Well, we continue to have new things happening....
We had a great 4th of July weekend. Lots of fun...fireworks, roasting marshmallows, bike riding, and CAMPING in the BACKYARD...yes...ALL 6 of us in a tent in our backyard!! FUN, FUN Memories!
It was so great to be home with the family. LOVED it! We bought Kaitlyn and Ryan new bikes, as they had completely out grown their old ones and we wanted to do a lot of family bike rides this weekend.
As a result, Anderson got Ryan's old one as his "new bike". Anderson's new bike has a handle that "revs" like a motorcycle when you turn it. Char & I did not think that Anderson would be able to twist it to make the noise (b/c of his poor motor planning and lack of rotator motion in his wrist). All of a sudden, we heard the noise...he did it!! THEN, he was riding the bike (with training wheel of course)...and he "reved" the handle WHILE he was riding. I know this sounds silly, but for Anderson to do 2 things at once is really exciting. This took coordination and motor planning!! We were excited!
Also, we heard him say "bike" this weekend about 5 times! Even Charlie heard it...and he is a little more "critical" of Anderson's sounds ;) than me. HA!! I tend to "hear" more than he does...and Char even heard BIKE! Now, I heard "bird" while we were looking at an animal book this weekend. Charlie heard a new noise to that one...but, he didn't quite hear bird. But, it was a new sound and it was the same sound every time Anderson pointed to the bird picture. It sounded like "irrrd" to me. Hey, I'll take it!
Anderson still continues to NOT like doing the computer program. We do it 3 times a day....with lots of screaming and tears and eyes closed (Which isn't going to help). But, we have found that he loves doing flashcards. So, we are "creating" the computer program in person with flashcards. We are doing this 2x a day. He really enjoys it and will ask us for more when we are done with the flashcards. Kaitlyn and Ryan have gotten into helping us as well! They like to hold the flashcards (Kaitlyn on left, Ryan on the right), Charlie sits behind them watching Anderson's eyes move properly, and I hold Anderson's head ;) It is quite the family project! HA!
We continue to hope and pray we are moving in the right direction. I showed the program and flashcards to our wonderful nanny Kadie, and Anderson's ABA last night. They were 100% on board and excited. Anderson's ABA is going to help me figure out a way to get the computer program to go more smoothly!!
While I was showing Kadie and ABA the computer program last night...Anderson said 3 letters (they heard him).....that was exciting!! Anderson had the "Best" session last night with Kadie and ABA watching on...it was the best session since we've been home.
As I am typing this blog entry......Anderson is at school, Kaitlyn and Ryan are enjoying a lazy summer morning...and Anna just said "baby" and yelled "CAT" at our kitty Stella!! SO CUTE!!
The big kids (Kaitlyn and Ryan) have tennis camp today! It is rainy and cool again as it was yesterday. WHAT is going on with our weather? Is this February or July?? 60 degrees and rain?? WEIRD!? Well, I won't have to worry about the kids getting too hot during tennis camp! LOL!
Happy Wednesday!!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Home Sweet Home
We are HOME!!!! WOO HOO!!!
We flew back home yesterday afternoon. It was a long, long day!
Friday morning, Anderson had therapy until noon. He did "ok" this morning. His main therapist *K* was not there, she left early for vacation b/c of the holiday. The other therapist that was working with him all week only came for the last hour or 45 minutes. But, the 2 assistants that had worked with him on and off thru the week helped him on Friday. The director was also able to participate sporadically thru the morning. They did a great job distracting him and getting him to do his work. He had "good and bad" times doing the program today.
Things I think he is doing differently this week in summary......saying Hi clearer and on demand, potty successes, randomly will surprise me with a letter sound that I did not hear in the past (V, X as examples), and facial imitation has improved. Anderson is also doing more "motions" to a song they taught him. He is doing 4 motions to this song...I could never get him to do more than 2. (gross motor imitation improvement) He said "Daisy" a lot this week when he saw the dog at the learning center...(they have 2 therapy dogs at the center...daisy and jelly bean...he LOVED them of course! )
Anderson's speech therapist at the hospital and at school have all told me that speech is a 3 step process....gross motor imitation, facial imitation, and then vocal imitation. He can't do the vocal without have the first 2.....a child can't start walking from sitting...they have to learn to stand first! ;) So I am pleased to see Anderson's gross motor imitation to continue to improve. (This skill set really started to emerge from his antibody infusions 3 months ago). In the last 2 weeks we continue to see facial imitation improve everyday....this is exciting and I am hopeful....as we are (on Anderson's schedule ;) going down the path of speech that the therapists have told me about above...this makes me hopeful!
We are committed to giving this program a try. The challenge we face is just GETTING Anderson to do the eye movement exercises that will activate these neurons. Charlie and I will have to be creative in what we need to do to make this happen. But, we want to give it a try. We will see what happens...
After therapy, Allie and her husband stayed back at the hotel to help me pack up the car (SO SO SO nice of them!!) With it being a holiday weekend, I know them sticking around for me and helping me until lunch time made their drive home MUCH MUCH longer! I appreciated what they did for me so much, as I needed help loading up the car (Allie's husband) and help with Anderson to finish up the packing (Allie playing with the kids)....imagine that Anderson was unpacking faster than I could pack b/4 we went to therapy in the AM! HA! I was such a treat to see Allie and her family, I just wish it could have been longer! Hopefully soon!!
Then, we drove an hour to the airport where my sweet sweet uncle, aunt and cousin met me to help me! WHAT would I have done without their help?? Allie had offered to meet me at the airport as well, but I was hoping to see Uncle S, Aunt N, and cousin M during my trip. Plus, I had lots of leftover food that they were able to take and keep for me so we can get it to my Mom's house for our trip later this month to visit her. Anderson's food is so expensive, I really hate to waste it!! S, N, and M helped me at the rental car, thru the airport, and Aunt N got a gate pass and got me thru security!! Thank goodness!! Then, I got to use the bathroom ;) and get something to eat since she was there to help me. It was so nice to see them....we get to see them when we visit Mom, so I am looking forward to it. Easier to say goodbye when you know when you will see them next! ;) I would not have made it without the help of Allie and family, and S, N and M!
The plane ride was MUCH better home. Anderson was soo soo soo good compared to the ride to the therapy. (the ride there was, ummmm...what should I say??? BAD? Perhaps the worst flight I've had with any of the children...but, I won't dwell on that!) The ride home was wonderful. We played, we read, we listened to music, we read, we played, etc ;) We made it home. (BTW, on this program there is no tv and no video games. Anderson has not seen tv or video for a month now...imagine that plane ride, how many hours...and no dvd players! but, we made it and had fun!).....
It was SOOOO great to see Kaitlyn, Ryan, Anna and Charlie's smiling faces when we got off the plane. OHHH, how sweet it was to see them!! I missed them so! Anderson was super excited and hugging everyone as well!
Anderson continues to have potty success!!! Kaitlyn and Ryan were so proud of their lil' brother!
I tried the computer program this AM...it went ok. He just hardly will look at the screen to do it (I know this is hard to picture in words...Char did not really understand it until he saw me do it with him this am)....but, Charlie and I plan on getting creative and figuring this out.
Happy 4th of July, it is soo nice to be home!!
(PS - my rock star husband and nanny had the house spotless! I asked if the house was for sale b/c it looked soo good!! ;) What a nice treat to come home to!!! Thank you Char and Kadie!!!)
XOXOXO
We flew back home yesterday afternoon. It was a long, long day!
Friday morning, Anderson had therapy until noon. He did "ok" this morning. His main therapist *K* was not there, she left early for vacation b/c of the holiday. The other therapist that was working with him all week only came for the last hour or 45 minutes. But, the 2 assistants that had worked with him on and off thru the week helped him on Friday. The director was also able to participate sporadically thru the morning. They did a great job distracting him and getting him to do his work. He had "good and bad" times doing the program today.
Things I think he is doing differently this week in summary......saying Hi clearer and on demand, potty successes, randomly will surprise me with a letter sound that I did not hear in the past (V, X as examples), and facial imitation has improved. Anderson is also doing more "motions" to a song they taught him. He is doing 4 motions to this song...I could never get him to do more than 2. (gross motor imitation improvement) He said "Daisy" a lot this week when he saw the dog at the learning center...(they have 2 therapy dogs at the center...daisy and jelly bean...he LOVED them of course! )
Anderson's speech therapist at the hospital and at school have all told me that speech is a 3 step process....gross motor imitation, facial imitation, and then vocal imitation. He can't do the vocal without have the first 2.....a child can't start walking from sitting...they have to learn to stand first! ;) So I am pleased to see Anderson's gross motor imitation to continue to improve. (This skill set really started to emerge from his antibody infusions 3 months ago). In the last 2 weeks we continue to see facial imitation improve everyday....this is exciting and I am hopeful....as we are (on Anderson's schedule ;) going down the path of speech that the therapists have told me about above...this makes me hopeful!
We are committed to giving this program a try. The challenge we face is just GETTING Anderson to do the eye movement exercises that will activate these neurons. Charlie and I will have to be creative in what we need to do to make this happen. But, we want to give it a try. We will see what happens...
After therapy, Allie and her husband stayed back at the hotel to help me pack up the car (SO SO SO nice of them!!) With it being a holiday weekend, I know them sticking around for me and helping me until lunch time made their drive home MUCH MUCH longer! I appreciated what they did for me so much, as I needed help loading up the car (Allie's husband) and help with Anderson to finish up the packing (Allie playing with the kids)....imagine that Anderson was unpacking faster than I could pack b/4 we went to therapy in the AM! HA! I was such a treat to see Allie and her family, I just wish it could have been longer! Hopefully soon!!
Then, we drove an hour to the airport where my sweet sweet uncle, aunt and cousin met me to help me! WHAT would I have done without their help?? Allie had offered to meet me at the airport as well, but I was hoping to see Uncle S, Aunt N, and cousin M during my trip. Plus, I had lots of leftover food that they were able to take and keep for me so we can get it to my Mom's house for our trip later this month to visit her. Anderson's food is so expensive, I really hate to waste it!! S, N, and M helped me at the rental car, thru the airport, and Aunt N got a gate pass and got me thru security!! Thank goodness!! Then, I got to use the bathroom ;) and get something to eat since she was there to help me. It was so nice to see them....we get to see them when we visit Mom, so I am looking forward to it. Easier to say goodbye when you know when you will see them next! ;) I would not have made it without the help of Allie and family, and S, N and M!
The plane ride was MUCH better home. Anderson was soo soo soo good compared to the ride to the therapy. (the ride there was, ummmm...what should I say??? BAD? Perhaps the worst flight I've had with any of the children...but, I won't dwell on that!) The ride home was wonderful. We played, we read, we listened to music, we read, we played, etc ;) We made it home. (BTW, on this program there is no tv and no video games. Anderson has not seen tv or video for a month now...imagine that plane ride, how many hours...and no dvd players! but, we made it and had fun!).....
It was SOOOO great to see Kaitlyn, Ryan, Anna and Charlie's smiling faces when we got off the plane. OHHH, how sweet it was to see them!! I missed them so! Anderson was super excited and hugging everyone as well!
Anderson continues to have potty success!!! Kaitlyn and Ryan were so proud of their lil' brother!
I tried the computer program this AM...it went ok. He just hardly will look at the screen to do it (I know this is hard to picture in words...Char did not really understand it until he saw me do it with him this am)....but, Charlie and I plan on getting creative and figuring this out.
Happy 4th of July, it is soo nice to be home!!
(PS - my rock star husband and nanny had the house spotless! I asked if the house was for sale b/c it looked soo good!! ;) What a nice treat to come home to!!! Thank you Char and Kadie!!!)
XOXOXO
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Cops
Well, I managed to get pulled over by the cops today....while standing in the parking lot ;) Just kidding!
But, this morning while waiting for Anderson, I was sitting in my car, just looking stuff up on my Iphone. Then, it was close to the time to get Anderson...I just got out of the car to stretch my legs.
A cop pulls into the parking lot of this learning center (Remember...it is like a house??)..why was this cop pulling in??
Well, he rolls down the window and asks me if I was ok.....I said yes,I was fine, thank you.
He said, "Oh, good. I got a call that an elderly lady was hunched over the steering wheel in a silver car in a parking lot on this road. He said, I noticed you in your car, that is silver on this road, but you certainly are not elderly." Then, when he saw me walking around the parking lot, he wanted to make sure I was ok.
It was so nice to know that people out in this world care...and someone called the cops on me b/c they were worried (although, they thought I was elderly.....) and so nice for the cop to stop and make sure I was doing ok....
These people sure are nice in these neck of the woods........(me saying with the best southern accent I have)......
But, this morning while waiting for Anderson, I was sitting in my car, just looking stuff up on my Iphone. Then, it was close to the time to get Anderson...I just got out of the car to stretch my legs.
A cop pulls into the parking lot of this learning center (Remember...it is like a house??)..why was this cop pulling in??
Well, he rolls down the window and asks me if I was ok.....I said yes,I was fine, thank you.
He said, "Oh, good. I got a call that an elderly lady was hunched over the steering wheel in a silver car in a parking lot on this road. He said, I noticed you in your car, that is silver on this road, but you certainly are not elderly." Then, when he saw me walking around the parking lot, he wanted to make sure I was ok.
It was so nice to know that people out in this world care...and someone called the cops on me b/c they were worried (although, they thought I was elderly.....) and so nice for the cop to stop and make sure I was doing ok....
These people sure are nice in these neck of the woods........(me saying with the best southern accent I have)......
Thursday
OH, better day! Thank goodness!!
Before we went to the learning center, I decided to try something new. I used Anderson's spiderman as my "helper" with the computer program. It worked like a charm...he did his computer "exercises" ;) WHEW!! It was stressing me out b/c that is the whole "science" behind this therapy and Anderson decided not to do it for 2 days...and we are here only for 5. STRESSED! Now, I felt like I had something!
We got the center for the AM session and he did well with his exercises. I left him....the therapist after the session said he did marvelous! It was better without me present. He was participating and doing his program. *K* told me that Anderson said "Daisy" (the name of the dog at the center today! ;) Cute!
We went back for lunch. Anderson was wired!!! He did NOT want to sleep today. I am wondering it is bc he did so many brain exercises during therapy....the director/therapists told me that they are "waking" up the neurons and they are firing, therefore, he will not be as tired...since he did so many sessions today compared to the previous days, he was not ready for a nap! HA!
After lunch, we went back to the learning center. I told Anderson "bye" and left. They took him back in his "workroom". I came back in with snacks and a diaper. They also needed me to sign paperwork. Anderson was crying, crying, crying. I thought that maybe it was me, so I quickly left. The therapist brought Anderson out to the waiting area and showed him I was not there...and he was calm the rest of the session....he must have heard me ;)
Tonight....my dear friend, Allie, who told me about this program came down with her family to see Anderson and me!! OHHH, what a treat. IT was so wonderful to see her smiling face after all of these years (12...but, whose counting?) She is as sweet and adorable as in college....now she has an amazing husband and beautiful daughter! I was so happy to hang out with them at dinner and Allie and I got to talk all night ;) How fun to get to talk and hang out like we did "Back in the day!"
Today, I also met an angel....well, actually...I met her on Monday. It was a Mom with a child in the program that Anderson's is in...she was in the waiting room on Monday. She saw Anderson doing his 1st therapy session and having success. This woman, Cathy, was also at the learning center on Wednesday when she saw Anderson have a tough day. Cathy saw me tear up Wednesday afternoon when Anderson would not do his computer program. In my mind on Wed, when he would not do the program...I kept thinking...why am I here, he is not even doing it. I was soo frustrated and sad. I did not want Cathy to notice, so I went to the bathroom.
This afternoon, when Anderson was crying and I heard him...I could not take it any longer. Inside, my heart was being torn to bits.....I was holding strong the other days, but by now, I could not take it any longer. Cathy looked at me and said, "I want you to know that you were on my mind all night last night. I was thinking how much you sacrificed to be here, away from your other 3 children in HOPES of something happening." She continued to say, "I know you are trying to do what is best for your son, I can tell". That is all it took....I just started crying. She hugged me, told me God was with me and not to worry. It was just so sweet to hear this stranger understand how I was feeling...she saw what was happening, she heard what was happening, and she understood what I was going thru. Her hug was just what I needed at that moment in time.
As I said earlier, I left the center b/c Anderson was crying so hard. I went to get lunch and then sat in the parking lot waiting for him. Cathy came out and handed me an envelope...she said she was at choir practice last night singing, and they sang a song that made her think of me. She wrote the words down to it, put it in an envelope while I was out and gave it to me. Cathy told me to open the letter at another time I was feeling the same way ;) and it would be a reminder of her. My angel here........
Before we went to the learning center, I decided to try something new. I used Anderson's spiderman as my "helper" with the computer program. It worked like a charm...he did his computer "exercises" ;) WHEW!! It was stressing me out b/c that is the whole "science" behind this therapy and Anderson decided not to do it for 2 days...and we are here only for 5. STRESSED! Now, I felt like I had something!
We got the center for the AM session and he did well with his exercises. I left him....the therapist after the session said he did marvelous! It was better without me present. He was participating and doing his program. *K* told me that Anderson said "Daisy" (the name of the dog at the center today! ;) Cute!
We went back for lunch. Anderson was wired!!! He did NOT want to sleep today. I am wondering it is bc he did so many brain exercises during therapy....the director/therapists told me that they are "waking" up the neurons and they are firing, therefore, he will not be as tired...since he did so many sessions today compared to the previous days, he was not ready for a nap! HA!
After lunch, we went back to the learning center. I told Anderson "bye" and left. They took him back in his "workroom". I came back in with snacks and a diaper. They also needed me to sign paperwork. Anderson was crying, crying, crying. I thought that maybe it was me, so I quickly left. The therapist brought Anderson out to the waiting area and showed him I was not there...and he was calm the rest of the session....he must have heard me ;)
Tonight....my dear friend, Allie, who told me about this program came down with her family to see Anderson and me!! OHHH, what a treat. IT was so wonderful to see her smiling face after all of these years (12...but, whose counting?) She is as sweet and adorable as in college....now she has an amazing husband and beautiful daughter! I was so happy to hang out with them at dinner and Allie and I got to talk all night ;) How fun to get to talk and hang out like we did "Back in the day!"
Today, I also met an angel....well, actually...I met her on Monday. It was a Mom with a child in the program that Anderson's is in...she was in the waiting room on Monday. She saw Anderson doing his 1st therapy session and having success. This woman, Cathy, was also at the learning center on Wednesday when she saw Anderson have a tough day. Cathy saw me tear up Wednesday afternoon when Anderson would not do his computer program. In my mind on Wed, when he would not do the program...I kept thinking...why am I here, he is not even doing it. I was soo frustrated and sad. I did not want Cathy to notice, so I went to the bathroom.
This afternoon, when Anderson was crying and I heard him...I could not take it any longer. Inside, my heart was being torn to bits.....I was holding strong the other days, but by now, I could not take it any longer. Cathy looked at me and said, "I want you to know that you were on my mind all night last night. I was thinking how much you sacrificed to be here, away from your other 3 children in HOPES of something happening." She continued to say, "I know you are trying to do what is best for your son, I can tell". That is all it took....I just started crying. She hugged me, told me God was with me and not to worry. It was just so sweet to hear this stranger understand how I was feeling...she saw what was happening, she heard what was happening, and she understood what I was going thru. Her hug was just what I needed at that moment in time.
As I said earlier, I left the center b/c Anderson was crying so hard. I went to get lunch and then sat in the parking lot waiting for him. Cathy came out and handed me an envelope...she said she was at choir practice last night singing, and they sang a song that made her think of me. She wrote the words down to it, put it in an envelope while I was out and gave it to me. Cathy told me to open the letter at another time I was feeling the same way ;) and it would be a reminder of her. My angel here........
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