What a day!

Let me start this by saying that Nate hasn't napped all week. I was starting to get really, really scared that he was calling it quits on naps altogether. I NEED that naptime! But since he hadn't napped all week, today I just went about our day as if he didn't need one.

First stop was a local high school, where we met with Nate's First Steps (early intervention) coordinator, his PT, and a representative from the school system. Nate didn't have to be at this meeting but, um, where else would he be. Nate was pretty excited about this big school and a big school bus in the parking lot, and the big puddle beside the big school bus, and all the toys inside the classroom! Dee, the PT, played blocks with him while I paid attention to what the school system person said.

Okay, so if Nate went to public preschool, it would be 4 half days a week. He may qualify for an IEP, which means he'd get some therapy while he was there (which would really just be a bonus because he'll be getting outside therapy through our insurance too). If he doesn't qualify for an IEP, like if they think he's not delayed enough for it to affect his education, then we would pay a small tuition to send him. I said I was concerned about 4 days being too much for him, but everyone disagreed with me. :) They thought he'd be fine/great with that schedule. But I could always just send him 3 days, they said. There's a school bus!?! It's a regular size school bus but only for 3 and 4 year olds. There are a couple helpers on the bus to keep everyone entertained and in their seats. There are no seatbelts or car seats, but she said that buses have been proven to be safer than a car with a car seat because they are high off the ground ... and big and yellow and all that. I said I couldn't imagine putting Nate on a bus, and Dee told me that no one in my shoes can, but they end up doing it anyway. The school system person said that even if I declined the bus, she guaranteed by the end of the year I'd change my mind. Cause kids love buses and it's so much easier (especially when one also has an infant and it's the middle of winter). He doesn't have to be potty trained, just wearing pull-ups. And I can go observe a class at the school he'd be at. So I'm conflicted. Send him to public school, where it costs less and he may be with kids he'll end up in kindergarten with, or send him to the expensive private school for fewer days a week where he already knows the school and people there. I also have one other private school to tour next week. Such a big decision.

Anyway, by the end of the meeting, Nate was having a fit, needed a nap, and also needed a clean diaper. It was a mess. After I got him cleaned up and in the car, he passed out cold in about a minute. So maybe the naps aren't over!!! But I felt bad for him because we were en route to hippotherapy, so he only got about a 30 minute nap, and Blake was supposed to bring him lunch but got there late because of traffic. But he cheered right up when he got on the horse and did great. His OT, Miss Katie, told him they were going to draw on the chalk board, and Nate said, "Daddy! Choc-wat board!" He thought it was chocolate! Ha! At least he didn't lick it.

On the way home, while Nate ate his lunch in the car, we had to stop by the groomer's. Maggie had her beauty appointment yesterday, and she somehow made it home with another dog's collar. So I had to return that. Then we had to make another stop at the pediatrician's office for them to fill out some forms for one of his therapies. Nate loves going in the pediatrician's office because of their gigantic fish tank with huge gold fish in it. He was thoroughly entertained for the half hour we were there, and we got all the paperwork taken care of. I finally got Nate away from the fish by promising he could play with Thomas at home. Now I'm beat.

By the way, Nate and I are going to Nashville on Sunday. Nate has his 30 month MOMS follow-up (this is part of the study we were part of to have prenatal surgery on Nate) at Vanderbilt on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday morning, he'll have some tests done on his bladder and kidneys to see how they're doing. We may learn more about his ability to potty train there. That afternoon, we were going to see his other doctors, but none of them are available. No biggie--we don't have any concerns. So we'll have the afternoon off. Then on Tuesday (right during naptime) he will have a physical and an IQ test!!! Have you ever heard of such a thing for a 2 year old? I haven't. I highly doubt he'll cooperate, but it should be interesting. Blake can't go with us because of a work commitment, so it'll just be me and Nate for the road trip. Keep us in your thoughts! I'll have my computer with me but I'm not sure when I'll be able to update.

Have a great weekend!