January 2009 Pictures!

January 2009

Speech Therapy?

I was hoping to take a poll on what kind of activities your kids do during speech therapy at school (not outpatient/hospital based). 

I am meeting with Jack's teacher and speech therapist on Friday to discuss how his sessions are going.  I am just curious to find out how other schools conduct speech therapy.

At Jack's school speech is done in a group setting.  I've only come to realize (this week) that he does not get his speech 1 to 1 like he did in preschool or during early intervention.  I have a lot of questions on how he's doing with his goals and whether this is an appropriate setting for him.

The group session consists of 6 or 7 kids from two classrooms with about 5 switches on the table. They take turns hitting the switch to "read" a story.  While the activity in itself is nice, Jack needs SO MUCH MORE than this during his therapy time.  Much less in a group of 6 or 7 where he's the only VERBAL child.

Here's our experience PRIOR to this school year with school based therapy:

Oral Motor stuff like working in front of a mirror sticking his tongue out or imitating a "O" with his lips. Using a "horn hierarchy" to build muscles around his mouth. Blowing cotton balls across the table with a straw, etc.

The other things were receptive language stuff: like point to the bird, what is the boy doing in this picture, etc.

Then there's the pronunciation and just repeating sounds.

He has so many motivators too like bubbles, music, toys, balls, etc. And his TSS is there to help with the behavior and redirecting so I feel he needs to be in a different situation at speech time.

Thanks for your input -- I'll keep you posted!!!

First Steps (of a different kind)

We've been researching adoption on and off for over a year now and we'd talk and read and then let it go for a while.  A few weeks ago we started talking seriously about our plans and have decided to take the international adoption route. Right now we are hoping to adopt an infant from Ethiopia. We filled out a preliminary application and mailed it on Friday.  It's out there heading to the agency right now.

It is a long, long, long process and realistically we know it could be 2-3 years until everything is final and we have a new baby in our home.

We are open to a boy or girl.  We aren't sure if we'll travel or use an escort.  We are open to twins or siblings, and will probably know more once we're further down this path.

I just wanted to share this with my second family!! I'll keep you posted! 

Right now we ask you keep us in your thoughts for getting accepted into this agency's program!!

PS -- I started an adoption timeline on the sidebar if you're interested in watching our progress!

Is it SPRING yet??!!??

A lot of adoption agencies ask for various pictures along with their applications...so I thought I would try to find some and I came across this:

It made me long for the nice days of no coats, ice, snow, bad driving weather, etc.

Just look at that blue sky!  I am officially tired of winter.

Our Reunion...

I had a great time at the reunion.  It's been 15+ years since I have seen some of these people! What a nice group of freinds!  I spent most of the night laughing so hard my cheeks hurt.  It feels great to do that every once in a while.  I hope we do it again really soon!

The Two-Step!

So here's the entire story to our astounding news this week!

I did not witness Jack's first steps.  It happened at school.  He was playing with a sand/water table that they filled with snow for the kids to play in.  He was cruising around the table holding on with one hand (something he's been able to do for a long time) and Miss J. was standing near Jack just keeping an eye on him.  That's when she saw him let go of the table and stand for a moment then he took two independent steps toward his teacher Miss T.

I've been trying for a repeat performance at home -- but I think he needs more confidence to let go.  I don't think he was thinking about it when he did it at school...so I am trying to set up opportunities for it to "just happen" for Jack.

I've been standing him against the wall in our hallway and telling him to reach out and touch the other wall.  In order to do this he has to "lose" his balance a little and almost take a step forward.  I figure if he can get used to the "falling" feeling maybe that'll help boost his confidence.

Of course you'll be the first to know when we get more steps!!!

Quote of the Day

"Oooh, cool!  Pub-uzz!!!"  she loves shape sorters and puzzles ; )  I love how she adds so much excitement and flair to her words.  At Christmas time we would "oooh and ahhh" over the lights around town...several weeks later we were driving at night and we came upon a Sheetz all a-glow and she said "Ooooh, wow, COOL!!"  too funny!

Out of the Blue...

Mark the date:

January 21, 2009

A milestone seemingly beyond reach.

Jack Riley Wilhelm took his first independent steps.  Two of them.

I am crying as I write this...

More details tomorrow!

Our New Stander!

Standing in PROPER form is very important!  Jack resisted at first -- but as you can see he enjoys it now.  

A GREAT ebay find -- $175 (those who know the catalog cost of this stuff will be proud!)

What?

Oh, the joys of those fakey little webpages -- this woman looks entirely too happy.  What?  Did she find the cure for seizures in that shopping bag?

Research

As I mentioned before, we are researching adoption agencies and it's quite overwhelming to say the least.  I've read wonderful things about an agency and turn around and on the next page can read something completely different.  I took a break for several weeks and have been back to reading and researching again this weekend.  Jason brought two books home from our community library and I've been thumbing through them creating talking points for discussion.  So many questions!  Do we adopt domestically or internationally?  How do we decide on an agency?

We can easily answer a few questions.  We are open to a baby of any heritage, race, or home country.  Our love knows no boundaries when it comes to skin color.  When I picture a new addition to our family my mental image changes.  Sometimes it's a boy, sometimes a girl...sometimes dark curls and dark eyes, an occasional red head, sometimes it's a baby that looks like Jack or Morgan...I think you get the picture!

So I am asking you for your help!  If you are familiar with adoption or know someone who is will you please email me at angwilhelm@gmail.com and maybe I can ask a few of these questions?

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes!

Here in this video he is naming body parts when I point to them and ask him "What is this?" We did eyes, ears, nose, hair, cheek, chin, mouth, elbow, knee, toe, leg, arm, head, belly, boo boo, shoulder, and fingernail. You'll notice some words are very clear, other words he leaves off the end, and for words like fingernail it's an approximation "fa, fa, fa" but we'll take it!

Emerson White

This little one sincerely needs us.  Please do what you can to help spread the word:

Emerson White

I contacted Foxnews and will continue to write letters and emails this evening.

Thinking Back...Status Seizures

January has not been a fun month in our house two years in a row.  I didn't realize that I have been sort of holding my breath lately.  In January 2007 Jack had his first Big Seizure.  After that, he had several more and that began our horrid journey into knowing what seizures really are.  There were lots of ups and downs and we had a wonderful neurologist working with us.  I am so thankful he was Jack's dr. during the onset of major seizures.

A year later in January 2008 another call to 911 for a major seizure...So after several more seizures in 2008 -- I am left wondering what 2009 will bring.

They say hindsight is 20/20.  This is true in so many aspects of life.  I didn't know it at the time -- but at least twice Jack has been in Status Epilepticus.  Status can be life-threatening.  It's the suspected cause of Jett Travolta's death.

I don't normally live in fear.  I have come to terms (as much as humanly possible) that we cannot control what happens -- especially when it comes to seizures.  I just have my hope that this January remains uneventful and 2009 is seizure free.

Idol Time!

We have another idol fan in the house!!  We watched the season premier of American Idol on Tuesday night and Jack came flying into the living room chanting "I-do, I-do, I-DOOOOOO" he was so excited.  It's neat to think he remembers it from last year (and every other year of his young life, lol).  We didn't watch last nights episode yet -- it's waiting on our DVR hopefully we'll get to it tonight.

Last night Jack was quite upset.  He had a really good first half of the day at school and Miss J. (his TSS) said the last part of the day was really, really tough.  It didn't stop there -- Jack was not himself for our 2 hour therapy session or for the rest of the evening.  He was obsessing a lot and crying huge tears.  He was in bed crying as well and I had a hard time settling him.  I ended up falling asleep with him and then this morning he did not want to get up for school.  I ended up keeping him home today.  He did take a long nap and has been okay but not 100% himself.  So we'll see...I'll keep you posted.

On a side note -- the kid has had yet ANOTHER growth spurt and has officially moved up a size in clothing.  Great news!!!!  He's 3 ft. 10 in. and 45 lbs and in a boys size 6/7!  This is the boy who was still in toddler sizes last year!!  

(Pictured above is Jack with absolute TERROR in his eyes.  He HATES having his hair cut -- thankfully daddy does such a good job!)

Diane?

Has anyone heard from Diane from over at A Stellarlife?  Diane, we miss you and hope you're feeling well soon.

Lots of ++++ vibes coming your way,

Angela

and fellow bloggers!

From Morgan's Mouth

Morgan is now 20 months old.  She runs, jumps, climbs and talks -- alllll the time!  She mostly uses her own language mixed with some true words.  If she's awake -- her mouth is moving!  It's so amazing to watch her grow and change so quickly.  Her words include:

Up

Daddy

Mommy

Jack

Down

Hey

Hi

Bye

See Ya

Sorry

Puzzle

Chicken

Tickle

Gabba Gabba (as in Yo Gabba Gabba)

Brobi (see above link)

Awww

Kiss

Baby

Night Night

What

Yes

See

Wow

Yay

and many more I am fogetting right now...

Note to self -- no more dolly house in the pack and play...

Something to TALK About!

"Mom, more chocolate milk please.  Get it.  Okay!"

That's an EIGHT WORD sentance.

He's been ending his requests with "okay" a lot lately.  It's like he's answering for us.  Too cute.

Something to celebrate -- chocolate milk for everyone!

(pictured helping with groceries a few weeks ago)

Miserable

Normally I don't mind winter weather...but when you have a kiddo who uses a wheelchair it becomes a big deal.  Rain, not so bad -- I just throw a rain poncho over Jack and it covers him, the wheelchair, and his back pack.  Ice?  Not so fun.  My big fear is falling while carrying him outside or dropping the wheelchair!  This morning it was icy out front and I got soaked getting him on the bus.  I'd take snow over ice because at least it's fun to play in and doesn't make the sidewalk as treacherous! 

Just sharin' the misery!

Hopefully the rain and ice will stop before the bus gets here this afternoon!

December Photos

December 2008 Album!

Enjoy :)