The coolest banana.... EVER! Therapy. Growing Money.

Is this not the coolest banana ever?? It's 2 bananas that grew together... one peel. We saw it at the supermarket yesterday and Owen had to get it.

He certainly thought it was the coolest! The boy is a monkey and LOVES bananas. I think he eats 2-3 a day. LOL!

AND.... he tried a new food! He loves bananas. He loves peanut butter sandwiches. So why not try a peanut butter and banana sandwich? He was very hesitant at first, but did end up taking 2 or 3 bites. YAY!!!!


Speaking of feeding- Owen is being released from his OT and feeding therapy. Kinda. He's moving down to 1 hour every other week for April then in May will be 1 hour per month. Sounds great, right? Except it's not. She's releasing him because she claims he isn't making enough progress and he's too severe for her to handle. Nice, eh? Basically what it boils down to is if she has him as a client the hospital only makes what Owen's insurance pays. If they get rid of Owen they can fill that spot (which used to be 2 hours every week) with 3-4 kids in a group session. They are greedy money hungry people (nicest word I can come up with) so they are kicking Owen out so they can give that spot to 3-4 more kids, thus at least tripling how much money they receive for that time. The OT is refusing to put Owen in a group because we've tried that and it doesn't work. He gets too overstimulated and pretty much freaks out the whole 2 hours. So I made her put him back in a 1 on 1 session and ever since then she's been slowly reducing his hours.

But, I don't play this game. I will be pulling him out of the OT/feeding completely, as well as the speech he gets at that same center. I'm not going to do this "we'll call you once a month when we have an opening and you can bring Owen in" crap. Nope. They will not be getting another dime for Owen. At the same time, his speech therapy has been going downhill too. They recently gave him a new speech therapist.... fresh out of college.... who knows absolutely nothing about autism. She SUCKS with Owen and, well, I can do a million times better with him at home. So now we are on the hunt for a new OT and a new SLP. Fun fun fun.

On a good note.... we recently started meeting with a new therapist. Today she met Owen for the first time. I think we're going to start what's called "Parent-Child Interaction Therapy" with Owen. It'll be a 12-15 week session, meeting once a week for an hour.

And now I'm sure you all are wondering how to grow money, right?

Well, apparently I have some good luck lately. Last Friday at work I was convinced to buy some scratch off lotto tickets. A bunch of the people I work with do this pretty much every day. I do not. In fact, in the 16 months that I've been working there I haven't done it at all. But, just for fun, I put in $5 of birthday money (thanks mom!). They got me two $2 tickets and one $1. I ended up winning $5. After I picked Owen up from school I ran to the gas station to cash them in. On a whim, I decided to get two more $2 tickets (and a hershey's bar for Owen) with the $5 I won. On those tickets I won another $5. So on the way to work Monday I cashed that one in again. Again, I got Owen a hershey's bar (not spoiled at all, I swear... LOL) and two more $2 tickets. This time I won $20! Not too bad. I'll cash it in today and call it a day. Jason wants me to play the Powerball once so I'll do that :) Other than that, I'm taking the other $19 and putting it with the rest of my birthday money. Once Owen's back in school next week (this week is spring break) I'll go shopping for some summer clothes!

Pictures

Big smile!

This was on the way to Michigan last time... sound asleep with Greg, blankie and his MP3 player.

This is at his OT. He LOVES the zip-line. There's a video of it later in this post....

The rest of the pictures were taken at the Children's Museum we met Allison at yesterday.

Of course.... there *had* to be a train table! LOL!

Very proud of his creation...

Digging rocks. He had a blast with this, but he's been obsessed with "diggers" and construction type things lately.

Playing in the water.

Jocelyn enjoying the water...

Brandon enjoying the water...

Allison and Mia...

...who doesn't look too thrilled! LOL!

Owen at the water again....

Mia happy to have found a quiet spot away from all the action...

Me? A Mighty Mom?

I'm flattered :)

One of Owen's therapists approached me today and asked if she could have my permission to nominate me for a "Mighty Mom" award. She gave me some info about it. It's a local club who puts this on every year and asks therapists/teachers/ect to nominate parents of special needs kids who they feel are "Mighty Moms". Then the club picks the winners.

So... what do the winners get?

A WEEKEND OFF!

Just what every mom wants and needs! LOL!

You arrive on Saturday morning and meet the other moms and club members for breakfast. Then you spend the morning doing activities (you can select outdoor, indoor or either). Lunch is then provided. Saturday afternoon is spent being pampered (hair cuts, manicures, massages, pedicure, shopping, movie, etc). Saturday night you go out to dinner with the group.

THEN..... oh it gets better....

you get to SPEND THE NIGHT at the hotel ALONE. NO screaming kids to deal with. No bath times to battle. No screams of "I'm not sleepy!". No waking up in the middle of the night to deal with the kid who refuses to sleep.

Ahhhh.... bliss.....

Sunday morning is breakfast with the group again before you head back home.

How could I refuse that nomination??? LOL!

Wish me luck that I win!!

Speaking of being pampered.... last year for my birthday (yeah, over a year ago) Jason gave me an awesome gift of a day at the spa. That I never had time to use. Because, well, I'm a mom.

But I have an appointment for Saturday and I can't back out now :)

So, Saturday I will be getting a 25 minute massage, a cleansing facial, a pedicure and either a shampoo/blow dry styling or a manicure.

Yay!

Lots of updates...

There's been quite a bit going on this week so I'll see if I can remember everything....

First of all the weather is BEAUTIFUL! Sunny, high 60's or low 70's. It is a bit breezy. Owen and Jason just went on a Big Wheel ride to Kroger to return the Wall-E movie he rented last night. I'm home, sick. I caved and went to the dr (actually to the ER because no other dr would even see me without a $250 deposit on the spot JUST TO SIT IN THE WAITING ROOM! And we wonder why ER's are filled with patients who *really* don't need to be seen in an ER). Anyway, I started getting ill on Thursday. By this morning I felt like poop. My throat was killing me, my chest hurt (especially when I cough), all that nastiness. I gave in and went to been seen (the first time I've gone to a dr for an illness in probably 7 or 8 years.... I hate going to the dr). Anyway, turns out it's not strep (yay! That was the main reason I ended up going because we have a Michigan trip coming up and if we all had strep I wanted to know now). Just a sore throat, upper respiratory infection and laryngitis (which Owen thinks is hilarious that I can't talk at all). Nothing horrible, all should be cleared within a couple days. I am dreading getting this bill though... I have no insurance so Jason will have fun trying to negotiate with the hospital to lower my bill.

It is the perfectly crappy ending to our week though, which started off fine enough but went downhill very fast.

We'll start with Thursday, which was just like any other Thursday. All was going fine, until I picked Owen up from school. When I went into his classroom he was holding onto a little plastic alligator. Now, I should back up and say that lately Owen has latched on to random things and becomes obsessed with them. The alligator (Mr. Alligator, as he named it) is the latest obsession. His teacher has allowed him to take toys home before, as long as he brings them back the next day (which he always does). So by the time I got there he had it in his mind that he was going to bring Mr Alligator home. Only his teacher said no, he couldn't bring Mr Alligator home. Owen FLIPPED out. This was the worst flip out he's had in at least a year, if not more. It was horrible. I ended up carrying him out of the school and tried to get him across the parking lot to my car. Which meant in front of all the teachers, students (during dismissal), bus drivers/aides, the principal, etc. Everyone. All while he's freaking out, screaming at the top of his lungs, kicking, pinching me, pulling my hair, everything he can think of to get out of my arms. We made it to my car, at which point I had to try to get the keys out of my pocket to unlock my car, which meant loosening my grip on Owen. As soon as I did that he darted out in front of traffic. Thank God I caught him before he was hit by a car. He was absolutely hysterical, tears streaming down his face, gasping for breathe. He wanted this darn alligator. I offered to buy him a new one, no deal. He wanted THIS one. But his teacher said no and I had to back her up. I ended up sitting in the parking lot by my car restraining Owen until all the cars and buses left (because everytime I loosened my grip to unlock the car or open the door he would attempt to run in front of cars/buses again). When there were no more cars driving by I managed to wrestle him into the backseat and, eventually, into his carseat and buckled up.

For those who don't know- Owen gets out of school at 2:35. I have to be at work at 3:00. I can usually make it there with 5-8 minutes to spare. By the time Owen was buckled up it was already 3:00. I called work to let them know I'd be late. I drove to work with Owen in the backseat wheezing and crying hysterically telling me I had to go back and get Mr. Alligator. I, of course, couldn't. We got to work and I carried him inside, hysterical. I tried to calm him down but everytime I let him go he attempted to run out (he said he was going to run to his school to get Mr. Alligator). We eventually calmed him down (thankfully his teacher had brought in a new movie). I texted Jason and told him what happened and he left work and came and got Owen and brought him home (to give him his inhaler).

We ended up using the inhaler on him several more times throughout the evening/night to get his wheezing under control.

Friday morning comes and more fun ensues. I work a full day on Friday (9am-6pm). I started feeling ill on Thursday. By Friday I felt like crap. I went in to work (with Owen) and told the assistant director I felt horrible and asked if there was any way I could leave early. Nope, I was told. We're short-handed as it is so suck it up and get to work. Great. Owen's school starts at 11:30 so I leave work to take him to school at 11:15. At 10:30 he ran down to my room (we've been having issues with him running out of his room to come to my room, nothing we do seems to help). I put him in a corner with a train so he wouldn't run over the other kids (I was working the 1 year old room). My director came in a few minutes later and asked to speak to me outside. Okay.... so I go out. She proceeds to tell me that Owen punched his teacher and gave her a black eye (!!! He's NEVER punched anyone before) and that the teacher he punched has been working for her for 10 years and she's not going to risk losing her over Owen and yada yada yada. She then proceeds to, whether intentionally or not is debatable, threaten my job either by firing me or forcing me to quit (kicking Owen out and giving me hours she knows I can't work).

I am shocked. Absolutely shocked. I'm also livid at this point. I go back in my room and talk to Owen. He's adament that he didn't punch his teacher. They eventually come back down to my room and take Owen back to his. At 11:15 I go get Owen and take him to school.

When I get back to work I am met by the teacher that Owen "punched" (who, btw, is sporting a nasty black eye), the director and the assistant director. This is when everything comes out. Apparently Owen was playing with a stuffed cat that another kid brought to daycare (a HUGE reason why we stress that you do NOT send toys with your kid to daycare UNLESS they want to share them with EVERYONE). Anyway, the teacher took the cat away from Owen. She then leaned down to do something at the Lego table. Owen crawled underneath the table and jumped up, not realizing the teacher was standing right there. He got her right in the eye. A painful injury, for sure, but the teacher said she does not believe Owen did it on purpose at all. She ran out of the building in pain and crying. The cook saw her run out so went to see what happened. Teacher was in so much pain she couldn't say. Cook then went inside and told Director that teacher had a black eye because Owen punched her (!!!). That's when the director came down to my room. Anyway, once teacher cleared everything up the director and assistant director were both very apologetic and said my job isn't at risk and Owen isn't getting kicked out and whatever. At this point, I don't care. That was a nasty accusation to make about my child and the fact she was threatening my job because of my childs disability was illegal. The director then comes to my room and continues to talk to me about Owen and what we can do to help him and whatever. Her only 2 solutions were "isn't there a drug or something you could put him on that would calm him down?" and "have you tried spanking him? I'm not talking abuse, but maybe if he was spanked hard enough he would realize he can't do that?".

Lord am I glad I can check on Owen anytime I want to when he's at daycare.

Now, my boss is a wonderful person. She's been very accomodating to Owen the last year and a little bit and *she* would never hurt any child. But her oh so helpful suggestions were, well, less than helpful.

When I dropped Owen off at school I called Jason to tell him what was happening. He made some phone calls and got some information for me, should I be fired over this. The EEOC wanted to start a file yesterday, but we declined until we figure out what's going to happen.

Anyway, right now I am being told that "it was all a misunderstanding" and "your job is not at risk and of course we are willing to work with Owen". I am thinking someone realized what was happening was illegal while I was dropping Owen off at school, because they all changed their tunes very quickly by the time I got back.

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful. Jason picked Owen up from daycare at 5, when he got out of work. I ended up staying until 6 because the assistant director wouldn't let me leave, even after all my babies were gone and my work was done.

On a good note.... I was accepted into the Bluegrass Community and Technical College. I also have my FAFSA filed. I will be starting at BCTC next fall, when Owen starts Kindergarten full time. I will be at BCTC for 2 years and then I will transfer to the University of Kentucky. I will be working towards a teaching degree in Special Education. Both of these campuses are right down the road from Owen's school, which is great when you have a "special" child and never know when you'll be called to the school.

Phew, that's more than enough for now! My voice may be gone but my fingers still work great ;) I hope everyone is having a good weekend!

LOL!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29446416/?GT1=43001

"MARQUETTE, Mich. - A Michigan woman with two wombs has given birth to twin daughters — one from each uterus.

The Mining Journal and WLUC-TV report that Sarah Reinfelder's two healthy babies were delivered seven weeks premature Thursday by cesarean section at Marquette General Hospital in the Upper Peninsula.

The 21-year-old Sault Ste. Marie woman has a condition known as uterus didelphys, and doctors say such twin births are rare. The uteri are different sizes, with the larger twin born from the larger uterus.

Dr. Connie Hedmark and Dr. Breanna Pond first delivered Kaylin Joy, then Valerie Marie, the larger twin by one pound. Kaylin Joy weighed 3 pounds, 15 ounces.

Neonatologist Julie Frei says she expects that the twins, who don't have fully developed lung function, likely will be hospitalized for three or four weeks."

I think I have sucessfully scared Jason into never having another baby. LOL! For those who don't know.... a little over a year ago I got the Mirena put in. It sucked. I was having issues with it so went back to the dr, who couldn't find it (!!!). She sent me to have an ultrasound done to find out where it was. We eventually did find it and, 1 excrutiatingly painful appointment later, I had it removed (I think I had it in for less than a month, it sucked that bad.... NEVER AGAIN). Anyway, at the ultrasound it turned out I have uterus didelphys (or "double uterus"). How they missed this with all the ultrasounds I had with Owen, I'm not sure. But it was quite fun to see it on the ultrasound! Very interesting. Anyway, Jason's been freaked out since we found out about this uterus didelphys thing. This morning I showed him the news article and the look on his face was priceless! If only I had my camera out. Needless to say... no babies for us for a loooong time ;)

OT eval results

Owen recently had 2 more sensory assessments done, to help us understand more of his sensory needs. These are the results (in shortened form, there's obviously a LOT more to it).

The first set of results are from the School Companion. The score puts the child in one of 5 sections- "much less", "less", "similar", "more" and "much more". Obviously the goal is to have all "similar" sections.

Registration- measuring the student's awareness of all types of sensation available (ie. runs or bumps into things, doesn't seem to notice when hands or face is soiled). Owen scored a 56, which is in the "more" section.

Seeking- Measuring the student's interest in and pleasure with all types of sensation (ie. hums, whistles, sings or makes other noises through the day). Owen scored a 33, which is in the "much more" section.

Sensitivity- Measuring the student's ability to notice all types of sensation (ie. has difficulty participating in group activities where there is a lot of talking, wants to wipe hands quickly when completing messing tasks). Owen scored a 61, which is in the "similar" section.

Avoiding- Measuring the student's need for controlling the amount and type of sensations available at any time (ie. holds hands over ears to protect from sound, intentionally withdraws from active environments). Owen scored a 40, which is in the "much more" section.

School Factor 1- Measures the students need for external supports to participate in learning. For example, the student may have trouble keeping materials organized or miss oral instructions in class more than others in the classroom. Owen scored a 61, which is in the "much more" section.

School Factor 2- Measures the students awareness and attention within the learning environment. For example, the student may tell others to be quiet, the student may look away from tasks to notice all other activity in the room. Owen scored a 49, which is in the "similar" section.

School Factor 3- Measures the students tolerance within the learning environment. The student may have difficulty tolerating changes in routines, plans and expectations. The student may be easily upset by minor injuries. Owen scored a 50, which is in the "much more" section.

School Factor 4- Measures the students availability for learning within the learning environment. The student may withdraw from activities or appear inactive. Owen scored a 30, which is in the "much more" section.

Auditory- Measures the students response to things heard. The student may seem oblivious within an active environment or may be overly bothered by loud or unexpected noises. Owen scored a 40, which is in the "similar" section (barely- a 37 would have landed him in the "more" section).

Visual- Measures the students repsonse to things seen. The student may notice even small changes in the room or desk organization. The student may avoid eye contact. Owen scored a 37, which is in the "more" section.

Movement- Measures the students responses to the sensations of movement. The student may slouch, slump or sprawl in their chair. They may get up and move around more than other students. Owen scored a 44, which is in the "much more" section.

Touch- Measures the students response to stimuli that touch the skin. The student may be fidgety or disruptive when standing in line or close to other people. They may flinch when you get in close proximity or touch their body. Owen scored a 33, which is in the "much more" section.

Behavior- The behavior section provides a group of items that is associated with sensory responses. For example, the student is frustrated easily or is inefficient in doing things. Owen scored a 36, which is in the "much more" section.

13 sections for a total of 3 "similar", 2 "more" and 8 "much more".

Results of the Sensory Processing Measure-

Vision- score of 59, typical
Hearing- score of 69, some problems
Touch- score of 78, definite dysfunction
Body Awareness- score of 57, typical
Balance and Motion- score of 56, typical
Planning and Ideas- score of 60, some problems
Social Participation- score of 70, definite dysfunction
Total- score of 64, some problems

To sum it up.... Owen has a lot of sensory issues. Surprise!

Pictures!

Meet Sam. Sam is a duck that Owen won at Gattitown last weekend. Sam, the duck, does not quack, as I was quickly told. He speaks English. Betcha never knew a duck who spoke English!

Sam also likes fries and ketchup. He's very lucky that Owen likes to share.

The following pictures were taken at Owen's OT therapy today. I thought it might be fun to get some pictures :)

Loving the swing... (they have TONS of different kinds of swings- this one was today's favorite)

(I swear his OT wasn't upset, but she sure does look like it in all the pictures. She's a very nice woman though!)

The next few pictures are of Owen playing a game with the OT student. He had to blow so that the fish swam around, and then use the net to catch them. He had a blast!

And then he got to be Tarzan, which he LOVED! He tried to make it to 100 swings, but only lasted to 18. Maybe next time!

Getting the royal treatment (AKA- deep pressure) after swinging.

Now it's time for feeding...

And the best part.... LOOK AT WHAT HE'S WEARING!!!! Yes, the boy who just 3 weeks ago flipped out when faced with any clothing other than pj's is wearing KHAKI PANTS AND A LONG SLEEVE SHIRT!!! Amazing progress. He still fought me when it was time to get dressed, but not for long (once I get him buckled in the carseat he generally stops any fighting). The deal we have is he wears clothes until he gets out of school (at 2:30) and then he can change into pj's for daycare (which is from 3-6). Today he got dressed at 9am, went to therapy and then to school. After school I forgot his pj's. CRAP! I thought for sure I'd hear the mother of all meltdowns. But when I told him I forgot his pj's and was sorry his response was "Oh, okay. We can get them after daycare". WHAT?!? Where did this child come from?! LOL! So he ended up wearing clothes from 9am to almost 7pm without flipping out!! That's the longest he's worn clothes in probably 4 months!