Mason is growing up so fast. The things he says, the questions he has ... his mannerisms, his curiosity ... where did my baby go?
As his kindergarten year comes to a close, I am seeing just how hard he has worked. Earlier in the year I was concerned that he was falling behind in phonics. We have worked hard on site words, letter sounds and reading ... and it has paid off.
Mason's teacher just let me know that he passed the PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening) screening with flying colors. The screening consists of several tasks relating to letter, sound, and print knowledge:
Rhyme: The student is asked to identify a picture that rhymes with the first picture in a row.
Beginning sounds: The student is asked to identify a picture that has the same beginning sound as the first picture in a row.
ABC Lower: The student is asked to name the 26 lower-case letters of the alphabet.
Sounds: The student is asked to produce the letter sounds of 23 upper-case letters of the alphabet, as well as three digraphs (sh, ch and th).
Spelling: The student is asked to spell five words that have consonant-vowel-consonant patterns. The student receives credit for sounds represented correctly.
Concept of Word (COW): The student is asked to point to words in a familiar poem while reading, identify target words in the familiar poem, and read some words in isolation from the poem.
We will continue to work on all of these things over the summer so that Mason retains this going into first grade. And I love having to go through all of this with Mason, so that I know what to work with Payton on before she heads to kindergarten.
So proud!
Showing posts with label Mason (aka: Bubba). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mason (aka: Bubba). Show all posts
Friday, June 4, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Rants and raves. Well, mostly rants.
I'm tired. The pollen is kicking my butt. I'm behind on everything. I've had so many things to do. I've had so many things to say. But I feel like I have no time to do anything that does not involve my children. Join the club, right?
Therapy.The all encompassing therapy. Tball. My business. Soccer. Photography. Blastball. Young athletes. My own volunteer work. All that and more on top of trying to retain order within my home and just be a family.
I sound like a broken record.
All this stuff ain't happening. Well, it is happening but it needs to get easier. So I rehired my house cleaners. And oh how happy that makes my soul. They came yesterday and some of that must.retain.order.within.my.home stress has been lifted.
I feel like I have sort of been slapped in the face lately with a few things that have put me in a funk. I try really hard not to let things get to me, but seriously ... one human soul can only handle so much.
*
Payton has childhood apraxia of speech. In other words, we are trying to get our 4 year old to be able to say things like me instead of pee. Or bye bye instead of dye dye. It is an ongoing struggle. Watching her speech be broken down to such a level has been really eye opening for me. To see the stages of development from this perspective is something I wish everyone could see. It is breaking my heart that speech is so incredibly, frustratingly hard for her.
She is tired. I'm tired.
And then ... to increasingly observe other kids staring at her and asking why she can't talk. Although she has no idea any of this is going on, I do. I have always been fine with explaining her speech delay to other kids, but the older she gets ... the more I worry about them judging her.
Like four older neighborhood boys did this past weekend.
She said, "Hi."
They said, "You're stupid."
I presume they called her stupid because she looks like she is big enough to be able to talk, but they have picked up on the fact that she sounds like a young toddler. So now she is being called stupid because she can't talk. Fan-freaking-tastic. Not only that, but Mason was standing right there to hear it all ... coming from his peers. Fan-freaking-tastic.
*
Nika is in the third percentile of children her age for fine motor capability. Or so the evaluation says. I ... I don't even know where to start with that one. I feel like she is doing better than that, but I also think that I classify her as younger than she is ... I guess given the fact that she spent two years in an orphanage where she was cared for, but not really taught skills that a child with Down syndrome would need to be taught. I guess that is why? I am also concerned that she has childhood apraxia of speech and we have a detailed evaluation in a few weeks.
*
Mason is still struggling a bit with reading and it frustrates me to no end. I feel like no matter how much we work with him on certain things, he has such a hard time wrapping his little mind around it. Yet when it comes to math or science ... he is golden. Clearly he is my kid. So we roll on ... hoping he somehow is not being left behind in light of all that his sisters require.
Meanwhile the fact that he is growing up so fast has become so evident. The things he says crack.me.up. He has a new found obsession with Justin Bieber. He asked me to upload the song Baby to my iPhone, so now that is what we listen to as we stroll the aisles of the grocery store or as we drive down the road or as we eat dinner or as we try to sleep. Ha.
Then, Mason came to find out that Justin Bieber is on the cover of Teen Bop and other such magazines. "Mom, can you buy this for me?"
Really? Really. I am having to buy teeny bopper magazines for my six year old? Wow, that makes me feel really old. As did spending our last shopping trip in abercrombie shopping for clothes for him. It really was a weird moment for me to have graduated from Baby Gap ... I mean abercrombie, this is big time, big boy shopping. So crazy.
*
I sort of have been really bothered lately by things I have read on an adoption listserve that I subscribe to. This attitude of I-will-adopt-only-the-perfect-child-or-none-at-all ... it seriously drives me insane and it is really hard for me to bite my lip. I try to remind myself different-strokes-for-different-folks ... but honestly, I'm not really sure how one can go into an international adoption and expect that their child will not have developmental delays, cognitive problems or even health problems.
This is par for the course people. No, a child will not always have those issues, but they could. And no, it doesn't necessarily taint the child for life. Or, what if it does? Does that make that child any less deserving of a family that loves him or her?
Urgh.
Sometimes I just want to hold Nika high in the air and yell, "Look at her! She is beautiful! She is healthy! She deserves to live her life! Down syndrome, developmental delays, cognitive problems and all!"
And then I go on to read about this Tennessee family that adopted an eight year old child from Russia six months ago. Because they could not deal with ... nor find the right means to go about a disruption ... whatever issues he brought with him, they thought it would be a fantastic idea to put him on a one-way flight back to Russia. After arriving in Moscow alone, he gave officials a note from his adoptive mother that explained that she was returning him due to severe psychological problems.
I mean seriously. Seriously?
And now Russia is threatening to stop Americans from adopting from Russia at all. I'm praying and hoping this will not happen, but it is a very real possibility. I pray that one bad egg doesn't ruin the bunch.
Please click here to see how you can help.
*
And as if that wasn't enough, I read about a doctor in Florida who is alleged to have "aborted the wrong fetus". Shocker that the fetus that was to be aborted had Down syndrome. After the parents found out that the wrong fetus had been aborted or "killed", they proceeded to abort the fetus with Down syndrome.
So let me get this right. The fetus that did not have Down syndrome was "killed", but the fetus with Down syndrome was "aborted"? Is the method of death not the same? Is a fetus with Down syndrome not worthy of life, so it is not classified as being killed? Is this what we have come to as a society?
And ... the fetus with Down syndrome was described as "deformed". Okay, having an extra chromosome does not make you "deformed"!
*stepping off soap box*
And had I finished this post last night like I intended to do ... I would have said ...
Goodnight.
Therapy.
I sound like a broken record.
All this stuff ain't happening. Well, it is happening but it needs to get easier. So I rehired my house cleaners. And oh how happy that makes my soul. They came yesterday and some of that must.retain.order.within.my.home stress has been lifted.
I feel like I have sort of been slapped in the face lately with a few things that have put me in a funk. I try really hard not to let things get to me, but seriously ... one human soul can only handle so much.
*
Payton has childhood apraxia of speech. In other words, we are trying to get our 4 year old to be able to say things like me instead of pee. Or bye bye instead of dye dye. It is an ongoing struggle. Watching her speech be broken down to such a level has been really eye opening for me. To see the stages of development from this perspective is something I wish everyone could see. It is breaking my heart that speech is so incredibly, frustratingly hard for her.
She is tired. I'm tired.
And then ... to increasingly observe other kids staring at her and asking why she can't talk. Although she has no idea any of this is going on, I do. I have always been fine with explaining her speech delay to other kids, but the older she gets ... the more I worry about them judging her.
Like four older neighborhood boys did this past weekend.
She said, "Hi."
They said, "You're stupid."
I presume they called her stupid because she looks like she is big enough to be able to talk, but they have picked up on the fact that she sounds like a young toddler. So now she is being called stupid because she can't talk. Fan-freaking-tastic. Not only that, but Mason was standing right there to hear it all ... coming from his peers. Fan-freaking-tastic.
*
Nika is in the third percentile of children her age for fine motor capability. Or so the evaluation says. I ... I don't even know where to start with that one. I feel like she is doing better than that, but I also think that I classify her as younger than she is ... I guess given the fact that she spent two years in an orphanage where she was cared for, but not really taught skills that a child with Down syndrome would need to be taught. I guess that is why? I am also concerned that she has childhood apraxia of speech and we have a detailed evaluation in a few weeks.
*
Mason is still struggling a bit with reading and it frustrates me to no end. I feel like no matter how much we work with him on certain things, he has such a hard time wrapping his little mind around it. Yet when it comes to math or science ... he is golden. Clearly he is my kid. So we roll on ... hoping he somehow is not being left behind in light of all that his sisters require.
Meanwhile the fact that he is growing up so fast has become so evident. The things he says crack.me.up. He has a new found obsession with Justin Bieber. He asked me to upload the song Baby to my iPhone, so now that is what we listen to as we stroll the aisles of the grocery store or as we drive down the road or as we eat dinner or as we try to sleep. Ha.
Then, Mason came to find out that Justin Bieber is on the cover of Teen Bop and other such magazines. "Mom, can you buy this for me?"
Really? Really. I am having to buy teeny bopper magazines for my six year old? Wow, that makes me feel really old. As did spending our last shopping trip in abercrombie shopping for clothes for him. It really was a weird moment for me to have graduated from Baby Gap ... I mean abercrombie, this is big time, big boy shopping. So crazy.
*
I sort of have been really bothered lately by things I have read on an adoption listserve that I subscribe to. This attitude of I-will-adopt-only-the-perfect-child-or-none-at-all ... it seriously drives me insane and it is really hard for me to bite my lip. I try to remind myself different-strokes-for-different-folks ... but honestly, I'm not really sure how one can go into an international adoption and expect that their child will not have developmental delays, cognitive problems or even health problems.
This is par for the course people. No, a child will not always have those issues, but they could. And no, it doesn't necessarily taint the child for life. Or, what if it does? Does that make that child any less deserving of a family that loves him or her?
Urgh.
Sometimes I just want to hold Nika high in the air and yell, "Look at her! She is beautiful! She is healthy! She deserves to live her life! Down syndrome, developmental delays, cognitive problems and all!"
And then I go on to read about this Tennessee family that adopted an eight year old child from Russia six months ago. Because they could not deal with ... nor find the right means to go about a disruption ... whatever issues he brought with him, they thought it would be a fantastic idea to put him on a one-way flight back to Russia. After arriving in Moscow alone, he gave officials a note from his adoptive mother that explained that she was returning him due to severe psychological problems.
I mean seriously. Seriously?
And now Russia is threatening to stop Americans from adopting from Russia at all. I'm praying and hoping this will not happen, but it is a very real possibility. I pray that one bad egg doesn't ruin the bunch.
Please click here to see how you can help.
*
And as if that wasn't enough, I read about a doctor in Florida who is alleged to have "aborted the wrong fetus". Shocker that the fetus that was to be aborted had Down syndrome. After the parents found out that the wrong fetus had been aborted or "killed", they proceeded to abort the fetus with Down syndrome.
So let me get this right. The fetus that did not have Down syndrome was "killed", but the fetus with Down syndrome was "aborted"? Is the method of death not the same? Is a fetus with Down syndrome not worthy of life, so it is not classified as being killed? Is this what we have come to as a society?
And ... the fetus with Down syndrome was described as "deformed". Okay, having an extra chromosome does not make you "deformed"!
*stepping off soap box*
And had I finished this post last night like I intended to do ... I would have said ...
Goodnight.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
They call her Momma.
Honestly ... where does time go? I seriously can't stand the fact that life goes by so fast ... I need to know how to fix that. As much as I try to cherish the little things in life ... the big things seem to take over.
My niece has moved into her fifth week of life. It is amazing to see the transformation that just five weeks makes on a newborn baby.
Payton adores her cousin ... I love that. She is such a little momma ... she loves her babies. I'm pretty sure she thinks she is the mother of Nika too ... ya know, in light of the way she bosses her around and such.
Payton's teachers have also told me they call her "Momma" at school, because she acts like just that -- the momma! She is constantly trying to take care of the other kids and help them with what they need done. Such a kind soul.
Hello baby blue eyes.
*
Mason was the student of the week last week in his kindergarten class.
He is 6 years old.
His favorite animal is a dog.
His favorite color is red.
His favorite food is mac and cheese.
When he grows up, he wants to be a race car driver.
His favorite place is Disney World.
His favorite thing to do is play with friends.
If he had one wish, he would wish for a monster truck.
Love that kid.
Even when he sobs from exhaustion after a long day at school when the neighbor kid does not want to play baseball with him. Nonetheless, he is always willing to pose for the camera ... waterlogged eyes and all.
My hazel-ish eyes turn really green when I cry ... and Mason's do too, as you can see. I wonder why that is ... too bad that color doesn't stick around absent of salt water tears.
*
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go eat my pickles and ice cream. You know, because I'm pregnant.
Kidding people ... kidding.
My niece has moved into her fifth week of life. It is amazing to see the transformation that just five weeks makes on a newborn baby.
Payton adores her cousin ... I love that. She is such a little momma ... she loves her babies. I'm pretty sure she thinks she is the mother of Nika too ... ya know, in light of the way she bosses her around and such.
Payton's teachers have also told me they call her "Momma" at school, because she acts like just that -- the momma! She is constantly trying to take care of the other kids and help them with what they need done. Such a kind soul.
Hello baby blue eyes.
*
Mason was the student of the week last week in his kindergarten class.
He is 6 years old.
His favorite animal is a dog.
His favorite color is red.
His favorite food is mac and cheese.
When he grows up, he wants to be a race car driver.
His favorite place is Disney World.
His favorite thing to do is play with friends.
If he had one wish, he would wish for a monster truck.
Love that kid.
Even when he sobs from exhaustion after a long day at school when the neighbor kid does not want to play baseball with him. Nonetheless, he is always willing to pose for the camera ... waterlogged eyes and all.
My hazel-ish eyes turn really green when I cry ... and Mason's do too, as you can see. I wonder why that is ... too bad that color doesn't stick around absent of salt water tears.
*
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go eat my pickles and ice cream. You know, because I'm pregnant.
Kidding people ... kidding.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
It makes me happy.
Spring is in the air. And it makes me smile ... just like my favorite new song -- Smile by Uncle Kracker -- as is playing in the background. I usually am not a fan of music on blogs, but for today ... it makes me happy.
Spring means we can play outside again. It means we can enjoy the warmish air. It means we can resume walking to Mason's bus stop, rather than driving -- the warm weather allows us to get out the door timely without having to bundle everyone up.
And that makes the momma happy.
Payton loves to walk her brother to the bus. She gets so excited to hang out for a few minutes with the neighborhood kids and 9 times out of 10 ... she stands in line with the rest of the kids. She is waiting for the day that she can get on the bus with her brother and all the other kids.
I hope that day comes, baby girl.Yes ... I'm having a sentimental, poor me moment where I can only pray that she will be able to ride the regular bus when the time comes.
But for today ... she just wanted to push her baby doll in her stroller ... and so she did.
And I smiled.
Because this is the life I always wanted ... Down syndrome or not.
It makes me happy.
*
A few days ago, I went outside to find Mason standing in the driveway armed with a can of spray paint. I surveyed the area and found that he had made his mark on a Little Tykes car that we have ... and then his little sister smeared her hands through it and wiped them all over her coat.
Graffiti tagged coats are in right now, yes?
The next day, I noticed that I had missed some of Mason's tagging.
Me: Mason, what is this?
Mason: *buries head in my side* I forget.
Me: No you don't forget.
Mason: But I was just trying to make it colorful.
Me: Uh huh. Get in the house ... now.
*
A weekly favorite around here is pizza ... it is a bad vice, I know. Along with that typically comes boneless buffalo wings for my husband ... sometimes one for me too.
Mason: What's that, Mommy?
Me: Blue cheese.
Mason: Well how come it isn't blue?
Me: I don't know.
Mason: It can't be blue cheese if it isn't blue.
Don't they say that if you were stranded on a desert island, that the one food that would offer you the most food groups is pizza? See ... exactly why we love it. Mountain Dew falls in that category too, right?
*snicker*
Spring means we can play outside again. It means we can enjoy the warmish air. It means we can resume walking to Mason's bus stop, rather than driving -- the warm weather allows us to get out the door timely without having to bundle everyone up.
And that makes the momma happy.
Payton loves to walk her brother to the bus. She gets so excited to hang out for a few minutes with the neighborhood kids and 9 times out of 10 ... she stands in line with the rest of the kids. She is waiting for the day that she can get on the bus with her brother and all the other kids.
I hope that day comes, baby girl.
But for today ... she just wanted to push her baby doll in her stroller ... and so she did.
And I smiled.
Because this is the life I always wanted ... Down syndrome or not.
It makes me happy.
*
A few days ago, I went outside to find Mason standing in the driveway armed with a can of spray paint. I surveyed the area and found that he had made his mark on a Little Tykes car that we have ... and then his little sister smeared her hands through it and wiped them all over her coat.
Graffiti tagged coats are in right now, yes?
Me: Mason, what is this?
Mason: *buries head in my side* I forget.
Me: No you don't forget.
Mason: But I was just trying to make it colorful.
Me: Uh huh. Get in the house ... now.
*
A weekly favorite around here is pizza ... it is a bad vice, I know. Along with that typically comes boneless buffalo wings for my husband ... sometimes one for me too.
Mason: What's that, Mommy?
Me: Blue cheese.
Mason: Well how come it isn't blue?
Me: I don't know.
Mason: It can't be blue cheese if it isn't blue.
Don't they say that if you were stranded on a desert island, that the one food that would offer you the most food groups is pizza? See ... exactly why we love it. Mountain Dew falls in that category too, right?
*snicker*
Thursday, February 18, 2010
We had so much fun!
After previously being canceled due to 31 inches of snow, we finally were able to have Mason's 6th birthday party celebration. And wouldn't you know it ... it started snowing again shortly before his party was supposed to start.
Snow or no snow ... the party must go on. We rented a limo to take the kids to play laser tag ... to say the kids were excited is a huge understatement.
Prior to playing laser tag, everyone has to watch an instructional video. The kids were so cute ... they all were raising their hands asking questions after the video was over.
After watching the video, we moved into the vesting area. Depending on the number of people playing at one time, you are split up into teams by vest color. We were lucky to all be on the same team each time ... although our opponents were always older kids.
We're ready to go!
We had so much fun! I guess I didn't know what to expect ... but even us adults had a blast.
And the infamous Spongebob cake. Oh, the Spongebob cake. What is it with my kid's Spongebob obsession? I hate Spongebob and for a long time, Mason was not allowed to watch it.
I think I lost that battle.
Happy Birthday Bubs!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I am not getting glasses!
Mason: Mommy, can I go out and play in the snow?
Me: No, because we have to go get your eyes checked.
Mason: Why?
Me: Because you have never had your eyes checked.
Mason (in somewhat of a panic): No we do not! I am not getting glasses!
Me: Well, hopefully you will not need glasses, but we still need to have your eyes checked.
Mason (as if inferring he has something else to do): Well I am going to have a piece of cake.
Me: Okay, well we are still going to get your eyes checked.
Tonight Mason and I went to the eye doctor. I figured it was about time he have his eyes checked for routine purposes ... and I needed to have mine checked as an annual followup to laser surgery.
Mason is a tiny bit far sighted and he has a little bit of astigmatism ... nothing that requires glasses for now. Mason should be happy about that.
I asked the optometrist about the brown spot on Mason's right eye. It has always been there and I've always sort of wondered if there is anything I should be worrying about. And the answer is no. After looking at it through the microscope, the doctor told me that is it completely flat (versus being raised) and likened it to a freckle.
As far as I am concerned, I continue to see better than a fighter pilot ... thankyouverymuch. In 2007, I had Wavefront CustomVue LASIK with IntraLase and I'm told this new technology is the reason I am continuing to see better than 20/15 in both eyes.
Now where is my jet?
Ha.
Me: No, because we have to go get your eyes checked.
Mason: Why?
Me: Because you have never had your eyes checked.
Mason (in somewhat of a panic): No we do not! I am not getting glasses!
Me: Well, hopefully you will not need glasses, but we still need to have your eyes checked.
Mason (as if inferring he has something else to do): Well I am going to have a piece of cake.
Me: Okay, well we are still going to get your eyes checked.
Tonight Mason and I went to the eye doctor. I figured it was about time he have his eyes checked for routine purposes ... and I needed to have mine checked as an annual followup to laser surgery.
Mason is a tiny bit far sighted and he has a little bit of astigmatism ... nothing that requires glasses for now. Mason should be happy about that.
I asked the optometrist about the brown spot on Mason's right eye. It has always been there and I've always sort of wondered if there is anything I should be worrying about. And the answer is no. After looking at it through the microscope, the doctor told me that is it completely flat (versus being raised) and likened it to a freckle.
As far as I am concerned, I continue to see better than a fighter pilot ... thankyouverymuch. In 2007, I had Wavefront CustomVue LASIK with IntraLase and I'm told this new technology is the reason I am continuing to see better than 20/15 in both eyes.
Now where is my jet?
Ha.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
6 years.
6 years. Whew.
How is it even possible that six years ago I went into labor with my first born. Six years ago I went to sit down on my couch and felt a gush. Six years ago I held the baby I had tried so hard to conceive.
6 years. Yikes!
Dear Mason ...
I can't believe it has already been six years since you entered my life. You have taught me so many things and you have made me so incredibly proud. You have achieved so much ... and worked so hard to accomplish your goals.
You are the best big brother we could ask for. Even though your sisters push your buttons at times, your compassion for them is like no other. My heart swells to watch you do what you do best ---> be a great big brother.
You are a miniature version of your father ... it is a good thing you are obsessed with him. To say you are a Daddy's boy would be an understatement. Your Daddy loves you very much and he will always be 50% of your #1 fan.
Daddy's boy or not ... you and I have a special relationship as mother and son. I'm not quite sure how to put it into words, but the love I have for you ... my only son ... is incredible. It is a bond that will never be broken ... and I will always be the other 50% of your #1 fan.
Happy birthday Bubs! You deserve the world and I feel confident that you will get everything you want out of your life.
Loads of love ...
Your Mama
6 years. Yikes!
Dear Mason ...
I can't believe it has already been six years since you entered my life. You have taught me so many things and you have made me so incredibly proud. You have achieved so much ... and worked so hard to accomplish your goals.
You are the best big brother we could ask for. Even though your sisters push your buttons at times, your compassion for them is like no other. My heart swells to watch you do what you do best ---> be a great big brother.
You are a miniature version of your father ... it is a good thing you are obsessed with him. To say you are a Daddy's boy would be an understatement. Your Daddy loves you very much and he will always be 50% of your #1 fan.
Daddy's boy or not ... you and I have a special relationship as mother and son. I'm not quite sure how to put it into words, but the love I have for you ... my only son ... is incredible. It is a bond that will never be broken ... and I will always be the other 50% of your #1 fan.
Happy birthday Bubs! You deserve the world and I feel confident that you will get everything you want out of your life.
Loads of love ...
Your Mama
****************
On a side note, Mason did not go to school today because he can barely move his arms. In addition to everything else that happened with the dermatologist last night, she applied Canthacur to places in Mason's armpits that there was no Molluscum.
When you apply Canthacur to the skin, it causes it to blister. When you apply Canthacur to a Molluscum spot, it gets covered with a piece of tape. Within a couple hours, you remove the tape and the spot is left looking like you see in this picture of Mason's armpit.
Do you see the recklessness here? This is what Mason's armpit looked like this morning. None of those blisters should be there. That is where the Canthacur was placed on his skin and not removed ... even though the doctor know it would cause his skin to blister.
Maybe they were more worried about not having to pay $1 per minute since someone had a kid in daycare past closing.
Mason woke up this morning in tears ... unable to lower his arms to his sides. I sterilized a needle and popped the blisters in an effort to drain them and relieve some of the pain.
He wailed.
In an effort to calm him, I said, "See ... look at the water coming out of the blisters. That will help them deflate."
Through his tears, he said, "Water is a form of matter."
Why yes ... son ... it is. I am so happy to see that you have been learning great things at school ... and that it is in the forefront of your mind as I prick you with a needle.
Love that kid.
Maybe they were more worried about not having to pay $1 per minute since someone had a kid in daycare past closing.
Mason woke up this morning in tears ... unable to lower his arms to his sides. I sterilized a needle and popped the blisters in an effort to drain them and relieve some of the pain.
He wailed.
In an effort to calm him, I said, "See ... look at the water coming out of the blisters. That will help them deflate."
Through his tears, he said, "Water is a form of matter."
Why yes ... son ... it is. I am so happy to see that you have been learning great things at school ... and that it is in the forefront of your mind as I prick you with a needle.
Love that kid.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
My poor baby.
Molluscum.
It is a nasty little thing. In addition to strep, it has overcome our world.
Back in October, Mason was diagnosed with Molluscum. Our dermatologist applied Canthacur to each of the spots he had at the time and sent us on our way. Each of the spots blistered, scabbed and left nice little scars all over his body.
My poor baby.
While we were trying to kill the spots he had, new ones appeared. And they keep appearing.
We were given a topical cream to put on any new spots, but insurance limits the amount of cream we can have in a certain time period and the teeny, tiny packets it comes in are not nearly enough to cover all the spots he has. Our hands have been tied and we have applied cream as we can get it.
It sucks. And it frustrates me.
This evening we went back to the dermatologist ... only our old one has left and a new one replaced her. A new one with a really snotty, holier than thou attitude ... not to mention her complete lack of bedside manner.
Poor Mason ended up in tears after they applied Canthacur to a few spots that had busted open. Really -- was that a good idea? And ... she refused to treat more than 10 of his spots -- so I guess we leave the rest to keep growing? Pff.
I was so furious with this dermatologist -- I am not sure why I didn't walk out in the very beginning like I started to do. That was after she lectured me for being 10 minutes late, thanks to a car accident that closed two of three lanes of traffic.*
*I'm sorry lady, but you didn't have to see me if it really was putting you out. And considering I typically wait an hour to be seen in this office, I'm pretty sure you have no room to talk. And I could care less that your nurse is having to pay $1 per minute right now for her daycare -- hardly my problem that she did not make childcare arrangements when she knew she needed to be at work. And I also don't care that it wasn't you that has made me wait in the past -- the point is you work for this practice, and I'm sorry if you don't like all that comes with it.
*ahem*
Mason also has a bit of a yeast infection in his underwear area. He has never had anything like this before, but I assume it came after he was on Augmentin for a few days after Christmas. I had the dermatologist look at it, however she was convinced that it was Eczema.
Umm no. He has never had Eczema before ... and knowing how easily he sweats and how moisture is probably having a hay day in that area, it is so a yeast infection. She even agreed that Eczema typically does not present like this, but she decided she needed to disagree with me and treat it as Eczema.
Whatever.
I disagreed and already had it in my mind that I'd take him to the pediatrician to see what they think. I also knew I already had some Lotrimin to treat it with -- hoping that would help.
So ... just for curiosity sake, I asked the dermatologist if the product she wanted to use for treatment would treat both Eczema and a yeast infection -- ya know, kill two birds with one stone. She told me that no, it would not, and in fact it would make a yeast infection worse.
Oook. That went in one ear and out the other ... I'll take this matter into my own hands.
Seriously ... this entire experience made me so mad. I honestly have never come across a doctor as rude and hoity toity as she was. Blech.
I'll be finding a new dermatologist ... quickly. I let them know I would not be returning and the dermatologist said, "Well, you need to follow up with someone."
Ya think?!?!?!
Seriously lady. I do plan to complain to the head of the practice ... it is a shame that they hired someone like this to take the place of what was a wonderful dermatologist. I can only imagine how many patients they are going to lose.
Vent over.
It is a nasty little thing. In addition to strep, it has overcome our world.
This picture was taken when Mason was home sick with strep ... poor kid looks out of it.
Back in October, Mason was diagnosed with Molluscum. Our dermatologist applied Canthacur to each of the spots he had at the time and sent us on our way. Each of the spots blistered, scabbed and left nice little scars all over his body.
My poor baby.
While we were trying to kill the spots he had, new ones appeared. And they keep appearing.
We were given a topical cream to put on any new spots, but insurance limits the amount of cream we can have in a certain time period and the teeny, tiny packets it comes in are not nearly enough to cover all the spots he has. Our hands have been tied and we have applied cream as we can get it.
It sucks. And it frustrates me.
This evening we went back to the dermatologist ... only our old one has left and a new one replaced her. A new one with a really snotty, holier than thou attitude ... not to mention her complete lack of bedside manner.
Poor Mason ended up in tears after they applied Canthacur to a few spots that had busted open. Really -- was that a good idea? And ... she refused to treat more than 10 of his spots -- so I guess we leave the rest to keep growing? Pff.
I was so furious with this dermatologist -- I am not sure why I didn't walk out in the very beginning like I started to do. That was after she lectured me for being 10 minutes late, thanks to a car accident that closed two of three lanes of traffic.*
*I'm sorry lady, but you didn't have to see me if it really was putting you out. And considering I typically wait an hour to be seen in this office, I'm pretty sure you have no room to talk. And I could care less that your nurse is having to pay $1 per minute right now for her daycare -- hardly my problem that she did not make childcare arrangements when she knew she needed to be at work. And I also don't care that it wasn't you that has made me wait in the past -- the point is you work for this practice, and I'm sorry if you don't like all that comes with it.
*ahem*
Mason also has a bit of a yeast infection in his underwear area. He has never had anything like this before, but I assume it came after he was on Augmentin for a few days after Christmas. I had the dermatologist look at it, however she was convinced that it was Eczema.
Umm no. He has never had Eczema before ... and knowing how easily he sweats and how moisture is probably having a hay day in that area, it is so a yeast infection. She even agreed that Eczema typically does not present like this, but she decided she needed to disagree with me and treat it as Eczema.
Whatever.
I disagreed and already had it in my mind that I'd take him to the pediatrician to see what they think. I also knew I already had some Lotrimin to treat it with -- hoping that would help.
So ... just for curiosity sake, I asked the dermatologist if the product she wanted to use for treatment would treat both Eczema and a yeast infection -- ya know, kill two birds with one stone. She told me that no, it would not, and in fact it would make a yeast infection worse.
Oook. That went in one ear and out the other ... I'll take this matter into my own hands.
Seriously ... this entire experience made me so mad. I honestly have never come across a doctor as rude and hoity toity as she was. Blech.
I'll be finding a new dermatologist ... quickly. I let them know I would not be returning and the dermatologist said, "Well, you need to follow up with someone."
Ya think?!?!?!
Seriously lady. I do plan to complain to the head of the practice ... it is a shame that they hired someone like this to take the place of what was a wonderful dermatologist. I can only imagine how many patients they are going to lose.
Vent over.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thankful
Mason (gets out of bed): Mommy, do you want me to tell you what I'm thankful for?
Me: Yes Bubs, what are you thankful for?
Mason: I'm thankful for you and the whole wide world.
Me: Aww, I'm thankful for you too.
Mason: And I'm thankful for Daddy and the whole wide world.
Me: That is so nice baby ... I love you. Goodnight Bud!
Me: Yes Bubs, what are you thankful for?
Mason: I'm thankful for you and the whole wide world.
Me: Aww, I'm thankful for you too.
Mason: And I'm thankful for Daddy and the whole wide world.
Me: That is so nice baby ... I love you. Goodnight Bud!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Mom, can we wash your car?
A couple days ago, Mason and Payton were playing in the front yard. Nika had just woke up and had a massive blow out, so I was getting ready to run upstairs and give her a quick bath. I told Mason to stay in the front yard with Payton where I could see them and that I would be right back down.
Mason: Mom, can me and Chicky wash your car?
Me: No dude, it is too cold out to be washing the car. (It was like 60-70 degrees out. LOL)
So I ran upstairs to wash Nika ... and when I came back downstairs, I saw this ...
Mason: Mom, can me and Chicky wash your car?
Me: No dude, it is too cold out to be washing the car. (It was like 60-70 degrees out. LOL)
So I ran upstairs to wash Nika ... and when I came back downstairs, I saw this ...
Seriously? In less than five minutes, they have got the entire car washing system out of the garage ...
... and Payton has her shirt, socks and shoes off. The only clothing she had on was soaked to the core,not to mention her little booty was practically hanging out ... hmm, I wonder how that happened!
Mason ... any idea? Ha.
Err wait, maybe she was the one responsible! She seemed to be the one in charge of the hose ...
... and Payton has her shirt, socks and shoes off. The only clothing she had on was soaked to the core,
Mason ... any idea? Ha.
Err wait, maybe she was the one responsible! She seemed to be the one in charge of the hose ...
That's right little lady, get back to work! Ha.
This little incident actually reminds me of when Mason tried to help me wash his coat. Ha.
Love my crazy kids!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Mason: Up, Down and All Around
Based on my observations, I think the biggest thing that has helped him ... honestly ... is his teacher. His teacher is someone who has two sides ... the strict side and the endearing side. I liken her to me. Ha. Mason adores her, however he also knows that she means business.
Another thing that has helped him is the reward system that his elementary school has. They are huge on having the kids be quality students ... and that term is thrown around a lot in school. Every day Mason gets either a smiley face, straight face or sad face based on his behavior in the classroom. He has received a smiley face everyday so far, with the exception of one day that he received a straight face ... not sure what his deal was that day. In addition to this behavior chart, the kids can get a Mini Paw (their mascot is the Westies) for doing something extra good ... or a Mega Paw for doing something extraordinary. Err something like that. Mason has received a lot of Mini Paws and even one Mega Paw so far.
I actually was just reading through the October newsletter and saw Mason featured in a list of 43 kindergartners ... out of about 175 total ... that got Mega Paws that month ... so proud of him!
Other things they are doing in school are mixing colors to make other colors and using laptop computers to learn. They also has been working on counting, which I can tell. Clearly the way we were trying to teach him wasn't working. When he started school about two months ago, we couldn't even get him through the teens without getting confused. Now he can get to 29 no problem, he just has not grasped the concept that next comes 30 ... he tries to go to 20 again. He cracks me up.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
31 for 21: Day 29 {Pumpkin Carving}
Mason came home from school earlier this week and told me he wanted to carve his pumpkin. While I normally want him to wait for a time that we can do it as a family, I told him he could since family time seems to be a rarity these days ... we have been so busy!
Here he is scooping out his pumpkin ... all by himself!
After Kyle got home, he helped Mason carve his pumpkin into a wolf ... ROAR!
Here he is scooping out his pumpkin ... all by himself!
After Kyle got home, he helped Mason carve his pumpkin into a wolf ... ROAR!Wednesday, October 28, 2009
31 for 21: Day 28 {Molluscum}
Uh ... Mason has Molluscum. Seriously, my typical kid (ya know, versus my kids with special needs ... verbiage people, verbiage) isn't allowed to have anything wrong. Not that Molluscum really ranks up there in the serious department, but ... ya know. I just am so not used to dealing with medical issues with him ... I don't have that hard core for him that I have for the girls.
Anyway.
A couple months ago, I started noticing these small, little zit type, blistery bumps on him. A nurse at our ENT office told me she thought it was Molluscum. I had never heard of it, but after asking about it on Facebook, I found out it is pretty common. I called the dermatologist and they said, "Sure, we can see him in October."
Seriously? We have to wait that long? I had read that the bumps will eventually disappear, so I was secretly hoping that would happen. Yeah, not so much. His bumps were also pretty much only on his back (which is strange, since they are typically known to be on the stomach), so they were covered by his shirt and not a contagious threat to anyone. His sisters have not even come down with it ... and they have close contact. I think Mason got it at the pool, but that is my own little theory. I mean, where else would he have been without a shirt on in order for his back to be infected, so to speak? Ugh.
Fast forward to this week, it was time for his dermatologist appointment. The bumps have grown in number and in size, so I'm glad it was finally time to see the doctor. She applied Canthacur to each bump, which causes them to blister and then go away.
Poor Mason was either really scared or embarrassed ... I'm not sure which. He was standing in a room with three women, practically naked. And he knew the doctor was about to apply the stuff to each bump, so I think he was afraid it would hurt.
He cried. I almost cried because I felt so bad. I mean, I can go through so much more with the girls and not even blink because I am so hardened with them ... I am used to it and I am prepared for it. With Mason? Not so much.
Once they started applying the stuff, Mason realized it did not hurt. He just couldn't wait to get the heck out of there and get to Target to get his toy I promised him. Ha.
Fast forward about 24 hours later, the bumps are a mess. Some are blistering, some have the skin torn off ... poor kid. I really hope it all heals quickly and goes away!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
31 for 21: Day 4 {My baseball player ... I mean players}
Mason decided that he wanted to play t-ball again. He played his first season last fall ... what a difference a year makes! Instead of wanting to play in the dirt much of the time, he actually plays ... as in gets in ready stance, catches the ball, throws the ball ... you catch my drift.So much fun to see him being such a rock star out on the field!
Mason is pretty much the largest kid on the team ... um, imagine that! Here he is after getting the team ball ...
Chicky loves to go watch her brother play ball. She gets so excited when we pull into the fields and says, "Yay!"The other morning, Payton came walking in the kitchen wearing Mason's t-ball hat and carrying a bat ... soo stinkin cute! She took my hand and pulled me outside, where she said ball ... I guess that was my cue? Haha.
So I got a ball and she held the bat out for me to throw it to her. Basically she held the bat out so I could just bounce the ball off it ... so funny.Maybe it is time to enroll her in t-ball? Hmm, I wonder how that would work out.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Does he think he can outsmart me?
This morning as Mason and I walked toward his room to get him dressed for school, he said, "Mommy, Chicky peed in my bed last night."
Really? Because I'm pretty sure she was only in your bed to watch a movie for a couple minutes ... and I'm pretty sure you would have told us last night if she had peed in your bed.
So I go in his room to assess the situation, and there is a huge wet spot that definitely smells like urine, but is still pretty wet. So I say, "Are you sure Chicky peed in your bed?"
Mason shakes his head yes.
Somehow I came to the conclusion that he was not telling me the truth, so I said, "Did you just do this?"
He slowly and ashamedly nods his head yes, realizing he had been figured out.
At this point, I'm thinking he had just come up here and peed all over his bed, on purpose. I know, I know ... give the kid a little credit. Just then I looked down on the floor and saw his wet underwear laying there.
So he peed the bed. Why is he trying to blame it on Chicky?
I told him, "Mason, you will not be in trouble for having an accident in your bed. But you will be in trouble for lying to me and trying to tell me Chicky did it!" Mason then has an epiphany and gets an oh crap look on his face. I continued to tell him every reason that I knew he had lied to show him that he cannot outsmart me. Ha.
Really? Because I'm pretty sure she was only in your bed to watch a movie for a couple minutes ... and I'm pretty sure you would have told us last night if she had peed in your bed.
So I go in his room to assess the situation, and there is a huge wet spot that definitely smells like urine, but is still pretty wet. So I say, "Are you sure Chicky peed in your bed?"
Mason shakes his head yes.
Somehow I came to the conclusion that he was not telling me the truth, so I said, "Did you just do this?"
He slowly and ashamedly nods his head yes, realizing he had been figured out.
At this point, I'm thinking he had just come up here and peed all over his bed, on purpose. I know, I know ... give the kid a little credit. Just then I looked down on the floor and saw his wet underwear laying there.
So he peed the bed. Why is he trying to blame it on Chicky?
I told him, "Mason, you will not be in trouble for having an accident in your bed. But you will be in trouble for lying to me and trying to tell me Chicky did it!" Mason then has an epiphany and gets an oh crap look on his face. I continued to tell him every reason that I knew he had lied to show him that he cannot outsmart me. Ha.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Weigh In.
Nika ... 25 pounds and 34 inches (2 years, 11 months)
Payton ... 40 pounds and 37 inches (3 years, 8 months)
Mason ... 64 pounds and 48 inches ( 5 years, 8 months)
Umm ... yikes!
How is it that my biological children are so huge?! And Nika has not gained one single pound since she came home. Thank God she has grown taller though!
Payton ... 40 pounds and 37 inches (3 years, 8 months)
Mason ... 64 pounds and 48 inches ( 5 years, 8 months)
Umm ... yikes!
How is it that my biological children are so huge?! And Nika has not gained one single pound since she came home. Thank God she has grown taller though!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
First day of school
If there was one word to describe me today, it would be wreck. I have literally been a wreck all day.
Mason was the first one to leave for school this morning. He was very excited to go to school, so there was no anxiety on his part. Me ... not so much. We all walked up to the bus stop and waited for his bus. He is friends with our two neighbor girls, so I think it helped him to know that they would be on the bus with him. As soon as the bus came, it was a mad rush of kids ... and Mason went right with them like he had been doing this for years. So funny.
There he goes! Bye, baby!
Mason sat in a seat with our two neighbor girls, so they were excited and good to go ...
As the bus pulled off, I cried ... ahh, so many emotions.
Here is some video of Mason loading the bus ... I think he thinks he is too cool for school!
Payton catches her bus three hours after Mason does. I was so happy she got to see him go first and see how things work. She was all trying to get on Mason's bus this morning, so I hoped she would do the same when her bus came.
And my little go getter, of course she did.
As we saw the bus coming down the street, she got so excited ... screaming and jumping up and down. The doors opened and off she went ... no coercion needed. WTF ... wasn't that the part that she was supposed to cling to me and not let her go? Haha. I was a mess the entire time, sobbing like a baby. I was so proud of her for being such a big girl, yet I was so nervous for the bus to pull off with her on it.
I can do this myself!
I'm getting there!
Still climbing!
Once she was on the bus in her seat, she became a little unsure of things. The aide was trying to put her seat belt harness on her, which she didn't like. They let me board the bus to help explain it to her and she was okay. I got off the bus and she waved goodbye! And I continued to sob like a big baby.
Here is the best part ... getting to see it on video. She cracks me up!
At the end of the day, the kids got off their buses with no problems to report.
I asked Mason lots of questions about his day, but pretty much all I got was, "I don't know." Hmm, sounds like a great day! He did manage to tell me that some of his classmates got in trouble and would be getting sad faces on their behavior charts ... I guess that is all that boys care about? I am happy to report that Mason got a smiley face on his chart, meaning he didn't have any sticks pulled from his behavior envelope ... yay!
Payton was out of it when she got off her bus, so I suspect the poor girl was so tuckered out that she fell asleep on the bus. I did not get any feedback from her teacher, so I will be asking for something like that when I talk to her. Wouldn't it be common sense to send something like that home with a preschooler? I digress.
Mason was the first one to leave for school this morning. He was very excited to go to school, so there was no anxiety on his part. Me ... not so much. We all walked up to the bus stop and waited for his bus. He is friends with our two neighbor girls, so I think it helped him to know that they would be on the bus with him. As soon as the bus came, it was a mad rush of kids ... and Mason went right with them like he had been doing this for years. So funny.
There he goes! Bye, baby!
Mason sat in a seat with our two neighbor girls, so they were excited and good to go ...
As the bus pulled off, I cried ... ahh, so many emotions.Here is some video of Mason loading the bus ... I think he thinks he is too cool for school!
**************
Payton catches her bus three hours after Mason does. I was so happy she got to see him go first and see how things work. She was all trying to get on Mason's bus this morning, so I hoped she would do the same when her bus came.And my little go getter, of course she did.
As we saw the bus coming down the street, she got so excited ... screaming and jumping up and down. The doors opened and off she went ... no coercion needed. WTF ... wasn't that the part that she was supposed to cling to me and not let her go? Haha. I was a mess the entire time, sobbing like a baby. I was so proud of her for being such a big girl, yet I was so nervous for the bus to pull off with her on it.
There she goes!
I can do this myself!
I'm getting there!
Still climbing!
Once she was on the bus in her seat, she became a little unsure of things. The aide was trying to put her Here is the best part ... getting to see it on video. She cracks me up!
**************
At the end of the day, the kids got off their buses with no problems to report.
I asked Mason lots of questions about his day, but pretty much all I got was, "I don't know." Hmm, sounds like a great day! He did manage to tell me that some of his classmates got in trouble and would be getting sad faces on their behavior charts ... I guess that is all that boys care about? I am happy to report that Mason got a smiley face on his chart, meaning he didn't have any sticks pulled from his behavior envelope ... yay!
Payton was out of it when she got off her bus, so I suspect the poor girl was so tuckered out that she fell asleep on the bus. I did not get any feedback from her teacher, so I will be asking for something like that when I talk to her. Wouldn't it be common sense to send something like that home with a preschooler? I digress.
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