Here’s a quick update…. We’ve been a busy little family!
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| His astronaut hat :) |
My sweet baby Cooper is a full blown toddler who has taken the terrible two mantra very seriously. He keeps us all so busy… From yelling NO! Get down, put that down, stop, come back... to smiling at his funny quirky self who flung Christmas dinner like and angry bird off his fork where it splattered all over my floor (the dogs were happy). To laughing as he swivels his hips and dances to music or lays on the floor to do push-ups like his brother and uncle. He brings so much light to all of our lives. Today as he and big brother Keegan were taking a bath he insisted on dumping water on Keegan’s head to rinse his hair out… isn’t he sweet? LOL
Keegan was on track break for the month of November during which he was very busy doing Intensive Physical Therapy, which I will get to a little later. He’s also been very busy now that we are back in ABA therapy; he is able to pick up a spoon from his bowl and take a bite (28 out of 32 times one day!) and very much on his way to feeding himself! He adjusted well to getting back into the routine of school and therapy. We had to fight our insurance to continue getting ABA therapy as they changed their requirements… Now Keegan has a diagnosis of ASD. What’s one more label!? Don’t get me started on how irritating it is to have to have a specific name brand diagnosis to get a service when my kid has the same need if not more as a kid with said name brand diagnosis. I am still boycotting cutting his hair, it’s getting long and curly crazy (sometimes bird’s nest-y) and everyone loves it but dad. Hence the boycott!
Conner is attending a new school. We decided to try out a local charter school that focuses on literature and reading (one of Conner’s strengths).I am not cut out for homeschooling. I gave it my best shot. It’s “not for us” and I we are all so much happier. He will be seeing a neuropsychologist in January where we hope to find more answers as to what is going on with him. As I mentioned before he was diagnosed with ADD three years ago. We've had no success with any treatment method this far. Of course I couldn't get the “easy” ADD… is that even out there?
All in all these kids alone keep me busy!
We had a wonderful Christmas. Family came to visit from California, and my little brother was home from basic training… I don’t think I have ever baked so much! With a handful of teachers, 8 therapists, doctors, specialists, bus drivers, and other wonderful people in our lives, I had a lot of treat tins to give out! Boy were we busy with holiday festivities, I love the memories we make during this time of year!
Now I am gearing up for next year, with it comes a new project. I have decided to begin raising money so that other children can receive intensive physical therapy. There are so many kids that could benefit from this therapy and it is not currently covered by Medicaid and most insurances. I will be working diligently to get events and fundraisers planned.
Did you know that this therapy is touted with teaching kids to walk? That was not our expectation going into this... But that alone had me super excited! If other kids can learn to walk it must be fabulous! My only hope was to see some developmental gain… Which we did! Keegan’s improvements were incredible! He is now standing without support and maintaining balance for up to 5 minutes! He can crawl (although finding the motivation has been a challenge)! His muscle tone has improved drastically; he is no longer stiff like a board, which makes it easier to get him in and out of his car seat and wheelchair. He learned how to transition from sitting to standing and vice versa as well as going from a crawling position to standing and vice versa. He is walking with support much better! We are now having him walk from bed to the living room every morning, and having him stand rather than picking him up off the floor. I am guilty of not making Keegan do things because it seems faster to do everything myself. We are trying to implement his new skills into our daily routines. His therapist is confident that one day he will be able to walk with the assistance of a walker! They would like Keegan to complete this therapy 3 times in a year… Looking forward to what he gets next time! I also look forward to seeing other kids come out of this program, and what they gain from it. (If you want to see the videos... check our Facebook page!)
Was that quick enough?? I am fresh out of time! One last thing... We didn't get around to sending out cards so here ya go:
We would like to wish you a very SWEET New year!
With Love from our Family!
