Tonight we had Anah's open house at school. Joey and Jonathan went with us, along with Anah of course. It took her a while to warm up, but she seemed to enjoy herself after a while. Of course she didn't "show" us anything, but we did see some of her work and met some of her other teachers and therapists. We were so blessed to be with so many special kids and their families, what a happy school environment my daughter is fortunate to be part of. Joey even noticed and mentioned to us, how special all the teachers/staff are that work with the kids and how they obviously care for them.
Anah smiled and spoke "Anahese" to a couple of her friends, that is such an improvement! Anah's speech therapist and OT did mention that she is progressing very gradually, but considering how her first 11 years of life were, they are pleased with her progress. They did mention she is "strong willed"...haha, Ya think??!!
After visiting with teachers, classes, etc. we went to the cafeteria for cookies and punch, it was about 8ish and a lot of the children were getting tired. One by one they started to do the "Downie Flop", that's what we call it when the kids just plop down and refuse to move. Motivating them to get up and leave can take quite a bit of ingenuity, I saw lots of cider and cookies being used, thank goodness there was plenty to spare!! lol
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Open House
My big girl, Anah, will be having her first open house on Thursday. I'm not anticipating seeing much in the way of work (since she rarely complies...deep sigh), but I am anxious to speak to the teacher and aide to see how she is adapting to school life. She has not been having as many "happy" days with a "five" rating, the marking system that shows what type of day the child has had, she's been having "ok" and "threes", strictly middle of the road. I'm not sure why that is, it could just be that they are beginning to require more of her, and SHE does NOT agree.
Today when we got home from school Anah unbuckled herself and then refused to get out of the car. We have an automatic door opener on the van, which I opened, so all she had to do was grab her book bag and come in the house. She KNOWS what she has to do and I reverbalized it to her three times. I then went in the house. She sat out there for 15 minutes. I or my hubby watched her out the window the whole time, she refused to come in. My eldest son then went out and told her to come in, she came right in...OHHHH, that makes me see red, not that I let her know that. My son also got in trouble for going against what I wanted, but he wasn't downstairs when I said it, so he "might" not have heard me...sigh. Some days I feel like I'm going against everyone and that I'm being hard on her, but in truth I'm NOT going against everyone, Anah is just so cute and she's been through so much that the family just wants to care for her and love her, I get it, but in the end I know it's not in her best interests to not require her to follow the rules and directions. I guess I just needed to vent my frustrations, believe me, she's not the only non compliant child in the house! As a matter of fact, I don't think I have one! Calgon...take me away.
Today when we got home from school Anah unbuckled herself and then refused to get out of the car. We have an automatic door opener on the van, which I opened, so all she had to do was grab her book bag and come in the house. She KNOWS what she has to do and I reverbalized it to her three times. I then went in the house. She sat out there for 15 minutes. I or my hubby watched her out the window the whole time, she refused to come in. My eldest son then went out and told her to come in, she came right in...OHHHH, that makes me see red, not that I let her know that. My son also got in trouble for going against what I wanted, but he wasn't downstairs when I said it, so he "might" not have heard me...sigh. Some days I feel like I'm going against everyone and that I'm being hard on her, but in truth I'm NOT going against everyone, Anah is just so cute and she's been through so much that the family just wants to care for her and love her, I get it, but in the end I know it's not in her best interests to not require her to follow the rules and directions. I guess I just needed to vent my frustrations, believe me, she's not the only non compliant child in the house! As a matter of fact, I don't think I have one! Calgon...take me away.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Playing Alone
Within the past couple weeks Jonathan has learned to play by himself and enjoy it. He's played with his drum for quite some time now, but that was more of a sensory thing to help with his frustration, his need for sound and vibration. Now he is playing with a ball, throwing it in his basketball hoop, kicking it, rolling it, just having fun. He is also playing with his "friends" (stuffed animals) and including them in his fun. He also likes the musical magnadoodle thingy, anything with noise is up his alley.
He has also really been enjoying Maggie (our dog). She and he play and chase each other around, roll on the floor, sit on the couch and he LAUGHS. I mean fall down, can't breath rolling around like a seal laughing. He has the biggest smile, it takes up his entire face, he's soooo beautiful! He blesses us so much, we can't imagine our lives without him he is a joy beyond measure and we thank God that He entrusted us with him.
He has also really been enjoying Maggie (our dog). She and he play and chase each other around, roll on the floor, sit on the couch and he LAUGHS. I mean fall down, can't breath rolling around like a seal laughing. He has the biggest smile, it takes up his entire face, he's soooo beautiful! He blesses us so much, we can't imagine our lives without him he is a joy beyond measure and we thank God that He entrusted us with him.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Birthday Girl!
My darling Anah will be a teenager tomorrow! She's so tiny, about the size of a 7 or 8 year old, she weighs only 51 lbs and wears a size 7 or 8. She hates being the center of attention, so we are keeping it very low key. Just us, she doesn't like cake or sweets, so maybe we'll put candles in a pizza. We'll just give her a few gifts and she'll "bead" along with M and I tomorrow with her very own beads, string and bead box to organize them in. She loves doing things like that, sorting things into like piles, threading and unthreading beads and she thinks it's terrific when she does it along with us big girls ;o) .
M and I will be making more jewelry for some upcoming craft sales that M will sell her creations in. M does all the creating etc., I'm just the cheap hired help that follows her directions. I enjoy doing things like that, I just don't have the artistic gifts that she has. She is very creative in so many ways, it's amazing to watch. Today we went to the Ronald McDonald House Charities big yard sale. It was huge! We also went on Thursday and got some things, but today was 50% off, so we went back. She got a lot of things that can be made into other things..she has an eye for that type of thing. It was a lot of walking so I am tired out and will be off to bed. blessings one and all.
M and I will be making more jewelry for some upcoming craft sales that M will sell her creations in. M does all the creating etc., I'm just the cheap hired help that follows her directions. I enjoy doing things like that, I just don't have the artistic gifts that she has. She is very creative in so many ways, it's amazing to watch. Today we went to the Ronald McDonald House Charities big yard sale. It was huge! We also went on Thursday and got some things, but today was 50% off, so we went back. She got a lot of things that can be made into other things..she has an eye for that type of thing. It was a lot of walking so I am tired out and will be off to bed. blessings one and all.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Still in the pink...
Anah didn't make it to school today, her eyes were still too colorful. Her eyes, and Jonathan's, are clearing up, but still not good enough to be allowed in school, so she was home for another day.
Joey and I had homeschool co-op today. I like having the time alone with him, we need it. It's different when I don't have the younger two with me, it's easier in a way, but I miss my littles :o( . I'm definitely a spoiled Momma, I get to spend everyday, almost all day with my kids, except Anah now that she is in school. But I do get to drive her to school in the mornings, so we have a 45min. drive, just the two of us. And if I pick her up instead of her daddy, I get it again. I talk to her the whole time about anything, nothing, or about the most important thing, God. I recite nursery rhymes, we listen to christian music or she dozes off, it doesn't matter what it is, we are together and that's what matters. She is "talking" more, not much can be understood, but every once in a while she says a real word. The other day she was trying to get my attention silently and I didn't see her, so all of a sudden she yelled "MA!", I turned around all surprised and she started laughing hysterically, she's such a scorch!
Jonathan has been doing well with his feeding skills for his therapist (NOT for Mommy or Daddy, can you say stubborn?) He looks like he is trying to be a "teacher" or "therapist" to his stuffed animals. He gets his two little chairs, puts them facing him and then puts his "friends" in them. He then starts talking to them. No idea what he's saying, but boy, does he tell them something important, he'll then start giggling, apparently they must be telling him a joke or something. He's so stinkin cute!
Joey and I had homeschool co-op today. I like having the time alone with him, we need it. It's different when I don't have the younger two with me, it's easier in a way, but I miss my littles :o( . I'm definitely a spoiled Momma, I get to spend everyday, almost all day with my kids, except Anah now that she is in school. But I do get to drive her to school in the mornings, so we have a 45min. drive, just the two of us. And if I pick her up instead of her daddy, I get it again. I talk to her the whole time about anything, nothing, or about the most important thing, God. I recite nursery rhymes, we listen to christian music or she dozes off, it doesn't matter what it is, we are together and that's what matters. She is "talking" more, not much can be understood, but every once in a while she says a real word. The other day she was trying to get my attention silently and I didn't see her, so all of a sudden she yelled "MA!", I turned around all surprised and she started laughing hysterically, she's such a scorch!
Jonathan has been doing well with his feeding skills for his therapist (NOT for Mommy or Daddy, can you say stubborn?) He looks like he is trying to be a "teacher" or "therapist" to his stuffed animals. He gets his two little chairs, puts them facing him and then puts his "friends" in them. He then starts talking to them. No idea what he's saying, but boy, does he tell them something important, he'll then start giggling, apparently they must be telling him a joke or something. He's so stinkin cute!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
I Love Pink
Except when it's in my children's eyes...ugh, that's right, they both have pink eye. Worse yet, Anah is supposed to have school pictures tomorrow! Yes, there is a make up day, but she won't be in the classroom picture :o( . Her first year in school and she'll miss the class picture...stinks! I know it's a minor thing, but I was hoping to have her participate in all the "typical" childhood things, not just because she has DS, but because she spent the first 11 years in an orphanage. I know she doesn't know what she is missing and I also know that there will be many more years that she will have class pictures (Lord willing), but I just dislike for her to miss anything since she has had such a late start. I know, I'm a goof.
My little Jonathan does not think much of eye drops. He's had plenty of ear drops in the past, but this is the first (that I can remember) that he has had eye drops. I'm praying no one else in the house winds up with such colorful eyes.
My little Jonathan does not think much of eye drops. He's had plenty of ear drops in the past, but this is the first (that I can remember) that he has had eye drops. I'm praying no one else in the house winds up with such colorful eyes.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Missed another day
I missed blogging yet another day...heavy sigh. Ah well, yesterday I was a bit under the weather. I went to the doctor (which I only do under duress) because I was having awful shortness of breath with wicked palpitations. I have a benign arrhythmia which I've had for many years, but sometimes it feels far from benign, yesterday being such a day. I also thought I might have pneumonia, since I aspirated lemonade on Friday, while laughing hysterically with my lady friends. The consensus was either a lupus flare up (which I knew) and/or possible cardiac issues, which I pray not. So if I'm not better by the end of the week I have to go back.
Today I had a chat with Anah's teacher when I dropped her off. I wanted to know how she was doing and if she was participating at all in class. She is participating on a limited basis, and is improving in her relations with her friends. Not actually playing or talking, but at least being part of her class. She is more interactive at home so I believe it is carrying over to home, which is all very good! I'm very pleased with her adjustment and hopeful that she will start to communicate with at least an occassional word soon.
I think Jonathan is feeling a bit less frustrated, he is laughing more (which now means "a lot") and appears to be hitting his head a bit less. He seems as if he is understanding that he can communicate with us in sign language and that we will understand that he is trying to tell us something. He is turning into a little ham and loves to use his charm on his family and therapists. He is a love bug and I for one love it (as does his daddy...awww).
Today I had a chat with Anah's teacher when I dropped her off. I wanted to know how she was doing and if she was participating at all in class. She is participating on a limited basis, and is improving in her relations with her friends. Not actually playing or talking, but at least being part of her class. She is more interactive at home so I believe it is carrying over to home, which is all very good! I'm very pleased with her adjustment and hopeful that she will start to communicate with at least an occassional word soon.
I think Jonathan is feeling a bit less frustrated, he is laughing more (which now means "a lot") and appears to be hitting his head a bit less. He seems as if he is understanding that he can communicate with us in sign language and that we will understand that he is trying to tell us something. He is turning into a little ham and loves to use his charm on his family and therapists. He is a love bug and I for one love it (as does his daddy...awww).
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