Our little homeschool group went on field trips yesterday.
We visited Canine Partners For Life. They train service and companion dogs for people with disabilities.
They showed us a video first, then introduced us to Alex, a retired service dog, who now helps with presentations. Then we took a tour of the kennels, where the dogs who are over one year of age, live for one year while they are in training that is specific to the needs of the person they will be partnered with.
Christopher was very excited about seeing the dogs, especially Alex. As soon as Alex came in the room, Christopher sat up and signed and said "dog". He kept talking to Alex, who paid him no attention, until it was the time in the presentation where his owner gave him permission to be allowed to do so. I was imressed how well trained Alex was, most dogs would have been right over licking Christopher, and causing him to no longer be happy about its presence. Alex enjoyed the petting and affection from all of the children.
We had never thought of a trained companion dog for Christopher until now. We had thought of getting a dog as a pet, but never thought about one specially trained. We are now giving this some thought. I read in the newsletter we recieved yesterday how a companion dog can be a good outlet for the extra love and affection that children with Down syndrome seem to have available to give. It can also be a natural source of deep tissue stimulation, that children with low muscle tone need, just by leaning its weight against the person.
It is a lot to think about and we will not be making this decision without doing a lot of prayer and research.
Our group had lunch at a local park. It was great to see them all interact so well, considering the large span in ages. We have children from 16months up to 17 years. I think the older ones enjoyed the swings as much, if not more than the younger ones.
We then went for a tour of the Herrs Food Factory. Ahhh, the smell of potato chips! Our favorite part of the tour was the end, where we were served potato chips, still hot from the fryer! Mmmmm!
Field trips can be a challenge with a large family. Trying to keep track of all the little ones, keeping everyone interested and happy, getting the double stroller though all the doorways. But we managed, and even had a good time doing it.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Our New Wheel
As you already know, we are learning to spin. It started with Allura, who bought a drop spindle and a bag of mixed fiber. From that, she developed a desire to have a wheel. We bought her an Ashford Kiwi for her highschool graduation gift.
A few months ago, Allura brought it downstairs to the livingroom, so she could spin while she watched TV. When she was not using it, she set it on a cabinet. So it sat there, day after day, beckoning the rest of us to give it a try, just a try. Well, we did and we were hooked.
The Kiwi has 2 treadles, and this made me, who learned to sew on a treadle sewing machine, want to spin the wheel to fast. The yarn I made on it was not a success. We'll just leave it at that. But I really wanted to learn to spin, as did Sarah and Bethany.
Gene decided we should buy another wheel. He wanted me to go to our local fiber store and try out wheels, to see which one I liked best. I found I liked the Ashford Traditional. It has the ability to go nice and slow, and was much easier to prevent backward spinning than the Kiwi (at least for me, Allura would roll her eyes at this). I also love the look of the old fashioned spindles on the wheel.
We bought the wheel unfinished and Gene took the time to lovingly finish it for me. He used goldleafing to make the heart shaped leaves in the ivy around the wheel. He also gold leafed some of the other details. It really pays to have a husband who does painting and hand lettering for a living.
We are having so much fun learning to spin. We actually have made some useable yarn, and are in the process of knitting it into cabled scarves. We have spun through almost all of the 3lbs of fiber we purchased from The Sheep Shed Studio, and are anxiously awaiting our first fleece, from a neighbor, to skirt, clean and card.
Who knew that something our ancestors would have considered to be work would be so much fun!
A few months ago, Allura brought it downstairs to the livingroom, so she could spin while she watched TV. When she was not using it, she set it on a cabinet. So it sat there, day after day, beckoning the rest of us to give it a try, just a try. Well, we did and we were hooked.
The Kiwi has 2 treadles, and this made me, who learned to sew on a treadle sewing machine, want to spin the wheel to fast. The yarn I made on it was not a success. We'll just leave it at that. But I really wanted to learn to spin, as did Sarah and Bethany.
Gene decided we should buy another wheel. He wanted me to go to our local fiber store and try out wheels, to see which one I liked best. I found I liked the Ashford Traditional. It has the ability to go nice and slow, and was much easier to prevent backward spinning than the Kiwi (at least for me, Allura would roll her eyes at this). I also love the look of the old fashioned spindles on the wheel.
We bought the wheel unfinished and Gene took the time to lovingly finish it for me. He used goldleafing to make the heart shaped leaves in the ivy around the wheel. He also gold leafed some of the other details. It really pays to have a husband who does painting and hand lettering for a living.
We are having so much fun learning to spin. We actually have made some useable yarn, and are in the process of knitting it into cabled scarves. We have spun through almost all of the 3lbs of fiber we purchased from The Sheep Shed Studio, and are anxiously awaiting our first fleece, from a neighbor, to skirt, clean and card.
Who knew that something our ancestors would have considered to be work would be so much fun!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Cleft Palate Update
Yesterday was our annual visit to the Cleft Palate Clinic. Christopher saw the surgeon, speech pathologist and the audiologist.
The surgeon was plesed with how well Topher's palate looks. He was also pleased with how his speech sounds, no nasal-ness. This is really great news, since it means Topher will NOT need a second surgery to lengthen the tiny muscles of the throat. I am happy to not have another trip to the OR!
Christopher was in rare form yesterday. I think he knew it was his time to shine! He jargoned and babbled the entire time, as well as saying some real words. He also showed off his signing, and proved he knew what he was signing by pointing to objects and doing the appropriate sign. All of this was unprompted and spontaneous.
The speech pathologist was pleased and not concerned about our lack of professional intervention at this time. I told her what all we do, and she observed how Sarah and I continually talk to Topher and repeat back the correct way to say words. She laughed and said that is exactly what she would recommend we do.
The speech pathologist asked Sarah if having a little brother with Ds has caused her to consider going into any type of teaching or therapy profession. Sarah told her she wants to be a speech therapist. She was very informative and encouraging. We walked away with websites and the names of colleges, and were able to get good ideas for Sarah's highschool course plans.
Four years ago, I would have never dreamed one of my children would desire to be a speech therapist. Topher, in his own unassuming way, is an inspiration to everyone he comes in contact with.
The surgeon was plesed with how well Topher's palate looks. He was also pleased with how his speech sounds, no nasal-ness. This is really great news, since it means Topher will NOT need a second surgery to lengthen the tiny muscles of the throat. I am happy to not have another trip to the OR!
Christopher was in rare form yesterday. I think he knew it was his time to shine! He jargoned and babbled the entire time, as well as saying some real words. He also showed off his signing, and proved he knew what he was signing by pointing to objects and doing the appropriate sign. All of this was unprompted and spontaneous.
The speech pathologist was pleased and not concerned about our lack of professional intervention at this time. I told her what all we do, and she observed how Sarah and I continually talk to Topher and repeat back the correct way to say words. She laughed and said that is exactly what she would recommend we do.
The speech pathologist asked Sarah if having a little brother with Ds has caused her to consider going into any type of teaching or therapy profession. Sarah told her she wants to be a speech therapist. She was very informative and encouraging. We walked away with websites and the names of colleges, and were able to get good ideas for Sarah's highschool course plans.
Four years ago, I would have never dreamed one of my children would desire to be a speech therapist. Topher, in his own unassuming way, is an inspiration to everyone he comes in contact with.
Friday, March 18, 2011
RSV
We were plagued with what we origanally thought to be a bad cold here in the shoe. Seemed like the bigger children and Gene and I could not shake it. Then the little ones got sick.
First Josh, who was having retractions, but no wheezing. Strangest thing I ever saw. We were in contact with our family doctor, and giving nebulizer treatments, but it seemed to drag on for a while.
Then Trinity got sick, and was very sick. We had many sleepless night, Gene and I and Trinity. We even took a trip to the ER, only to be misdiagnosed, given meds that were inappropriate for her actual condition, and told she was not contagious. When we went in to our family doctor's office on Monday, they asked if the ER had tested for RSV. No, they did not; they did a chest xray and said she had bacterial pneumonia. No wonder the antibiotic did not help, the test for RSV that was done in the doctor's office came back positive.
Next, Christopher came down with it. We knew exactly what it was and how to treat by now. We were concerned about him, with his low muscle tone it is difficult for him to cough effectively. With the combination of nebulizer treatments, postural drainage and chest percussions, we were able to treat him at home. Our biggest battle was against dehydration. It is difficult on a good day to get Topher to drink enough, and when he is sick it is nearly impossible. But we managed to get some precious drops of fluid into him.
We are on the road to recovery now. I was watching my babies playing together and realized they had been sick for so many days that I had forgotten how beautiful they are. Their eyes are no longer dull and listless, but had a sparkle and shine to them again. Their cheeks are again rosey and dimpled with smiles. Yes, it is good to see them healthy again!
First Josh, who was having retractions, but no wheezing. Strangest thing I ever saw. We were in contact with our family doctor, and giving nebulizer treatments, but it seemed to drag on for a while.
Then Trinity got sick, and was very sick. We had many sleepless night, Gene and I and Trinity. We even took a trip to the ER, only to be misdiagnosed, given meds that were inappropriate for her actual condition, and told she was not contagious. When we went in to our family doctor's office on Monday, they asked if the ER had tested for RSV. No, they did not; they did a chest xray and said she had bacterial pneumonia. No wonder the antibiotic did not help, the test for RSV that was done in the doctor's office came back positive.
Next, Christopher came down with it. We knew exactly what it was and how to treat by now. We were concerned about him, with his low muscle tone it is difficult for him to cough effectively. With the combination of nebulizer treatments, postural drainage and chest percussions, we were able to treat him at home. Our biggest battle was against dehydration. It is difficult on a good day to get Topher to drink enough, and when he is sick it is nearly impossible. But we managed to get some precious drops of fluid into him.
We are on the road to recovery now. I was watching my babies playing together and realized they had been sick for so many days that I had forgotten how beautiful they are. Their eyes are no longer dull and listless, but had a sparkle and shine to them again. Their cheeks are again rosey and dimpled with smiles. Yes, it is good to see them healthy again!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Our New Hobby
We are learning how to spin yarn here in the shoe. Allura already knows how, but is not fond of teaching, so the rest of us are making feeble, but fun atttempts.
A momys friend told me about ordering from The Sheep Shed, so we were able to purchase some nice mill end merino fiber from there. It is very soft and much easier to spin than the mohair that was my first attempt. I am pleased with the order and with the service from The Sheep Shed. My order was at my front door in a matter of less than one week.
This is my very first attempt at spinning yarn. It is mohair, and I was told later that mohair was not a good "starter" fiber. I attempted to make a pot holder out of it, but it was even too pathetic for that. So, I am using it to embellish one of Trinity's soakers, and other odds and end things. I can't let my first attempt be for nothing:) Allura got a good laugh at my sad yarn, but I distinctly remember some that looked very similar coming from her hands when she was learning.
A momys friend told me about ordering from The Sheep Shed, so we were able to purchase some nice mill end merino fiber from there. It is very soft and much easier to spin than the mohair that was my first attempt. I am pleased with the order and with the service from The Sheep Shed. My order was at my front door in a matter of less than one week.
This is my very first attempt at spinning yarn. It is mohair, and I was told later that mohair was not a good "starter" fiber. I attempted to make a pot holder out of it, but it was even too pathetic for that. So, I am using it to embellish one of Trinity's soakers, and other odds and end things. I can't let my first attempt be for nothing:) Allura got a good laugh at my sad yarn, but I distinctly remember some that looked very similar coming from her hands when she was learning.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Six Years Ago Today
Six years ago today Josh had the first surgery to his right eye. Six years ago, we had to hand our baby boy over to a doctor we had only met a few days earlier.
We sat in the waitingroom for almost four hours for a surgery that was supposed to only take 3 hours.
Nothing prepared me, not even being a nurse, for the moment I saw my son after his surgery. He was like a pitiful newborn kitten, weak and frail looking, yet with a sturdiness of steel beneath the surface.
Nothing prepared me for the first night of caring for him in his delicate state, with the eye shield that was to protect his surgical sight. I sat with him on my lap, cradled on a pillow for most of the night.
Nothing prepared me for how he would look at the doctor's office the following day when the shield was removed and the eye examined.
And nothing prepared me for the long journey of watching for complications, the ups and downs of everything that goes along with PHPV.
Six years later, I am emotional remembering it all. Even when Josh is stable, which he currently is, PHPV and its co-diagnoses, is like something sinister lurking around the corner in the darkness. I feel like I can never let my guard down, never allow myself to take a break from being watchful, lest some complication crop up.
This is a picture of Josh when he was 2 days old, before we had knew what his diagnosis was, before he had any surgeries. If you look carefully, you can see the white/grey pupil.
The next picture is immediately after we were called back to recovery.
This Josh and me. How good it felt to have him back in my arms!
We sat in the waitingroom for almost four hours for a surgery that was supposed to only take 3 hours.
Nothing prepared me, not even being a nurse, for the moment I saw my son after his surgery. He was like a pitiful newborn kitten, weak and frail looking, yet with a sturdiness of steel beneath the surface.
Nothing prepared me for the first night of caring for him in his delicate state, with the eye shield that was to protect his surgical sight. I sat with him on my lap, cradled on a pillow for most of the night.
Nothing prepared me for how he would look at the doctor's office the following day when the shield was removed and the eye examined.
And nothing prepared me for the long journey of watching for complications, the ups and downs of everything that goes along with PHPV.
Six years later, I am emotional remembering it all. Even when Josh is stable, which he currently is, PHPV and its co-diagnoses, is like something sinister lurking around the corner in the darkness. I feel like I can never let my guard down, never allow myself to take a break from being watchful, lest some complication crop up.
This is a picture of Josh when he was 2 days old, before we had knew what his diagnosis was, before he had any surgeries. If you look carefully, you can see the white/grey pupil.
The next picture is immediately after we were called back to recovery.
This Josh and me. How good it felt to have him back in my arms!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Sibling Compassion
Lately, Christopher and Trinity have become compassionate toward each other, to a degree that is unusual. At least, it seems unusual to me in comparison to how my other children were at this age. Don't get me wrong, they can still fight and squabble with each other. Their biggest cause for discord is when I hold one and not the other, this is especially distressing to Trinity. She is unhappy until she is on my lap as well.
But I have noticed something else, when they are seperated for nap and bedtime, Trinity cries. Christopher sleeps upstairs, and Trinity sleeps down in my room. When Christopher goes up to bed Trinity will stand at the bottom of the steps, on the other side of the gate, and cry.
Last night, as I was walking behind Christopher up the steps, Trinity was across the livingroom and began crying. Christopher turned to look for her and she was not at the bottom of the steps. He would not take another step, when I tried to coax him to continue, he first made himself stiff, when I persisted, he made himself limp. I had to pick him up to keep him from falling. He was not happy until he could see that "Kiki" as he calls her, was ok.
When Trinity falls, or bumps herself, Christopher is there to pat her and say, "Awww Kiki", til she smiles again.
Trinity is the same way with her big brother. If he is crying, she *needs* to be near him. If she can't be near him, she cries, as well. She will pat him on the back, too, when he cries.
I am amazed at this sweet special bond my two little ones have.
But I have noticed something else, when they are seperated for nap and bedtime, Trinity cries. Christopher sleeps upstairs, and Trinity sleeps down in my room. When Christopher goes up to bed Trinity will stand at the bottom of the steps, on the other side of the gate, and cry.
Last night, as I was walking behind Christopher up the steps, Trinity was across the livingroom and began crying. Christopher turned to look for her and she was not at the bottom of the steps. He would not take another step, when I tried to coax him to continue, he first made himself stiff, when I persisted, he made himself limp. I had to pick him up to keep him from falling. He was not happy until he could see that "Kiki" as he calls her, was ok.
When Trinity falls, or bumps herself, Christopher is there to pat her and say, "Awww Kiki", til she smiles again.
Trinity is the same way with her big brother. If he is crying, she *needs* to be near him. If she can't be near him, she cries, as well. She will pat him on the back, too, when he cries.
I am amazed at this sweet special bond my two little ones have.
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