I’ve had two really good college friends since about sophomore year at UC (DAAP); 1999. Both of their spouses were dating them at the time. Once we all graduated, we all stuck in Cincinnati and made a point to get together every couple months or so ... it’s now 20 years later (!!!) and we still keep this up. I love it.
Last Saturday the six of us went out - without children - for the first time since college. Mindblowing.
My friends had suggested a tour at New Riff with Stephanie - I worked out everyone’s schedules and we made it work! A really neat tour with Stephanie and she let us hang out in the Sensory Room where we sampled the goods!
Afterwards, we went to La Mexicana in Newport - crazy good authentic Mexican food.
Tim and I were first to leave at 8:30pm - five hours gone with a first-time sitter!
Such a fun evening!!
A good friend in the Ds community wised me up to an amazing program put on by the Cincinnati Ballet. Ballet Moves is an inclusive dance/movement program for kids with specific needs.
The kids are in classes with similar ages. Each child is paired with a physical therapy student - !!! How. Awesome.
The first class was a little chaotic for Hannah; it’s her first organized class and with mirrored walls, well, she was more interested in watching herself than sitting in the group circle. The PT was super helpful and they understand it’s Hannah’s 1st time.
I’m hopeful that with each week Hannah gets more comfortable and understands the group setting and participates : )
*Jack Barlow is a couple years older than Hannah and has already made quite an impression at the Cincinnati Ballet 💗
Man, we got too comfortable with Hannah’s behavior...
Literally right after she turns 5, the school reports trickle in...
First were some concerns from her therapists:
- Hannah was chewing her fingers which is new behavior – and is a health risk (germs)
- Hannah has been toe-walking – not great, we want her to have a typical gait
We were able to look into Hannah’s mouth and found that one of her missing incisors (#3 in the top row) was coming in finally - ouch! That may explain the finger chewing.
Her therapists gave her a “chewy” – it’s super common for kids with sensory needs. The most common one looks like a silicone lego that kids chew on to keep busy.
Hannah sort of uses it, but we need to make it more regular to see if she really needs it or it’s a temporary “teething” need.
Then there were some reports of just plain ornery-ness; taking shoes off, throwing glasses off and darting out of the classroom. What the heck Hannah! I followed up with the best we can try; distraction, redirection and praise for good behavior. Reprimanding Hannah and reacting to negative behavior only reinforces the bad behavior.
There was a 3rd report, but I don’t want to publish it for Hannah’s future privacy sake. Let’s just say it was more sensory exploration that should be done alone in her bedroom - sheesh. Actually quite common at this age for kids with Ds. I’m just not sure if she understand it’s not a public activity. 🙈
Hoping this phase passes quickly - !!
Wow - blogging is becoming a past time - life is busy with work, two kids in school, and housekeeping all wrapped up in a bow!
Our Little Warrior turned 5 on September 1st. We had a large birthday party since we decided to chill out on the Buddy Walk this year; the two events always butt up to each other which overwhelms me.
We had family and friends over. Probably the last BIG party for Hannah - I want to reduce to just a few friends next year 😀
I steered away from gifts - mainly b.c she has most of what she needs and doesn’t really take to toys – Hannah prefers playing with you or just being plain active.
The appointments and procedures have slowed down as age five is on us. Therapies happen at school. Hannah is ultimately potty trained which I’m thrilled and proud of.
She is mostly a happy kid but definitely gets frustrated when she doesn’t get what she wants - like any typical child.
We love you Hannah Banana!
One more year with Hannah in her safe preschool bubble ðŸ˜
The girls are excited for 2nd grade and 3rd year of preschool!
Oh my heart!
So happy brands and marketing are stepping up their inclusive games!
Morning Routine
Back in June we received a note sent home from Summer Camp that a case of Whopping Cough was confirmed in the building. Dang! I didn’t think too much of it because I choose to vaccinate.
Well about two weeks later (late June) Nora has a bit of a cough that starts to build over days. And after seven days, it has not gone away. But she has no other symptoms; no runny nose, fever, congestion... So it can’t be Pertussis, right?
However, protocol is that if you child has a cough, get a note from the Ped that either confirms or denies the diagnosis.
Nora was tested; which is also brutal - huge swab up the nose.
One day later - blindsided - she has Pertussis!! Whaaaaaaat. So even though you are vaccinated, they can still catch the virus - but they symptoms are lessened.
SO: Hannah was given preventative antibiotics, Tim’s GP gave antibiotics, and my GP decided not to :: eyeroll :: She claimed the CDC did not recommend that. And Nora had to be kept home for 5 days/5 days of antibiotics and could return to summer camp 24 hours after she finished antibiotics. Lord.
So as you can expect - after I was not given the preventative antibiotics and taking care of a whooping child. Guess who else gets a nagging cough? Me. After a week of annoying my coworkers, I tried to track down a Pertussis test - which was way harder than you’d think.
*Only one Urgent Care in the area tests (and I refused to wait 1hr) and Cincinnati Children’s.
After a wild goose chase, my GP finally gives me antibiotics and after that, I’m back on track.
So everybody – take note: Whooping Cough is out there. You can’t prevent it 100%, but you can lessen the effects with the vaccination. It can take a worse toll on infants and elderly!
I’ve been cautious not to jinx anything... but after months of dry diapers in the mornings, we seem to be officially done with diapers in our household! No more carrying diaper bags! Whoop whoop!
I’ve been so proud of Hannah - and myself - for prioritizing the training and getting Hannah ahead of the game!
I think I’m hitting my mid-life wander/wonder... Holy crap - I’m almost 40.
I do not feel almost 40. I still feel 35. Questioning my parenting, questioning if I’ll be at my job in another 10 years – or will I age out? I like being goofy!
I’ve been seeing cardinal birds almost every day. I swore they carry a message of sorts. Mom told me they carry a spiritual message.
I started listening to Brené Brown and love her...
I’ve had a HUGE itch for our family to travel and being green with envy at my friends who can hop, skip, and jump with their kids. I want to hike but Hannah is just not there yet (running off, no endurance, too big for a backpack).
I want more experiences and less STUFF.
I feel like all of these things are adding up to some sort of mid-life... something. Not a crisis. Change?
The girls have been having a great time at “Summer Camp” – school summer daycare.
I learned our babysitter’s younger sister, Kate (who has Ds) attends and Nora said there’s another girl headed into 5th grade with Ds also - Megan. Nora said Megan does Nora’s hair at camp - pretend salon play.
Tim and I picked up the girls from camp today and as Nora was leaving, Megan rushed over to Nora and they hugged goodbye. My breath caught and I can’t describe my emotion.
It wasn’t pride... or maybe it was?? Nora isn’t being nice to Megan because it’s the “nice thing to do.” She made a connection with a girl who has Ds on her own terms. Which is exactly what I hope for all children - typical or not. Making connections on a human level - not frightened away by differences.
I’m actually happy Nora has a sister who may be seen as different. Hopefully then my oldest will have that extra layer of compassion and acceptance.
💕
