This video is a continuation of the one below where Thane saw my laptop's webcam for the first time. We played for awhile as he was just so cute. I posted this because it really shows how wonderfully he is doing (if you get past the black eye!)
Thursday, February 21, 2008
ABA and Lunch
When applied behavior analysis was suggested for Thane, my knee-jerk reaction was no way. Part of that stems from my brother and knowing that ABA, regardless of what the experts say, makes a lot of use of negative feedback or aversives. This is not my style nor Dave's.
There are many things that simply have not been worth the fight to me . . . meaning that I haven't really wanted to push him to the point of unhappiness about any behavior. That doesn't mean I don't react to him throwing toys or something (the toys get a time out away from him until he is calm), or that I think every minute of his life will be shear happiness, but I don't want to create conflict where there doesn't need to be any. Who cares if he doesn't wear clothing at home? Who cares if he lines up his cars? It's all about picking battles . . .
I also completely understand that there is no such thing as a perfect parent. We do the best thing we can think of at the moment, hind-sight makes us question our choices, and how we react in the future evolves from what has worked and what hasn't.
Thane had gotten very difficult about eating meals, or eating much variety. It wouldn't matter much to me if his choices were pretty well-rounded, and if he didn't expect to eat half grapes and stick them to the furniture. He can eat a half grape if he puts the rest in a discard bowl, but the floor and furniture was just too icky. We want him to try new foods. I know this hardly seems like a crime, but he is 4 years and 2 months and has never even let a piece of pasta into his mouth. I am sure he would like it with some toppings that he enjoys, like tomato sauce, but he won't let it past his lips.
We gave the ABA guy a try because we were getting nowhere with potty training. Then he basically got the concept in a day, no pee accidents within a week, off the timer in less than a week, etc. So it worked. The first day was awful, then it turned easy.
So we decided to address the wanting Thane to eat at the table and actually finish a meal rather than eat two grapes and cry for more food in a half hour. We wanted him to eat more foods and not always be a separate meal. I wanted him to try some of the products of our efforts to make some pretty darn tasty gluten free, egg free foods (he does have dairy and some soy again). We have allergies to work around too.
The therapist suggested first a plan for eating at the table, finishing the food on his plate (which Dave is really uncomfortable with since both of us parents have a weight problem and Braeden is gaining too fast). This plan has taken as much as 5-6 hours a day to implement. It got easier for a bit, but then fell apart because of parental failure. We were sick of it!
We tried again and we had lunch with the therapist on Wednesday. It was horrible. He didn't think so, but I really felt like I was torturing my son to get him to eat a bite of waffle. I had to physically keep him in his chair. I didn't do anything that would hurt him physically; in fact, I was doing all I could to prevent him from hurting himself. I found myself thinking that maybe I should just let him live on waffles, apples, grapes and cheese after all. Maybe he doesn't need to sit with us or finish a meal on anyone else's schedule. But how will that work if he goes to school? Gets a job? And we do have the added complication that he really cannot have gluten. Gluten damages the insides. It makes him very sick for the short term, clumsy, he has trouble speaking, etc. He does need to have some guidance around food issues.
I was told I did well. I stayed calm. OK, maybe on the outside, but inside I was yelling I want to stop. NOW! So where does one go with this. Physically he is OK. Emotionally he still loves mom and hangs out with me (the webcam videos were a few hours after our ordeal). I don't want to do this anymore, even if yesterday was totally rare. It still happened and it was more than I can handle. I felt so mean. I love my kids to pieces and I know I have to correct them here and there, but this is different to me somehow. Like I am turning something small into a battle.
I'm glad he and I had so much fun later on (and Braeden too, he was laughing really hard while watching Thane watch the videos, because he says "Hi!" to them constantly). I hope I don't have any more days that make me doubt my decision to try this therapy. It's hard because eating a meal is not punishment (and a meal can be one bite) to most of us, but I guess Thane disagrees.
There are many things that simply have not been worth the fight to me . . . meaning that I haven't really wanted to push him to the point of unhappiness about any behavior. That doesn't mean I don't react to him throwing toys or something (the toys get a time out away from him until he is calm), or that I think every minute of his life will be shear happiness, but I don't want to create conflict where there doesn't need to be any. Who cares if he doesn't wear clothing at home? Who cares if he lines up his cars? It's all about picking battles . . .
I also completely understand that there is no such thing as a perfect parent. We do the best thing we can think of at the moment, hind-sight makes us question our choices, and how we react in the future evolves from what has worked and what hasn't.
Thane had gotten very difficult about eating meals, or eating much variety. It wouldn't matter much to me if his choices were pretty well-rounded, and if he didn't expect to eat half grapes and stick them to the furniture. He can eat a half grape if he puts the rest in a discard bowl, but the floor and furniture was just too icky. We want him to try new foods. I know this hardly seems like a crime, but he is 4 years and 2 months and has never even let a piece of pasta into his mouth. I am sure he would like it with some toppings that he enjoys, like tomato sauce, but he won't let it past his lips.
We gave the ABA guy a try because we were getting nowhere with potty training. Then he basically got the concept in a day, no pee accidents within a week, off the timer in less than a week, etc. So it worked. The first day was awful, then it turned easy.
So we decided to address the wanting Thane to eat at the table and actually finish a meal rather than eat two grapes and cry for more food in a half hour. We wanted him to eat more foods and not always be a separate meal. I wanted him to try some of the products of our efforts to make some pretty darn tasty gluten free, egg free foods (he does have dairy and some soy again). We have allergies to work around too.
The therapist suggested first a plan for eating at the table, finishing the food on his plate (which Dave is really uncomfortable with since both of us parents have a weight problem and Braeden is gaining too fast). This plan has taken as much as 5-6 hours a day to implement. It got easier for a bit, but then fell apart because of parental failure. We were sick of it!
We tried again and we had lunch with the therapist on Wednesday. It was horrible. He didn't think so, but I really felt like I was torturing my son to get him to eat a bite of waffle. I had to physically keep him in his chair. I didn't do anything that would hurt him physically; in fact, I was doing all I could to prevent him from hurting himself. I found myself thinking that maybe I should just let him live on waffles, apples, grapes and cheese after all. Maybe he doesn't need to sit with us or finish a meal on anyone else's schedule. But how will that work if he goes to school? Gets a job? And we do have the added complication that he really cannot have gluten. Gluten damages the insides. It makes him very sick for the short term, clumsy, he has trouble speaking, etc. He does need to have some guidance around food issues.
I was told I did well. I stayed calm. OK, maybe on the outside, but inside I was yelling I want to stop. NOW! So where does one go with this. Physically he is OK. Emotionally he still loves mom and hangs out with me (the webcam videos were a few hours after our ordeal). I don't want to do this anymore, even if yesterday was totally rare. It still happened and it was more than I can handle. I felt so mean. I love my kids to pieces and I know I have to correct them here and there, but this is different to me somehow. Like I am turning something small into a battle.
I'm glad he and I had so much fun later on (and Braeden too, he was laughing really hard while watching Thane watch the videos, because he says "Hi!" to them constantly). I hope I don't have any more days that make me doubt my decision to try this therapy. It's hard because eating a meal is not punishment (and a meal can be one bite) to most of us, but I guess Thane disagrees.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Thane Meets Webcam
I got a little tablet/notebook computer for Valentine's Day. It has a built in webcam, so I tried it out today. Thane was totally delighted and he was just too cute not to post this video (especially after the lunchtime fiasco earlier today).
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Shiners and Clues
For a change of pace, Thane cheerfully showed off the black eye he got on the 13th for my camera. Now if only he would have stayed still for a second! He appears to have inherited his big brother's penchant for drama, closing the wounded eye and all. It actually looked much worse on the 14th and 15th, but is starting to fade now. Today he bruised his cheek on that side.
I thought these images, while not good photographs, captured a moment rather well. Before my computer died, I was printing red clues to set up a hunt for Valentine's Day. since Thane loves "Blue's Clues" I decided to make red paw prints with the numbers 1-14 on them. I also had a few blank ones. I laminated them and was cutting them out when I got caught in the act. Thane was so totally thrilled with the idea of red clues. It is hard to imagine a happier child than Thane finding those red clues. He was so adorable I had to let him have them. Doesn't he looked thrilled?!?
Chocolate Kisses
My son knows how to snooker me . . . this morning he comes in and says "I need . . . I need . . . I need . . . I need . . . I need a kiss." Thane gives me a rare kiss and then wipes his mouth as he always does . . . "I need a chocolate kiss!"
Next comment: "I got 12! See Mama?" He pilfered them from a bag of chocolates on the counter. Since both kids have issues with chocolate, as charming as he was, it really was not a good idea.
Then in the afternoon he went upstairs and came down with a handful of chocolates. I asked him, "Did you steal those from Braeden?" He puffed up big and proud and said a breathy "Yes!" As if that wasn't cute enough, he went over to the window, knocked on it, and started calling to Braeden, who was playing outside, to say, "Bwaeden! Bwaeden! I stee your chocowates! Bwaeden! I eat your chocowates!"
Next comment: "I got 12! See Mama?" He pilfered them from a bag of chocolates on the counter. Since both kids have issues with chocolate, as charming as he was, it really was not a good idea.
Then in the afternoon he went upstairs and came down with a handful of chocolates. I asked him, "Did you steal those from Braeden?" He puffed up big and proud and said a breathy "Yes!" As if that wasn't cute enough, he went over to the window, knocked on it, and started calling to Braeden, who was playing outside, to say, "Bwaeden! Bwaeden! I stee your chocowates! Bwaeden! I eat your chocowates!"
Sunday, February 10, 2008
More Snow
It was snowing again today . . . a bit too hard for getting good photos, but they are fun anyway (at least in my opinion). This is the first day that Thane's temperature has been under 101 since last Tuesday, so he was begging to go out! Then he conned Dave into taking him around on the kick sled.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
A Day in Life
It isn’t so much that he was lining up his supplements and chocolate treats before eating them . . . it’s more the look of concentration mixed with disgust at one of the vitamins being out of order. That one was eaten first to rectify the problem. To me it shows a little bit of the obsessive behavior that we deal with constantly. It doesn’t get to me all the time, but sometimes it can drive a mom a bit nuts. And I am not sure I needed any help at all with that!
Today has been one of sort of odd conversations. It made me wonder a bit about receptive language, but more likely we have entered a realm of outer space for the day and will return to Earth tomorrow.
Thane: “There’s Mist! There he is!”
Braeden:”She. Mist is a she. She’s a girl!”
Thane: “No girl. Mist is black and white.”
Next . . .
Braeden was shaking and kicking in his chair. Thane looks at him and says “Stop kicking!”
Braeden: “Thane just turned into Daddy!”
Thane: “No, Thane’s not Daddy. Braeden is Braeden.”
I was popping some popcorn and Braeden got the brilliant big brother idea to pretend to take a bear from the line. Thane started screaming “Give it back! Give back Thane’s Bear. It’s Mine. Give it Back.”
Braeden tried to explain that he never actually took it, to no avail. I kind of wanted to tell him he got himself into it if he thought Thane would possibly understand the humor of both taking his most treasured food (the one thing I haven’t had to fight about lately) and ruining a line at the same time. I mean, c’mon boy, where do you live? But, he’s nine. What do I really expect? Too much I guess.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Pinewood Trophy
The car wasn't finished until this morning, but Braeden still managed to win first place at the Cub Scout's Pinewood Derby today. He's won three out of four years now. Dave won for the adults, but Braeden's trophy looks better.
Moo
Braeden was part of a Storyteller ice show on February 1st. He played a cow. He's shown below with a friend who appeared as a sheep. They were in a Little Boy Blue segment.
Now I have to show a picture that is way more typical of how Braeden likes to pose. He is such a boy!
Now I have to show a picture that is way more typical of how Braeden likes to pose. He is such a boy!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Don't Cheese Me, Mama!
Thane was watching television and was on edge . . . or should I say the back of the couch? . . . trying to decide if he wanted to watch or not. He has trouble watching new shows as they can be over-stimulating to him, and he really dislikes not knowing what is going to happen. If he watches it once, though, he is generally okay and remembers the whole thing. It can be difficult in the car with the older kids. It surprises me still, but even Larry the Cucumber seems to really scare Thane. I suppose it may not be the best way to get him to eat his veggies either!
I took his picture and he told me not to cheese him, but I couldn't resist doing it once.
I took his picture and he told me not to cheese him, but I couldn't resist doing it once.
Crafty
I'm sure anyone who checks here is infinitely curious about how I spend my spare time. Lately I have been beading things.
I find some humor in today's project . . . I made this clip and tacked it on to the window frame near where I sit at the kitchen table. Not shown in the photo is that I have clipped Thane's meal session chart to the bottom of it. Hopefully this will save the chart from future food wars, but you never know with Thane!
I also made a long memo holder for near the door. I guess it would look better if it wasn't on unfinished sheetrock, but honestly there are some things that bother me about it anyway and I have to resist re-stringing it.
I am going to do some work with sea glass, possibly something to donate for Braeden's school's auction in May. I don't tend to have a ton to offer for that kind of thing, so this may be worth a try. I've also imported some beads from Hong Kong and from the Czech Republic to use in some elaborate ceiling bead-art. I suppose I should take a photo of my office ceiling and my kitchen as well. My favorite in the kitchen right now is that we have three glass star lanterns. Thane likes to count them . . . una, dos, tres, waffle, cinco!
I find some humor in today's project . . . I made this clip and tacked it on to the window frame near where I sit at the kitchen table. Not shown in the photo is that I have clipped Thane's meal session chart to the bottom of it. Hopefully this will save the chart from future food wars, but you never know with Thane!
I also made a long memo holder for near the door. I guess it would look better if it wasn't on unfinished sheetrock, but honestly there are some things that bother me about it anyway and I have to resist re-stringing it.
I am going to do some work with sea glass, possibly something to donate for Braeden's school's auction in May. I don't tend to have a ton to offer for that kind of thing, so this may be worth a try. I've also imported some beads from Hong Kong and from the Czech Republic to use in some elaborate ceiling bead-art. I suppose I should take a photo of my office ceiling and my kitchen as well. My favorite in the kitchen right now is that we have three glass star lanterns. Thane likes to count them . . . una, dos, tres, waffle, cinco!
Fussin' An' A-Feudin'
The first musical theater production of the school year was delayed a bit because the new theater building on campus was completed a month later than expected. The children performed only six days after the construction was completed (after which Dave suggested to the school that they add a balcony and they are considering it!). Anyway, the pictures in the collage below are video camera stills and the lighting wasn't very good (they also don't have a light bar yet), but I figure it is still fun. Braeden is the conductor walking by on the top left.
Monday, January 21, 2008
The Hat Makes a Dave
Thane decided he wanted to go to school today – problem is that it was a holiday. Braeden did have school, further confusing the issue. So Thane then decided he wanted to at least go somewhere. Dave needed to go to the Union Farm Equipment to get back the wheel that fell off when he was plowing last week, so he figured he would just take Thane over there.
Thane told “Daddy” he needed a hat, and was showing him that there was one hanging off a lamp post in the sunroom. Dave grabbed a different one and put in on, to which Thane said, “Now Daddy turned into Dave!”
I giggled as I heard this, but then he still wanted that hat from in the sunroom. They went down in, Thane climbed on a bench and got the hat down. He put it on his head and said, “Now I’m Dave!”
Then Dave and Dave went to the tractor shop, which seemed somehow appropriate.
They came home with a tire and a red fire truck.
Thane told “Daddy” he needed a hat, and was showing him that there was one hanging off a lamp post in the sunroom. Dave grabbed a different one and put in on, to which Thane said, “Now Daddy turned into Dave!”
I giggled as I heard this, but then he still wanted that hat from in the sunroom. They went down in, Thane climbed on a bench and got the hat down. He put it on his head and said, “Now I’m Dave!”
Then Dave and Dave went to the tractor shop, which seemed somehow appropriate.
They came home with a tire and a red fire truck.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Thane's Thoughts
I've gotten good at stealing the computer from Mama, but usually it is so I can play computer games! This time it is because Bryce decided he wanted to know more about my whacky and wild ways. He tagged me in his post on Altering Life by Holding it Still.
These are the rules . . .
Make a list of eight random facts/habits about yourself.
At the end of the list, choose eight people to tag and list their names.
Leave them a comment on each of their websites to let them know that they have been tagged.
The people tagged will write a post on their own website about their eight things, post these rules, and tag eight others.
1) I'm adorable. I'll even tell you so.
2) My favorite videos right now are Blues Clues, Dora, Diego, Backyardigans and Wonder Pets.
3) My temper is a little out of control because I don't like my new teaching plan too much. I think Mama likes it even less. She fell asleep in her recliner after lunch and before snack. Shhhhh. I think I am too much for her some days!
4) I have mastered the big-eyed, blinking, "Pweeeeeeeeeeze" and use it often to get Mommy to play computer games with me. I like to sit on the armrest with my head on her shoulder. When she got annoyed with the computer, I rubbed her shoulder and said, "Don't worry Mama, we'll fix it. I pwomise."
5) I really like to line things up. They don't have to be the same thing like all cars or anything. On my birthday, I lined up my horses, Pat-Pat Rocket, and my cars after opening the gifts.
6) I will only sleep in bed if I have my 8-pound Wiggles blanket over my head. Hiding around the bed is Diego, Dora, and two Tiggers that I call Mommy Jaguar and Baby Jaguar. It bothers me that I can't see sister Alicia on Diego's watch.
7) There are a lot of things I can't have these days. I can't have nice. I can't have good-bye when it is time for my parents to leave me at preschool. I can't have lunch. I can't have snack. I probably say I can't more than any other four-year-old in the world. Oh, but I also thought I couldn't have four, but the calendar disagreed so here we are!
8) When I am excited, I am very, very loud. I scream and bounce up and down like my feet are springs. I laugh in a giddy-happy way. I also flap my hands. Don't worry! You will always know when I am excited!!!
I'll have to visit the blogs to tag them tomorrow, but I will post my choices . . . I tag Tucker and Pepper at Jettison Junk, Aviva at The Ups & Downs of Our Life, Kevin, Patrick and Ryan at the O-Ville, Becky and Carly at One Silly Mama.
These are the rules . . .
Make a list of eight random facts/habits about yourself.
At the end of the list, choose eight people to tag and list their names.
Leave them a comment on each of their websites to let them know that they have been tagged.
The people tagged will write a post on their own website about their eight things, post these rules, and tag eight others.
1) I'm adorable. I'll even tell you so.
2) My favorite videos right now are Blues Clues, Dora, Diego, Backyardigans and Wonder Pets.
3) My temper is a little out of control because I don't like my new teaching plan too much. I think Mama likes it even less. She fell asleep in her recliner after lunch and before snack. Shhhhh. I think I am too much for her some days!
4) I have mastered the big-eyed, blinking, "Pweeeeeeeeeeze" and use it often to get Mommy to play computer games with me. I like to sit on the armrest with my head on her shoulder. When she got annoyed with the computer, I rubbed her shoulder and said, "Don't worry Mama, we'll fix it. I pwomise."
5) I really like to line things up. They don't have to be the same thing like all cars or anything. On my birthday, I lined up my horses, Pat-Pat Rocket, and my cars after opening the gifts.
6) I will only sleep in bed if I have my 8-pound Wiggles blanket over my head. Hiding around the bed is Diego, Dora, and two Tiggers that I call Mommy Jaguar and Baby Jaguar. It bothers me that I can't see sister Alicia on Diego's watch.
7) There are a lot of things I can't have these days. I can't have nice. I can't have good-bye when it is time for my parents to leave me at preschool. I can't have lunch. I can't have snack. I probably say I can't more than any other four-year-old in the world. Oh, but I also thought I couldn't have four, but the calendar disagreed so here we are!
8) When I am excited, I am very, very loud. I scream and bounce up and down like my feet are springs. I laugh in a giddy-happy way. I also flap my hands. Don't worry! You will always know when I am excited!!!
I'll have to visit the blogs to tag them tomorrow, but I will post my choices . . . I tag Tucker and Pepper at Jettison Junk, Aviva at The Ups & Downs of Our Life, Kevin, Patrick and Ryan at the O-Ville, Becky and Carly at One Silly Mama.
Just Try to Picture This
Now that we have two+ feet of snow on the ground, it is time for the annual January thaw. Bleh. It was really, really foggy when we left the house this morning at 7:30 for our first day back to school. Braeden and I were in the car waiting for Dave to bring Thane. He usually carries him out as he is reluctant to go anywhere at that hour. This morning I was trying to point out to Dave that he seemed to forget the short one, but then he steps aside and I see my bed-headed boy for the first time since he woke up. He was dressed in a brown shirt that is one of the 2-in-1 with a brown t-shirt and brown and white striped arms. Then he is wearing orange camo fleece pants that L.L. Bean put on sale the day after Christmas. Then, in his hands, Blue, the bright blue puppy, and her baby brother, Sprinkles (white puppy with a rainbow of stripes). I have to say the monsterous combination of color on a totally foggy morning was just too cute. Both Braeden and I looked at him and announced he was cute! I wish I could have taken a picture as it really was adorable!
Friday, January 04, 2008
Can’t Have Nice
Thane woke up earlier this morning earlier than he had been – which is a good thing considering he should have been at school and I am just taking off until Monday because Braeden is off until then. He gave me fits about getting dressed. He threw something at me, which made me jump funny, and made my lower back hurt on the left side. Gee, thanks! I really needed that.
He got mad and started to do the whole “I mad! I stomp!” routine, which is at least very funny if not useful. But it was going to include a door slam, so I reminded him he needed to be nice to the door. “I CAN’T HAVE NICE!!!!!!!” SLAM! So, I wait it out. He stomps around for a good 10 minutes repeating that “I can’t have nice!” and “No way!” I tackle him and get his shirt on, walk off, and start making breakfast for everyone.
It’s time for our lovely morning behavioral therapy session – otherwise known as eating in most households, but this is totally unnatural so the therapist calls it sessions. As I get things on the table, the oil truck shows up. Just what I needed was to be undressed, serving breakfast at 10 a.m., and to have the oil guy show. I said to Braeden that we’d just hide and let him leave the bill – another $500 down the drain (then it was “only” $298, but I think he came a week early just to get my goat).
”I can’t have breakfast!” Nope, sorry, you will eat, I lift him with my aching back and put him in his chair. I guard against food tossing and drink spilling until we reach our goal, though with an X for lack of compliance. I failed too as I realized as I was doing it that I didn’t fully “prompt” right or “prompt fade” correctly. Luckily there is no score sheet for mommy, but she still knows she blew it.
I took a shower and did some chores and then went to have snack a little early since I need to condense meals a bit because breakfast was supposed to happen before 9. That goes OK . . . he didn’t finish, but what he had chosen wasn’t something he typically finishes (which is a whole other issue, I mean the child eats half a grape, just the puffy part of the popcorn, no crust but won’t touch it if it is crustless, etc., etc.)
Lightning McQueen was missing – he was thrown into the ravine behind the couch (a sectional that is bolted together). We use a “magic stick” to retrieve it. Then he gets mean and tosses it at Braeden who is reading a book in the kitchen. Braeden takes it and says he will return it when Thane apologizes. “I NO HAVE SORRY!” After he extracts an adequate apology from Thane, Braeden tells him he needs to be nice. Oy, not again . . . apparently the wrong choice of words . . . “I CAN’T HAVE NICE!!!!!!” and he wings Lightning as hard as he can at the glass-top range that is still pretty new. I haven’t really had the nerve yet to check for damage. Lightning just missed the fairly new stainless dishwasher after hitting the stove. Thane ran around to the other side of the kitchen island to grab the car and was looking like he was going to try again, I grabbed his hands, took Lightning and put him in an activity time out. Thane started screaming so hard that Braeden and I just watched him turn red and then purple. He screamed a good 10 minutes (length of timeout for throwing a toy).
I think Braeden is trying to make sure Mommy doesn’t get too stressed as he is old enough to know she doesn’t always recover well from morning terrors, so he is playing with little bro upstairs – they are making a fort, reading books, and have been up there for a half hour.
He got mad and started to do the whole “I mad! I stomp!” routine, which is at least very funny if not useful. But it was going to include a door slam, so I reminded him he needed to be nice to the door. “I CAN’T HAVE NICE!!!!!!!” SLAM! So, I wait it out. He stomps around for a good 10 minutes repeating that “I can’t have nice!” and “No way!” I tackle him and get his shirt on, walk off, and start making breakfast for everyone.
It’s time for our lovely morning behavioral therapy session – otherwise known as eating in most households, but this is totally unnatural so the therapist calls it sessions. As I get things on the table, the oil truck shows up. Just what I needed was to be undressed, serving breakfast at 10 a.m., and to have the oil guy show. I said to Braeden that we’d just hide and let him leave the bill – another $500 down the drain (then it was “only” $298, but I think he came a week early just to get my goat).
”I can’t have breakfast!” Nope, sorry, you will eat, I lift him with my aching back and put him in his chair. I guard against food tossing and drink spilling until we reach our goal, though with an X for lack of compliance. I failed too as I realized as I was doing it that I didn’t fully “prompt” right or “prompt fade” correctly. Luckily there is no score sheet for mommy, but she still knows she blew it.
I took a shower and did some chores and then went to have snack a little early since I need to condense meals a bit because breakfast was supposed to happen before 9. That goes OK . . . he didn’t finish, but what he had chosen wasn’t something he typically finishes (which is a whole other issue, I mean the child eats half a grape, just the puffy part of the popcorn, no crust but won’t touch it if it is crustless, etc., etc.)
Lightning McQueen was missing – he was thrown into the ravine behind the couch (a sectional that is bolted together). We use a “magic stick” to retrieve it. Then he gets mean and tosses it at Braeden who is reading a book in the kitchen. Braeden takes it and says he will return it when Thane apologizes. “I NO HAVE SORRY!” After he extracts an adequate apology from Thane, Braeden tells him he needs to be nice. Oy, not again . . . apparently the wrong choice of words . . . “I CAN’T HAVE NICE!!!!!!” and he wings Lightning as hard as he can at the glass-top range that is still pretty new. I haven’t really had the nerve yet to check for damage. Lightning just missed the fairly new stainless dishwasher after hitting the stove. Thane ran around to the other side of the kitchen island to grab the car and was looking like he was going to try again, I grabbed his hands, took Lightning and put him in an activity time out. Thane started screaming so hard that Braeden and I just watched him turn red and then purple. He screamed a good 10 minutes (length of timeout for throwing a toy).
I think Braeden is trying to make sure Mommy doesn’t get too stressed as he is old enough to know she doesn’t always recover well from morning terrors, so he is playing with little bro upstairs – they are making a fort, reading books, and have been up there for a half hour.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Traditional New Year's Sledding
We have a bit of a family tradition of sledding on the New Year . . . as long as there is snow. Yesterday was a slightly different issue as there was actually too much snow, even before another eight inches or so fell on last night. Thane also got to start the new year with a snow day today. Braeden doesn't start again until Monday, January 7.
Braeden first tackled his little brother and tried to cover him in snow. After being redirected from that endeavor, he launched a snowball at Mist. She doesn't tend to mind!
I always think it is funny to watch her hang out collecting snow all over her head and back.
I have to say I like the big snowflake in the middle of Thane's nose. He looks so cute all bundled up. It's amazing that a child who used to hesitate before walking from carpet to wood now plays in the snow!
Braeden, being Braeden, was looking to make the largest possible snowball to get Daddy with. Poor Dave is such a target to these children! Yet it doesn't stop him from packing down a sled run for the kids.
Mist likes to run circles around him and leave holes in the run. What a helpful dog! She also howls at him and tries to get Dave to play.
I joke we need a snowmobile just for making the sled run down the front lawn. Dave turned to snow shoes and my mind's voice was singing "Stomp, stomp, stomp, we're stomping that Yeti stomp" like Pablo from the "Backyardigans."
Thane decided to wander off toward the driveway as he didn't want to wait any longer.
Sometimes it is best not to try to go over the embankment, as sometimes you end up inside it. When you're now much taller than the snow, it can be very hard to get yourself out again . . .
Which means you have to wait for Daddy the Yeti to stomp over in his snow shoes and rescue you.
Braeden, again being so totally Braeden, decides to go over to the same area and try to encase himself in snow.
Finally! The boys get to start sledding. Unfortunately they left at least one sled out there, so who knows when that will be seen again.
Braeden first tackled his little brother and tried to cover him in snow. After being redirected from that endeavor, he launched a snowball at Mist. She doesn't tend to mind!
I always think it is funny to watch her hang out collecting snow all over her head and back.
I have to say I like the big snowflake in the middle of Thane's nose. He looks so cute all bundled up. It's amazing that a child who used to hesitate before walking from carpet to wood now plays in the snow!
Braeden, being Braeden, was looking to make the largest possible snowball to get Daddy with. Poor Dave is such a target to these children! Yet it doesn't stop him from packing down a sled run for the kids.
Mist likes to run circles around him and leave holes in the run. What a helpful dog! She also howls at him and tries to get Dave to play.
I joke we need a snowmobile just for making the sled run down the front lawn. Dave turned to snow shoes and my mind's voice was singing "Stomp, stomp, stomp, we're stomping that Yeti stomp" like Pablo from the "Backyardigans."
Thane decided to wander off toward the driveway as he didn't want to wait any longer.
Sometimes it is best not to try to go over the embankment, as sometimes you end up inside it. When you're now much taller than the snow, it can be very hard to get yourself out again . . .
Which means you have to wait for Daddy the Yeti to stomp over in his snow shoes and rescue you.
Braeden, again being so totally Braeden, decides to go over to the same area and try to encase himself in snow.
Finally! The boys get to start sledding. Unfortunately they left at least one sled out there, so who knows when that will be seen again.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Happy New Year!
I've been meaning to post our holiday card, but haven't been on the right computer. If you click the photo you can see it larger. The images span December 29, 2006 to December 3, 2007.
We wish everyone a very happy, healthy 2008!
Thane's 4!
After weeks of “I can’t have a birthday” and “I can’t have four,” Thane celebrated his birthday pretty happily, despite his birthday being postponed on account of snow.
The big surprise for our family was that Thane decided to join us at the table and frost his own cake. I have some shaky video of his first lick of frosting, and the way he cringed and said “No way!” when we asked if it was good. I thought he might lose it, but he is gaining so much control of hi s gag reflex.
He really enjoyed blowing out the candles. In fact, we had to light them a couple of times so he could do it more than once.
He also enjoyed opening his presents. The biggest hit was the Pat Pat Rocket that Karen and Wayne managed to get for us while they were in stock at a Target in Biddeford. Of course, it is easy for me to say it was worth the effort because I didn’t do the work! Seriously, though, Thane really loves it and Karen tested it for lead before she mailed it. If you look at the picture, which also shows one of his new horses, he is actually moving a character up the stairs into Rocket. It may not seem like much, but it actually shows something pretty major a little guy on the autism spectrum!
My biggest laugh comes from my warped sense of humor. Dave didn’t put S’Mores together beforehand, so check him out screwing in the batteries. This wins for my obscene toy photo of the year. When Braeden was in Montessori, we were doing a 4th of July Parade and Dave was inflating Uncle Sam. The air inlet was . . . guess where?
And, in case that photo of Dave wasn’t silly enough, check him and Braeden (and Dora) out wearing mini Bilibos.
Last is a not so great photograph of Thane’s cake at his birthday party. The back story on the cake is that I finished baking it and let it cool on a rack – first getting a nice grid pattern in the top of one half of the cake. I figured that would be the bottom. I put the cake on a pan and started frosting it. It seemed to be going well until I put the top layer on. As I was frosting it I realized that it was really rather lopsided. I am not sure how it happened, but I was grumbling in my mind about my ugly cake. Thane walks in and in his charming and very breathy way said, “Wow! It’s perfect!”
After I started writing on it, Braeden decided he wanted to come in and help. His initial idea was to use white to make a symbol that it wasn’t for children under three. He decided instead to go around it. Thane came in and decided he wanted to do the red. In fact, he wanted to use all the red. I figured I should let it all go . . . besides, who would notice the fact that the cake is lopsided when it had kid graffiti all over it?!? They were happy! And everyone enjoyed eating it . . . other than Thane.
Another amazing thing to see is that the boy next to Thane with the blower is six months older. At one point he was close to six inches taller than Thane and 15 pounds heavier. Nothing makes it more obvious that Thane is no longer Failure to Thrive than seeing him next to a peer! He sure has changed a lot in so many ways!
All right, I have one more. The dog just looks cute under the tree.
The big surprise for our family was that Thane decided to join us at the table and frost his own cake. I have some shaky video of his first lick of frosting, and the way he cringed and said “No way!” when we asked if it was good. I thought he might lose it, but he is gaining so much control of hi s gag reflex.
He really enjoyed blowing out the candles. In fact, we had to light them a couple of times so he could do it more than once.
He also enjoyed opening his presents. The biggest hit was the Pat Pat Rocket that Karen and Wayne managed to get for us while they were in stock at a Target in Biddeford. Of course, it is easy for me to say it was worth the effort because I didn’t do the work! Seriously, though, Thane really loves it and Karen tested it for lead before she mailed it. If you look at the picture, which also shows one of his new horses, he is actually moving a character up the stairs into Rocket. It may not seem like much, but it actually shows something pretty major a little guy on the autism spectrum!
My biggest laugh comes from my warped sense of humor. Dave didn’t put S’Mores together beforehand, so check him out screwing in the batteries. This wins for my obscene toy photo of the year. When Braeden was in Montessori, we were doing a 4th of July Parade and Dave was inflating Uncle Sam. The air inlet was . . . guess where?
And, in case that photo of Dave wasn’t silly enough, check him and Braeden (and Dora) out wearing mini Bilibos.
Last is a not so great photograph of Thane’s cake at his birthday party. The back story on the cake is that I finished baking it and let it cool on a rack – first getting a nice grid pattern in the top of one half of the cake. I figured that would be the bottom. I put the cake on a pan and started frosting it. It seemed to be going well until I put the top layer on. As I was frosting it I realized that it was really rather lopsided. I am not sure how it happened, but I was grumbling in my mind about my ugly cake. Thane walks in and in his charming and very breathy way said, “Wow! It’s perfect!”
After I started writing on it, Braeden decided he wanted to come in and help. His initial idea was to use white to make a symbol that it wasn’t for children under three. He decided instead to go around it. Thane came in and decided he wanted to do the red. In fact, he wanted to use all the red. I figured I should let it all go . . . besides, who would notice the fact that the cake is lopsided when it had kid graffiti all over it?!? They were happy! And everyone enjoyed eating it . . . other than Thane.
Another amazing thing to see is that the boy next to Thane with the blower is six months older. At one point he was close to six inches taller than Thane and 15 pounds heavier. Nothing makes it more obvious that Thane is no longer Failure to Thrive than seeing him next to a peer! He sure has changed a lot in so many ways!
All right, I have one more. The dog just looks cute under the tree.
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