This afternoon, we were in the waiting room before hippotherapy, and Nate looked at me and said, "Mama, I need the paci." I said, "I think if you can form a full sentence to ask for a paci, you are too old for a paci!"
Then when he was on the horse, Miss Katie saw him yawn and asked if he was sleepy. He said, "Yes. I am soooo sweepy!"
At home, I was sitting with him helping him eat some chicken and noodles and pointed out there was some celery in it, just like the Wonder Pets eat. He said, "Wonder Pets are flying animals." Yes, yes they are!
A few minutes later, he was holding up his fingers counting them, and I showed him three fingers and said, "Did you know that soon you are going to turn THREE?!" His eyes got really wide and he smiled and said, "No!" (in that tone like, get outta here!) I said, "Yes, you're almost three!" He said, "That's AWESOME!"
He's just full of funnies today.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
I was invited to speak for a few minutes at a Spina Bifida Association of Kentucky luncheon to thank donors. The director asked me kind of last minute (a couple days ago) if I would talk about the playgroup we're involved in as well as the project I'm working on for my thesis (educating doctors about SB so they can give better diagnoses). Of course I had to take Nate with me and I was worried about how he would do since it was smack in the middle of naptime. But he was charming. :) While everyone ate, they showed the video that the SBAA made of our little buddy Brock, and Nate and I are on the video a few times. Nate wasn't paying attention until he heard the clip from our soccer program and recognized he song. Then he provided commentary on the rest of the video, like "There's Daddy!" He had everyone cracking up. Then Patty (SBAK director) introduced me as one of the stars of the video, haha. I got up and thanked everyone for supporting the SBAK and told them how wonderful the playgroups are and how much we parents and our kids get out of them, and I also described the program I'm working on. I was pretty proud of myself that I could stay focused while Nate was in the back of the room chattering on and on. :) But of course everyone was impressed with Nate, and one woman called him "delightful." I love it.
On the way home, he fell asleep for about 10 minutes and of course woke up and wouldn't nap when we got home. Elizabeth came over to play with him this afternoon, and I got to go to the library. Okay, big news about my thesis/project: I now know I am defending it in less than a month! June 18, I believe. And I have to have it sent to my committee two weeks prior. So that means I have TWO WEEKS to finish the project!!!! :O I'm a little stressed, but I am also excited beyond words that this thing is almost done! Seven years after I started my master's program. Do you realize that's almost a quarter of my life spent worrying about this stupid thing? And even better, it's a great project that I really believe will make a difference in the world, and I'm so proud of it.
I called Elizabeth to check in, and she said Nate fell asleep around 6pm. Maggie threw up on the carpet, then proceeded to sneak out of the backyard and a neighbor kid brought her back. Maggie! She cannot run off our babysitter with her antics! I'm holding onto this girl for dear life. Nate calls her Ewizabef. :)
On the way home, he fell asleep for about 10 minutes and of course woke up and wouldn't nap when we got home. Elizabeth came over to play with him this afternoon, and I got to go to the library. Okay, big news about my thesis/project: I now know I am defending it in less than a month! June 18, I believe. And I have to have it sent to my committee two weeks prior. So that means I have TWO WEEKS to finish the project!!!! :O I'm a little stressed, but I am also excited beyond words that this thing is almost done! Seven years after I started my master's program. Do you realize that's almost a quarter of my life spent worrying about this stupid thing? And even better, it's a great project that I really believe will make a difference in the world, and I'm so proud of it.
I called Elizabeth to check in, and she said Nate fell asleep around 6pm. Maggie threw up on the carpet, then proceeded to sneak out of the backyard and a neighbor kid brought her back. Maggie! She cannot run off our babysitter with her antics! I'm holding onto this girl for dear life. Nate calls her Ewizabef. :)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
What's new
So, on Sunday, Nate was taking a few steps on his own! He was walking between the coffee table and the ottoman with Blake, then later, he was doing the same for me plus some steps from his bench to me. Probably 2-3 steps at a time. It was pretty exciting! Of course the second I take the camera out, he is tired and scared. I've also caught him practicing standing by himself between the coffee table and couch, but I pretend I don't see him or praise him at all or he will stop. :)
Sunday when Blake came in from work, the first thing Nate said to him was, "You make dinner?" I was almost embarrassed. It was kinda like him saying "I know mama's not going to cook." Blake said, "Of course I'll make dinner!"
Yesterday Nate had a great time at playgroup, and his teacher said he went over to some other kids to play with them. That's big for Nate! Then when we got home, the new babysitter, Elizabeth, came over. I had to go over all the paperwork and training powerpoint and schedules and stuff with her, but I still got to run out to the store and do some stuff for my project and some laundry. She's great!
Today we had aquatic therapy. His therapist, Becky, said she can keep her hair dry all day long until her last kid of the day--Nate. Today she was hoping to keep her hair dry so she didn't have to wash it before going out to dinner, but no such luck. Nate is a wild man in the pool!
This evening I was feeding Nate dinner. He was eating mac and cheese, and I stirred in some steamed mixed veggies. Halfway through helping him eat, I noticed his chipmunk cheek. Somehow, this kid had eaten all the mac and cheese and sorted out the veggies to store in his cheek! I don't even know how he did that. That is sneaky!
Sunday when Blake came in from work, the first thing Nate said to him was, "You make dinner?" I was almost embarrassed. It was kinda like him saying "I know mama's not going to cook." Blake said, "Of course I'll make dinner!"
Yesterday Nate had a great time at playgroup, and his teacher said he went over to some other kids to play with them. That's big for Nate! Then when we got home, the new babysitter, Elizabeth, came over. I had to go over all the paperwork and training powerpoint and schedules and stuff with her, but I still got to run out to the store and do some stuff for my project and some laundry. She's great!
Today we had aquatic therapy. His therapist, Becky, said she can keep her hair dry all day long until her last kid of the day--Nate. Today she was hoping to keep her hair dry so she didn't have to wash it before going out to dinner, but no such luck. Nate is a wild man in the pool!
This evening I was feeding Nate dinner. He was eating mac and cheese, and I stirred in some steamed mixed veggies. Halfway through helping him eat, I noticed his chipmunk cheek. Somehow, this kid had eaten all the mac and cheese and sorted out the veggies to store in his cheek! I don't even know how he did that. That is sneaky!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
I'll start with where I left off on Tuesday! After aquatic therapy, Nate went to sleep around 4:30 pm, and slept until 7 the next morning! He woke up around 4 am for a drink of water, and then he pulled the covers up, rolled over, and went back to sleep. He's been pretty tired and cranky all week. I suspect a growth spurt.
But, he still seems to be getting stronger every day. Yesterday he was standing beside me, between the chair and the ottoman, and he was getting brave and letting go, trying to stand by himself! He did it for a few seconds before chickening out too! I tried to not make too big of a deal about it, knowing if I did he would immediately stop. :)
Oh, another new development with Nate ... this one not so great. My "orally defensive" child who in the recent past hated having his teeth brushed and refused to take bites off of food, is suddenly putting everything in his mouth! He's licking everything he sees--the carpet, the window, his hand. Eww! It's so gross! He's also blowing spit bubbles and drooling more. And no, he can't be teething because he has all of his teeth! I think all this therapy we're doing is working and he is now entering that phase of exploring everything with his mouth, only much later than most kids enter it. So, yay, for that. But ewww!
We now have a respite care worker/babysitter! She starts on Monday, and I'm thrilled! I interviewed five girls, and I have a couple back ups to our primary girl. Hopefully on Monday I can go to the library while she's here. Today I was able to spend a good 4-5 hours working on my thesis while Blake took Nate to Memaw and GrandBob's house. I have to defend this thing next month!!!
And I have to share this picture of Nate and Blake cooking together.
After I took it, I said, "That's how I like my men--in the kitchen!" And Blake pointed at me and said, "That's how I like my woman--barefoot and pregnant." Har-dee-har-har. :)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Updates
1. I don't have gestational diabetes, and I don't have to take the 3 hour test! Whoo!
2. The tumor was benign. It was a "lactation adenoma" or something like that. So it was pregnancy/lactation related, but it somehow turned solid.
3. The dental work continues. I was in the chair for THREE HOURS this morning, and I still have to go back TWO MORE TIMES to get these issues resolved. I'm so over this dental work.
Blake stayed home with Nate this morning, and when I got home from the dentist, I put Nate down for his nap. The kid would. not. sleep. He talked for 45 minutes, then cried for the next 45 minutes. No sleep. Then we got to go to aquatic therapy. He was a bit lazy/tired, but he did okay. And he fell asleep as soon as we got in the car and is still asleep. I'd like to be asleep too, but it's about 6:30.
Last week I interviewed one potential babysitter, and I have two more to interview tomorrow and another two who have expressed interest. I hope to make the decision by Friday and get started! I wish I could think of some funny/cute things Nate has said lately, but I'm brain dead right now. :)
2. The tumor was benign. It was a "lactation adenoma" or something like that. So it was pregnancy/lactation related, but it somehow turned solid.
3. The dental work continues. I was in the chair for THREE HOURS this morning, and I still have to go back TWO MORE TIMES to get these issues resolved. I'm so over this dental work.
Blake stayed home with Nate this morning, and when I got home from the dentist, I put Nate down for his nap. The kid would. not. sleep. He talked for 45 minutes, then cried for the next 45 minutes. No sleep. Then we got to go to aquatic therapy. He was a bit lazy/tired, but he did okay. And he fell asleep as soon as we got in the car and is still asleep. I'd like to be asleep too, but it's about 6:30.
Last week I interviewed one potential babysitter, and I have two more to interview tomorrow and another two who have expressed interest. I hope to make the decision by Friday and get started! I wish I could think of some funny/cute things Nate has said lately, but I'm brain dead right now. :)
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Nate is getting so big
After resting yesterday, we got back into the swing of therapies today. The OT came this morning, and she brought Nate a new spoon--silver and small. Nate used it to eat a whole cup of applesauce all by himself! Then at lunch, I gave him some ravioli and peaches and put a fork on his tray in case he wanted to use it, and he chose to eat his whole lunch with the fork. And after PT, he wanted a banana, and he held it himself and took bites off of it! Yay! Big strides in eating like a big boy today! It's a good thing, cause I don't think his preschool teachers will spoon feed him or cut up his banana like we do. :)
Nate also became more consistent at climbing on the couch by himself today. This kid is trying to climb on everything. He'll be standing at the coffee table and hike his leg up like he's going to climb on top of it. It's funny to have to say, "Don't climb on that"! I told the PT that I'm not supposed to lift Nate and getting him in the high chair is difficult, and she taught him to climb in it himself (with the high chair lowered to the lowest setting and with the help of a bench).
In other news, I found out today that my gestational diabetes test came back normal! Yay for no 3 hour test or strict diet!! And I have four people lined up for interviews for our respite care/babysitting position! One is getting her master's degree in occupational therapy, so that would be cool. Another is getting ready to have a baby of her own and wants to bring the baby with her. So she would basically be breaking Nate in on what it's like to have a newborn around. :) Another one seems very qualified, and the last one isn't very qualified but she has a very flexible schedule. So we have options! I'll probably pick two of them to try to use and keep the numbers of the rest in case somebody flakes out on me as usual!
Nate said something funny this morning during OT. He fell off his bench and landed on the base of the office chair and hit his arm. He's always recapping things that happen. He said, "I fell off da bench and hit da chair and bumped my arm! Dat shouldn't happen!" Ha!
Nate also became more consistent at climbing on the couch by himself today. This kid is trying to climb on everything. He'll be standing at the coffee table and hike his leg up like he's going to climb on top of it. It's funny to have to say, "Don't climb on that"! I told the PT that I'm not supposed to lift Nate and getting him in the high chair is difficult, and she taught him to climb in it himself (with the high chair lowered to the lowest setting and with the help of a bench).
In other news, I found out today that my gestational diabetes test came back normal! Yay for no 3 hour test or strict diet!! And I have four people lined up for interviews for our respite care/babysitting position! One is getting her master's degree in occupational therapy, so that would be cool. Another is getting ready to have a baby of her own and wants to bring the baby with her. So she would basically be breaking Nate in on what it's like to have a newborn around. :) Another one seems very qualified, and the last one isn't very qualified but she has a very flexible schedule. So we have options! I'll probably pick two of them to try to use and keep the numbers of the rest in case somebody flakes out on me as usual!
Nate said something funny this morning during OT. He fell off his bench and landed on the base of the office chair and hit his arm. He's always recapping things that happen. He said, "I fell off da bench and hit da chair and bumped my arm! Dat shouldn't happen!" Ha!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
I made it!
The last two days have really stunk, but I made it out alive. :) My mom came here on Sunday night to help out with Nate during all of my appointments. He of course had a great time with Granna, so that made it easier to not be able to take care of him.
Yesterday morning, I went into the dentist for two crowns. They started with the tooth that broke last week, and when they got in there, they realized I needed a root canal. Three hours later, I was walking out with a big bill and only one tooth worked on. I really couldn't have handled them working on another tooth after all that anyway, so I'll go back a couple more times, of course. A root canal is less painful than I imaged, except the numbing stuff she has to give me because I'm pregnant is really weak, and it wore off before she was done. That wasn't pleasant. The tooth is still really sore, and I'm sure it will be for at least a week. I just can't get over all the dental problems I'm having right now. It's like a nightmare of mine. I can't stand going to the dentist (sorry, Lucas).
I also got to go to the library yesterday afternoon since my mom was here with Nate, and I got some good work done on my project. Did I mention that I hurt my back somehow this weekend, and I was in excruciating pain all day? That was just the icing on the cake.
This morning I had my OB appointment (for which I had to wait 40 minutes in the waiting room), and I had my glucose test for gestational diabetes. This is where I had to drink a bottle of really syrupy sweet stuff that's sort of like orange sunkist only doesn't taste good. :) My doc listened to the baby's heartbeat, measured me, all that. Then the nurse gave me my progesterone shot for the week. OW! The last two have not hurt at all, but this one stung for a few hours! That was stick #1 for the day, followed by stick #2 when I had to have blood taken for the diabetes test.
The hospital called (while I was trying to take a nap) and asked me to come in early for my procedure because the doctor was ahead of schedule. So we had to wake up Nate and take him to Blake so he could take him to aquatic therapy. My mom went with me to the hospital. Last week the doctor said removing the tumor would be a simple procedure, so I was surprised when I was prepped for surgery like I was having something major done. Had to wear a gown, get an IV (completely unnecessary stick #3 of the day), and somebody even tried to make me take my contacts out, which I refused to do because the surgeon was just using a local anesthetic. But my doctor is very nice and made me feel at ease. I got several more sticks from a numbing shot, and then I chatted with the nurse about our kids while the doc removed the tumor and stitched me back up. It wasn't very comfortable laying there with a sheet over my face, but it was a quick procedure. Afterward, I was able to get dressed, get my discharge papers, and leave. I could have driven myself home, but I was glad to have my mommy with me. :) Now I'm not supposed to lift anything heavier than a milk jug for the next 7-10 days. That should be interesting with a 35 pound toddler who doesn't walk by himself yet, but I think we can do it.
So I'm very glad these two days are over! Everything turned out just fine, and none of it was really as bad as I anticipated. Georgia is doing well, and I can feel that she's getting bigger now that I can feel her little kicks and punches way up high in my belly. Blake said Nate was a stinker at aquatherapy and didn't want to kick or work at all. We don't have any therapies tomorrow, so I think we'll take it easy and rest up. Have a good rest of the week!
Yesterday morning, I went into the dentist for two crowns. They started with the tooth that broke last week, and when they got in there, they realized I needed a root canal. Three hours later, I was walking out with a big bill and only one tooth worked on. I really couldn't have handled them working on another tooth after all that anyway, so I'll go back a couple more times, of course. A root canal is less painful than I imaged, except the numbing stuff she has to give me because I'm pregnant is really weak, and it wore off before she was done. That wasn't pleasant. The tooth is still really sore, and I'm sure it will be for at least a week. I just can't get over all the dental problems I'm having right now. It's like a nightmare of mine. I can't stand going to the dentist (sorry, Lucas).
I also got to go to the library yesterday afternoon since my mom was here with Nate, and I got some good work done on my project. Did I mention that I hurt my back somehow this weekend, and I was in excruciating pain all day? That was just the icing on the cake.
This morning I had my OB appointment (for which I had to wait 40 minutes in the waiting room), and I had my glucose test for gestational diabetes. This is where I had to drink a bottle of really syrupy sweet stuff that's sort of like orange sunkist only doesn't taste good. :) My doc listened to the baby's heartbeat, measured me, all that. Then the nurse gave me my progesterone shot for the week. OW! The last two have not hurt at all, but this one stung for a few hours! That was stick #1 for the day, followed by stick #2 when I had to have blood taken for the diabetes test.
The hospital called (while I was trying to take a nap) and asked me to come in early for my procedure because the doctor was ahead of schedule. So we had to wake up Nate and take him to Blake so he could take him to aquatic therapy. My mom went with me to the hospital. Last week the doctor said removing the tumor would be a simple procedure, so I was surprised when I was prepped for surgery like I was having something major done. Had to wear a gown, get an IV (completely unnecessary stick #3 of the day), and somebody even tried to make me take my contacts out, which I refused to do because the surgeon was just using a local anesthetic. But my doctor is very nice and made me feel at ease. I got several more sticks from a numbing shot, and then I chatted with the nurse about our kids while the doc removed the tumor and stitched me back up. It wasn't very comfortable laying there with a sheet over my face, but it was a quick procedure. Afterward, I was able to get dressed, get my discharge papers, and leave. I could have driven myself home, but I was glad to have my mommy with me. :) Now I'm not supposed to lift anything heavier than a milk jug for the next 7-10 days. That should be interesting with a 35 pound toddler who doesn't walk by himself yet, but I think we can do it.
So I'm very glad these two days are over! Everything turned out just fine, and none of it was really as bad as I anticipated. Georgia is doing well, and I can feel that she's getting bigger now that I can feel her little kicks and punches way up high in my belly. Blake said Nate was a stinker at aquatherapy and didn't want to kick or work at all. We don't have any therapies tomorrow, so I think we'll take it easy and rest up. Have a good rest of the week!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Lotsa Pictures
This is from last Sunday--Nate playing in the flowerbed. The kid has always loved mulch.
This is from earlier today when he was playing in his beans (before he got in trouble). He somehow got the idea of putting his feet in too. Oh, and he's doing his Listening Therapy at the same time, hence the big earphones.
Frustrated/annoyed about something.
Playing peekaboo with me on the couch. He'd say, "I'm hiding! Where are you? I don't know!"
This week at hippotherapy, Nate usual pony, Mickey, was tired. So he got to ride a big horse!
Swimming underwater!
This is from earlier today when he was playing in his beans (before he got in trouble). He somehow got the idea of putting his feet in too. Oh, and he's doing his Listening Therapy at the same time, hence the big earphones.
Frustrated/annoyed about something.
Playing peekaboo with me on the couch. He'd say, "I'm hiding! Where are you? I don't know!"
This week at hippotherapy, Nate usual pony, Mickey, was tired. So he got to ride a big horse!
Here he is kicking his legs in aquatherapy with Miss Nikki.
Swimming underwater!
Coming up from underwater. That's his face the whole time he's under too. :)
He can just about swim by himself when he has these floaties on, but if he doesn't kick, it rolls him on his back. He doesn't like that.
Busy time, I guess
I haven't had much time to update this week because of our crazy schedule. Monday Nate had his playgroup, and while he was there I went to the OB office to get my progesterone shot. (I was told I just had to drop in anytime and anyone in the office could give me the shot. Yet the first week I went, I had to wait 45 minutes, and this week I waited 30 minutes before complaining. I don't have time for this. :)
Tuesday morning Nate had his IEP evaluation. I'm happy to report he acted just like himself. :) I've heard stories of kids all of a sudden doing new things and amazing their moms during the evaluation, and then they don't qualify for IEPs! But Nate was very representative of himself. He showed them the fun side of his personality and how bright he is, but also the stubborn side! I think the evaluators got a good idea of what he can and can't do and what he needs. One of the therapists said she thought he'd qualify for an IEP, so I feel pretty good about it.
That afternoon Nate had aquatic therapy. I was so tired that I decided to sit out of the pool this week, so I was able to get pictures! Nate did so well, kicking his legs like crazy. His favorite part was when Miss Nikki let him swim underwater! As he came up to the surface, I could see his eyes and mouth wide open! My favorite part was after he swam underwater when he told Miss Nikki, "I'm a big boy!" I'll post pictures in a little bit.
This week hippotherapy was rescheduled for Wednesday morning. This was Miss Katie's student helper Sarah's last day. Sarah was there when Nate took his first steps, so she was trying to get him to do it again on her last day. He kept trying to lean back on her, so she moved to his side, and Nate leaned back and fell and bumped his head. It didn't hurt him bad, but she felt awful and I hated that happened to her on her last day. :)
Wednesday afternoon I had an appointment with a woman about Nate's respite care. I still don't have anybody to help us out with this on a regular basis, and I really need someone. Not only because I need help when I go to all these appointments, but also because if I don't use it, we lose our medical card. So I'd appreciate prayers that we'll find someone we can trust!
Thursday morning, I was eating breakfast, and my tooth felt funny. Last week I had to go to the dentist for a crown, but this was a different tooth. I told Blake that my filling in this tooth fell out! The dentist got me in that morning, and Nate went with Blake to work to submit a loan and back home in time for OT. It turns out, my filling didn't fall out--nope, it's still there. But half of my tooth broke off! That tooth needs a crown and possibly a root canal. And I have another tooth that needs a crown as well. That's 3 crowns, all of my dental benefits, and $2,500 out of pocket in one week. Great.
Nate had OT that morning and PT that afternoon. The PT told me that I'm doing as much sensory stuff with Nate as I can, and now it's just a matter of waiting and seeing when he walks himself. Right now he can walk really stable with me just holding onto a pinky finger. Yet when I let go of that pinky finger, he collapses. Yeah, like he really needed that support. He just needs to get over his fear.
Yesterday (Friday) morning, I had an appointment with a surgeon. A couple weeks ago I found a lump in my breast. I saw my OB and had an ultrasound, and they said it looked "suspicous" so I had to go see this surgeon about a biopsy. He told me it looks to him like a benign tumor, and although he's not all that concerned about it, it needs to come out. I can wait a few months/a year until I'm done breastfeeding and have ultrasounds every couple of months, or I can have it removed now. I chose now for the sake of efficiency. I'll go to the hospital on Tuesday. He'll do a local anesthetic and make a small incision to remove it, stitch me back up, and I can drive myself home. Seems pretty minor, but I'm not looking forward to it at all. To top it off, that same morning I have my glucose test for gestational diabetes, and anyone who's been pregnant knows that's NOT a fun test. And the day before I have to have two crowns and possibly a root canal. Anyway, none of this is major health concerns or anything, just MAJOR annoyances. My mom is coming to help out with Nate while I have these appointments.
Okay, this is our first spring in Louisville, and I don't think we ever imagined what a big deal the Derby is here! Pretty much the whole city shut down on Friday. Blake had off work, and I tried to go to the library, but it was closed too! Interesting. But the zoo was open, so while I was at my appointment, Blake took Nate to the zoo. When they got back, I mostly heard about the train ride. Blake saved that for last, and Nate seemed scared the whole ride. Nate told me the whistle and the tunnel were scary. But when the train ride was over, Nate cried and cried that he had to get off. So he must have liked it anyway. I asked him what his favorite animal was, and he said the "Giraffe. It be fun."
Yesterday evening we invited our neighbors over for dinner. Blake used his smoker to smoke some meat yesterday, and we had a very nice spread of food! The neighbors have a 5 year old girl and a 3 year old boy, and Nate LOVED playing with them! I was so glad, cause just a couple months ago he was having trouble knowing how to play with kids his age. Everytime Jana and Robbie left the room, he'd yell "KIDS!!!!" They all had a great time. Blake's friend Ryan and his fiance and another friend also came to dinner. They came from Owensboro for the Derby.
We've relaxed most of today. I even forgot about soccer. It doesn't seem like Saturday at all because Blake was home yesterday. This evening, Nate was playing with his container of beans--a favorite activity lately. But he knows he needs to keep the beans in the box, and he was NOT doing that. Beans were flying everywhere. I warned him 3 times to keep the beans in the box or I would take them away, and he didn't listen. As I was walking toward him to take the beans away, he said, "Get in trouble." Yes, you're in trouble.
Tomorrow we're going to Owensboro to visit Memaw and GrandBob (GrandBob is sick and also needs prayers). I think this loooong post covers about all that's going on here. We have another very busy week ahead of us, but that's our life, I guess! It's good, it's just getting harder because this pregnancy is starting to slow me down. :)
Happy Derby, everyone!
Tuesday morning Nate had his IEP evaluation. I'm happy to report he acted just like himself. :) I've heard stories of kids all of a sudden doing new things and amazing their moms during the evaluation, and then they don't qualify for IEPs! But Nate was very representative of himself. He showed them the fun side of his personality and how bright he is, but also the stubborn side! I think the evaluators got a good idea of what he can and can't do and what he needs. One of the therapists said she thought he'd qualify for an IEP, so I feel pretty good about it.
That afternoon Nate had aquatic therapy. I was so tired that I decided to sit out of the pool this week, so I was able to get pictures! Nate did so well, kicking his legs like crazy. His favorite part was when Miss Nikki let him swim underwater! As he came up to the surface, I could see his eyes and mouth wide open! My favorite part was after he swam underwater when he told Miss Nikki, "I'm a big boy!" I'll post pictures in a little bit.
This week hippotherapy was rescheduled for Wednesday morning. This was Miss Katie's student helper Sarah's last day. Sarah was there when Nate took his first steps, so she was trying to get him to do it again on her last day. He kept trying to lean back on her, so she moved to his side, and Nate leaned back and fell and bumped his head. It didn't hurt him bad, but she felt awful and I hated that happened to her on her last day. :)
Wednesday afternoon I had an appointment with a woman about Nate's respite care. I still don't have anybody to help us out with this on a regular basis, and I really need someone. Not only because I need help when I go to all these appointments, but also because if I don't use it, we lose our medical card. So I'd appreciate prayers that we'll find someone we can trust!
Thursday morning, I was eating breakfast, and my tooth felt funny. Last week I had to go to the dentist for a crown, but this was a different tooth. I told Blake that my filling in this tooth fell out! The dentist got me in that morning, and Nate went with Blake to work to submit a loan and back home in time for OT. It turns out, my filling didn't fall out--nope, it's still there. But half of my tooth broke off! That tooth needs a crown and possibly a root canal. And I have another tooth that needs a crown as well. That's 3 crowns, all of my dental benefits, and $2,500 out of pocket in one week. Great.
Nate had OT that morning and PT that afternoon. The PT told me that I'm doing as much sensory stuff with Nate as I can, and now it's just a matter of waiting and seeing when he walks himself. Right now he can walk really stable with me just holding onto a pinky finger. Yet when I let go of that pinky finger, he collapses. Yeah, like he really needed that support. He just needs to get over his fear.
Yesterday (Friday) morning, I had an appointment with a surgeon. A couple weeks ago I found a lump in my breast. I saw my OB and had an ultrasound, and they said it looked "suspicous" so I had to go see this surgeon about a biopsy. He told me it looks to him like a benign tumor, and although he's not all that concerned about it, it needs to come out. I can wait a few months/a year until I'm done breastfeeding and have ultrasounds every couple of months, or I can have it removed now. I chose now for the sake of efficiency. I'll go to the hospital on Tuesday. He'll do a local anesthetic and make a small incision to remove it, stitch me back up, and I can drive myself home. Seems pretty minor, but I'm not looking forward to it at all. To top it off, that same morning I have my glucose test for gestational diabetes, and anyone who's been pregnant knows that's NOT a fun test. And the day before I have to have two crowns and possibly a root canal. Anyway, none of this is major health concerns or anything, just MAJOR annoyances. My mom is coming to help out with Nate while I have these appointments.
Okay, this is our first spring in Louisville, and I don't think we ever imagined what a big deal the Derby is here! Pretty much the whole city shut down on Friday. Blake had off work, and I tried to go to the library, but it was closed too! Interesting. But the zoo was open, so while I was at my appointment, Blake took Nate to the zoo. When they got back, I mostly heard about the train ride. Blake saved that for last, and Nate seemed scared the whole ride. Nate told me the whistle and the tunnel were scary. But when the train ride was over, Nate cried and cried that he had to get off. So he must have liked it anyway. I asked him what his favorite animal was, and he said the "Giraffe. It be fun."
Yesterday evening we invited our neighbors over for dinner. Blake used his smoker to smoke some meat yesterday, and we had a very nice spread of food! The neighbors have a 5 year old girl and a 3 year old boy, and Nate LOVED playing with them! I was so glad, cause just a couple months ago he was having trouble knowing how to play with kids his age. Everytime Jana and Robbie left the room, he'd yell "KIDS!!!!" They all had a great time. Blake's friend Ryan and his fiance and another friend also came to dinner. They came from Owensboro for the Derby.
We've relaxed most of today. I even forgot about soccer. It doesn't seem like Saturday at all because Blake was home yesterday. This evening, Nate was playing with his container of beans--a favorite activity lately. But he knows he needs to keep the beans in the box, and he was NOT doing that. Beans were flying everywhere. I warned him 3 times to keep the beans in the box or I would take them away, and he didn't listen. As I was walking toward him to take the beans away, he said, "Get in trouble." Yes, you're in trouble.
Tomorrow we're going to Owensboro to visit Memaw and GrandBob (GrandBob is sick and also needs prayers). I think this loooong post covers about all that's going on here. We have another very busy week ahead of us, but that's our life, I guess! It's good, it's just getting harder because this pregnancy is starting to slow me down. :)
Happy Derby, everyone!
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