Cream of Potato Soup

Grady's new favorite song is "Destination Moon" by They Might Be Giants. All I have to do is look at him sideways and sing, "by rocket to the moon..." and he erupts in fits of giggles. It's so much fun to subject these boys to my taste in all things, music or otherwise.

Over the weekend I had to go Rubbermaid diving. I sorted through the totes of clothes as G's moved up a size again. Right on cue, he's in 9-12 months (or just 12 months) size. I love seeing old favorites come back around again. The only trouble is all the 12 month clothes are for winter, which will be fine for another month or two but then we'll have to get creative. Luckily we've got plenty to choose from in the 10 bins we have upstairs.

I also gave G a little haircut. I hate doing that, because I always screw it up somehow and make my kid look stupid. I did it with Evan, and now I'm doing it again with Grady. I didn't do terribly this time. I just trimmed his bangs a bit, and around his ears, as he was starting to look like a girl. The back is where I made things a bit shorter than I would have liked, but it's not terrible, and I'm sure it will grow out quickly. I've definitely done worse in my time.

I tried dressing up again today, but the shirt I'm wearing makes me feel like my boobs are hanging out. This is counteracting the confidence feeling with a breezy feeling, and the constant cleavage checking doesn't make me feel very cute. Damn these giant milk jugs!

Posted by jenny at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Looking at Evan now, you'd hardly believe he was born 9 weeks early, weighing just over 3 pounds. Five years ago last week we brought him home from the hospital, a month before his original due date, after he'd spent nearly six weeks in the NICU. The first few months were the hardest, and we've had some rough patches since then, but overall we feel very lucky that Evan is here and doing as well as he is now.

In Evan's honor, Mike is walking in Walk America again this year. We took last year off because of my huge belly, and thankfully Eden filled in for us. But this year it's back on. Since the Walk for Autism is the same weekend, and since we have two kids now and we're too chicken to take them both on a six mile hike, I'll be doing the autism walk and Mike will be doing Walk America. If you can spare some change, and if you're not walking yourself, please consider sponsoring Mike as he walks for Evan and all the other babies born too soon. Thank you.

Posted by jenny at 11:40 AM | Permalink

We've settled it--Evan has a kindergarten for next year. He'll be going to the school across town with the autism support. Mike and I were really impressed with the teacher and the facilities, and we think it will be a great place for Evan. Because he doesn't have too many serious issues, he'll probably be mainstreamed for most of the day and use the support classroom as a home base. I think it will be an easier adjustment for all of us too, just knowing that extra help is there if he needs it.

I dressed up a little today--I wore dress pants and a nice blouse and boots that make me two inches taller. It felt good to be out of my mommy uniform of jeans and sweatshirts for a change. I felt more confident, more like a girl, and like I could get more things done! I wish I could dress that way all the time, but mostly it's not practical when I'm dodging puke or pureed carrots. Maybe when G gets a little older, I'll try to get more of a wardrobe going (or pray for Stacy and Clinton to come help me). It just made me feel so good today that I want to keep doing it. Next thing you know, I'll be wearing make-up! It's a world gone mad!

Posted by jenny at 7:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Evan got his five year pictures taken yesterday up in Erie. We went to JCPenney--I love their pictures (and the good deals you get with a coupon), I don't love waiting an hour past our scheduled appointment time to even get called back. This is the second time that has happened, the first being when we did Grady's six month pictures back in December. I thought that time it was because everyone was doing Christmas photos--I can't imagine what the problem was this time. I'd like to say we'll never go back, but I haven't had much better luck with the other guys in town either. And everyone knows I'm a sucker who loves to get pictures done.

Another thing I'm a sucker for is dressing the boys up. I got them matching shirts when we were at Target yesterday. I know they'll hate me years from now for doing it, but I can't help myself. Besides, I have to do this now before they get wise and stop wearing what I tell them to. And don't worry, it's only the one shirt, not their entire wardrobes.

Tomorrow morning Mike and I are going up to look at the kindergarten across town with the autism support classroom. I'm interested to see what it's like, and I'll blog about it when we get home from the visit.

Posted by jenny at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Another weekend has passed us by, this one with spraying vomit (Grady's) and many loads of laundry and lots of time just laying on the couch. Today Mike's back at work, Evan's off of school for the holiday, and I'm playing catch up with lots of things around the house. And Grady appears to be feeling much better, though I have to say the puking did nothing to slow his quest to learn how to climb the stairs or get into anything less than three feet off the floor.

Friday we had another meeting for Evan, this one to write goals for him to work on with his TSS. He'll be working with someone fifteen hours a week, which seems like a lot of time to me, but I think it will be good for him. They'll mainly be out in the community working on social skills and how to handle things outside of Evan's routine. I'm excited that his TSS will also be taking him to a play group with other kids his age, as well as taking him to programs at the Y and local parks. I think it will be especially wonderful in the summer, when there's no school and a lot of time to fill.

It just feels like such a Monday to me today. You'd think I wouldn't notice so much since I don't work outside the home, but today is rough. Caffeine and adult conversation would do me wonders. That, and for some of this snow to melt.

Posted by jenny at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I guess I owe Grady a new pair of shoes.

I was finger feeding him some banana this morning when I felt the little sharp edge of a tooth. On the lower right, in the front, G's first tooth is poking through. I was hoping they wouldn't show yet, but I guess it was time. I find it hard to say goodbye to that sweet gummy smile. He's just growing up too fast for me.

Posted by jenny at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

This has turned out to be one of the worst Valentine's on record. It's almost 4 pm, and I'm about ready to call it a day. Mike has been upstairs barfing at regular intervals since he got up this morning. I tried to take Evan to therapy and I beached the car on the big snowbank at the end of the driveway left by the plow. I cried for fifteen minutes at my own stupidity. Then it took me nearly two hours to dig the bastard out, only to put it back in the garage. I can't even go out and get Mike some ginger ale. I'm still freezing cold from being out in the driveway for so long. And I don't have to say it, but you know there's going to be no fondue tonight.

At this point, I'm just hoping we can muddle through the evening and all go to bed early. There's no hope, we just need to try again tomorrow.

Posted by jenny at 3:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! We woke up this morning with so much snow I can't figure out where the sidewalks used to be. Mike's in bed because he thinks he has food poisoning, and my voice is still gone (it has been since Sunday). We also have another day off from school due to the snowstorm, and I have little doubt that it's going to be a very long day at our house.

On the bright side, I do have a Valentine activity for the boys and me this afternoon. I hope it goes better than our craft projects earlier this week. Evan and I made valentines for his grandparents, but I did the cutting, he did the gluing, and then after that he just became project manager and told me where to write and what color to use. It ended up being more work for me than for him!

We also have planned a chocolate fondue for tonight. I thought that would be tons of fun, but I guess we'll have to wait and see if Mike recovers. If not, it will be just as good on February 15th.

Posted by jenny at 8:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I'm all alone. Well, that's not exactly true--Grady is here with me, but he's napping and it's awfully quiet right now.

Yesterday morning, Mike and Evan headed up to Rochester to hang out with Mike's sister and her family, leaving me and Grady at home to fend for ourselves. We had planned on all four of us going, but G's been battling that cold all week and we figured it might be better if he stayed home. In the end, it was better, because G and I were both up all night last night coughing and now my voice is gone. Not to mention Evan reportedly projectile vomited all over himself and Mike at the children's museum, forcing them to go out and buy new pants and shoes. I can't say I'm sorry I missed that one.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I find that it's far too quiet. Mike and Ev left yesterday at about 9:30, and I started really missing them at about 10. Beth stopped by on her way to Erie around 11, and I had to stop myself from begging her not to leave at 12:30. For as much as I say I'd like time to myself, it's hard for me to take once I get it.

I just don't like to be alone for very long--I even have Grady here, but for as sweet as he is, he doesn't offer much in the way of conversation. Growing up in a house full of people conditioned me for a life that needs company and action and noise. I can't be in the house by myself without the tv or radio on. I only lived alone for a few months after college, and I hated it. I suppose it's something I could get used to, but I've never been able to do it.

So today I have a few hours left before Mike and Evan return. I had breakfast and read the paper. I started some laundry. Grady and I will play a few rounds of peek-a-boo and snuggle on the couch. And I'll try my very best to enjoy the quiet, because it won't be back again for a while.

Posted by jenny at 9:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Today was a good day. The sun was out (even if it's still below 20 degrees), I got most of the downstairs cleaned, and I taught Grady how to clap his hands. Both boys got baths, I got a load of laundry done, and I finished and (Mike) mailed the invites for my future sister-in-law's bridal shower. And I got a caramel vanilla latte as a treat from my dear husband. Yes, it was a good day.

Evan said something to me this afternoon, and it was so funny and sweet and wise, and I thought to myself, "I have to blog that later." Well, here we are later and I can't remember what the heck he said. It just figures. He just has so much to say now, and I can't believe I'm writing this but I can hardly remember when he wasn't talking anymore. Two years ago, I thought he would never say a word, and I felt like that time would never end. And now I can't tell you when he started making sounds and when they turned into words and when the words turned into sentences that now are parts of jokes that he tells or narratives about his day at school. For all of the trouble he's had, that kid never ceases to amaze me.

Grady, for his part, seems to be developing like a little textbook baby. He crawls like a champ, he can sit (and get himself in and out of a sitting position), he pulls himself to stand, he cruises on furniture and walls and tries to take steps but chickens out at the last second. My dad thinks he'll be walking by his birthday, and I wouldn't be surprised. He babbles and screeches and squawks. And today he learned to clap his hands. Perhaps his "normal" development will be a gift to us, something we won't have to worry about so much and can just enjoy.

I'm ready to enjoy some quiet time with Mike. The boys are both in their own beds, and "The Muppets Take Manhattan" is on TCM tonight. Sounds like my kind of evening.

Posted by jenny at 9:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

We're now on day three of no school (stupid two hour delays!), and day two of Evan pretending to be a baby. It was cute for the first hour or so, but it's getting a little old today. Especially when he's laying on the floor pretending to cry, and in between sobs yells out "Mommy! You come get me!" I've tried to explain that babies can't talk, but I think that would be way too hard for him. Besides, he is also a baby who still uses the potty and eats cheese. I guess he's not willing to go all the way for his art.

We were supposed to go to a meeting today for kids with IEP's transitioning to kindergarten. Since our district is on a two hour delay and Head Start was cancelled (the meeting is at the Head Start building, though it has nothing to do with Head Start), I needed to call to find out if the meeting was still on. I've talked to three different people, all of whom know nothing about this meeting, but helpfully give me another person to call. I have no idea who else to call, and I'm this close to saying screw the whole thing. Yes, it's that kind of week.

Grady is leaking tears and snot and drool constantly, and he's just miserable. Every time I try to wipe his face, he screams bloody murder. I can't let it go though, all that dripping really grosses me out. The cold is rampaging through our house now, and I'm sure I will be next to get it. Luckily, it seems to be more of an annoyance than anything, so here's hoping we can get this over and done with quickly.

Now, back to the cave. It's going to be another long day inside for the little bears.

Posted by jenny at 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's -4 here this morning, with a windchill of -20 (give or take a degree). Evan's school district is on a 2-hour delay, which means he doesn't have school today. I'm figuring it's because of the cold, as we didn't get any additional snow this weekend. I'm almost glad because I would have felt awful sending him out into the deep freeze this morning.

Evan also started to have some cold symptoms yesterday. He was a little hoarse and telling us his throat hurt. This developed into a full-blown cold overnight, with boogers and coughing and all that good stuff. I was starting to wonder when we'd all get sick again. I think we got a good three weeks in there, at least.

Today Grady is 8 months old, and over the weekend he started teething (we think). His bottom gums are a bit swollen where the two front teeth are set to appear, and he's been unusually cranky and drooly. Of course, I'm the same one who thought Evan was teething from five months on, and he didn't get his first tooth until he was 13 months old. I guess I'm not the most reliable there. I did give Grady a bit of Tylenol before bed last night, but even so he was up a lot and crying. Could be teeth, could be he's getting whatever Evan has, could be he's got cabin fever like the rest of us. We won't know until more develops.

Now, I'm going to go find something to bake. If it stays this cold, I may have to start my own cookie company.

Posted by jenny at 8:01 AM | Permalink

This morning we had Evan's latest eval. I guess it went okay, aside from the fact that the psychologist was 45 minutes late and that her evaluation consisted of speaking to me, reading over some of his previous evals, and watching him while he interacted with me and Grady. I guess I was expecting something more. It may have gone on longer, but an hour into this Grady started crying (no morning nap) and Evan was getting pretty annoyed himself. So we got out of there with a promise for another meeting at a later time.

Basically, the psychologist was unable to diagnose him with anything. It was the same thing we've been hearing since the beginning with Evan--he has some behaviors that are PDD-NOS, but not enough to diagnose him. And he has some signs of expressive language disorder, but not enough to diagnose him. He can't have both of those things, and he may not have either one. So essentially, we're not any further ahead than when we started.

But we will get a little help with the kindergarten transition. Evan will get a TSS for community work starting next month probably, and she'd be able to help in school if we decide on a regular classroom. We're going to work on his socialization and his ability to handle changes and new people and situations. I'm pleased with this, as it's always good to get Evan to experience new things and work with different people. Let's hope it's a step in the right direction.

I'd write more, but nothing is really clear right now. I'm not sure what to do, as the whole point of today was to get him a diagnosis. Maybe we'll never have one, and though I knew that was a possibility, I don't know if that's going to be a problem for the school district. With time and a few more meetings, maybe I'll be able to get a better grasp on where we are and where we're going next.

Posted by jenny at 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)