Update - Sitting on the potty.

We have the little potty in the bathroom next to the big potty.  This morning Christopher is commando wearing an pair of elastic waist pants.  I had to go to the bathroom and he joined me.  Mirroring me he pulled down his pants and sat on the potty.  He sat and stood sat and stood, looking into the potty, nothing there, stand some more, sit some more than all done. Never actually did anything other than sit, but thats enough for now!  Good job Christopher.

Son's of Erin Annual BBQ

This photo - Christopher is dancing to the music when suddenly he discovers he is leaving wet foot prints on the concrete. 

Hawk hanging out - nothing else he can do. :-(

Fun! A jump house!

Clapping and running to the beat of the band.

No Diapers - Back to diapers. Previewing Potty training.

Monday afternoon this week (yeah I am behind in my posts).  Christopher didn't want a diaper, in fact since it was an afternoon at home with Mom he went without anything.  I had to go shopping and was really just talking out loud all the things I had to do in order to get out of the house.  But Christopher listened.  I said " Hey buddy, we need to get you dressed, I got to go upstairs get clothes, and then we can get in the truck and go grocery shopping, won't that be fun."  That's a lot to process - I know I was feeling overwhelmed with the many steps it takes to do all that and actually get rolling never mind the shopping part.  When I came downstairs I had to then find Christopher - he had vanished?  No, he upon my long statement went into the bathroom and was waiting patiently on the changing table to be dressed.  Bless you dear child, you do understand me even when I don't understand myself sometimes.  Kisses and Hugs, we are off to buy food and big boy undies. 

That night he went to bed wearing two pairs of his new underwear because he couldn't choose between the pair with Mator or Lighting Mac-Queen, and woke up dry.  We have been putting on undies during the stretches of the day where he has good chance of staying dry and diapering in the others, so far so good.  I would go straight undies except that he has not yet sat on the potty.  He'll stand near and he'll flush the big one, and is barely interested in the little potty.  

Taking it on his cue . . .so this may take a while . . . forward and back . . . and someday he'll get there.  I have no real expectations for how this will go other than I am sure that he will surprise me along the way with his abilities. 

Hawk is broken.

Oh yeah one more post before bed.  Last night I had to take Hawk to the ER.  Thank you SF for meeting us at the ER and taking such good care of Christopher.  Because you are so great I was able to be present to Hawk knowing that Christopher was with you.

Now the trouble is that Christopher and Hawk are so accustomed to a friendly brotherly tousle day in and day out, now we have to be real careful not hurt Hawk further.  So no more jumping around for a while.

Hawks Story
http://hawkchabo.blogspot.com/

IEP

I have been neglecting my work on this . . .  not sure why the hesitation . . . have a week to write my thoughts and goals as well as coach Dan through this so that his input is included.  Perhaps this weekend.  In fact while writing this I think a camp fire chat would be quiet nice. For now need some veg time in front of the tube now, then bed.

Finger Nails

How on earth am I going to cut this boys nails on his hands and feet when he gets to strong for me?  It just took a solid 15 minutes to trim them.  He sobs with full streams of tears, and if not for them needing to be done so badly I would simply say forget it.  Phew, need a break after that one for sure.

I've tried the sneak attack, the 3,2,1 count down preparation, the you want to try yourself . . .  and on and on.  Always it comes down to tucking a limb in the fold of one arm and going for it.

Though I have to say this time when I told him if he wanted to be done he would need to sit still and though he wasn't the kind of still I needed him to be he did calm down some.

Hello Christopher I know you hear me, and I know you understand . . . Mommy just wishes you could tell me in a way that is easier for me to understand you. 
Love Mom.

Hanging out in Poppy's truck. Literally.

Also at the ball field when not playing on the play structure with the other children Christopher spent some time exploring the ins and outs of Poppy's truck.

Fire Truck

Yesterday while at the ball field for Hawk's ball game we where next to the fire-station.  There the fire men were working on the old truck outdoors, and they were very accommodating to allow Christopher an opportunity to sit inside the cab.  While inside he checked out the big flash light, the radio and honked to horn three times.  I gave him a 3,2,1 count down to his time being all done and he willingly with out protest got out of the cab after just a few short moments.  Amazing! Thank you fireman for this opportunity to explore the truck and to impress Mom with Christopher's ability to follow direction.

Mom's first flower.

Thank you Poppy for coming to the ball field with us last night were we witnessed Hawk's first ever Grand Slam. And for capturing this photo of Christopher picking for me my first flower from him.  Oh, so cute.

Fun at the school carnival to raise money for play ground equipment.

Waiting in line to do some jumping in the big purple Dino.  He did great waiting, stays relatively near by and waited, but if you look in the picture where he's holding his ear - you'll see thats him flicking his ear in anticipation for his turn.  

Worth the wait - Hawk and Christopher had so much fun.  I ask that I be given a 1 minute warning before we had to pull him out so that I could prepare him for the end.  Still we had to pull him out.  But overall good experience.

New Hair Cut - this time it went much better.

This time went much better than the last one.  Still I had to wrap him in a towel and tie my little bundle with a scarf to the chair but we got through it much better this time.   And look how cute he is sitting eating his breakfast this morning. 

Bribery

OK this is another picture of us waiting for hearing tests.  And that is one of the two doughnuts that I brought with me to bribe him as needed.  It worked! 

Bath time at the kitchen sink.

Not much to say here except that when HAWK is around everything gets better, hence the smile.

At the ear Doctor's office.

This actually took place well over a month ago - but just getting around to posting.  I took pictures of this space in the waiting room because he had so much fun here.  I actually think that the Doctor should just come out here rather than ripping them away from such fun only to go into a scary boring white room.  

Assessment & IEP underway.

Assessment - This Monday at our house.  8:30 AM
IEP - June 10th, at the School.  11:00 AM

PECs - Communicating with pictures.

OH MY GOD - Tonight, I was moving the lawn with the rider and Dan Sr was with Christopher inside. They waved to me from the big glass door, but then, UGH!  Dan Sr. and Christopher come outside . . .WHY!  I am trying to mow the lawn . . . so I stop . . . and Dan tells me that Christopher took his PECs out of his bag turned the pages to find the "Outside" picture and placed it on the velcro stip!  Ok Dan you are forgiven.  How can you say no to that!  So cute.


Information for others interested in  
PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) link below:
http://www.pecsusa.com/support.php

Table time and food.

So eating at the table has gotten to the point where it is completely the norm now. Still though I struggle with his limited variety for what he'll eat, but he eats well.  It's really more my issue than his, he eats good foods, sprinkled with some yummy ones.

This weekend I offered apple sauce, he agreed, I thought he would head straight to the table but instead detoured to the silverware drawer and picked out a spoon by himself, then promptly sat himself to the table.

Also this weekend he came to the table at 11:45 on Sunday and climbed into his chair and said eat.  I hadn't even put anything on the table yet.  But he knew he was hungry and it was lunch time - so I threw together a plate real quick and he ate it all up.

Always Eats
Power Bar Honey Yogurt Peanut (one flavor)
Pizza
Strawberries
Cheese
Cheese Puffs
Bananas
Little Debbie Blueberry Muffins
Water, cup, sippie, water bottle
Yohoo Drink Box
Snacks - Oreo's, Fruit Snacks, Chocolate
Sometimes Eats
Apples
Apple Sauce
Yogurt
Banannas
Poptarts
Kellogs Breakfast Bars

Updating

Well this post is a quick post to say that we are settling into our new schedule quite nice.  Christopher seems very relaxed these past two weeks.  I have been really busy, ramping up for KDCP's annual event, prop designs, programs to write, and all else that goes on to put on such a performance.  All the while Daniel had three friends over this weekend and KK and Kaleigh visited all weekend too.  KK and I worked a lot this weekend preparing for the recital and the kids played.  The kids were great, including Christopher.  They all kept each other occupied and busy them selves.  Me-ma Dy visited us on Mothers day since we couldn't get away to see her.  She brought snacks and adult beverages!  Yeah Mom, you rock.  Thank you.

I am working everyday this week covering for vacations so posting may be at a minimum .  Stay with us though I will get caught up.

I have places to go, things to do, me and cow we're hitting the road . . .

AND NO ONE CAN STOP ME!  
I AM ONE VERY DETERMINED 
YOUNG MAN!

Did someone say "Let's Visit the Creamy?"

Tis the season has begun for some ice cream in the sun!

April 27th Yankee Magazine named our Local Creamy one of the top spots to stop in our county.  We agree, wish we could stop here everyday and sit on the front porch at Mims Market watching the traffic go by whilst we lick upon the creamy cones we love so much this time of year.


FLASH BACK 
ICE CREAM ON THE GO
PICTURE FROM LAST YEAR . . . . . . . . . .

Bath time (Rather that is sink time, since we don't have tub)

Bath time has been a challenge always and continues to be so.  Poor little guy will play in water, but when it come time to bath he gets so upset.  Tonight I stripped him down, and rather than carrying him to the sink he with his naked little bum held my hand and we walked with tears all the way to the kitchen sink.  Even sad though he walked with me, this is improvement.  As opposed to the seat drop in place requiring me to carry him.  We tend to make quick business washing all the important spots with a cloth, in and out.  Tonight while standing in the sink he pointed to his towel on the counter and said "all done" before we even got started. I also tackled the finger nails tonight (before bath).  Next - we need another hair cut.  But for that I am going to buy a better set of clippers.  I went into Sally Beauty Supply today and checked them all out.  I explained to the man our need for a set of clipper that gets the job done fast!  He showed me a good quality clipper for about 50 bucks and told me that it would be on sale, 20% off, starting tomorrow.  So I will return tomorrow and pick it up.  Our Walmart clippers simply are "cutting" it any more.

Monday Play Group

Monday Play Group - Picture is from snack time, he was first to the table and last to leave.  He wanted to get back to playing so badly that he stood up with the last bite of his protein bar in his hand and looked at the others then back to the table.  He made the choice to sit back down to finish his food, then said all done.  

He also was challenged perhaps for the first time by and older child today.  For the purpose of this story we'll name the other child Timmy.  Timmy took a train that Christopher was playing with, Christopher was very upset by this.  I feared that he would haul off and hit him or worst bite him.  But he showed great control!  He did show attempts to hit Timmy but was controlling himself enough that his hand never made contact.  At one point Timmy sternly told Christopher to "Be Quiet" this took Christopher by surprise, but only for a minute, he then went back to lobbying for his train. 

This was a good day.  A good first day with this play group. 

HAWK's Birthday Montage Event.

On Sunday we (just the four of us.) Went on an adventure to do some special shopping for Hawk's 12th Birthday.

On the way Christopher was kind to oblige to our schedule and took a great nap in the car. 

We first stopped at Staples for a necessary business trip for Daddy's Company, while waiting in the parking lot Christopher slept and Hawk went car shopping with my camera.  Here's what he found.

Next it was off the Hockey Shop to order a Team Jacket for HAWK.  While in this very congested store there was a moment of pure panic when Christopher slipped away and was out of site.  I yelled to Daniel cover the front door (which was open to Main St Springfield) and I found him in the back.  Yikes!  Just a second but panic no the less.  This place was so packed I had hard time moving through it my self. 

Now on to Khols.  HAWK needs new spring clothes and kicks.  He and I shopped, HAWK tried on all his new clothes and Dan and Christopher strolled around the store.  Apparently they were shopping too because when we met again in the middle of the store they had Lighting Macquine Books, Dump Truck Pajama's and new kicks for Dan.  I got nothing - but I do have $50 Kohls cash now to go back and spend on me. 

Finally time to eat.  We all went to the Cracker Barrel.  Our families favorite.  Good yummy food, not so big bill.   During our meal Christopher played great pretend games with his two Dinosaur's and his Alligator.  He pretended that the Alligator got stuck in the lattice on the wall next to him and the Dinosaurs saved him.  Over and over.  Bring on the dessert!

This picture is BRAIN FREEZE!

Next Mommy want a bite?

And HAWK - with chocolate cake stuck to his front teeth!

This cake was so yummy!  And for the first time ever Christopher let me feed him with the fork.  You see he must feed himself, on his terms.  But I guess cake was worth letting go of some of that control.  He giggled through his closed teeth when he exercised some control to say that I would have the fork back when he was ready as he bit on it.  

The ride home.  The boys laughed and giggled together on the way home.

WHAT A GREAT DAY!

Fun Visit

Visit this site to see 

Four Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76XlGvHsHq0

Looking forward to our visit today

Today we will be blessed by a visit of the girls.  Hannah, Hailey, and Emily!  Can't wait to see them!