Twins turn TEN!!

Today was such a great day.  Today is the first time EVER that the boys understood that it was their birthday.  We had the countdown going on the calendar.  We explained to them that we were planning on a party with family and made sure to name all their cousins that were going to come.  We asked them if they wanted balloons, cake and ice cream sandwiches, to which we got a big YES for each.  As we arose this morning the first thing that Isaac showed us on his iPad was that it was "Caleb" "Isaac" "Happy Birthday"!  Caleb started running around the house signing Happy Birthday "C" and "I".  It was party time :)

 The wonderful thing about a close large family is that you really never need to invite friends to parties.  Just family who attended was about 30 people.  And Caleb and Isaac are so lucky to have two sweet girls, Sami & Rebecca, who have worked with them for several years at some summer camps they attend and have been buddies with them for the Challenger League baseball games come to their birthday party this year.

As is the case with many children with Autism, crowds are hard on them.  As is the case with many children with Autism, noise is hard on them.  Each year gets better and I am tickled with the progress these little fellas have made.  30+ people were prepped to sing the Happy Birthday song very softly and quietly.  This is the first year both boys were able to stay at the table the whole song.  Usually Caleb is so overcome with emotions he has to run away crying and ends up very hard to calm down.  Today he hid under the table and covered his ears BUT he stayed at the table!!  Isaac tried to blow out the candles and when he was unable he started swatting his hand at the candle flames so we quickly helped him blow them out.  Caleb was not interested in even trying to blow out candles this year.....again.

Caleb was really into opening presents, Isaac not so much.  Here you see Isaac taking a DVD video out of the bag.  What the camera did not catch was him throwing it across the room and giving me a look of "Leave me Alone"!

Since Isaac was not being a trooper with opening gifts Caleb got to open double!!

After gifts were all opened both boys needed some "alone time" and went their separate ways.
Caleb went to play on his iPad >

Isaac took a nap, ice cream sandwich on his face and all  >

Cleaning up after guests left a big smile crossed my face as it's also apparent that my family is truly getting to know the boys.  There are very few things they like and gift giving has been difficult.  They are not usually ones who like to play with toys.  Caleb carries his Ernie doll everywhere and does play with him daily but we have had years and years of toys gifted to them only to re-gift or give away because of no interest.  Today the gifts included several bags of Doritos (for Caleb) and several bags of pretzels (for Isaac), a couple cases of crackers for both boys and a few sensory toys that they will play with when they are in the mood.  I think we are all coming a long way!! The birthday parties for the twins may not be typical games, noise and celebration but it sure was a good time. 

TODAY IT:

*snowed for the first time this year

*was a wonderful time to gather as family to celebrate these boys

*was bittersweet to have the twins open a birthday card from their "Granny Ann" from church.  She gave us their card Tuesday evening at our Gospel Meeting at church so they could open it on their birthday.  She passed away last night after an accidental fall yesterday morning.

*was nice to see Ron and Martha Dush who were in visiting inlaws from Erie

*is wonderful to reflect on just how far we have come in 10 years and to begin imagining what the next 10 will bring us!

Down Syndrome ~ Different does not mean less than ~

On our way to Pittsburgh this morning for Isaac's post op appointment, from his double ear drum repair surgery back in August, I realized that my twins are so very conditioned for our 2 + hour drive to Children's.  Over the past year we have averaged 2 to 3 appointments a month like this.  We drive 2+ hours most of the time to attend a 15 to 20 minute appointment and then turn around and drive back home.  These days are tiring for mom and dad, especially dad as he is the driver (mom can sneak naps with twins in car).  Yet I am thankful that we have a good Children's Hospital nearby that can take care of all of our boys needs right now.  I read blogs and stories of other families who must travel out of state or even out of the country for treatment.

Tom and I try to humble ourselves with our situation and remember that there are families out there dealing with way more than we are.  Having twins with disabilities does come with its challenges, but we are blessed with the resources, supports and ability to care for their needs. 

Last week we were in Pittsburgh for another appointment OR I should say appointments.  We were finally able to coordinate several appointments in one day.  We actually had six appointments (one each) with three different doctors in one day.  Our appointments started at 11:30 am and ran clear until 4:30 pm without a lunch break.  It was a long day but it was nice to know that we only had to remove twins from school one day instead of three separate days if we were to schedule as we usually do.

One of our visits was the boys bi-annual visit to the Down Syndrome Clinic.  These appointments always help make sure I'm not missing something and keeping up on all the required visits, follow ups and then add some suggestions to things we may be missing.  On this particular visit it was nice to speak to the Down Syndrome coordinator, Shelia, and confess that I feel like we just don't belong to the Down Syndrome group OR to the Autism group.  I see kids much younger than the twins with Down Syndrome flourishing and talking and doing great.  While I truly feel happy for these kids and their families I feel like it's hard not to compare the differences we see.  Then I have the boys in their awesome Autistic support classroom and an equally awesome after school program for children with Autism, and there, Caleb & Isaac are the only kids with Down Syndrome.  Again I find it difficult not to compare the differences in my boys with their peers in these classrooms.  Shelia at the Down Syndrome clinic said they do have parent who don't quite feel they fit in with the "traditional Down syndrome" category and for this they are trying to put together a quarterly parent meeting to help facilitate better understanding and to share ideas and outcomes.  I think this is wonderful and I plan on adding this to our frequent Pittsburgh trips.

I know that some may read this and understand where I'm coming from.  Some are going to read this and argue that all children are different and just figure it out.  And then there will be those who don't understand yet can sympathize with the unknown.  I love wearing these shirts on my twins because it reminds ME that "Different DOES NOT mean Less Than"

To end on a good note.  Today's appointment was a GOOD OUTCOME!! Isaac had just undergone his third surgery to repair two completely perforated ear drums from having several sets of tubes.  The second surgery was pretty invasive and a difficult surgery yet within three weeks he developed an infection that made them tear again.  In August he had a new surgeon and a new approach and today the doctor said they his ear drums are still in the healing process and covered with scab like wounds but both ears are closed and his no water in the ears restriction was lifted for the first time in like four years!!  We are so happy with this news and pray that he doesn't get any immediate ear infections while ears are still healing.  We will go for a hearing test in a few weeks and we should be able to remove the long distance ENT visits off the list for now.

Prayer Request for Caleb

Caleb will be having surgery on Monday June 16th to repair an Epigastric Hernia.  He has had this for several years now and its been getting a little bigger and a little bigger each year.  Its still pretty small but the surgeon told us that it will have to be repaired and having it done as a child is better than waiting until he is a teenager.  It will grow as he grows and become painful as the years go on. So, Monday Caleb is scheduled for dental work and we opted to go ahead and have the hernia repaired as well.

Here is my prayer request.  We went yesterday for his pre-op appointment with his pediatrician. He actually was very cooperative and calm, so calm that the doctor was actually able to get a good listen to his heart.  She asked when we see the cardiologist again for him... "UMMMM?! That is the only "ologist" we don't see" is what I told her.  She said she was hearing a murmur and felt that we better go ahead and have an ECHO done before surgery on Monday.  It could very well be nothing and its just a precautionary test or we may have to add the cardiologist to our large list of doctors.

I need prayers that he will stay still for the test, that we can explain to him what is being done and that it won't hurt him.  We need to have him understand that if he just sits still for a few seconds it will all be over and we can go home.  I hope that tomorrow is one of those days that Caleb surprises me.  I pray that this is nothing but a precautionary test that comes back normal.   There are so very many many many online Down Syndrome mommy friends who's children deal with heart issues and I have always felt relieved that we escaped that common symptom of Down Syndrome.

I would appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers for my sweet Caleb over the next few days.  I have heard that this is a painful recovery and he has to miss a whole weeks worth of fun activities at Camp Confidence this year.  His brother Isaac will actually get to go do something alone without this twin for once in his life..... (and mom's little nervous about that too..LOL)

S-l-o-w progress.... but PROGRESS is happening with the iPad

Our family has been blessed beyond words with help getting both boys an iPad for communication purposes. Being a larger family that always seems to have something "pop up" that uses unbudgeted money and yet still trying to find that "extra money" to purchase two iPads was not something that was about to happen easily or quickly. We were thankful that the Lord provided for us in other ways.

Caleb received his iPad from his shopping spree via Make A Wish and Isaac was awarded one through an amazing organization called Shane and Wyatt Down Syndrome Foundation.  This foundation makes it a point to provide iPads to children with Down Syndrome who are having severe communication issues.  Isaac was chosen as their first recipient, how cool is that!?  You can click here to read our blog post about receiving it.

Caleb and Isaac have now had the iPads now for a little better than two years.  I must admit I have been getting discouraged with their progress using it.  I just KNEW it was going to be our answer to better communication with the twins. They are both whizzes navigating the iPhone for apps and games and YouTube videos they want to watch.  They really are impressive!  We have chosen to use the Proloquo2Go app to try to facilitate conversation.   I had high hopes reading reviews of the software that this is the right match for the twins to use.  After downloading it and going through kindergarten with it I began to have doubts that we, the family, and the school were properly trained to teach the boys to use it.  For the past two school years the iPads have just stayed at the school each and every day and during the summer months the iPad was sent home for us to use with them.  Honestly, we didn't know how to use them.  We didn't know how the school had been using them, so how were we to replicate that and keep the boys active with it?  It didn't happen.  I was frustrated, mostly with myself for not knowing how to use them to help my boys.

We started this school year with a few tweeks to the IEP in hopes for the iPad to be our answer again for communicating with the twins.  About 3/4th the school year has passed and I still am not seeing or feeling the iPads are 100% properly being utilized.  Not that the school isn't trying with them, just that I was expecting and hoping for m-o-r-e.  So about two weeks ago I sent a letter to the teacher requesting that the iPads be sent home with them each day after school.  One concern with this is the possibility of breaking it in transit.... that would be bad!  Another concern is that we would use them differently at home than the school uses them there and perhaps confuse the boys.   The only way to find out how to use the iPad was to take the plunge and request it be brought home and use them.

This past week I have seen two different instances that are worth sharing and to get excited about.  Easter weekend was a great time to give them some alone iPad time.  Just to hammer out buttons and let them explore the different folders and talking options.  To be honest they like to push the same button over and over and over and over and over and over....get my point?  Then they laugh hysterically when they push the talk button and the iPad says the same word 25 times in a row.  Its quite comical to watch them.  BUT in doing this they are navigating their way through the program and finding new funny words to repeat over and over and over and over again. This is learning the device in my opinion, so we let them do it.  At school they really refrain from allowing them to push the button more than once as it really is a time waster and a distraction to the rest of the classroom, so this was fun for them.

Saturday afternoon Isaac was browsing around different subject and pushing random buttons all over the place.  Not really making any sense of anything but just having fun saying different words... THEN, he found the dessert button.  He pushed dessert 20 times and out of no where formed a complete sentence.  "I want ice cream sandwich dessert.... and signed Please!!!" Whaaat??  He had the biggest smile on his face and brought the iPad directly to me and said the sentence again.  "I want ice cream sandwich dessert...and signed Please".  You better believe we ran right into town to get that boy an ice cream sandwich and he was very happy that he was clearly understood with what he wanted.

Then last night we gave him his nighttime meds to make him sleepy and  gave him his iPad to pass some time and hopefully learn more of the folders and words within them.  I can already tell he is very smoothly getting around and realizing where to push to talk about family stuff or school stuff or feelings or food.. This is VERY EXCITING to watch.. THEN after about 20 minutes of playing around he found the feelings folder.  He pushed "tired" and "sleep" buttons.  He looked at me and signed sleep, put down the iPad and laid down for bedtime.... What??!!!! This may seem like a tiny progress note but to me its a big big step.

Looking back over the past eight years I can honestly say I have been discouraged with a lot of things. Thinking that this might not happen or that might not happen.  Perhaps feeling like we should give up trying a certain thing with the boys only to find when we are about at the end of our ropes trying desperately to make it work something they "get it".  It took us signing words to them for almost 10 months before we got one sign back from them.  The first word signed back to us was Cracker.. Caleb wanted a cracker.  When that happened we were all so thrilled and emotional.  Now that I am seeing some actual progress with the iPad I am having the very same emotions.  They are GETTING IT.... They are GETTING IT!!!!

By far the hardest thing about parenting children with special needs is for me to be patient and allow Caleb and Isaac to do their thing when "they" are ready, not when "I" am ready or when I know the other kids have done something by time wise.

I'm not giving up on you boys!!! Mama wants to talk with you and get to know even more than I already do.

Seeking Second iPad... Because of Positive Results

Sometimes it doesn't make to get a second item of something simply because you have twins.  When they were tiny I would buy two teddy bears, two of the same books or games, two of the same toys.  Now that the boys are seven I am finally learning that sharing is a life skill that we all need to learn.  So I no longer buy the second item when it comes to things they may "want".

Now shoes, coats, and clothing... I guess I have a hard time breaking that.  I love to dress them the same.  I do not do it every single day, probably like four out of seven days, but its something that "mom" still likes to do while they are young.  Its still really fun confusing people because so many still have a very difficult time telling them apart.

So onto the topic of this post.  Caleb had a wish from Make A Wish back in August of this year, right before school started. I just realized I NEVER blogged about that yet YIKES!!    Part of his wish was to receive an iPad with Proloque2Go software to perhaps help him communicate.  Both twins are non-verbal, have Autism and Down Syndrome.  Our primary means of communication right now is sign language.  It works for us, but not so much for family, friends, and community members.   I was skeptical about using an iPad for communication.  I didn't know if they would actually be able to understand the concept and form appropriate answers or questions.  Today I learned different!!!!!!

Today their speech therapist from school called me.  She is so wonderful and also just happens to be the "Autism Expert" at our local school district.  She wanted to express how amazed she was at how well the boys are doing with the iPad.  They are requesting things from their calendar at school, they are interacting with stories, and they are asking to play specific games on the classroom iPad... Her concern is that we only have one iPad and two boys so she cannot get them to use this to their full potential.  Ideally she would like for us to have TWO iPads so that they could communication to each other.  WOW!!! I could not even envision seeing this happen right now.  They laugh together and play together but I really have never seen them sign to one another or communicate with each other.  I guess other than one throwing a toy at brothers  head and the other retaliating by scratching big tiger marks down the middle of the perpetrators back.  To me that means: "I don't like that!!"

So, its Christmas time.  We have five children.  Husband works very hard and long hours to provide.  I work very part time from home, but also do all the mommy tasks that consume my days.  Life is expensive.  How can we find a way to get a second iPad without asking for charity or waiting to be chosen from the hundreds of iPad giveaways I've entered over the past year or grants I've applied for?  Has anyone ever done a fundraiser for their child to get an iPad?  If we were to try to save up the extra money it would be nearly the end of the school year before we could probably get one.  We could skimp here and skimp there... yes, but how can we find one either used at a good price now or raise the funds ourselves....

Speech therapist recommended looking on Ebay for used ones.  New technology is out there, iPad mini's are out and people will be getting rid of their "old stuff".  I browsed Ebay for 30 minutes or more tonight and found nothing less than $300 plus shipping, which to me is not a great deal for a used item. I don't want to spend hours browsing for something I may never find....

SOOOOOO I come to you, my blog readers.  Shout out some suggestions.  

Again, I am NOT looking for a hand out.. I am not looking for charity... I am looking for a way to provide my second son with a communication device quickly.  I am hoping that the feedback I receive will also help someone down the road that may be in the same situation as we are.

Bragging Moment:

Caleb's school work papers

Needed help writing his name but glued number is correct order INDEPENDENTLY!!!

That's my boy, an Isaac funny

Today is October 1st.  The beginning of Down Syndrome Awareness month.  Having identical twins who both have Down Syndrome, I have LOTS of Awareness available to share for this month.  New stuff always happening in the Hanzely Household!!

I get to start the month with a funny story.  I get a phone call today after school from Isaac's TSS worker.  She said that Isaac had the best day today in school.  Apparently, they began a new system where both boys must get 10 stars on their chart before they can get some time on the iPad.  The boys have been using drills like this already.. Work FIRST, then PLAY.

So today it happened that Caleb got his 10 stars first.  As they were handing him the iPad, Isaac decided he too wanted to play with the iPad.  They told him that he still needed one star to complete his chart and then get his time on the iPad.  Here is what my sweet little guy did.. He went over, picked up a pencil (not an easy task for my guys) and tried to draw a star in the box missing one!!!! How funny is that??!!  And might I say, that was brilliant of him.  They said he needed another star and he went to make sure he got it.  

That's my boy!!

You know is hot out when.....

The water table not only is a place to splash and dump water, but a pool to cool down!!!  Isaac decided that he had enough with only using the table to dump a bucket or two, he wanted the full experience himself.  And after looking at the photos below, who can blame him if its indeed this much fun :)

Oh how I love a hot summer day!!!!

What can Words Do?? (Part Two)

I have waited until receiving the proper confirmation in the mail before blogging about this matter.  I received that paperwork today.  I have prayed about this and tried to think about how to share this information without pointing fingers or letting any angry words take over the point I want to make.

Here goes...

I was reported to Children and Youth Services for possible neglect and/or other concerns regarding my twins Caleb and Isaac.

8:25 am May 1st, 2012.  I had just gotten Camille and Elijah off to school.  The twins were playing in their playroom still in their morning diapers.  Both boys were really suffering from a sinus infection that they so graciously decided to share with their mama.  I was very hoarse this morning and not at all feeling well.   I was fixing my morning coffee when I hear a knock at my door?? As my mind starts wondering who was knocking at my door at such an hour, I start chuckling thinking that Camille and Elijah missed the bus and were trying to be funny to ask for a ride to school.  As I approach the door, still in my morning attire, I see a young man with a name tag on a lanyard hanging around his neck.  Puzzled I open the door and ask "May I help you?" to which he answers "I am so in so from CYS, I need to come in your home."

I was very curious what would have made a CYS representative come to my home so bright and early in the morning.  I was wondering if it may have been due to an incident that recently happened with another family member and he was wanting my statement.  As we approached my kitchen island he set his books down and opened his paperwork.  Curiosity really had me now.

"He stated that we have been reported for two different issues.  The first was neglecting medical treatment for my twins and concern that I had sent them to school with pink eye.  He also went on to state the second issue was that it was reported that we have SEVERAL dogs in our home pooping on the floor.  We have two children with Down Syndrome living in our home who may not know that dog poop was unsafe and were known to eat off our floors.  There was concern for their health."

When I heard these allegations, I immediately starting wondering who in the world would have done this to us.  I was literally in shock.  The CYS case manager had several papers for me to sign and then he had to check the welfare of the twins.  They were both playing..in their dirty diapers... sick and congested in the play room.. UGH!!!  Then the case worker stated that he had to look in our refrigerator to make sure there was adequate food in there for our children and then he had to look at the children's bedrooms.  I complied with all of his requests and tried to wear a friendly smile.  He stated that the issue of dog poop all over the house was going to be closed immediately because he did not see any at all upon his visit.  He would then go ahead and call the doctors office and maybe the agency that our TSS workers are from to see if they had any concerns.  He was very nice and handled everything in a very nice, calm professional manner.  I bid him goodbye and it was then that the personal anguish began.  After I had some time to really think about this.

As I sat there allowing my mind to wonder... my feelings became more and MORE hurt.  I began to cry realizing that someone out there really thought that I was not a good parent.  Someone out there really thought that we were neglecting our children.  Someone out there really thought that I would actually do something to jeopardize my children's health.

I had just taken my twins to the doctors a week prior to this visit from CYS, as I too suspected they may have they may have had pink eye.  I was assured that it was a bacterial form of pink eye and was not contagious.  There really wasn't much we could do about it but keep them cleaned off.  Doctor prescribed an eye drop to try to put in, but doc and I both knew I would probably not be able to get these drops in because of their sensory issues.   They DO NOT like things put their their mouth, ears or eyes.   I was told that if I could not get drops in to just be sure to wipe their eyes with a warm wash cloth in the morning to get their eyes open and cleaned up.  I did this daily.

The second issue stated that we had SEVERAL dogs in our home?? I have a little tiny black pug named Rosco..one pug...one tiny pug.  And I will confess that Rosco still has accidents in the house.  Daily??.. No! A few times a week??  Yes.  I pick up the accidents promptly, I disinfect and make sure the area is clean.  Where does Rosco frequently have his accidents?? In the boys and girls bedrooms, because my inlaws who used to live in our house before us had a dog who also had accidents in these rooms.  It happens, I don't like it, but it does and we clean up after the dog.  We DO NOT feed the twins off of the floor in their bedroom.

Let me explain how we "feed off the floor"..  The twins are getting so much better with self feeding.  They are starting to use utensils, they are starting to eat a bowl of cereal at the table and not throw the bowl before finishing it all, they are transitioning very well to sitting and eating as a family.  Before this they would not eat out of a  bowl, they would not eat on a plate, they would not eat anything out of a bag.  When they wanted their cereal or popcorn, I would offer it in a bowl... 100% of the time, they dumped their food on the floor.  I attempted several times to have them pick it up and eat it out of the bowl.  They down right refused.... I opted to have them eat verses fight with them each time with the result of them not eating.  Today this still happens but NEVER EVER in a spot that the dog may have had an accident in.  They are not allowed food in their bedroom and honestly have never even tried to eat in there.

I almost feel like I am making excuses as I type but I am just trying to set the stage for my feelings and my blog post.

Words can and do HURT!!

Words can and do make one feel like they are not doing a good job!!

Words can and do make one feel as if every action is judged and critical judgement at that.

I do know who made the report.  I do not know why this person felt that the "alleged neglect" was enough to report our family to a county children and youth service to come in and investigate us.  This person knows our family and has been in our home.  This person knows how much I do for my children, both educationally and medically.  This person knows the challenges I face, yet the intense love that I feel for each and every child in my home.  This person also knows where my husband and I both work.... these allegations could have hurt both of our careers.   (I am not implying that people with good careers do not do wrong!)

What this person does not know...  we call the doctors office so much for our boys they know us by name, the doctors office appreciates our input and suggestions on things to do with and for the boys,  we travel to Pittsburgh so many times a year to make sure the medical attention our boys receive is what they need (this is 2 1/2 hour one way and difficult to do so often, but we do it), we have worked SO HARD with our boys to get them to where they are today, we have advocated for fair treatment of our boys and have put their faces out wherever and whenever we can to promote acceptance, we have gone above and beyond with our time and patience to be good parents to all five children.  We know and understand that raising identical twins with multiple disabilities is a challenge.  Its a challenge that my husband and I have fully accepted, but it is also a challenge that no one has ever written a rule book on or even instructions on... We are not perfect, we are not trying to be.. But one thing that I can say for sure is that I fully rely on our Dear and Precious Lord to guide us and give us wisdom that we can find no other place.  It is with that wisdom I have chosen to pray for this person who made the call to CYS.  It is with this wisdom that I have shared my story with my church members and have asked for their prayers and advice.  It is with this wisdom that I will allow this situation to make me grow, to educate, to advocate even more than before.

So if you have read this far...Thank You.. If you have not read What can Words Do?? (Part One) please do.  I also welcome constructive comments on what would you do in this position?

Why am I blogging about this?? Because if I can just teach one person that before you do something so hurtful, so judgmental to someone.... PLEASE if the children are not in immediate danger, call the family.  State that you have a concern, hear their reply before calling a county agency to come in and investigate.  If this person would have just given me the courtesy of a phone call.... I could have explained that I already had them to doctors, that we do not have several dogs and my children are safe.. Not to mention... this person DOES NOT EVEN COME INTO MY HOME... how did this person feel obligated to report health and welfare concerns when they don't even come into my home.  I have TSS staff who come into my home almost daily, who are mandated reporters, and they did not feel the need to make report.  Instead, we WORK on the issues, they state any concerns and we actively work on fixing them.  I am just saddened that this person does not feel like I am approachable.  I would think that I am probably one of the most approachable people I know, or at least I really try to be.

I am also blogging because I forgive this person.  I wish I knew the motives or the outcome the person was hoping for and expecting to come about.  The paperwork has came back "unfounded" and "case closed", but the hurt feelings will last on and the accusations have made an imprint on my heart.

What have I done???
I have not contacted person yet, but am thinking of the contacting supervisor.  I have pulled them out of their preschool for the rest of the year and I am not sending them to summer school.  I can not honestly send them without feeling we are being observed in a critical way.  Any other suggestions??

Can't make this stuff up :)

Today being the last day of tax season we have a "traditional celebration meal" for Tom when he gets home from working as a CPA.  The kids always do something fun like decorate the table nicely, make some cards or banners to hang around the house, or jump out and yell SURPRISE when daddy walks in the door.

As I was outside preparing the grill for our goodies I look up and find this......

What in the world is my son Isaac's clothing laying all over the play ground area for???

Ohhhhhh this is why:

After some persuading I finally get him to sit at the top of the slide so that I can try to get him down and get him dressed again:

Today's weather in PA was not the warmest, only about 60 degrees and windy... burrrrrr not the kinda weather I would want to be out in my birthday suit in..

And to top off the story of my son's naked adventure on his playset... we are trying really hard to get both boys potty trained before they start kindergarten in the fall.  Caleb seems to be doing a little better job of peeing in the potty..  Isaac hasn't really showed off his skills... UNTIL TODAY!!

He was thrilled to see his pee go down the slide...LOL!!!! Maybe we can ask for the schools to provide an adapted toilet for Isaac that includes a slide down to the water bowl??? 

Self Feeding Proof

6 1/2 years and one thing that we still work on everyday is feeding.  They are getting better and better but I am honestly thinking that perhaps they are just relying on us to feel them because that is what we have done.

• Holding sandwiches, getting better but still need hand over hand.
• Drinking out of a cup, working on it but prefers sippy cups still... no straw drinking yet
• Stabbing with fork, they still do not get this, but if we load the fork and set it down they pick up and feed themselves.
• Eating with spoon is almost completely independent (with prompting)
• Sitting at table and eating without being made to do so.... never!!!

Today Miss Camille is home sick again so I called off the TSS staff for the boys.  So here I am with a sickie and the twins who I have to get ready for preschool this afternoon.  I was trying to get a few things done and they came and signed "cracker".  I told them no cracker, cereal for breakfast.  Each of them shook their head NO but I proceeded to get them a bowl of cereal.  I gave Caleb a choice because he often likes several brands of cereal.  Isaac I dished out the good ole Cheerio's, his cereal of choice.   Caleb picked a brand that I bought for Elijah.  Its a Chocolate Peanut Butter cereal.  I didn't think Caleb would really like it so I dished out a small bowl to try it.  He shoveled it down!!!!  

Isaac took one bite of his and looked at his brothers bowl and pushed his aside and began eating from brothers bowl.  I was amazed!!!!  As I dished out Isaac a bowl and refilled Calebs bowl I walked away from the table to see if eating this cereal had them so involved they would sit there themselves while I washed dishes....  YEPPER!!!!  They sat and ate the first bowl, then signed for more... and ate a second bowl..  This was breakfast.

Then for lunch I asked what they wanted and they both signed cereal.  Well certainly boys, anything for you.  I then stood IN THE KITCHEN and watched them in the dining room sit for an ENTIRE MEAL and eat by themselves..  WoW  WoW  WoW.....

Happy Mama Today!!

Here's Proof:

31 for 21: Big Brother Love

Elijah is loving my new iPhone.  I can't get the darn thing off of him.  He found the camera and decided to go and get some cute pics for me.  I thought they worth sharing.  Elijah is such a good big brother.  He nit picks and wrestles with them like no other, but when the twins are not feeling well or having a melt down Elijah is the most gentle understanding brother there is.

Isaac

 

Caleb