Feb. 25, 2006 - just some thoughts
2/23/06 - thoughts on swinging and language development
I have an itch to write. To get some thoughts down.
Today I started to re-read a book about autism written by a mom who "saved" her child from autism's evil clutches. There are several on the market. I don't know why I picked it up. I don't like it. I don't like it because, it's so detached, self congratulatory and fake sounding all at the same time. How can you write about your own child without a little sentimentality? Well, I can't.
Just as I was beginning to realize I in fact, did not want to read it again, my little son bounced up to me. "Swing??" Big blue eyes, an impish grin. "Swing?? Swing??" Who could say no?
Less than a minute later I was downstairs pushing him on the swing we had installed in our basement.
We had bought and installed the swing over a year ago at the advice of my son's old occupational therapist in early intervention. He was thrilled with it and dragged me over constantly to swing him. He wasn't talking at the time. I had recently read in one of the many therapy books on the market, that I should try to use his requests to coax him into talking. "Say swing." Grunt, tug pull, imploring eyes. I "modeled" the word again- "swing." More animated pulling, the beginning of tears. "Ok, I'll swing you." I gave in before the temper tantrum would have inevitably began. Maybe I'm a little too soft hearted. We didnt keep up with that method long. Yet here we are, a year later, and he says "swing", and a host full of other one word requests, without coaxing or forcing at all.
Sometimes now, I do say no. No to cookies before breakfast. No to the same video three times a day. No to going outside at 9pm. He often cries and keeps asking, but he is getting better at accepting the word no.
Although I think many things that we have exposed him to has helped him to go from nonverbal, to one word requests, I cannot pinpoint one specific miracle therapy or technique that got him from there to here. I can tell you what didn't work. I have a shelf of books that describe what didn't work.
You know my favorite new word of Pete's??
Jesus. like music to my ears- he says it whenever he sees a crucifix or cross.
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Dec. 22, 2005 - try these tests- what did you get?
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Dec. 21, 2005 - plans...and St.Nick
Well, my Sat. plan of "do nothing but Confession" fizzled. All but myself and the baby were sick over the weekend!
My husband was supposed to give a talk (as a part of an Advent "retreat" at our local Catholic retreat center) on St. Nick on Sunday. I went and did it for him!
After checking with the Deacon to see if it'd be ok, I spent Saturday going over my husband's notes to put together a talk.
After attending Mass, I went out to Priestfield and I gave a ten minute talk to six groups of people, and had a really good time. I dont get out without the kiddles much (maybe twice a year)- it felt weird, but nice.
My husband and I both agreed we havent been very "genuine" people this year. I need to be less of a wall flower, and he needs to be, well, more himself.
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Dec. 17, 2005 - Sleep
It's 6am. On a Saturday. I dont sleep in, this is my usual time to be up and on the computer. Pete, who is going through one of his night owl stages, actually slept most of the night and got up with me at 5:35. For the past couple of weeks he's been awake (we do not allow him to come out of his room before 5 am) in the middle of the night a few nights a week. It goes in shifts. approx. 8 weeks worth of learning/sleep- 8 weeks worth of nightwaking , sleepy/grumpy days with little progress.
Everyone else sleeps- including Aidan, his brother who shares the room, he sleeps through it all. Aidan is my only kid I have to drag out of bed the mornings we have to be somewhere, otherwise -he sleeps in- flexibility is a homeschooling perk.
Lily "bean" turned two years old yesterday. We bought her a sweater and a purple set of measuring cups - so hopefully she'll stop stealing mine!
Jessica gave her a Care Bear she bought with money she earned doing extra jobs for me (gave her a quarter a job- I know its very little, but it's real life- working your tookis off for pennies) she was so proud to get that for her.
Today. Well today Jessica has quite a busy social calender - she's going to an all day cookie making thing. Jason is taking Aidan to watch a karate class, see if he'd like to learn too. Me- I have nothing planned but confession. I go once a month now. it is really nice. I get the jitters beforehand, but after everything is off my chest, and I receive absolution plus usually awsome advice - I feel so fresh and new.
Nothing else planned. Wow, that sounds nice.
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Dec. 14, 2005 - well heres one
this one loaded up fine and then when i tried to upload more it kept timing out...this is Aidan out sledding on Friday.
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Dec. 14, 2005 - Wednesday Ramble
Now I've got the bad cold only Lily had on Friday. It's stuck in my sinuses. I hope the rest of the gang doesnt get it- but I'm not too hopeful- not with the way we swap viruses!
Got a call from the doctor- Pete has celiac. ok. Now to find the time to take the other three for their tests. I wasnt too suprised, the gluten free diet seems to be benefiting him.
I'm re-doing my schedule. I schedule everything- schooling, chores, prayer, free-time, its the only way I can stay on top of things. My old schedule isnt working out as well as it was before- so it's time to tweek.
I've been making lists of "things I want to do" and spending more down time, free time, just playing with the kids and reading to them is one thing- I'd love that. So it'll be in the schedule this time!
Today I read Pete his favorites "The Farm Book" (when we get to the page where the kids go to school, i just say "nah" and turn it!) I read Aidan "Mr.Willowby's Christmas Tree" and "The Runaway Bunny".
We decorated the Christmas tree last night. I'm going to put the pictures up as soon as I figure out how. Sorry- no pictures of me- I'm the one behind the camera!
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Dec. 12, 2005 - Narnia
The movie was excellent! Very faithful to the book. They changed a few, in my opinion trivial details. That is the best movie I've seen in a couple of years. I have often debated with myself on what age would be best to let the kids watch The Passion , being unsure, but I just figured out that The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe- is kind of a Passion play for kids. Very cool.
My son Aidan (we only took our five and ten year old- left the other two home) got very upset when Aslan died... He kept saying "oh no!" I told him, it'd be ok. He watched the whole stone table scene in my lap. I could tell too that he really liked Peter with his sword and armor. He's really going to love the dress-up armor I found him for Christmas!
Jessica had a good time. She's read the book now three times. This Wednesday she is going to her book club meeting on the Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.I bet all the girls will be talking about the movie!
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Dec. 9, 2005 - Winter Wonderland
We got our snow and the day went far better despite my ruined "plans" - anyway- snow days are better than blood tests any time!
My husband fixed breakfast for everyone (He had the day off today). After a little bit of school he took three of the kids out to sled. Lily ,our two year old, has a bad cold, so she and I stayed in- I watched them from the window.
When we moved in to our new house on the hill, I said to myself..."thats a perfect sledding hill" -and it is! The kids and DH were soon all going down. :-)
Jason put Peter on his lap,and as they both zoomed to the bottom of the hill, you could hear Pete laughing all the way inside. Before I new it the entire neighborhood of kids were in our sideyard!
They all came in (our kids, not the whole neighborhood!)over an hour later. We made them hot cocoa and lunch.
Later in the day we went and bought our Christmas tree, our first live (cut) tree in six years! It looks great in the corner of our living room.
Today was a wonderful day...watching the kids going down the hill, and spending good time together, it reminds me how blessed I am.
We also set up our nativity set, minus baby Jesus. On Christmas morning, before we open presents, one of the kiddles places Jesus in the scene. This year, I think we'll sing Him happy Birthday.
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Dec. 8, 2005 - It's beginning to look a lot like
a huge winter storm is going to hit us tonight and ruin my plans for tomorrow. It reminds me how not in control I am! I'm a planner, and every once in awhile God throws a monkey wrench in what I had planned.
We were going to travel to Rockville to get the rest of the kiddles tested for Celiac. I was diagnosed two months ago, Pete was tested last week and the other three were supposed to go get the blood test done tomorrow. It between 1 1/2 to two hours depending on Maryland traffic to get there. No body here in Wv even knows where to send the bloodtest to, much less if insurance will cover it!
We were also going to get our Christmas tree, our first live tree in six years. Saturday was go grocery shopping, decorate outside, and then Sunday was Church, dinner with family, and The Lion the Witch, and the Wardrobe with the big kids that afternoon.
Hopefully, we'll manage some of it.
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Dec. 7, 2005 - Look Ma, I got a blog
My first entry. Pete is sitting on my lap making it hard to type! We recently got him a computer "game" to play and he now thinks the computer is very cool. His new program is called "Da da Davinci" -it's a flashcard program that flashes pictures up on the screen, plays short animations, as well as plays classical music. Fine art paintings are the backgrounds. He loves it. Hopefully, it will help with his language.
