01 March 2010

Why my friend Alan called me the Macguyver of Poop

Last night we went to Red Robin for Ammi's (Grammy/Casey/Peggy/Mom) birthday dinner. I think the problem began a day or two ago but I digress...

Kenner asked/demanded to go to the bathroom.  So up we went and back we came with no result - he had gone in the diaper before we reached the bathroom.

Our food came and he dove into his corndog and FRIES! (If you have shared a meal with Bubba at a restaurant you have heard the announcement of FRIES!)

Everything was going smoothly, I was toward the end of my burger - thank goodness! When he demanded to go to the bathroom again. This is when the trouble began. I thought I had another diaper but I didn't. We get to the bathroom and the one I had just put on was no longer empty - crap!(pun intended) I put him on the toilet because it was obvious he was not done...we did have success - he used the big boy potty!

Thank you to whom ever invented the cell phone. I had wipes but no diaper and needed one desperately. I called for back up - Ammi. I called again for back up. And I called again for back up...do you see where this is going?***Red Robin perhaps you could do something about the level of noise in your restaurants because she couldn't hear the phone.***

Thank you to God who has linked my brain with my mother's and in she came - I swear I heard that music you hear when the angel walks in in the movies....I handed the keys over the door and sent her to the car to get another diaper. This time when she returned there was no music! I had no spare diaper - BUT I did have a femine pad thanks to the trip to Wal-Mart before dinner.

We made do and then left the restaurant - hurriedly. (My poor father in tow completely confused as to what was going on.) But not before getting a to-go bag to cover the car seat with...got home in the nick of time for another evacuation. Please note the femine pad is not nearly as absorbant as the diaper.  I think some where he got a peach or strawberry...next blog title 'How I use my Macguyver skills on the fool who slipped him peach or strawberry.'

11 January 2010

Just a little catch up...

Well Kenner has amazed me again - he can count to ten with a bit of help. He gets very excited about the numbers five and nine. Its too cute. He is recognizing more and more numbers when we are out and about. I am so proud of him.

Today while in pool therapy he decided that he could put his face in the water to blow bubbles. He had refused to do that just last week. Perhaps there was some extra "brave" in his yogurt this morning.

I wonder if he is in to trying more new things if we are going to branch out go out on a limb and give pasta a spin. That sure would make meal planning that much easier.

In the world of music everything is an instrument! He plays a mean air guitar with dancing moves too. He plays his harmonica in the car. He is playing the piano now with varying rythms and loudness. I think in a few we will look into Holy Names Music Academy...

01 January 2010

A trip to the movies...

Today we decided to go to a movie with some friends. The attendees were Kenner, Ammi (aka Grammy), Jan, Lindsay (aka Giggles), Melinda and I. We went to see 'The Princess and the Frog.' Pretty good movie - a bit scarry with the voo-doo stuff but the music was good.

As we were saying our goodbyes outside the theatre Kenner of course was being cute. I went to get the car. And this is where everything went array. He saw me pull up. Waved bye to everyone. Opened the front passenger side door, hopped in, put on his seat belt - all with intermittent waves and goodbyes to the ladies standing on the sidewalk cracking up. When Ammi requested her seat he said, simply, "No." And looked at her as if to say, "Ammi I called shot gun. Now suck it up and get in the back."

So being my mother she did. Which of course made the ladies laugh that much harder. And even harder yet when mom stated proudly, "Hey my butt fits in the car seat! Hot Dog!" Only my family!

That's ok I would trade either one of them. I am just glad that the parking lot wasn't more crowded or the fact that I didn't notice the public noticing this spectacle!

19 December 2009

A Star is born!

Kenner had his first Christmas show on Thursday. He was so stinkin' cute! Dressed to the nines in his red and black vest with red button down shirt and a tie of course we headed to the church. All of the kids were there each happy to see the other and to talk about their clothes. The excitement factor was off  the scale. It sure was nice to see all the different people there to support their 'Star.'

As the kids started down the aisle, I am not sure who's smile was bigger the kids, Mrs. Yake's or the parents? Kenner was on the middle step of the risers; strategically placed where it would be more challenging for him to escape. Good planning! Of course the waving began as the kids were able to find their fans in the crowd. And well Kenner has to be different he starts calling 'Mom' in that sing-song way he has and then 'Ammmi!' which is Kenner for Grammy. Too cute!

Kenner's was singing to every song as loud as he could. He always supported his schoolmates by clapping after every performance. He was accompanying the singing of 'Jingle Bells' with his own set of bells. He got a bit of stage fright and didn't jingle as well as he had in practice. It was still cute!

Then kindergartner's did the story of baby Jesus from a child's perspective. They did such a wonderful job. It really served as a reminder of what the meaning of Christmas is all about.

The staff at JoyBell do such a wonderful job with these busy little people. I am so thankful that he goes to a place that teaches love and respect as well as acedemics. They really are the partners parents need. Thank you to them.

14 December 2009

Shower Blues...

Last night was, what we call, 'Tubby Night.' Mostly filled with singing, dancing,laughing and blowing bubbles oh yeah and washing.

Everything started good couple chorus' of 'Twinkle' and 'Wiggle Walk.' When the washing was finished and it was time to get out he started asking for that blasted harmonica. I told him he could have it when he got dressed. That was unacceptable which was made painfully obvious to me. Then he tried asking nicely - answer still after he was dressed.

He then did this "move" that I am still not sure what happened. The result was he was out of the tub, dripping wet, crying and running to the harmonica. I think he had planned this, he found the harmonica before I did and was playing the 'Shower Blues.' He would play for a bit then sing then back to playing much like BB King...

And again I find myself asking...Harmonica? What was I thinking.....

12 December 2009

Where is the handbook?

I have been looking for the manual to my child or at least the decoding book!  I have been reading books by Dr. James Dobson and some specifically for Down Syndrome children. I just don't understand what "it" is that he wants. I know that he is getting "something" from the attention/reaction he gets when he does something he shouldn't.

One minute he is just fine and the next he is tossing the plate. I am meeting with Kenner and a psychologist to see if she can help me figure out what "it" is. I know it has to be very frustrating for him to not be able to fully communicate his feelings yet. I know they are in there; he just can't get them out. I know I am frustrated and I can communicate my feelings.

Anyone have any thoughts, comments, concerns or similar experiences? What did you do?

10 December 2009

Santa's Symbols of Christmas

I must give Mary credit - she put it on her blog. I was so moved by the story I am adding it to mine...Thank you Mary.

      Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. I had just finished the household chores late at night, and was getting ready to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the living room. Much to my surprise, Santa Claus himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree, and whispered, "Shh. Don't be scared. It's all right."
     I started to ask him what he was doing, but stopped in mid-sentence when I saw that his usual jolly manner was gone and he had tears in his eyes. He told me he was sad because children all over the world were not being taught the real meaning of Christmas.
     He reached into his sack pulling out a small green Christmas tree. He said, "Teach the children that the evergreen tree remains green all the year round. Green is the color of abundant nature around us and indicates the everlasting hope of mankind. God created trees to be of great service to people, providing wood to build homes, fires to keep us warm and to cook on, and paper to print books for us to learn from.
     Santa reached into his sack again and pulled out a bright, shiny star, and said, "Teach the children the star was the heavenly sign of promise long years ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was a sign of the fulfillment of that promise. The countless shining stars in the night-sky still give us a reminder of that star so long ago telling of the birth of our Savior.
     Santa put the star on the top of the Christmas tree and took from his sack a glittering red ornament. He said, "Teach the children that red is the special color of Christmas because it reminds us of the blood that was shed by our Savior so that we could all gain Eternal Life, which is the greatest gift Heavenly Father can give us."
     As Santa returned to his sack I heard a soft, tinkling sound and saw he had a bell in his hand. "Teach the children that in the old days animals were very valuable to people as they provided transport and food for them. They put a bell round the neck of each sheep or cow, so they could hear where they were if they got lost. In the same way God values all people, wherever they are, and they are never lost to Him. In some places church bells are rung on Christmas Day to proclaim the good news of this special day."
     Once again Santa reached into his sack, and brought out a candle. "Teach the children that a candle was used in the old days to light the way so people could see where they were going. When it is dark we are afraid, but the light casts away our fears. Jesus came into the world and taught that He is the Light of the World. People used to put candles on Christmas trees, but nowadays we have colored lights instead as they are safer."
     Next Santa produced a candy cane. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. This was a strong stick with a curved end that could be placed around the neck of a sheep that had slipped down the hillside, so the shepherd could pull it up to safety. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show to others, and reminds us that we really are our brother's keeper."
     Reaching deep into his sack Santa pulled out a Christmas wreath and said, "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. It never stops or comes to an end. It is one continuous round of affection. It is made up of many colors, and many different items, and shows how different we all are, but how important each one of us is to the whole creation."
     Santa then took from his sack some tinsel and ribbon and said, "Teach the children that tinsel adds brightness to Christmas just as the many kindnesses we do for others brings brightness into their lives. The ribbon is tied into a bow to remind us that our lives are intertwined with each other, and the help we give others is constantly returned to us in different ways."
     Finally, Santa patted his sack and said, "There will be many gifts in this sack each Christmas, but the greatest gift we can give, or be given, is love. Love takes time and effort from us to give to others in the way they need it, to bring their potential into being. Love is not an advertising gimmick, but something we learn to do, and we must teach this to our children."
     With this, Santa waved goodbye and left the same way he had come in, saying as he went, "Don't forget to teach the children the real meaning of the symbols of Christmas." As I watched him go, I was sure that this would be the best Christmas ever.
-- Author Unknown