Yay!
I’m always thrilled when Gabriel shows that he can reason correctly, even if it’s something that isn’t even up to par with the ‘norm’ for his age level (he’s 4 years and 3 months old).
This morning, Mikaela pointed to the fan, which I had just turned off but was still spinning. Mikaela said, “round and round! Faster and faster!”
Gabriel said, “no, it’s going sow-wee (slowly).”
Funny
My favorite recent mispronunciations from my kids:
Gabriel: grass-honkers (grasshoppers)
prinkles (sprinkles)
airpork (airport)
Mikaela: pack-pack (backpack)
What kind of bird is this?
Bird in driveway next door 1/08
Originally uploaded by jayandmelanie1978.
I saw this bird in the driveway next door to our house. I thought it was a beautiful bird, but I don’t know what kind of bird it is. I swear, I thought it was a sandpiper when I first saw it, but we’re not exactly near any large bodies of water. I thought I’d post this and see if anyone knew what kind of bird this was.
Gabriel update
So, I started out trying to post regularly about Gabriel and his disorders (external hydrocephaly, verbal apraxia/speech delay, SPD), then I got slammed with a big work assignment. So I’m going to start again, trying to post regularly on this topic.
This weekend, I took a short break and joined Jay, his sister Stephanie and her son Austin, plus my two kids at the park. This is the same park/playground where Gabriel had a recent episode. This time wasn’t so bad for Gabriel, probably because the park was a lot less crowded. I did notice that when some older girls started screaming excitedly, he ducked his head and covered it with his arm – something he does when he’s frightened. I don’t really know what to do about that, as far as teaching him a coping mechanism to deal with surrounding chaos and loud, unexpected noises. Any SPD parents with ideas for me?
In brighter news, Gabriel’s OT says he’s “blossoming.” What a great word to hear from an occupational therapist. He really is making great strides in his fine and gross motor skills. He’s gone from barely being able to hold a pencil to drawing squares; he’s gone from not getting the concept of scissors to accurately (well, fairly accurately) cutting long strips of construction paper.
Gabriel’s speech therapy seems to be helping a tiny bit – but I can tell we’re in for the long haul. He really does try to repeat the words we give him, but his mouth just won’t cooperate. Hopefully with the combination of normal development (albeit delayed) and therapy, his speech will someday be “normal.”
Remember me?
Hi, internet. I have missed you.
I am finished with my work project, so I’m allowing myself to blog again. I’ve been having withdrawals.
It’s been really hard the last couple of weeks. I’ve been working full-time hours out of my house while simultaneously trying to be a mom. Not the greatest combination. Nonetheless, I’m done and I’m going to try to enjoy some family time. Mikaela and I both have colds, so we’re a little miserable.
It’s dreary outside today, but tomorrow it’s supposed to get up to 75 here. Saturday it was so nice, Jay took the kids to the park. I am SO ready for spring.
I am exhausted from working late last night; I’ll write more soon once I collect my wits.
Mikaela teaching her doggies
Today Mikaela was playing school with her doggies, asking them questions and then answering for them. Otherwise she’s been pretty rotten and horribly crabby the last two days due to a cold. Thank goodness she threw a little “cute” in.
Taking a short break
I’ve got 10 days before a huge writing/SEO project is due, so I probably won’t be blogging much the next week-and-a-half.
I worked over 9 hours today, and I’m spent. I don’t know what it is, but work-related writing really takes it out of me. I could seriously go to sleep right now (it’s just after 8 pm).
So … I guess I’ll catch up with you around Feb. 1st!
Christin on GMA
Christin Sherburne, who I’ve written about on this blog for her Kimkins diet/controversy story (and more recently, her bad car wreck), was on Good Morning America today. See video. She’s had quite the crazy last year or so.
Bedtime Lullaby by Mark Kozelek – Yo Gabba Gabba
OK, I already thought Yo Gabba Gabba – a new kids’ show that both my kids and I love – was awesome, but today took the cake! There was a short animated lullaby featuring the vocals of Mark Kozelek (of the Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon fame.)
Red House Painters is one of my favorite bands of all time. This isn’t a band you’re going to hear played on the radio, and most everyone I’ve ever met who likes them is a proud music snob like myself. Needless to say, I was thrilled to hear another great band on this show.
I figured it out the other day: Yo Gabba Gabba has the magic that Sesame Street has long-since lost. I only wish Yo Gabba Gabba was an hour long!
Not again
Has anyone else been noticing that every time Bush has opened his mouth recently, he’s said something about the threat that Iran poses to the world? Sounds like he’s ramping up to another war.
This is the thing that bugs me: why are we potentially going into yet another middle eastern country when we’ve had limited successes (and that’s an optimistic assessment) in Iraq and Afghanistan? If we’re still using the tired line ‘we’re fighting them there so we don’t have to fight them here,’ why isn’t border security being taken more seriously?
If we’d pumped all the money we put into Iraq and Afghanistan into our own homeland security/border security/airport security, I think we’d be a lot closer to a secure America than we have today. Instead, we keep stirring up hornet’s nests and then issuing grave threats about the terrorists’ murderous intentions.
The only reason I think we should be in the middle east is when directly supporting or defending our ally, Israel. I am very pro-Israel, and I am all for helping them out. (My reason: the Bible says that God will bless those who bless Israel, and curse those who curse them. So I don’t plan on getting on their bad side!) But I don’t think that’s the reason why we’re over there.
Mountains out of molehills
Jay, Gabriel, Mikaela and I went for a stroll/ride up our street yesterday, Gabriel on his bike, Mikaela on her tricycle, and Jay and I walking.
We passed a construction site near the cul-de-sac, when Mikaela pointed at a big mound of dirt and said,”Look, mama! A mountain!”
Wow
You remember my friend Christin, who lost 100 pounds in less than a year on the Kimkins diet? Since then, she’s been on magazine covers, on TV and radio shows, and has had her life turned upside-down by the whole thing. She also came to find out that the Kimkins diet’s founder – “Kimmer” – was (allegedly) a fraud. She’s written about the whole ordeal at her blog.
That’s not the point, though: I just found out that Christin and her family were involved in a really bad car accident on 1/1. I looked at the photo and I just can’t believe no one was killed. Please keep the family in prayer as they recover.
Broken Fingers
A little while back, we showed the kids an old Disney movie – Now You See Him, Now You Don’t. The movie’s basic plot revolves around a college kid – Dexter – who accidentally creates a chemical that makes things invisible. Soon after discovering this creation, Dexter dips his fingers in the solution, and when he brings them up, they’re gone. The first time Mikaela saw this, she totally freaked out, telling Jay: ‘his fingers boken (broken)! Turn it off! I not watch it anymore!’We had to reassure her repeatedly that it was just pretend. It still scares her, but for some reason, she still asks to watch it.
We took this video of her talking about it. If you can’t understand, see the transcript below.
Jay: Okay, Mikaela, what movie is this? What’s the name of this movie?
Mikaela: Pretend.
Jay: What’s the name of it?
Mikaela: Broken fingers!
Jay: Broken fingers, why’s it called ..
Mikaela: Two broken fingers!
Jay: What happens to his fingers?
Mikaela: (looking at her fingers) He dip in there.
Jay: He dipped it in what?
Mikaela: He dip in there.
Mikaela: Let me see, papa.
Melanie: Are they invisible?
Mikaela: (looking at dvd) gasp! Oh, my gosh!
Melanie: Can you say invisible?
Mikaela: Vivi-bul
Jay: Does he dip his fingers in the solution? And his fingers go away. Is that what you mean by broken fingers?
Mikaela: (pointing at dvd cover) he’s right there.
Melanie: Can you say bye-bye?
Mikaela: Bye-bye!
Random stuff
Sorry I’ve been blogging about nothing but Gabriel and his issues lately. I’m actually getting a lot of web hits on these issues, and I feel good about potentially helping people out. I’ve considered launching a separate blog for all of that, but I’m not sure yet.
Speech therapy, “ch” words
Gabriel went to his first speech therapy (well, the first in a while) appointment this week. The therapist said he tried really hard and sent us home with homework. We’re supposed to work on the “ch” sound, in the initial, middle and final positions.
While on the subject, I am all for any kind of benificial therapy for kids with SID/SPD, Autism, speech delays or related conditions. I also know that a lot of insurance companies don’t exactly make access to these services easy or affordable for many. So, if I ever think I can post any techniques that the therapists teach me, I will. I don’t think that finding help online is a substitution for actual therapy, but it’s better than nothing if you can’t afford it. I’m not a Speech-Language Pathologist, but I feel like I’m a pretty well-educated parent (well, on this topic, anyway), so I’ll tell you what works for me.
So, with that in mind, I’m posting a list of “ch” words that you can work with your child on. I’ll post more speech activities and resources in the future.
Starting out: tell your child that you’re going to play a “train” game. Move around the room, making a “ch, ch, ch” sound.
Next, tell your child you’re going to see if they can say some words with the “ch” sound in it. Say one of the words on the list below, over-emphasizing the “ch” sound, and then say it again, “normally.” Then ask your child if he/she can say the word again, with you. If the child doesn’t get it, say “let’s try that again” – but don’t go over each word too many times or the child will become frustrated and/or discouraged.
Initial (starting) “ch”-sound words:
cheerleader
cheesecake
champ
chickadee
chaps
chest
chariot
chipmunk
chestnuts
chart
chicken
charcoal
chalk
chili
chopsticks
Medial (middle) “ch”-sound words:
pitchfork
coaches
watchdog
benches
hatchet
pitcher
question
inchworm
teacher
orchard
witches
poncho
stretcher
creature
wheelchair
Final (ending) “ch”-sound words:
pooch
rich
butterscotch
batch
beach
roach
patch
lunch
peach
perch
ranch
bleach
sandwich
ostrich
Gabriel
I’ve been doing a lot of Gabriel posts lately!
All this writing has me remembering things.
I asked Jay last night if we should go back to a pediatric neurologist and/or developmental pediatrician to have him re-evaluated for Autism. He’s been doing an awful lot of walking in small circles. He seems to do it more often when he’s upset or confused. He also does this monkey-looking thing on his hands and knees, propelling himself around in a circle, but he does that when he’s excited/hyper.
He gets overwhelmed at the grocery store sometimes, and I’ve seen him rock back and forth, flap his hands and make strange noises with his mouth, but these behaviors are less frequent.
He’s also having behavorial issues. Every time we tell him to go to his room to play, or to go to bed, he goes in there and wails inconsolably for a long time, punctuating it with screams. Many times, when I get onto him (even very mildly), he covers up his eyes. Maybe that’s not such a big deal, but it seems like he’s a little old to be going through tantrums again.
The one thing that seems to be improving is his reasoning/observation skills. He’s watching Diego as I type this, and they’re looking for a hawk. This has been his running commentary: “Look mama, they both fying!” [two people were in airplanes] “That ey-go!” [Diego] “He fying! He hafta find a hawk mama! The hawk all gone.”
Park Freak-Out
Saturday, we took the kids to the park on a beautifully sunny day. We had to leave early, though, because Gabriel was having a come-apart. He was literally clinging to me, hiding his eyes and shaking, muttering something about the “monster people.”
The park was awfully crowded, but I was surprised. I’ve never had this kind of response out of him before.
After we questioned him, we figured out he was scared of one guy with long hair and a beard (I guess that’s understandable). He also said something about people with color on their faces. I wondered for a minute if he was referring to African-Americans and Hispanics, but after further questioning, he said something about people getting “all pink” on their faces. I guess he was talking about people getting red in the face from being overheated? I don’t know, but the whole thing was a little disturbing.
Gabriel update, new category
I’ve been wanting to link all my blog entries about Gabriel’s ordeal together, and I finally did so today – I created a category called “Gabriel’s Journey.”
If you’re just tuning in, Gabriel is my 4-year-old son (he was born 10/03) who has recently been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, also known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction. The diagnosis has been a long time coming, ever since I first noticed his speech delay as an toddler, and later, when he had a lot of quirks and aversions, as well as fine- and gross-motor-skill delays. (An aside: Gabriel has had a very large head from early infancy, and was diagnosed with benign external hydrocephaly, which could be a contributing factor to his SID, speech and motor delays.)
SPD/SID in a nutshell: your senses – taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing, balance – take in information, which in a normal person, is processed correctly by the brain, which triggers an appropriate response. With SPD/SID, the sensory messages get garbled, leading to confusion.
For example, if a person’s sense of balance isn’t correctly communicating with the brain, the person may be very clumsy, even to the point of falling off their chair when sitting.
If a person’s hearing isn’t correctly processing messages, they may have a very hard time interpreting and acting on verbal instructions.
If a person’s touch receptors aren’t communicating properly with the brain, the person may be extremely over- or under-sensitive to touch. An over-sensitive child may get severely agitated or upset when the wind blows his hair. An under-sensitive child may fall down and cut their leg badly, and not even seem to notice.
Here’s the thing about SID/SPD: there are so many combinations of sensory issues that each individual child may have, it seems like no two cases are exactly alike. A child with this affliction may have problems with just one sense, with several senses, or even all of them.
Further, the severity of the problems can vary widely. One child with mild SID/SPD issues may be able to get through life just fine, while a child with severe SID/SPD might not be able to get through any routine task without problems.
Gabriel’s condition has manifested itself in a variety of ways. He has a subtype of SID/SPD called dyspraxia. Dyspraxia is poor motor planning/lack of coordination. His brain can’t always make his muscles do what he wants them to do. The biggest problem with that for him has been the oral dyspraxia, which has led to a severe speech delay. Dyspraxia has also led to fine- and gross-motor-skill delays: he has very poor hand strength and can’t hold a crayon or pencil properly for long, he has overall poor muscle tone and tires out easily, etc.
He also has another subtype of SID/SPD called Tactile Defensiveness. TD is over-responsiveness to touch. For instance, he has food texture aversions, which often makes him gag. He gets upset when water is poured over his head. He hates touching anything icky, slimy, or messy. He has actually gotten a lot better in this area, but it’s still somewhat of a problem, especially the food aversions.
Anyway, Gabriel is currently in Occupational Therapy to strenghten his motor skills, and he’s about to re-start speech therapy, as well. (He’s been in and out of speech programs since he was 2.)
If you’re a parent in the same boat, there’s a lot of great resources out there, from books to support groups to Web sites. Good luck and keep checking back; I’ll keep posting.
Signs and Symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory Processing Disorder Resource Center
Aaaaaahhhhhh
I am basking in the afterglow of a finished assignment. I’ve been working almost constantly the last few days, and now I’m done. Please don’t ask me to say anything even half-intelligent; I fried my brain re-writing hundreds of headlines for a search-engine optimization (SEO) project.
Square peg, round hole
I received an email from a friend asking me how I could simultaneously be pro-Huckabee and anti-death penalty. ‘Tis the story of my life.
Most people I know who have “moderate” political views are socially liberal and economically conservative. I’m pretty much the exact opposite. Which means? I fit in nowhere politically. It’s really disheartening.
I’m forever having “principals” vs. “reality” arguments in my head. Like whether I should vote independent because I found someone with beliefs that match mine (if I ever do), or whether I should vote for a republican or democrat, knowing most independents have very little chance of winning?
The thing is, I don’t agree with at least half of the democratic and republican platforms. My own personal political beliefs are driven by what seems like the right, moral thing to do. I know … so naive and idealistic, but what kind of a person would I be if I just threw all my principals out the window to bend my beliefs into a certain party designation? But at the same time, if everyone else in my shoes decided not to vote based on the fact that no politician matches their principals, there sure wouldn’t be a lot of people voting.
I actually love politics. I minored in Poli-Sci and found it intriguing. I especially love talking about politics – but I am a little puzzled by the fact that many people are so secretive about their political beliefs, as if they’re trying to hide some sort of skeleton in their closet. I guess to each their own.
Conversation
I walked into the kitchen this morning to find Mikaela hopping on one foot.
“Mikaela, what are you doing?”
“I bouncing, Mama. I a kanga-woo.”
Bunny circles
Last night, Gabriel was asking for something we couldn’t understand. Bunny pickles? Bunny circles? Brown circles? Brown suckers? We guessed on and on.
OH, a brownie with sprinkles! We finally said. “Yes!” He screamed.
20 things you have to believe to be a Republican today
Another WordPress blogger posted this, which has apparently been making its way around the internet. My comments are in green.
20 things you have to believe to be a Republican today
1. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you’re a conservative radio host. Then it’s an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.
I do think that talking about being a ‘victim’ of drugs is ridiculous. We have free will, and we exercise it when we make bad decisions. Is addiction real and hard to break? Of course. Do I think drug addicts deserve prison sentences? No, not unless the person commits some other crime as a result of being under the influence.
2. The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.
I think our highest national priority should be keeping America safe. I think we rushed into Iraq not giving it enough thought, and now we’re damned if we do leave, damned if we don’t.
3. Government should relax regulation of Big Business and Big Money but crack down on individuals who use marijuana to relieve the pain of illness.
Switch that around and I’ll agree with it. Big business is in bed with both political parties in this country, and it’s sickening. And I think our national obsession with pot is ridiculous. If it’s illegal, alcohol should be, as well.
4. “Standing Tall for America” means firing your workers and moving their jobs to India.
I don’t know if most republicans would agree with that, that accusation is a bit harsh.
5. A woman can’t be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multinational corporations can make decisions affecting all humankind without regulation.
As I’ve said in this blog before, I’m against abortion in all circumstances. No unborn child should have to die so a woman can “choose” not to be bothered by a pregnancy. And like I’ve said before, pregnancy resulting from rape and incest are extremely tragic and unfortunate (not to mention extremely rare), but two wrongs don’t make a right.
6. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
Come on, do democrats REALLY think republicans believe that? God hates certain BEHAVIORS, not PEOPLE. And Jesus does love me. And He loves you too, as much as that might bother you.
7. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans’ benefits and combat pay.
Not liking the tone of this one. At the same time, I don’t agree with cutting veterans’ benefits or pay.
8. Group sex and drug use are degenerate sins unless you someday run for governor of California as a Republican.
Not really liking the tone of this one, either, but at the same time, a lot of republicans I know do seem to have this kind of hypocritical attitude.
9. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won’t have sex.
I know a lot of people who think this way, and it’s unfortunate. I’ll have to look up the study again, but I’ve quoted figures before on this blog that show over 90% of people have sex before they’re married. Sticking our heads in the sand isn’t going to lead to anything but STDs and unwanted pregnancies (and by extension, abortions).
10. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our longtime allies, then demand their cooperation and money.
I don’t know enough details to know if this is true or not, although I know it’s been alleged.
11. HMOs and insurance companies have the interest of the public at heart.
This is just like the one about big business. As long as the campaign finance system allows these industries to funnel large sums of cash to candidates, we’re going to suffer for it, while the pols try to appease those industries by making sure they get the upper hand in any legislation concerning or regulating them.
12. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.
I’m actually for universal health-care. It may not be the best way, but what we have now ain’t workin’, either.
13. Global warming and tobacco’s link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
I don’t know what to believe about global warming. Both sides seem to prevent convincing arguments … but how do I know who’s right?
On creationism, I think it should be taught as a theory, just like the theory of evolution.
14. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush’s daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a “we can’t find Bin Laden” diversion.
He was a bad guy, shame on Cheney and Reagan. Should we have gone over there and started this war? I don’t know. But I don’t think anyone can argue he was anything but a bad guy.
15. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is a solid defense policy.
I always thought the whole thing about Clinton and Monica was ridiculous. If Bush did lie, shame on him. I’d rather the president screwed one intern than the entire country.
16. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.
I don’t recall gay marriage being a constitutionally protected right? I do, however, remember something called the first amendment!
17. The public has a right to know about Hillary’s cattle trades, but George Bush’s driving record is none of our business.
What? I must have missed this one.
18. You support states’ rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have a right to adopt.
I do support state rights.
19. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the 1980s is irrelevant.
Hypocrisy is bad. I think all politicians’ records should be an open book, but that’s not going to happen unless they’re forced to.
20. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist; but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
I can see both sides of this issue. I support fair trade, but at the same time, would our country be destroyed financially if we truly followed only fair-trade practices? I don’t know the answer to that.
Here’s the truth of the matter. BOTH parties are corrupt, hypocritical and self-serving. I’m sure someone could come up with 20 points on democrats as well.
Artist worth checking out
I’ve known Aaron Robinson since way back when (we were college friends), and ever since, he’s been in one band or another. I have always been frustrated for him, because he’s talented but hasn’t “made it.”
Well, things finally seem to be coming together for him. He’s got a manager, a new solo CD (available through Undertow Records and via iTunes) and upcoming tour dates, including a SXSW showcase.
Anyway, go to the above site and give it a listen. You can scroll through a few of his songs on the media player at the top right of the page.
