Wednesday Tidbits

Yesterday we had our long overdue visit to the pediatric gastroenterologist with high hopes that we would have some more definitive answers about Colin's overall feeding, eating, and diet concerns.  We had spoke to our pediatrician a few months back about seeing one when we were at our all time low with Colin's eating (or lack thereof).  Unfortunately, that appointment had been rescheduled a few times, and since then, we have noticed that Colin seems to have a bit more of an appetite.  Our concerns were that there was something more serious going on internally that was being missed.  

{sigh}

Not what I expected.  The doctor had a medical resident and student there so we saw them first.  I am all for medical students because we all have to learn at some point, however, I was very disappointed with how he handled his questioning (I felt like we didn't belong there, that our problem was trivial to what it could be) and his lack of people first language.  He never referred to Colin as having Down Syndrome, but rather, "Downs kids".  Yikes, he is a relatively NEW student!

That started it, and to top it off, it was 500 degrees in the office because they hadn't turned off their heat yet.  Since it was hot and I was flustered, I was sweating.  I mean, dripping. The doctor came in and was initially great with Colin and how he interacted with him.  However, his people first language was pretty lacking as well and he really had nothing to say about anything.  Now, I do want to preface this by saying that I am very thankful he is not concerned that there is something more serious going on, but we've been at this for 2 years now and have never been giving a solid answer.  So, THAT is why I was more disappointed than anything.  Since he is in the 50th percentile for weight and height compared to other "Downs kids", he felt that he was nourished and a healthy weight and height, reflux and constipation issues are pretty typical, and any of the more serious intestinal issues usually present themselves right from birth.  

So, we left with a script to increase the reflux dosage and to come back in a month.  Again, we do know  that there are sensory issues related to children with Down Syndrome as well as the general behavioral issues for a typical 2 and 3 year old when it comes to eating, but, we just were hoping for a better solution to the problem.  Thankfully, Colin DOES seem to have more of an appetite lately, but only for his yogurt, cottage cheese, pudding or vanilla ice cream.  

In the end, I at least got an afternoon with my little boy and a lunch date...that is ALWAYS a positive.

Kailey is definitely teething which makes her so much more dramatic than she already is.  She is such a little girl that it makes me laugh.  

...and, some dance moves from Colin:

Literacy Night

Tonight was literacy night at Colin's new school where different teachers were having a "story time" and you could also walk around and browse the book fair.  Since Colin had just started, I thought it would be nice to show our face and use it as an opportunity to go and see what Colin has been up to lately.  Since Chris had to work, Aunt Kimmy kindly watched Kailey because I was concerned about having two that were not interested in paying attention.  

When we first got there, we went into the book fair which was in Colin's gym area.  He was not interested in checking out the books, but rather, showing me all of things that he likes to play with in there (like baskeet-ball).  Since his teacher was going to be doing his book reading, we went into the classroom to say hi to her.  It was nice to chat with her for a few minutes and he showed me one of his favorite stations (the computers) and the dollhouse area.  It was so interesting to watch him play with the dollhouse because he was walking "daddy" up the stairs, putting him to sleep, washing his hands, etc., all things that he doesn't do when he plays with things around our house.  Around our house, the dolls and animals often end up thrown behind the couch or hidden in other areas, certainly not playing with them constructively.

I was so excited to watch Colin in action when Miss Liz started with a few songs that Colin actively participated in.  He kept looking back at me as if he were saying "hey mom! are you watching!?" and knew all of the songs that they did.  However, as soon as she took the book out to read the story, Colin stood up, said no and did his little hand gesture thing when he doesn't want to do something all the while mumbling under his breath.  I spent the first few pages of the book trying to wrangle him in while he put up a whining, yelling fight in front of all of the other kids and parents listening intently to the story.  I finally just let him go and walk away and then picked up and stood with him for the rest of the book.  After the story, it was time to do a quick craft which thankfully, he was interested in again.  Low and behold, the craft...a duck hat!

Just What I Need

This was one of those weekends that I needed.  Although Chris was gone way more than I would have liked, the kids were very snuggly.  Colin has been boycotting naps, as I know I have mentioned, so by the time we hit 7pm, he is more than happy to oblige.  Kailey on the other hand, does not like being held too much and even when she wants the attention and wants you to pick you up, she does not settle in, but rather, fights it.  However, she is a great snuggler right before bed.  

I really got my fix for the weekend and was just so lucky...

Good Morning

For awhile now, Colin has been getting out of bed in the morning when he is ready.  Typically, he will come into  our room, tap me on the shoulder and say "mom! Mom! ma!" over and over again until I look at him, and then he will say "up!".  With Kailey, it depends on the morning and which "side of the bed" she wakes up on.  Some mornings we hear her happily content in the crib while other mornings you barely have enough time to change her before she needs her milk immediately.  

However, this morning, I heard Colin get out of bed and make a detour for Kailey's room since I think he heard her chatting in there.  I started to get out bed because I wasn't sure how that was going to go when I walked in to THIS scene...

In the picture, if you look, there is a green bin to the left of the crib which is what he used to get in the crib.  It certainly is something new every day!

Friday Fun

Every once in awhile we have glimpses of what Colin and Kailey's relationship might be like when they get a bit older.  Although Colin has been a bit rough with her lately, I know he is not intending to be mean, but still has hurt her with how he plays with her.  However, there are moments when I just have tears in my eyes as I watch them play together because I can't help but think how I just LOVE moments like this...



...And just a little bit of Friday school fun:

We got these two notes from school today about Colin's day today.  One week down and this Mommy is so happy with the transition.  It has been SO GOOD for Colin! (Sorry you have to read it sideways!)

An Adjustment and a Scare

Despite the fact we are really happy with Colin's transition so far, it does come with some adjustments all around.  I think that Colin is doing great, however, I also feel that there are many changes that we are all experiencing that like anything, are going to take time.  One of the most major adjustments that we are dealing with is the fact that Colin is not napping and is so much more tired right now.  When Colin was in his old school, he took a nap every single day for a minimum of an hour. However, he is being very stubborn with the girls and will not stay in his room to sleep.  Today he fell asleep on the couch thankfully and at least took a little cat nap.  However, a short nap led to a ROUGH go at the whole sleep thing at night.  Let's just say there were a whole lot of tears (and it wasn't just from Colin!).

I am sure that with time, Colin will adjust and give in because he just seems so much more tired than before! My adjustment that I am trying to get used to is a decrease in communication between us and his teacher (when comparing it to what I was used to before).  This is not to say that they are not communicating with us, but since he is now riding the bus and we don't pick him up from school, I don't know as many details as I did before.  Again, they send us notes and let us know how the day goes (and we do get plenty of details), but we're talking about the mom who would love to sit IN his class all day to get ALL kinds of communication!  All in all, we have been really happy with the transition as we feel that Colin is doing really well.  I know this may sound a little crazy, but in the past week since Colin has been in school, I am seeing some subtle improvements with his language.  All I have to do is bring up the bus or his teacher and he has lots to say, just not sure what it is.  Some of the words that he was already saying are becoming more clear and he is stringing 2 words together at times (like "no mom!").  

Another thing that's blossoming?  His independence!  I was at target yesterday with the kids and wanted to let Colin walk around to tire him out a bit.  However, I had the kids to start in the stroller so that I could get everything I needed first.  I turned around at one point and Colin wasn't in the stroller!  I nearly had a heart attack and thankfully he had JUST gotten out but was on the move!  

Lesson learned...buckle him in!  

And another scare, Kailey is getting into EVERYTHING.  I pulled THIS out of her mouth yesterday which she was essentially choking on because it was stuck.  

...and had to get her off the couch before she fell...

...and then off of the little kid picnic table that Colin just got for his birthday that we didn't put outside yet that she was almost standing on top of when I walked into the room.  I'm not used to this!

Kailey Ann

Kailey was rocking out late night tonight since we put Colin to bed first tonight at 7:30.  The kids have swim lessons on Tuesday nights now and we don't get home until 7pm.  Generally that is Kailey's bed time and then Colin goes in somewhere between 7:30 and 8.  However, Colin has not been very cooperative at nap time with the girls lately, so by dinner time, his behavior and mood is not the best because he is just so tired from school. In addition, we think he has some teeth breaking through in the back because he has been up crying at night gnawing on his thumbs and then we have to wake him to get him ready for school.  

Kailey was more than happy to oblige and stay up longer, and was putting on quite a show for us.  She has quite a personality and I have really enjoyed seeing how she does things.  Obviously it's different than Colin, but it's ok because I like how the each do things their own way.  She is very curious about things and watching her play is so interesting.  Her play has been more purposeful and she seems to think everything is a purse because she likes to loop it over her arm and walk around with whatever it is.  She likes to put lots of things "in" different things and always makes me laugh when we find random combinations of toys.  However, she also is so dramatic and likes to flop onto the floor and cry if things don't go her way.  I like that they are so unique in their own ways!