Glasses are here

Jonathon and I went out yesterday and picked up his glasses again.  You see the first pair were made wrong;the lense had a flaw in it;he was supposed to wear them for our "Buddy Walk", but we couldn't.  We have been keeping this secret from most of our friends and family.  Not that it's a big deal;we just wanted Jonathon to have time to adjust before they all started coming out of the woodwork to see him(voice their opinion). Okay, maybe mommy needed time to adjust too, before I put up with everyone else and their comments.


Yesterday was rough.  Jonathon was very sad ~ He didn't want to wear the glasses.  He would stick out his bottom lip and it crushed my heart.  I didn't stop though.  I kept putting them back on.  Let's just say by dinnertime I was extremely frustrated AND very glad that it was almost bedtime.  EXHAUSTION is an understatement.


And lets remember if you missed the previous post:  Jonathon is wearing glasses for farsightedness and lazy eye.  Same symptoms his father has.  His father has worn glasses since he was 3.  Jonathon could out grow this one day~ not a promise and not going to worry about that.  Not making excuses ~ this could be the result of his extra chromosome, but it also could just be plain ole HEREDITARY!

Yesterday before glasses

Don't like these mommy!

Getting used to glasses

There's my happy boy!

Today has been a better day!  We have had a few moments, but I have to say overall he is doing pretty good keeping the glasses on.  I think they are a little crooked now;I tried to fix them at lunchtime but not sure if I did.  I will let the expert(daddy) take a look when he gets home later.  I decided yesterday before the big brothers got home that the best way to go about Jonathon wearing glasses was to ignore the fact that Jonathon is wearing glasses.  I even text Andrew to let him know this and to tell Kenny before they came in.  I know all they wanted to say was "oh your sooo cute"  "I like your glasses"  but they didn't.  They did just what I had asked of them and for that they are 2 great big brothers.  And my theory is working.  As long as we don't make a big deal about it he seems to be ok overall.  AND I have been wearing my glasses more to show him that we need to wear our glasses.  (mine are just for when I am on the computer or reading).

Jonathon is napping now and resting his little eyes.  Then we will continue our day;learning to like our new glasses!

This ""IS" my Jonathon!

Pumpkins

Random Thoughts

Jonathon and I have had a pretty quiet week this week.


1. Monday ~ We did absolutely nothing ~ But hang out
2. Tuesday~ School cancelled ~ both teachers sick
3. Tuesday afternoon ~ went to Dr. Braces and picked up old braces ~ new velcro put on
4. Wednesday - woke up to no power ~ packed up and went to Rylee's house for breakfast. ~ then we came home and got dressed and went shopping
5. Thursday ~ School cancelled O.T. teacher sick ~ stayed home
6. Friday ~ Playdate with Rylee cancelled ~ stayed home ~ Jonathon coming down with a cold


During all this past week I waited for a phone call from the Optician.  They are remaking Jonathon's glasses because I found a wave in the lense.  They were supposed to be rushed, but I am not sure what kind of rush.  The whole week went by and NOTHING.  Will be calling on Monday.


Jonathon spent alot of time drawing on his easel with the marker side.  He is now doing really well.  When we first tried in July he kept holding the marker upside down and coloring his hands.  So I just let him do the chalk side.  Well now he is able to do the marker side.  I am very proud of him because he is trying really hard to do circles. They are not exactly correct circles, but you can tell its not just a line any longer.  Great job son!!!!


Friday night was rough on Jonathon, he was having a hard time breathing; I am thinking this is the start of a sinus infection.  He has been doing awesome.  We made it through the whole summer with nothing.  Last year his first sinus infection was in September so this is good, it's almost November.  I had Andrew get a ride uptown this morning to buy Jonathon some Benedryl.  Gave him that and Tylenol(slight fever) and he is breathing much better now.  Hopefully we can nip this in the butt and it not turn into a sinus infection.


Looks like no school for Jonathon this week.


Called Dr. Pediatrician to schedule flu shot ~ they are all gone.  Jonathon has been added to the list and they will get back with us.  BUMMER


Jonathon is doing great eating finger foods.  He really enjoys being a big boy while eating cheez pons and goldfish crackers and graham crackers.  I just sit and watch in total amazement, it's been a long time coming and I am sooo happy for him.  He really concentrates too, it's precious and brings tears to my eyes.


We are still practicing on spoon and fork alone.  He is doing good for a start with the spoon feeding.  We try on yogurt and pudding.  Sometimes mommy gets so busy at dinner time that I just forget and just do it.  I watched Supernanny last night and had a good reality check when the father was feeding his 3yr. old.  Ummmm I need to just take the time to let Jonathon try and not be so rushed.  It makes me mad that hubby doesn't help out more at dinnertime.  But somehow someway Jonathon and I will figure out how to get it done.  We always do!!!!


I have changed feeding schedule too.
7a.m. breakfast
9a.m. snack
11a.m. snack
12p.m. lunch
3p.m. snack
5-5:30p.m. dinner
7-7:30p.m. dessert
8p.m. bedtime
I added a snack in there and letting him stay up a little longer.  I am working on getting him to just go to bed.(I still rock him).  I love rocking Jonathon, but he needs to learn to just go in and go to sleep.  I am hoping by Christmas time we will have this accomplished.
Thinking about switching bedrooms back so our room(Jonathon)is in back of house for my quiet.  Right now we are in bigger room but its right off of the living room and kitchen and it gets loud at nighttime.  He moves around alot and I think it's the lights and noise.  We will see.  Will let ya know what I decide.


Oh and our new words are "MINE"  "Kenny"(really clear now). trying really hard to say "please"

Potty Scotty - Urinal for Boys

Jonathon loves his new potty! Urinal. It is working out awesome! Now when we say "Lets go Potty" it doesn't take us as long to get him to stop what he is doing and going. I think he really enjoys the fact that he can go in there, not take all his clothes off, pee and be on his merry away in about 20 seconds!


He is becoming a big boy ~ and it is working out really well that he is able to tell me when he needs to sit to "poop". No accidents yet!


About my only complaint is that when you dump it, it kinda makes a mess on the very edge of the toilet. I just wipe that up with toilet tissue, but besides that I am very happy with the product and it doesn't take up any space in my small bathroom.


I would recommend this product to anyone that has a boy potty training. Not just special needs. I wish I had this years ago for Kenny and Andrew!


Outside public bathrooms have been a little better. We are using our portable/foldable potty seat . I haven't even tried holding him in the standing position again. He is at least urinating with the seat. But we are still having issues with noise in some stores and he really doesn't like his headphones anymore. I try singing ABC's (people probably think I am weird walking in and hearing that! :). I am trying to keep those stores in the back of my head and just avoid them for now.


I am very proud of Jonathon!


I really think technically Jonathon is potty trained. He never has an accident. He is sometimes just a tad damp, but that could be drippage after going or just before he goes. As long as we take him potty he is great. I cannot wait for the day that my son tells me all on his own that he needs to go. He has done this 3x. It's a start. And that's why I still say Potty Training!


And here is the link again to a great product!
http://www.pottyscotty.com/Urinal-for-Boys.html

St. Clair County Down Syndrome Support Group Buddy Walk 09

was on Saturday October 17, 2009.  We had a wonderful time considering that it was very chilly outside.  We walked with temperatures in the low 40's.
We had a ton of support this year for our very first walk.  We had about 19 people walk with us and our team "Team Fishy Cracker" raised about $905.00 and we won "Grand Marshall" for the day ~ which means we got to lead the walk and we will be pictured on next years brochure and we were in in the local paper. http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910170334
We did let Jonathon walk for a little bit, but this is not the picture the paper used.  I did email the The Times Herald and let them know how disappointed we were that Jonathon is not in the picture. I was very upset and cried when we bought the paper yesterday.  I really feel that the whole day was for awareness and the paper messed up when they didn't even picture the child in our family that actually has Down Syndrome.
but onto better things.  After the walk they had a raffle.  The raffle consisted of A razor bike, gift cards, Christmas ornament(Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk 2009)(this was my donation), gift cards, a necklace and mp3 players.  Well I gave family members my tickets because Jonathon had to use restroom and we got a phone call before we were finished that JONATHON won the bike.  How awesome.  I couldn't believe it.  But after  we got it home and were able to look at it and discuss it, we will be taking it back to get something Jonathon can use.  The bike is for 5yrs and up and is for the city.  We live in the country on a dirt road on 6 acres.  It would never get used.  So we will get something in its place.  Also there was hot dogs, chips and pop for a small purchase.  Over all a great day considering it was so cold out and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and cannot wait for next year.  We are already planning!  We have to beat our goal of $905.00 and win Grand Marshall again.  Thank you to all our family and friends for donating, getting donations and walking with us for Jonathon.  We love you very much!  Awesome Job!!

Wordless Wednesday

Day 14 of 31 for 21

2009 Empowerment Awards

I was invited to the 2009 Empowerment Awards ceremony at St. Clair County Community Mental Health this afternoon.  I was a recipient of the HOPE AWARD.

Right afterward me with Gilbert

Me, Carol-Ann(my sis) and Jonathon

My Awards

Write up about me

HOPE AWARD

Presented to a person who lives by the motto. "I can have dreams,"

and is committed towards working hard to achieve those dreams.

Certificate from Candice Miller(Member of Congress)

Certificate from House of Representatives

Flowers, Card, Cake from my sister and her husband and son

and my godmother Barb

Necklace ~ from my sister

Close up ~ box says They do come True ~ Wishes

What an HONOR ~ What a DAY!

Day 9 of 31 for 21