I am just going to have to confess that I am not SuperMom as shocking as that may be (yeah, right!). I have not figured out how to get it all done in a day. Hence... I am catching up on the blog! Sorry! I imagine I will forever be apologizing for delay in posting now that we are home. The adult child ratio has flipped and I'm in survival mode most of the time. I imagine things will improve over time (I really think this... not just lying to myself for encouragement). As the girls adjust, learn to communicate and self help skills improve things will slow down a bit. Both girls were "potty trained" per our reports, but we have found that not to be the case or at least they have regressed with the 'life change'. We are focusing on Sophia right now as we think she will be the first to get back on track. Anastasia will take a little work and requires constant attention during bathroom time. She will not stay seated and also enjoys unrolling the toilet paper. So... by the time we go through a 'potty cycle' with all of the girls (and Romney on days Courtney is in school) it is just about time to start over again. Yes, I know, I live a glamorous life. For any of you battling "holding" issues with your little ones let me strongly suggest FiberPlus bars (or FiberOne) and Miralax. I swear, I think God sent those as answers to my prayers after years of battling with Shelby (during years of chemo she developed major panic/holding issues). With Sophia and Anastasia I'm just giving them 1/2 bar each daily and it helps. When this fails.... Miralax. If you've dealt with this in children, you understand! If not, you are wondering why in the heck I'm talking about this! On to something else...
The girls' dental appointments went fairly well on Thursday... considering. Sophia did great and no problems. Anastasia? Well... not as bad as we feared. If you remember back she is the one who totaly freaked out over us brushing her teeth. We have worked up to covering the whole mouth now so she wasn't as bad as I had originally worried (I had discussed using the gas for her cleaning!) She did cry a good portion, but no restraint was required as I had feared. They did have to use the clamp to keep her mouth open. Due to the poor dental hygeine till now, her gums bled something terrible the entire time. The orange around her gum line was plaque build up and they were able to remove it all so she has white teeth for the first time in goodness knows when. She only had 2 cavities which was surprising actually. Dreading that appointment though! Gas will be used so hopefully things will go well! She did fine at the bedtime brushing on the same day so I'm guessing no therapy will be required to get over the experience! (for her anyway!... the staff are on their own!).
PT and OT evals were Friday. Both will receive OT, but only Anastasia will receive PT. Sophia tested "does not qualify" for school provided services. We will have this reevaluated once she is entering a school environment, but for now... we don't have much to stand on (unless we notice something regarding her abilities). The preschool situation that I had mentioned before for the girls will not be taking place anytime soon. The state has delayed the program with no start date given at this time. I was really starting to find a lot of positives to them going 3 mornings a week. I was hoping to have some 1-on-1 time with Abby some during this time to help her with the adjustment. She is starting to shows signs of the changes bothering her. She has cried the last 2 times she was dropped off at preschool and has been a little teary around here as well. She is only four so it is to be expected, but I'm hoping we can reassure her that life will be just fine with the girls here. She is having to share a lot... especially mom and dad. Hopefully, the school system will work out the kinks because I think preschool schedule would be helpful on many levels for us!
To back up a bit... Wednesday we had our annual trip to Birmingham for Shelby's oncology appointment. We have been going to the clinic for 10 years now. The last 5 years have been the annual check up or "Shelby beat Leukemia" appointment. So thankful we get to celebrate that milestone each year.
Not much else to update unless laundry, dirty dishes etc.. interest you. I will leave you with a couple of pics since Tami specifically requested.... :) Just a couple of nap time today and one from the other day...
Anastasia found another use for the straw purse. She cracked me up... how would you react if you turned around and found this growling at you? Tim told me I shouldn't show anyone this photo, but I think it is too cute!
The girls' dental appointments went fairly well on Thursday... considering. Sophia did great and no problems. Anastasia? Well... not as bad as we feared. If you remember back she is the one who totaly freaked out over us brushing her teeth. We have worked up to covering the whole mouth now so she wasn't as bad as I had originally worried (I had discussed using the gas for her cleaning!) She did cry a good portion, but no restraint was required as I had feared. They did have to use the clamp to keep her mouth open. Due to the poor dental hygeine till now, her gums bled something terrible the entire time. The orange around her gum line was plaque build up and they were able to remove it all so she has white teeth for the first time in goodness knows when. She only had 2 cavities which was surprising actually. Dreading that appointment though! Gas will be used so hopefully things will go well! She did fine at the bedtime brushing on the same day so I'm guessing no therapy will be required to get over the experience! (for her anyway!... the staff are on their own!).
PT and OT evals were Friday. Both will receive OT, but only Anastasia will receive PT. Sophia tested "does not qualify" for school provided services. We will have this reevaluated once she is entering a school environment, but for now... we don't have much to stand on (unless we notice something regarding her abilities). The preschool situation that I had mentioned before for the girls will not be taking place anytime soon. The state has delayed the program with no start date given at this time. I was really starting to find a lot of positives to them going 3 mornings a week. I was hoping to have some 1-on-1 time with Abby some during this time to help her with the adjustment. She is starting to shows signs of the changes bothering her. She has cried the last 2 times she was dropped off at preschool and has been a little teary around here as well. She is only four so it is to be expected, but I'm hoping we can reassure her that life will be just fine with the girls here. She is having to share a lot... especially mom and dad. Hopefully, the school system will work out the kinks because I think preschool schedule would be helpful on many levels for us!
To back up a bit... Wednesday we had our annual trip to Birmingham for Shelby's oncology appointment. We have been going to the clinic for 10 years now. The last 5 years have been the annual check up or "Shelby beat Leukemia" appointment. So thankful we get to celebrate that milestone each year.
Not much else to update unless laundry, dirty dishes etc.. interest you. I will leave you with a couple of pics since Tami specifically requested.... :) Just a couple of nap time today and one from the other day...
Anastasia found another use for the straw purse. She cracked me up... how would you react if you turned around and found this growling at you? Tim told me I shouldn't show anyone this photo, but I think it is too cute!
Love the Pictures! Aren't they just angels when they are sleeping? I so agree with so much of this post today...from not being "Supermom" to Miralax... But wouldn't trade our glamorous lives for anything, huh?
ReplyDeleteLove to see your girls together! I'm really hoping our families will get to meet one day!
Love, Paula
Ok, first... I can't wait to have that glamorous life! :) Love the three little angels sleeping together, how in the world do you get them all to go to sleep at the same time? I think you must be Supermom!
ReplyDeleteWhat's the deal with the school district? Aren't they OBLIGATED to provide preschool services for the girls?
They will receive therapy services, but no, I do not think they have to provide a 'preschool'. I am hoping they work this out soon though... sounded like it would be a great service. They girls will be working with a special education teacher and therapist, but not in a preschool setting. :) I will take them at their appointed time instead of them being pulled out of class for their therapy and they will only have access to the teacher during that time instead of throughout the preschool schedule.
ReplyDeleteSleeping beauties!! I love the hat on Anastasia! How funny! Reminds me of the time Jimmy put a plastic pail on his head (around the age of 15) with the strap around his chin. Well, he was sitting in a recliner and pretty soon he nodded off. I got some really cute pictures of him sleeping with this pail on his head. I wish it was on a digital camera so I could post it.:) Glad to hear the girls are doing well. It took me a good couple months to get back in the swing of things and I only brought home one!!:)
ReplyDeleteAmy
Amy.... I bet you get lots of great pics of Jimmy! He is a character! So glad to have been able to meet your family! :)
ReplyDelete