Back to School: Fall of Twenty Twelve

It's not a huge surprise that Jace loves school! Now that he is in first grade and had transitioned to full days last year as a kindergartner, I let him resume riding the bus. Tears solely belong to mom! He's been back a full 4 days and is rocking the use of his switches, and has already mastered wrapping his substitute teacher around his finger...he is a very likeable little boy! After a summer of many new events including a sleep study and finally a new neurologist and a revision in his diagnosis which will take us to new territories (medications). My fear is that it will change his personality though I know it very well could make his life so much better. It's been very educational to say the least as we venture towards medication with little information on its effects on children. Jace has been on the go with rapid movements since birth. Will he finally gain weight and will this medicine effectively calm his legs during his sleep? So many questions and little answers are weighted on my shoulders as I contemplate the effects. Since we are still waiting to receive the medication (that is an experience on its own), I have worked on more home positioning with Jace as recommended by therapists. Though I do struggle to do this particular exercise with him on my own, a mom can only handle so many fat lips and head butts. It will just be one day at a time as so far, I can not find any long term effects from the prescribed medication, keep us in your thoughts! :)

Summertime fun!

Jace did not escape the summer time colds this year, but it least he's getting it over with before school starts! As he was too sick to participate in his therapies last week, he decided we should do some art work, one of his choices in his communication book. It was a matter of minutes before he had painted the both of us as he was not all that interested in painting the paper. Silly boy! He was quite pleased with himself...as painting was just getting out of hand, I opted to use his yellow colored bubbles for which he practiced learning how to make bubbles by blowing.  An eruption of giggles at the thought of this was all I could get out of him. As long as he's having fun, that's all that really matters.

Assistive Technology...we love it!

Summer Vacation...so far!

Here Jace is working hard, just before his break...he powers through...like a trooper!

Awww...the smile of just having ran Grandma into the kitchen island...he ran her down...sorry Grandma!

 

He had so much fun hitting the ball this season...his last game he was the most interactive he had been, displaying that smile we all fall in love with! 

So far...

Friday afternoon, we celebrated the end of kindergarten by sitting outside, throwing birdseed towards the emu's who I think may have preferred us feeding them grapes but Jace seems to enjoy the feel of the birdseed right now. Saturday, Jace was full of giggles as he nearly ran over Grandma in his hart walker, and laughing all the way doing so! Sunday, Jace enjoyed a bbq at my cousin's house and really seemed to like when I fed him deviled eggs! Looking forward to an exciting week with him, and hoping to get him in his hart walker and play t-ball outside with his sisters!

‎"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope." ~Maya Angelou

Who's in charge?

The last few months, Jace has been working hard with a speech and OT team, towards establishing better communication methods. It has been the most wonderful time spent for both Jace and myself, as Jace is really starting to get his voice! Today, it was discovered that Jace really likes being in charge! It is no secret that Jace has me wrapped around his finger. I just adore him, his personality, and his everlasting smile. He has begun to grab my hands and arms when I ask him questions using his "yes" and "no" cues...I've discovered he really wants to make sure I understand his wants and needs. He is excited about developing this ability, beyond facial cues and guesses! This method has really spurred my communication with Jace and he knows now more than ever that I am listening, and if I am not asking the right question, we've learned that powerful question of "something else", which leads to him using his "yes" cue and finding out what he needs to tell me.

What a flirt!

As Jace is finishing up Kindergarten, I have learned what a little flirt he really is. He laughs and giggles with the little girls that come into help in his classroom...it appears there is one recently that everyone has noticed a change in his behavior when he sees her. He is just a little flirt, he knows he's cute and he loves hearing it! :)