Today was our first Occupational Therapy visit.  The goal of today's meeting (and next week) is to further evaluate and better understand Nathan's needs and skill deficits.  Then we will be able to start working toward solutions and skills.  Our therapist is awesome and did great with Nathan!  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers as we continue the evaluation journey!

In other news... Annie has learned to ride a two wheeler!!!!  I took them both on a bike ride through a local park recently... oops, too soon.  I didn't take into consideration that Annie hasn't been on her bike that long and has trouble staying on a paved area, nor did I think about the "trail" being in the woods and somewhat secluded.  Annie was running into the bushes left and right and Nathan was sure we were lost in the woods forever!  I think we'll stick to the neighborhood a little while longer.  It was a little more of a physical, emotional and patience challenge than any of us were up for, ha!

It's the first night of the Olympics and I am thinking about planning our own family Olympic watching night, complete with some USA treats.  I don't know what this party will look like but the dollar store can usually provide some inspiration! I'd better get on that! I only have a few hours left!

Follow Up

Yesterday's appointment showed that it is very unlikely that Nathan has seizures.  We did not end up doing an EEG yesterday, however the doctor ordered a "sleep deprived EEG" in order to be sure that he is right about the seizures and test Nathan's sleep patterns.  That is scheduled for Wednesday August 1.  We will have to keep him up until 1:30 am and wake him up again at 7am... hmmm... I guess we'll have to go out to do something fun and kid friendly until 1:30 am, ha! (any ideas???)

Currently, Annie and Nathan both are working on new recipes for breakfast.  Apparently, the same old thing isn't cutting it anymore.  Nathan created american cheese rolls stuffed with whipped cream and Annie has created Almond milk/V8 smoothie aka "pink milk."  I have been awarded the honor of taste tester.  Wow! These are SOMETHING!  (I haven't finished one yet ... to which they said, "It's ok, it's just for fun!" Whew! I'm off the hook!)

This is it, today is the day.  We're off to great places, we're off and away!  Thank you Dr. Seuss, I find that your poetry is fitting for so many things in my life.

We are not off and away quite yet.  We will leave for the neurologist at 1:00 this afternoon.  Nathan decided he would rather have a PET scan, because it's cooler and 3-D. HAHAHA!!! I told him the doctor would have to decide that for him.

I am feeling nervous but maybe it's the ENTIRE pot of coffee I have drunk... well just 8 cups as measured by the coffee pitcher.  To pass the time, I painted Annie's toenails, found my favorite dress on sale at modcloth.com (didn't purchase though!) and ordered tickets for Mark to a concert in October.

We found out yesterday that Nathan's name is up on the waiting list for Occupational Therapy!! He starts next Friday at 11:30 am.... yes!  I hope to get some skills from the therapists that will help him at home.  It will be a spendy treatment plan, so please be praying that we have extra earning opportunities and are able to skim and rearrange our budget to fit in the new expenses.

Well... time to get lunch going, get Nathan dressed and head out.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

Ok, so it's been a very, very, very, VEEERRRRYYYY long time since I have posted.  So much has happened as the time has passed.  N is now starting 2nd grade in the Fall, A is starting Kinder.  I have a Master's Degree in School Counseling and M is getting the swim people to soar to high heights!!!

I am currently redecorating.  I have zero vision for what that will look like, yet I feel renewed as I feverishly post on craigslist and, one by one, watch items go.

The latest news is that N has been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder also referenced as Sensory Processing Disorder (this is not yet in the DSM V).  We have, for a long time, known that he was a brilliant boy that struggled a bit with making it all fit together.  This last year, that became more prominent as the stress of school, schedules and transitions were too much for him.  This diagnosis has given us a lot of insight to how his brain works and things we can do to help him learn how to manage himself in the world.  It's a day by day learning experience... I learned earlier last week, I just have to wait for the thoughts to be expressed.

As we were getting dressed for swimming lessons, we had a delightful conversation about equity between women and men:
N: Mom, I really want to wear my swim shirt to swim lessons today.
Me: Ok, sounds good, how come?
N: Because I don't want to show my nipples.
Me: Ok, how come?
N: Well, you know it's not fair.
Me: What's not fair?
N: Well, girls, you know like my sister, can't show theirs so I don't think I should show mine.
Me: Well ok, then, let's find your shirt.

WOW!  I had no idea that would be in his brain!

He will be going for an EEG on Thursday of this week to verify suspicion that he has absence seizures.  He and I wikipedia-ed the procedure and he is excited to look like a robot... he even asked if he would be able to bring the electrodes home (He thinks they would make a great costume!)!!

A has been a gem through this whole process, recognizing the appropriateness of being supportive and talking to and encouraging her brother when he is frustrated and helping to break tasks into small steps.  She deserves the best sister award... I hope I can show her what a special 5 & 1/2 year old she is!  She is VERY excited to be finished with Preschool and looking forward to Kindergarten.  Soon we will be searching for backpacks, pencil boxes, supplies and clothes!  I don't know who is more excited, A or me!!!  We just rearranged her room so she has more play space and can have her castle tent up all the time (thanks Grandma Sweetie!).  She has already planned play dates with friends to use it!

That's all for now!!!
LOVE from all of us.