Jack's first day at school (by himself!)

It actually went about as I expected. He is familiar with the room since it's the same one we had Babyworks class in (the one I could go with him to.) So when we walked in, the teacher had some musical instruments out the kids could make music with and Jack loves music so that was all good. The teacher was super nice and the director of the EI program was there. I was watching Jack so I didn't really pay attention to who else would be there. That's responsible, huh? When I left, I didn't yell "bye" or anything as Jack was happy with some cymbals. I figured it would probably be better to not draw attention to the fact that I was leaving. I did tell the teacher that the bag I left for Jack had a special item in it that would magically cure any sort of Jackson distress - it's his blankie. If he gets sad for ANY reason at home everyone goes for the blankie. Hey, whatever works, right? The other kids had special things too. Then to make sure I didn't get sad, my friend RK took me to my special thing - a coffee shop! We chatted away an hour and a half 'til it was time to go back. (I had an eggnog latte. Eggnog seems to be something people either love or hate and I LOVE it!)

When we got back the kids (there were 5 of them) were shaking plastic Easter eggs filled with something (rice, beans?) and taped shut. Jack loves to shake things so he was doing great but I knew what would happen next, Jack threw it. And the next one. And then they were done with eggs, and sang the goodbye song, and the door opened! When he saw me he didn't get upset or extra happy or anything, just walked over and put his little arms up. The teacher said he did get sad at one point (the blankie was out) but he recovered very well. So he had a good day. I guess I did too. So even though things went well and we'll probably go back, I still don't feel like this is any better than staying home. If the program ended today, we'd both be okay with that too.

So that's it. Very anti-climactic. There's no class next week, because of MLK day. So we'll see what happens after the next few classes. His friend Braska may not be back for awhile because she's having a baby sister come soon, and the dr. doesn't want Miss B to bring home any germs for the new baby. We'll see if Jack misses her as much as I think he will. RK took a pic or 2 of the 2 of them sitting in the little chairs together after class so maybe I'll get to post that soon, or post a link if RK puts it on her blog. Since my camera is still not reliable (don't know if it's the camera or just the memory card at this point) I didn't get any first day pics, but M has some we took last night. Maybe she'll let me post one of those.

In other news, M was able to take a pic because she bought a new camera with her very own money last night! She's more form than function at this point so her criteria was 1.price and 2.color. So it's blue and even a cheap(er) camera is pretty nice. She's very happy with it. So am I as I can take pics without buying myself a new camera! Yay! I'll do something soon but she bought me a little time.

Today it's much colder here than it has been, so we're just cuddling in the chair, playing with toys, and Jack is trying to get into whatever he can (as usual). He wanted to wear his mittens this morning! He left them on for probably 30 mins. No, we didn't go anywhere! He's just silly!

(P.S. Thanks to those of you who were thinking of us! That helped so much!)

new post

I keep wanting to post something because it's been awhile and I just don't have anything interesting going on. I mean, there's lots happening, just nothing really noteworthy. I'll just get on with it anyway. This is MY blog to write whatever, right?!

My camera does not seem to want to work properly. I'm thinking of looking for a cheap one to use at least 'til I figure out what's up with mine. It deleted several photos from the memory card, grrrrr. I have my computer whiz (my brother) working on that now. Jack will go to toddler school starting Mon so I NEED it!

Yes, Jack will go to school on Mondays, 9-11. What will I do without him???? Most of me does not want to send him. He gets plenty of social interaction here at home, his therapies won't change, eventually he'll go and learn to sit and listen and all of that anyway, so why should he go at 2? I guess I'm talked into it by all the therapists saying what a wonderful program it is and how much he'll love it but I have and probably always will have reservations. I'm a SAHM. My job is to stay home with my kids, not stay home while they go off to school at 2! We play, work therapy into our day, occasionally run errands or see other people, and I get to enjoy the heck outta him! Literally, if his little friend Braska wasn't going, I would not send him. We'll see what happens.

Tyler's Winter Concert at school was cancelled before Christmas break because of some really bad weather we were having. So they had it last night. It was adorable! I'd love to post a pic but, well you know about the camera. M's isn't working either, and our last option was a pic with Andrew's phone and wouldn't you know, it was about dead and we left the charger at my parent's house! So I have no pics of Tyler's first violin concert :(. I did manage to get a few minutes on the video camera before the tape ran out. I tell ya, all our electronics are falling apart! Gotta get a new battery and new tapes for the video camera, new camera for M, and one for me. While I'm at it, I'd like a blu-ray player and movies. I keep thinking that might be a good family Christmas gift next year. ANYWAY, Ty did a good job and maybe one of his friends' moms took a pic they will share with me. Hope so!

Mr. Jack is terrific! I've been saying for awhile that he gets into everything but as soon as I think I've got it handled he comes up with new stuff to mess with! His latest thing is turning on the stereo. Thank goodness our tv is up to high for him to reach. There are days I put up the gate just so I can sit for 5 minutes! I had to go into the dsa office the other day so we got to say hi to everyone in there and the ladies were so impressed that he's walking. I carried him in (there was a fascinating ladder in the hallway I was trying to avoid) and when I put him down, they said "oh does he walk?" so I answered yes and before I could get out "he's still a bit wobbly" down he went! So everyone laughed at me but then he got up and showed'em! I blame it on the new SureSteps he got last week - we're still in the adjustment phase. Every time I look at him I can't believe how love with him I am! Sorry, I know I'm a sap!

Since I don't have any new pics, here's one that my friend Adrienne's daughter Regan took and "embellished". Isn't it great? She's going to take some pics in the spring of Jack.

Christmas review

Every year around Christmas time, there are lots of special things in the grocery store. Desserts, toppings, coffee creamer. Right now, I'm enjoying my cup of coffee with PEPPERMINT creamer in it. YUM!

I love Christmas. I hate when it's over and the decorations go away, and the stores aren't as festive, and life loses that sense of anticipation. I have a friend that packes up all their Christmas stuff asap after the big day. That just depresses me. I usually leave ours out as long as possible, thru Jan if my family lets me! Drinking my peppermint favored coffee is one of my silly ways to keep Christmas going.

We had a lovely holiday. My parents came in town Christmas Eve and we all went to the evening service at church. (Sometimes we go to the midnight service but we thought we were too tired to stay up that long that night.) Most of the presents were wrapped, but we had to make cookies for Santa and of course finish up all that stuff that needs to be done before the BIG DAY. Everyone finally went to bed, I followed at probably 2:30 (I always think I'm done but there's always more to do) and we had a lovely Christmas morning! Everyone got their most wanted gift and a few others, and we played games and watched movies all day. The week between Christmas and New Years went by waaaaay too fast. On the 2nd, the kids and I packed up and went to my parents for my aunt's funeral. She died Chrismas Eve, but since she lived 2 states away, the funeral was postponed over a week. My dad's sister. An aunt I didn't know well at all, but I know she cared for me and my kids. I remember when she came to my wedding, how sweet she was and how excited she was to be there. She always remembered us at Christmas, and sent special gifts to the kids sometimes.

I wanted to post some photos from Christmas. First, the tree. Usually there's an angel at the top but she broke and I couldn't stand for there to be nothing up there. We had lots of Santa hats so I stuck one up there temporarily, but I kinda like it.


Here's some of the favorite presents (and one small Santa):
Like the drool?!



And this is the BEST surprise of the year-
Andrew has known the past couple of years what he's getting. Either he finds out somehow, or he's wanted something so expensive I needed his input when buying his gift. Last year, his first at high school, we got him a cell phone and I was sure we were going to surprise him. I got it and charged it, and put his # in my phone right before Christmas. On our way to pick up his then girlfriend, he used my phone to call her. The twerp then was playing with my phone and I heard him say "who's Andrew?" Yep, he found his number. Grrrr. He's been bugging us for a year for a letterman jacket. I kept saying that they were too expensive and we'd try to save up money so he could have one before next football season, all the time knowing we had it! I talked both sets of grandparents into helping us buy it, and bought the school mascot patch months ago, and ordered it so we'd have time to get all his patches sown on. Check out his eyes in the first one:

Look how proud he is!

We told him that he's really earned it, working out every day, going to every practice, putting effort into every game. He learned something from every loss and became a very gracious winner over the past 2 years. This is a boy who was never into sports before last year. He found something he loves, and he's working hard at it even when it isn't easy. We're so proud of him.

You may have noticed several new buttons I've added over on the left. They are all children waiting to go home to their adoptive families, and if you're interested in their stories, please click and go visit them. The one below is a special case. The family is in the midst of bringing their child home, and unexpected financial problems have stalled the process. Click on the link and read their story. If nothing else, please add them to your prayers.



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'Tis The Season.........

To Neglect Your Blog, FA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA!

Or maybe that's only if you're me!

I've very much enjoyed having a blog. I just always get overwhelmed this time of year. Plus I got a Facebook account. Very Addicting! To catch up:

We've had 2 "Winter Concerts", 1 snow day, and 1 cancelled "Winter Concert" due to inclement weather. (They used to be Christmas Concerts but the names apparently had to be changed. Christmas music is still played or sung however.) The tree is up, most of the presents are purchased, and most of the cards have gone out (the rest will go tomorrow, that is my goal). We had Jack's 2 year-old pic taken, and a family one as well. I still have to finish cleaning so I can get the rest of the decorations up and wrap! The kids are now home for break and I am so happy!

Jack re-cap:
He's starting to use some signs. Some are coming easier than others, and some are "modified" by Jack. Whatever, I'm thrilled he's doing it! He's starting to run, and it's hilarious! His balance still isn't the best, but when he tries to run, his little feet go a hundred miles an hour, but only move a couple of inches at a time! So he's taking these tiny little steps but very quickly. If I can get it on video I'll post it. He also still loves hats and now is putting on his little Santa hat when he gets ahold of it. So cute! And I'm really hoping not to jinx us, but still no fever or signs of illness! Yay! He has a tiny bit of snotty nose, but it's not runny and we all seem to be having nose issues - I think because it's so dry in the house with the weather being so cold.

Jack has also been playing the piano a lot lately, especially when M sits down to play. Notice he found he can stand in his little chair to get to the keys! Our PT says this could be a great activity to get him standing on tip-toes or going up and down a small step, like the phone book, to get to the keys. It seems to be working great! (Sorry about the incredibly messy house - I'm working on it, I promise!)

Okay, here we are, on fever day during fever week, and NO fever! I'm cautiously optimistic. He hasn't coughed in several days. He still has a liitle bit of runny nose but it's all clear and just a little bit. I noticed the other day that Jack is growing in the 2nd of 2 teeth that started coming in a few weeks ago. Hmmmmm. Doctors tell you that one has nothing to do with the other but I've never been convinced that was true. Out of 4 kids, ALL of them have occasionally run a fever for no apparent reason except there happens to be a tooth coming in. So, IDK. But we managed both therapies today on time for the 1st time in 4 weeks.

Jackson got the shots he was missing so now we're all caught up there, and I made the appointment to get his 2yr old pics taken. I went ahead and made the appointment for all of us to have a family pic taken too in case I can talk my family into it. I have about 1/2 of our Christmas cards out and the rest will be ready soon. 2 of the 3 older kids have had their Christmas programs at school and did very well on their violins. About 1/2 of the Christmas decorations are up. I have 95% of the Christmas shopping done. Do you see where this is headed? I'm feeling pretty good for this time of the year! We'll see what happens in the next 2 weeks though!

I have a couple of Jackson stories from the past week. He is not only not scared of the vaccum, he seems to like it! Every time I try to run it, he is totally in the way. A few days ago I decided to try to get a photo of Jack not letting me vaccum and this is what I got:



He's such a hoot! This happened in every room but I wasn't as good with the camera as I should've been. He would actually lie down in front of the vaccum. That last pic is just 'cause he's so cute!

And the last one is for Grandma. She's gonna love seeing Jack with a hammer!

Doing Good!

Jack is doing good this week! 'Course this isn't his fever week so nothing I didn't expect. Still has the yucky nose and cough once in a great while. He's happy and eating and sleeping normally so we'll just deal I guess.

I've been thinking about how in love with that little man I am. I know I was head-over-heels for my other wee ones too, but I'm nuts for Jack. Is it because he's still little? Or an unexpected blessing? Is it more intense because there's extra protectiveness because of his ds? I don't know. It's not the "he can do no wrong" kind of obsessed - he certainly has his moments. I just can't seem to get enough of him. I love to watch him explore and examine, and listen to him "talk" to things he's looking at. I love to kiss him, even his little cute toes. When we go out shopping or to run errands somewhere, I'm so proud of him. I've never seen anyone look at him with less than a "oh what a cute baby" look, or maybe I just don't see any other. How blessed I am!

Thinking of Jack's moments, this is a new one. He loves the dog's water. That's not new. He sticks his fingers in it; he puts toys in it; he dumps it on the floor so he can play in it. Drives me nuts! So I (we) try to pick it up when he's up and playing, and keep an eye on it when we put in down for the poor thirsty doggy. Sometimes we forget. This morning, I forgot. So I'm in the other room, signing on to the computer and I hear him splashing in the dog water. I jump up and run to the kitchen saying "Jackson, you know you aren't supposed to play in the dog's water!" and I pick up the bowl and put it on the counter. By the time I turn around he's picked up and is handing me the dog's food bowl, giant grin on his face! So he doesn't have any words yet, no signs except "milk", but he KNOWS. This has happened a couple of times recently, all evidence he understands, even though he isn't talking. I LOVE that! I love that he's getting things, and growing, and is such a little stinker!

Have I mentioned how much he loves hats? He's a bit obsessed. He has several of his own, but any hat where he can get it is good. So our pic today is of Jack wearing Ty's knit hat. He put it on all by himself! What a hoot!