Our girl is the biggest mess - we love it! Here is her latest song:
If you can't view the video, click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYkBEowXj-E
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10 years ago
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
She left as a kid and came home a kindergartner
I can't believe my baby is in kindergarten! This was such an emotional day...just like everyone says. But I thought we were going to have it easy because we have the most independent, least shy girl I know. She woke up excited and seemed great the whole ride to school and even as we walked in the school. But, when we arrived in Mr. Orr's class, the devastation ensued. I think part of the problem is that there was a precious little girl sitting at the front of the class, absolutely hysterical screaming, "I want my mommy & daddy." She was hyperventilating. Poor thing, I just wanted to go rescue the little girl. The other thing is that Alex is used to 7 classmates. I tried to count and it was somewhere between 21-23 students. I have to admit, it was really intimidating. I looked down and Alex gripped on to me for dear life and lost it. "Take me home, Mommy. Please, take me home. I don't like this at all." I tried comforting her, I tried threatening her...no avail. Eventually, I had to get Mr. Orr to come over so I could walk away. My heart was breaking. I had to walk away hearing my child screaming bloody murder. Awesome.
It was a tough day for me. I couldn't stop thinking about her...I was worrying about her (like moms do). I just kept praying that pick-up would be better. Thank goodness it was! She said she had an amazing day and loved it sooo much and can't wait to go back tomorrow. She asked me to ride in my car home so she could take the bus tomorrow :)
I had tears in my eyes and she asked my why I was crying and I told her I was just so worried she was sad all day. She looked at me and said, "Yeah, I cried at first because I missed you but my teacher calmed me down. Don't cry tomorrow because I'll be having fun." She made a lot of friends and really seemed to enjoy all of it.
What a relief! Pit in stomach gone...well, almost.
One note: the heart on her hand is a fun tradition we started today. I drew a heart on my hand too so anytime we missed each other, we could look at our heart and think of each other. By the time I picked her up, mine was faded from tears and hers was faded from fun.
It was a tough day for me. I couldn't stop thinking about her...I was worrying about her (like moms do). I just kept praying that pick-up would be better. Thank goodness it was! She said she had an amazing day and loved it sooo much and can't wait to go back tomorrow. She asked me to ride in my car home so she could take the bus tomorrow :)
I had tears in my eyes and she asked my why I was crying and I told her I was just so worried she was sad all day. She looked at me and said, "Yeah, I cried at first because I missed you but my teacher calmed me down. Don't cry tomorrow because I'll be having fun." She made a lot of friends and really seemed to enjoy all of it.
What a relief! Pit in stomach gone...well, almost.
Here are some pics of our kindergartner:
One note: the heart on her hand is a fun tradition we started today. I drew a heart on my hand too so anytime we missed each other, we could look at our heart and think of each other. By the time I picked her up, mine was faded from tears and hers was faded from fun.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Oh our little girl...
Today was the big "meet the teacher" day at Alex's elementary school. We talked about it all day, prepping her about meeting new friends, what to expect, etc. I just learned last night that Alex's teacher is a man, so I told her that as well to make sure and get any questions out of the way at home instead of in the moment.
On the way to school we practiced her introduction. "Hi, my name is Alex Darby. I'm 5 and it's so nice to meet you." She did great as we walked in and met the school counselor and librarian. I was so proud of her timidness and politeness. I haven't quite seen this side of our little angel.
THEN...we get to Mr. Orr's class (her teacher). She walks up to Mr. Orr and says, "Hi, I think it's kinda weird you are a boy teacher but you are REALLY cute. You've been singing to me in my dreams." ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
Sigh. HYSTERICAL! I am just trying to keep it together at this point.
Then, we sit at a table to fill out some papers. I suggested that Alex make friends with the girl sitting by her. She looks at the ASIAN girl, then looks back at me and says (loudly), "Mommy, I don't think she's going to talk to me because she only speaks Spanish." Lovely.
So far, so good :)
Gotta love this girl!
On the way to school we practiced her introduction. "Hi, my name is Alex Darby. I'm 5 and it's so nice to meet you." She did great as we walked in and met the school counselor and librarian. I was so proud of her timidness and politeness. I haven't quite seen this side of our little angel.
THEN...we get to Mr. Orr's class (her teacher). She walks up to Mr. Orr and says, "Hi, I think it's kinda weird you are a boy teacher but you are REALLY cute. You've been singing to me in my dreams." ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
Sigh. HYSTERICAL! I am just trying to keep it together at this point.
Then, we sit at a table to fill out some papers. I suggested that Alex make friends with the girl sitting by her. She looks at the ASIAN girl, then looks back at me and says (loudly), "Mommy, I don't think she's going to talk to me because she only speaks Spanish." Lovely.
So far, so good :)
Gotta love this girl!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Autism Diagnosis - August 3, 2010
It's been a while since we've had a Carson update and we have a lot to say so here it goes. Carson turned 23 months old on the 2nd of August. I can't believe we will be celebrating his 2nd birthday in less than a month!
I know we've talked a lot about his therapy sessions and special diet-- well, back at his 15 month check up, Dr. Bain suggested we schedule an appointment with a Developmental Specialist to determine how delayed Carson is and see if there is anything we need to diagnose. When I called the office to schedule the appointment they told me we would be on an eight month waiting list. I remember thinking to myself, "Okay, I'll put it on the calendar and if we need to go in eight months we will...but I bet everything will be worked out by then." Last week I checked the calendar and saw the appointment and knew we needed to go. Carson is doing really well. He has Occupational Therapy once a week, Developmental Therapy once a week, Speech Therapy twice a month and he sees a Chiropractor once a week. The Chiro is getting his fellowship in peds and neurology-- he's never done an "adjustment" on Carson. He is so much more than a Chiro. So, with 3-4 appointments a week and his special diet and supplements, we have started to see some great changes. The progress has been slow, but he is more interactive every day.
I asked the therapists and they all suggested I take him in for a formal evaluation. I absolutely believe that knowledge is power, so it really was a "why not."
The appointment went really well. Nathan was able to come with me (an act of God...but that's a different story-- he was supposed to be on a plane Monday but instead flew out directly after the appointment) and we spent 2.5 hours with a Pediatric Neurological Development doc. She was wonderful. She used two standardized tests to evaluate Carson. It was great to have Nathan's perspective and we were on the same page with our answers. Next, she spent time working with Carson (she gave him a crayon and watched his response, tested his fine motor skills, etc.) She also spent time watching him and let us share all of our concerns. Here's the bottom line:
Carson was diagnosed on the Autism spectrum as a mild case.
To help better understand where he fits on the spectrum, she gave us this scale:
1-29: normal/no signs of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
30-36.5: mild to moderate ASD
37+: severe ASD
Carson's score is: 33.5 (considered mild to moderate)
She said based on her evaluation she put him more on the mild than moderate side and also explained that these are evaluations and do not give a definitive answer like blood work gives. It all depends on what mood the child is in, etc. He was luckily in a great mood and did well at the evaluation. We felt like this was a very fair and thorough evaluation.
She said his language skills are at a 17 month level and his thinking & fine motor skills are at a 14.8 month level. This was actually better than I expected. I've been estimating more at the 12 month level, so as weird as this sounds, I was pleased with that result. He does show delays in all of the categories tested: speech, development, social interaction and fine motor.
So, this means we have a formal diagnosis. In a way I am relieved. I remember with all of Alex's testing there was so much up in the air. We had a lot of doubts and questions. We've suspected with Carson for a while now, so this was just justifying our fears & suspicions.
She suggested that we enroll Carson in ABA therapy (specialized therapy for children with ASD) and she suggested private speech therapy IN ADDITION to the therapy we are doing now. I have to admit, this is when I felt like breaking down (or maybe did shed a tear). HOW will we fit in MORE?! She said the ABA Therapy is "extremely time consuming." So like any female I started adding up my new job, current therapy, cooking all our GF foods and now this and started to panic. So, I would love some prayer in this aspect. We will do whatever it takes to make Carson his best.
Is this news devastating and heartbreaking? Of course it is, how could it not be! But, I have to say we have a pretty good handle on things. We are so thankful to see our 5 year old daughter excelling in everything she does. She's a "normal" kid (with our crazy personalities) but she's given me hope that Carson can and will live a great life. I remember asking God "Why?!" so many times during Alex's journey...and now I know why. She is our hope! Granted, Carson is far more severe than Alex was, but we are all over this and clearly have a lot of therapy and help on the way. I am thankful God has given me a job opportunity to help with these changes, too!
We confidently believe that Carson was given to us for a purpose, we believe he will be healed... that he WILL live an extraordinary life.
And all of God's people said, "AMEN!"
I will remain, confident in this, I will see the goodness of the Lord.
I know we've talked a lot about his therapy sessions and special diet-- well, back at his 15 month check up, Dr. Bain suggested we schedule an appointment with a Developmental Specialist to determine how delayed Carson is and see if there is anything we need to diagnose. When I called the office to schedule the appointment they told me we would be on an eight month waiting list. I remember thinking to myself, "Okay, I'll put it on the calendar and if we need to go in eight months we will...but I bet everything will be worked out by then." Last week I checked the calendar and saw the appointment and knew we needed to go. Carson is doing really well. He has Occupational Therapy once a week, Developmental Therapy once a week, Speech Therapy twice a month and he sees a Chiropractor once a week. The Chiro is getting his fellowship in peds and neurology-- he's never done an "adjustment" on Carson. He is so much more than a Chiro. So, with 3-4 appointments a week and his special diet and supplements, we have started to see some great changes. The progress has been slow, but he is more interactive every day.
I asked the therapists and they all suggested I take him in for a formal evaluation. I absolutely believe that knowledge is power, so it really was a "why not."
The appointment went really well. Nathan was able to come with me (an act of God...but that's a different story-- he was supposed to be on a plane Monday but instead flew out directly after the appointment) and we spent 2.5 hours with a Pediatric Neurological Development doc. She was wonderful. She used two standardized tests to evaluate Carson. It was great to have Nathan's perspective and we were on the same page with our answers. Next, she spent time working with Carson (she gave him a crayon and watched his response, tested his fine motor skills, etc.) She also spent time watching him and let us share all of our concerns. Here's the bottom line:
Carson was diagnosed on the Autism spectrum as a mild case.
To help better understand where he fits on the spectrum, she gave us this scale:
1-29: normal/no signs of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
30-36.5: mild to moderate ASD
37+: severe ASD
Carson's score is: 33.5 (considered mild to moderate)
She said based on her evaluation she put him more on the mild than moderate side and also explained that these are evaluations and do not give a definitive answer like blood work gives. It all depends on what mood the child is in, etc. He was luckily in a great mood and did well at the evaluation. We felt like this was a very fair and thorough evaluation.
She said his language skills are at a 17 month level and his thinking & fine motor skills are at a 14.8 month level. This was actually better than I expected. I've been estimating more at the 12 month level, so as weird as this sounds, I was pleased with that result. He does show delays in all of the categories tested: speech, development, social interaction and fine motor.
So, this means we have a formal diagnosis. In a way I am relieved. I remember with all of Alex's testing there was so much up in the air. We had a lot of doubts and questions. We've suspected with Carson for a while now, so this was just justifying our fears & suspicions.
She suggested that we enroll Carson in ABA therapy (specialized therapy for children with ASD) and she suggested private speech therapy IN ADDITION to the therapy we are doing now. I have to admit, this is when I felt like breaking down (or maybe did shed a tear). HOW will we fit in MORE?! She said the ABA Therapy is "extremely time consuming." So like any female I started adding up my new job, current therapy, cooking all our GF foods and now this and started to panic. So, I would love some prayer in this aspect. We will do whatever it takes to make Carson his best.
Is this news devastating and heartbreaking? Of course it is, how could it not be! But, I have to say we have a pretty good handle on things. We are so thankful to see our 5 year old daughter excelling in everything she does. She's a "normal" kid (with our crazy personalities) but she's given me hope that Carson can and will live a great life. I remember asking God "Why?!" so many times during Alex's journey...and now I know why. She is our hope! Granted, Carson is far more severe than Alex was, but we are all over this and clearly have a lot of therapy and help on the way. I am thankful God has given me a job opportunity to help with these changes, too!
We confidently believe that Carson was given to us for a purpose, we believe he will be healed... that he WILL live an extraordinary life.
And all of God's people said, "AMEN!"
I will remain, confident in this, I will see the goodness of the Lord.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Easter 2010, part 2
I posted Easter photos back in April and mentioned there were several more I needed to get from my sis-in-law. Well, this past week she hooked me up with the rest of them. We don't have a ton of family pictures especially since Carson is always on the go, so I was excited to receive these. Thanks, Andrea! Here they are:
Alex, age 5
All 5 cousins at Wye Mountain
Caden sharing a flower with Alex
Love this!
Mommy even made a picture
Alex's 3 protectors...don't mess with her. Look at who you will have to deal with!
ABCDE famA few more...
Here are a few more pics that didn't make the first post.
A little better...
Alex scores a homemade Easter egg
Random, but there they are!
Carson is all beat up from his day at Wye Mountain!
A little better...
Alex scores a homemade Easter egg
Random, but there they are!
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