After a busy and fun filled summer the kids had their first week of school last week and have entered into the second week today.
So far so good!
Emma likes her 1st grade teacher and is doing really well. I think she tends to respond better to other people teaching her than her own mother! She is reading and doing more math than I thought she could do. She always tells me she doesn't know how to read but this momma caught her reading! Stinker. She is still always on the go and never stops. As soon as her head hits the pillow it's light out. If you don't hurry to say good night then she will be asleep before you get there to tuck her in.
Katelyn is 19 months and a busy bee. She is not thrilled that her brother and sister are now in school. She is absolutely in love with Mickey and Minnie Mouse and now has taken a liking to Dora. We call her the hoarder because she likes to walk around the house with her arms absolutely full of toys! I stopped nursing her at 18 months. I am not weird. I am not insane. :) But it was time for us to end it. She is a easy going baby (Toddler: ahhh) and a true joy to be around.
Nathan has done great at school! He loves his teacher and he really thrives on the set schedule. He acts like a movie star waving and talking to all the teachers and staff and knows their names and room numbers. He is excited that this year might be harder for him. His teacher is talking about getting him into the gifted program this year. He will continue to do PT 2 times in a 6 day cycle and he will also see the school psychiatrist 2 times in a 6 day cycle which is actually more than last year.
The mornings and nights are cooling off and it seems like fall is already in the air! I love this cooler weather. Time sure passes fast with kids. They are growing up very fast.
Time for homework!
Family
"I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to give you a hope and a future."
Monday, September 9, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Nathan's 504 for the coming year
I am finally getting around to updating about Nathan's 504. It actually means a lot that a few people have asked me to update and let them know how things went. Thanks to all who prayed!
First we got a great report from Nathan's Physical Therapist. She said Nathan went through a slump where he refused to do anything, said he couldn't do it, it was too hard, and would just give up. This must have been when we got the report that was less than stellar and I found to be very discouraging. Let me also make it clear that I have no desire for my son to become some super star athlete and that we are beyond grateful for what he can do. We look at him receiving PT (physical therapy) as a way to help better him in a few areas that are lacking. So please don't ever think we are complaining. We are glad Nathan can walk and run! Anything after that is icing on the cake.
Anyways, his therapist said she was considering contacting me and telling me Nathan wasn't cooperating and she wasn't sure what to do. That he had given up but then something changed. She said Nathan began to doing what he was supposed to do and even trying hard to do it for longer than his goal time! His last report was glowing! He has met many of his goals.
In the coming school year he still qualifies for PT. They will work on environmental awareness: not tripping over objects, paying attention to his surroundings, and things such as that. They will work on him catching a ball. Nathan rarely can catch a ball that is thrown to him. They will work on his kicking a ball that has been rolled to him. He can't kick it if it's rolling. His timing is too off. These may seem like minor goals but the real point of these goals is a focus on Nathan's motor skills which are lacking.
Nathan will meet the with school Psychologist once every 6 days. They will focus less on not interrupting and taking control of the class and more on the aspects of friendships and what being a friend means.
They are also considering the use of noise canceling headphones during loud times at school. Nathan has been very stressed this year when there have been assemblies, loud lunches, and too much noise in his classroom. Strict guidelines will be put in place for use of the headphone due to Nathan's obsessive personality.
So that's about it for his 504. We have more paperwork, more things to sign, and we are grateful for all of it!
Emma did very well for her kindergarten year. She was sad to leave her teacher and friends but happy about the summer. She has learned to read a little and do some math.
Katelyn has hit the terrible 2's even though she's only 16 months old. She goes from happy to crying in 2 seconds flat! The words "no" really makes her angry!
This week at church we are doing a VBS. The first day was yesterday and we had a great turn out. Nathan has made friends with a boy from his school and it's nice to hear the two of them chatting away to each other.
Some of the neighborhood boys have "disappeared" and don't come around anymore. It's difficult for Nathan to keep the friends he makes.
Chris and I notice more things are definitely to do with Nathan's Asperger's and his way of thinking than just typical 7 yr old boy thinking. I won't go into details but Nathan pitched an absolute fit the other day because the kids weren't playing the way he wanted them to play. He wanted them to stop their game and play his game and when they said no he lost it. It's time like these I wish there was more understanding because Chris and I both tried to reason with him and make him understand but he would not and could it. It's during times like these his Asperger's is more apparent. It's just a funny way of thinking he has.
Chris said he recently heard someone say that kids with Autism and Aspergers are just disobedient kids needing discipline. We couldn't disagree more. We know when Nathan is just being a naughty seven year old and needs to be disciplined and believe me he gets put in the corner and has things taken away. We never let him use his Aspergers as an excuse to be bad. But we also know when he is reacting as a child with Aspergers to something. When a tantrum is "not normal" but we also don't let him get too rude or wild. There is a limit. If he needs to go to his room and shout and scream because he's angry or upset or something didn't go the way he pre-planned then he is allowed but only before for so long. After a while we make sure he knows enough is enough.
We are human. We get frustrated. We get perplexed.
First we got a great report from Nathan's Physical Therapist. She said Nathan went through a slump where he refused to do anything, said he couldn't do it, it was too hard, and would just give up. This must have been when we got the report that was less than stellar and I found to be very discouraging. Let me also make it clear that I have no desire for my son to become some super star athlete and that we are beyond grateful for what he can do. We look at him receiving PT (physical therapy) as a way to help better him in a few areas that are lacking. So please don't ever think we are complaining. We are glad Nathan can walk and run! Anything after that is icing on the cake.
Anyways, his therapist said she was considering contacting me and telling me Nathan wasn't cooperating and she wasn't sure what to do. That he had given up but then something changed. She said Nathan began to doing what he was supposed to do and even trying hard to do it for longer than his goal time! His last report was glowing! He has met many of his goals.
In the coming school year he still qualifies for PT. They will work on environmental awareness: not tripping over objects, paying attention to his surroundings, and things such as that. They will work on him catching a ball. Nathan rarely can catch a ball that is thrown to him. They will work on his kicking a ball that has been rolled to him. He can't kick it if it's rolling. His timing is too off. These may seem like minor goals but the real point of these goals is a focus on Nathan's motor skills which are lacking.
Nathan will meet the with school Psychologist once every 6 days. They will focus less on not interrupting and taking control of the class and more on the aspects of friendships and what being a friend means.
They are also considering the use of noise canceling headphones during loud times at school. Nathan has been very stressed this year when there have been assemblies, loud lunches, and too much noise in his classroom. Strict guidelines will be put in place for use of the headphone due to Nathan's obsessive personality.
So that's about it for his 504. We have more paperwork, more things to sign, and we are grateful for all of it!
Emma did very well for her kindergarten year. She was sad to leave her teacher and friends but happy about the summer. She has learned to read a little and do some math.
Katelyn has hit the terrible 2's even though she's only 16 months old. She goes from happy to crying in 2 seconds flat! The words "no" really makes her angry!
This week at church we are doing a VBS. The first day was yesterday and we had a great turn out. Nathan has made friends with a boy from his school and it's nice to hear the two of them chatting away to each other.
Some of the neighborhood boys have "disappeared" and don't come around anymore. It's difficult for Nathan to keep the friends he makes.
Chris and I notice more things are definitely to do with Nathan's Asperger's and his way of thinking than just typical 7 yr old boy thinking. I won't go into details but Nathan pitched an absolute fit the other day because the kids weren't playing the way he wanted them to play. He wanted them to stop their game and play his game and when they said no he lost it. It's time like these I wish there was more understanding because Chris and I both tried to reason with him and make him understand but he would not and could it. It's during times like these his Asperger's is more apparent. It's just a funny way of thinking he has.
Chris said he recently heard someone say that kids with Autism and Aspergers are just disobedient kids needing discipline. We couldn't disagree more. We know when Nathan is just being a naughty seven year old and needs to be disciplined and believe me he gets put in the corner and has things taken away. We never let him use his Aspergers as an excuse to be bad. But we also know when he is reacting as a child with Aspergers to something. When a tantrum is "not normal" but we also don't let him get too rude or wild. There is a limit. If he needs to go to his room and shout and scream because he's angry or upset or something didn't go the way he pre-planned then he is allowed but only before for so long. After a while we make sure he knows enough is enough.
We are human. We get frustrated. We get perplexed.
And above all
We are
BLESSED!
So here comes summer. Here comes fun. Here comes pool days, lazy days, beach, zoo, and friends. And for us here comes drama, tears, and misunderstandings and trying to get Nathan to make and keep friends and not chase them away. And lot so pre-planning and notification about what we will do in a day to keep his stress level down.
We pray for wisdom in parenting all our children. We are grateful for each of them. Nathan and Emma have both now asked the Lord Jesus into their hearts. We pray now it was true and we will see the "fruit" or proof of that in their lives.
I am amazed I wrote all this in one sitting but Katelyn's telling me enough is enough and I think she's right! :)
Thursday, May 2, 2013
"But they don't want to play with you..."
It's been a long time since I've updated but with the three kids, and lots of neighborhood friends and other happenings I have not taken the time to sit down and write an update! So here goes!
Nathan is doing so well! He is almost done with first grade. He does complain it's too easy and he gets bored but still he is doing well. He seems to be getting along with most of the kids at school and has made several friends. He sort of has had a bit of a fall back when it comes to physical therapy. This last report was not as good as his reports have been. His main areas that he lacks in are coordination and balance. He can't throw a ball the way a boy his age should and he can't seem to kick a rolling ball and his balance is not so good.
But we have had victories! Nathan is riding a bike! This is huge! Nathan could not ride a traditional bike. He was not able to balance, pedal, and steer. It was too much to do with his lack of motor skills. But I found a really cool tricycle and now he is zipping around and so proud of himself! So no, it's not an official bike but this proud momma doesn't care! Close enough!
\\
Lately I feel like I have really fallen into motherhood. I know... Nathan is 7 and so by now I should have already done this right? But now I feel like I am a more confidant mother. I trust my instincts, I am not afraid of a little crying when Katelyn is trying to soothe herself to sleep. I feel like I am enjoying being a mother now more than ever.
I am striving hard to enjoy every moment and understanding I can't really enjoy ALL the moments. I love to be a mom but I don't love the dirty diapers and the crying. I don't love teething and I don't look foward to potty trainging another child. But I really have fallen into motherhood....finally.. ha ha!
I am still nursing Katelyn in the morning and at night. Some days I say, "Ok, she is too old and I am done with this. I don't want to nurse anymore." Other days I say, "Well, it's good for her, helps me burn calories, and soothes her when she is so upset so why not a little longer?" I feel like society in general thinks it's weird to breastfeed and even weirder to breastfeed after 12 months but I don't care. With Nathan and Emma I would have cared. I would have scoured the internet and asked friends and doctors but now I am more confidant in my skills as a mom.
I am not a supermom. I end many of my days going to bed at 9:30 exhausted! I lose my patience and I sometimes I yell. But I am trying, like all us moms, to do this right thing.
Chris is doing well and busier than ever at work. It's nice to have him work from home. I make him his lunch and tea and I enjoy having sometime to talk to when he comes up for his lunch.
I think that is enough of an update! I will try harder to keep this blog updated but some days... :)
Nathan is doing so well! He is almost done with first grade. He does complain it's too easy and he gets bored but still he is doing well. He seems to be getting along with most of the kids at school and has made several friends. He sort of has had a bit of a fall back when it comes to physical therapy. This last report was not as good as his reports have been. His main areas that he lacks in are coordination and balance. He can't throw a ball the way a boy his age should and he can't seem to kick a rolling ball and his balance is not so good.
But we have had victories! Nathan is riding a bike! This is huge! Nathan could not ride a traditional bike. He was not able to balance, pedal, and steer. It was too much to do with his lack of motor skills. But I found a really cool tricycle and now he is zipping around and so proud of himself! So no, it's not an official bike but this proud momma doesn't care! Close enough!
Nathan's progress in the last few years is such that many say they can't even tell he has Aspergers anymore. That is great but trust me... he has it. :) I am glad people "can't tell" but believe me if you were with him all the time you would notice. Just recently he was playing with two boys in the yard and after yelling at them about rules and changing the rules and then threatening to "tell" on them they kids decided they'd had enough and left. Nathan then came and asked me if he could go to their yard!
I explained that the boys left because they didn't like the way he was playing. His reply, "Right, so I will go to their yard." I again explained nicely they left because they didn't like the way he was playing and that he was being a little mean. His reply? "I know so I will go play with them in their yard."
My reply, "Nathan, you don't understand that they don't want to play with you."
He thought this over and replied, "That's why I will go to their yard."
So yes, he is smart and lovable but social things don't make much sense to him.
He brought me a fake flower from school and he said, "Everyone threw theirs out but I gave mine to you."
I said, Oh Nathan! Thank you for thinking of me! How sweet. I love it! So nice for you to think of your mommy."
Nathan said, "Yeah well, I wasn't thinking about you. I didn't know what to do with it so I gave it to you." Ha ha! Oh well!
He has been more affectionate lately. I'm getting more hugs which is so nice!
Nathan's new obsession is chess. He talks about it, plays it on his phone, plays it at Chess club, and plays it with a glass chess set.
Another victory is has been a little more affectionate to me lately. He especially enjoys texting my mom and he seems to really open up with her and tell her how he feels.
Lately he has been doing this strange clap in his sisters face and I have asked him repeatedly to stop and finally I said, "Why do you keep doing that when I asked you to stop?"
He surprised me by saying, "I know I am not supposed to but I can't help it. My Aspergers makes me do it."
Now whether or not that is true or he was trying to get out of a punishment I don't know but he has never said something like that before.
Emma Grace is five and turning six this summer. She is spirited and strong willed and loves to dance and sing.
Emma loves to be a little mommy to Katelyn and Katelyn even calls Emma "Em Mom" sometimes. Ha ha! She is helpful and imaginative. She doesn't watch much TV. She'd rather play with her toys, her friends, or go outside. She is always on the go and sometimes she reminds me so much of myself when I was her age.
Katelyn is 14 months old now! That is crazy! I remember when I could hold her with one hand because she was so small. Now she is on the go. She loves yogurt, she loves when her brother and sister come home from school and she loves any visitors! She is definitely a very social baby. She listens very well and seems bright for her age. She responds to most things we say and surprises us at how much she understands. Her obsession is Mickey Mouse. She likes to watch a Mickey show every morning while I have my coffee. She is definitely a joy even when teething makes her cranky.
Me? I still love to cook and bake. Though lately I am trying to be a little more careful and get rid of the rest of this baby weight! I haven't had much time to write. This blog alone has taken me 2 days to write and several sessions. But when I saw someone "liked" my blog on Pinterest I thought I'd better update it! I still teach Sunday school and our yard always seems filled with children. This has given us the opportunity to take a couple of these kids to church with us.
\\Lately I feel like I have really fallen into motherhood. I know... Nathan is 7 and so by now I should have already done this right? But now I feel like I am a more confidant mother. I trust my instincts, I am not afraid of a little crying when Katelyn is trying to soothe herself to sleep. I feel like I am enjoying being a mother now more than ever.
I am striving hard to enjoy every moment and understanding I can't really enjoy ALL the moments. I love to be a mom but I don't love the dirty diapers and the crying. I don't love teething and I don't look foward to potty trainging another child. But I really have fallen into motherhood....finally.. ha ha!
I am still nursing Katelyn in the morning and at night. Some days I say, "Ok, she is too old and I am done with this. I don't want to nurse anymore." Other days I say, "Well, it's good for her, helps me burn calories, and soothes her when she is so upset so why not a little longer?" I feel like society in general thinks it's weird to breastfeed and even weirder to breastfeed after 12 months but I don't care. With Nathan and Emma I would have cared. I would have scoured the internet and asked friends and doctors but now I am more confidant in my skills as a mom.
I am not a supermom. I end many of my days going to bed at 9:30 exhausted! I lose my patience and I sometimes I yell. But I am trying, like all us moms, to do this right thing.
Chris is doing well and busier than ever at work. It's nice to have him work from home. I make him his lunch and tea and I enjoy having sometime to talk to when he comes up for his lunch.
I think that is enough of an update! I will try harder to keep this blog updated but some days... :)
Monday, September 24, 2012
Boring Updates
Ok, so maybe not boring updates but updates none the less. I haven't blogged in a while because when you have a 6 years old, a 5 year old, and 7 month old it just so happens you don't have as much time to blog! Go figure.
Let's start with Nathan. I can't believe I am the mom of a 1st grader! That just seems so...strange. My baby? In first grade? No way! But Nathan is in first grade and doing so well. His teacher sends home a list of 100 words to "practice" and he knows nearly all of them. He has only missed a few here and there. He is up to 500 words now. His teacher said once he hits 1,000 words she will have to figure something else out for him to do as reaching 1,000 words is the end of the year goal. Yet, it's only September and he is halfway there!
Nathan does get to go to 3rd grade reading. He says the other kids in 3rd grade call him small and want to know why he is there. But he enjoys it. He still gets physical therapy for low muscle tone and balance issues. He still sees the psychologist once every 6 days to discuss social issues.
On the positive Nathan is growing up! He doesn't really whine much. He loves to help out with his baby sister. He is becoming "fun" to talk to. I am enjoying this 6 year old stage. He lets me hug and kiss him more. We still have issues with him "shouting" and getting frustrated easily but not as many. Just don't ask him to eat a piece of zucchini or he will wage an all out war! (By the way we won the zucchini war despite much gagging and out right crying over eating ONE bite)
Emma Grace. Boy, she is a wild card. One minute she is loving and affectionate and mature and helpful and the next minute she is a wailing mess of whining and crying in a contorted ball on the floor! She needs a lot more "discipline" than Nathan does at this point. She is playing Barbies with her friends and dressing up and the next minute she is climbing a tree or doing something insanely dangerous. She is our extreme child when it comes to both behavior and what she likes.
I've heard, she is may just be a tad like I was as a kid. Reckless. A whiner. Doing crazy stuff. Driving people....dare I say it...nuts! Hmm But she loves her mommy and sister (even her brother) and her Daddy. She craves affection and approval. Every day after school she says it was terrible because she missed me.
Emma is strong willed. At times it can be good like when she tells her friends, "We do NOT say 'Oh my G-O-D' in this house!" And other times I shake my head in absolute wonder at her refusal to make her life easy by just obeying. So far she is doing well in school despite her own reports of it being terrible. :)
And my little Katelyn Joy. People asked me what her name is all the time and I say, "Katelyn Joy: and it means 'pure joy.'" I know the story behind her name and what it means. Sometimes, I tell people why she is named "pure joy" and how the Lord gave her to us to help our hearts heal after a loss. Other times I just thank the Lord quietly in my heart.
Katelyn is such a sweet baby. She has two teeth coming in on the bottom that have made her a little cranky these days but otherwise she has a great personality. She loves her brother and sister and gets so excited when they come home from school. She is very sensitive. She does not like her daddy's loud laugh and will cry if he laughs too loud. She startles easily and hates being told "no."
Everything in sight goes into her mouth! It's hard with a six and five year old to keep papers and other small toys off the floor. She doesn't want her mommy to be out of her sight for even a minute! Katelyn loves to go downstairs and see her daddy during the day and watch what he does on the computer.
So that's the updates! I am adding a hymn that was stuck in my head. Enjoy!
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, and all thy day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk, till traveling days are done.
Let's start with Nathan. I can't believe I am the mom of a 1st grader! That just seems so...strange. My baby? In first grade? No way! But Nathan is in first grade and doing so well. His teacher sends home a list of 100 words to "practice" and he knows nearly all of them. He has only missed a few here and there. He is up to 500 words now. His teacher said once he hits 1,000 words she will have to figure something else out for him to do as reaching 1,000 words is the end of the year goal. Yet, it's only September and he is halfway there!
Nathan does get to go to 3rd grade reading. He says the other kids in 3rd grade call him small and want to know why he is there. But he enjoys it. He still gets physical therapy for low muscle tone and balance issues. He still sees the psychologist once every 6 days to discuss social issues.
On the positive Nathan is growing up! He doesn't really whine much. He loves to help out with his baby sister. He is becoming "fun" to talk to. I am enjoying this 6 year old stage. He lets me hug and kiss him more. We still have issues with him "shouting" and getting frustrated easily but not as many. Just don't ask him to eat a piece of zucchini or he will wage an all out war! (By the way we won the zucchini war despite much gagging and out right crying over eating ONE bite)
Emma Grace. Boy, she is a wild card. One minute she is loving and affectionate and mature and helpful and the next minute she is a wailing mess of whining and crying in a contorted ball on the floor! She needs a lot more "discipline" than Nathan does at this point. She is playing Barbies with her friends and dressing up and the next minute she is climbing a tree or doing something insanely dangerous. She is our extreme child when it comes to both behavior and what she likes.
I've heard, she is may just be a tad like I was as a kid. Reckless. A whiner. Doing crazy stuff. Driving people....dare I say it...nuts! Hmm But she loves her mommy and sister (even her brother) and her Daddy. She craves affection and approval. Every day after school she says it was terrible because she missed me.
Emma is strong willed. At times it can be good like when she tells her friends, "We do NOT say 'Oh my G-O-D' in this house!" And other times I shake my head in absolute wonder at her refusal to make her life easy by just obeying. So far she is doing well in school despite her own reports of it being terrible. :)
And my little Katelyn Joy. People asked me what her name is all the time and I say, "Katelyn Joy: and it means 'pure joy.'" I know the story behind her name and what it means. Sometimes, I tell people why she is named "pure joy" and how the Lord gave her to us to help our hearts heal after a loss. Other times I just thank the Lord quietly in my heart.
Katelyn is such a sweet baby. She has two teeth coming in on the bottom that have made her a little cranky these days but otherwise she has a great personality. She loves her brother and sister and gets so excited when they come home from school. She is very sensitive. She does not like her daddy's loud laugh and will cry if he laughs too loud. She startles easily and hates being told "no."
Everything in sight goes into her mouth! It's hard with a six and five year old to keep papers and other small toys off the floor. She doesn't want her mommy to be out of her sight for even a minute! Katelyn loves to go downstairs and see her daddy during the day and watch what he does on the computer.
So that's the updates! I am adding a hymn that was stuck in my head. Enjoy!
I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, and all thy day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk, till traveling days are done.
Friday, June 1, 2012
504
Today Chris and I met with a room full of people. We met with the school psychologist, the occupational therapist, the physical therapist, and the principle. And I say room full because it was a small room and with all these people plus us and the kids... the room was full!
Anyways, we were there just about an hour. The conclusion is this:
Nathan will no longer receive OT, Occupational Therapy, as he has mastered the skills he set out to achieve in OT. He can color using more than one color and he no longer just scribbles. He can use scissors without risking a finger. His grasp has vastly improved.
Nathan will continue to receive PT to work on balance, endurance, and overall strength. He will also try and learn to kick a rolling ball as his timing is still too off to appropriately do this.
Nathan was receiving social skills classes one a month and this will get more intense and he will now receive these skill classes with the psychologist once every cycle which is once every six days. It has been noted that he is still struggling to interact, react, and behave appropriately with his peers.
Nathan will go to third grade for reading at what they call a higher tier. He was at a low tier in third grade and will just go to a higher tier which is harder instead of going to fourth grade.
They will continue to challenge him with extra work in first grade rather than move him forward a grade to 2nd. This is being done because he is struggling so much socially.
Overall we are satisfied with what has been laid out in the 504.
I know this post has little flair it is more of a quick update for those interested!
Anyways, we were there just about an hour. The conclusion is this:
Nathan will no longer receive OT, Occupational Therapy, as he has mastered the skills he set out to achieve in OT. He can color using more than one color and he no longer just scribbles. He can use scissors without risking a finger. His grasp has vastly improved.
Nathan will continue to receive PT to work on balance, endurance, and overall strength. He will also try and learn to kick a rolling ball as his timing is still too off to appropriately do this.
Nathan was receiving social skills classes one a month and this will get more intense and he will now receive these skill classes with the psychologist once every cycle which is once every six days. It has been noted that he is still struggling to interact, react, and behave appropriately with his peers.
Nathan will go to third grade for reading at what they call a higher tier. He was at a low tier in third grade and will just go to a higher tier which is harder instead of going to fourth grade.
They will continue to challenge him with extra work in first grade rather than move him forward a grade to 2nd. This is being done because he is struggling so much socially.
Overall we are satisfied with what has been laid out in the 504.
I know this post has little flair it is more of a quick update for those interested!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Life Moves Foward
It's been a while since I updated but with the arrival of baby Katelyn I have been pretty busy!
Nathan is going to be done with school on June 7th and I can't wait! I'm ready to have him home again and do some fun things. I think he did well in school and though he had some struggles I think overall his first year at school went great.
Emma will be starting school in September and boy I will miss her! She is feisty and funny and loves to help with Katelyn.
The kids have not been jealous of Katelyn. They lover her. She is a really great baby and a true joy to have!
I sometimes look at her and just start crying. I call her heartbreakingly beautiful. Strange I know..... But I look at her and think of our third baby I will not hold here on a earth and also remember without the loss of our third baby I would not have Katelyn. She is so beautiful and perfect and I can't imagine NOT having her. I talked to someone recently who told me they had 3 miscarriages. I can't imagine. One was beyond hard.... but three?
Friday we meet with the school psychologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, and I believe Nathan's teacher for next year. I am not 100% clear on what we will discuss but I guess we will find out! Pray for wisdom that we will know what to ask, what to say, and that Nathan will get what he needs.
So life moves forward. I am loving this season of my life. It's busy and exhausting and hectic and sometimes we get dressed out of a laundry basket because I haven't had time to put it away but I am loving it!!
Nathan is going to be done with school on June 7th and I can't wait! I'm ready to have him home again and do some fun things. I think he did well in school and though he had some struggles I think overall his first year at school went great.
Emma will be starting school in September and boy I will miss her! She is feisty and funny and loves to help with Katelyn.
The kids have not been jealous of Katelyn. They lover her. She is a really great baby and a true joy to have!
I sometimes look at her and just start crying. I call her heartbreakingly beautiful. Strange I know..... But I look at her and think of our third baby I will not hold here on a earth and also remember without the loss of our third baby I would not have Katelyn. She is so beautiful and perfect and I can't imagine NOT having her. I talked to someone recently who told me they had 3 miscarriages. I can't imagine. One was beyond hard.... but three?
Friday we meet with the school psychologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, and I believe Nathan's teacher for next year. I am not 100% clear on what we will discuss but I guess we will find out! Pray for wisdom that we will know what to ask, what to say, and that Nathan will get what he needs.
So life moves forward. I am loving this season of my life. It's busy and exhausting and hectic and sometimes we get dressed out of a laundry basket because I haven't had time to put it away but I am loving it!!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Pure Joy
As many know we welcomed our new baby girl, Katelyn Joy, on February 2nd. For any interested I'll tell you a short version of her birth. Towards the end of my pregnancy I was told several times I was going to have another big baby and they wanted to deliver her early to make sure she didn't get too big like my other two. She ended up being 7 lbs 11 oz! The doctor declared "Average for most but a peanut for you!"
So one week before her due date on 2-2-12 we went to the hospital to be induced. We had to be there at 7 am... we were a little late... and by 9 am we had done all our paperwork and were in our room. They started pitocin just after 9 am and my mom arrived shortly after that.
The contractions didn't pick up right away but soon enough I was in active labor. We had a small scare when the doctor came to break my water and the baby moved up! He said he wasn't sure if she was as big as they thought and he also thought she was NOT head down! They brought in an ultrasound machine and I knew they would say I needed a c-section if she wasn't head down. But we were all relieved when they ultrasound showed she WAS head down.
The nurses were great and gave me wireless monitors so I could walk and stand and move freely. I had to drag my IV around with me but Chris and my mom helped me with that. I labored mostly standing and also sitting on the edge of my bed. Chris rubbed my back because unlike with my last two I had a lot of pain in my lower back. My mom was a constant source of support reminding me that I could do it and that I was doing well and to breathe and not tense up. I found forcefully blowing out air during a contraction helped me through them the most, although at one point I got dizzy doing this and had to work hard to slow down my breathing.
At just after 3:00 pm I had been in hard labor and I reached that "I want to give up" point. Chris and my mom were fantastic coaches and so encouraging! They checked me and said I was only at 7 maybe 8 centimetres and I felt discouraged because now it was very painful. But not long later as I sat on the edge of the bed I asked my mom to get me a hair tie to put my hair back when a contraction came and I immediately yelled to get the doctor.
The doctors and nurses came tearing in and Chris said they came so fast that stuff was falling off the cart they were pushing in. They told me to lay back on the bed but I couldn't move! They had to help me. After only four minutes of pushing Katelyn arrived at 3:44 pm. I stared in awe as I saw her on my stomach and could hardly believe she was here!
Katelyn means "pure" so her name is pure joy! We chose this name because after our miscarriage in January 2011 she has brought us much joy after our grief.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
This verse really helped us during our times of grief over the loss of our third child. We knew the Lord knew what He was doing in our lives despite the fact our hearts were so broken. Though we didn't know the "whys" or even see an "end" to our grief we DID know that Lord would lead us and guide us and ultimately had a plan for us.
Now, when I stare at Katelyn's little face, caress her tiny feet, feel her small hand grasping mine; I am filled with awe and wonder at the sight of her. Chris and I always said that we didn't want more than three kids. When I found out I was pregnant for the third time I knew that according to OUR plans it would be my last time being pregnant and our last child.
But God's plans were different from our plans. After the loss of our third child I felt such a desire to be pregnant again. It was hard and we had a lot of different emotions. I knew all the plans, hopes, dreams, and even names we had talked about for our third child would never come to fruition. I would never hold that baby, never give them a proper name, never see what their future would hold. Miscarriage is not only grievous but also shatters your dreams.
If things had gone according to OUR plans then Katelyn would never be here. Without the loss of our third child Katelyn wouldn't be in my arms. It is strange to think about it this way but also true. We never planned on a fourth child and yet here she is!
When I was pregnant with Katelyn I was scared! I had come to realize how fragile life was and I knew how easy I could go from pregnant to not pregnant and I was scared to lose her! The verse that the Lord continually spoke to my heart was "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." And every time fear would grip my heart and thoughts of of loss and grief would fill my mind the Lord would simply respond with "Trust Me!"
I do still mourn the loss of our third baby and will always wonder what might have been and both Chris and I think it is perfectly normal to feel and think this way. You never get over a loss of a child either in the womb or outside of the womb. But I do know that no matter what heartache you face you can have peace if you know the Lord and come to realize that He has a plan for you!
Katelyn has decided she has had enough of me being on the computer. :)
So one week before her due date on 2-2-12 we went to the hospital to be induced. We had to be there at 7 am... we were a little late... and by 9 am we had done all our paperwork and were in our room. They started pitocin just after 9 am and my mom arrived shortly after that.
The contractions didn't pick up right away but soon enough I was in active labor. We had a small scare when the doctor came to break my water and the baby moved up! He said he wasn't sure if she was as big as they thought and he also thought she was NOT head down! They brought in an ultrasound machine and I knew they would say I needed a c-section if she wasn't head down. But we were all relieved when they ultrasound showed she WAS head down.
The nurses were great and gave me wireless monitors so I could walk and stand and move freely. I had to drag my IV around with me but Chris and my mom helped me with that. I labored mostly standing and also sitting on the edge of my bed. Chris rubbed my back because unlike with my last two I had a lot of pain in my lower back. My mom was a constant source of support reminding me that I could do it and that I was doing well and to breathe and not tense up. I found forcefully blowing out air during a contraction helped me through them the most, although at one point I got dizzy doing this and had to work hard to slow down my breathing.
At just after 3:00 pm I had been in hard labor and I reached that "I want to give up" point. Chris and my mom were fantastic coaches and so encouraging! They checked me and said I was only at 7 maybe 8 centimetres and I felt discouraged because now it was very painful. But not long later as I sat on the edge of the bed I asked my mom to get me a hair tie to put my hair back when a contraction came and I immediately yelled to get the doctor.
The doctors and nurses came tearing in and Chris said they came so fast that stuff was falling off the cart they were pushing in. They told me to lay back on the bed but I couldn't move! They had to help me. After only four minutes of pushing Katelyn arrived at 3:44 pm. I stared in awe as I saw her on my stomach and could hardly believe she was here!
Katelyn means "pure" so her name is pure joy! We chose this name because after our miscarriage in January 2011 she has brought us much joy after our grief.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
This verse really helped us during our times of grief over the loss of our third child. We knew the Lord knew what He was doing in our lives despite the fact our hearts were so broken. Though we didn't know the "whys" or even see an "end" to our grief we DID know that Lord would lead us and guide us and ultimately had a plan for us.
Now, when I stare at Katelyn's little face, caress her tiny feet, feel her small hand grasping mine; I am filled with awe and wonder at the sight of her. Chris and I always said that we didn't want more than three kids. When I found out I was pregnant for the third time I knew that according to OUR plans it would be my last time being pregnant and our last child.
But God's plans were different from our plans. After the loss of our third child I felt such a desire to be pregnant again. It was hard and we had a lot of different emotions. I knew all the plans, hopes, dreams, and even names we had talked about for our third child would never come to fruition. I would never hold that baby, never give them a proper name, never see what their future would hold. Miscarriage is not only grievous but also shatters your dreams.
If things had gone according to OUR plans then Katelyn would never be here. Without the loss of our third child Katelyn wouldn't be in my arms. It is strange to think about it this way but also true. We never planned on a fourth child and yet here she is!
When I was pregnant with Katelyn I was scared! I had come to realize how fragile life was and I knew how easy I could go from pregnant to not pregnant and I was scared to lose her! The verse that the Lord continually spoke to my heart was "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." And every time fear would grip my heart and thoughts of of loss and grief would fill my mind the Lord would simply respond with "Trust Me!"
I do still mourn the loss of our third baby and will always wonder what might have been and both Chris and I think it is perfectly normal to feel and think this way. You never get over a loss of a child either in the womb or outside of the womb. But I do know that no matter what heartache you face you can have peace if you know the Lord and come to realize that He has a plan for you!
Katelyn has decided she has had enough of me being on the computer. :)
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