How 'Bout Some Crack?

I couldn't help but share this. I know there's been some controversy on a pal's blog about posting baby 'butts', but I felt like this covered more than it showed. It's justified in my head :P

Lil man kept walking around trying to keep his pants up. He eventually just gave up on it. He's still in size 18 month pants too!! (and he's 27 months)

Double Standards

Here are some examples:

Milestone- Logen learned how to unbuckled himself in his booster seat yesterday. I know this when my hair is being pulled. I freak out thinking, "Crap, Did I really forgot to buckle him in?" I pull over, and buckle him in. A few minutes later, he's tugging on my hair again. I'm thinking, "Wait a minute. Logen, are you seriously unbuckling yourself? YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!! Way to go big man! I am so proud of you."

Realization: Had Parker been tugging on my hair; he wouldn't have gotten a "yay, I'm proud of you" He'd have been in trouble and a speech about how "We don't climb out of our car seats in a moving vehicles, blah, blah, blah"

So, what do you do in these cases? Is it fair to praise one child for something and punish the other b/c they 'know better'? Do we praise when Parker is not around? This (and there have been and will be many more times when similiar things will occur) is HUGE for Logen. He was able to isolate his pointer finger, turn his head to look down, and PUSH hard enough to get the seat belt unbuckled! Holy Cow. Thats amazing!!!!!!! Dangerous, yes. But he's only doing it (atleast today!) when we get into parking spots. And, you can bet he's the first to be unbuckled!


~~~~~~~~

Logen bit Parker last night. Parker cried b/c it hurt- Logen nearly drew blood. He bites hard. Since Tabasco round 1 Parker has not bitten. He's been warned and he cries histerically 'no sauce'. So, Parker says-- 'Bubba bite. Hot Sauce'. Adam and I were like, "oh. hmmm." You see, Logen doesn't quite feel (nor taste) like you and I. We both knew it wouldn't bother him. But, again, do you do it to one child and not the other? I felt comfort in the fact that it wouldn't burn Logen's tongue (just in case he doesn't really know what's up). I put a tiny, tiny amount in a dropper and put in on his tongue so Parker could see me. Logen didn't cry. He didn't flinch. Adam & I knew that this was most likely the response we would get, but Parker was staring at him with this look like, 'wait a minute. Is that the same bottle of sauce you put on my tongue b/c it hurt and I cried?!?!'

I just don't know on that one. I think it was a good example to set for Parker. If you bite, you will get nasty stuff on your tongue (that doesn't upset your brother).

Being a parent is no simple task. We face challenges every day, in every way. And, like all (good, loving) parents- we do what we know to work through them. But, sometimes I'm asking you--we doubt ourselves. So, I'd like to know what would you do?

Trashy Read # 2

I'm working on finishing the 'leaked' 5th book in the Twilight series (it's online if anybody is interested... it's GOOD!) But, my next trashy read is another Chelsea book. I have so much serious-ness in my life- I'm going with total crap to read!!! I 'you-tubed' her and she's got some funny stuff out there! I'll post one here. Just don't allow your kids to watch them... :)

Suggestions to Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses On And Point A Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice!

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries With That.

4. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks . Once Everyone Has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch To Espresso.

5. In the "Memo Field" Of All Your Checks, Write ' For Marijuana '.

6. Skip Down The Hall Rather Than Walk And See How Many Looks You Get.

7. Order A Diet Water Whenever You Go Out To Eat, With A Serious Face.

8. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go'.

9. Sing Along At The Opera.

10 Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You Have A Headache.

11 When The Money Comes Out Of The ATM, Scream 'I Won! I Won!'

12 When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking Lot, Yelling 'Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!'

13. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'

And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity
14. PICK UP A BOX OF CONDOMS AT THE PHARMACY, GO TO THE COUNTER AND ASK WHERE THE FITTING ROOM IS.

** I so wish I was brave enough to do every one of these. How funny would that be?? I'd be the ding-bat to get arrested though... **

I Dropped It!

That darned Calculus class is out of my head for the next several weeks. I dropped it. After I realized I needed to devote a lot more time to microbiology than I was- I knew cut backs needed to be made somewhere and Math seemed like the appropriate place to cut.... I hate that subject anyways. I'm only enrolled in 10 hours now, and much relieved I must say!

Phew... I need sleep.... Long day ahead! Love & Hugs Blog Fam!!

Funny

After the Twilight series I needed a book to read. Miss Julie (Parker's teacher) brought me a friggin' funny one. It's absolutely filthy!!! It was a quick read (and didn't totally suck me in as the Vampire's did...) I so needed to laugh! I read a few chapters to Adam last night, he even got a kick out of it. It made me feel good knowing there really are trashy, but composed women out there. Why I want to know this... I don't know. If you want a good laugh and to live vicariously in the drunken life of a female brain- read this one :P

Sleepless Night

Right after I hit post last night, things went WAY down hill! Parker woke up with a cough that got REALLY bad. We did the steam room thing and breathing treatments. Luckily, my Step-Dad is a respiratory therapists- and he was working last night. So, I paged him- he was able to listen to Parker and have the input of some co-workers. We did Xopenex once an hour, Tylenol Cough, Humidifier, steam/cold bursts- I think that was it. It was rough. We opted not to go to the ER b/c the only thing different they would have done was an IV steriod.
I took him to the Dr today- he's got Croup w/ Strider. We added a steriod and will keep up the Pulmicort (2x a day) and Xopenex (every 4 hours).
His eczema is also looking yucky on his face, so we got a steriod cream to apply 2x a day.
Little dude's going to be so hyped up on Steriods.

* Logen's Keppra was increased Tuesday as his seizures have increased. We didn't see any today. Yay :)

Parker + Tabasco = Good Choices

Odd, I know. Abusive- I disagree.

Parker bit the snot out of Logen on Saturday. Bruised the poo out of his arm, nearly brought blood. He was also 'kicked out of school early' Friday for biting 2 children, 1 who did bleed- on the leg! By Saturday Adam & I were searching for things to do next. My mom said Tabasco worked for me. I was a 'little sh*t', just like Parker... so was Adam. Now you see where Parker came from?! Paybacks! haha

Back to the story-> we gave him less than .5mL of the hot stuff. Poor little man cried and cried. He had milk in a sippy on the table (but he didn't go for it and Adam and I didn't remind him to drink) nor did we cuddle him. Let me tell you how much that broke my heart. His face was so red and he was screaming. I felt like the worst mother in the world! He sat in Logen's chair all by himself and cried it out, making terrible little faces at us.

(Totally knocking on wood here!) He has NOT bitten since!!!!!!!!!! We gave gummies at daycare yesterday for 'good choices'. Today I hung gummies from his cubby where he could see them all day to remind him to make good choices.

When I got to daycare today, one of the girls in his class ran up to me and said- "Parker didn't bite today!". 2 other kids commented on his 'no biting status'. We've made a HUGE deal about his great choices- so I am hoping it sticks! Poor kid isn't going to have any friends if he bites!

He also 'pee-pee'd' in the potty 2x today at school :)

Hmmm....

I realized in the past week that maybe 13 hours (with Calculus and Microbiology!), Motherhood, a biting toddler, and a SN Kindergartner don't mesh together quite like my little mind mapped out. Of course- who could picture their 2 y/o biting?!?! haha

Today, we got our Micro tests back. The average was a 68! Doesn't that tell the teacher something???? I was relieved to get a 71. Pathetic, I know. I have NEVER gotten a C! I should be in tears! I'm actually happy about it. When he told us the lowest grade was a 35 I was flipping out thinking, "It's mine!". He even had a 19 in one of his other classes. Again, does that not tell the guy something?!?! I won't make it a habit, I promise! Totally going to screw up my GPA. Maybe I can pull things together. We can drop 1 exam. Maybe this will be my lowest, I cannot help but think it won't be.

I read the Twilight series (4 books) in less than 2 weeks. Maybe I should have put that off until Spring Break.... I recommend you submerse yourself in those books too. I passed them off to 2 other people, 1 'hates' me for it. She's adicted now. I think it's great b/c now she knows how I felt. :P

Logen & His "Talker"

I found Mr Logen chillin' in the kitchen the other day with his talker. I couldn't resist taking a picture of it!
He does pretty good with it. If he had better hand coordination, I think he'd be zapping through it very quickly.

For those of you that have asked: Logen uses the Vantage Plus by Prentke Romich. The device uses the unity language, which is different and takes some getting used to for those of us who already have our language mapped out- but I'm learning with Logen!

More Seizure Activity

My little Logen! He had another at school this morning. Followed by buckets of drool, tongue clicking, and a pale face (taking about 30 minutes to regain color).

I have heard back from St Louis (I also put in a call to our state hospital's Neuro) The nurse said it sounded like time to increase meds. I told her my concerns about that. I do NOT like the Keppra and I am not happy with increasing that medication. 1) He doesn't eat to well on it. Although his appetite has come back for the most part- he's still not gaining any weight and hasn't in a year
2) Behavior! It makes him crazy! I don't like the way it affects his behavior/attitude

She was going to talk to the Neuro and call me back shortly.
I want seizures under control for good!

UGH!

Logen had a seizure at school this morning. :( He went to the nurses office for a bit to re-gain color and 'perkiness'.

I look like I've been hit by about 10 Mac trucks, worse- I feel like I've been run over by about 35 of them. You know it's bad when a dear friend says you look rough. It has been the week from hell. Pardon my language.

Logen has a Dr's appt this afternoon, will update soon.

Happy Note: He made a 6-hit sequence on his "talker" w/ Ms Gail yesterday!!!!!!! More than once... he did it before he put in every single puzzle piece. Not b/c she asked him to, but b/c Logen wanted to! I was so stinkin' excited!

A Seizure & More Biting

Logen has increased his drooling lately. He's also had a few episodes of 'foamy' vomit after eating. Not more than an hour after talking with one of his therapists about not seeing any more seizure activity, guess who has a seizure?!?! Yea... go figure. I think we also need to do a more complete swallow study. He has a barium study scheduled for March, but I'm thinking we need to move it up. He sees the Ped Thursday for a well child check- at least now we have a few things to talk about. :(

Logen has started biting at school! What the poo?!?!?!?! He made many attempts to bite friends today and actually bit 2 teachers! I assure you, we are not taking any biting in our house lightly. I don't think our method of action (time-out and a talking to, then apologizing [by sign or otherwise]) is working... we are working on this.

I think both children biting has something to do with frustration over lack of communication. I think that Logen has so much to say, Parker does as well- and well- things just aren't being communicated.

Bodily Functions

Parker pee-peed on the potty this morning (for the first time EVER at home!). We did a happy dance and clapped and he got a 'ummy'. (AKA gummy worm) He also talked me into stopping at the Golden Arches for a sausage biscuit.

Moral of the story: Pee in the potty

He peed in the potty twice at daycare today (halfway on the floor once.) His response to the floor mishap, "Oh".

Tonight I sit completely freaking out about exams, the stinker takes off his pull-up and poops on my floor. It hits the pillow on the way down. This incident took maybe 30 seconds. Not long enough for me to catch it. So, I have a poop mess on my floor and pillow (this is why I love not having carpet!)

Little dude goes and finishes on the toilet. He squeezes out a drop (pellet, whatever) and requests a 'ummy' and the dance. We did it, of course reminding him that we START and FINISH pooping in the pot! Silly kid!

Math, Oh, Math

I'm surrounded by NUMBERS and going NUTS! How many days have I been in Calculus H***???

When I went in to ask about something I missed Monday (of the ice storm week) b/c Logen was sick. She looked at my grades and complemented me. She said, "If only all my students were like you"!! Her grandson goes to Logen's school- we ended up talking for a while (so now she knows our 'story'). I think she likes me! She's been very kind ever since!

So, I *think* she offered me an extension on my test. (waiting for the email to confirm) I mentioned 'babysitter issues' for tomorrow afternoon (therapy schedules, my classes, my mom is out of town, etc) and just asked if I could schedule a time to test. She said, why don't you just take it before class on Wednesday? I was like, um... ok!

Math Bologna

I'm not sure I can do it. Math, seriously scares me. How I made it through to the point I am now- I just don't really know. I am working on me review and discouraged. I want to drop this class. I could go to Isis and drop it this very moment. I will have to take it eventually. I'm just not motivated to do it now. I feel like a failure when I miss problems!

I know we've got bigger fish to fry. But, I can have my pity party over 16 weeks of mathematical hell. I'd rather be suffering in French again. At least there's a concrete answer/reason for that! I'm not ever going to need this crap again!

Doctors... Ugh!

I saw a real idiot this week. He mixed up my urine with somebody elses. I know what color my pee is! And, he argued with me! (I'll post more on this later...)

Why I want to be a Doctor and get bashed, I'm not sure. About the bashing part that is. I bash them. You know you do it. We all say, "I hate Dr's", "They are stupid." Why am I putting myself through educational hell to be told I am stupid?!?!?! And, it's only going to get worse. Oh, boy!

I'm avoiding studying for a Calculus test. How do you study for math. I really dislike math, incase you didn't know. I post frequently when I avoid things. There's a pattern there. I am sure I will post some pictures tonight. I do that too.

Congrats! You failed your eval...

After Parker's OT re-eval this morning, we got a congrats (how many of your therapists can jokingly say that to you? haha) For failing. Mr Parker is in the 5%. He really failed. I was prepared for this one though. I figured he'd end up in therapy eventually.

So, hopefully now that he qualifies for OT and Speech- we can get some state aid in the form of TEFRA (it's not income based, we just pay a small premium- but you only qualify for this when you qualify for 2 therapies). B/c we know how bad insurance sucks! They'd deny him, like Logen (who, obviously needs therapy!)

I am happy with this decision b/c I think it will benefit him (and me!). I am not sure where in the world I will pull time to take him in with our schedule already so insane, but we do what we need to do.

** Dallas-- T and I decided P & S are alot alike! (esp after this mornings 'interesting' eval) Happy late bday to you & S!!!!!

Updates

My Internet finally works again! YAY! We managed to keep our power most of last week, only losing it for a few hours. My mom lost hers for 5 days. We have friends that are still w/o power. FEMA has stepped in to help our area. It was a nasty ice storm! I've got some neat pictures of our home. We had icicles as long as Parker is tall. The University looked like a tornado hit the tops of all the trees, it was probably the yuckiest I've seen "in person".

Crazy stuff going on. I thought Parker was going to be kicked out of daycare for his biting today. I had a meeting with the site and program Directors this morning. Talk about anxiety! I am at a loss. I don't know what to do with him. He's got an OT eval in the morning. I think he's got some serious sensory issues. He was in the 16th percentile on his last eval 6 or 8 months ago, which put him like 1-2% away from qualifing. He also qualifies for Speech, there are some delays there. Insurance denies that, they say he's too young. They are still denying Logen too- who would guess a 5 y/o non-verbal child NEEDS speech. Idiots. I hate insurance! I expected 'therapy' from Parker, since he joined the world a little early. Just add another thing to our 'plate'. Why not? Apparently... I can handle it. HAHAHA

Any tips for biters? PLEASE tell me! We are DESPERATE here!

I have a Calculus test Tuesday, Paper due Wednesday, and a Microbio test Thursday. Not to mention we missed all of last week b/c the area shut down with ice. I am going to go nuts this weekend. Just shoot me now.

No word on little Logen's results, yet. Trying to get more therapy. I wish we had more therapists around here! Or better yet, less children with the need for therapy. I am sure we can all agree with that one! I wish my Logen wasn't in such need.

I'm having some 'me stuff' issues. We've been internet-less for the last week- but I'm not sure how much I'll be posting. I'm working on things. It's just hard.