Catching up!

Where to start? How about with Morgan scaring the pants off of me by crashing her hish chair to the floor? It all happened so fast. I was a few feet away and I see her use her legs to lean back (think of balancing a chair on two legs) and before I could even say or do anything she tipped the chair and fell face first to the kichen floor. I was stunned -- she screamed and I ran and grabbed her not realizing I forgot to undo the straps and I made her scream more because her legs were caught in the seat belt! She had a large, red lump on her face and I held her until she calmed down. I made sure she wasn't hurt anywhere else and about a half an hour later she was totally herself and playing. That all happened around 11:30 am. She had been fine all day with her poor face swelling and turning colors -- she didn't seem to be bothered at all. Around 4:30 pm she started to get very cranky (which in itself isn't unusual but she did hit her head so I started to wonder if I should have her checked out). I called Jason and he came home early from work and I took her in to the ER. We were in and out in record time (about an hour and a half) and they said she was fine. They told us what to watch for (fever, vomiting, nose bleeds, etc.) and sent us home. She was totally herself for the rest of the night. She still has a nice black and blue face (see picture) but isn't bothered at all.

Jack finished school the first week of June (hence my severe lack of postings!!) and has been quite a handful! He's very busy and using so many words and phrases lately. Yesterday he said "Window open please, mom, see outside." He wanted me to open the blinds in the kitchen so he could see outside. It's the very first time he's ever explained or expanded upon the "why" or "reasoning" of a request. It's a pretty huge milestone. He's also started answering questions like "Who drives your bus?" and "Who is your teacher?" as well as "Who goes to school with you?" He has learned most of his classmates names as well as the other adults in the school. I sent a disposable camera in to school and they took pictures of Jack and his friends. He loves looking at the pictures (and so do I!!). Most of these kiddos have been together since preschool and it's amazing to see how they've all grown and changed over the years!

I am all a flutter! One of my best friends is getting married this weekend!! I am so excited and happy for them. I am her Matron of Honor and starting with the rehersal Friday night I am away most of the weekend involved with her wedding!! I have an appointment to get my hair done and am going to spen tonight "grooming" doing my nails, practicing my make up and making sure I have everything I need!! Speaking of -- I just thought of something I need to add to my list (a handbag -- I don't think diaper bags go over too well at formal events, lol). Pa Pa and Jan will be sitting with the kids on Saturday while we're at the wedding and reception! How cool is that?? (VERY COOL, lol).

I hope to not have as much time pass between posts. I am trying to justify a Blackberry for Mobile Blogging -- because there are so so so many times when we're out and I'd love to snap a picture and send a few lines to truly capture the moment. If you see Jason maybe you could mention that you all miss me and how nice it would be if I had a Blackberry. lol!

The Ban is LIFTED!

Jack is feeling much better and is BACK AT SCHOOL TODAY!!!!!!!!  I am so glad that it didn't last too long.  I know he's going to love being back at school!!

Quarantined...

We've been "quarantined" by the Department of Heath!  Jack was pretty sick last week (high fever, lethargy, coughing, aching, sleeping, etc.) and home for the almost the entire week.  He began to feel better and went back to school on Monday only to end up with another fever and cough on Tuesday night.  Apparently 5 out of 8 kids in Jack's classroom were out this week all with flu-like symptoms.  This type of large absenteeism needs to be reported to the dept. of health.  So two rounds of blood work, a chest x-ray and a nasal swab later Jack is "fine" his nasal swab for the flu came back negative.  However (and I am unsure of the entire process/story) due to the fact that the other swabs of the other classmates may or may not have come back positive for the flu ALL of the samples are being sent to the CDC for further analyzing -- especially for Swine Flu!  So Jack is not allowed to return to school until further notice!  We are not worried about Jack having Swine Flu but part of me is a little freaked out!  He's still sick but better than yesterday and his fever's down with medicine and is in no way getting worse.  We just have to wait and see when they will allow him to go back to school.  It could be a day, a week, or a month!  I surely hope it's only a day ot two.  Anyone else with experience please weigh in here!

Morgan had been sick too but is totally better.  I hope both kids get well and stay well for a long, long time!

I will keep you posted!

EDITED TO ADD:  Blood work shows an high white count so we're starting a round of antibioitcs...more bloodwork next week...sheesh.

EDITED AGAIN: Fever is back up to 103 :(  He's hanging out on the sofa watching tv...

Time for an update!

I just wrote this message for our special parent support group and thought I would share it here as well!  Time has a way of slipping by and my blog and support group posts go unwritten...copied from specialparent.org

The kids are finally getting over their colds -- they were really sick last week! Unfortunately Jack lost SIX pounds and went from a solid 45 lbs to 39 lbs. It's been a while but I am back to super fattening recipes and drinks for our tiny man. That just plain stinks. It felt great to not worry about his intake as much. He had been solidly on the charts...let's hope he puts it back on quickly.

Jack is back at school today and I am trying to figure out where to start on all of my house work! (So of course I am online -- not starting house work, lol).

Jack turned SIX in March and Morgan just turned TWO at the end of April. We just had Jack's IEP meeting and it went very well. There were major issues with Jack's speech therapist (she was skipping sessions and piling all the kids in a large group and reading stories to them). I had the director of special education on my side and we now have it very specifically written that Jack get individual therapy and it's been increased from 30 min a week to 60 min a week. 

Jack has had a tough time lately with behaviors. They are increasing and we're at a loss. His neuro is dragging his feet and always seems to give the answer of "wait and see" in regards to behavior. Well it's almost a year with this neuro and I really want to find a doctor (neuro-psych or neuro-pharm to work closely with us). Our neuro is really great -- but mostly regarding seizures and CP not really wanting to deal with the behavior issues. So my mission in the next few weeks is to find another doctor to add to our team.

Jack had botox a few months ago and is doing well -- although it's beginning to wear off slightly. We go for another eval/follow up this week.

Both kids are growing and changing! Morgan has taken off at lightening speed as far as development goes. She walks, runs, jumps, climbs, eats anything and everything, talks all the time and blows me away with the words she picks up on a daily basis including not so nice phrases like "Oh POOP" with a hand motion and all...she can count to 10 and recognize the alphabet on sight. She knows her colors and did I mention this all feels like it's happening SO FAST?

Our adoption is coming along! We finished our homestudy back in April and we're working on getting approval from immigration. We hope to have all of our paperwork in Ethiopia by August. Then we'll be officially waiting for our child....

I am sure there are HUGE chunks I am forgetting! I cannot wait to read how all of you and your kids are doing!!!!! Give them all a great big hug from me.

Happy 2nd Birthday Morgan Leigh!

Oh wow.  My BABY is two already!  Morgan is truly a light in our lives and we don't know what we ever did without her.  She came in to this world on her time (much like her brother) and hasn't looked back!  

Morgan recognizes the alphabet by sight and is often "spelling" things around us!  She knows her shapes, animal sounds, colors, and can count to 10!  She talks ALL THE TIME...still a lot of babbling and Morgan speak but her vocabulary has just taken off.  She likes to play and is always looking to make us smile.  She'll randomly exlaim "I happy" and also loves to kiss and hug and say "I love you" it's the sweetest thing.

Morgan loves her daddy like no one else!  Morgan greets him at the door every night with smiles and lots of "Daddy, daddy, daddys."  She loves her brother and talks about him during the day.  She'll find his sock or hat and say "Jack" then she'll remind me he's at school or on the bus.  I think she thinks he gets to ride around all day on the big yellow bus!

She loves Dora and The Backyardigans and sings "twinkle twinkle little star" like she's auditoning for idol (sadly at this point she'd be one of the cast offs, lol KIDDING!!!)  She hates bath time and loves playing outside.

We love you Morgan!  Happy happy birthday!!!!

I need new glasses!

I checked on our vision plan this morning -- the last eye exam I had was 2005!  I need a new pair of glasses and a new pair of contact lenses.  I gave up on the contacts a few months ago due to the fact that they simply disintigrated into nothing...argh!

I love some of the new styles of eyewear I've seen on TV...what do you think would look good on me?  I hate picking glasses because it's something that has to go with everything and once you pick them you're stuck for quite some time!

I can't wait to get contacts again -- I never wear my glasses on "evenings out" but lately I've been forced to and just don't feel as dressed up ; ) Not that we have too many of those outings which makes dressing up all that more special!!

What kind of eye glasses do you wear?

I am thinking something like this:

But I don't know for sure!  Links and suggestions please!  lol.  My appointment is May 1st...so I have a few days to get an eye-dea!

April Photos!

Our April photos are up!!

ENJOY!!!

Open Cup, Open Cup!!!!!!!!!

A milestone moment in our house and it was all Jack's idea!!

Our Home Study Visit!

Our home study visit went really, really well yesterday!  Our social worker, J.A. is so nice and down to earth.  This was our 5th in person meeting with her (about 12 hours total) -- so we are pretty comfortable around her and she knows us really well by now.  Still, it made us anxious to be at this step where our home and family life was truly on display for the purpose of evaluation!!

We started with a basic tour.  We started in Jack's room first.  She loved the art work on the walls (all hand crafted by Jack Riley himself) and said it was fun and neat :)

Then on to Morgan's room.  She liked the built in dresser/changing table/desk and how pretty everything is.

We showed her our bedroom and bathroom next -- she didn't even walk in!  She just peeked in and then we moved on to the living room and kitchen.  She said we have a cute house :)

Next we went downstairs and showed her the storage area and laundry room.  Then on to the play room and family room as she expressed surprise at how big our little house is!  That's everyone's first impression...our house looks tiny on the outside until you come in and walk through both floors.  Our downstairs is the same square footage as our upstairs.  Then we went into "daddy's den" although we didn't call it that -- we just said this is an area just for us and I think I mentioned it was our only "kid free zone" in the house!

I think overall the cleaning and organizing paid off.  Typically I keep a fairly clean house -- so basically I weeded through some old toys and I washed our floors, cleaned the bathroom, etc. -- took me about a day and a half.  It felt like the same work I did when we sold our old house.  Kind of putting accents on the positives...ya know?

We talked about our neighborhood and neighbors and we explained how Jason's family grew up in this house and how Jason grew up just down the street.  We're close to shopping centers, grocery stores, parks, playgrounds and schools.

We went over our dossier paperwork and she complimented me on my organization and said we're really doing well with everything!!

We discussed culturally based activities and what we do for fun!  She played with Morgan -- who was a doll!! and when Jack came home she talked with him a little bit too.  Jack was so cute, although very, very quiet.  He was smiling and in a great mood (YAY!!) and showed her his box of musical instruments.  He did request a drink and asked me for help -- so she did hear his little voice once or twice.

Our home study report (a 7-10 page document of our lives from birth until now, our motivation to adopt, financial information, health information, etc.) should be completed within two weeks from now.

We mailed our I-600A application to immigration (this is a BIG step) and once we recieve the few pieces of paperwork we're waiting on (our physicals from our doctor's office) we can wait for our immigration approval (taking about 1-4 months) and finally our dossier will be complete!!  From then it needs to be state sealed and copied several times over and finally, finally on it's way to Ethiopia!!!!!!!  Our dossier should be in Ethiopia by August (rough guess on my end) and from then we'll wait 12-18 months for our referral.  So I'll stick to describing it best as HURRY UP TO WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Family in 10 Pictures :)

For one section of our Dossier they require 10 family photos of our house, each member of the family and the room our new child will have.  Here are the photos I chose to share.  These photos will go directly to the Ethiopian government.  This was harder than I thought it would be!

I should take a picture of all of my paperwork -- it's quite a sight!  Our home study visit is on Wednesday and I am getting anxious!  

We are waiting on our medical letters from our doctors -- we had our physicals last week and our lab work on Saturday.  I hope to have those letter by the end of the week and then all we have to do is apply to immigration (which is a MAJOR step!!).  Once we're approved by immigration (which I think takes a few months) we can get our Dossier state sealed, approved and on its way to Ethiopia.  From then -- we wait 12-18 months for a child to be referred to us.  See why I just want to get this finished!!  Our goal right now is to get to the "officially waiting" part of the process!

Child's Room (Nursery)

Children's Play Room

Child's Room (nursery, 2nd photo)

Siblings Jack and Morgan

Jason in the Living Room

Jason and Morgan

Angela

Jack

Our Home and Yard

Angela in the Living Room

Update on Jack Post-Botox

Jack had botox about two months ago.  I just wanted to give you a quick update on Jack post-botox. He's doing GREAT stuff with his walker! His motor planning is really shining through now that some of the spasticity is relieved. He takes his walker up and down 6 inch curbs, up and down ramps and can turn in any direction he pleases.We have him long sitting as much as possible. The school has really, really stepped up and they have him in a stander every day, they have him long sitting in a floor chair with his legs straight out gently strapped for an extra stretch. His PT is pleased and Jack loves walking outside with his walker. 

He is so motivated to walk.  I can't wait to get some video to share with everyone!  I love that it's the perfect time of year to have the maximum affect of the botox in his system.  I only hate that it's temporary :(  But for now, Jack is able to rip up the sidewalks and run around till he's out of breath.  That makes it all worth it.

Video to come soon!

Dossier

Lately the adoption paperwork has been overwhelming.  Not so much the forms or letters or instructions themselves -- just the pressure of depending on others to follow the agency's instructions!!  

We have to obtain 20 some documents/statements/letters all of which have to be notarized.  There can be no mistakes!  Just feeling the pressure right now, that's all!

So, today one of the bigger dossier items is being tackled -- our notarized letter from our bank.  Thankfully we live in a small town with a hometown/family bank of which I've been a customer since I can remember (12 years old?)  I spoke with the bank manager this morning and she is willing to do our letter and have it notarized.  She seemed to "get" it where I've read a lot of big banks in larger cities give families a hard time with notarizing a bank statement.

Next week Jason and I both have our physicals.  Once our lab results come in we need to have the dr. write a letter for each of us and it has to be notarized.  They also seemed to "get" it -- where my old family practice did not.  The receptionist acted like she just didn't have the time to answer my questions.  Although I have a longer history at the first practice, I have been to the new practice once (for a cold) and already have a better feeling about getting my physical and medical letter done there.  

We are waiting on our police clearance to come back so I can take a trip to our local police station and have a letter written on our behalf (and, you guessed it! notarized).

The "problem" with the notary thing is the dates on the forms have to match the date of the notary.  The notary's commission cannot expire within a year from now and mostly we have no way of knowing until we get there whether we'll have to start from scratch.  I asked our bank's rep when hers expires and she said 4/2012 -- so that's great news.  I didn't get a chance to ask the dr's office when their notary's commission expires -- but if it's not in the right time frame I will have to get a traveling notary.  Kind of like a side show.  If you're a notary, wanna join me?  We'll have fun...lol

So paper, paper, paper and more paper!!

I get a lot of satisfaction crossing these things off the list though.  So when I get home after my visit to the bank this afternoon I'll be happy to cross that one off the list!!

Neurology Appointment

Earlier this week we took Jack to his neurologist for a 4 month follow up.  Over the past few months Jack's been weaned from 3 seizure meds to just ONE.  Greatly improved his overall mood, behavior, eating, growing, learning, and no seizures to speak of!!  He's now taking Keppra twice a day with no nasty side effects and no seizures.  Let's hope it stays this way for a long, long time!

Jack was such a big kid at the appointment.  He cooperated and interacted with the nurses and dr.  He did great during the wait (not his strongest point).  Morgan on the other hand was quite miserable and I made a mental note, come Hell or high water she's not going along to future appointments if I can help it.  She was very concerned there were going to be needles involved.  Not for Jack, but for her!  She kept trying to espcape and kicked my shins so hard -- and my arms ached the next day from trying to hold her on my lap all the while trying to listen and talk to the neurologist.  

Between Morgan's yelps and cries I was able to explain Jack's up and down behaviors to the neuro.  Most often it's related to his bowel habits and being backed up.  There are other times though when his behaviors and obsessions seem to come out of left field and we're left scratching our heads.  What the neuro suggested is weaning Jack off of Risperdal (the medication he's on for behavior issues).  We really haven't seen a difference relating to the medication.  It's a pretty "serious" med and I can't say one way or the other if his good days/weeks are because of the med.  So, we will see in a few weeks what he's like off of the medication.  Weaning can cause withdrawal and worsening behaviors so we are going very slowly.  

The neurologist only wants to see us back in 6 months!  That's a milestone in itself!  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a seizure free, smooth behavior-filled summer.

PS - see the BIG KIDDOS in the picture?  Jack's in a big people chair and Morgan's in Jack's chair.  They thought it was great to have lunch and be such big kids :)  Morgan also likes to play peek a boo as you take her picture.  So if you see her covering her eyes in recent pictures that's what she's doing!

Pandora Radio

I swear this is not a paid endorsment!  LOL! I have been listening to Pandora Radio non-stop!  It's eerily spot on with the songs they play.  All you do is enter an artist you'd like to base your play list off of.  It'll go on and play song after song from various artists that all some how mesh together perfectly.  If you'd rather not hear a song again it gives you the option.  Totally free, uninterrupted, great music!

My favorite station is based on "The Postal Service" -- cannot get enough!  Jack and Morgan like it too. 

What's your favorite?

Wilhelm Chili (Recipe)

A combo of several different recipes we've tried over the years.  This one is "IT" :)  I actually submitted it to allrecipes.com -- under the title Home-Style Turkey Chili....maybe it'll be published?

Wilhelm Chili Recipe

• 1 lb ground turkey (or beef)
• 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14 oz) can Diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 (14 oz) can Navy Beans
• 1 (14 oz) can Red Kidney Beans
• 1 (8 oz) can Home-style Baked Beans
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

1. Place ground beef in a large non stick pot. Cook over medium-high until evenly brown. Drain add onions and cook until tender.

2. Mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, oregano, sugar and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and baked beans to ground beef mixture, stir.

4. Add spices from bowl stirring well.

5. Cook on low for about an hour.

6. Add drained and rinsed navy and kidney beans. Continue to cook on low ½ to 1 hour longer.

Serves 6

Eyes :)

We had our 6 month follow up and have great news!  Jack is finally using both eyes together and they are as straight as they've ever been.   It means his brain has made the connections in order to use both eyes together.  He's never been able to do this 100% of the time.  Yay, surgery, glasses and patching success story :)

No glasses this time around and he only wants to see us back in September.  It was so strange to hear him say "have a nice Summer" it's hardly Spring yet!!

So great news and one thing to check off the list for half a year :)

World CP Awareness day...

I actually, um, wasn't aware :0

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddcp.htm

March 20, 2009 is World Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day :)

CRINGE!

Let me start by saying I am not an overly sensative person.  I do believe in using positive language regarding differences and abilities -- not so much politically correct, just not painting disabilites in a negative way. I cannot beieve the president of the United States made a crack about the Special Olympics last night :(

This article says pretty much how I feel -- just made me cringe!

Obama's Special Olympics Joke

What are your thoughts?

Two-for-one!

Well, because I couldn't pick which one to post first -- here are two videos!!

Morgan and her letters...cracks me up!  I am so proud of her :)

I ask Jack to take a step -- instead he's being a little silly!

Because I never want to forget...

"Hi guys" -- no matter who enters a room, even if it's just one person

"Oh goodness!" -- When something doesn't go quite right

"Uh Oh, broken" -- this refers to ANYTHING that falls or comes apart.  It includes her scraped knee (which is NOT broken) 

"Happen?" -- As in what happened?  I think she pretends to not know the answer to this one, lol

"Dow-ya" -- her new favorite:  Dora, the Explorer :)

"Oh man!" -- expressing dissapointment

"two, nine, TEN!!" -- This is how EVERYTHING is counted according to Morgan

"Dee You" -- the letter W