Holiday Pics

We got some snow last night. I cannot tell you how happy this makes Adam. All year long, he asks, "When will it be winter?" He has been praying for it to snow.

Adam is playing a game on his LeapPad, and little brother wanted to watch.

I am so glad I got a picture of Adam's face when we came home from Grams and Grandpa's house Christmas Day.

 Reading the Gift Tags

Wes took Adam to the store and let him pick out whatever he wanted for me. I got a necklace & earring set, a back massager, a frame, and some dryer balls.

He wrapped this one by himself.

This was taken Christmas Day at Grams & Grandpa's house. Cutest stocking stuffers ever!

Opening Gifts at Grams & Grandpa's House

The week before Christmas, we went to a birthday party for a three-year-old in Levi's Bible class.
Adam was so excited, he painted her pictures all day. Here is the crazy note he had me transcribe for him...

Making Reindeer Food

Enjoying a Cookie while Smiling for the Camera

Hope you are enjoying the holidays!

Christmas in a Nutshell Video

We had a nice Christmas and have been enjoying our time at home together as a family. We've had a rough time with illness this month, and Levi is on a second round of antibiotics to help clear up a stubborn ear infection. Otherwise, all is well. It is great having Wes at home with us on his holiday break. We have been playing indoor basketball, doing puzzles, making crafts, playing games, trying out new musical instruments, and much more. Here's a short video (by special request of cousin, Wendi). I hope to go through pictures soon and get some posted here. Happy holidays!!

The Twelve Days of Christmas for the Parents of an Exceptional Child

Today, our schedule is: speech therapy at 9am, physical therapy at 10:30, occupational therapy at noon, and Levi's IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan- a toddler's IEP) meeting at 2pm. Here is the song I wrote in honor of my day...

The Twelve Days of Christmas for the Parents of

an Exceptional Child

On the first day of Christmas, my toddler brought to me:

A meeting for his IFSP

On the second day of Christmas, my toddler brought to me:

2 big hugs

And a meeting for his IFSP

On the third day of Christmas, my toddler brought to me:

3 therapists

2 big hugs

And a meeting for his IFSP

On the fourth day of Christmas, my toddler brought to me:

4 ER visits

3 therapists

2 big hugs

And a meeting for his IFSP

On the fifth day of Christmas, my toddler brought to me:

5 lives changed

4 ER visits

3 therapists

2 big hugs

And a meeting for his IFSP

On the sixth day of Christmas, my toddler brought to me:

6 breathing treatments

5 lives changed

4 ER visits

3 therapists

2 big hugs

And a meeting for his IFSP

On the seventh day of Christmas, my toddler brought to me:

7 specialist doctors

6 breathing treatments

5 lives changed

4 ER visits

3 therapists

2 big hugs

And a meeting for his IFSP

On the eighth day of Christmas, my toddler brought to me:

8 celebrations

7 specialist doctors

6 breathing treatments

5 lives changed

4 ER visits

3 therapists

2 big hugs

And a meeting for his IFSP

On the ninth day of Christmas, my toddler brought to me:

9 forms to fill out

8 celebrations

7 specialist doctors

6 breathing treatments

5 lives changed

4 ER visits

3 therapists

2 big hugs

And a meeting for his IFSP

On the tenth day of Christmas, my toddler brought to me:

10 new prescriptions

9 forms to fill out

8 celebrations

7 specialist doctors

6 breathing treatments

5 lives changed

4 ER visits

3 therapists

2 big hugs

And a meeting for his IFSP

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my toddler brought to me:

11 awkward comments

10 new prescriptions

9 forms to fill out

8 celebrations

7 specialist doctors

6 breathing treatments

5 lives changed

4 ER visits

3 therapists

2 big hugs

And a meeting for his IFSP

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my toddler brought to me:

12 new friends

11 awkward comments

10 new prescriptions

9 forms to fill out

8 celebrations

7 specialist doctors

6 breathing treatments

5 lives changed

4 ER visits

3 therapists

2 big hugs

And a meeting for his IFSP

written by:

April Vernon

Living by Faith Blog

Adam's Questionable Problem-Solving Skills & Levi's Tree Trimming Escapades

Here is the transcript from my chat with Netflix customer support today:

Netflix Barbara

Hello there, my name is Barbara, who am I chatting with?

You

This is April Vernon. My four year old son is learning about writing and wants me to dictate a request to Netflix.

Netflix Barbara

Howdy April!

You

"Dear Whoever Takes Movies Away at Netflix, Will you please give Tangled and Casper the Friendly Ghost back because I want to watch them. From Adam"

Netflix Barbara

Howdy Adam! So I love all of those movies! You have great taste. Our contract has expired for those titles, but no worries, our developers are working to get them back in. So I am sure we will have them available soon ;)

You

Adam says, "Thank you. I love that answer."

Netflix Barbara

:) Okay Tell Adam I said have a great day! Happy Holidays !!

This morning we had a celebratory doughnut breakfast. Adam got up and went to use the bathroom in the middle of the night WITHOUT WAKING ME UP and WITHOUT FUSSING!!! This is big stuff, people. Sweet little Adam wanted to save a few of his doughnut holes for his daddy. We were eating them in the car, on the way to Levi's physical therapy session. Suddenly, I heard, "Ut-Uh! I have a pwobwem. I accidentally ate two, and now there are only two left!" He solved his problem by breaking those two doughnut holes into smaller pieces so Daddy could have more. This is just as funny to me now as it was twelve hours ago when it happened.

Yum.

It was gorgeous outside yesterday, and we played in the leaves a lot. Levi did a great job climbing on the play set, and even went down the slide by himself a few times!

 A few more additions to the tree courtesy of Levi's tree trimming service.

Life is good.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

(Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this post so you can see the video of the boys.)

I meticulously wrapped up these beads last year to keep them from getting tangled up. Levi got to them before I could get them on the tree this year. Oh well.

Levi has been adding his own decorations when we aren't looking. Here is the beautiful cardboard tube and ball from the ball pit that now adorn our tree.

Adam worked on matching upper & lower case letters yesterday. This is a great little activity I found on Pinterest. He loved it, and I am certain we will find lots of other uses for the clothespins.

I got glasses last week. I am still getting used to them but am amazed at how much better I can see! The eye doctor told me it will be only be a couple years before I need bifocals. Nice. It is starting to bother me that I'll be forty in a year and a half. Besides the glasses and my own personal barometer (AKA my right knee), I am starting to FEEL old!

I did some engagement photos last weekend. Not everyone I love has Facebook, so I apologize to those of you that have already seen them. Here are my faves.

Here's a little video of the boys rockin' around the Christmas tree.

Therapy & Such

We go to a child care center for Levi's physical therapy and occupational therapy sessions. Adam has been invited several times to play with the four-year-old class while we're there, and today was the first time he decided to join them. They played in the gym on trikes, and he had a great time. He especially enjoyed holding up the stop sign for everyone. Normally when we are at a therapy session, I play with Adam and try to give the therapists some space since Adam wants their attention, too.

Adam knows therapy is for his little brother, but sure enjoys being a part of the action. Before we left the house today, Adam jumped up and said, "Therapy is fun!"

Today I enjoyed being able to focus on watching Levi work for his physical therapist while Adam played in the gym. I really, really like this new therapist. She has high expectations for behavior and following directions and uses a pleasant voice and songs to get what she needs. I learn from her each time we are there.

Levi has an issue keeping his tongue in lately, so his OT got him something to chew on. He hasn't been too interested but used it today during physical therapy. I have been giving him teethers when I see his tongue out at home, and he is just now starting to take them and use them. It isn't that his mouth is hanging open. He actually sucks on his tongue. It used to mainly happen when he was tired, but I am noticing it more and more now. I think providing something else to do with his mouth is helpful and am so glad he is finally responding to it.

Right now we drive 30 minutes away for occupational therapy on Monday mornings and go back to the same place Tuesday mornings for physical therapy. By the time the boys get home, eat lunch, and take naps, I feel like our day has disappeared. Every other Wednesday, a developmental interventionist comes to the house, and Thursday mornings, Levi's speech therapist comes to the house. I am grateful for such wonderful experts to guide us and help us set goals, and it has provided great opportunities for Adam. Having the therapy sessions helps me to feel accountable for working with Levi, but it sure feels overwhelming at times. The schedule is tiring, and it can be hard work for all of us some days.

Adam came back to join us after playing with the other children. The teacher told me he "was a delightful young man." I concur.

Here's a funny from Adam...I cut his fingernails Sunday morning & did one diagonal cut on each side. I got it a little short, so I decided not to do a third cut across the top like I usually would. He frown and whined, "But, Mom...it's a pentagon." He is so funny!

Have a great week!

Our Belated Halloween & Other Pics

Here are my three favorite guys snuggled up together.

And of course...

The boys & I were not feeling well on Halloween. This week, once everyone was feeling better, I called a few retired friends from our church family, & we did some afternoon trick-or-treating on Monday. Talk about marching to the beat of our own drum!

Adam told everyone that he & Levi were the "saving brothers" (or "bruvvas" as he pronounces it) since they were both dressed as characters that save people. Someone asked him if I dressed up as Catwoman, & he said, "That's not an option." I agree!

Levi loved petting Billie & Tommy's dog, Jack.

And I just about melted watching Adam with their other dog, Punkydoodle. (Yes, Punkydoodle :)

I thought he'd just explode. Look at that sweet facial expression!

Absolutely precious...And, no, it doesn't make me want a pet.

So, we trick-or-treated on Monday, and on Tuesday, I kept seeing chocolate on Levi's mouth.

Then I found at least four of these around the house...

I flew into a snow storm last night.

I worked in Hartford, CT today & will work here again on Saturday. Looking forward to a very rare occasion tomorrow...sleeping in!!!