Kaycie is 3!

Kaycie is 3! Well, 3 and a few weeks, but who's counting 😉 Turning 3 has meant some changes in the life of Kaycie, and she is thriving!

We celebrated Kaycie's birthday with the family...my sister's family came in town from Chattanooga, and we got to spend the weekend playing and celebrating. We haven't gotten in to big birthday parties because so far the kids just love being with their family for a special weekend...we are holding on to that!

Now for a quick, not so quick update on the rest of the excitement! Upon turning 3, Kaycie aged out of her Early Intervention programs, so our support that we have received (besides our private therapies) was dropped. At age 3, they get rolled over to the public school system, if they qualify for services. We were honestly doubtful about receiving services because she is doing so well in so many areas, and they have to significantly qualify in at least 2 areas in order to get help. Long story short, we went to her first elligibility/IEP meeting not expecting much. Matt has never been involved in the process of IEPs, but being a teacher in my former life, I had an idea. I walked out of that meeting shocked, nervous, hesitant, and excited...all at the same time. Some things were not what I had expected, nor wanted, but we came to an agreement. Shockingly, where I thought I was going to have to fight for any services, we had to negotiate fewer services! They wanted her in their deaf/hard of hearing program 5 full days a week. That is the same times of an elementary school student. 7:45-2:15. No way. She just turned 3. We agreed that they can write the IEP however they want as far as times, but we would send her from 7:45-11:15 four days a week. The 5th day, we go to a bible study that has been wonderful for all of us.

She is 3 weeks in...I was so scared to send my baby to the elementary school everyday. Playing on the playground, the cafeteria, the building. They gave us the option of a special ed school bus, and I drew the line when they said it would come between 6:15 and 6:25. She is doing awesome! She loves going to school everyday to see "Ace"cuff (Mrs. Acuff), her teacher. And Joseph. Joseph is becoming  a new fixture in our lives. He is in 1st grade. He has cochlear implants and spends alot of time in Kaycie's class for services. They took to each other immediately. Joseph has a 3 year old little sister, and he watches out for her. He plays with her on the playground. He plays dolls with her in class. Everyday when we pick her up from school, Joseph walks her to the office holding her hand. He never says a word to us, but his little eyes say it all. There is this crazy immediate bond between the two. Kaycie is in a class of 3 (Joseph is a 4th that comes in part of the morning). They also have a parapro 100% of the time. Next week a little girl will start, who is completely deaf and only speaks sign language. Kaycie is gaining confidence. For the first time in her life she is around kids just like her. They have "ears".

In 3 weeks time, she has become a chatterbox...she is talking non-stop. She is self-advocating...she is telling me when she can't hear, and when her batteries die. She is asking for her aids in the morning, but telling me when she just needs a break. I am in awe of the little girl she is becoming. God is so good. So good.

Aside from school...Kaycie graduated from Occupational Therapy today! She insisted on wearing her fanciest dress...so yes, yes we did! They have some behavior interventions and goals in place at school that seem to be working, and we are making progress at home. She also had her 3 year follow up mri to see if the issues that showed in her first mri had resolved, and we got an all clear for that too! The minor issues have resolved, and her vestibules have remained stable (the cause of her hearing loss).

We are starting year 3 on such a positive note! I am so proud, I am so thankful, and I am so blessed by this little girl. I feel like now that we are getting clearance on some of our lingering bits and pieces, we are really getting to enjoy more time together and less at doctors offices. My little chicken nugget has big things ahead, I just know it!

The boys are doing so much too...I plan that update after LJ'S birthday on Thursday! Also..pictures. I will add some pictures! Only so much time in a day!

Woohoo! Sappy Mom Post

Such a big boy! You may think I am crazy dedicating a random blog entry to LJ losing his first tooth. However, over the course of the last month, something about his loose tooth has stuck with me, so stay with me for a minute.

LJ'S older cousin, Sam, recently lost his first teeth. LJ has been so excited about one day losing one because that means he is a big boy like Sam (Sam is 6). About a month ago, LJ informed me that his front teeth were loose. I thought no way...he is 4! However, when I checked...sure enough, they were wiggling. I kept telling him not to mess with them because in my head it was too soon. A few weeks later, however, his adult teeth started popping through behind the baby teeth! These teeth were on their way out!

Over the past few weeks, he has been working on them, we have tried pulling them, and he just keeps wiggling. Tonight, about an hour after bedtime, I all of a sudden hear over the monitor, "Mommy! Mommy! I need to give you my tooth!" Sure enough, the little squirt got one of the 2 out. I got him out of bed and we rinsed his mouth out, put his tooth under his pillow, looked in the mirror at his new grin, took some pictures, and he is now anxiously awaiting the tooth fairy. I wiped his face off before I let him see because LJ has a habit of being a little anxious. He asked my why I was cleaning him up before he could look. I tried to delicately tell him about a little blood. His response, "Mommy, blood is ok. It means that my body is trying to get better!" Wellll....ok then!

So here is my sentimental mommy moment. As you know, LJ was born at 29 weeks. We had to fight for 50 days to get him home and healthy. He has done amazing, and seeing him today, you would never know where he started. Every ounce of him amazes me. Anyway, at this point, the only lasting effects of his birth story are his teeth. They are horrible. Enamel is one of the last things that forms during gestation and then some of the drugs given to preemies kills their teeth. Dentist appointments are a drag (even though he loves going) because we are always in a battle of time and money discussing fillings and crowns and when they may need to happen.

Anyway, we have always been told that LJ's permanent teeth should be healthy and strong. This, my friends, is the beginning of the end of the last physical effect of LJ's rough beginning. It is the last physical sign of all the pain that came with his early days. So, while I am sad that losing teeth is a sign of growing up, and I could just keep him my little guy forever, it is an amazing that after all he has been through, with each tooth lost, he is one step closer to being my 100% healthy happy boy. Maybe God knew we just needed to close this chapter a little earlier than some. I am ok with that.

And now to save for orthodontics....;)

Edit: LJ went ahead and pulled his second tooth tonight (the night after the first). I asked him all day to get it out, but he told me that he could only pull teeth after bedtime because that is when the tooth fairy comes?! He had been working on it all day. Again, an hour after bedtime, he calls me in and asked for a paper towel so he could get a better grip 😄 I sat there with my eyes covered and his sister watched. He kindly narrated every move. My kid is insane...and pretty awesome. Bonus pics because Kaycie insists she lost one too.

Week one is in the books!

So...my after bedtime goal this week is some blog updates. My computer, the keeper of my pictures, has been on the fritz so I will add pictures once I figure that out, but I dont want my memories to fade in the meantime! I will add many of them later. A few I have on my phone. I have a bunch of random, mostly insignificant, updates to write about, but tonight I start with our first official week of school! I am pumped. So excited. So confused...and learning as we go!

 

Last Monday was our official inaugural start date for Pre-k for LJ. This is a year of learning for everyone in this house! We started early this year. The public schools start August 1, and we started July 11...why? Because we can! Knowing that a big move is likely this year, it is our first year learning the ropes, and LJ was desperate to start "Mommy School", it seemed natural. If we need an extra break at some point, or if we just need more time, we have it!

 

This year I got a complete curriculum. One 60 lb box of fun. If you aren't familiar with homeschooling curriculum, there are a million choices. You can get complete kits, you can pick and choose different things for different subjects, you can totally wing it using whatever you want. Since pre-k is new to me, I got a kit for this year (and I am already making notes as to what I like, don't like, and will change for next year and for Kaycie and Eli). We are doing Math, Reading, Spelling, Handwriting, Science, Social Studies, Critical Thinking, Bible, Art. LJ is a model student.

 

LJ is eager. He has always been, and I cannot give him enough information. I actually got a kindergarten curriculum knowing that we will technically have 2 years to complete it. I am learning, just as much as he is, where he excels and where he struggles. It is pretty amazing getting to know my little squirt in new ways. He loves math...numbers, shapes, patterns. He loves social studies and science and critical thinking activities. He is not as fond of handwriting...not surprising given his age. He does it, and he actually does ok with it, but he doesn't love it.

 

We have a lot of hands on activities that Kaycie has been able to jump in on (I also got her some of her own activities to keep her busy while LJ is working). We have been doing anatomy puzzles, learning about the energy from the sun using energy bracelets. We did some geography puzzles to learn the states and continents. We hopped, skipped, and jumped our way through learning what a time line is. We used manipulatives to count numbers. He has been using early readers to learn to read "like cousin Sam does." We have a bunch of critical thinking manipulatives that don't just teach him facts but how to think. He has been learning about patterns in art. We have been reading fables for literature. He is asking for more. I am sure there will come a day when it isn't so exciting, but we are going with the flow right know!

 

We also spent some time this week in the kitchen. LJ and Kaycie have been learning how to make sandwiches for lunch. Kaycie has had her apron on. She terrifies me with her lack of fear of anything, so I was worried about her being around hot things. This week she helped make waffles and spaghetti sauce. I had to take a deep breath and find some trust, and she did really well. We are learning about hot and cold things. They are finding their way around the kitchen, and it is so much fun!

 

My biggest concern so far has been scheduling. Between doctors appointments, gym time (socialization for the kids, and a moment of me time), nap times, and in general 3 small kids, it has started a little chaotic, but just like anything, we will find a rhythm. We got it done in week one. We will get it.

 

I have to share a secret. I know that many people are suspect about homeschooling. Is it worth it? Will they get the "socialization" they need? Will you be able to teach them everything they need to know? I was just as concerned. I know my family and friends are/were. Trust me. I know. I see the looks. It is worth it today.

 

We have a bible study starting in August...for me and the kids. LJ is enrolled in t-ball again (at his request), Kaycie has just been signed up for ballet again (she doesn't get excited often, but mention ballet, and she starts twirling with her hands over her head in excitement), and I am considering a gymnastics class for Eli.  There are co-ops, the list is endless. The socialization part is not a concern.

To share a quick story...I was so proud of him last night. My parents came over for dinner. LJ asked my mom to read with him, and then he pulled out a National Geographic geography book. He was flipping through telling her about Mexico and Canada, and pointing to where we live and where Texas is, and about how the mountains (Appalachian) we right above us. Then he flipped to a map of Europe, and said, "This is Europe. It sort of sounds like threw up." No, I did not teach him that fancy little rhyme. I was simply impressed he remembered Europe. I taught 6th graders who couldn't remember Europe. He then pointed to Antarctica and said it was too cold there. The kid is soaking it up! Even Eli counted to 5 yesterday! Kaycie walked around all afternoon today rubbing her belly and saying, "Mommy! I have testines!" (intestines)

 

I am sure not all days/weeks will go according to plan. I am sure I will continue to have my moments of doubt, but I am very excited about this. Probably two-fold. I get to see my own children blossom. I get to be a part of it. And, for the first time since I left teaching, I get to do what I was meant to do...teach. I am remembering what it is like to make plan lessons, to see the light go off when they "get" something, to change things up when it isn't working. And...school supplies. Who doesn't love school supplies?!

First lesson. Math. He was so excited to start!

Fine motor skills and critical thinking using some cool blocks.

Even Eli is getting in on some table time. He feels like such a big boy!

Doing some measuring with Inchimals.

Early morning art.

Even the pups have gotten in on the action...at least supervising the action.

So much JOY!

Mommy! I have testines!

Peas in a pod. They love the body puzzle.

Sullivan Family Small Screen Debut

About a month ago, I got an email from the media relations people at the grant company that paid for Kaycie's aids. They asked if I would be willing to do an interview with Fox 5 News in Atlanta about Kaycie and the grant. I got the email late on a Sunday night, and they were out filming Tuesday morning. I always said I would never voluntarily be on the news, but I am all about helping someone else if I can. Sooo...I agreed, and the kids thought it was so cool.

I told the reporter about my hesitancy in being on the news...he responded with, "Well, it wasn't your fault and you have all your teeth!" He promised they would edit it well, and they did. They cut out my involuntary rant about the inadequacies of private health insurance that we have run into over and over again.

http://www.fox5atlanta.com/health/fox-medical-team/139518266-story

Life Goes On

So, I have been absent from my little corner of the Internet for almost a year now, even though I have wanted to blog on numerous occasions. Life has just been busy, and when I do have free moments, I am most likely folding laundry! So tonight, I write. More for me than for anyone, but if anyone really wants to read what is sure to be a novel, here it is. Over the past few weeks, I have really felt like we are beginning to enter a new phase in our family. Baby days are ending, homeschooling is starting, and some days I even feel like I can catch my breath and really reflect on where we started, where we have been, and all the amazing adventures ahead. We are ready to take on all of the changes coming our way!

To start, LJ finished his second and final year of preschool a few weeks ago. It finally hit me that he is now solely in my hands. We have our curriculum for pre-k and we will be officially starting "Mommy school" as he calls it in the fall. I won't lie, as excited as I am, I am nervous. I spent many years in a classroom, but none of those years involved teaching a child to read! I will say though, that we have already been working on it, and he is doing awesome. He even sent my mom an email today without me even knowing (!). While most words were misspelled and he has no concept of the spacebar, I could actually read most of it!

LJ continues to be an amazing little blessing to our lives. He has his moments, but he is still just about the most loving thoughtful little 4.5 year old you could even meet. He is constantly nurturing his brother and sister, and he tells them just about every 8 minutes that he loves them and they are his best friend. He even told me he wants to marry Kaycie...we have time to sort all that out!

He LOVES to learn. He loves space and the human body, and maps. He keeps asking if we can do school lessons. He wants math. His current favorite thing is Google Earth. He could spend hours looking at the earth, at the countries, and asking about everything. It makes me so excited to really dig in to some things with him.

Eli is a lot like LJ was at his age...he is a cuddler and freely gives out hugs and kisses. He is genuinely hurt when you tell him no. He has learned the best way to a puppy's heart is to share his dinner. He even set a placemat for Bosco the other day. Oh, yes he did. It is hard to believe he is 1.5 already. Really. He has always wanted nothing more than to be able to do what the other 2 do, and I think he is finally big enough that he thinks he can keep up. He has been affectionately nicknamed "baby giant" by the kids because he seems to have a knack for destroyong their towers and toys as he wobbles along, like Godzilla. There are times where I am sad that our last baby is growing out of the "baby." Every time he grows out of clothes, and I take the next size up out of the attic, I have a walk down memory lane. It feels like LJ was JUST wearing the same clothes! That said, I am so incredibly excited about the kids being old enough where we can leave the house on a whim without having to worry as much about all the "things" a baby requires. We have some awesome adventures awaiting us!

Kaycie...Kaycie, Kaycie. She is just about the most complex little human I know, but I think after almost 3 years, we are finally on the right track to figuring out all things Kaycie. She has this quick wit. She makes us laugh, probably even when we shouldn't. She is very smart. She is developing a very affectionate side that took awhile to really start coming through. She has a temper and she is stubborn. I look at both as a positive for her if we can steer it in the right direction.

Kaycie has a lot of changes coming up in August that we are still waiting on, praying about, and trusting that God will direct our path. When she turns 3, her Early Intervention services will end. Our deaf mentor, who has become someone that I really count on(She comes to our house, so she sees us in the good times and bad. She has seen my tears through the hard times, she has shared in our many joys. She was the first besides my parents to hold Eli when he was born, LJ asks to see her) will also be ending services so that she can move on to help the next family. Kaycie has had an evaluation to see if she qualifies for the special ed preschool through the county. In order to qualify for preschool, she has to meet the requirements in 2 areas. Right now she does qualify with behavior and speech articulation. We will meet for her eligibility meeting in August, and plan her first IEP pending any drastic changes before that time.

We have also just put Kaycie back into therapy. Occupational therapy this time. We have had a rough patch. Kaycie's behavior can get a little overwhelming. There have been alot of little random things that we have experienced that, as I have always said, made me think we are missing a piece to this puzzle still. I had tried all the "tricks" in the parenting guide books to no avail. Meltdowns were at an all time high. Her pediatrician wanted her evaluated for early onset ADHD, but I wasn't sure. Her neurologist was concerned about absence seizures because of some weird "blank" sessions. I had some discussions with my trusty team and it was brought up that we needed an OT evaluation to see if they could pinpoint something, anything.

We ended up with 2 OT evaluations from different companies, we are working with a behavior therapist in our home, and all came to the conclusion that she has a sensory processing disorder, which can greatly affect behavior. It wasn't even on my radar. I have learned alot about SPD recently, and it makes SO MUCH SENSE! Her vestibules not forming correctly are what caused her hearing loss. The vestibules also control certain aspects of sensory input and emotion regulation. There is a reason! And all of the punishment/rewards/praise/etc. in the world won't do any good if we aren't starting at the source! Now that I have a better understanding of what is happening, we have already made so much progress even in the past few weeks!

Her body literally NEEDS heavy joint compression...heavy lifting, movement, etc. in order to function. She is a sensory seeker, hence all of the dislocated elbows (6 so far), and stitches already. Sort of an always seeking and never finding thing...no fear of diving off the couch head first, no fear of jumping off an entirely too high playground platform. She does not get dizzy because of the vestibular issue so she seeks it out (if you want some crazy reading, it still boggles my mind as to how it is all related).  It has also come to light that she still has the hypotonia (low muscle tone) issues that she was in therapy for as a baby. Soo...our house is now complete with a trampoline for joint compression (it calms her...terrifies me because of that "lack of fear" thing), a wiggle seat for mealtimes, a weighted blanket for bedtimes, a chewing necklace, silly putty...she thrives off of carrying in the heavy grocery bags from the car. It is working. In just a few weeks, I have noticed major changes in her behavior, in her coping skills, in her general demeanor. She is 2...she still has tantrums, of course, but my gosh I am feeling like we are on the right track again. One of the things that used to break me to the core was Kaycie having a meltdown and at the same time crying, "Mommy, I'm so sorry!" It was her realizing her behavior and just not being able to control it. Honestly, I was just about sick of people giving me a smile and saying, "Welcome to those terrible 2s...just you wait until 3." No, no...this is not my first rodeo. I have always known there is something else...I just couldn't pinpoint it. So...please...don't ever tell me that.

And for more of the adventures that I mentioned in my first paragraph...we are going to the beach in a few weeks with my parents and my sister's family. We are all so ready for vacation. We went to the store today and probably bought way too many beach toys. So is life! Last year the trip was fun, but Eli was still 6 months old, so I was nursing all day, having to make sure supplies were packed, worrying about naps...this year is going to be a little more free. That is the immediate adventure.

The life altering adventure that I have been trying not to think to hard on, but that we could especially use a few prayers for, is a move. A big move. A year ago we decided that instead of investing massive amounts of money more (this house has been a money pit...but we have  done a whole lot, assuming this would be our forever home and we have been taking the time to turn it into out little palace) into our current humble abode, we were going to redirect our money into saving for a new, bigger house for our family. We have been planning on staying local, but right now Kaycie and LJ share a room, and it is not going well. They need their own rooms. We have a 1400 sq. ft. house, and honestly space for trampolines, quiet spaces, and space to play safely outside are not to be had here. We have been focused. We were casually looking at houses. Our plan was that we would have enough money saved by after this beach trip we have been planning for so long. We have been diligent. We have been excited. We have prayed for the right time, moment, house. If you know us, patience isn't our best virtue, so we were feeling strong.

And then...God is directing us to Texas. The program Matt has been working on at Lockheed is ending next year. He was asked if we would be willing to move to Fort Worth. We have discussed this happening over the last few years, but it was always hypothetical. There are many logical reasons and God reasons, that we have to go at this point.

Sooo....my heart hurts. I will be 35 next week, and I have never lived more than 30 minutes from my parents. I cannot fathom not seeing them every weekend. My sister is less than 2 hours away, and while we don't get to see them every weekend, we see them a lot more than we will in Texas. Hence, the reason, I am just trying to not think about it. There are so many positives to this...followed by the negatives. This is home. I remember when I was 13, and I was so resentful about moving here....

It is funny how God has prepares us. We made a decision a year ago and have been faithfully preparing. We just didn't know at the time what He was preparing us for.

Matt was told anytime within the next 12 months a few months ago, so right now, we are just maintaining our course and taking it as it comes.

We are a work in progress, and I pray every day that we can continue to do the best we can every day to provide our children with everything they need in order to help them find success. Some days, many days, I am exhausted. I am scared. I get tired. I get frustrated. I have faith. I find courage when I feel helpless. I know that my God has a plan. My God will continue to comfort, to heal, to guide, to strengthen. Our trials are minute compared to some of those I love. We have already faced so any trials. Painful moments. Heartache. Joy. Laughter. If the Sullivan clan knows anything, we know how to face trials and rely on the grace of God.