Vacation!!

We have a fantastic summer vacation! This was the first one we've gone on since Matthew has come along. To be honest, I don't think it would have gone as smoothly if we would have done it any sooner. Now that he is comprehending more and more and we can explain what is going on, its much easier.

I made Matthew a book, that we read alot in the weeks leading up to our trip. In it, I put all of the details I could think of - like a long car ride, stopping at a hotel, packing our bags and loading the car, etc.

As soon as we made the decision to go, I was so apprehensive. Did I do the right thing? Matthew is such a creature of habit, and so fearful of new things. I was sure that he was going to be so uncomfortable and stressed out that I didn't think we made the right decision and should wait until he's older! I second guessed myself until I asked advice from his Occupational Therapist. She got very excited, gave some fantastic advice, and then said "That's going to be so good for Matthew!" Well, that comment completely changed my perspective.

Matthew did GREAT on vacation! We took along his favorite "comfort" toys and we could gradually watch him become used to his surroundings. When we got to the beach, he got right to playing in the sand and went right down to the water, without any coaxing. The entire time we were there, he never once asked to "Go home". What a good boy!

The view outside our 7th floor condo. This took Matthew several days to get used to. We always had to carry him, and he would have a death grip on us. It was open, with a railing. By the end of the week though, he was fine.

Playing on the beach! Not one tiny bit of sunburn the entire trip! As my mom put it, "He was all covered up!"

Matthew called this his swimming pool. This kept him very entertained! We'd fill it up with ocean water and he would play and play.

Contemplating...

Our happy family!

Happy Birthday Matthew!

We just celebrated his 3rd birthday. I love it that he has a summer birthday and we can throw a backyard bar-b-que!

Gary and I got him a Hot Wheels seaport village. I'm hoping this will spur some imaginative play. So far, he just likes to watch the cars fly down the hills and crash. Hey, I'll take it! He is very literal in his thinking, so when I ask him where the cars are going, he just stares at me. So, I ask him if they are going to the store? the beach? to church? to Grandma's? His answer is always "No". Its kind of funny, really. He used to completely ignore me when I asked him stuff like that, so I'm happy that he's even responding!

Birthday cake! He couldn't keep his fingers off of it. You can't tell, but there are spots all over the cake that he squished with his fingers.

Although his face here doesn't show it, he LOVES cake!

His 3rd birthday marked the first night in his Big Boy Bed! He did excellent! He went to sleep all by himself and slept almost until 8:00 the next morning. What a good boy! So far, night #2 is going just as well. This is the bed his Uncle Jim slept in when he was a boy.

Matthew's flared eyebrows

One of the first things I noticed after Matthew was born were his "crazy" eyebrows. I didn't know it at the time, but it can be a potential indicator of chromosomal issues. Yikes! I'm glad I didn't know!

Incidentally, Matthew's chromosomes have been tested, and they are normal. So, his flared eyebrows, are just flared eyebrows and nothing more.

I tried to find a good picture to show you his eyebrows, one is more flared than the other. The center portion of his left eyebrow grows straight up.

Personally, I think it just adds character!

Speech

One more thing!

Last year at this time, Matthew had maybe 5 words in his vocabulary. If I remember right, he said: Daddy, ball, ruff, roar, etc...

This past week he was evaluated by a speech therapist who tested him at or above his age level for speech, comprehension, etc. So, he does not qualify for speech intervention through the school system. There are definately issues with his speech that we need to address though, so we're going to work on getting some funding for that.

Please indulge me for just a bit. There were 2 therapists who evaluated Matthew, one was the Speech therapist and the other was an OT. (For the most part, Matthew could do the fine motor skills fine, but struggles with sensory, which we knew.) Matthew greeted them at the door, found out their names and called them by name throughout the time they were here. The speech therapist told me that in her 29 years, said she has never seen a child like him. Most kiddos on the spectrum won't acknowledge her entrance, and engage in the testing like he did. She found him to be delightful (her words).

Yes, that's my little one and I know he's amazing.

Fun away from home

In 1 week from today, we're leaving for a beach vacation. This is the first time we're going on one since Matthew has been born. So, we've been talking about the beach alot, and I made a book for Matthew, so he'll know a little more about what to expect.




Matthew is a creature of habit and routine. So, its best to let him know what is coming next, especially if it is new and different. I've learned to explain, explain, explain and repeat, repeat, repeat...




We had a gift certificate for a nights stay at a local hotel, so we used it to show Matthew what it will be like to sleep and spend time away from home. He did great! We swam in the pool (Without any meltdowns or protests, even!), and had a fun evening in our room on the fourth floor. The only thing he didn't like - but has talked repeatedly of since that night - is the elevator. He's pretty afraid of them, and its the movement that he doesn't like. So, we sing and "count numbers" while the elevator moves. He protests before we get on and clings to his daddy but he does ride them. When he is tired, the protests are worse. I've been explaining to him that we will ride an elevator lots on vacation. We'll see how that goes...


The next morning came VERY early at 5:45 when I heard his little voice say "Do you want to play with your letter puzzle?" (Sometimes his speech is echolalic - meaning he parrots back what we say or would say, to him.)




Here are some fun shots in the pool:

Snacking on some popcorn before bed.

Sensory play

Last summer, Matthew rarely played on playgrounds or any play equipment. Occasionally, if he was exceptionally well-rested and he was 100% comfortable in his surroundings, he would do play well, but other than that, he mostly was afraid of it all.









So far, this summer is proving to be much different. This is in our backyard, but we've gone to several playgrounds and with 1 exception, he's played great!















We're working on alot of sensory play, and he's doing well! What is sensory play, you ask? That is a good question, and I'm not really sure how to answer, so I'll give you examples:

• Slides


• Swings


• Merry-go-rounds


• Finger paints


• Shaving cream


• Sandboxes


• Play-Doh


• The list could go on and on.

Are you getting the picture? Its experiencing different sensations, I suppose. It involves much more, but those are the basics. We swing Matthew back and forth in a blanket sometimes and he and his daddy love to wrestle. I've drug him around in a washbasket, which he loves. When he's riding in his wagon, he often says "Go fast!!" This is very important for him, to get him used to all kinds of stuff that he'll experience all his life. We won't be taking him on a roller coaster anytime soon - really, its ok if he doesn't like them. After all, Mommy doesn't!! (Hmmm, do you think I could have some sensory issues?)

Again, this stuff was very difficult last summer. He would never have climbed willingly into a washbasket then, and when it came to sand, he didn't even want to touch it. Now, he likes to lay in his sandbox and as long as we can incorporate letters and numbers, he'll stick his fingers right into the shaving cream.

One of the things that occasionally gives us problems is running water. So, its a little touchy to wash his hands sometimes and he's afraid to stick his hands under the faucet when his tub is filling up. The other night, one of his bath toys was directly under the water. I watched him try to work up the courage to reach for it, and he ended up asking for help. We'll just keep working on it!

And, as a bonus, are the flowers in my backyard pretty? My clematis did well this spring, and there are tons of peonies and a huge hollyhock!

A jam-packed day!

Yesterday, we hit the Columbus Zoo! We had lots of fun! Last summer it would have been a little different. There were alot of indoor exhibits with loud noises, drastic temperature changes, stinky smells and were very dark. We hit them all, and Matthew only got scared in one and asked to go home. He didn't love them all, but tolerated them. It was great! And...thanks to Dramamine, we had a most enjoyable drive that didn't include any clean up or changes of clothing. Whew. That in itself was a huge accomplishment!

Outside the bear exhibit. Matthew had ENOUGH of riding in the stroller! He really did well though, it was a long day! There weren't many people around, so we just let him run for awhile after this.

While we were eating lunch, we listened to this lion roar. One of the females answered back from the other side of the enclosure and he lifted his head and listened intently. It was very cool! I wonder what they were saying to each other? lol!

At the petting zoo. Matthew would look at this goat and say, "It's not a cow." Apparently he thought Gary and I may be confused since it was black and white! ;)

This pair of goats were fast asleep. The tan one made a very weird snoring noise and his bottom teeth were always showing. They were so content until Matthew sat on the tan goat - I couldn't get to him fast enough to stop him! The goat just got up and left. Matthew's friends, Jack and Annie have a wonderful Golden Retriever named Fletcher who doesn't mind when Matthew lays all over him, so I think thats what Matthew was thinking of! He's pretty fearless when it comes to animals - I can't wait to go to Rolling Ridge this summer where we can actually feed them!

The bigger reason we went to Columbus yesterday was to follow up with Matthew's Neurologist, Dr Emily in the afternoon. At Matthew's initial diagostic appointment 9 months ago, she was quite concerned with his speech. The first question she asked was how many words are now in his vocabulary and after a pause, I told her that he's doing 4 and 5 word sentences. She was very pleased - and didn't seem concerned with his echolalic speech. (parroting what is said to him). She asked basic things like does he know his numbers? colors? shapes? letters? We were able to answer "Yes" to all of that stuff and Matthew said the alphabet backwards for her and she took our word for it that he can count to 100. ;) She told us to keep doing what we're doing and Matthew gave her a hug and blew her kisses when we left.

She had a few minor concerns about things that we are working on right now with him, but we don't need to contact her or see her again unless he regresses or we have other major concerns. We have a few details to work out about it all yet, but I must say, as much as I've come to appreciate Dr Emily, I hope I never see her again! :) Matthew still has 1 Doctor in Columbus who keeps much closer tabs on his development - maybe we can get rid of him too! I think I might be getting ahead of myself on that one...

Dr Emily sees follow ups in the afternoon and does diagnostic appointments in the morning. My heart hurt for the parents who had their little ones there yesterday morning and heard heart-breaking news like we did 9 months ago. On our drive home I commented on the vastly different tone of this appointment and how GREAT we felt when we left this time. This is not the journey I would have picked, but it is, in fact, the one we are on, and God has been and continues to be faithful!

What a good day!