Monday, December 13, 2010

What's Next??

Hello Friends~
In the last few weeks since Little Learners has ended life has been a bit calmer.  It's still hectic of course, but not having to rush about 2 mornings a week certainly has agreed with this Mommy.  We are still in the middle of B's post-testing for the class...mainly because on the 2nd day we were there he was really tired and not really himself.  We'll finish up this week with the Vineland parent interview and one final session of testing. 

I was taken by surprise today by a phone call from the coordinator for Early Achievements, the "next step" class at KKI.  B qualifies and is accepted into the program.  I was surprised to find out so early for one--we thought we wouldn't know 'til later in the winter.  I was also surprised because the post-testing isn't even complete....but I am thrilled (and anxious) about what lies ahead. 

Early Achievements is what made a WORLD of difference for A five years ago so we know how just how valuable this is.  But that was five years ago--I only had one kid then!! Logistically this would be a nightmare.  Ok...I'm exaggerating a bit but it will be difficult to figure it all out.  Class starts at 9:00am which happens to be 4 minutes after A gets on the bus.  C's school starts at 8:30am...Hubby usually leaves at 7:45am and can sometimes take C to school...argh, my head hurts just thinking about this!!

I guess this is one of those times when I just have to take a deep breath and know things will work out.  Starting now.  Breathe...

Nighty night!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Ponderings on Early Intervention--a constant theme of mine.

B's class at Kennedy Krieger is almost done--and while I'm sad about it I am ready for it to be done.  I know I've mentioned that in my earlier posting this week.  Today was one of those days, though, when he did so many cute things, said a lot of words, and really made me feel like "he gets it." Yesterday at his home visit and today in class he was using a new word, "under", in the correct context and it sounds so benign, but it just makes my heart jump out of my chest to hear him talk.  I cannot even think or imagine where he would be (or wouldn't be) had it not been for the wonderful people at REACH at Kennedy Krieger. 

I continue to be amazed that there are parents out there who know or feel that their children  aren't meeting milestones but yet are not seeking out Early Intervention services--whether private or through a local public school program.  I was talking about this on Monday at one of our final parent trainings and I think I get why parents aren't pursuing help.  I guess it's obvious but they are in denial--they hear a professional, say someone from the local Infants and Toddlers/Birth-to-three program say "Susie is just speech delayed, she'll catch up" or "Joey is fine, he'll be talking soon enough..."  and they WANT to believe it.  Am I really so unique that when those things are presented (my child isn't/wasn't meeting milestones and I pushed to get answers) that I go for the gusto, go in fighting for my kid? I can't possibly be the only parent who would do that!! Sometimes I feel that way though...

When I see where A. is--at 7 1/2 years old she is in a typical educational setting in our local school--I know that it is the result of hard work.  On her part, my part, Hubby's part, and countless other professionalls and not-professionals helping us along the way.  We got through things pretty easily with C. and perhaps we even thought we were getting there with B. too...but when Dr. Landa noticed B's head lag early last August we sprang into action.  While I have certainly had days when I was worried--what parent wouldn't??--I have been pretty certain, based on what progress I have seen, that Ben is well on his way to a pretty typical childhood.  So far his "development arc" seems to be following Cassie's and not Addie's.  Still though--I am continuing to search out strategies and programs that are going to keep us on the right page, the right trajectory.  It's my job!! In this season of thankfulness I would be remiss not to mention just how grateful I am for my Hubby.  His hard work and dedication to the field of Energy & Environmental Law are the main reason I get to be B's number one therapist, advocate, and giant playmate.   Things are always a little crazy--and the afternoons/evenings can sometimes make me feel like I'm drowning....but it's a good life.  Really. 

In other news--I am now seriously considering going back to school to pursue a dream I've had for years now.  I would like to become a Speech-Language Pathologist and focus on working with little ones--I've been doing it as a parent for a while now and I feel that I could let that talent be nurtured into something more.  It's scary, and still a few years away, but I'm excited. Really excited. 

In still other news--stay tuned--Ben and I may be on TV in the coming weeks!!! (Thanks to our friends at Kennedy Krieger, of course!) 

Sleep Well, my friends!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Ramblings of a Crazy Woman

*I have noticed that boys are different than girls. I am forever worried that I will be hauled away because of the constant bruising on B.

*I love having dinner with Hubby after the kids are in bed. On the menu tonight? Omaha Steak, creamed spinach, mashed sweet potatoes.

*I feel like I should come into the 21st century and have a SmartPhone with a calendar on it. I can't get past needing a huge fold out big-block book calendar. I can't be the only one.

*I would love to go on the Ellen show. I think it would a ton of fun to be in the audience. Still trying to think of how to be a guest though.

*C is having her tonsils out in January. I'm worried...but know it'll be best in the long run. I do not want her to have to go through the "adult" version of this! Sure dropping 20lbs in 2 weeks is great--but when something makes me not want to drink water, when something makes ice cream look bad...well, enough said.

*I am watching "The Talk" on CBS. It's sort of a new guilty pleasure. I want to see them do more on Autism awareness and Early Intervention Awareness. Maybe I need to write Holly Robinson Peete a little letter...

*I try to understand what makes C. prefer jumping through the house, rather than walking. Her preference is always more intense during B's naps. This fills me with rage.

*There is nothing in the world as good to me as brie. If I could have a love affair with food, it would absolutely be with brie. Brie, how I love you.

*I can't figure out formatting this blog. I just bought a book about blogging. Will try to learn!!

*I think I have a Facebook problem.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Little Learners Is Coming to an End....Say it Ain't So!!

I have had this feeling before.

It was five years ago and we were finish up Early Achievements with A. It was a six month program during which I felt safe and secure in my parenting/therapist duties for A. Toward the end I was pregnant with C (hormonal? perhaps!) and feeling like my world was coming to an end. That's not to say that I didn't learn a LOT by the end of the program--we had once weekly parent training sessions that (to me, at least) were both informative and therapeutic. I just felt like my safety net was being pulled out from under me.

Fast forward!

Little Learners for B is ending in just three short weeks. I am very happy to report that I do not feel the dread I felt five years ago. I have rationalized it by reminding myself that I am busier now (I have 2 more children than I did back then!) and less time to worry about things--but the truth is that I am confident that I can and will do what needs to be done to keep B on track. I know that I can make appointments, I can drive to appointments, I can follow the strategies that Jenny and Emily have taught me, and that I can play a central role in B's development. I am glad to have this under my belt--I've been through it all before--but this time I feel empowered.

Selfishly, I have to admit that I am glad to have our schedule ease up, especially as we enter the busy Thanksgiving & Christmas season. I'll miss our Monday morning gab sessions (eh, parent training sessions) and miss seeing B interact with his two little girlfriends, Becca and Natalie, but a big part of me is excited to have some normal (what's that again?) stuff going on. Hopefully we will increase our time with Mary Pat and Carole and we'll probably be adding a speech therapist as well. In addition to that we have an evaluation set up at The Vines Early Intervention Center--so we may be adding that as well. Geez...maybe I'll be busier now that Little Learners is ending...

Well--we know what Early Intervention can do so you know what??

I'm in.

Happy November, folks!!
tlc

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Been a while...

For reasons I can't quite explain I've been avoiding writing--since March. So much has happened since, a lot of it noteworthy, but I was really in a slump I think. Looking forward to sharing more of the lessons I've been learning and of course to gab about my fabulous family.
Here are just a few of the happenings I've been meaning to write about, but hadn't felt ready to.

The People Magazine came out the end of March!! See it here:
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20353593,00.html

B had further testing at Kennedy Krieger in April that found he has some markers for Autism--this placed us in a very unique position--we got into a One Year Treatment study called Achievements for Little Learners. This opportunity has given us so much hope for B and will probably be a subject of later ramblings. We are nearly finished the six month program and it has been magical seeing B make so much progress!

A is still having doggie-phobia. Ho Hum. We keep thinking it'll get better, and at times it has gotten tolerable (like when we are at Aunt Cookie & Uncle Billy's house with their lovable dog Willow) but it seems to have spiked again. We have been on the fence about professional help and I need to just make an appointment and try to help my girl. I can only explain it this way to people who *think* they are helping. If you are afraid of someone coming at you with a flaming torch (and who amongst us isn't??) you would panic and run away. That is how it is with A and dogs. Cats too....well except for the ones at Aunt Cookie & Uncle Billy's house! So for now MY big anxiety is Halloween. Oh my.

C.....what can I say about C. She continues to keep Hubby and I on our toes and is keeping her Pre-Kindergarten teachers on their toes as well. C is in a sibling study at Kennedy Krieger much like A & B and during her 4-yr. testing this summer it was found that she is most-likely in the genius "range." I'm so thankful and grateful for and in awe of my children. They are each special and unique in their own way. I'm just afraid that if this one is smarter than me I'm not going to be able to keep up past about next week.

Hubby & I have had some really amazing opportunities lately to speak about our experiences with Autism and Early Intervention. The first was in September where we talked to the Board of Directors at Kennedy Krieger--we basically told them A's story and filled them in on B's story thus far. Nerves were killing me (as they always do when I need to be in front of a large group) but being up in front of a group of people who make really important decisions seemed to help out--I got to talk about my fabulous kids and how far they've come (and continue to come!) And maybe, just maybe, our story will help other families get help for their babes. The second speaking opportunity was at KKI's Tenth Annual Autism Conference. Dr. Rebecca Landa asked us if we would share our story and we simply couldn't turn her down. She could pretty much ask us to stand on our heads and do karaoke and we'd pretty much agree ;) Again nerves overtook me, but Hubby had my back and together we presented to a large group of parents and professionals and Early Intervention specialists. I was really blown away by how moved people were by our story. It makes me think I really can make a difference in this world. One story at a time, I will get parents and families to know that Early Intervention now means a world of difference later!!

Happy Fall to Everyone~thanks for humoring me,
tlc

Saturday, March 13, 2010

FINALLY!!!!!!

Well, we got the word yesterday that People is doing the article!!!!! We are beyond thrilled. A few weeks ago it seemed like it may have been a lost cause. Todd and I wrote and sent a letter expressing our sadness over the article not going forward. While it is a very big deal for us to be in any sort of publication (truly!) what disappointed us most of all was that the good work of Dr. Landa and the wonderful staff at Kennedy Krieger wasn't being highlighted. Something clicked with the editors and we're back on!! We are so fortunate to have been given this opportunity to share our story through the pages of People.

In other "finally" news, B is walking!!!!! He's been working so hard using all those little muscles in those cute little legs and last Saturday it just clicked. Just this afternoon I spent about an hour just watching him walk. Walking here, walking there, walking, walking everywhere!

I'm not sure what, if anything, we said about the Baltimore County Infants and Toddlers program will make it into the article. We obviously feel very strongly about Early Intervention and the tremendous difference it can make. We have been blessed through the years to work with some truly wonderful people in the BCPS I & T program. They are all amazing people, but we have to give some special praise to Mary Pat Summers and Carole Coleman. Mary Pat has been working tirelessly with our little B to get him walking and using his muscles in the correct way. She has a big, big fan in little B, that is for sure. His face lights up when she walks in the house. Mary Pat has always answered my (many) questions, no matter how silly or insignificant they may be. And she does it all with a smile and a heart of gold. We love you Mary Pat! Our relationship with Carole goes back to late 2004 when we first realized A had a speech and social delay. She came in, got to work immediately, and gave Hubby and I all of the tools we needed to work with A at home. We could never begin to pay back what Carole has given us. I have such fond memories of Carole coming over each week to work with A--as soon as Carole came through the door A would run into the family room, sit down, and be prepared to work!! And work she did--she ALWAYS took a great nap on "Carole days." And now--5 years later--we are again blessed to be working with Carole. She is helping to get B talking more--he is such a quiet little guy. He's starting to babble more and more and we are hopeful he'll be a chipper little chatterbox very soon. It is true that his big sisters do all the talking for him, at the moment, at least!

Thanks for reading everyone--and remember to pick up a copy of People Magazine next week!!! I *think* it will be the March 29th edition, out on newsstands approximately Friday March 19th. (shameless plug, shameless plug)

Early Intervention works--pass it on!!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Updates on B & People Magazine

B continues to work VERY hard on his physical milestones. Mary Pat with BaltoCo. Infants & Toddlers has been working with him more lately but he still lets those darn little toes curl under. Have any of you had a child do that? I don't remember A & C doing it. A & C both walked at 14 months...so maybe late March is our time!! B has had one visit also with Carole--also w/ BaltoCo. Infants & Toddlers. Carole is a Special Educator who is just helping B increase his communication skills. She thinks he's fine--but thinks he is a very quiet little guy. Yup--he is!

I MISS going to the gym during the day!! I just signed up for Pilates--and while I can take classes on Sunday afternoons I would much rather be doing so on Tuesdays or Thursdays while B is in the playroom at the gym. The little guy can't go there until he is officially walking :-(

People Magazine......It is still my favorite magazine, but we have hit a few bumps in the road with the story. Sharon Cotliar contacted me earlier this week and took some updates from me. She let me know that she is trying very hard to push for our story, of course it is in her interest, as well, to have the story go to press! Sharon told me that the story was going to the Art department for a re-design, and we are again hopeful that we will see it soon. I must sound like a broken record, friends, but I am so excited about this. It has been my dearest hope that our story will help someone out there. Please help spread that word that Early Intervention works!!

We *heart* our Early Intervention heros--Mary Pat Summers & Carole Coleman!!!!

Is it Spring yet??

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Update on B's Infants & Toddlers visits, part ii

B continues to be seen by Mary Pat with Baltimore County Infants and Toddlers. She visits us a few times a month to work on his trunk strength, toe curling (why DOES he do that??), and emerging walking skills. She is teaching him to use muscles in his body properly--and it is a hoot to watch her do this. The little guy is ready for a nap when she leaves!

At this point we will begin seeing her a bit more frequently as Mary Pat feels he is on the cusp of walking, but is having some "old habits" come back that are affecting his balance. (see prior posts) He wants to hold his arms out and back, as if balancing himself in an exersaucer, cursed piece of baby gear!

B is a joy each and every day. He eats a lot, smiles a lot, plays a lot, makes us laugh a lot. He celebrated his First Birthday a week ago.

In addition to Mary Pat, we'll also begin seeing our old friend Carole Coleman again (she worked with A four years ago). Carole's specialty is early special education and she'll help us to get him communicating. We've all noticed that he is a particularly quiet baby. At times this is because his older, well-meaning sisters talk for him--at other times it's just because. Regardless--whether it's indicative of a problem or not--we're taking the proactive approach and beginning the therapies. It can't hurt--it can only help. Plus, the visits with Carole and Mary Pat are fun. I can only hope that "one day" when I am back in the working world that I have a job that touches the lives of families and children in the ways these women do.

We continue to be in touch with Sharon from People Magazine. There have certainly been delays in the story, bumps in the road perhaps. She has been keeping in touch via email and phoning occasionally too. We continue to be hopeful that our story will soon reach millions of families and perhaps offer a little hope to a child who is having trouble communicating, or who is on the Autism Spectrum.

Thanks for reading, thanks for asking about us. We appreciate the care & concern!

Snow in February Takes Me Back

Seven years ago I was a 37 week pregnant woman. No kids to chase around, no job--I'd left in early January--and plenty of time on my hands. It seems like an eternity ago--yet I can practically taste the ice cream sundaes Hubby used to bring me home nightly. (He knew better than to come home empty handed, after all.)



Fast forward to today--an almost 7 year old, star of First Grade, holder of my heart. How does that happen? How does time DO that?



The snow began falling on Valentine's day that year. I remember the day well. It was a Friday and I emailed Hubby a list of necessities for both our house and our elderly neighbor. I am pretty sure her list contained tea bags, twinkies, and soup. I'm sure ours contained Coca Cola and Fritos--these two things have sustained me through all my pregnancies. The forecast looked like it could be a doosy. Family members were nervous. Hubby was panicked I would go into labor. I was convinced, of course, that I wouldn't go into labor. (just a few weeks prior when told that I had made no "progress" at my internal exam I declared to Hubby that he must take down the crib because the baby "simply wasn't coming")



I had just, the day before, had a pedicure and manicure. What a treat--yet what a chore--it was to climb into that big, soft, vibrating chair. I can still feel the hot and bubbly water around my fat ankles.



With the snow already falling we decided I should rest a lot, not move around, not walk around too much. I made a comfy bed for myself on our leather sofa, and gathered around me pillows, blankets, and some precious novels. (Anita Shreve's Eden Close & Strange Fits of Passion) I devoured the books, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. I am sure they have splashes of Coke and crumbs of Frito within their pages to this day. Chocolate too. I was big on the chocolate.



The snow came down. Fast. Deep.



Hubby, wonderful man that he is, kept up with the shoveling. I have pictures of him outside our old house on Willoughby Road, standing proudly (he would debate this fact) by his shovel. You can just barely make out our Chevy Blazer behind him. On Sunday I ventured out to the porch in my Old Navy Maternity coat and trusty blue hat. Despite the coat's girth--my own couldn't be buttoned in. All was white in Parkville that day.



The evening was quiet, I forget what time we went to bed.



By 7:30 A.M. or so I was on the phone with my OB/GYN. There was only about 2' of snow. Yeah--2'!! I calmly got myself together, Hubby showered, shoveled, showered (yes--you read that right--2 showers) and we set about on our journey to parenthood. What typically would have been a 10 minute drive on a holiday Monday (President's Day) took us about 45 minutes. I-695 was down to one driveable lane. We made it though, safe and sound.



This was about 10:30 A.M and by 3:30 P.M. I was holding my sweet baby girl. My BIG baby girl--she would be the biggest baby I would give birth to at a whopping 8lbs 14.2 oz.



As the snow continues to fall out there tonight--and with a forecast for much more this coming weekend--my mind goes back to that wonderful time back in 2003. I've lived a lifetime since then, but a simple snowfall can take me back.



Different house now, same wonderful Hubby, three kids, and complete chaos. Life, as the saying goes, is good.