PT , here we come

Wes was, as I figured, approved for physical therapy through the school district. Coincidentally, I was just going to ask at drop off tomorrow if the eval had been done yet. We are scheduled to meet on the 3rd to go over the evaluation with the PT and add it into Wes' IEP. I'm looking forward to what the PT has to say and what his goals will be for the boy. Honestly, I'm really not sure where he is in this area or what exactly will happen in PT. I know what he can and can't do, but I don't know where he is in terms of age range.

Today, in OT, Wes jumped without holding his therapists hands. They were standing on a blow up mattress and practicing jumping. She let go of his hands and asked him to jump and he did. The mattress gave him a little boost on getting his feet off the ground. When she asked him to jump off the mattress, he couldn't. He can get his heels off the floor, but that's it. I've been letting him jump on the couch while holding my hand. I can hear all those grandmothers out there gasping at the thought of letting a child jump on furniture. Well back off Grannie! No, I'm just kidding. It's good for the boy to practice jumping and learning to bend his legs and push off. I'm just so stinkin' proud of him!

Anniversary

Today marks the anniversary of when Wes was diagnosed. It was a year today around 11am that we were told what both Tim and I knew but feared. It was a very dark day for me. We left the doctors office and I cried the entire way home. I immediately turned the computer on when we got home and started searching like I had never before. I wanted to know everything and anything there was to know. I wanted to connect with other parents who knew how I felt. I overwhelmed myself to the point of near hysterics.

Looking back, I still taste the nasty bitterness of my realizations being confirmed. I don't feel the same anymore, but I can still remember. Wes has awed me in every way possible. He was nonverbal, tantrums at every corner, and lost to us. Today, he has an abundance of words, using sentences and clearly making connections with peers and other adults. It never occured to me that I'd be able to talk with my son, that our connection would be so much greater than it already was.

The word 'cure' has left my vocabulary. There is nothing to cure. There is only growth and fostering his amazing abilities. There is only learning from him and enjoying his quirks. There is only Wesley. The same child I gave birth to over 3 years ago. The one I've loved since the first time I felt him kick inside me. I thank God for choosing me for this journey and for being able to raise a special child like Wesley.

Autism Rap

Thanks to Casdok for posting this on her blog. While I was browsing through, this caught my eye.

Bits and pieces

I don't really have a whole lot to post about, but I wanted to post something so here are some bits and pieces.

Wes is doing awesome on the bus. Granted he's only had 2 opportunities because Mother Nature is rearing her ugly head and keeping a firm hold onto winter. He got right on the bus, sat in the seat and willingly got into the harness. He sat quietly and looked out the window. Our house is about 2 minutes from the school. Seriously. I'm not surprised he did well. He was actually asking for the bus on Monday. All good signs. The first day Wes came home on the bus, I thought Casey was going to...well I'd say pee his pants, but he does that already. He was delighted to see his brother home and did his happy dance. Then proceeded to kiss him even though Wes was pushing him away.

I'm still experiencing being a first time mom again. Casey has been bringing me books to read when we're home together. We climb up on the couch, get comfy and dive right into the book. That is right up my alley. When I'm finished reading, it's his turn to read to me. It's, of course, jibberish but I love it with all my heart. My boys are book readers. Who could ask for more? He's also following directions well. Of course he still doesn't come to you when you ask him to, but hey, what child does? His language is coming along slowly. I'm only slightly worrying. He is a typical boy.

Wes' class is having a Valentines Day party and they are passing out Valentines. It's my mission this weekend to find Thomas the Train Valentines. I will go to every store in this and the neighboring cities until I find them. I'm going to send a little note home to Z's mom mentioning a play date again. February vacation is coming up real soon so it would be a perfect time. I figure, why not be pushy. I don't have to see her at pick up anymore so if she thinks I'm annoying, oh well. I just want my son to have friends!

So that's about all. I need Spring to come real soon. I am itching to get the kids outside and to the playground. Casey was crawling the last time the warm air graced us with it's presence. I keep daydreaming about chasing the boys around and staying out until it's time for dinner. Ah, those are the days!

The new American Idol

Wes was singing up a storm tonight so I wanted to catch it on video. He and I were in my bed and he put on quite the show. Here it is

Yellow Rides and Social Guys

Okay, so I know this is more my hang up than it is Wes' so I'm taking a deep breath and letting him grow up. As of Monday, he will be a bus rider. Damn, this is hard for me. Why is it so freakin hard for me!?! He's still my little boy, that's why. He's still my three year old who needs me. Maybe I just want to believe he needs me more than he does. Letting go is the hardest part of parenting. Would it be easier if he were a girl? I don't know.

Yesterday, while I was running up to the school with Casey in tow, Wes didn't see me so he just got right on the bus with C (his aide) right behind him. He went to the back of the bus and when C asked if he wanted to sit, he crawled right up on a seat and proceeded to flap excitedly. I know it's because I wasn't there. I put my hang ups on my child. So, after learning this, I decided we'd give it a go. One way of course. I will still drive him in the morning because I want to still be able to connect with his teachers and such. I'm a hands on parent. I'm so nervous for him, but it will be much easier on me and Casey. Poor kid gets the short end of the stick with this one.

His aide came out to show me a video she took of Wes and his friend Z. Z is the same little boy who made that wonderful picture for Wes. They were rolling down an incline mat and having a ball. Wes was actually saying "One, Two, Three, Go Z! ". It was so cute. Then Z would take his turn and Wes would watch while doing his happy dance. He's really connecting to this little boy and it looks like Z is connecting with Wes. He has started labeling the kids in his class using their names as well. The teachers took pictures of them all and using those pictures, he's learning their names. He doesn't have them all mastered, but he absolutely has Z mastered! I really hope to have Z over some day for a playdate. The ball is in Z's moms court. I gave her our number when I gave her the thank you note. Maybe I'll try sending another note. I don't want to push her, but if the boys are becoming fast friends in school, I'd like to continue that out of school. We'll see.

Update on parking

Shortly after I sent the email, I received a call from the principal. She called to apologize for how she approached the issue and she wasn't thinking it through. She said she should have called me instead of confronting me in front of other parents. I thanked her for her honesty and her apology. I explained further my issue with safety and how I am trying to get Wes on the bus (more on that). She said that would be the best avenue, but wanted to come to a solution because I still want to bring him in the morning. That will give me a chance to connect with his teachers and his aide to find out how he's doing and what he is working on. I explained that in our house, Wes' learning does not end because school has. We continue working with him on what he's learning at school at home. I think she was a little surprised by that. I explained that I want to be as much as a part of the team as all his teachers, therapists and aide.
Anyway, we came up with an agreement that we can all live with.