Wow, today was quite eventful. This morning Kate asked me for a Reiki session. She asked me for a FULL Reiki session actually. Not just 10 or 15 minutes. On the table and everything. Cool! Some great healing went on today!
Later, we were in a rush to get to Kate's session at 1:00 and we went out the door and as I shut it I realized that I didn't grab my keys. So, I locked us out. I called BB and told what happened and I was, luckily, able to reschedule. I really didn't want Kate to miss today. It is much more fun for both of us after a session! Anyway, my neighbor's mom tried to help break into our apartment with a credit card, and I was actually quite relieved that it didn't work! I texted my friend and told her we couldn't meet her at the bouncy house place and she offered to help. My neighbor's mom went to find her neighbor who might have a ladder. Meanwhile, I went around back just to see how far up it is to my balcony. Kate was just playing on the back balcony and I didn't think that I locked the door when she came in. So, as I was looking to see how high it was, I saw a tree that looked climbable. The branches are a little thin, but hey, so am I so I don't need much support. I climbed up the tree, it was kinda hard, and managed to pull myself up onto the outside of the balcony, climb over the wall and open the sliding glass door. YAY. It was unlocked!! I was so happy that Kate had played out there not 10 minutes before! So, I called my friend told her we were off to the session, then my neighbor's mom came with a guy to help, I thanked them so much, and we got to the session by 1:30. Kate was quite helpful throughout all this, thank goodness. She even said to be careful when I was climbing the tree :)
Then, after Kate's session we tried to hurry to the bouncy house place to play with our friends but we got there as they were coming out to go to their BB session. OOO, Kate was not happy about that and she decided that she didn't even want to play. That was fine.
So, we went to the trampoline place again. It was so fun. Then Kate tweaked her knee. She really didn't want to stop playing, but it was hurting enough that she sat down and asked for Reiki again. We sat there for about 20 minutes and I told her to tell her knee that she wanted to jump and to stop hurting. She said, "I'm not going to tell it that, but I am holding that intention." She cracks me up. So, a few minutes later she was up and limping a bit. We played for a bit longer, mostly me bouncing her while she sat or laid down on the tramp. But after a little bit of that she got up and was jumping and running around. At one point we were jumping together in a circle and she got pulled out by the force and fell on her face. She got hurt again! But luckily no blood and it only took 2 minutes to recover. She didn't want to leave but it was after dinner time so we headed home.
What a day!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Grocery Store
Well, going to the grocery store with Kate is always an experience. We haven't really taken her to the store with us in over a year. So, it is interesting here because I don't have a choice. Here are some recent conversations:
Kate: "What are you going to make with that?" to a guy picking out iceberg lettuce.
Guy: "I am gonna make taco salad. Do you like lettuce?"
Kate: "Yes, but we don't get that kind."
Guy: "My kid's don't like it, but I make um eat it cause it's healthy."
Kate: "What else are you going to buy?"
Guy: "Well, I need some tomatoes."
Kate: "I will go help you pick them out!" And she starts to walk away from me and with this guy over to the tomatoes on the other side of the veggie section. At this point, I stop her and tell her to help her mom!! The guy says that he can find the tomatoes and that she should help me instead. Ha! I have to keep a close eye on her, she'll be going home with someone and helping them with dinner!
Here's another:
Kate: "What are you going to do with that?"
Guy: "I'm gonna put it on my sandwiches when I go 4-wheelin'."
Kate: "Cabbage on sandwiches?"
Guy: "It's not cabbage, it's lettuce."
Kate: "Ummm, I think it's cabbage."
Guy: "Well, it looks like cabbage, but it's lettuce."
Kate: still not convinced, "Ok"
Kate made friends with an 84 year old woman yesterday. The woman was asking us all sorts of questions about vegetables, since we had in an assortment in our basket. She looked at all our veggies and asked what some of them were. She had me pick out an avocado for her! Kate was letting her know to eat onions with cauliflower, but not avocado and cauliflower. And the lady went over and picked out some cauliflower to try it with onions! She got a big kick out of Kate and said that Kate was fun to be around. She is a retired teacher and Kate really liked her, she even said so today again.
Anyway, mostly it makes me laugh all the things she comes up with when talking to people. When I think of the others, I'll post them. I'm off to bed. I decided to go to bed by 9 on school nights :)
Kate: "What are you going to make with that?" to a guy picking out iceberg lettuce.
Guy: "I am gonna make taco salad. Do you like lettuce?"
Kate: "Yes, but we don't get that kind."
Guy: "My kid's don't like it, but I make um eat it cause it's healthy."
Kate: "What else are you going to buy?"
Guy: "Well, I need some tomatoes."
Kate: "I will go help you pick them out!" And she starts to walk away from me and with this guy over to the tomatoes on the other side of the veggie section. At this point, I stop her and tell her to help her mom!! The guy says that he can find the tomatoes and that she should help me instead. Ha! I have to keep a close eye on her, she'll be going home with someone and helping them with dinner!
Here's another:
Kate: "What are you going to do with that?"
Guy: "I'm gonna put it on my sandwiches when I go 4-wheelin'."
Kate: "Cabbage on sandwiches?"
Guy: "It's not cabbage, it's lettuce."
Kate: "Ummm, I think it's cabbage."
Guy: "Well, it looks like cabbage, but it's lettuce."
Kate: still not convinced, "Ok"
Kate made friends with an 84 year old woman yesterday. The woman was asking us all sorts of questions about vegetables, since we had in an assortment in our basket. She looked at all our veggies and asked what some of them were. She had me pick out an avocado for her! Kate was letting her know to eat onions with cauliflower, but not avocado and cauliflower. And the lady went over and picked out some cauliflower to try it with onions! She got a big kick out of Kate and said that Kate was fun to be around. She is a retired teacher and Kate really liked her, she even said so today again.
Anyway, mostly it makes me laugh all the things she comes up with when talking to people. When I think of the others, I'll post them. I'm off to bed. I decided to go to bed by 9 on school nights :)
Appreciation
The best way to accomplish an improved environment is to focus upon the best things about where you currently are until you flood your own vibrational patterns of thought with appreciation, and in that changed vibration, you can then allow the new-and-improved conditions and circumstances to come into your experience.
Look for good things about where you are, and in your state of appreciation, you lift all self-imposed limitations (and all limitations are self-imposed) and you free yourself for the receiving of wonderful things.
--- Abraham The last few days have been a little rough for both of us. I am so happy that I get these daily quotes. This one especially will help me to turn things toward a more positive light.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Session 6
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| Kate picked out some blue paper and I put sparkle modpodge over the top. They are really sparkly, the picture doesn't really show it. |
Today was Kate's computer day and she wore the blocking glasses for the whole hour. Yay! Basically, the computer, tv or any screen stimulates the left brain. So it's important to wear the glasses while doing these activities so that the left brain is being blocked and the right brain stimulated more. We want to reduce or halt any stimulation to her left brain. It's fat enough already :) And we want to exercise the right, it's a little wimpy right now. That's the idea. So the blocking glasses block her right eye, the stimulation goes in the left eye and crosses to the right brain. Same with the earplug, but I will start her on that tomorrow.
Session 6 went great today! Brianna said she was so cooperative that they got done early and had extra time. She was pretty tired after and only played at the bounce place for 15 minutes and was done. She was too tired to go in the grocery store also. So we made it a quick trip and went home to rest.
At bedtime, she was saying how Brianna is pretty relaxed but the cognitive coach said Sshhh to her and she hates being shushed. I told her she can tell people that she doesn't like that and she said "I told her that it hurts my feelings. I don't know why it does. Hopefully Brain Balance will work and, you know, balance both sides." "And then you won't be so sensitive?" I asked. "Yea." she said.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
A great reminder for me!
THE DAILY GROOVE ~ by Scott Noelle
www.enjoyparenting.com/dailygroove
www.enjoyparenting.com/dailygroove
:: Resistance Is Futile ::
You can't resist something without focusing your
attention on it. And whatever you focus on becomes
a *bigger* part of your experience.
So the way to end the unwanted behavior of a child
(without resorting to violence) is to *stop trying to
end it!*
Instead, look for ways to think differently about the
behavior, until you feel your resistance softening.
You might think, "I can understand how he feels," or
"She's finding her way," or "It's not the end of the
world," or even, "It's *okay* for me to resist this...
but I feel better when I let it go."
The less you resist, the more creative you can be, and
the more you can *inspire* a change rather than having
to force one.
http://dailygroove.net/resistance
Take the next step...
Join the PATH Program:
http://www.enjoyparenting.com/path/info
Get "The Daily Groove" BOOK!
http://www.enjoyparenting.com/book
Share this groove on...
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Twitter(Please include this paragraph and everything above.)
Copyright (c) 2012 by Scott Noelle
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Shopping
We got the safety glasses and earplugs today at Home Depot. Kate gets to wear them everyday for up to 2 hours. I will block the right eye on the glasses (with tape or something) and she will wear an earplug in her right ear. So we are blocking all stimulation to the left brain and the right brain is getting the stimulation instead. I showed her some earplugs to pick from and she picked the orange ones. When I asked her if she would actually wear them she replied "Yes I will. I have always liked ear protection!" LOL.
We had an issue with some negativity today. She was so tired, couldn't do the exercises for about 2 hours, was being quite bossy with me, the works. So finally I figured it out and after being in separate rooms for a while, we worked together to reestablish a positive vibe. We played the Moolamantra, at her suggestion, and created a loving space once again. Phew. She was so happy the rest of the night (and me too :)
We had an issue with some negativity today. She was so tired, couldn't do the exercises for about 2 hours, was being quite bossy with me, the works. So finally I figured it out and after being in separate rooms for a while, we worked together to reestablish a positive vibe. We played the Moolamantra, at her suggestion, and created a loving space once again. Phew. She was so happy the rest of the night (and me too :)
Bounce!
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| She loves this one. The slide on the left is FAST! The look on her face when coming down is priceless, pure terror. And then when she hits at the bottom she laughs. I get a good workout going up those stairs!! |
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| She likes this one. She says there is a big wart at the bottom, it flips you over or bounces you around. |
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| You can see her climbing up at the top in the tie-dye shirt. |
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| The slide on the other side of the climbing part. She just came down, you can barely see her feet. |
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| Haha! |
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| These are cool. There are parts where you have to crawl under, climb up, slide down. Great movement!! |
Friday, February 24, 2012
Get the book!
This is information right from the Brain Balance Website. If you are interested, I recommend getting the book Disconnected Kids by Robert Melillo. It is 11 bucks on Amazon.com and it has exercises that you can start right away. You test your child and figure out which exercises to do. It is pretty simple and when you see changes it will encourage you to do more!
THE UNIQUE BRAIN BALANCE™ APPROACH
We are brain-based, not drug based.
We subscribe to the theory that the brain can be changed—something once thought impossible. That means your child’s problems aren’t permanent, and the situation isn’t hopeless.
We subscribe to the theory that the brain can be changed—something once thought impossible. That means your child’s problems aren’t permanent, and the situation isn’t hopeless.
We recognize that many childhood disorders are actually manifestations of a single underlying condition.
Called Functional Disconnection—an imbalance in the connections and function between and within the hemispheres (sides) of your child’s brain—this condition is responsible for a host of behavioral, academic, and social difficulties.
Called Functional Disconnection—an imbalance in the connections and function between and within the hemispheres (sides) of your child’s brain—this condition is responsible for a host of behavioral, academic, and social difficulties.
We measure and improve your child’s brain and body function on numerous dimensions.
To gain a full understanding of your child’s difficulties we first conduct a comprehensive assessment of all areas of their brain and body function. Then, by integrating physical and cognitive exercises with dietary change, we are able to correct the underlying imbalance, improve function and reduce/eliminate negative behaviors.
To gain a full understanding of your child’s difficulties we first conduct a comprehensive assessment of all areas of their brain and body function. Then, by integrating physical and cognitive exercises with dietary change, we are able to correct the underlying imbalance, improve function and reduce/eliminate negative behaviors.
We create a program tailored precisely to your child’s needs.
Once we understand the uniqueness and severity of your child’s challenges, we then custom design physical and cognitive activity plans and easy-to-follow dietary guidelines to establish proper connections and improve rhythm and timing. This multi-faceted approach helps your child achieve optimum body and brain function.
Once we understand the uniqueness and severity of your child’s challenges, we then custom design physical and cognitive activity plans and easy-to-follow dietary guidelines to establish proper connections and improve rhythm and timing. This multi-faceted approach helps your child achieve optimum body and brain function.
We support your family.
We offer an encouraging environment where your child can develop while giving you continual real-time feedback, expert consultation, and assistance.
We offer an encouraging environment where your child can develop while giving you continual real-time feedback, expert consultation, and assistance.
Allowing
When your heart is singing, you are allowing Well-being. When you are appreciating, you are allowing Well-being. When you are yelling at somebody, you're not. When you're feeling insecure, you're not. When you're frustrated, you're not.
--- Abraham I had a little of both today, but for sure more singing than the other.
It was my day to choose the parking space and I drove around and parked in different spaces! I parked in the very farthest space and I parked in a closer one. I just kept parking in different spots and Kate would say whether it was close or too far. So I picked one, not too close and she walked in with me. Yay!
Kate's cognitive coach Toni came out and said she wrote letters easier today. I agreed because she just wrote and M in Uma's name and it seemed easy to her. M has been a really hard letter for her to write, not sure where to start and which way to go first. Anyway, that was cool that Toni confirmed it. And, Toni said that she didn't tell Kate to do it a certain way, it was just that Kate did it on her own. Cool. Her brain certainly is being turned on, today it felt like the front right part of her forehead.
We again went to Jumpin' Jacks and met some new friends from BB there. A mom and her 4 year old son. We had fun so we went to the park after too. Kate actually played with him!! And he was leading Kate around by the arm and she seemed ok with it. They were running up and down the hill and talking with some other kids. Fun! Kate totally loved this remote control plane that a guy was flying. She asked him how much it was and he said $300! Yikes. That one will be a while. But, she was so excited by it and she said that she would like to fly one.
When we got home she was pretty tired. We struggled through the exercises (see frustrated above, hehe) and then she flopped in bed. We are reading the book Which Witch. She is loving it! After, I asked her if she would like some Reiki and she said yes. So I played some relaxing music and worked on her a bit, especially her head and legs. She fell asleep and I was feeling so appreciative (see above, hehe). Just complete gratitude for this day and these experiences(all of them) that I am so lucky to be having. And then I find the above quote in my inbox. Perfect.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Our new pool
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| This is Kate's favorite part after taking a shower! She loves to extract the water from our suits. |
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| Kate took these :) |
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| Where you put the suit in, close the lid and it spins the water out. |
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| Kate took this one too! |
So, it was pretty funny how she was trying to trick me at the pool. I was waiting for her at the bottom and she said she was going on the frog slide (the one in the little kids area). And then she would start climbing the stairs, give me one of her cute waves, and then cover her mouth and giggle!! So funny!! Hehe, I told Mom I was going on the frog slide and I am really going on the big waterslide. She would come down and swim over to me and say "I tricked you!!" It was awesome.
We got back around 8:45, way past bedtime. But, it was worth it because she actually enjoys taking a shower there. She will never take one at home, not even a bath. Well, tonight, I even washed her up with soap!! AND, washed her hair with shampoo. Let me tell you this is a great accomplishment. I think we will go to the pool every week, just for the shower! Haha. When she was in the shower I told her she could shower whenever she wants to at home. I know soon she will take me up on it. Ok, the other thing is that last time at the pool she wouldn't shower before she got in the pool, like the signs tells you too, and this time I reminded her what the sign said and she did it!!! I am just giddy, she followed a rule.
Ok, the last thing is that she has been leaving her fur and "things"(salamander, Aurora(puppy), snakes, etc etc) in the cubby at BB and at Jumpin Jacks. So I asked her to keep her things and fur in the locker while we were swimming and she didn't protest! Amazing! AND I didn't take them out of the backpack until we got home and she asked for them. WHOO HOO. So great.
Good night!!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Eyes and Moments
Kate's eyes are looking really clear and sparkly lately. She is definitely looking at me more.
Kate had her 4th session today. She went in easily because she wanted to take a picture of Brianna, her sensory-motor coach. Kate always comes out from the session happy, which is so great. She has so much energy when she comes out it is fun. So, after FedEx came to pick up the blood, we went to the trampoline place. It was awesome! There is a grid of square trampolines that are connected together and you can jump and run from tramp to tramp. I will take a picture next time because it is hard to explain. Anyway, we stayed for about an hour and we were both so tired. That is hard work. We are getting in shape, the both of us! And I just have to say, jump with an empty bladder :)
Exercises are going great, just minor resistance sometimes, but the other day she did them easily all 3 times. So YAY for that!
So, Kate is still having some "moments" as my friend Robin would say. Most of the time we are having fun and things are going smoothly, and then there are moments....
Like, today. I got busted! She found some apple cores in the garbage and flipped her top. She doesn't like any "food waste" thrown away. For her, that is the deepest betrayal. I am supposed to compost it or put it in the garbage disposal. As she was giving me the third degree she screamed, "I feel like I'm at Grandma Shauna's or Jentry's!! Not in my own house, Mommy!! How could you?? You know how much this means to me!" Wow. She is passionate, I'll say that. She calmed down pretty quickly, considering. The apple cores are still there, by the way, along with cauliflower leaves and onion peels.
We had a little trouble the other day with Kate not being happy with where I park at BB. She always wants the closest spot, which she calls "our spot". Well, we are supposed to be changing things up, parking in different spots if that is an issue, taking different roads to get places, mixing thing up and making them new. So I thought I'd park in a different spot than "our spot". She was 15 minutes late to her session because she wouldn't walk from where I parked. So, as a compromise today, I asked her if she would like it if we took turns picking where to park. She agreed! She picked the parking space today and went in easily! I was teasing her that I was going to park far away on Friday, and she actually laughed and said "You're kidding right?"
I am learning what things I can change up and what things she is not ready for yet. Like she has changed her clothes and we are eating foods that last month she would not eat. But....I learned yesterday that she is not ready to change where she sits in the car! We were at the thrift store and I found a table that I wanted for the living room. The guy said there was another one just like it and he said he would give me both for $5. Whoo hoo. One table was $5 and the other was $15. They seemed almost in the same shape so I was just going to get the $5 table, of course. But, he gave me both! Bonus!! I think he was trying to clear out the yard that day!. So, I go to pick them up in my little car and I couldn't even fit one in the back, the hatch wouldn't close. I figured out that they would fit if I folded the seat down and that meant Kate had to sit on the right side instead of the left. Anyway, we were there for about 45 minutes, because Kate was refusing to switch her seat to the other side of the car. I was happily practicing patience that day, I really wanted those tables. The nice workers kept trying to help me load them and I would have to explain what I was waiting for. I think they were amazed that I waited for so long! I really was in no hurry and to force the issue would have been more uncomfortable for both of us. I knew that with time, Kate would get used to the idea and do what I asked her to do. Finally, Kate moved over to the right side of the backseat, I loaded both tables, and drove home with a big smile. I was so stoked to get my tables and it was sweeter that I kept my cool and waited for her to stop resisting.
Ok, I'd really better get to bed. I feel pretty accomplished today. Along with all my regular day to day stuff, I put the tables where I wanted them, vacuumed, put away laundry, picked up the creation station explosion of paper cuttings, and blogged. It doesn't seem so much when I type it, but the house looks good.
Thanks for reading!!
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| Brianna, Kate's sensory-motor coach. She always looks like this, smiling!! |
Kate had her 4th session today. She went in easily because she wanted to take a picture of Brianna, her sensory-motor coach. Kate always comes out from the session happy, which is so great. She has so much energy when she comes out it is fun. So, after FedEx came to pick up the blood, we went to the trampoline place. It was awesome! There is a grid of square trampolines that are connected together and you can jump and run from tramp to tramp. I will take a picture next time because it is hard to explain. Anyway, we stayed for about an hour and we were both so tired. That is hard work. We are getting in shape, the both of us! And I just have to say, jump with an empty bladder :)
Exercises are going great, just minor resistance sometimes, but the other day she did them easily all 3 times. So YAY for that!
So, Kate is still having some "moments" as my friend Robin would say. Most of the time we are having fun and things are going smoothly, and then there are moments....
Like, today. I got busted! She found some apple cores in the garbage and flipped her top. She doesn't like any "food waste" thrown away. For her, that is the deepest betrayal. I am supposed to compost it or put it in the garbage disposal. As she was giving me the third degree she screamed, "I feel like I'm at Grandma Shauna's or Jentry's!! Not in my own house, Mommy!! How could you?? You know how much this means to me!" Wow. She is passionate, I'll say that. She calmed down pretty quickly, considering. The apple cores are still there, by the way, along with cauliflower leaves and onion peels.
We had a little trouble the other day with Kate not being happy with where I park at BB. She always wants the closest spot, which she calls "our spot". Well, we are supposed to be changing things up, parking in different spots if that is an issue, taking different roads to get places, mixing thing up and making them new. So I thought I'd park in a different spot than "our spot". She was 15 minutes late to her session because she wouldn't walk from where I parked. So, as a compromise today, I asked her if she would like it if we took turns picking where to park. She agreed! She picked the parking space today and went in easily! I was teasing her that I was going to park far away on Friday, and she actually laughed and said "You're kidding right?"
I am learning what things I can change up and what things she is not ready for yet. Like she has changed her clothes and we are eating foods that last month she would not eat. But....I learned yesterday that she is not ready to change where she sits in the car! We were at the thrift store and I found a table that I wanted for the living room. The guy said there was another one just like it and he said he would give me both for $5. Whoo hoo. One table was $5 and the other was $15. They seemed almost in the same shape so I was just going to get the $5 table, of course. But, he gave me both! Bonus!! I think he was trying to clear out the yard that day!. So, I go to pick them up in my little car and I couldn't even fit one in the back, the hatch wouldn't close. I figured out that they would fit if I folded the seat down and that meant Kate had to sit on the right side instead of the left. Anyway, we were there for about 45 minutes, because Kate was refusing to switch her seat to the other side of the car. I was happily practicing patience that day, I really wanted those tables. The nice workers kept trying to help me load them and I would have to explain what I was waiting for. I think they were amazed that I waited for so long! I really was in no hurry and to force the issue would have been more uncomfortable for both of us. I knew that with time, Kate would get used to the idea and do what I asked her to do. Finally, Kate moved over to the right side of the backseat, I loaded both tables, and drove home with a big smile. I was so stoked to get my tables and it was sweeter that I kept my cool and waited for her to stop resisting.
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| My old table, haha, an igloo cooler! |
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| My two tables! |
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| Kate's bee- a pic for Daddy |
Ok, I'd really better get to bed. I feel pretty accomplished today. Along with all my regular day to day stuff, I put the tables where I wanted them, vacuumed, put away laundry, picked up the creation station explosion of paper cuttings, and blogged. It doesn't seem so much when I type it, but the house looks good.
Thanks for reading!!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Blood and some fun stuff!
So, I'm not supposed to talk about it. It is best forgotten. Kate was supposed to get her blood taken yesterday at 7:30am. But we got there, cookie in hand (that was her price for getting her blood taken), and they were closed for President's day. Surely they would have called. Maybe someone is coming in special, since they scheduled us for that day, I thought. But no. We waited and no one showed up. Well of course, that was disappointing. Kate really wanted that cookie, chocolate, of course!! So she made all sorts of threats against them, she wasn't ever coming back, that was a mean trick, etc etc and finally calmed down. Not a very nice way to start the morning. Honestly, I don't know which morning was worse. Yesterday morning or this morning. She had a new appointment for 7:20 today. Actually she did very well. Only got pale after they were done and she had to lay down. Going into shock. But, I was able to give her Reiki and she started feeling better quickly. That happened last blood draw also. But, it is done and the cookie gone (well, I let her have a bite yesterday and she was fine with that and she saved the rest for the "real" blood draw today).
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| Whitney!! |
But the great thing about yesterday and this weekend is that we got to spend time with Terra and the whole family! They came here this weekend for Whitney's soccer tournament. So, we got to watch two games on Saturday and one on Monday. It was so cool to see her play. She is quick and has a strong kick! She will be way better than me when I was in high school. She almost is now and she is 12!!
We also went to the awesome park with them. I wish I had taken more pictures! We were excited to stay at the park a little longer with Lauren. She got to hear Kate's point of view on some pretty deep topics. Pretty funny. Thanks Lauren for being so understanding.
I am sneaky. Here is a pic of Lauren and Kate on the swingy things. They are sitting on discs.
Terra, showin us how it's done on the skateboard thingy!
The slide with climbing wall and bunches of other stuff
Another climbing wall. This is so cool because it actually looks like rocks!
This thing swings around. It goes pretty fast.
This spins around, but not too fast so you don't fly off :)
The black licorice. Kate actually climbed across this. Never would have done that a few years ago!
Whitney hustling back, she is in the middle.
Little Ella
So, we had a fun weekend. It is great to be around Terra and her family because they are so understanding and kind. Honestly, it feels a little lonely here today. Especially with the not understanding lady at the blood draw. Her judgement eyes were all over us, well mainly Kate. I think I need those people too, though, to really appreciate my friends who see and love Kate for Kate.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Primitive Reflexes
Ok, here is a chart that I found on another mom's blog whose child went through Brain Balance. Basically the primitive reflexes are supposed to all be integrated by about 1 year of age. So, Kate has retained all of the primitive reflexes (see Drum Role, Please). It is easy to see how some of her difficulties come from these primitive reflexes, the need to hold toys, the constant movement, being irritated by clothing, always bumping into me when we are walking, touching everything. I read this: "Primitive reflexes are automatic, stereotyped, rhythmical movements directed by the brain stem and
carried out without involvement of the cortex of the brain." on this website http://www.itsacademictutoring.com/Primitive%20Reflexes.htm. It gives a nice explanation of the reflexes if you are interested. Anyway, that quote was helpful to me as we were walking through the store and Kate was touching everything. I started saying " Why are you touching everything?" and then caught myself and kept quiet. Now I know.
We are doing exercises 3 times a day for about 15 minutes each time to encourage her body to integrate these reflexes and move to higher level reflexes where she is in control of her body.
This is the exercise for the spinal galant:
You can find the other exercises on YouTube.
So I know these are helping. Why?? First, because Kate is wearing a different pair of pants each day. Granted they are all the same fabric, but still. Second, she wore a pair of Braden's shorts last night so she could go swimming. No big fuss or anything. Luckily they were the silky athletic shorts kind. Anyway, she had so much fun swimming and all because she was willing to wear those shorts!! Third, she wore a different shirt today. And didn't make a fuss about it. At all!! (She has worn the same shirt everyday since September). YahoooOO!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Today
Exercises in morning went pretty well! We got ready to go jump at the bouncy house place. Played there for about 1 hour. She put on her inside shoes by herself! And she is leaving her animals(even salamander!) and fur(blanket that she always has wrapped around her) in the cubby in the lobby while we play. YAY! She is talking a lot with Anne, the lady that works there. It seems Anne is bored with her job and I think Kate cheers her up.
We went to Natural Grocer and hooray, I found nettle. A big bag for 99 cents. I was pretty excited. We got some applesauce to put the probiotic in, that will be easy if she likes it. I am loving that store, good prices, and great selection. They even have dandelion greens. Whoot whoot! Every time I find something new because I only have a short amount of time to look before Kate gets annoyed or bored. Kate always asks for the goodies, cake mixes, almond flour tarts, rice flour tortillas J It's funny that a rice flour tortilla is a treat to her. Well, not that funny but kinda sad.
We got home and Kate was irritated. I need to bring snacks with us, because she is starving by the time we get home. I made chicken sausages with onions and kale, and we had romaine with it. She ate it all!! So, my lesson is that I just have to make the stuff and see if she will eat it now. She isn't really complaining that she is not getting cauliflower at every meal, so I'll keep at it with the variety.
Exercises again after lunch. Then we went to the park. THE coolest park I have been too. Lots of vestibular stimulation! She did great spinning around on the elements. Swinging on a double swing thing. Pushing herself from side to side on the skateboard looking things. She even climbed halfway up the rock wall with me in back of her. She played with a little girl who spoke Spanish. They gave me ice cream and I had a chance to speak a little to the girl. That was kind of fun. I still know a little Spanish! We ran around a bit, I get nervous when she is running down the sidewalk. But we ran on the grass too. I was tired! And it was getting really windy, so we headed home. I am loving our little car. It is a little hard to get used to because she responds so quickly and turns so easily. So I am still getting used to it. Well, that was a little random. R-R-Random.
We got home, Kate irritated again, but luckily after we got in the door. It smells like puke(her word, not mine) in our apartment. I think it is the new blinds. She didn’t like that.
She was having a hard time knowing what to do while I was getting dinner ready. So I gave her some ideas and she played by herself for a little while. And not with garbage disposal or diswasher stuff. She probably only spent about 15 minutes today doing that type of repetitive play. Even at the playground she only spend aobut 5 minutes on it.
She was a little testy and giving me a hard time about using my hands when I talk, speaking to her like she is 2 etc. I got a little irritated at that and it was good she found something to do so we could have a little time apart.
She is excited for Whitney to come for her soccer tournament tomorrow. She has all these plans about showing them around town and maybe going to Antigravity or something like that.
She was pretty tired but we did the exercises after dinner too. She started out strong but needed a little encouragement toward the end. She finished though and didn’t put up a fight when it was bedtime!
I am pretty tired too. But only because we are so active! My body isn’t used to this. It is awesome though. I will be in good shape with all these exercises and playing at the park and JJ.
I had GF/SugarFree waffles with sunbutter and raw butter for a snack after Kate went to bed. I love waffles, and haven't had them in so, so long. It’s the little things. I need to get some Epsom Salt so I can take a nice bath once in a while J
Ok last thing. I think Kate is looking at me more! She was telling me about this movie that she has and while she was telling me about it, she was looking at me almost the whole time. I will try to notice more tomorrow.
Also, I have kissed her on the cheek twice at bedtime without her rubbing it away. I said engine, twice, while reading and she didn’t correct me(she prefers motor). Also, Matt said digest and she didn’t say anything. Hmmmmm….
What other changes are coming?? Pretty exciting stuff.
We went to Natural Grocer and hooray, I found nettle. A big bag for 99 cents. I was pretty excited. We got some applesauce to put the probiotic in, that will be easy if she likes it. I am loving that store, good prices, and great selection. They even have dandelion greens. Whoot whoot! Every time I find something new because I only have a short amount of time to look before Kate gets annoyed or bored. Kate always asks for the goodies, cake mixes, almond flour tarts, rice flour tortillas J It's funny that a rice flour tortilla is a treat to her. Well, not that funny but kinda sad.
We got home and Kate was irritated. I need to bring snacks with us, because she is starving by the time we get home. I made chicken sausages with onions and kale, and we had romaine with it. She ate it all!! So, my lesson is that I just have to make the stuff and see if she will eat it now. She isn't really complaining that she is not getting cauliflower at every meal, so I'll keep at it with the variety.
Exercises again after lunch. Then we went to the park. THE coolest park I have been too. Lots of vestibular stimulation! She did great spinning around on the elements. Swinging on a double swing thing. Pushing herself from side to side on the skateboard looking things. She even climbed halfway up the rock wall with me in back of her. She played with a little girl who spoke Spanish. They gave me ice cream and I had a chance to speak a little to the girl. That was kind of fun. I still know a little Spanish! We ran around a bit, I get nervous when she is running down the sidewalk. But we ran on the grass too. I was tired! And it was getting really windy, so we headed home. I am loving our little car. It is a little hard to get used to because she responds so quickly and turns so easily. So I am still getting used to it. Well, that was a little random. R-R-Random.
We got home, Kate irritated again, but luckily after we got in the door. It smells like puke(her word, not mine) in our apartment. I think it is the new blinds. She didn’t like that.
She was having a hard time knowing what to do while I was getting dinner ready. So I gave her some ideas and she played by herself for a little while. And not with garbage disposal or diswasher stuff. She probably only spent about 15 minutes today doing that type of repetitive play. Even at the playground she only spend aobut 5 minutes on it.
She was a little testy and giving me a hard time about using my hands when I talk, speaking to her like she is 2 etc. I got a little irritated at that and it was good she found something to do so we could have a little time apart.
She is excited for Whitney to come for her soccer tournament tomorrow. She has all these plans about showing them around town and maybe going to Antigravity or something like that.
She was pretty tired but we did the exercises after dinner too. She started out strong but needed a little encouragement toward the end. She finished though and didn’t put up a fight when it was bedtime!
I am pretty tired too. But only because we are so active! My body isn’t used to this. It is awesome though. I will be in good shape with all these exercises and playing at the park and JJ.
I had GF/SugarFree waffles with sunbutter and raw butter for a snack after Kate went to bed. I love waffles, and haven't had them in so, so long. It’s the little things. I need to get some Epsom Salt so I can take a nice bath once in a while J
Ok last thing. I think Kate is looking at me more! She was telling me about this movie that she has and while she was telling me about it, she was looking at me almost the whole time. I will try to notice more tomorrow.
Also, I have kissed her on the cheek twice at bedtime without her rubbing it away. I said engine, twice, while reading and she didn’t correct me(she prefers motor). Also, Matt said digest and she didn’t say anything. Hmmmmm….
What other changes are coming?? Pretty exciting stuff.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
First session
A quick update!
Kate's first session went great on Friday. She got out of the truck easily and went right in with her coach. I got to see her for a minute and she was doing what they wanted her to do! YAY!
We played after at a bouncy house heaven with slides and obstacle courses. So fun. Matt came on Saturday and I went to my last Reiki class on Sunday. So now I am a Reiki Master. Whoohooo!
I got back on Monday and Kate was sick. Blowing chunks, as she calls it, and stuffy nose. So I did lots of energy work and cleared quite a bit. She had to miss her second session and she was NOT happy about it. (I thought that was great!). She felt better this morning, but I just got a text saying she needs me home, feeling pukey again.
Matt leaves in an hour or two to go back home. We are all feeling a little sad about that.
Hopefully Kate is well enough to go to BB tomorrow! She is going MWF at 1:00.
I feel so behind on the blog, already! But, I will get into a routine soon. So, if I don't publish comments or respond, it's just that I am not getting online very often. Thinking about getting cheap internet, if that is possible!
Ok, going to go tend to my healing little one!
Kate's first session went great on Friday. She got out of the truck easily and went right in with her coach. I got to see her for a minute and she was doing what they wanted her to do! YAY!
We played after at a bouncy house heaven with slides and obstacle courses. So fun. Matt came on Saturday and I went to my last Reiki class on Sunday. So now I am a Reiki Master. Whoohooo!
I got back on Monday and Kate was sick. Blowing chunks, as she calls it, and stuffy nose. So I did lots of energy work and cleared quite a bit. She had to miss her second session and she was NOT happy about it. (I thought that was great!). She felt better this morning, but I just got a text saying she needs me home, feeling pukey again.
Matt leaves in an hour or two to go back home. We are all feeling a little sad about that.
Hopefully Kate is well enough to go to BB tomorrow! She is going MWF at 1:00.
I feel so behind on the blog, already! But, I will get into a routine soon. So, if I don't publish comments or respond, it's just that I am not getting online very often. Thinking about getting cheap internet, if that is possible!
Ok, going to go tend to my healing little one!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Drum Roll, Please
Ok, the meeting today with the Director went great. I am so happy to have this information and especially happy that we have a plan of how to support Kate's development! So I will just list most of the info and then later give some more details:
I think I will do a whole post about primitive reflexes but for now I will just say what the results are.
Kate has all of the primitive reflexes.
The levels are from 1-4 with 4 being highest or most prominent:
Rooting-4
Moro-2
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex-2
Grasp-1
Tonic labyrinthine reflex-4
Landau-2
Initial Spinal Galant-4
Symmetrical Tonic Neck reflex-4
So we have to do exercises 3 or more times a day to help these reflexes disappear. Homework assignment #1. So we have 8 different exercises to do, one for each of the primitive reflexes.
Vision
Ability to perform slow and fast eye movements(helpful when reading or when tracking anything): level 6 of 15
Eye stability during head movement- level 13 of 15
Sensitivity to light: age 6
Hearing
Perception of sound: level 15of 15 (she hears us just fine :)
Processing of sound: age 10 (she hears everything, hypersensitive to sound)
Smell
14 of 15 scents identified correctly
Touch
Perception of touch and body position: age 10 (hypersensitive to touch on arm, we want her to be at age level for this so she isn't so sensitive to things touching her, like people or clothing)
Perception of touch on leg : age 8
Fine motor skills: age 3
Maturity of balance and equilibrium system: level 9 of 15 (should be at 15)
Core Muscle Testing(large motor skills) age 4 (prone core age 6)
Proprioception(knowing where your body is in space): age 5
Synchronization
Balance beam: age 8
Gait and Aerobics(balance and bilateral coordination, which is the ability to use both sides of the body at the same time): age 4
Interactive metronome(processing, rhythm, timing, motor planning): age 5
Academics: I will just put a few because I'm not really interested in this right now!
Listening Comprehension grade 3.8
Reading Comprehension grade 2.1
Spelling grade 1.6
Early Reading skills grade 3.2
I think I will do a whole post about primitive reflexes but for now I will just say what the results are.
Kate has all of the primitive reflexes.
The levels are from 1-4 with 4 being highest or most prominent:
Rooting-4
Moro-2
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex-2
Grasp-1
Tonic labyrinthine reflex-4
Landau-2
Initial Spinal Galant-4
Symmetrical Tonic Neck reflex-4
So we have to do exercises 3 or more times a day to help these reflexes disappear. Homework assignment #1. So we have 8 different exercises to do, one for each of the primitive reflexes.
Vision
Ability to perform slow and fast eye movements(helpful when reading or when tracking anything): level 6 of 15
Eye stability during head movement- level 13 of 15
Sensitivity to light: age 6
Hearing
Perception of sound: level 15of 15 (she hears us just fine :)
Processing of sound: age 10 (she hears everything, hypersensitive to sound)
Smell
14 of 15 scents identified correctly
Touch
Perception of touch and body position: age 10 (hypersensitive to touch on arm, we want her to be at age level for this so she isn't so sensitive to things touching her, like people or clothing)
Perception of touch on leg : age 8
Fine motor skills: age 3
Maturity of balance and equilibrium system: level 9 of 15 (should be at 15)
Core Muscle Testing(large motor skills) age 4 (prone core age 6)
Proprioception(knowing where your body is in space): age 5
Synchronization
Balance beam: age 8
Gait and Aerobics(balance and bilateral coordination, which is the ability to use both sides of the body at the same time): age 4
Interactive metronome(processing, rhythm, timing, motor planning): age 5
Academics: I will just put a few because I'm not really interested in this right now!
Listening Comprehension grade 3.8
Reading Comprehension grade 2.1
Spelling grade 1.6
Early Reading skills grade 3.2
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Second Boring Assessment
Kate survived the second assessment. The cognitive, which is reading, writing, math, listening. It took over 2 hours but she made it through. She is so glad it's over, she won't have to do it again for 3 months! I will get the results and they will tell me what the program will look like. I will get my homework assignments. Kate will start the program on Friday!
So, at bedtime last night Kate was telling me a little about the testing. She said it was so boring and it was a lot of writing. So she put arrows on the Ss, so they would look like snakes. I asked her why and she said to make it more fun! And when she would dot the i , she would say “boing” every time. That’s how bored she was, she was making up ways to make it more fun. She asked “What do I do for the actual program?” We’ll find out on Thursday @ 12:30,
So today is our day off and we are at the library. Great library here!! Kate has some plumbing and appliance books to check out and I get to update the blog. Sweet!
There was a little problem with the washer that caused some excitement (and not the positive kind :). The washer wouldn't spin and Kate was worried that they wouldn't be able to fix it. But, they came today (twice) and it is hopefully working now. We will go try it out in a little while.
We went to Walmart yesterday and bought Kate 2 new pairs of fleece pants. She picked them out AND is wearing one of them today. Pink and white fuzzy camo. That's my girl :)! For those of you who don't know, Kate always wears her "uniform" everyday. So, this is a big day! Changes are already happening and we haven't even started the program yet!!!
YahooO!!
So, at bedtime last night Kate was telling me a little about the testing. She said it was so boring and it was a lot of writing. So she put arrows on the Ss, so they would look like snakes. I asked her why and she said to make it more fun! And when she would dot the i , she would say “boing” every time. That’s how bored she was, she was making up ways to make it more fun. She asked “What do I do for the actual program?” We’ll find out on Thursday @ 12:30,
So today is our day off and we are at the library. Great library here!! Kate has some plumbing and appliance books to check out and I get to update the blog. Sweet!
There was a little problem with the washer that caused some excitement (and not the positive kind :). The washer wouldn't spin and Kate was worried that they wouldn't be able to fix it. But, they came today (twice) and it is hopefully working now. We will go try it out in a little while.
We went to Walmart yesterday and bought Kate 2 new pairs of fleece pants. She picked them out AND is wearing one of them today. Pink and white fuzzy camo. That's my girl :)! For those of you who don't know, Kate always wears her "uniform" everyday. So, this is a big day! Changes are already happening and we haven't even started the program yet!!!
YahooO!!
Monday, February 6, 2012
First Assessment
Ok, another quick post. I have to get this internet thing figured out. Right now we are using free hotspots, but Kate just doesn't want to wait for me to blog. OOO I just thought of a solution. Ok.
So, everything went great with the ride here and moving in. Shauna and I cleaned a little more than we wanted to, but everything is nice and we can feel comfortable cooking and living in our new place. Pictures are below. It is a one bedroom and we are sharing. At 3 in the morning Kate woke up with hurting legs. She asked me to come over to do Reiki. She said, "It's not very far, we're neighbors!". It was cute, even at 3am.
Today was the first assessment. Kate didn't want to get out of the truck, nothing unusual there. But with a little encouragement we went inside.
Thank goodness for the fluffy grey rug in the waiting room. She loves it and snuggled in! So, after a little chatting she felt comfortable to go into the Sensory Motor room and do the activities. I filled out paperwork in the waiting room. She did everything with her coach! Yay! It was great and she came out smiling. Just a little dizzy from spinning on the tire swing.
We ate lunch and then went swimming at an awesome pool. And they have a family dressing room, BIG YAY! Downside, automatic flush toilets. We'll deal with that one when it comes.
Yesterday we went to the playground. We had fun running around on the grass being witches. It was quite odd actually, to be on grass. But really fun.
Tomorrow, she has the cognitive assessment. And our washer/dryer comes. Excited!
So, everything went great with the ride here and moving in. Shauna and I cleaned a little more than we wanted to, but everything is nice and we can feel comfortable cooking and living in our new place. Pictures are below. It is a one bedroom and we are sharing. At 3 in the morning Kate woke up with hurting legs. She asked me to come over to do Reiki. She said, "It's not very far, we're neighbors!". It was cute, even at 3am.
Today was the first assessment. Kate didn't want to get out of the truck, nothing unusual there. But with a little encouragement we went inside.
Thank goodness for the fluffy grey rug in the waiting room. She loves it and snuggled in! So, after a little chatting she felt comfortable to go into the Sensory Motor room and do the activities. I filled out paperwork in the waiting room. She did everything with her coach! Yay! It was great and she came out smiling. Just a little dizzy from spinning on the tire swing.
We ate lunch and then went swimming at an awesome pool. And they have a family dressing room, BIG YAY! Downside, automatic flush toilets. We'll deal with that one when it comes.
Tomorrow, she has the cognitive assessment. And our washer/dryer comes. Excited!
Friday, February 3, 2012
We made it!
We made it to the new place and we are excited. Matt's parents helped us move in and get set up. Thank you, thank you. Will write more when I get time.
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