to the cafeteria. Grateful to be pregnant.....but looking forward to when the nausea subsides a bit. I do work 1-2 hours in the cafeteria on some days. Why is it that the smells in the cafeteria don't bother me, but one person's lunch in the dept microwave does?
I know I've lost 6 pounds already. That puts me 3 pounds lighter than the same time with Duck. At 8 weeks with Duck, I weighed 164 pounds. (this was after a 17 pound loss over the summer after our wedding day) So, yep, at 8 weeks this time I was 161 pounds. And that's a total of 14 pounds since starting WW in April. For those that don't know.....I got my BFP the last week of my WW at work program.
I feel like I am going to have to go back to regular clothes because my maternity pants are no longer feeling comfy.........why can't I just wear my pajamas to work? Do they make dressy yoga pants?
It's been 2.5 weeks since I've had any spotting, so I'm feeling good, but paranoid. We're not making any plans for out of town trips til we see the high-risk OB. Which, who knows when that will happen. They originally scheduled my appointment on the same day as my regular OB appt and more insanely, on Duck's first day of school. No way am I going to be in downtown Orlando for a 1:00 appt with a specialist when my Duck gets out of school at 2:30 in Kissimmee. Not a fat chance in H E double-hockey sticks. So, I'm waiting for them to call me back with a new appt.
My FIL is coming for a visit. Got his flight booked tonight.
So that will be a good thing to look forward to.
Duck? How's he doing? Hmmmm, refusing bed time before 8:45, selectively eating and on a poop strike. Had to add Miralax back into his diet this week. What is it about this time of year for this kid? Leading up to his birthday, he was actually pooping 4-6 times a day. Since his July 19th birthday? THREE TIMES! and two of those times it was NOT pretty and one involved me cleaning up puke.
We bought plum juice to add to his diet, I figured that would go down easier than prune juice. He's had that for three days now. PLus 1 tsp of Miralax in his milk at night. I figure we should be good for a pure blowout tomorrow or Thursday.
Can heat be a cause of constipation? I mean, it was his birthday week last year that started the 2 weeks of no pooping and landed me in the pedi's office. Subsequently having to administer an enema to my screaming 2 year old. (yes, I cried and I felt so bad for having put my own mother through the same damn thing 30+ years ago)
That's about it from the land of Duck.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
A lot has happened
Well let's see:
Duck turned three and we had the wonderful company of E's cousin and his family for the weekend. We try to spend a few weekends a year together. K's the closest thing E has to a brother, in fact, if you didn't know them, you'd swear they are brothers just the way they act. We all get along really well and their son is just about year younger than Duck. This trip was the first time they really played together and it was AWESOME!
Just two days after they left, we had my niece E. M. staying with us. She'd gotten sick while on vacation with other family members, so she came to our house to get better. Such a sweet, kind-hearted girl. AFter she was feeling better and had broke her fever, she helped with Duck and even helped me with a little house work.
During that same week was when I learned some not so good news. The second week of July brought me a bit of spotting and I had it checked out by my OB. The first visit I was told it was pimple-like cysts on my cervix causing the spotting and just take it easy so they could heal. That Friday, (when K and his family arrived) I found out at the RE's office that I had what looked like a 9 mm mass that looked like a clot, but was not fluid filled and nothing to worry about at the time. The morning after E. M. arrived, I learned at the OB's office that it was actually a tear causing a subchorionic bleed.
There are many things that could go wrong at this point. Obviously a miscarriage is possible. But so is complete healing. As is partial healing and then becoming worse later on with placenta previa or placenta abruption, neither of which would be a good situation.
So, E's been doing a lot more housework and Duck really doesn't understand why I can't pick him up. For now, I'm just trying to be nice to my body.
The nausea is still horrible. One day last week I spent two hours in the cafeteria working so that I wasn't on my floor smelling the kitchen. (don't ask how the cafeteria didn't bother me, it just didn't that day)
I did get my "high-risk" OB referral. Have to call Monday to talk to them about the appointment. Right now it's scheduled the same day as my regular 12-week check up AND on the first day of school for Duck. Already a high stress day, don't ya think?
Duck is now able to tell you what the following animals say:
cow
duck
sheep
horse
monkey
elephant
lion
tiger
baby jaguar (from Diego)
dinosaur
Pirate
Cowboy
he can also identify the same things as well as
butterfly
ice cream
flower
bird
owl
apple
bear
pear
kite
cake
cookie
and the following body parts:
eye
mouth
nose
hair/head
ear
belly
Duck is refusing to jet his tongue though. Not a single "l" sound will come out of that kids mouth. Not even to imitate "bleh" or flip his tongue. An elephant is called and "e-way".
Duck turned three and we had the wonderful company of E's cousin and his family for the weekend. We try to spend a few weekends a year together. K's the closest thing E has to a brother, in fact, if you didn't know them, you'd swear they are brothers just the way they act. We all get along really well and their son is just about year younger than Duck. This trip was the first time they really played together and it was AWESOME!
Just two days after they left, we had my niece E. M. staying with us. She'd gotten sick while on vacation with other family members, so she came to our house to get better. Such a sweet, kind-hearted girl. AFter she was feeling better and had broke her fever, she helped with Duck and even helped me with a little house work.
During that same week was when I learned some not so good news. The second week of July brought me a bit of spotting and I had it checked out by my OB. The first visit I was told it was pimple-like cysts on my cervix causing the spotting and just take it easy so they could heal. That Friday, (when K and his family arrived) I found out at the RE's office that I had what looked like a 9 mm mass that looked like a clot, but was not fluid filled and nothing to worry about at the time. The morning after E. M. arrived, I learned at the OB's office that it was actually a tear causing a subchorionic bleed.
There are many things that could go wrong at this point. Obviously a miscarriage is possible. But so is complete healing. As is partial healing and then becoming worse later on with placenta previa or placenta abruption, neither of which would be a good situation.
So, E's been doing a lot more housework and Duck really doesn't understand why I can't pick him up. For now, I'm just trying to be nice to my body.
The nausea is still horrible. One day last week I spent two hours in the cafeteria working so that I wasn't on my floor smelling the kitchen. (don't ask how the cafeteria didn't bother me, it just didn't that day)
I did get my "high-risk" OB referral. Have to call Monday to talk to them about the appointment. Right now it's scheduled the same day as my regular 12-week check up AND on the first day of school for Duck. Already a high stress day, don't ya think?
Duck is now able to tell you what the following animals say:
cow
duck
sheep
horse
monkey
elephant
lion
tiger
baby jaguar (from Diego)
dinosaur
Pirate
Cowboy
he can also identify the same things as well as
butterfly
ice cream
flower
bird
owl
apple
bear
pear
kite
cake
cookie
and the following body parts:
eye
mouth
nose
hair/head
ear
belly
Duck is refusing to jet his tongue though. Not a single "l" sound will come out of that kids mouth. Not even to imitate "bleh" or flip his tongue. An elephant is called and "e-way".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
