Sammy's evals

Sam will be turning three this January. At that time he will no longer be eligible for therapy services through the state-funded First Steps program. As much as First Steps has been a frustration it has also been a blessing. Anyway, when a child transitions out of First Steps they are evaluated for services through the local school system. Sam has been having all sorts of evaluations lately.

His first eval was for IQ. They did not tell me the results of that test, so I really don't know how he scored. Next he had a physical therapy eval (checking his gross motor skills). The therapist did not know where exactly he placed, but did say that it was probably a little over age 2 (which is amazing considering he was almost a year late walking). Then he had an occupational therapy eval (fine motor skills) There were several things in that eval that he was behind age level, but others that he was well ahead. Overall, he was probably about age level, but he may still qualify for services, especially since the occupational therapists work with oral motor activities (in First Steps that is the job of the speech therapist). His speech therapy eval was interesting. In comprehension he was at about the level of a five-year-old (the therapist indicated that he might be even more advanced, but she did not see a need to proceed farther in the test). His articulation (ability to make the correct sounds) is at age level. His vocabulary and sentence structure both put him close to a five-year old level. But he still showed weakness and a need for greater breath support for his words. Because of this he was labeled "at risk". The therapist said that if he qualifies for other services that she will re-evaluate him closer to his Birthday. Lastly he had a hearing evaluation. This eval showed some hearing impairment. However, the tympanogram showed he was not moving air through his right ear (which is the same ear he's had trouble with in the past). However, closer inspection revealed that he has waxy build up in that ear. He might need to have the wax flushed by a doctor, since it is pretty deep in (you can't see it at all without the otoscope). So he has to have another eval in two weeks.

All of this has been exhausting. But it is absolutely amazing how far he has come. I consider it a miracle. All of the evaluators have been amazed by his performance, since they had read his medical history.


God is good.

One of those days

Today, the kids were at Nana's house, and it was my intent to sleep in. Instead I woke up at 3 AM from a very scary nightmare. The kind that spooky because it seems really realistic (except that Paul doesn't drink iced tea). After about an hour I finally fell back to sleep only to have another bad dream (again somewhat realistic, except I would never be stupid enough to try to hide in a closet like that). So I awoke, and although I stayed in bed I never really could get back to sleep.

Then Paul got up with the alarm to go to the men's work day at the church property. The workday must have been canceled though because only one other guy showed up, and he didn't know what was supposed to be going on either. I eventually got up. But I was still fitfully emotional from my poor sleep and bad dreams. So I broke down sobbing probably half a dozen times. I'll blame it on the pregnancy hormones. But I finally had a cup of coffee, and then I felt a lot better.

I haven't gotten much done today. I just don't have the energy. Ugh!

What is with our overly sexualized society?

First, I read in a friend's blog about the "Mom Job", plastic surgery just for moms who want to get their old shape back (this includes lipo, tummy tucks, breast lifts and augmentation). Because without plastic surgery it's basically impossible to look like you did before.

Then, I learn that JK Rowling intended for professor Dumbledore to be gay in the Harry Potter books.

Next, I'm listening to the radio and a Christian author is discussing how Men's sexuality is normal. And he goes on to explain that it is normal and natural for men to think about sex all the time and to perceive women's actions in a sexual manner. For instance, at a party a guy sees a girl across the room, she smiles at him, he smiles back. She thinks "wow he seems nice, he must want to be my friend." He thinks "wow she must be interested in me sexually!" (Please, guys, tell me you really aren't so sex-focussed)

Then the pastor's wife tells me about another church in the denomination where they are conflicted as to what to do because the youth pastor's wife has gotten breast augmentation and is dressing in a manner that shows off her chest.

Then, I hear about a website where men can anonymously donate money to help women who can't afford breast implants get them.

Chastity and Modesty sure seem highly undervalued these days.

Explaining things to a 4-year-old

What is peace?
What is conflict?
Who is Mercy Mild?
How can Jesus be everywhere?
Do angels wear panties?
Are angels girls?
What does Rock of My Soul Mean?
What is the bosom of Abraham?
How is Jesus God if God is Jesus's father?
Is Jesus a father?
Did they sing Happy Birthday to Jesus?
Should we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus?
Why is Christmas Jesus's Birthday?
How old is Jesus?
What is sin?
What is forgiven?
What is mercy?

Help! Help!

If my child has poor theology, I'm afraid it is my fault.

Snowman building

Abigail has been telling me often lately that she wants to play in the snow. And every time the outdoor temperature drops below sixty she expects there to be snow. No luck yet.

But yesterday we built "snowmen". We used washcloths, pipe cleaners (or for you craft snobs, they were actually "chenille twists") felt, googly eyes, and buttons.

Abigail was able to make hers mostly on her own. Sam required more help. Isaac held his while I glued things on it. It was a pretty good method. We had a lot of fun.

So today the children are running around the house with their creations yelling "Snowmans! Snowmans!"

I love my job.

A few days ago I read a blog meme where you're supposed to share what would be your ideal job.

My ideal job: Mommy!

Only I would be able to just be a mommy, someone else would do the laundry, the cleaning, the cooking (except when I wanted to). All I would have to do is be the mommy (and of course the wife too). I'd like to think I'd do a better job at wife and mommy if there weren't so many things to do.

Ah well, no one gets the ideal job. I'll just settle for pretty darn close. At least I don't have to worry about getting fired.

But before I continue on, I better go pack Paul's lunch.

Happy Mole Day!

"A mole is a unit, or have you heard?
6 times 10 to the twenty-third!"

6.022..*10^ 23

So at 6:02 on 10:23 we celebrate.

:)

By the way the :) just celebrated it's twenty-fifth Birthday. Some professor invented it for use with his students in 1982. I heard the details on the radio yesterday can't remember exactly. Just one more great thing to celebrate about the eighties (of course it didn't become truly popular until Al Gore invented the internet :)).

I love Pachelbel

I can relate

Thoughts, or something...

So it's seven o'clock in the morning. But when Isaac woke up crying it felt like the middle of the night. It still feels and looks like the middle of the night. What exactly is the benefit I'm getting from all that daylight we're saving. It might be great for some people, who don't have to get up in the morning. In my mind, the darkness is the worst part of winter.

I've been meaning to write a post about Keith's wedding this weekend. It was a lot of fun. But I just haven't found it in me to string together enough coherent thoughts. We of course killed our food budget. I'm not thinking to much about that.

Isaac is now standing on the coffee table and has put the handle of the vacuum cleaner in his shirt. He has that huge "look how smart I am" grin on his face.

And I've never been to Boston in the fall..

... is not a claim that the Cleveland Indians can make. I however, still can. It is funny when a sports team is actually doing well (though with the Indians it isn't completely unheard of) -- random people ask you what you think will happen next. (This evening as I was leaving the YMCA, one of the other folks leaving asked me if I was a fan and if I thought they'd win).

They are losing as I type this. But who knows how things will turn out. I have no doubts that their chances are better than the football team. (an opinion that I trust other readers of this share, though possibly for different reasons)

Well, it is about time for the math show that my friends who don't have a TV introduced me to, so it is time to draw this to a close.

Keeper of the Cheerios

Every so often I google myself to see what is out there about me. Nothing exciting really. But the thing I found exciting was that now, if you google the phrase "keeper of the cheerios" my blog shows up in the first page of results.

I shouldn't be on the computer right now. I just looked over and saw Abigail is using the large roll of masking tape to tape Sammy (who is completely willing) to a chair.

If you fight the Insurance Company long enough, you'll probably win!

Empire has finally paid for the work Paul had done on his foot in March.

Woohoo!

Tents

Due to the ever expanding size of my tummy, and due to the upcoming church rummage sale, I have been sorting through clothing and trying things on. I had to face the unfortunate, saddening reality; I have now reached the tent phase of pregnancy. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, this is the phase in which the only clothing that fits makes you look like you are wearing a tent.

I have lots of really cute maternity clothing from my previous pregnancies. It never fit right. Right up until the point when you really need maternity clothes it is possible to find all sorts of adorable maternity clothes. Then, once your tummy reaches a certain point, the only way to find clothing to cover it is to buy things three sizes to large. I don't get it. My tummy is big, the rest of me is not. Presumably this is what maternity clothing is supposed to be for. SO WHY DOESN"T IT FIT?????

Some of the shirts fit pretty well, but they aren't nearly long enough. I thought I could get by wearing a camisole under them. But the camis I can find either aren't long enough, or they roll up over my belly.

Ugh! Two more months of tents.

She'll be a big one!

I saw the obstetrician today. When he was looking at the ultrasound, he said "It looks like we'll be seeing this one in mid November." I looked at him and said "WHAT????" He said "When's your due date again?" "December 17." "Oh, umm... early December then, and it looks like she'll be at least an eight pounder."

I guess the baby is more the size it should be if I were much farther along, and even then she's on the big side. He had forgotten to look at the chart for the due date and was just making an age assumption based on the fetal size.

prenatal soccer?

Have you ever lain awake at night watching your stomach move around into all sorts of crazy positions? No? Let me tell you, Naomi is quite the mover. I am not sure if it's kick boxing or what it is she's doing in there.

I can barely keep my eyes open, and yet there's not a chance I'm going to sleep. When Abigail used to do this I would walk on the treadmill until she'd fall asleep. Yes, babies do like to be rocked to sleep even in utero. But I am physically so worn out there's not a chance I could mill enough treads.

I spent much of today cleaning the house. While not spotless, it looks pretty good. The women's Bible study met here tonight. I am leading the study for the next few weeks . We just started an eight week study of Colossians. It went very well. The only disappointment was a relatively low attendance. Also I was the only participant under age fifty. Do young women think a straight scripture study will be boring? The last time I tried to lead a study I invited only young women, and none of them came.

Ah well...