This Week's Happenings

I am LOVING the Hanen class I'm taking. This week the focus was on keeping routines for playing, going to bed, etc. very consistent so the kids can participate. Also important was the language used when performing these activities. Because Pup is often watched by grandparents and is home with Daddy during the day, I want the language they use with him to be consistent. Since Danny isn't able to come to the class with me and is at work for a lot of the therapies, I started making a book to illustrate how to play with his toys. I figure I can take this book with me to whomever is watching them so their play can be meaningful to him. Is this too anal?
Here is a sample of what a page might look like. There is a pic of the toy, it's purpose, vocabulary to use when playing it, and the routine for playing it. Must be the teacher in me.

Wow...so much to say. We've been busy. Nephew Hank the Tank celebrated his year birthday. I can't believe my sister's son is already a year. I remember how excited I was when I learned we were pregnant at the same time- that our two babies would grow up together. Henry is the cutest baby (besides mine of course) and is so smart. Here's a shot of him with Pup in his birthday regalia.

This pic was taken at my mom's house where in her traditional fashion we had a pre birthday birthday party- complete with picnic lunch, kiddie pool, bubbles, and ice cream. The next day was a swim party at Pop Pop and Mimi's house.
Juliana wanted Hank to have a "doctor's office toy" so we got her one. She commonly sees these toys in doctor's offices (I see them in banks) so that's what we call them.

Here's Jules with a painting AJ made for Henry. He wrote Henry's name at the top with prompting by me of course, but I am quite pleased with how many letters he can write. He called this "Patio With Tree."





The next day we ventured into Westlake for a family drive and impromptu picnic at The Landing. I believe my next big purchase will be a pontoon boat! haha






On Monday AJ had a playdate with his preschool girlfriend Ysa. She is adorable, and I just love her mother who happens to be a doctor who sees a lot of kids with developmental issues. It's amazing to know someone like that especially with fragile x in your life. I kept Pup in his stroller at first, but then realized that he will only be as independent as I let him. He does love the swing so we did that first. I let him play in the sand (which he tried to eat), and he crawled through the tunnel on the playground. Ysa's sister is 16 months and the gap is astounding to me, but my little guy had fun in his own way, and I need to just realize that he is who he is, and I need to just let him be. I think it'll be a little easier when he is walking. God, I hope that day comes quick! He laughed and giggled at the girls climbing all over the gym equipment. I'm so glad I took him out of the stroller. I think I do it to protect him as I don't want others wondering what's "wrong." I know at some point people will stare or ask. And although I know that's not a big deal, I just never thought I'd ever have to do that.
















And the BEST day lately has been AJ's first day back at preschool. He's one of the "big boys" now as it his 2nd and final year before kindergarten. I'm so proud. Although at the end of the day, when all the other kids were in circle time singing songs, I witnessed him being told to stop fooling around! Danny was horrified that he wasn't paying attention! And although I don't want him being "that kid," I was happy he was being social as last year he was soooo shy.

First day last year


First day this year

Playing Catch Up!

For the longest time I couldn't find the other camera we had that had pictures on it from various summer activities. Well, I found it. Of course it was in the closet- where I keep it. Funny how that works. Anyway, in organizing the photos on my computer I realize a lot has taken place this summer- Pup's first swim, his first birthday, AJ's 4th birthday. . .Since I've been off from work this summer I've been blogging quite a bit and didn't write anything down from March until a few weeks ago. I'll try to fill in here- and this is for my own benefit of course as I'm trying to use this blog as a way to document our activities. I'm thinking I want to eventually print out the pages and place them in a book so it serves as a very detailed photo album.


Play date with cousin Henry (11 months)

For Pup's first birthday, we just had some people over to the house. He got lots of toys and had his first bite of cake ever. Of course the experience wouldn't be the same without Cheerios.

And here at the party were Pup's cousin to the left and friend Baby Worf to the right. This picture makes me happy and sad at the same time as one day it won't be so easy for Pup to play with them. But I digress from the joy- excuse me.

AJ had his fourth birthday party at the local park- complete with pinata and bouncer. It was his first party with real friends from school.
Shortly after, to celebrate Daddy's birthday we took advantage of the free admission on your birthday deal at Disneyland.
Fourth of July was spent at Pop Pop and Mimi's (the in-laws) where Henry and Pup had their first swim together! It was the first time in the pool for both of them.

Shortly after, Danny's brother Michael and niece Darcy came for a visit. We went to the local farm for some agritainment. The kids rode ponies, fed animals, and later we picked fresh raspberries, zucchini, cucumbers, lettuce, eggplant, and tomatoes. Dinner was from the farm that night.

And this pic is just too cute not to post- Mommy's little helper:

Party On!

Tonight was Ryan and Carly's housewarming party. Lots of food and drink. Cute apartment. Wood floors. Nice carpet. AJ and his cousin danced the night away to the music in their heads.

Happy B-Day, Grandpa!

Today is my grandfather's 82nd birthday! We went to their house and swam. Forgot the camera. Came home, made dinner, went to the park to practice on the bike. AJ's becoming more adventurous.

Sing us a song, you're the piano man......

AJ has been taking piano lessons since January and although I sometimes have to push him, he is learning a lot. Danny and I always talked about getting our kids music lessons and Mr. Brisley his teacher (school custodian by day.....musician by night!) is so patient with him despite his sometimes tantrum behaviors. Here he is in a jam session with his teacher. You can see Mr. Brisley on the drums telling AJ which notes to play. The objective was to keep in rhythm.



In Pup news....
He is mastering the sippy cup! Goodbye bottle! (Maybe)

Reflections

I read the most wonderful thing tonight in Sarah's fragile x blog. I will cut and paste it here and should probably ask her first, but I'll take my chances. Sarah is the mother of almost 3 and adorable Quinn, and is the author of the blog "Love and Survival with Fragile X."

"Quinn's diagnosis has opened up unexpected opportunities. To love, unconditionally, an adorable, happy little person. To see the delight on his face when he uses his hard-earned pointing abilities to ask for things and to show us doggies and trucks. To appreciate the miracle of human development. To meet (in real life and online) strong, smart, funny, wise, patient, inspiring people. To revisit high school genetics and biology lessons. To learn a new vocabulary. To reflect on our values. To experience deep gratitude for the people who have supported us. To join the movement for increased access to resources and opportunities for people with fragile x and other disabilities. To feel strong as a family, as a couple, and as individuals. We are probably not done grieving, but it's good to remember that we're still here, laughing, crying, loving, and being."

I just love this and cried when I read it tonight. It is very true that as terrible as it is to learn your child will not develop normally, there has been great joy in watching him grow and develop- no matter how slow it's been. I giggled at the part when she wrote that it is thrilling to watch her son's hard earned pointing abilities. It is skills like these that most parents have no idea are such big deals....but to us, they are everything. I'm yearning for the day when Pup can clap and bang two toys together. Every milestone Pup has met has been cause for great celebration in my home. I've enjoyed Pup's infancy much more than with AJ simply because I just took for granted that he would do everything on time and simply expected it. So when it happened I of course was happy, but I didn't feel like it was so exhilerating. Waiting for Pup's next big milestone has been exhausting but exciting at the same time. I, too, have deep gratitude for the people who devote their lives to helping kids like Pup and feel like my life has real purpose- to raise two beautiful boys and help them to reach their full potentials. I thank Sarah for writing the above as it reminded me that "life in Holland" is really beautiful. I am finally starting to notice the tulips.

With that, here are some pics I've taken in the past day or two.
I found the boys like this on the couch last night. They truly do love each other. Pup likes to chase AJ around the living room. He can't stop giggling as he crawls around after his big brother.

Here's Pup with his Ear Band-It on. It's to protect the tubes in his ears from getting wet when he's bathing or in the pool. The boys have started taking baths together.
The boys spent the day at my mom's today. When they go over to her house they usually play in the front yard with the kiddie pool or have a picnic on the front lawn. When I came to pick them up today, this is how I found Pup- taking a nap in the pool.
It's a little hard to see AJ here, but there he is with his swimming teacher, Katie, who he has had for the past 3 summers. This year she even emailed us to tell us she'd be back. Al has taken swimming lessons every day this summer for the whole summer. He is really growing confident in the water- despite the sometimes ridiculous whining. I don't fear him falling into a pool as he's been trained in water survival.

Sink Update

I will be washing dishes in the bathtub today. Danny seems to think that just because you want to replace the broken faucet that a whole new sink needs to go in. God forbid they don't match.

New Car Smell

It's amazing how differently you can communicate with your children when you have the appropriate strategies and tools. So quickly do I want to dictate play, take a passive role, or try to speak for my kids. At tonight's Hanen class (which I'm loving) we evaluated how to play with our kids to maximize their communication. The SLPs running the class are so great and are teaching me quite a bit. It's sometimes hard to sit and wait for your kid to initiate communication, but when you learn how to get it from them it is so rewarding. I'm almost positive he tried to say "milk." There was mmmmm coming from him as I approached him with the bottle. I knew not to give it to him right away to promote him asking for it. It worked. He really reached for it, saying "muh muh." In learning how to play appropriately with Pup, I am seeing just how much he knows- something I think I was missing before. He really is communicating better than I thought. It's also taught me how to find opportunities to give him new vocabulary. It's also taught me to let AJ lead more when I play him. Often times I want to be director. I realize there is no right way to play Candyland now.

This weekend was very busy. We got a new car. Thank goodness as Husband's truck was on it's last legs. I have yet to take a pic of it but I'll try to remember tomorrow. It's a Nissan Versa. A little smaller than I'm use to driving, but the smell...........Love the smell of new car! We were literally at the dealer for hours with a short break as AJ had a birthday party to attend. It was a sprinkler, swim in the bouncy house kind of a party.

Of course the pinata broke right before it was his turn, but he wasn't too disappointed. What I don't understand is how parents could fill the pinata with jawbreakers when all the guests are 3 and 4. Needless to say, I had to hide the bag of candy. He's not quite ready for those yet.

We got a good interest rate as we financed it through our credit union instead of the dealer. Our insurance didn't go up much more, either. But not having a car payment in about 5 years it'll be a bit harder financially. I need to put Husband on a budget. He's the shopper in this family.

Today I took the kids to my mother's house so AJ could plant pumpkin seeds. He did the same last year so I believe it's now technically a tradition! My mother has a little plot of garden space on the side of her house. She's worked the once hard, non growing soil into something that can grow all kinds of vegetables. She has corn, huge zucchini....It's really impressive. She also has veggies growing out of plastic tubs all over her yard as it's mostly cement. In October she has a full fledged pumpkin patch and we will go over there, pick one, and paint them. Last year she bought some pumpkins from the market just to make it look more plentiful.