Applebees Fund Raiser for NES Rafting Field Trip

Last night we ate as a family in support of the 6th grade Rafting Trip.  A portion of the proceeds will go to off set the cost to each rafter.

Christopher did very well to sit there for so long.  At just when he had had enough out came dessert.  He was back in the game! 

More Changes and Little time to think.

Christopher has a new schedule this week.  Same tutors, new location.  Home!  and with a few playgroups for social interaction.  Mommy gets to go on Mondays, and our good friend Sarah takes him on Tuesday and Thursdays.  His first play group was this Tuesday, he played nice but didn't want to participate in the group settings just yet.  Maybe when Jim joins him on Thursday he can help Christopher with some strategies.

Still working three days a week, managing Christopher's schedule and routine, Daniels special school projects, his humor, and two sports right now, Clearing Sailing Investment Groups computer geek, marketing manager, and what ever else they need, wife (sometimes), ramping up for KDCP annual event, advocating to secure state funds for Early Intervention, real-estate manager for NH houses, animal care taker, lanscaper (planted few flowers this year and mowed the lawn already!), house keeper and oh yeah next week is Hawk's Birthday so event planner too.  I really need to revise my resume.

So if you if you want to know how things are going . . . well; BUSY!

Outside Happiness - Wearing Daddy's Sweatshirt

Dirt at the ball field.

Hawk had a ball game.  First of the season.  Lucky for us they are about to repair the fields which meant that there was big pile of dirt to keep Christopher busy while we watched the game.

Pingu - Christopher's new favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/user/YouPinguTube

This link takes you to the you tube site where you will find a number of Pingu Penguin video shorts.  Christopher will watch these over and over - laughing out loud from way deep down in his belly.  From to watch him watch these.

They speak a lot like he does - in fast mumble tones.  It's as if they are speaking his langue and he understands!

Maybe tomorrow I'll get a chance to video him watching the video and laughing.

Parenthood - TV Series.

Love this show - if you haven't seen it, well it's worth watching.  You are only 8 episodes behind, start now, watch online and you can skip all the commercials.

It's on at 10pm on Tuesday nights, too late for me which is why I watch either on line or on demand.

Let me know what you think.

http://www.nbc.com/parenthood/episode-guide/

HURRY UP - apparently the first couple of episodes are no longer available on line and one more is due to drop off on 4/28.  Start from whats available - ask me if you have any questions I'll fill you in.

The gist is on big family - Grandparents, 4 grown children, and multiple grandkids.  Each family has it's own dynamic, yet they are one big connected family.  One family has a young son diagnosed at age 8 with Asperger's. I am totally relating to much of his parents reactions, frustrations and joys.

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY COUSIN SCOTT!

Super Hero Celebration!

Super Baby Nora - almost here!

DID SOMEONE SAY CAKE??????  

I LOVE CAKE. 

Big brother babysits.

Big brother is home this week on school vacation.  Dan and I asked that Daniel baby sit while we went thru a computer conversion for the business here.  While working in my office Daniel asked if it might be a good time for Christopher to go nigh nights for nap, I replied yes I'll be just a minute or two.   Next thing I know Daniel announces to me that Christopher is down for a nap.  I never heard a single protest from Christopher.  Daniel had calmly  checked his diaper, filled his water cup, turn on his nap lights, and tucked Christopher into bed with cow.  WAY TO GO DANIEL!  I love my boys.  They both make me so proud.

Imaginary Play

This week Christopher is really getting into the imaginary play.  He has been using little people, animals, objects and making them play together.  They talk to each other , they go in and out of the small house or barn, and sometime they go for a ride in his school bus.  Today while Martha visited he even allowed "baby" doll to join in and declared that " baby" have a turn.

Re-enactment.

Re-enactment.  While visiting at Mema's the adults were sitting in the kitchen and the kids (Brother, Daniel / Cousin, Kaleigh / and Christopher) were running around and around the house.  At one point we heard a small crash from the living room.  No crying, no aftermath, so no one went to check in.  But so as not to miss out on some sympathy from us Christopher brought his large police vehicle that he had been running with into the kitchen where we all could see.  He proceeded to fall and place the vehicle on top of him self.  Small bit of drama.  We all clapped when he got up glad that he was OK and this was repeated a few more times for our viewing and our praise and care for him being OK.

Playing at the park.

This afternoon we went to Mema's for a visit.  Mema was making nice dinner for my birthday.  We had yummy wings from the "hanger" in Amherst and my favorite lemon cake.  Christopher helped me to blow out my candles.  According to the number of candles I am only seven years old.  Times 5 or something like that.

Cousin Kaleigh had softball practice at the school so we walked down and we played at the playground till she finished.  Christopher was amazing.  He went up and down the slide with the big kids.  He immediately began to make friends.  At one point he even went right over to a young boy his height and said hi right in his face with big smile.  He and another little boy TJ age 5 really hit it off.  They had great conversation and enjoyed sliding together.  They even went together to the swings.  At one point their were many kids on the slide and the volume got loud and Christopher went off to the other side of the structure to take a break but easily and on his own returned to the fun within moments.  

At one point while at the top of the structure he struck up a conversation with another Mom that was at the top with her daughter and he declared while pointing to me "Thats my Mama."  He was aware of my presence and a few times when he didn't know where I was he stopped to call out to me. Excellent awareness, this is new. 

When it was nearing time to go I began the count down warning.  We are on 3 almost time to go, we are on 2 getting ready to go, we are on 1 time to go.  And without any fuss at all he sat in his stroller and allowed me to fasten him without any protest and we left the park. 

WAY TO GO CHRISTOPHER!

Three Days, Three Meals Each, Plus Snacks

These three past days eating habits have improved.  Not only has he sat at the table to eat but I have noticed that he has now the ability to recognize and express hunger or thirst.  I learned a lot at the Sensory Processing and Eating Seminar last week, many of the tips learned aided in this weekends success.  Try chewing a meal on the opposite side that of your mouth - you do have a  preferred side - and notice how awkward it feels.  This is only a small portion of the difficulty that Christopher faces when challenged with eating.  His senses of smell, touch, sight and taste all collide or miss one another - sort of a overload of message or miss fire of message depending on the food.  We have to help him to make those connections in a way that he enjoys food and the process of eating it.

He choose on his own to try a new food this week end, much to Daniels surprise.  Sitting on the step into the kitchen Daniel was enjoying a frozen yogurt when Christopher decided that he wanted to try it.  Daniel obliged then ended up havening to give it the Christopher or rather Christopher really just took it from him.  Thank you Daniel.  Not a new food to his diet but in a new presentation.  I was surprised that he held the frozen yogurt, but he loved it.

Hello. Hello, anyone there? HELLO? Anyone?

Go to this link to HEAR Christopher . . . No picture, just sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jCQir8Y2uo


This morning this is the sound I heard from the baby monitor.  Fortunately I sleep with my cell phone next to me as well, so I grabbed it and recorded this voice memo.

Getting Organized.

Ok - SENSORY OVERLOAD!  This weeks intake mentally, physically, and emotionally has been way too much for Mommy.  Sorry the blogs have halted for the last few days, we've been really busy getting organized to allow for more freedom to play, think and plan.  More later . . .

Eating.

Today was by far the best day ever for Christopher and eating.  He ate three meals, healthy food choices, and two snacks all sitting at the table.  No food in front of the TV, no snacks on the go.  AND NO HASSLE.  If everyday could now only be have as easy as this that would be great.

Special Guest Speaker at Dinner - Keith Jones

Keith Jones grew up in the 70's down south a black boy with CP.  Against all odds he has refused to be anything less than a human being with all the same desires you have for yourself.  He spoke of the struggle his mom faced from being told she should institutionalized.  Well money and love couldn't afford that as an option.  Today he is married and has two children.  Despite being told he wouldn't even speak, he spoke tonight and inspired a room of hope full parents and service providers that we can teach and guide those around us of acceptance not of disability but rather possibility.

Keith Jones is featured in the documentary "INCLUDING SAMUEL"
I now have a copy of this video for those of you near me that would like to view it.

www.includingsamuel.com

Disability rights pioneer Keith Jones set to speak at UNH on April 22
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100407/GJNEWS_01/704079930/-1/FOSNEWS

Keynote Speaker: Barry Prizant, Ph.D.,CCC-SLP

Today's conference began with keynote speaker Barry Prizant.
His message was fantastic and his knowledge vast!  Here are some of my notes.

B A L A N C E
Challenges for families, service providers and research/policy makers.

A) FAMILIES
Stress - the experience of stress
1) Uncertainty
2) Unexpected events
3) Lack of control
well isn't that the truth - thats my everyday!
Getting stuck in the fog of "something is wrong"
Understanding the disability and how much do we need to explain?  How do we explain it?
Who to believe in the face of discepant opinions and information?
Which treatment(s) are best?
Coping with the future.
Daily juggling act and balance.

B)  SERVICE PROVIDERS and the challenges they face
Working with the child vs. supporting the parent.
Competence & Knowledge.
Learning from parents too to support the child best.
Respecting the parents priorities and wishes.
Dealing with conflicts/discrepentcies among professionals with ones philosophy and practice
Resisting the compulsion to "fix" and "rescue" learning how to "bear witness"
    sound boarding, think tank vs do this, don't do this
    enables problem solving = empowerment
Developing trusting relationships in a short period of time and then letting go.

C) RESEARCH/POLICY MAKERS
Finding the balance of etiology & biomedical issues vs. treatment
Research vs. treatment and family support - how the dollars raised are being spent?

"There are smaller lives and large lives.  The surest gauge of scale of a life is how many other lives it touches.  Thank you for all you do."

For more by Barry Prizant visit

www.scerts.com
and
www.barryprizant.com

Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium Conference!

Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium Conference!
http://www.maeic.org/docs/31st%20MEIC%20Conference-FINAL.pdf

Looking forward to this amazing opportunity to learn and meet others.  I hope to bring back a lot of information and understanding to put to practice and share with others soon.

This week - schedule change up!

Monday April 12

At house from 8-5

Tutor Charlotte 3-5

Tuesday April 13

(Jennifer out of town)

Dan drops off for 8:30

Sarah P/U for 12:20 till 5

Tutor Hannah 3-5

Wednesday April 14

(Jennifer out of town)

At house from 8-5

? Martha sometimes comes at 8 on Wednesday

if she comes, Sarah works along side Martha

No afternoon tutor

Thursday April 15

Dan drops off for 8:30

Sarah P/U for 12:20 till 5

Tutor Hannah 3-5

JC home at 5

Friday April 9

Dan drops off for 8:00

Sarah P/U for 12:20
No afternoon tutor

JC home at 5

Fun with Shaving Cream!

So for a long while we played in a more controlled way with shaving cream.  It was fun.  My mistake was then to leave the can within reach unsupervised! This is what happened. LOL
See Video - - - - - -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_SFfBklM_U

I Eat.

We are improving in the area of eating.  Not so much the variety, but eating in more regular intervals.  We were outside playing the other day, and let's just say there is really no easy way to transition him back indoors.  He often is carried in kicking and screaming. But two things happened . . . while outside he willingly and without prompting began to walk back to the front door and proceeded to tell me "I Eat".  He actually told me it was time to go in and that he was hungry!  YEAH!

Dancing - Loving those Mighty Machines

WATCH ME CUT THE RUG  - - - -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk9yw_2KEiQ

No one is aloud to just sit during this song.  All must participate.  In fact I was surprised that he allowed me a break to video this.  This video was actually taken in February.  This was when he began saying "Taint You" AKA Thank You.  He had a great weekend then with his cousin visiting for a few nights.  They both enjoyed spending time together.  Cousin was excited about his progress and he was excited to have her undivided attention.

In this video he also says " I am ready", "Choo Choo" and he tells me to "Stop" near the end.

Where did COW go? Trip to Ear Doctor Today

Today Christopher and I had to drive up to Concord NH for a follow up appointment for hearing.  I packed up the car, went to get Christopher then lastly I went to get COW and his water sip cup from where I left them at the top of the stairs.  I was going mad trying to find them in the last few minutes I had left in order to leave on time!  I swore I had left them at the top of the stairs, then I second guessed myself and started tracing my last few steps before putting Christopher into the car.  Then something said "maybe Christopher moved them", well in fact he had!  He had put COW to bed with his water sip cup!  Oh my God how cute is that?!

It took three adults to hold him still enough for the doctor to look carefully into his ears.  Crying, kicking, grunting then when the doctor rolled back on his stool Christopher stopped immediately and promptly said "Taint You"  (AKA Thank you) Ears tested within range - one less than the other - but nothing to worry about right now.  His left ear was the lesser and still has the tube.  His right ear tube has come out.  Both ears continue to have a lot of was build up but nothing to do about that - Doctor says NO Q TIPS!  At least there have been no infections!  Must be that between me and his brother we have had more than enough for many lifetimes that Christopher will be spared that terrible pain! Next follow up 6 months.  No need to worry about tonsils for now either.  This is good news.

First Lunch Date with Mom & Friends

Our first lunch date.  Christopher sat for an hour during lunch even though it slid into what would normally be nap time.  Of course he was bribed with some of his favorite foods and small toys but the point is he did it!  The high chair didn't have a strap on it and at first I almost rejected it to ask for one with a strap but decided we'd give it a go.  Personally I find it frustrating that public chairs and carts often have the straps missing or broken, this is extremely unsafe and shouldn't be allowed.  Oh well, I was right there to redirect him in his escape attempts, each time with out much fuss he was redirected to being present to our lunch date.  Way to go Christopher!  I see more lunch dates in our future.  I remember when his brother was the same age, we had a weekly dinner date, we rode our bike to the library followed by hot dogs and hot chocolate at Lindy's Dinner.  After today, I will have to figure a more regular outing for Christopher and I. 

Easter

We spent Easter at Auntie Kate's and Uncle Garrett's house.  The weather was perfect for lots of outside time.  Everyone was outside, and Christopher found his way all around the yard.  He enjoyed the Barbie car rides provided by his cousin Kaleigh and the surprises found in the Easter Eggs brought much excitement too. Who says Easter egg hunts are just for kids? Daddy and Daniel nearly ran into each other hunting for eggs.  Good thing they didn't know till after the hunt that they were each filled with scratch tickets or they may have really gotten into a brawl.

Foreman In Training

This video was taken back in January.  It's taken me this long to get it uploaded.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kDHy8YPwW8

Easter Eggs

View Christopher's Easter Egg Coloring Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2_M2Yn3b_8