Research

Research, Research, and more Research, print, print and more printing.........

I have been having weekly meetings with the principal and 2nd grade teacher lately.  I-We are trying to figure out 2nd grade and Jonathon still.

As a mother I want the best for my child.  I do not want my child segregated in anyway.  This is very frustrating this year.  Right now Jonathon spends more time in the resource room than he does in the general education class.  This is very up setting.  I do not want my child in the resource room all day.  I feel and believe he belongs in the general education class room more than the resource room.

When I say "PARA PRO"  I am not heard.  Jonathon has not had a para pro since kindergarten.  Why?  Who knows.  There are not enough to go around.  He does not need one.  It won't benefit him.  Really?....... I'm sorry, but yes I do believe it will benefit him.  I do not think a high school student is qualified to teach my child (buddy system) or peer to peer (2nd grade student)  I do not believe my child should be in the back of the classroom working on math all by himself.  My child should be sitting at his desk, listening along with the rest of the class.  My child should be given the opportunity to have a helper(para pro) to help him read his paper and try to do his work.  My child should be in the general education classroom more than the resource room.

So.....as always I am researching and printing assignments at home to work with Jonathon to get him up to speed on 2nd grade.  I will teach my child spelling.  I will teach my child math.  I will teach my child patterns.  I will teach my child to be a better reader.  I will help my child succeed.  I will fight for my child ALWAYS.  I will not let my child be LEFT BEHIND!!!

We need Spring

We are in our winter slump right now.

Jonathon has been on edge alot lately.....Jonathon is unhappy and sad alot lately...Jonathon does not want mommy as much lately...Jonathon wants his big brothers.....alot!!!

As much as I know that his big brothers love him very much....they are getting older and want there free time after school too....which doesn't include little brother as much these days!  And I don't blame the big brothers at all....and I know they feel guilty because trust me Jonathon can lay it on thick!  So I intervene and find something for Jonathon to do and let the big brothers sneak off........not that I think it would ever happen but I don't want them to ever dislike their baby brother so I try to make sure they have their space when needed.

Which in turn goes right back to mom not having any free time for her!  Which goes back to our winter slump....I have a ton of things that need to be done, but I never have any "me" time to get anything done.  I swear that I have about 10 different projects started and none of them are anywhere near finished.  Which in turn gets pretty damn stressful at times.

And I try to have Jonathon ready for bed by 7:30p.m. so he is asleep by 8p.m. so I can have a little bit of me time....But then my teenagers come back up and want their mom time too and of course I can't resist because I love all my boys unconditionally and I am very happy that my teenagers want to spend time with me still.  But man......some days....some days I get very very grumpy because lets face it...I am fricken tired!  Not tired of being a mom....just worn out...exhausted.....tired....want to sleep for more than 5 hours and would give anything to sleep in....Sleep in?  what the heck is that?

As I am grumpy through out the day and I know I am grumpy and I try telling myself to stop being grumpy...sometimes its so hard!  But then I see those little eyes looking up at me....wondering why mommy is so angry....and oh my gosh....my heart melts and I step back and regroup and grab my son and hug him and kiss him and tell him mommy is so sorry.......And then we find an activity to do together and well the rest can just wait until another day.

We just need spring to get here so we can go outside and get some fresh air and play!  And soak in the sunshine.  And take our new Tiny dog out so she can play on our 6 acres.  I can't wait to see what Jonathon and Tiny do together.  I am hoping that they become best friends.  I want to take a walk in our woods with Jonathon....I want to go on walks with my big dog Scruffy....who is looking sad and old too right now.  I want to go to the park......I want to sit on my deck and soak up the sunshine and just listen......

As I said in the beginning.....we need spring....

ENT Appointment

on Friday went well.

Jonathon's tubes are still in place from Jan 2010.  If they are still there after 3 years then the dr. will remove them.  He had a little bit of wax build up so they did a pressure test to make sure all was good.  Pressure test was fine.

Come back in 6 months.

Bowling

We were supposed to go bowling today as a family with the St. Clair County Down Syndrome Support Group.

That didn't happen.

Gilbert got hurt before we left.  He was in the bathroom shaving and turned wrong and threw his back out.  So I left Andrew home with him.

Jonathon, Kenny and I still went bowling.

Jonathon had a lot of fun.  He loves to go bowling.  I was really happy with the way he behaved today too.  He sat in the chair at the table with Kenny and waited his turn.  I only had to talk to him twice.  Twice for 2 hours.  That's pretty amazing.

Kenny did not bowl because he is having foot surgery soon and just cannot do anything right now.  He went along for moral support and to be my photographer.  He needs a little help in the picture taking department though.....Oh well.  At least he tried.

I had fun and the boys had fun....that's all that matters to me.

We had pop, pizza and ice cream.  Good way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Chiropractor?

Andrew is 17 and has had some back pain for sometime.  Last year he kept missing school and I kept taking him back to the pediatrician.  Dr. Pediatrician would tell me to give him Ibuprofen.

I finally had given up.  I didn't know what to do and then one morning Jonathon's teacher had asked me if I had ever thought about seeing a chiropractor. Um, no I hadn't.  I had seen one when I was a teenager after an automobile accident, but I never felt comfortable with him.  I was always afraid he was going to break my neck.  I just hated the whole idea....not that he was bad.  He was a very good chiropractor and he did help me.  She gave me the name of her chiropractor and I decided to call him and set up an appointment for Andrew.  I needed to do something for the child.

I took Andrew last March 20ll and he is still seeing our new chiropractor.  He has done amazing things for Andrew.  Andrew has not missed school in a very long time.  Andrew is learning how to have better posture, and what to do so he does not end up hurting himself.  He still has a way to go before he is finished going every 2 weeks, but when he started he was going 2x week and then 1x week.

Then Kenny started complaining that he had pain and I took him.  Yes Kenny had some issues too and has been seeing Dr. Chiropractor since around May 2011.  Kenny has not missed any school and what I have noticed about Kenny is that he is not having bad headaches anymore.  Kenny used to miss alot of school because of his headaches.

So then last summer I went into the hair salon for a haircut and color.  When I was told to lie back in the sink to get my hair washed I thought I was going to die.  Something was wrong, it hurt so bad in my neck and in my back that I could barely tolerate it.  I thought I was going to have to tell the hair dresser, but then I was embarrassed...who cannot lie back and get a hair wash so I stuck it out.  But it scared me. What the heck did I do.

When I went to an appointment with Andrew and Kenny I spoke with the Dr. Chiropractor about me. He said to set up an appointment.  I let him know my fear of chiropractors, but also that I was pretty comfortable.  I would not let my boys continue if I wasn't and he was indeed helping them.

I have been going to the chiropractor since last summer.  My 2 teens and I go every 2 weeks.  Eventually we will not have to go as much.  But I am so relieved that we found this chiropractor.  He is amazing.  He has already taught us and helped us so much.  And I can lie back at the hair dresser now...pain free.

Now since last summer I have seen young children come and go.  Heard stories about young children. Seen pictures hanging how a chiropractor can see what the average person misses.  And have always thought in the back of my head...."I wonder if I should let Jonathon see the Dr."  "Would he benefit from it"  "Does it really matter at this age"

I have and will always want and do what is best for Jonathon.  When we went on Wednesday I was reminded one more time that Feb is Kids month.  Get your child signed up.  When we were finished Dr. Chiropractic spoke with me about Jonathon.  He asked me some questions and told me that there was a video out front if I wanted to watch it.  I watched the video with the boys before we left.  They went out to the van and I spoke with the receptionist.  I signed Jonathon up.  He goes tomorrow morning for his first appointment.

While I am nervous, I am also excited.  What will this do for Jonathon.  Or maybe we will find out this won't work for Jonathon.  We will know more tomorrow.

When I got out to the van...Andrew says...."If I were you I would do it"  "I think you need to take Jonathon"  I asked him why?  He said"I wish I would have went at a younger age.  I wouldn't be messed up like I am."  I think big brother is looking out for little brother.  I then told him.  He will.  I signed him up.

Listening

My dearest child....When I ask you to pick up your toys....could you do it instead of me asking you 40 more times....

My dearest child....Could you get up and get ready for bed when I ask you the first time instead of 40 more times....

My dearest child.....I took your t.v. out of your room because you were not listening to me.....

My dearest child....When you learn to listen....you will get your t.v. back...

My dearest child....When I say put your coat on to go to school....could you just go out to the kitchen and do it....

Overall you have been somewhat better after 2 weeks of no t.v.

Thank you for trying.....

But when you scream at me in the grocery store....you once again will not get any t.v. time....or pizza....or taco bell....or McDonalds.....and no....no trip to the movie store.

We will keep trying....I know you will get it!

I love you

Wordless Wednesday

Movie Watching

Tonight Jonathon, Kenny and I sat down to watch Kung Fu Panda 1 before bed.  And let me tell you Jonathon loves this movie.  He was laughing so hard that I had to laugh too.  I really did not think it was  "that" funny, but Jonathon loves Panda getting beat up I guess.

I have waited so long to hear my son laugh at the funny parts and know that he "gets it"  What an amazing feeling to have as a parent!  I am so happy for him.  I am so proud of him!

Next time I will try to video better and get picture too.  Today I hid the phone so he wouldn't stop.

Hope you enjoy,  I sure did.

Wordless Wednesday

Research Time

So now I have got to do some research.  The teachers are finally going to use p e c cards.  I started using those over 2 years ago and just took them down.

I think/thought we were done with those.

I think I can get an app for the Ipad to help Jonathon instead of investing in more p e c cards.

Research research research.........

Discouraged

I have not been blogging the last few days because I can't figure out how to add a widget and then the link posting isn't working for me either so I am a little discouraged.


Jonathon is doing well.  He is working very very hard on self feeding.  Cereal is going great in the morning and I would show the video but its on my phone and I can't figure out how to post that either so I guess when I find time to actually sit down and relax I will figure all this mess out.  Along with self feeding he has decided that he only likes a few items now.  He used to be a really good eater and now he is being very picky.


Chicken, stuffing, rice, green beans, corn.......likes, but not lately!
Spaghetti......likes and still likes!  He is my Italian guru!  When he refuses to eat anything I will give him cereal, waffle, pancake, but after a few days of that I can't take it so then I make something pasta and he eats......


I hope this is short term.  I do not want him to refuse to eat dinner.  It makes me sad.

Fall Clean up

We spent some time outside last weekend putting away all the toys. We had to put all Jonathon's sand toys, playscape, trucks, wagon, and bikes away for winter. Basket ball hoops too.

We raked leaves, mowed the grass one more time and played.

Now we are ready for winter. I am really excited about Christmas this year. I think it's going to be great. Jonathon is older and I think he is going to be alot of fun. I am hoping that he likes the snow this year. So far he has not.

Time will tell.

Working hard!

I had Jonathon 's IEP about 2 weeks ago.  We discussed some things that will need to be accomplished for him to be able to go to Kindergarten next fall.  We discussed how if I or them do not feel he is ready I have other options.

Over all Jonathon is doing well, but we still have things to work on.

The first important goal for me for him is back to potty training.....Jonathon has been toilet trained for some time now... Even though that is so there is still some areas that need to be tweaked a little.  For instance:  I used to have to check with him every 3 hours to make sure if he had to go or not.  As of this past summer I no longer have to do that.  He is fully potty trained.  But no I guess he is not "fully" yet.  Because I go with him....I help pull his pants down....I help him hop up if he needs to sit down....I help him down when he is finished....I help pull up his pants..well no one is going to do that in kindergarten.

So we went out to Kohls this morning and hit up a good deal and got 6 pairs of pull on pants/sweats.  No more jeans for now.  He had 2 pair of sweats that we have started working on him doing this on his own.  He doesn't do too bad.  He gets mad sometimes and wants mommy to just do it.  But overall he is doing great.  He just has a hard time pulling up the back of his pants.  I am sure he will figure it out before next fall.

I also had a new stool made again....actually this one is a platform for him.  It's about 2 inches off the floor and its square so its safe.  He is too tall for the plastic stool now, but not tall enough for nothing.  So we started out with daddy making one....which was nice....it just wasn't what I was talking about and it wasn't really safe....it kept sliding and it just wasn't big enough....sooooo.....Mr. Randy stopped by and we told him what we needed and.......when we got home today....we found a surprise!  He made Jonathon a platform....just right and Jonathon said "cool"  But then daddy got his feelings hurt and was going to take his outside and Jonathon stood up and said "NOOOOO"  He grabbed it and placed it on the carpet and started playing with his hot wheels on it.  A happy daddy then and a happy Jonathon.  It all worked out!!!

I will post pictures tomorrow of the new stuff!

Dental Appointment

Today we went and seen Dr. Dentist!

Last year when I took Jonathon to meet a pediatric dentist in the same office where my older boys go it was a complete disaster.  She did not take her time with Jonathon and he ended up screaming so bad that he had broken blood vessels in his face.  And I knew we did not want her.  And she said" I can't help you"  Really.......

We found a great dentist about 1 hour from our home.  We went and met with him and he set up a procedure at Childrens Hospital of Michigan to get xrays, teeth cleaning and anything else that needed to be done.

Jonathon went in April and had his xrays, teeth cleaned and a space added in between his two front teeth.  He had cavities in there because his teeth were too close together.  It was out patient and when he was finished we took him home.

When we went for our follow up visit Dr. Dentist gave me some ideas on what to do to get Jonathon to brush.

Over the past 6 months I have made sure that Jonathon has brushed his teeth in the morning and at night.  There have been times when I have said "Why bother"  He just doesn't like it and he is probably going to have a ton of cavities and have to be put under again!!  Plus it's very frustrating that I have to do this on my own. (sorry to say, but hubby is not much help)  But then I say to myself that would not be fair to Jonathon so we brush anyway.  Some days are good and some days are bad.  The good days are around more and more.

I was worried about our appointment today.  I have been telling Jonathon for 1 week now, getting him ready.  Hoping that he understood.  I was very very nervous on the way there today.  I couldn't even drink my coffee.  Then we were late, because I made a wrong turn.....OOPS.

We signed in at 8:33a.m.  We had a few minutes to wait so I got out Jonathon's IPAD.  He sat quietly and put some puzzles together on his Ipad.  Other kids looked from a distance.  I thought it was pretty cool.  Then we were called.  Okay here we go......Put the Ipad away and followed the nurse back.....got a few feet and then Jonathon noticed everyone in dr. gear and stopped.....and said "NO"  and turned around to leave.

I grabbed his hand and told him it was okay. That they were not doctors, that they were dentist helpers.  And the nurse helped confirm that with him.  I practically had to drag him back to the room and then he seen the "chair"  Oh my!!  He didn't want any part of that.

As I was putting him in the chair and getting out blue puppy.....Dr. Dentist was explaining what he was going to do and the staff was getting ready and as I am getting out blankie, headphones, they are starting and Jonathon begins to cry and scream......I quickly tell him "ok, let me get your music"  I grab my cell phone and quickly scroll through to find Elmo Lets go Tubbin.....This calms Jonathon down some where he at least is not screaming.  One Dr. Dentist.....3 staff members and mommy .....I just kept talking to Jonathon and telling him how proud I was and that he was doing great and that he had blue puppy and that he was almost done.  And before we knew it......we were done.

I spoke with Dr. Dentist quickly.  He told me that he was so proud of me..."me".....I even said "me"?  He reminded me how I came to him upset and looking for help.  And that he told me what I needed to do and I did it.  And that Jonathon would not be getting a good clean teeth report if I had not listened. WOW was all I could think!  And it made me proud.  Jonathon has no cavities! He was put into a drawing to win a $25.00 gift card.  And we will go back in 6 months.  And hopefully in 6 months it will be a little better for him.  We signed in at 8:33a.m. and we were back in the van at 9:03a.m.

So I took him to Walmart to pick out a new toy for being such a big boy and letting Dr. Dentist clean his teeth.  He picked 2 monster trucks....He is big into Monster Jam right now.  He now has Hot wheels and Grave Digger!!

I am so proud of Jonathon.  I know how much certain things scare him.  Like the noise of the dental tool to clean his teeth.  To sit there and let the dentist clean his teeth and not wear his headphones.  Phenomenal!  Amazing!  I will always do my best to make sure he is happy, safe, and protected!

I love you Jonathon Joseph!  Rest well, you did great today!!!!!!

wordless Wednesday

Challenges & Celebrations 2011 Conference

I went to this conference yesterday.  The conference was sponsored by St. Clair County Community Mental Health, St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency and St. Clair County Down Syndrome Support Group.

I went to "What your other Children without Disabilities are Thinking: Sibling Issues for Parents"
Keynote Speaker Brian Skotko.  I thought Brian was a very good speaker and I really enjoyed listening to him.  I was not able to stay until the very end to get my book signed, but I did purchase his book and cannot wait to read it.  Check it out and get yourself a copy.  If you ever hear his name go listen to him.  He is great!

I also attended Ipad = Ican  Keynote Speaker Ann Orr.  I enjoyed listening to Ann also.  But she was just an Ipod/Ipad geek.  She was not from Apple Company and I already learned about a whole bunch of apps, so I was not really impressed with her.  I went to listen to her thinking I would learn about the Ipad2 and how to use it and how to use the apps when you download them.  So I really could have skipped her.  Oh well.

Oh and I went and listened to an O.T.  Her name was Kim Perrin.  "Addressing Challenging Behaviors Through Sensory Strategies"  Now her I could have sat and listened to for a long time.  She was very informational.  I don't really have a lot of problems with Jonathon.  I was curious what it was all about and glad I went.  I learned that water is a good thing.  I learned that if you have a child that is really out of control.....ex: head banger ...to the point of dangerous..you could just give him/her some water to play with(like in a bucket in the middle of the kitchen floor) not worrying about the mess.  And it relaxes the child.  Water is calming.  I am so glad that I have Jonathon in swimming.  and of course he loves the shower and our pool and mud puddles etc.

Jonathon picks at his thumbs and peels the skin off to the point where it bleeds and I have to put a bandaid on(which he hates).  so she gave me some ideas to try out on him.  and to keep track of when it happens.  So I will.  She actually ran out of time talking to our group.

My sister and I then ate lunch and had to head for home.

During the conference I met up with the president of St. Clair County Down Syndrome Support Group...which is the group we belong too.  And she had a gift for me......well for Jonathon!

I had submitted a scholarship letter to her at the beginning of October asking for Jonathon to be a recipient of an Ipad2.  I explained about my research and why I felt that it would benefit him!  I am so happy that he was given this device!  It is going to help him so much with his learning!

So I loaded it up last night and showed him really quick!  Lets just say he loves it.  He was upset when he had to put it away to go to bed and he calls it his pad.....games mom!

I would have never known the world of opportunity for my son with an Ipad2 if it wasn't for me finding a4cwsn.com and reading and researching.  I joined a4cwsn.com on facebook.  It is a wonderful community and a person can learn so much.  I already have 123 apps on Jonathon's Ipad2. I have only paid $17.00 total.  Most of them were free and some of them I won.  Through a4cwsn.com.  I am so glad that I found Gary James..... Please go and check it out....You will not be disappointed!

I uploaded a video of him seeing his Ipad2 for the first time.  Learning video upload is confusing. sorry.  it posted all on its own.  Hope you enjoy.  That was his very first look at an Ipad2.  He thought the character Mongo was really funny.  You are supposed to eat the fruit not the junk food.  He was being silly last night and actually doing both, because Mongo will turn blue from a tummy ache.  But he knew how to operate it after a few seconds and with time he will be really good at this device.

Wordless Wednesday

Swimming cancelled

because someone used the pool as a toilet......I know TMI, but it is what it is......

So we came home and raked leaves into a big pile.  It was beautiful outside for October.  Around 80 degrees.  Ok, maybe little much. Jonathon was sweating so bad that we eventually gave up and came in. But he did enjoy himself.

I can remember a little boy who wouldn't go near the leaves let alone touch them and PLAY in them.  Now I have a brave big boy who love loves the leaves!!! Hooray!!!!

I am really liking fall this year!

Imagination

Imagination........is wonderful!

31 for 21

I am having a hard time blogging everyday for down syndrome awareness. I think it is because we are not having our buddy walk this year and I am very irritated about that.

I belong to St. Clair County Down Syndrome Support Group. We are putting on a conference this year. It will be this week.

I firmly believe that we should have still walked! I firmly believe it could have been done along with the conference.

I will try to be better!