Yesterday was a very big day at our house. Lissa lost her first tooth! At 5 1/2 she has waited a long time to catch up to her big brother by losing a tooth. To add insult to injury, KC started all that really early as his teeth are soft and not in good condition. A 5 year old does not care about that, but parents do. LOL She proudly showed me the hole where her tooth used to be when they picked me up for my eye dr appointment.
My regular eye doctor had wanted me to see a specialist and yesterday was the day. I still have to go back for one more tests but it appears that I am only "glaucoma suspect" and most likely the reason for that is due to anatomy, a tilted lens which makes some things in my eye look like I have glaucoma. But the other more reliable indicators, ocular pressure and optic nerve health are all negative. I wasn't really worried about it because with Rob's glaucoma this is a disease I know a lot about and even if I had it, I know that there are many effective ways to manage it.
When the doctor finished speaking with me he asked what kind of work I did. I thought this was because my eyes were dilated and he wanted to make sure I wasn't running out to run machinery or something. I told him my job and he said he had only asked as he thought i was in the medical field because I was so knowledgable. Nope, just a mom, but I also believe that we can not leave the health of our minds and bodies to doctors without being as informed as we possibly can be.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Camping Fun
This Thursday we left for a camping trip with friends. We tried a new campground and it was so amazing we will likely return there in future visits. The swimming pool was literally gigantic, with two water slides, one of which was a tunnel slide inside a structure made to look like a pirate ship. Needless to say the slides were a hit with everyone who went!
My camp stove finally died but I can't complain as I have used the same one since 1979! Luckily my friends let me borrow theirs for a bit so I did some cooking, but a lot of the time we were at the little cafe that was poolside for our meals. Not "real" camping in that sense but sure a lot of fun! LOL
There were a lot of bears in the area so I was very vigilent about our site having nothing around that would entice them. The bear visited my friends site which was just up the road a teeny bit from ours, but did not venture into our site at all. This campground backs up to a national forest so such things are to be expected, though I have noticed that bears are becoming increasingly common even in more populated areas. We humans don't always share the earth all that well and many are struggling for enough contiiguious forest to have a proper range for forage and mating.
We went to Santas Village one day as that was what my friends wanted to do. The kids did not mind that we had gone there last year. The rides are great and KC still intensely believes in Santa. He talked to every single reindeer there and took the lions share of his spending money to buy himself a stuffed reindeer. Said reindeer is named Sonic, for those who are wondering!
Rob was a real trooper helping with the kids in a very child oriented theme park. Though some of the rides are fun for adults, I know he was just being a great big bro most of that day. So the next day when we decided to stay at the campground and let the kids play at the playground and swim and do some of the camp activities (like candy bar bingo) I gave him the day off. I said he could do whatever he wanted at camp and did not need to stay with me. He checked in three times during the day but mostly was on his own from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ironically we were in some of the same places but a lot of time he hung out with the teens in the arcade, playing pool. I like that he is stretching his wings but still willing to be with his family. A family in an adjacent site to mine commented on how her 16 y/o refused to come camping with them and she had only brought her 4 year old. Rob not only came and participated but he and I are truly a well oiled machine getting a campsite up and down quickly.
And in another landmark event, KC and Lissa slept on the double air mattress in their sleeping bags and I had a twin air mattress all to myself! Also KC is old enough to enjoy reading by flashlight in the tent before lights out and Lissa wants to be a big girl so she would look at a picture book with her flashlight during reading time!
Now it is back to the real world of work and also to the eye doctors to have my eyes dilated as my regular eye doc wanted me to see a specialist.
.
My camp stove finally died but I can't complain as I have used the same one since 1979! Luckily my friends let me borrow theirs for a bit so I did some cooking, but a lot of the time we were at the little cafe that was poolside for our meals. Not "real" camping in that sense but sure a lot of fun! LOL
There were a lot of bears in the area so I was very vigilent about our site having nothing around that would entice them. The bear visited my friends site which was just up the road a teeny bit from ours, but did not venture into our site at all. This campground backs up to a national forest so such things are to be expected, though I have noticed that bears are becoming increasingly common even in more populated areas. We humans don't always share the earth all that well and many are struggling for enough contiiguious forest to have a proper range for forage and mating.
We went to Santas Village one day as that was what my friends wanted to do. The kids did not mind that we had gone there last year. The rides are great and KC still intensely believes in Santa. He talked to every single reindeer there and took the lions share of his spending money to buy himself a stuffed reindeer. Said reindeer is named Sonic, for those who are wondering!
Rob was a real trooper helping with the kids in a very child oriented theme park. Though some of the rides are fun for adults, I know he was just being a great big bro most of that day. So the next day when we decided to stay at the campground and let the kids play at the playground and swim and do some of the camp activities (like candy bar bingo) I gave him the day off. I said he could do whatever he wanted at camp and did not need to stay with me. He checked in three times during the day but mostly was on his own from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ironically we were in some of the same places but a lot of time he hung out with the teens in the arcade, playing pool. I like that he is stretching his wings but still willing to be with his family. A family in an adjacent site to mine commented on how her 16 y/o refused to come camping with them and she had only brought her 4 year old. Rob not only came and participated but he and I are truly a well oiled machine getting a campsite up and down quickly.
And in another landmark event, KC and Lissa slept on the double air mattress in their sleeping bags and I had a twin air mattress all to myself! Also KC is old enough to enjoy reading by flashlight in the tent before lights out and Lissa wants to be a big girl so she would look at a picture book with her flashlight during reading time!
Now it is back to the real world of work and also to the eye doctors to have my eyes dilated as my regular eye doc wanted me to see a specialist.
.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
And We're Off!
Yesterday was our annual 4th of July BBQ. The kids god parents always come and spend the day with us and it is a lot of fun. This year the kids friend from next door also joined us. He is a cute little guy who kind of lives at our house these days. There are a myriad of issues there that should not be blogged but I never mind having an extra kid around. After the meal, the kids played in the back yard, in the sprinkler and then rode scooters in the driveway. It was a blast.
Today Lissa Rob KC and I leave for a camping trip and will return on Sunday. We are going to meet other friends in the White Mountains and celebrate their daughter's birthday. My mom is coming down tomorrow to hang out with Chet for the day as she does not h ave as much one on one time with him when we are all there. I appreciate that greatly. K has to work on Saturday and Chet does not like being alone. However he also would not like this camping trip which is very kid oriented and also in a new camping place. That could work eventually but not on the heels of having a busy day yesterday with the bbq. One of the things I have learned over the years is that he needs to have stuff spaced out in order to be successful at social situations.
So I have my fingers crossed for good weather but rain or shine, we will find a way to have fun!
Today Lissa Rob KC and I leave for a camping trip and will return on Sunday. We are going to meet other friends in the White Mountains and celebrate their daughter's birthday. My mom is coming down tomorrow to hang out with Chet for the day as she does not h ave as much one on one time with him when we are all there. I appreciate that greatly. K has to work on Saturday and Chet does not like being alone. However he also would not like this camping trip which is very kid oriented and also in a new camping place. That could work eventually but not on the heels of having a busy day yesterday with the bbq. One of the things I have learned over the years is that he needs to have stuff spaced out in order to be successful at social situations.
So I have my fingers crossed for good weather but rain or shine, we will find a way to have fun!
And We're Off!
Yesterday was our annual 4th of July BBQ. The kids god parents always come and spend the day with us and it is a lot of fun. This year the kids friend from next door also joined us. He is a cute little guy who kind of lives at our house these days. There are a myriad of issues there that should not be blogged but I never mind having an extra kid around. After the meal, the kids played in the back yard, in the sprinkler and then rode scooters in the driveway. It was a blast.
Today Lissa Rob KC and I leave for a camping trip and will return on Sunday. We are going to meet other friends in the White Mountains and celebrate their daughter's birthday. My mom is coming down tomorrow to hang out with Chet for the day as she does not h ave as much one on one time with him when we are all there. I appreciate that greatly. K has to work on Saturday and Chet does not like being alone. However he also would not like this camping trip which is very kid oriented and also in a new camping place. That could work eventually but not on the heels of having a busy day yesterday with the bbq. One of the things I have learned over the years is that he needs to have stuff spaced out in order to be successful at social situations.
So I have my fingers crossed for good weather but rain or shine, we will find a way to have fun!
Today Lissa Rob KC and I leave for a camping trip and will return on Sunday. We are going to meet other friends in the White Mountains and celebrate their daughter's birthday. My mom is coming down tomorrow to hang out with Chet for the day as she does not h ave as much one on one time with him when we are all there. I appreciate that greatly. K has to work on Saturday and Chet does not like being alone. However he also would not like this camping trip which is very kid oriented and also in a new camping place. That could work eventually but not on the heels of having a busy day yesterday with the bbq. One of the things I have learned over the years is that he needs to have stuff spaced out in order to be successful at social situations.
So I have my fingers crossed for good weather but rain or shine, we will find a way to have fun!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Fiona's changes
We recently got the go ahead from the powers that be to change what the standards would be for Fiona to earn an overnight visit. Previously we were told that 6 months of safe behavior was needed for this to happen. Truthfully I thought it was weird. None of my neuro typical kids have 6 months of achieving something fully. Sure they might and probably do strive toward it, but there are those inevitable bad days that would disqualify them. For Fiona, the longest she has ever been "safe" (this is defined as not trying to harm herself, trying to run away or trying to harm others or incite others) is 3 weeks. So why pick 6 months? I have no idea. But again, as I don't have legal clout, I walk gently here.
Fi asked that this be re-visited and I immediately agreed which threw it into the laps of the clinicians and the new DCF worker. We have now all agreed that after only a month of "safe" behavior, we can do an overnight. I am thrilled.
I am less thrilled about our chances of getting her case changed to our neck of the woods. We have been given the opportunity to write a letter requesting this--and I am writing a very passionate, carefully crafted document--but have been told it is unlikely that it will happen. Our city would have to agree to paying for Fiona's care and it is unlikely that they would do so.
Still, I can be a pretty persuasive writer can't I? I'm sure going to give it my best shot!
Fi asked that this be re-visited and I immediately agreed which threw it into the laps of the clinicians and the new DCF worker. We have now all agreed that after only a month of "safe" behavior, we can do an overnight. I am thrilled.
I am less thrilled about our chances of getting her case changed to our neck of the woods. We have been given the opportunity to write a letter requesting this--and I am writing a very passionate, carefully crafted document--but have been told it is unlikely that it will happen. Our city would have to agree to paying for Fiona's care and it is unlikely that they would do so.
Still, I can be a pretty persuasive writer can't I? I'm sure going to give it my best shot!
The good, the bad and the crazy!
Well right off the top, life is crazy! Last week I was in the Big City the last 3 days of the week for work. I had to leave home before the kids got up and returned not too much before the littles went to bed. Plus Rob was gone. They were not amused. They let us know.
This week has its own crazy. We have moved on to the next room requiring renovations. Our front hall, poor neglected room. It is 12 x 12 and the paper is at least 20 years old. Probably longer. Which means it should strip off easily off the old horsehair plaster walls. And it does. . . except where it has bonded like a glacier pressed it into place. I spent most of the weekend devoting time to the stripping process. The next 2 days I have work at my usual office. Wednesday we have our annual 4th of July BBQ with some close friends who are also godparents to our tribe. Thursday I work till noon and then leave to take the kids camping through Sunday. Another set of close friends and I do this annually and it is a blast. But that also means there should be camping prep in there somewhere. So far, camping prep has consisted of a pile of clothes for the littles that I put in my room. I think I need a bit more than that to make this work!
Rob and his girlfriend are going out on Tuesday night, so there will be transport and time involved in that. We have a double order of piece work to get done for the factory so my fingers are flying at night when everyone except Rob and I have gone to bed. We created the invitations for KC and Lissa's summer party (to be held on 8/25) and I need to spend some time figuring out the logistics of that. Some stuff is in place but there will be lots of kids so we need a wide variety of things to do.
But you know what? Some how, most of it will happen. And it will be good!
This week has its own crazy. We have moved on to the next room requiring renovations. Our front hall, poor neglected room. It is 12 x 12 and the paper is at least 20 years old. Probably longer. Which means it should strip off easily off the old horsehair plaster walls. And it does. . . except where it has bonded like a glacier pressed it into place. I spent most of the weekend devoting time to the stripping process. The next 2 days I have work at my usual office. Wednesday we have our annual 4th of July BBQ with some close friends who are also godparents to our tribe. Thursday I work till noon and then leave to take the kids camping through Sunday. Another set of close friends and I do this annually and it is a blast. But that also means there should be camping prep in there somewhere. So far, camping prep has consisted of a pile of clothes for the littles that I put in my room. I think I need a bit more than that to make this work!
Rob and his girlfriend are going out on Tuesday night, so there will be transport and time involved in that. We have a double order of piece work to get done for the factory so my fingers are flying at night when everyone except Rob and I have gone to bed. We created the invitations for KC and Lissa's summer party (to be held on 8/25) and I need to spend some time figuring out the logistics of that. Some stuff is in place but there will be lots of kids so we need a wide variety of things to do.
But you know what? Some how, most of it will happen. And it will be good!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Rob's Home!
After a week of camp, my Rob is finally home. He got in just before supper yesterday and we were so glad to see him. He had a wonderful time, got to go kayaking, bicycling, visited an island and a lighthouse that we love as a family. New friendships were made and old friendships were deepened. It was everything you want for your kid to experience at camp.
But the hole that has existed here for a week while he was gone is now filled. And a week apart shows me how much he has grown. I know he is on the cusp of young adulthood in my head. But my eyes and heart don't always see that clearly. Last night he fell asleep sitting up on the couch. I went to wake him gently and was struck by how physically mature he is. My son has a young man's body and somehow that hit me more after not seeing him for a week.
I got an insight too into other ways that Rob has grown and matured. Yesterday we went swimming at my friend Holly's house. She said she saw Rob at the mall a few weeks ago. I knew that as Rob had told me of seeing her. But what I didn't know was that he saw Holly first, spoke up clearly greeting her and gave her a hug. For Rob, who has struggled so much with feeling safe enough to express his feelings outwardly, that was huge!
Welcome home, son!
But the hole that has existed here for a week while he was gone is now filled. And a week apart shows me how much he has grown. I know he is on the cusp of young adulthood in my head. But my eyes and heart don't always see that clearly. Last night he fell asleep sitting up on the couch. I went to wake him gently and was struck by how physically mature he is. My son has a young man's body and somehow that hit me more after not seeing him for a week.
I got an insight too into other ways that Rob has grown and matured. Yesterday we went swimming at my friend Holly's house. She said she saw Rob at the mall a few weeks ago. I knew that as Rob had told me of seeing her. But what I didn't know was that he saw Holly first, spoke up clearly greeting her and gave her a hug. For Rob, who has struggled so much with feeling safe enough to express his feelings outwardly, that was huge!
Welcome home, son!
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