My big 3 year old :o)

Ok, I know Jonathan turned three in January, but I just had his 3yo well child visit today. I guess I kind of forgot, we were at the doctor so often, I guess I didn't think we needed an "official" one. Anyway, Jonathan has grown 6 1/2 inches since we brought him home in Nov. 07! WOW! I was surprised he'd grown that much.

Don't get me wrong, I realize he's grown, he was in size nine mos. when he came home and he's in a few 18 mos, but mostly 24 mos size clothes now. He's only gained 6lbs, one of which he lost this past two weeks d/t his stomach virus. The doc isn't really concerned, he's still within his normal, but she wants to do a weight check again in 3 mos. No problem, I have little doubt we'll be back before then, lol. I've even started giving him Carnation instant breakfast in one of his bottles each day and he eats like a man! I have to stop him from eating or he (and Anah) would eat til he pukes! I attribute it to his growing in length and his increase in activity since he's walking all over now!

He has that cute little wide stance gait and isn't the most steady, but he sure is doing great! I'm so happy he's walking. I know 3yo seems old to just start walking, but you have to remember, he was like a newborn at 22mos old with no muscle tone at all, he's come really far in 16 mos! I'm so proud of him. He's such a happy little guy, I'm so blessed to be his Mamma!

He's Home!

Praise God, Praise God, Dad's home! How it changes from day to day. Yesterday there was "no way" he's going home tomorrow. Today it was "ok, your going home today". The main reason for the change of heart is that my poor dad is totally sleep deprived. He's been in a room with 3 different men, and unfortunately for dad, and the men (poor things), they have been confused and are "yellers". Dad has been in hospital since Monday and has had only about 6 hours sleep the ENTIRE time! The doctors feel he's at the point where he will mend better at home if he can get rest. They know he is a very compliant patient and that Mom and my sister and I, will make sure he is, even if he doesn't want to be ;o) .

He was weaned off his steroids, is on both antibiotics in pill form now, has pain pills and has gotten all the suggested dietary products that have been recommended to him. He came home, ate, got changed into his PJ's and has been sleeping ever since. I told mom to just let him sleep for as many days as he wants and only to wake him up for pills and fluids, food too if he wants to eat, but the minimum of meds. and fluids. Mom has her list of all the side effects to watch out for and when she should call the doctor. My sister will probably head out there tomorrow after work, she's the one that picked the up from the hospital to bring them home today, I was already on my way to therapy with Anah. I'll head out Sat or Sun, without any of the sick bunch here, we don't need dad or mom to get sick.

I put two pics of dad above, the first is his "normal" face, the second is his face with the cellulitis, you can't really get the full effect because you can't see his ear, which was at least four times it's size.

Dad update

Dad is definitely improving. His cellulitis started in his right ear, at least that's the thought. The doc called it a perichondritis, or inflammation of the ear cartilage. The eye doc said that his eye is ok, praise God! They still have not been able to evaluate his ear for damage d/t too much swelling. He will be in the hospital another two to three days, he still needs two different antibiotics by IV. The doc wants to make sure that the infection is gone so that it doesn't rebound back with a more resistant strain and really cause damage. The swelling has gone down a great deal, now his skin is shrinking back and starting to peel, it is very itchy and still red, but he can't touch it for fear of having more/different bacteria enter in.

Today they stopped his IV steroids, they will change him over to pills to gradually decrease his dose. It has caused some mood swings, which is a common side effect on the high dose he was on. It has also caused his blood sugars to be very high, requiring insulin several times a day, he is not even a diabetic. Who would have thought that a "little skin infection" could cause so much trouble? He can open his mouth now, so is able to eat a regular diet, which he is happy about :o) .

I just thank God that he went to the hospital when he did and that God is using the doctors at this hospital to treat him. As immigrants (we came over from Scotland when I was a toddler), we really appreciate the care that we can receive in this country. We realize that so many people in other countries would have terrible results, even death, from such an infection, but that we are blessed to be able to receive such good care. I'm not saying health care can't be improved upon, it ALWAYS can, but I wouldn't want to be in any other country receiving health care. Just my two cents worth for the day.

Blessings one and all...

Anah's first therapy session

It wasn't the most productive therapy session I've ever seen, but she did sit there the entire hour and watched and listened to the other children playing and the teacher reading a story. She wouldn't talk to any one or play with anything, but she didn't fuss and she even smiled, waved and said "bye" as we were leaving. We attended the preK class at the local elementary school. I really think it will be good for Anah, she needs to be immersed in language and I think this will be a fun way for her to do it. The speech therapist will be in there for the first 1/2 hour, special ed., OT and PT will pop in from time to time as well. There are three teachers in there, for 22 children, and me as the parent volunteer for that hour. I had fun interacting with the children and playing with them at the table that Anah and I were sitting at. It let Anah see that Mommy can play with other children as well, but I still belong to Anah ;o) . She is still so uncertain of things, but it seems to be less often and for a shorter time period.

We also had our post adoption visit today. RoseMarie was so pleased to see Anah again! RM knows Anah from Vietnam, she has been fighting for her to get adopted for many years, so she is so blessed to see her blossom in her new home! It was so sweet of her, she brought a Vietnamese doll for Anah. Anah also had a present for RM, a Down Syndrome awareness bracelet. It really is neat, because RM has a dtr. that lives in a nearby town and hopes to see Anah from time to time when she visits her family! It will really be wonderful for us all!

My Dad was admitted to the hospital yesterday. He has a cellulitis of his face. It started in his ear cartilage and has progressed to his entire face, especially the right side. His neck got real swollen and he couldn't even open his mouth to eat. LONG story short, he'll be in for several days on IV antibiotics and steroids. They caught it early enough that it doesn't appear to have damaged his hearing and his eye is ok (they were concerned the infection and/or swelling would cause him to be blind in that eye). Praise God, he is on the mend. I spent the day there yesterday, didn't get to go today d/t our three therapy sessions and post adoption visit, but I'll be able to go up tomorrow. He may have a deformity of his ear when the infection goes away, apparently the infection eats away at the cartilage, but Dad doesn't care, nor do we, as long as he is ok.

So, I have many things to thank God for today. Good therapy visits for both children, good school day for Joseph, Dad getting better and our "sick" house seems to be on the mend. Anah and I refuse to get what the men of the house have been sharing this past five days! Some things are better left not shared!

Blessings to all...

Anxious for spring

I'm officially sick of winter! Ok, I've been "officially" sick of it since December 26. I know, bah humbug, but I only like snow on Christmas day, I don't care if I see it before or after. Don't get me wrong, the snow is beautiful when it's glistening on the trees, it really is amazing. It looks like God painted the branches with star dust, absolutely breath taking. And everything looks so clean and new. But, month after month...well, I'm done I tell ya!

This past week we had a "warm spell". It got in to the low 50's a couple times! Woohoo! So, being the patient (read sarcasm) woman that I am, I bundled the kids up and we went out to enjoy the warm weather. Technically it was the first day that the swing set wasn't covered with snow or I would have to stand in ice mud up to my knees, so out we went. I had Jonathan out for about 15mins. long enough for him to swing a couple times and go down the slide. In he went to daddy and brother after that, while Anah and I enjoyed a brief/brisk walk along the beach. We lasted about another 15mins., but it was nice to get the cobwebs blown out of my head (hopefully that's all that blew out!).

Aren't my little warm weather flowers beautiful underneath their coats and hats?

My first baby boy is 20 today

After my daughter, I wasn't supposed to be able to have any more children. I finally got pregnant, but miscarried that baby. Took me another year and I got pregnant with PJ. I was on bed rest since my fifth month d/t preterm labor. The docs didn't think I would be able to carry him to term, but I did, he was only two weeks early. So, he was "my last" baby...my baby boy. Fast forward 8 years and we adopted Joseph, so PJ wasn't my baby boy any more. But PJ was still my FIRST baby boy.

PJ is 20 today. We celebrated his birthday last week when he was home, he's back at college this week. All I can say is I'm blessed to have him as my son. He's a wonderful young man, a great son and a terrific brother to his younger siblings. When he comes home on break they all fight to see him and get his attention. All I can say is he will make some blessed woman a terrific husband some day and some children a great father.

So, this post is dedicated to my son PJ, or Pasquale as he now likes to be called. I love you son and am blessed to be your mother. May you have many many blessed days ahead of you.

Cousins

This is Anah and her "cousin" Rachel. Rachel's mom is my best friend, we are more like sisters than sisters are. We are Aunt and Uncle to each other's children and they call each other cousins. My friend is out of town visiting her sister in Texas. Her hubby had a meeting tonight and has to work all day tomorrow. Rachel has DS, but also has several health issues. She has a history of strokes and has been recently diagnosed with seizures, she also has frequent resperatory issues (like now) and seems to have chronic infections (like now). So, they don't like to leave her with a teenage babysitter, so many meds. and "things" to watch for. I picked Rachel up after co-op today, they live an hour away from us, she'll spend tonight and maybe tomorrow night as well, we'll see how she feels and if she wants to go home to daddy or stay with Anah and Jonathan another night. Rachel hasn't had a chance to go in Aunt June's jacuzzi tub since I got it put in, so she was excited to give it a try. Here is a pic of the two of them together. They had a blast splashing each other and me. Uncle Bob was worried the water would drip down stairs on his ceiling, but he needn't have worried, I had plenty of towels down on the floor....hehe.

Aren't they beautiful?! Such joy.

An attitude of the heart?

I've questioned our President's ethics before, but I believe I have been correct in that assessment. Last night he hit a new low, even for him. On the Jay Leno show he likened his bowling game to that of someone in the "Special Olympics". Really Mr. President? I didn't realize you were born with an extra/altered chromosome? Or did you sustain an injury during birth or as a child that has caused every day things to be more difficult for you? Or maybe you just think it's "funny" to make fun of those that have to work diligently to master basic tasks?

In any case, I was NOT amused and I let him know it. I sent the following email message to him today:

"Mr. President,

My husband and I have gone to great lengths to have people accept our children and to GET our children. Three of our six children are adopted, two internationally, and they have a little something "extra", an extra 21st chromosome, or Down Syndrome. Your comment on Jay Leno about "Special Olympics" has sent our country back 10 years in the acceptance of our special children. Imagine my hurt when I heard the President of the United States mocking those in our country who often can't defend themselves, at least not eloquently. It could be likened to the mocking slaves used to get not that long ago. Doesn't seem so funny any more, does it Mr. President?"

I doubt he will read it, or the thousands of others I'm sure he has/will receive, but it made me feel better voicing my feelings. After all, isn't that the right of every American? I usually don't get involved with politics on my blog, but this one was quite personal, so I felt I had to comment. I may never mention politics again on here, but that isn't a given either.

I still am proud to be an American, I love my country and all those that risk their lives to provide us with the freedoms we so enjoy. And as the Commander and Chief of the US, I will give him the respect he is entitled to with the title he has been given. However, I don't have to like his ethics, and I don't. I'm done now, whew, I feel better ;o) .

Blessings to all...

Terrible blogger!

I've decided....I'm a terrible blogger! I rarely have pictures and I am not consistent in my blogging! It's been over a week again! It's not like I don't check other blogs daily, I do, plenty of them, I just don't seem to write much. I guess it's because not much new has been going on.

I've been plenty busy, Jonathan has had a sinus infection for over two weeks now. The first round of antibiotics didn't work, so now we are on to round two. We went to see about his glasses, the Erin ones on Specs4us. He was so cute in them! The eye place was kind of pricey, so we are going to see about ordering the frames on line ourselves and just getting lenses put in at another eye place. Hoping it will save us some money, if not, we'll just get them at the other place, but I know they marked up the frames by $70! I know they need to make a profit, but it doesn't necessarily have to be at our expense, lol.

Anah starts therapy at the local elementary school next Tues. We are also having our post adoption interview that day, as required by VN. It will be so good to see RoseMarie again. I know she'll see a big difference in Anah!

Yesterday Anah and I took a walk on the beach. It was her first time on "our" beach, probably any beach for that matter. It's been covered by ice until recently. NOT safe during the winter because you can't see where the water and land meet and can fall under the ice, it's not a solid block, just large floating pieces because the lake rarely freezes over, it's just too big. Anyway, we went for our first walk there. She was all bundled up with her winter hat and coat, she doesn't like the cold, lol. She walked along and threw rocks into the water to watch them splash, while I looked for beach glass (I call that my "therapy"). We stayed down there for about 1/2 an hour, didn't want to overwhelm her, but she really seemed to enjoy it. She also went on our swing set, first time it's been unburied since she's been home. She enjoyed the swing and the slide. Once the mud clears up a bit, we'll play on it more.

We bought the kids a mini trampoline with a bar to hold on to. Anah is starting to bounce on it some standing up, Jonathan bounces on it on his knees and his bottom. Jonathan likes to sit on it and Anah lays underneath it and they play peek a boo, too cute. We also brought the big therapy ball out again, Anah sat on it yesterday and did her school work, she thinks she's having fun and I know I'm working on her balance and trunk strength :oD . A win/win situation!

Today when Jonathan has therapy I think Anah and I will go for another walk on the beach, her therapy. Walking on sand and rocks really helps with balance too, of course, Mommy looking for beach glass is just a bonus! I have huge jars full of it, don't ask me what I'm going to do with it, I have no idea, lol, I keep telling myself I'll do some craft thing eventually, but for now, it sits in jars...a well.

So, as you can see, just the usual daily things. NOT that I'm complaining, I'm quite content not to have any "excitement", we have enough busyness in our every day lives, don't need any extra. I wouldn't change it for the world! I am a blessed wife to a wonderful Godly husband who loves me and cares for his family deeply. A Mommy to six wonderful children (even though 3 are out of the house) that I love more each and every day. I often wonder, how can I love my husband and children more than I do today, yet each new day I love them a bit more! Praise God my heart must grow a little more each day, to hold all that love!

This blessed Momma, is off to feed her brood...have a blessed day!

Don't know what I've been doing, lol

Gee, I haven't blogged in over a week! I have been reading all the others though, lol, just not writing apparently.

Our homeschool co-op started back up again last Friday. It was good to get back at it. Jonathan didn't go though, he's had an upper respiratory and sinus infection since last week, he just had started on antibiotics last Thurs. so wasn't up to much by Fri. He's doing better now and will be there this week, Lord willing.

It was Anah's first week there. She "seemed" like she was doing well, and since she knew L and M from the birthday party, I thought she would be ok staying with them in the preschool room, I asked her and put her coat and mine together and left them in the room on a chair. I thought since she didn't say "no", which is her norm, and seemed to understand, and didn't follow me out the room, that she was ok. So I went down the hall to pick up the babies for the nursery (where I work) when one of the moms came down the hall and told me Anah needed me. I ran down the hall, because I could hear her sobbing! I walked in the room and it was like a switch turned off. As soon as she knew I was there, she was fine. So, needless to say, she stayed with me the rest of the day. I guess we'll see how she does this week, but I'm not in any rush, I just want her to be comfortable.

I had Anah's IEP today at the school. I have to say, I'm blessed thus far. We live in a small rural school district in western NY. But, considering how unfriendly NY is to homeschoolers, I wasn't sure how it would go with a child with SN that is homeschooled. Just like our preliminary meeting a couple weeks ago, this "official" one was exceedingly easy and pleasant. We will re-eval Anah for services in six months, at which time we may add PT and OT, depending upon what we feel is in her best interests, but at this time I didn't want it because I didn't want her to be overwhelmed with so many changes. She will be going in to the preschool class two days a week (with Mommy as a volunteer helper in the room) and her ST and SE will go in while she is there. She will have a half hour of structured play with the other children then she will have a half hour (if she can handle it) of story time. All this is in an effort to develop her vocabulary. I must say I'm really excited about this for her, I think it will be very beneficial. We will start in two weeks, on Tues. and Thurs. while Jonathan has therapies at home with Daddy :o) . The school district let me pick the days and times that work best for us and even though we are "officially" only having Anah get 2x/wk times 1/2hr, she is encouraged/welcome to stay for the full hour. They have never had a case like Anah's, in that there is an adopted child that does not know the language, has developmental delays and has had total environmental deprivation, so they weren't sure what to do for her and thanked me for being so patient. I told them that it was I who was thankful! Thankful that they were willing to do whatever I felt was best for Anah especially since she was a unique situation. I told them truthfully that I had been anxious as to what would be offered Anah after hearing other parents difficulties getting services for their children and especially since I homeschool, it was a double whammy! And then, that we live in the "unfriendly state of NY" when it comes to homeschooling. They laughed with me at my bluntness, but didn't disagree with the usual consensus felt regarding school districts and homeschoolers in NY. I feel that people don't get enough positive feedback in general. We aren't long in sharing our negative feedback, but when it comes to positive, we can be quite hesitant to share. That is one thing I strive to do more of, share POSITIVE feedback with others and try and limit my negative, unless it is asked for! Not saying I'm there, or even close, but striving.

We had Anah's CDS intake referal yesterday, to get an income waiver for her Medicaid and be eligible for other services for her. Thursday we have Jonathan's re-eval for services with CDS. Yesterday Jonathan also had his f/u on his surgery, all is well in his ears. Maybe Thursday afternoon we'll get time to go see about Jonathan's glasses! Tomorrow we have two therapies then dinner at church before bible study, so I don't want to rush it since I said I'd make chili. The optician that has the Specs4us glasses for children with DS is about 45 mins. away, plus the time there and the ride back, we'd be cutting it too close.

Sat. we are planning on celebrating PJ's birthday since he is home from college this week. His b-day is the 22, but he'll be at school, so we'll celebrate this Sat. We'll also celebrate my Mom and Dad's, so if you guys are reading this, plan on coming over, lol! How's that for an invite?!

I need to get more batteries for my camera so I can get back to taking pics to post. But believe me, the kids are cute! :oD

In other words...I'm cheap, LOL and proud of it!

You Are a Discount Shopper

You love to get things as cheaply as possible. You live for sales. It's partially because you like to save money, but it's also because you like the thrill of finding a fabulous deal. Of all the types, you tend to shop frequently but rarely by. You keep an eye on prices. Brand names are not that important to you. You know how to have style without collecting designer tags.

What Kind of Shopper Are You?