Jacob really wants to learn "nastics." He loves to flip, jump and do somersaults. He is a very physical child so I know he will love it. The problem is that I think he will have a lot more fun in the 3 year old class than the 2 year old class but won't be 3 until the end of September. Of course, the fall semester starts Sept. 2.
Part of me wants to put him in the 2 year old class and see how he does. Of course, he will be older than the other kids. Since he has always been ahead in gross motor development, I am not sure it is the right decision for him. The alternative is to wait until next Spring to enroll him when he will be almost 3 1/2 and the age requirement won't be an issue. I have a call into one of the academies to see what they think I should do. Even just a free trial class to see how he likes the two year old program might be good.
Oh the things I worry about and debate. It is so nice to have the eye problems taken care of and be able to worry about other less serious and important things.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
WHY?????
Many children enter a why phase around 3 years old. Jacob has it worse than any kid I have ever met. He must ask it several hundred times a day. My dad has begun answering "Why not?" I am usually one of the more patient people with the million why questions and even answer most of them. Maybe it's because I have been sick all week (I now have finally begun to feel better) but today just left me shaking my head. Here is the conversation.
Me: We need to pick up all of your toys in the living room tonight.
Jacob (looking at the toys on the floor so thick I can barely find my carpet and definitelly can't walk through): Why?
Me: Because we can't even walk through the living room!!!
Ah, the whys. I know someday I will miss them.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Great and Bad News On Health
The bad news is not nearly as bad as many of you are imagining. Jacob gave me a cold last weekend. He really wasn't very sick from it so when I felt it coming I didn't really worry. I was wrong. I have been sick for 5 days now. The cold has just gotten progressively worse. Last night I finally went to urgent care. The cold is no longer just a cold. It is now an ear infection, possible throat infection and pink eye in both eyes. I got antibiotics for my throat, ears and eyes. After a few doses, I am beginning to feel better.
Jacob's eye appointment was today. That is the not just good news it is great news! His eyes are perfectly normal! The original eye doctor believed his right eye was near sighted while the left one was far sighted (most children his age are slightly far sighted do to normal development). That is what led him to suspect and diagnose probable glaucoma.
The specialist examined Jacob today under general anesthesia. He stated that not only are the eye pressures normal and no sign of glaucoma but neither eye is near sighted. His vision is still normal for his age and there is no reason for concern. He wants to see him again in 6 months to make sure there still aren't any problems but we won't need anesthesia.
I am so relieved. I spent many nights worrying and even shed a few tears that there could be something seriously wrong with my perfect baby. The pediatrician last week stated he doubted there were any problems and to stop worrying about it. I am so glad he was right!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
A New Camera
On Thursday I planned to take many great pictures to share with all of my readers. I had found the perfect picture of Jacob sitting nicely with his friend G at church. I grabbed the camera only to discover the focus was stuck and not working.
I cannot go for long without a camera. I am trying hard to only purchase things I need and avoid all of the things I just want. I decided the camera fell somewhere in between. I need a camera if I want to be able to take pictures to post here. I also need a camera to take pictures of foster chidren who spend time in my home. (I am expecting one in a few weeks but am waiting to post more about him until I know for sure.) I also know that I can live without a camera and that paying the bills and buying food and gasoline are much more important.
After thinking about these issues for the past two days, I decided it was time to just buy the camera. I decided it fell somewhere between a want and a need and that I could justify the purchase. The camera I wanted was on sale for almost 20 percent off so I decided it was a good time to buy it.
I got home and grabbed the other camera out of my car. I was going to tranfer the memory card. I decided to try to turn the camera on one more time. It made a funny noise and then all of a sudden began focusing again. My only explanation is that whatever was stuck in the shutter must have been bounced loose while I was driving around town yesterday.
Now I have two cameras and no excuses for not taking plenty of pictures for everyone to see. Maybe I'll even get some of them into Jacob's lifebook.
I cannot go for long without a camera. I am trying hard to only purchase things I need and avoid all of the things I just want. I decided the camera fell somewhere in between. I need a camera if I want to be able to take pictures to post here. I also need a camera to take pictures of foster chidren who spend time in my home. (I am expecting one in a few weeks but am waiting to post more about him until I know for sure.) I also know that I can live without a camera and that paying the bills and buying food and gasoline are much more important.
After thinking about these issues for the past two days, I decided it was time to just buy the camera. I decided it fell somewhere between a want and a need and that I could justify the purchase. The camera I wanted was on sale for almost 20 percent off so I decided it was a good time to buy it.
I got home and grabbed the other camera out of my car. I was going to tranfer the memory card. I decided to try to turn the camera on one more time. It made a funny noise and then all of a sudden began focusing again. My only explanation is that whatever was stuck in the shutter must have been bounced loose while I was driving around town yesterday.
Now I have two cameras and no excuses for not taking plenty of pictures for everyone to see. Maybe I'll even get some of them into Jacob's lifebook.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Hooky From School
Jacob and I occassionally play hooky from his daycare. Today was one of those days. I have been very busy lately with calls from Human Services and potential foster children, work, Jacob's doctor appointments and other not so fun activities. I decided it was time for another day dedicated to fun. I try to make sure Jacob and I do this at least once a month. We would do it every day but then none of our higher priority responsibilities would be accomplished.
Jacob and I began the day by sleeping in. Something he and I both really enjoy and miss about our second shift schedules. We took our time getting dressed and had a very light breakfast. Around 10 AM it was time to water the garden and pick vegetables. The green peppers weren't quite ripe yet but there were plenty of tomatoes to pick.
After picking plenty of tomatoes, it was off to the Children's museum and lunch at a local Ethiopian resteraunt. Jacob was very excited to eat some doro wat, mamoosa and play with the many exhibits at the Children's Museum.
After a good meal, it was time to head for the swimming pool. Jacob and I spent about an hour. I don't think I had to hold him more than twice then entire time. I put his life jacket on him and he doggy paddled around the pool. He loved the independance of being able to swim by himself and had a hard time going home.
We have a short break in our day of fun now for a doctor's appointment. It is just a necessary check-up before he undergoes anesthesia next week. It shouldn't take more than 30 minutes and then we will be off to continue our fun.
Tonight is the last night of Vacation Bible School. While I am sure that we will have fun, there is a bound to be a few more problems than the last two nights. After all of the fun today, I am sure Jacob and I will both be tired and less patient with each other.
I love these days of non-stop action without only a short break for an afternoon nap (what Jacob is doing right now). Now, if only I could win the lottery and have more of these days.
Jacob and I began the day by sleeping in. Something he and I both really enjoy and miss about our second shift schedules. We took our time getting dressed and had a very light breakfast. Around 10 AM it was time to water the garden and pick vegetables. The green peppers weren't quite ripe yet but there were plenty of tomatoes to pick.
After picking plenty of tomatoes, it was off to the Children's museum and lunch at a local Ethiopian resteraunt. Jacob was very excited to eat some doro wat, mamoosa and play with the many exhibits at the Children's Museum.
After a good meal, it was time to head for the swimming pool. Jacob and I spent about an hour. I don't think I had to hold him more than twice then entire time. I put his life jacket on him and he doggy paddled around the pool. He loved the independance of being able to swim by himself and had a hard time going home.
We have a short break in our day of fun now for a doctor's appointment. It is just a necessary check-up before he undergoes anesthesia next week. It shouldn't take more than 30 minutes and then we will be off to continue our fun.
Tonight is the last night of Vacation Bible School. While I am sure that we will have fun, there is a bound to be a few more problems than the last two nights. After all of the fun today, I am sure Jacob and I will both be tired and less patient with each other.
I love these days of non-stop action without only a short break for an afternoon nap (what Jacob is doing right now). Now, if only I could win the lottery and have more of these days.
Vacation Bible School
Jacob has been very busy this week attending Vacation Bible School. He is loving every minute of it. It starts with a family supper with plenty of kid friendly food. The children then hear a bible story that is acted out by some of the older children. The remaining hour is spent playing games, making a craft project and singing.
Jacob has been having a lot of fun and doing a great job of following directions. He has been listening to the teachers, participating in everything and even waiting patiently in lines. I have been very impressed and can see how much he has learned in the past three months at his daycare/preschool.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Life Is Settling Down Again
Last week was a very busy week around our house. My softball team won the championship game for our division, the dog and cat went to the vet on Monday, Jacob had 2 doctor appointments for his eyes and my phone rang off the hook Wednesday with calls from Human Services. I am finally able to breathe again and begin to process the week's events.
Of course, the hardest thing to deal with is Jacob's probable glaucoma. Even though I knew he may someday develop it, it was still a huge blow. I was actually surprised to find myself having trouble dealing with it. There were moments when all I wanted to do was hold him or cry. Other times, I was perfectly fine and it seemed like it was no big deal. I think I have finally come to a place where I can accept the diagnosis and hope for the best. After all, Jacob is still a very healthy child with a bright future ahead of him. He doesn't have any of the scary symptoms associated with port wine stains like brain lesions, seizures, muscle weakness, behavioral problems or mental retardation. He is still at risk of learning disabilities but shows no sign of those either. He can sing most of the alphabet song, count to 5, name all of the colors, recognize a circle and triangle and all of the other things children a few months older than him are working on.
Don't get me wrong. I couldn't love my son any less if he did develop learning disablilities or did have the more severe medical problems listed above. I just want him to reach his full potential and am grateful for the gifts God has provided him. The glaucoma is just a bump in the road and a medical problems we will have to deal with. He still has excellent vision and hopefully that won't change. None of this is affecting the loving and fun child he is.
On Wednesday, Human Services called me about three different children. One was just going to be an overnight placement but thankfully a relative stepped forward to take him. The other two children were potentially going to come on Monday. Due to some serious medical issues with one of the children, it was later decided Human Services would separate them. On Friday I was told that Human Services was able to come up with a plan that would allow the children to remain with the relative they have been staying with. About 4 hours later, I received a call about another little boy. I don't know much about him yet or even if he is coming for sure. With this much activity, I am sure a child will be coming soon. I have been off hold for 5 weeks now and it seems like the other foster parents I know receive new placements four to six weeks after being available.
It amazes me that just two weeks ago I was told there were no children under age 3 needing placement and then just days later the phone began ringing. I love to see the children remain with relatives they know but am also anxious for that next placement. Jacob has his requests but they change often. At one time he wanted a girl baby. Then he wanted a girl his age. Then it was a boy baby. Now it is a boy any age named Jontaveon. Don't ask me where that name came from or why he is fixated on it. I am sure by next week his request will change again.
Things have slowed down over the past two days. Tomorrow starts another week that promises to be just as busy as last week. I know I haven't posted pictures in awhile. Hopefully, I can get my camera battery charged and get some new pictures this week. Vacation bible school is this week so maybe I will have some good opportunities there.
Of course, the hardest thing to deal with is Jacob's probable glaucoma. Even though I knew he may someday develop it, it was still a huge blow. I was actually surprised to find myself having trouble dealing with it. There were moments when all I wanted to do was hold him or cry. Other times, I was perfectly fine and it seemed like it was no big deal. I think I have finally come to a place where I can accept the diagnosis and hope for the best. After all, Jacob is still a very healthy child with a bright future ahead of him. He doesn't have any of the scary symptoms associated with port wine stains like brain lesions, seizures, muscle weakness, behavioral problems or mental retardation. He is still at risk of learning disabilities but shows no sign of those either. He can sing most of the alphabet song, count to 5, name all of the colors, recognize a circle and triangle and all of the other things children a few months older than him are working on.
Don't get me wrong. I couldn't love my son any less if he did develop learning disablilities or did have the more severe medical problems listed above. I just want him to reach his full potential and am grateful for the gifts God has provided him. The glaucoma is just a bump in the road and a medical problems we will have to deal with. He still has excellent vision and hopefully that won't change. None of this is affecting the loving and fun child he is.
On Wednesday, Human Services called me about three different children. One was just going to be an overnight placement but thankfully a relative stepped forward to take him. The other two children were potentially going to come on Monday. Due to some serious medical issues with one of the children, it was later decided Human Services would separate them. On Friday I was told that Human Services was able to come up with a plan that would allow the children to remain with the relative they have been staying with. About 4 hours later, I received a call about another little boy. I don't know much about him yet or even if he is coming for sure. With this much activity, I am sure a child will be coming soon. I have been off hold for 5 weeks now and it seems like the other foster parents I know receive new placements four to six weeks after being available.
It amazes me that just two weeks ago I was told there were no children under age 3 needing placement and then just days later the phone began ringing. I love to see the children remain with relatives they know but am also anxious for that next placement. Jacob has his requests but they change often. At one time he wanted a girl baby. Then he wanted a girl his age. Then it was a boy baby. Now it is a boy any age named Jontaveon. Don't ask me where that name came from or why he is fixated on it. I am sure by next week his request will change again.
Things have slowed down over the past two days. Tomorrow starts another week that promises to be just as busy as last week. I know I haven't posted pictures in awhile. Hopefully, I can get my camera battery charged and get some new pictures this week. Vacation bible school is this week so maybe I will have some good opportunities there.
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