Pictures and updates and... stuff

Owen had a rough couple weeks around Christmas (what kid doesn't? His was just compounded by his other issues). It had gotten so bad that at one of his therapies he just sat under a big play structure (so underneath it was dark and somewhat quiet) with me, just rocking back and forth and mumbling echolalia phrases, for about 45 minutes. That was rock bottom for him (at least this time). His therapist and I discussed it and decided he would benefit from a dark, quiet spot at home. He has his bedroom, which he really likes going in there when he gets overwhelmed. But we thought he needed a spot specifically for when things get really bad.

So, I went home and cleared out the bottom of his closet and set up a quiet spot for him. We bought a bunch of new pillows (was going to get a bean bag chair but we can't fine one anywhere! Oh well, pillows were cheaper anyway!), put a blanket in there and his weighted lap blanket. He's also been really into planets and the solar system so we put up these posters that we found at a store for teachers/homeschoolers. He LOVES it.

The glow in the dark star is one of those touch lights, but it sucks and ate all the batteries within 2 days. So now it's there for decoration and we got him one of those wind-up flashlights that don't take batteries!

He LOVES to sleep in here. This was taken before the posters were put up.

When he feels himself getting out of control we can usually remind him of his quiet spot and he'll go there. Sometimes he needs a little bit of help to get him out of the situation, but once he's out of it he can usually calm down if left alone. It's working great so far, I'm definately glad we did it!

In other news.... Owen's ill. Again. Not too surprised, eh? Saturday afternoon he started developing a fever, snotty nose, cough, the works. Unfortunately I had gotten Jason tickets to a UK basketball game for Saturday for his birthday (which was Thursday). Jason's dad came over and watched Owen. We stopped by after the game, before we ran out to dinner, to check on Owen. He was doing okay, but definately getting ill. Yesterday (Sunday) he was a lot worse. Fever was around 103, coughing alot, snotty nose, etc. Today is not so bad. No fever but his cough is that deep in the chest and rattly cough. Not pleasant. He's just been laying around in our bed for 2 days watching movies. And, yes, he skipped school today :)

We have been working on our 2009 travel plans so here is the tentative schedule....

March 6, 7, 8 to Michigan (all the way up to Sam's)

June 5, 6, 7 to Michigan

September 17, 18, 19, 20 to Michigan (up to Sam's probably the 18/19).... SAM- can you look around and see if you can find hotels around there? Thanks!!

October 30, 31, November 1 to Michigan (gotta give Dad Halloween!)

December 18, 19, 20, 21 to Michigan for Christmas

Jason is confirming the time off with his boss as we speak and I'll go request time off work when I go in today. But those should be our Michigan trips for this year. Of course, everyone is welcome to come visit us here in Kentucky too :)

We are also 99% sure we're taking Owen to Disney World this year! He will be thrilled when we tell him!!!! He's been asking to go for awhile now. I am getting a really good tax refund this year (one of the perks of being a single mom and only working part time) so we decided to go this year. Right now we're 99% sure we'll be going April 18-27. We will leave the 18th, stay overnight in Alabama, get to Orlando on the 19th. We will leave to come home on the 26th, stay overnight in Alabama, get to Kentucky on the 27th. Disney is doing a promotion where if you buy the first 4 nights at a Disney hotel they give you the next 3 nights free. Can't beat that! So this may turn into my vacation planning blog for a little while and it might be flooded with Disney details :)