Merry Christmas 2011!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Santa Came Early on a Fire Truck!
What an unexpectedly happy day we had today! We woke up to quite a bit of snow. I was sure Max's school would not be open. I was looking forward to a quiet snow day at home. However, school was open. Once Ray ascertained that we could indeed get the car out of the driveway, he took Max to school. I kept thinking to myself that we should have kept him home, that the drive in the snow was not worth it, but today was the day of the class party and Max really wanted to attend.
A few hours later Caroline, Ray and I bundled up and drove slowly to town to make it to the class party. Not long after arriving I heard bells and a ho ho ho. I peaked out of the class room door and there was Santa, wearing a fire hat, with fire fighter helpers following him with two huge bags. When Max saw him he told me, "I don't have to sit with him, I already emailed him." Santa came in and sat down in the middle of the children. He then asked them each their name. When he got to Max he said, "Ah Max, I remember you like Transformers!" I looked at Ray, what? Then the fire fighters started helping Santa hand out gifts to the children, one at a time, reading off their names. Max was near the end of the list. He was so excited and all hesitance to sit with Santa vanished. He opened up a Transformer toy and went crazy with joy. He shouted, "it is just what I wanted!" It was a toy that Ray and I never knew he wanted. Even though Santa was still handing out presents, Max rushed back to him and told him how happy he was and thanked him over and over. Then he went to each fire fighter and showed off his Transformer (which transforms into a firetruck). They each shared in his excitement. Finally I cornered the teacher and asked her how this all came about. She told me that our small town fire department adopts an Early Intervention preschool class each year, and this year it was Max's class. It was just so wonderful and so unexpected! I kept thinking to myself how glad I was that we showed up despite the snow!
Caroline was thrilled for Max. She is just that kind of kid. She kept hugging him and saying, "Buddy, you love Transformers so much, look what you got!" But I could see the wheels turning in her head, even though she was not about to show it. She was wondering why Santa came to Max's class and she figured there was no chance he would come to her home school class. It was just a flash across her face and then it was gone. She shrugged it off and went to help Max make a ginger bread house.
When we got home Ray kept Caroline outside in the snow for a few minutes, and I ran downstairs. There was one toy I was on the fence about giving Caroline this year, I thought I might save it for later. I grabbed it and put it in a gift bag and wrote a note from Santa. I then placed it on her school chair and raced back upstairs. She came inside a few minutes later. I sent her down to the school room to get some art supplies. She came back up with the supplies. Ray and I exchanged looks for the second time. I sent her down again and said she might need to use her chair to get more art supplies. She replied that she could not because there was a big gift on her chair. What a rule follower, she was not about to peak at the gift! We told her to go and see what it was. She came back up again, with out the gift, saying it was from Santa for her! Finally we got her to bring it up and open it. Polly Pockets, she was over joyed!
As I type this both kids are in the living room playing with their toys, together. The Transfomer toy is somehow attending a show put on by a Polly Pocket!
I have a new reason to love our town and our fire fighters! What a fun day!
A few hours later Caroline, Ray and I bundled up and drove slowly to town to make it to the class party. Not long after arriving I heard bells and a ho ho ho. I peaked out of the class room door and there was Santa, wearing a fire hat, with fire fighter helpers following him with two huge bags. When Max saw him he told me, "I don't have to sit with him, I already emailed him." Santa came in and sat down in the middle of the children. He then asked them each their name. When he got to Max he said, "Ah Max, I remember you like Transformers!" I looked at Ray, what? Then the fire fighters started helping Santa hand out gifts to the children, one at a time, reading off their names. Max was near the end of the list. He was so excited and all hesitance to sit with Santa vanished. He opened up a Transformer toy and went crazy with joy. He shouted, "it is just what I wanted!" It was a toy that Ray and I never knew he wanted. Even though Santa was still handing out presents, Max rushed back to him and told him how happy he was and thanked him over and over. Then he went to each fire fighter and showed off his Transformer (which transforms into a firetruck). They each shared in his excitement. Finally I cornered the teacher and asked her how this all came about. She told me that our small town fire department adopts an Early Intervention preschool class each year, and this year it was Max's class. It was just so wonderful and so unexpected! I kept thinking to myself how glad I was that we showed up despite the snow!
Caroline was thrilled for Max. She is just that kind of kid. She kept hugging him and saying, "Buddy, you love Transformers so much, look what you got!" But I could see the wheels turning in her head, even though she was not about to show it. She was wondering why Santa came to Max's class and she figured there was no chance he would come to her home school class. It was just a flash across her face and then it was gone. She shrugged it off and went to help Max make a ginger bread house.
When we got home Ray kept Caroline outside in the snow for a few minutes, and I ran downstairs. There was one toy I was on the fence about giving Caroline this year, I thought I might save it for later. I grabbed it and put it in a gift bag and wrote a note from Santa. I then placed it on her school chair and raced back upstairs. She came inside a few minutes later. I sent her down to the school room to get some art supplies. She came back up with the supplies. Ray and I exchanged looks for the second time. I sent her down again and said she might need to use her chair to get more art supplies. She replied that she could not because there was a big gift on her chair. What a rule follower, she was not about to peak at the gift! We told her to go and see what it was. She came back up again, with out the gift, saying it was from Santa for her! Finally we got her to bring it up and open it. Polly Pockets, she was over joyed!
As I type this both kids are in the living room playing with their toys, together. The Transfomer toy is somehow attending a show put on by a Polly Pocket!
I have a new reason to love our town and our fire fighters! What a fun day!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Max's Quarterly Review - Firsts
We had one of our quarterly visits to Children's Hospital last Thursday for lab work and a visit with Max's dietitian and his neurology nurse. We had a fun first for Max on this visit. For the very first time ever, Max walked into Children's Hospital. There was no stroller or red hospital wagon to tote him around in, he walked. I will be honest, I bribed him to do it. It took two quarters and a lot of talk about showing off his muscles, but it worked. We have yet to figure out the length of distance Max can handle. We are pretty sure airports are too much and we know that a zoo would be WAY too much. So far, when in doubt, we let him use the stroller. If we are wrong and he can't make it, we are left with no other option than to carry him and he weighs 43 pounds. But that stroller is getting smaller as he is getting bigger, so I try to push Max's limits when ever I can. Max also uses the stroller as a safety net, he can escape into it when he is over stimulated by noise or people. I would not attempt a museum or mall without the stroller for that very reason, but the hospital, I thought we could try. I was so proud of him. He did so well, not only with the change in routine (which rarely goes over well with Max) but also with a pretty large distance to cover.
Another very exciting first for us occurred during his appointment. I was told it was a close call, but he passed, Max is now considered to posses a full fledged RUN. To be able to run you must have both feet leave the ground at the same time. My eyes could barely detect it, but I saw it too, it was happening, both feet were indeed leaving the ground at the same time, if only for a millisecond. It was good enough for them, which means it is good enough for us. Max can now officially run. His hard work is really paying off! We have to give Caroline a lot of credit for this accomplishment as well. She loves to run and is quite fast, usually beating me, sad I know, she is seven. Anyway, she loves to have races and Max is more than happy to race with her, even though it mean him losing every single time. She is so encouraging though, he just loves to race with her. One time I asked Caroline if she would let him win. As she began to slow down to let him pass, he slowed down too. He refused to pass her. He was just so used to following her, he would not pass, it was adorable. But like I stated above, Max does not like a routine to change, even one where he never wins. But the boy is winning in my book, he can run!
It was great to get such positive news on this visit. It was especially welcome after a week of Max vomiting in his sleep every other night. We have been working with both his pediatrician and neurology to figure out the cause. Both have agreed that reflux is the prime suspect, so he is now on Prevacid. An EEG, to rule out seizures, has been requested as well, to be on the safe side. Max's neurologist has thought, for a while now, that it would be good to get a base line EEG on Max anyway, since Glut 1 and seizures usually go hand in hand. I am all for being safe and ruling things out, but I am not looking forward to the test. Max will only be allowed to sleep 4 hours the night before, and then he will need to some how fall asleep during the test the next day. I am not sure how that will go, but I suppose we will find out! Thursday's labs also revealed that Max's bicarbonate levels were low, so another "med" will be added after we give the Prevacid a few weeks to kick in. This one is different, baking soda. Yes, I will be feeding my son butter with a side of baking soda. I am truly in uncharted territory sometimes with Glut 1, but it is OK. We are much calmer these days. Max is running and using the stroller less and less, a little baking soda and an EEG just keeps life lively.
Another very exciting first for us occurred during his appointment. I was told it was a close call, but he passed, Max is now considered to posses a full fledged RUN. To be able to run you must have both feet leave the ground at the same time. My eyes could barely detect it, but I saw it too, it was happening, both feet were indeed leaving the ground at the same time, if only for a millisecond. It was good enough for them, which means it is good enough for us. Max can now officially run. His hard work is really paying off! We have to give Caroline a lot of credit for this accomplishment as well. She loves to run and is quite fast, usually beating me, sad I know, she is seven. Anyway, she loves to have races and Max is more than happy to race with her, even though it mean him losing every single time. She is so encouraging though, he just loves to race with her. One time I asked Caroline if she would let him win. As she began to slow down to let him pass, he slowed down too. He refused to pass her. He was just so used to following her, he would not pass, it was adorable. But like I stated above, Max does not like a routine to change, even one where he never wins. But the boy is winning in my book, he can run!
 |
| I don't have a picture of them racing so here is a picture that sums up the beautiful bond Max and Caroline share. |
It was great to get such positive news on this visit. It was especially welcome after a week of Max vomiting in his sleep every other night. We have been working with both his pediatrician and neurology to figure out the cause. Both have agreed that reflux is the prime suspect, so he is now on Prevacid. An EEG, to rule out seizures, has been requested as well, to be on the safe side. Max's neurologist has thought, for a while now, that it would be good to get a base line EEG on Max anyway, since Glut 1 and seizures usually go hand in hand. I am all for being safe and ruling things out, but I am not looking forward to the test. Max will only be allowed to sleep 4 hours the night before, and then he will need to some how fall asleep during the test the next day. I am not sure how that will go, but I suppose we will find out! Thursday's labs also revealed that Max's bicarbonate levels were low, so another "med" will be added after we give the Prevacid a few weeks to kick in. This one is different, baking soda. Yes, I will be feeding my son butter with a side of baking soda. I am truly in uncharted territory sometimes with Glut 1, but it is OK. We are much calmer these days. Max is running and using the stroller less and less, a little baking soda and an EEG just keeps life lively.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Waiting Room turned Party Room - Tea Time
Oh how I love a tea party! I count myself blessed that both my children enjoy a good tea party as well. I told Ray, when I was first pregnant, that no matter the gender of the child there would be tea parties in our house. In his usual agreeable way, he smiled and accepted it. I will admit that I was very excited to learn that Caroline was a girl, as I envisioned many tea parties in our future! Ironically, it is Max who really enjoys the taste of tea. Max has always taken his tea just like I do, regardless of the type. Even before the diet, I never had to over sugar it for him to like it. Caroline, however, is still insisting on a 1:1 ratio of sugar to tea, I have even caught her drinking just water and sugar.
This weekend I was thrilled to host a tea party for Caroline, her friends and their mothers. It was billed as a Mother, Daughter, Doll Tea...but Max insisted on a place at the table, even if he later retired downstairs to play video games with Ray.
Just thinking about it makes me smile, we had the best time! The girls made a craft for themselves and one for their dolls. Then they watched a short Christmas show and came to the dining room table for tea. The grownups settled in at the kitchen table. I had not really thought through how I was going to manage being with the moms and taking care of the girls. With out a word being said, Ray took over serving the girls all their goodies and then went downstairs with Max, only to be joined by 7 very sugar happy girls a few minutes later. I was able to stay upstairs and enjoy my time with the ladies. I am married to a good man!
As usually I thoroughly enjoyed planning/decorating for this party, but this time I got into the cooking side as well. I managed to make my own clotted cream. Click here for the technique. It worked so well! I also finally figured out how to make a decent scone, for years I have always bought them or used a mix. However, the decorating was still the most enjoyable, and I think it always will be for me. Hanging things from our chandelier will never cease to amuse me.
Look at this picture! Could there be anything cuter out there in the land of tea parties? As soon as he could, Max joined Caroline at her little table. I have countless pictures of the two of them having tea parties together, but this one is by far my favorite.
This weekend I was thrilled to host a tea party for Caroline, her friends and their mothers. It was billed as a Mother, Daughter, Doll Tea...but Max insisted on a place at the table, even if he later retired downstairs to play video games with Ray.
Just thinking about it makes me smile, we had the best time! The girls made a craft for themselves and one for their dolls. Then they watched a short Christmas show and came to the dining room table for tea. The grownups settled in at the kitchen table. I had not really thought through how I was going to manage being with the moms and taking care of the girls. With out a word being said, Ray took over serving the girls all their goodies and then went downstairs with Max, only to be joined by 7 very sugar happy girls a few minutes later. I was able to stay upstairs and enjoy my time with the ladies. I am married to a good man!
As usually I thoroughly enjoyed planning/decorating for this party, but this time I got into the cooking side as well. I managed to make my own clotted cream. Click here for the technique. It worked so well! I also finally figured out how to make a decent scone, for years I have always bought them or used a mix. However, the decorating was still the most enjoyable, and I think it always will be for me. Hanging things from our chandelier will never cease to amuse me.
I love tea....
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