The Cogs are turning

Wes has always been behind in his cognitive thinking and cognitive shifting. These are very hard areas for him, but he's made huge progress since he's started therapy and school.
When I picked him up from school the other day, his para couldn't wait to show me what he can do. She got his attention and asked him to name a shape, which he blurted out star after a 5 second delay. Then she asked him to name a color, which he immediately blurted out blue. Next, she asked him to name an animal and he said horse. I was jumping up and down with pride for him. The beaming light coming from his tiny face showed me that he was quite proud of himself too. C said "Wait, there's more!" She again asked him to name an animal and he said cow. She asked what does a cow say and he said mooo. Her next question was a cow is a.. and he said animal. Wow. That really is the coolest thing I have ever witnessed.

Interesting piece

For those who have read my blog in the past, know that I go back and forth with the GF/CF diet and of course the risky business that is chelation. There was in interesting article in our local newspaper about a chelation research that has been called because of the dangers it could pose to children. You can read it here if you wish.
I'm still not sold on this whole idea. After speaking to the gastro specialist, he isn't sold on it either so I'm still stuck where I'm stuck. Again, Wes is making such wonderful progress almost daily, that to throw this at him makes me uneasy. I will say that I tried giving him Van's Gluten Free Waffles and after much gagging, he threw them up. I'm not going to force him to eat them because they might help. It's not worth it in my eyes.

Say what?

In the middle of cranial sacral therapy, Wes asks for some water. I didn't bring his cup with me and the only thing available was a regular cup from a water bubbler (yes, he still uses a sippy. Not his fault, but mine). He did great, until he thought he was too cool for two hands and he spilled a little. He handed me the cup and said "What happened? Look what I did! ..... " and continued scripting something we couldn't understand. I looked at therapist, and she looked at me, both bewildered at what we heard. Well, how 'bout that.

**EDIT: This morning, when Casey went into Wes' room to 'wake him up', Wes sat up, looked down at Casey and said "Hi Bud!". What the heck is going on?**

Faking it

I'm not sure where this started, but I think I know how it started and I have to say, I'm amazed and astonished. Wes has been fake crying. No tears. Then he crawls in my lap for a cuddle and off he goes.
He's been into an episode of Super Why where Little Bo Peep loses her sheep and she cries. Sometimes he fake cries when he's watching the show and sometimes it's just out of the blue. It really is cute. He sticks out his tongue a bit and makes this coughy crying sound. Is this the first start of imitating life or is he, yet again, just repeating? I'm not really sure.

Back to school again

Wes has completed the first week of school. Not a full week, but it still counts in my book. I had been preparing, and dreading this week. Now that it's over (and just begun), it wasn't so bad. I guess I prepared him well because he didn't give any trouble about heading off once again. On Tuesday, we went to the open house at the new school and it was pretty decent. The room was bigger and the set up was much better. They had more space for the classroom as well as two extra rooms. One of those rooms were for the work area's. Wesley had his own area all to himself that he and C (para-pro) work in every day. He found it and immediately recognized his name. I was relieved that he liked the classroom. We spent about an hour exploring everything and figuring out what was where. He colored a birthday bumble bee to be hung up on the wall.
The next day was the big day. Would he be receptive to getting on the bus from home? That was my biggest worry. I made sure to use his schedule board so that he knew after lunch, the bus would come and take him to school. I put Casey down for nap and we sat out on the stoop and waited for the bus. I knew ahead of time that the driver was the one from last year. He loves her and she loves Wes. That would make the transition easier. The bus pulled up and he ran for it. Without any hesitation, he climbed aboard. I had to pull him back for a kiss (there was no way I was letting him leave without a kiss!) and then he climbed in his usual seat and away they went!
Pick-up is tricky. I want to be able to catch his teachers to find out his day since they can't find the time to write in his book so I pick him up at the end of the day. It's a very old school and there is no parking other than teacher parking. Most parents pick up their little one because there is no buses except that for special needs. Winter will be most interesting but I'm sure we'll figure it out.
Next week is the first full week. My little guy is going to be exhausted by Wednesday I'm sure. He's been falling asleep almost immediately the last couple of nights. I love the peace and quiet.

Undigested

Tuesday was the follow-up with the gastro in Boston. We were going to get the results from all the blood drawn a month before. I was anxious and curious to find out if Wes had any allergies. We were relieved to find out that everything came back normal...except one. A Sedimentation Rate came back elevated. The doctor wasn't that concerned because the number wasn't that much higher then the norm but he wanted to be proactive about it. He also said that just because the tests came back within normal range, doesn't mean that he doesn't have an allergy. Uh..what? Then why on earth do the tests? He explained that he wanted to follow a procedure to rule out things in an order. Because this sedimentation rate test was elevated, he was leaning more towards a bowel issue rather then allergy issue. I told him what I've been noticing lately with Wes' BM's and how some food has gone undigested. I think that made him lean even more towards that side. He wants to put Wes on a digestive enzyme to see how that helps. It's called Ultrase MT. Today he had his first dose and C (at school) reported that he was excessively gassy. He also repeatedly asked to use the potty at school too. He doesn't often ask to use it. Tim and I have decided that we'll give it a week or two and if he still seems to be having an upset stomach, then we'll call the doctor to see what else we can do. Right now, the alternative is to scope him and check out his intestines, but we're hoping we won't have to do that to the poor child. He's been through enough poking and prodding.
So once again, I'm wondering what a GF/CF diet will do to him. I'm going to a seminar by a local DAN! doctor just to hear him out. I'm still not sold yet, which is why I'm going. I hate using meds when there might be an alternative out there.

Happy Birthday Little Bit!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my Little Man. I can't believe he's two already! His birth was such a whirlwind because the day I was to be induced with Casey, we were having Wesley evaluated for services. Sometimes I feel like I missed out on the experience because Wes was always on my mind. He has grown into such a beautiful little boy with a mouth that doesn't stop. He makes me laugh with his crazy faces and hilarious antics. He's all boy and I'm proud to be his mom.