Brush, Brush, Brush

Thanks to "Did You Hear What Happened to the Tooth?" from Sid the Science Kid Remy is an enthusiastic brusher of teeth! And sucker of tooth brushes!

Valentine's Day

The day started with this treat - a gorgeous sunrise and a dusting of snow on the Sheep Range...

And then there was this treat - one for mama bear, one for papa bear, and one for baby bear. Ross got me a bottle of Poppy Flower by Coach and a Poppy/Poppy Flower rollerball duo. Mmmmm, just right! 

Oh, and then Mommo brought me a primrose plant but I don't have a picture, d'oh! Soon, I promise!  Happy belated Valentine's Day, everyone!

Blustery Monday

What's Up

Sorry I haven't posted very much this week, I was dealing with (sounds more kick-ass than "suffering from") my 47th cold of the season. Here is what we have been up to:

• Our ABA book came. It is great. Huge and full of good stuff. The problem I was having the first time I tried ABA was that it didn't seem age appropriate. I mean the skills I was working on, pointing and mimicking, were age appropriate, but Remy didn't have the attention span to sit and do 10 trials. So I have cut that in half and it is still a little challenging for him but I think it will get easier as he gets used to it.  Yesterday we worked on responding to his name and that went pretty well. I also want to pick up mimicking and pointing again. Pointing is one of his best skills but he has a really hard time pointing at things out of touching range and doesn't know how to follow a point.
• We still don't know who his new service coordinator will be.  We were supposed to hear more this past Wednesday but on Monday his old service coordinator resigned from EI and so now instead of just reassigning Remy they have to shuffle her entire case load. 
• We bought an iPad. I had been thinking about getting an iPhone for a while but the cost of the data package over a two year contract seemed ridiculous. Then I saw a couple of videos of autistic two year olds using iPads and it seemed like a no brainer. No contract, no data package, way more memory, great size and lots of kid friendly apps for cheap or free. And I have to be honest, the thought of digital flash cards replacing the hundreds of paper ones I have to pick up every day was pretty appealing too!
• Looking forward to Valentine's Day and Steph's visit! Then in March Jason & Co. are coming and maybe Ross's folks too! And Spring! And then pool season!!!

Sunday's Moon

Another moon picture taken with the telephoto. This may be one of my new favorite subjects! 

Thankful

Good people, good food, extra sleep, fresh air, and, most importantly, assurances from Early Intervention that we will be assigned a new case worker and any missed sessions will be made up. On this sunny, breezy morning I am actually glad that is Monday because I am ready for a new week!  

Floyd Lamb Park

Apparently this park is popular with the Midwesterners because the car in front of us at the gate was from Elgin. Our Elgin, the Elgin Mommo and Poppo moved from in August. Anyway, I can see why! With grass, water, Canadian Geese, and tall trees that in no way resemble palm trees, it is like a taste of home (but with mountains!)

This is Hard

Yesterday Remy's Service Coordinator/Developmental Specialist cancelled on us. It was the fourth time. She has only seen Remy three times. I emailed her supervisor and told her that I need to know what our options are because I can't rely on our SC/DS anymore.

When I started EI I felt so encouraged that we weren't going to go through this alone, and when they assigned so many services I felt gratified that they seem to take Remy's well being as seriously as we do, but now, more than 60 days in with so little to show for it, I feel totally deflated.

Everyone says that jumping in early with therapy is the key to the best outcome, but what have we done? Remy completed a wooden puzzle (practically kicking and screaming) and learned how to put plastic coins in a musical piggy bank. He is still having a really hard time with "more" and yesterday he couldn't even say his one word correctly. I feel so under-qualified for this. I can love him and feed him and read him stories, we cuddle and tickle and play peek a boo, I wash his hair and clip his nails and do all the things a good mom is supposed to do and I still feel like I am failing him.


On the brighter side, a speech therapist friend from my online mommy group recommended a book about ABA therapy and it is in the mail. I have tried ABA a couple of times and it didn't go well so I am hoping this book will show me what I did wrong and how to start up again. I am also reading Temple Grandin's Thinking in Pictures and it is fascinating and very informative. I am learning so much about Autism and growing so much in compassion for those effected.

Here's to a better day today!

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds...  -Hebrews 19-24

Thank goodness for my quasi-spiritual experience with the moon yesterday because today was definitely messed up.

From Where I Stand

Ogling up at the moon while Remy plays with toy trains at my feet - when I woke up this morning I had no idea today would contain such wonder. Thank you, God, for every day!

It's Complicated