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Sunday, November 4, 2007
Clapping too
He's really clapping now too! As in putting his hands together and making a clapping sound. Unless you've ever met Jack and watched him put his hands together it is really hard to know how great this is. He has been putting his hands together for a while now but no sound because he did not get his palms and fingers lined up just right but today there's actual clapping!!!!!
The hits just keep coming. I don't want this weekend to ever end!
The hits just keep coming. I don't want this weekend to ever end!
Sent from my Palm Treo
More Ball Fun
Remember the balls he carried to his playroom yesterday? Today he picked up one of them and carried it all the way across the house to the kitchen where he accidentally dropped it. Dropping a toy used to be the end of playing with that toy for Jack. Not today! He looked down, found the ball (fortunately there's not much on the kitchen floor), picked it up, then sat down and started rolling it on the floor and crawling after it. He motioned me to sit down and we rolled the ball back and forth. He did a great job actually keeping his eyes on the ball even when I did not roll it right to him. He had to watch the ball and look for the ball. This is a lot of visual stuff and this is a BIG BIG deal. He was not doing this just 1 week ago when he had his vision evaluation. It's almost as if Jack is saying, "Oh you want me to use my eyes, well, okay. "
This has been a great weekend. I am so grateful and feeling so blessed.
This has been a great weekend. I am so grateful and feeling so blessed.
Sent from my Palm Treo
Help Jack's School
If you read this blog, you know how much Jack has blossomed through all his therapy. Please consider clicking on the new fundraising link and help Jack's school. Thanks!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Pictures
Here is Jack practicing the balance beam at school with Miss Caroline.
Beautiful Aunt Bobbie became beautiful Aunt Cleopatra for Halloween. That's a genuine Egyptian robe!
Jack would not attend a party without cute girls.
Do you think Jack likes his cousin Jeanie?
He's so cute it's scary!
Beautiful Aunt Bobbie became beautiful Aunt Cleopatra for Halloween. That's a genuine Egyptian robe!
Jack would not attend a party without cute girls.
Do you think Jack likes his cousin Jeanie?
He's so cute it's scary!
I think this face says that we made a wise decision about our Halloween activities.
It was great to see Jack playing in the jumper with the other little kids.
After the party, we went out for drinks (at Sonic). Jack really really really liked Sonic's strawberry slush.
Look who is now trying to be Mr. Independent Face Washer.
It was great to see Jack playing in the jumper with the other little kids.
After the party, we went out for drinks (at Sonic). Jack really really really liked Sonic's strawberry slush.
Look who is now trying to be Mr. Independent Face Washer.
Sad Morning followed by GREAT Day!
Yesterday morning Jack did not feel well. He had a very sad time for the little bit of school he did before I decided to take him out for the day. I never did really figure out what it was except that he could have still been tired and running a sleep deficit from Halloween or it could be his teeth coming in. I took him to the doctor who confirmed a left ear infection but we had been treating that since last Monday and it really did not seem to be bothering him. In any case, he seemed to feel fine after he took a nap yesterday. I was afraid that our weekend was getting off to a bad start. Fortunately, I was wrong.
TODAY has been AMAZING!!! Jack did not exactly love running around to do errands this morning and he certainly did not love getting a haircut but he has just been showing off today.
I think I had one of those days that other people would probably take for granted. In a way, I am blessed to know just how blessed we are because of all the days I struggle to understand how all of this (our lives) fits into God's plan. Did that make any sense?
Anyway....today Jack very unceremoniously took his little hands with the unbending fingers and grabbed a little ball in each hand. Then, he stood up and practically ran down the hall without dropping the balls and dumped them on the floor in his playroom. How cool is that?!!? How many days did I wonder when he would walk? How many times did I wonder how those little hands would pick things up? I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it felt to complain to my husband, "Between the two of you moving stuff from where it's supposed to be, I'll never be able to find anything anymore!" :)
And (this is a little scary) I think he may have opened the office door twice today to get to his computer. I'm still not positive on this one because I could not get him to open the door while I watched him. David thinks that the door was probably not completely shut and he just pushed it open. I guess we'll see.
Also, when we went by our pharmacy to pick up a prescription, Jack insisted on stepping up on the curb and walking on it like a balance beam. I had to help him balance and get his feet just right but he definitely chose to do it. He has apparently decided that this is a skill that he now wants to master as well. Again, I remember just wanting him to walk not too long ago. Now he is not only walking, he is working on his balance while walking. Do you know how big a deal it is that he chose to do this? Walking on a balance beam is something they do with him at school but it means so much more to me that he chose to use that curb and practice.
What a day!!!
TODAY has been AMAZING!!! Jack did not exactly love running around to do errands this morning and he certainly did not love getting a haircut but he has just been showing off today.
I think I had one of those days that other people would probably take for granted. In a way, I am blessed to know just how blessed we are because of all the days I struggle to understand how all of this (our lives) fits into God's plan. Did that make any sense?
Anyway....today Jack very unceremoniously took his little hands with the unbending fingers and grabbed a little ball in each hand. Then, he stood up and practically ran down the hall without dropping the balls and dumped them on the floor in his playroom. How cool is that?!!? How many days did I wonder when he would walk? How many times did I wonder how those little hands would pick things up? I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it felt to complain to my husband, "Between the two of you moving stuff from where it's supposed to be, I'll never be able to find anything anymore!" :)
And (this is a little scary) I think he may have opened the office door twice today to get to his computer. I'm still not positive on this one because I could not get him to open the door while I watched him. David thinks that the door was probably not completely shut and he just pushed it open. I guess we'll see.
Also, when we went by our pharmacy to pick up a prescription, Jack insisted on stepping up on the curb and walking on it like a balance beam. I had to help him balance and get his feet just right but he definitely chose to do it. He has apparently decided that this is a skill that he now wants to master as well. Again, I remember just wanting him to walk not too long ago. Now he is not only walking, he is working on his balance while walking. Do you know how big a deal it is that he chose to do this? Walking on a balance beam is something they do with him at school but it means so much more to me that he chose to use that curb and practice.
What a day!!!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
October flew by!
Just hanging out at Oma, Opa, and Uncle Noah's
Look, it's Baby Hef!
Here's Jack, all ready to head off to his prep school. So what if it's preschool prep?
Arrr, matey, Captain Jack had to wear his costume today on the 30th since school is out on the 31st.
A couple of sea maidens help the Captain simulate bouncing over the waves.
Look, it's Baby Hef!
Here's Jack, all ready to head off to his prep school. So what if it's preschool prep?
Arrr, matey, Captain Jack had to wear his costume today on the 30th since school is out on the 31st.
A couple of sea maidens help the Captain simulate bouncing over the waves.
I know that I am behind on posting pictures or anything else. October has just flown by. Jack really loves school. These days I stop at the door to sign him in and he walks right in by himself. Carolyn and all his therapists and his teacher just love seeing Jack smile, laugh, and dance. It is so great to see him opening up to other people. He is doing so well that they are going to have volunteers working with Jack so our dear Carolyn can work with another child who really needs the comfort, routine, and structure of having a single person work directly with her everyday. Luckily, Carolyn will train each of Jack's volunteers before they go solo with him. She will still be in the same classroom, too, so Jack will still get to see her every school day.
Jack had a visual evaluation by a therapist for the Alabama School for the Deaf and Blind. She says that it appears that Jack really can see in all visual fields. His not looking at things is probably the way he adapted to not being able to see well when his eyes were not lined up prior to his eye muscle surgery. She gave us a lot of tips on how to get Jack motivated to use his vision again. Pray for us as we work on this too.
Jack seems to be breathing a bit better at night. We think that his midface has grown just a bit. His glasses and his Bipap mask suddenly seemed to not fit one day. We got a new mask since our old one was past its usual life span. Nana helped us adjust the headgear so now we have more comfortable headgear and little to no mask leaks. Jack did not have his sleep study on the new VPAP machine. We were having major mask problems the day the sleep study was scheduled for and it did not make sense to try a new machine with a mask that did not fit. Now I just have to get it rescheduled.
Jack's sign vocabulary continues to grow. His speech is still very slow in coming but he does quite a bit of vocalizing when the mood strikes him. Fortunately, we have a way to communicate while waiting for those little mouth muscles to get their act together.
We were very excited about trick or treating in our neighborhood this year. We have a great neighborhood and children are brought in from other areas to come trick or treat in our neighborhood. After really thinking about it, we decided to go to a Halloween Party at Jack's cousins' church. We think Jack will be more ready for the whole Trick or Treat scene next year. It was a hard decision but we know Jack and he won't want to just knock on a door and then leave. He would want to go inside and close the door and open it again and visit with the people inside. He does not even eat candy so it's not like getting candy would be any kind of motivation to move on to the next house.
I hope you've enjoyed this latest installment. I'm sure that I left stuff out. I will try to keep more updated!
Jack had a visual evaluation by a therapist for the Alabama School for the Deaf and Blind. She says that it appears that Jack really can see in all visual fields. His not looking at things is probably the way he adapted to not being able to see well when his eyes were not lined up prior to his eye muscle surgery. She gave us a lot of tips on how to get Jack motivated to use his vision again. Pray for us as we work on this too.
Jack seems to be breathing a bit better at night. We think that his midface has grown just a bit. His glasses and his Bipap mask suddenly seemed to not fit one day. We got a new mask since our old one was past its usual life span. Nana helped us adjust the headgear so now we have more comfortable headgear and little to no mask leaks. Jack did not have his sleep study on the new VPAP machine. We were having major mask problems the day the sleep study was scheduled for and it did not make sense to try a new machine with a mask that did not fit. Now I just have to get it rescheduled.
Jack's sign vocabulary continues to grow. His speech is still very slow in coming but he does quite a bit of vocalizing when the mood strikes him. Fortunately, we have a way to communicate while waiting for those little mouth muscles to get their act together.
We were very excited about trick or treating in our neighborhood this year. We have a great neighborhood and children are brought in from other areas to come trick or treat in our neighborhood. After really thinking about it, we decided to go to a Halloween Party at Jack's cousins' church. We think Jack will be more ready for the whole Trick or Treat scene next year. It was a hard decision but we know Jack and he won't want to just knock on a door and then leave. He would want to go inside and close the door and open it again and visit with the people inside. He does not even eat candy so it's not like getting candy would be any kind of motivation to move on to the next house.
I hope you've enjoyed this latest installment. I'm sure that I left stuff out. I will try to keep more updated!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Homemade Bike "Whatchacallems"
I've been meaning to post these pictures but first a little update. Jack has some more teeth coming in (I think I can see something on the bottom front right gum). He is drooling and a bit fussy and more congested than normal and he wants to bite on everything. Soudns like teething to me!
"School" has been going great. Jack is not just tolerating it. He actually enjoys it. They all love it anytime he laughs out loud. I know this because each and every member of the staff finds me and tells me about Jack laughing because they get so excited about it. It's funny and it is so great. I know that they really care about Jack doing well and they don't want to make all this therapy just a chore for him. Jack has really taken to Carolyn too. They have their own bond which I just am so grateful for.
Our home therapy sessions are going better these days too. Jack is just blossoming in so many ways!!!
Okay, now for the pictures...Melissa, Jack's home PT, gave us a great idea for helping Jack to keep his feet on the tricycle pedals. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a pair of large sandals on clearence. I think I spent $4 on the sandals. David drilled holes in the sandals and we tied those onto the trike pedals. Melissa had suggested screwing them on but there was no way to do that on Jack's little tricycle. Anyway, it works great! Now Jack can ride his tricycle without his feet slipping off the pedals!!!
The pics will have to be another post. I am having some kind of problem uploading and I have got to get to bed.
"School" has been going great. Jack is not just tolerating it. He actually enjoys it. They all love it anytime he laughs out loud. I know this because each and every member of the staff finds me and tells me about Jack laughing because they get so excited about it. It's funny and it is so great. I know that they really care about Jack doing well and they don't want to make all this therapy just a chore for him. Jack has really taken to Carolyn too. They have their own bond which I just am so grateful for.
Our home therapy sessions are going better these days too. Jack is just blossoming in so many ways!!!
Okay, now for the pictures...Melissa, Jack's home PT, gave us a great idea for helping Jack to keep his feet on the tricycle pedals. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a pair of large sandals on clearence. I think I spent $4 on the sandals. David drilled holes in the sandals and we tied those onto the trike pedals. Melissa had suggested screwing them on but there was no way to do that on Jack's little tricycle. Anyway, it works great! Now Jack can ride his tricycle without his feet slipping off the pedals!!!
The pics will have to be another post. I am having some kind of problem uploading and I have got to get to bed.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Jack and Juggles the Clown Bear
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Update
Jack finished out the school week on a good note. Ms. Carolyn did confirm that Jack independently signed "More cookies please." He has really been using please a lot lately. It is such a cute sight to see a child spontaneously sign "Please" when he wants something. Jack is very entertained by his signing abilities lately and has been willing to show off a little bit. Maybe he just knows that it gives Mommy such great joy. He has been babbling quite a bit more too.
We have had a busy weekend. No, no pictures, sorry....it was great! We went to Homecoming at my old church but Jack was really tired and did not enjoy that. We did get to go visit Oma and Uncle Noah and Gran Beverly. That was awesome. Man I wish I'd taken pictures....Oma got to spoil Jack with Oreos. They both enjoyed that tremendously.
Well I gotta go get some sleep. There was something else that I was going to post but my sleepy brain can't remember what. Good night everyone!
We have had a busy weekend. No, no pictures, sorry....it was great! We went to Homecoming at my old church but Jack was really tired and did not enjoy that. We did get to go visit Oma and Uncle Noah and Gran Beverly. That was awesome. Man I wish I'd taken pictures....Oma got to spoil Jack with Oreos. They both enjoyed that tremendously.
Well I gotta go get some sleep. There was something else that I was going to post but my sleepy brain can't remember what. Good night everyone!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Great Day at School!
Today Jack had a great day at school. He was a bit squirmy during circle time. Ms. Carolyn said that he teared up a little but never really cried. (His left eye has been running a good bit and I have never in the two plus years that I've known him seen Jack cry silently so I am thinking maybe she was talking about his runny eye and not meaning that he cried). Ms. Carolyn said that Jack signed, "More cookies please." several times during snack time. I'll clarify tomorrow whether that was with or without her assistance. I know he knows each of those signs and does them consistently. We've been working on putting sentences together so it would be supercool if he actually signed it all independently today.
Jack has really been doing a lot more babbling since Sid's visit over the weekend. Now he even varies his pitch and tone as if really trying to tell us something. It's great!
Last night, on advice from Sid's Mommy (and under the guidance of our family doctor), we started Jack on Singulair to treat any allergic component of his congestion. We may be too hopeful but we think we already see a difference. We plan to slowly wean some of the other medications as we see how well Jack reponds to Singulair.
That's all for now! Keep checking in to hear more news about the little prince!
Jack has really been doing a lot more babbling since Sid's visit over the weekend. Now he even varies his pitch and tone as if really trying to tell us something. It's great!
Last night, on advice from Sid's Mommy (and under the guidance of our family doctor), we started Jack on Singulair to treat any allergic component of his congestion. We may be too hopeful but we think we already see a difference. We plan to slowly wean some of the other medications as we see how well Jack reponds to Singulair.
That's all for now! Keep checking in to hear more news about the little prince!
Monday, September 10, 2007
More Fun with Sidney
Sidney left his book at our house so we just had to hunt him down on Sunday so we could return the book. We decided to meet up at the hospital so everybody got to meet Dave, too. The boys were mistaken for twins by two ladies in the cafeteria. I can see someone saying brothers but twins? Come on! They kind of act like brothers as you can see from the pictures. It was very hard to get a good picture of these squirmy boys! It was great. Two very big boys alternating between fascination, disinterest, and annoyance with one another. Can't you just picture the two of them wrestling out in the front yard?
P.S. For all of you out there wondering...yes, Jack's little outfit was retired after this wearing. He has gotten so big and his outfit is now too small. If it had been clean we could have sent it home with Sid.
P.S. For all of you out there wondering...yes, Jack's little outfit was retired after this wearing. He has gotten so big and his outfit is now too small. If it had been clean we could have sent it home with Sid.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Busy Day with Friends
Today we got to meet Sidney. He traveled in from out of state just to visit Jack. Well, he did mention something about his uncle who lives here having a birthday but I think we all know that he really just wanted to get together with Jack. I was only able to snap a few shots of the busy boys. I am hoping to see some better pics pop up on Sidney's page since his daddy, Kyle, took a bunch of pictures, too.
Hmmm...what's Jack doing? Let's see it's spin, spin, spin....
That looks fun. Let's play together.
Hey, Jack made this look easy. I can do it.
Another Maestro!
Look how great he is with his hands!!!
Sid and Jack rolled a ball to each other. I hope Kyle got a good shot with both of them.
Sidney was pooped! He's just one year old. Big two year old Jack played on...
After Jack got a nap, we headed out to Isabella's 1 year old birthday party. We were late because Mommy sort of got the directions turned around but we were still able to visit for a bit.
The Birthday Girl--what a cutie! Notice the toothbrush? This kid's got great oral hygiene.
Chivalrous Jack pushed the girls in the wagon.
Jack made a new friend at the party. She's a big three year old but she was very nice to Jack and played with him.
Hmmm...what's Jack doing? Let's see it's spin, spin, spin....
That looks fun. Let's play together.
Hey, Jack made this look easy. I can do it.
Another Maestro!
Look how great he is with his hands!!!
Sid and Jack rolled a ball to each other. I hope Kyle got a good shot with both of them.
Sidney was pooped! He's just one year old. Big two year old Jack played on...After Jack got a nap, we headed out to Isabella's 1 year old birthday party. We were late because Mommy sort of got the directions turned around but we were still able to visit for a bit.
The Birthday Girl--what a cutie! Notice the toothbrush? This kid's got great oral hygiene.
Chivalrous Jack pushed the girls in the wagon.
Jack made a new friend at the party. She's a big three year old but she was very nice to Jack and played with him.Friday, September 7, 2007
Jsut a Quick Note
I have got to get some sleep but I wanted to let everyone know that Jack had a much better day at school today. I met with the teacher just before school and I feel very reassured that the entire therapy team and David and I are all on the same page regarding making this work for Jack.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
1st Day to Return to "School"
Today was Jack's first day back at The Bell Center since having to leave the summer program early for his ventriculostomy back in July. We call it school and we were excited and nervous because this year Jack will be going two hours a day four days a week and it's more like school because Mommy and Daddy don't go to class with Jack. The folks at The Bell Center are wise enough to realize that both the kids and the volunteer staffers don't need to dive in all at once and the first four classes are only 1 hour long. We have been telling Jack that he would be going back to school and we were getting him excited about it.
Jack did great when we arrived. I had already prepped the staff when we went in at the end of August to get measured for his chair and trike. They knew not to hover over him immediately or all shout out "Jack" as he entered the room. We arrived a few minutes early so Jack could make himself comfortable in the classroom. I walked him and let him start playing and then told him that Mommy was leaving and I would be back later and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Everything was fine! His helper went over to him and they played for a bit.
BUT the minute circle time started, the tears started and Jack just could not be consoled. I waited for five long heart wrenching minutes before going back in. There was just no recovering and he did not seem to enjoy any of "school" except when he was allowed to wander and do as he wanted.
He did go pee pee on the potty at school so that was great.
This will get better, right?
Jack did great when we arrived. I had already prepped the staff when we went in at the end of August to get measured for his chair and trike. They knew not to hover over him immediately or all shout out "Jack" as he entered the room. We arrived a few minutes early so Jack could make himself comfortable in the classroom. I walked him and let him start playing and then told him that Mommy was leaving and I would be back later and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Everything was fine! His helper went over to him and they played for a bit.
BUT the minute circle time started, the tears started and Jack just could not be consoled. I waited for five long heart wrenching minutes before going back in. There was just no recovering and he did not seem to enjoy any of "school" except when he was allowed to wander and do as he wanted.
He did go pee pee on the potty at school so that was great.
This will get better, right?
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