Parker Funnies...

I try to remember to write these down, but... well... it doesn't happen. They usually get lost in my facebook status and I say I'll go back and write them down later. Here's a few funny things he's said recently.

* He walks into the dressing room and looks in the mirror and says "I sure am handsome!"

* Parker, what would you like for breakfast? "CAFFEINE"!

* "Tonight, we are going to sleep in the Oooo'tell! That's right!!" (oooo'tell = hotel)

* "I put all this crap in my train. I can't get it out." He put all the dirty laundry in the hotel room's closet this morning and referred to it as crap. I guess it was funny b/c it caught us off gaurd. Don't worry, we corrected it.

* Chick-fil-a is "Chick-A-Lay"

I'll think of more! He's quite the funny little boy, sarcastic, and whitty!!

Teaser Pics

I have several pictures to upload here. I mean LOTS! And, since I have a fairly large homework assignment due in 3 hours and I'm not half way done, what better thing to do that upload a few pictures!

Mr Logen in his Easter outfit (with my Dad's dog, Buddy)
Mr Parker in his Easter outfit (He's thrilled, you can't tell?!)

Back In School We All Go

If you didn't already know- I'm in summer school. I'm trying to "bust out" 9 credit hours in 5 weeks. I have 4 weeks left. I wake up around 4:30 am and leave my house by 6:15. I'm done with class around 2 pm each day. I get to see my kids by 3:30ish. And by about 4 pm, I'm about exhausted and can't think straight. Please don't attempt to get me to remember anything important between the hours of 4 pm and bedtime b/c I don't remember it.

Logen is also in "Extended year session" aka summer school until July 2.
Parker has returned to a new daycare (he was 'removed' from the other... can't remember if I blogged this?!) and is doing well. They put him in with the older kiddos and his speech is improving. He's minding his manners nicely! Now, when he comes home.... oh, thats a different story. But, the poor little guy has to get up so early- so we cut the boys some slack there.

I am taking Exercise Physiology, Seminar of Exercise Science, and Motor Development. I had my first test at 7:30 this morning. I have another test tomorrow in another course.

Parker Finally Says I LOVE YOU!

It's 2 seconds long, Watch It! My lil man would not say this for the longest time. He's only been doing it for the past week! We'd say I love you and he'd say yes (or no). I am so happy he says it now! And, it's SOOOO cute!

How 'Bout Some Crack?

I couldn't help but share this. I know there's been some controversy on a pal's blog about posting baby 'butts', but I felt like this covered more than it showed. It's justified in my head :P

Lil man kept walking around trying to keep his pants up. He eventually just gave up on it. He's still in size 18 month pants too!! (and he's 27 months)

Double Standards

Here are some examples:

Milestone- Logen learned how to unbuckled himself in his booster seat yesterday. I know this when my hair is being pulled. I freak out thinking, "Crap, Did I really forgot to buckle him in?" I pull over, and buckle him in. A few minutes later, he's tugging on my hair again. I'm thinking, "Wait a minute. Logen, are you seriously unbuckling yourself? YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!! Way to go big man! I am so proud of you."

Realization: Had Parker been tugging on my hair; he wouldn't have gotten a "yay, I'm proud of you" He'd have been in trouble and a speech about how "We don't climb out of our car seats in a moving vehicles, blah, blah, blah"

So, what do you do in these cases? Is it fair to praise one child for something and punish the other b/c they 'know better'? Do we praise when Parker is not around? This (and there have been and will be many more times when similiar things will occur) is HUGE for Logen. He was able to isolate his pointer finger, turn his head to look down, and PUSH hard enough to get the seat belt unbuckled! Holy Cow. Thats amazing!!!!!!! Dangerous, yes. But he's only doing it (atleast today!) when we get into parking spots. And, you can bet he's the first to be unbuckled!


~~~~~~~~

Logen bit Parker last night. Parker cried b/c it hurt- Logen nearly drew blood. He bites hard. Since Tabasco round 1 Parker has not bitten. He's been warned and he cries histerically 'no sauce'. So, Parker says-- 'Bubba bite. Hot Sauce'. Adam and I were like, "oh. hmmm." You see, Logen doesn't quite feel (nor taste) like you and I. We both knew it wouldn't bother him. But, again, do you do it to one child and not the other? I felt comfort in the fact that it wouldn't burn Logen's tongue (just in case he doesn't really know what's up). I put a tiny, tiny amount in a dropper and put in on his tongue so Parker could see me. Logen didn't cry. He didn't flinch. Adam & I knew that this was most likely the response we would get, but Parker was staring at him with this look like, 'wait a minute. Is that the same bottle of sauce you put on my tongue b/c it hurt and I cried?!?!'

I just don't know on that one. I think it was a good example to set for Parker. If you bite, you will get nasty stuff on your tongue (that doesn't upset your brother).

Being a parent is no simple task. We face challenges every day, in every way. And, like all (good, loving) parents- we do what we know to work through them. But, sometimes I'm asking you--we doubt ourselves. So, I'd like to know what would you do?

Fears & Funnies

On Jan 31, 05 Logen was given the Dx of CP at the hospital we are going to tomorrow. I thought long and hard about this today. That Dx followed us around for 3 years and 10ish months. (And, in most everybody's documents hasn't changed.) You get used to something and *think* you accept it, then it's 'gone'. The concept is something that I don't understand... but maybe that's part of our makers plan. Who really knows. I have this little voice that keeps saying, 'it's going to be ok. Maybe it's going to be a 'better' Dx.' Then, it's like a sudden crash- 'Jessica, he doesn't speak at age 5. Somethings not right. He started having seizures at age 4. It cannot be 'better'.' Agg... there's my pessimism kicking in. It gets me. Every time.

I guess my overall thought was... 4 years ago we got a dx I did not want. I cried like no other the entire trip home. I cried until I had no tears left to cry. We go to that same building tomorrow. It's the same month, the same time of year. Am I going to leave there with a Dx for Logen? Will we continue to test or wait? What happens next? What about Logen? What does Logen think about all of this? Is he sick of the testing and sitting in Drs office? Of people talking about him in front of him like he's not there (I think this is rude. I wish Drs would not do this!) Or being poked and prodded like a pin cushion? Or does he even know whats going on?

On a lighter note: Some Parker Funnies & Sicklies! (Mmm... not a word, 'eh?)
* Parker has officially started calling a Bus and Bus. It was a Butt. I liked Butt. It was funny...
* And, he ate bloodworms today. Yum. Not. They were being thawed in the sink for the fish. Parker decided to have a taste. He ate the whole container.
* He also informed me this morning that his ears hurt and he needed to go to the Dr. So, mean mom said- what if they give you a shot? You still wana go? He said, "Es. Ear ur." (We know, he needs speech. And, he qualifies. However, our insurance company doesn't agree) My 2 y/o diagnosed himself! Both ears are indeed infected. Suprax for 10 days. He's also on Pulmicort and Xopinex {breathing treatments, he does great with these... HAHAHAHA}. (P for the remainder of the winter... nothing new, we've done this for the last 2 years and X until the Antibio is finished)

Anxious, Nervous, Scared

I'm freaking out about today's appointment.... would you keep me in your prayers today?

I have a test in all of my classes next week- getting ready for Thanksgiving break. I love it when they hit you 3 days in a row. :(

I gave Logen his Rx cough med and Motrin last night- no fever this morning. He still has a nasty cough and horrible, icky snotty nose. Poor Parker has it too! He's got another ear infection! :(

Parker's well child visit last Thursday turned into a sick kid one when daycare called 1 hour pre-appt and told me he had fever. He had only been off his antibiotics from the last ear infection for 7 days. I think tubes are in his near future!!! He's made it up to the 26 lb marker! I'm 100% that is not accurate, I argued with the nurse b/c less than weeks before he was 24lbs naked. At 2, they weigh with clothes on. So, on the charts it appears that in less than 2 weeks time, he's gained 2 lbs. Oh, well-- charts don't matter, right?!

Zzzzz

I love catching the boys crash in odd places or funny positions!

Hearing Test Results

The Audiologist will be sending me 'formal' results- but here's what we know now-

His hearing is good at least in his 'good ear'. (Whatever the crap that means!) He wasn't the most compliant child (imagine that!) in sitting still- so she wasn't able to get 'perfect' pictures of both ears. He was still on antibiotics for an ear infection, which can affect the results.

She said that his Ped needs to keep a close eye on him and we need to push our insurance to cover speech (since he qualifies). Isn't this the story of my life. They are still denying Logen. A 5 y/o NON-VERBAL child that ASPIRATES does NOT qualify for Speech Therapy according to Cigna. Go figure. Thank goodness for Medicaid! Parker has no hope since he doesn't qualify. Don't get me started on the government aspect of helping middle class families! We are to poor to provide medical things for our family, yet according to them- we make to much for help. Makes me love the people that sit on their butts and do nothing all day even more......

For now, I am pretty confident that his speech delay IS NOT hearing related! Yippee.

Parker's Going To College!!!! (avec moi!)

Avec moi... with me.

Yes, my littlest Mister has been volunteered to go to my Developmental Psych class tomorrow afternoon for a demonstration. I'm not really sure what they'll do with him- but he's a cute lil mess- so, he's got that going for him :) I asked them to bring a duck. The ONLY think he will do on command is QUACK. Like a duck. It's so stinkin' cute. I only hope he'll perform in a large classroom of about 250 seats (and, who knows how many will show up it varies day to day).

So, wish us luck tomorrow. As we hike together. And, then ride the bus together. And, hike some more before we even get to the building.

I think he's excited about it though. I asked if he was going to school with Mommy and he says, "Yesh". I say- are you going to be good? And, he says "Bubba". I'm assuming that's a no :)

The Hole

Ya know, you feel like your finally gettin' outta that hole. And you slip. Thats me. I'm there. I peep up over the edge and then miss a step and slip right back down to the bottom. Seriously. It's chaos!!!!

Parker's been on antiobiotics for a bilateral ear infection since Wednesday. Spikes a fever Friday night, lasts all day Saturday, not so much of yesterday, but up last night.
At noon the daycare calls.
DC: "Um, we took his temp .... 101.6 ..."
Me thinks... that sounds like a radio station. la - de - da - de - da - da - daaaaa
Me says: Oh. Well, I'm going to catch the bus and get to my car. It'll be about 45 minutes before I can get there

We go to the Dr. I love co-pays. 20 bucks here, 20 bucks there. I'm rich. What can I say. 20 bucks- no biggie. Not like it takes Adam anytime to make that..... hahahahahaha (got the sarcaism? good)

Dr: That ear looks horrible.
Me: You said that 5 days ago.
Dr: I did? Oh, yes.... Next ear, um not so good either. Well, you know the body can.... he's immune to the antibiotic most likely
Me thinks: give me something else so we can leave

I missed my afternoon class today. I missed all last Wednesday. And Thursday. I have a 6 page critique due tomorrow over a {dumb} play I forced my loving husband to suffer through (Hey, if I had to sit through 3.5 hours of hell-o, shouldn't he?!) And a test. So, I can't really miss that.

I've emailed my teacher to ask if I can bring Parker along. Can you see that? I'm going to do real well on that test. Little turkey trying to escape my lap, disturbing EVERYBODY and their dog to. We shall see. She may so no, no, no do not bring that child with you!

Moral of my post: Venting.... I'm stuck in a hole and I can't get out!!!! Ahhhhhhhh

I Am Mom!

My little monster Parker has decided to run around saying, "bye bye ess-e-ka!" He started this last night when he squirmed off the bed escaping bedtime. I am pretty sure he's saying, bye bye Jessica in Parkanease. I told him I am his Momma or ma mére, but I am not ess-e-ka to him! Little stinker!!!!!!!

A 9-1-1 Call

Today has been interesting. Interesting.
At 8:04am my phone rang- I missed the call b/c I was dropping Parker off at daycare. At 8:05am I was in the car heading towards my school and listening through 14 voice mails to get to the one Logen's school had just left me (if that tells you anything, I don't listen to voice mails very often)
The lady had said Logen is in the nurses office and they've called 911. Please call them.
I freak. 1st thing that comes to mind: Seizure. Bad one. Tears, why couldn't this have happened when he was near me?!
I regain composure and call them back. She said he was on the school bus - and had been seizing for about 2 minutes before he even got to school. I can't remember if they had phoned ahead to warn them or not- whoever was there to take him took off running to the nurse's office. The nurse immediately gave him diastat (a form of valium administered rectally). This stopped the seizure. They called 911 and then me.
I headed towards his school. Thankful I was still in town (well, the next town over- but my school is a good 40 minutes *atleast* from Logen's school). I turned on my flashers and drove like any paniced mother would.
When I got there the paramedics asked if I wanted them to transport Logen or if I wanted to. I said them. He was still lethargic and really not even holding his own head up. There were several people in the nurses office with Logen. The nurse was holding him and his teacher was standing next to them. The assistant principle, office ladies, and 2 paramedics were there 2.
We got in the ambulance and headed to the hospital. Logen's teacher drove my van to the hospital so I would have it there. I really thought he would have slept on that drive, but he didn't. He was so out of it. He would have been so excited if he had known he was riding in the back of an ambulance. The paramedic riding back there had been to the school the week before to show the fire truck off and remembered Logen. He said he loved it!
When we got to the hospital Logen was still not totally with it. The Dr there called and spoke with his Neuro at the CP Center in St Louis. They said we did the right thing and decided to up his medicine again. He's up to 75mg of Zonegran/AM and 100mg/PM. He was checked over and besides the fact that he'd just had a severe seizure, he looked good. So he was discharged.
We got home and he slept til about 1:30 this afternoon. He cried when he woke up, he tried to walk but was so wobbly. He ate a little oatmeal and was starting to get his normal color back.

I spoke with the CP Cntr nurse this afternoon and she said she'd call me back in the AM about this. It's alarming to me that his seizures are getting worse. Today's seizure was classified as tonic-clonic. Logen has never had this kind before. Nor has he ever had one lasting over 2 minutes. I'm worried about this. Personally I think if they are getting worse- there must be something we are missing. How is it that seizures just pop up at 4.5 years old and become worse as you increase the preventative medicine? I'll post an update when I get one.

The nurse called this afternoon to check on us. I also spoke to Logen's teacher (everybody wanted an update) She said when the bus got to the school this afternoon, they ladies had tears in there eyes-- they were so so worried about Logen.

I am absolutely AMAZED with his school. So far, in every aspect they've gotten a A+.

I missed class yesterday- Parker has a bilateral ear infection. One he's had for about a week we didn't know about. We got numbing ear drops- they looked horrible. He hadn't had a fever- just wasn't sleeping. He still doesn't have all of his front teeth in, I chalked it up to teething. Guess we won't do that again.

Say a prayer for us, would you? It's kinda stressful here!

Questioning My Parenting

I often wonder if I am good enough to be Logen and Parker's momma. It's nice to get those compliments- the ones where people non-chalantly tell you you're a great mom.

Today, I felt kinda like I got a 'not-so-great' mom award. Adam's brother and his wife had their baby today (so we have a new neice, Welcome Madelyne Reece!). Some good friends kept the boys for a few hours so we could go to the hospital to see the baby (and not have to keep up with the monkies). There was a book sitting there, Grandma's something or other. So, I opened it up and saw a hand-writen message. Being the nosey person I am, I read it.

It was something to the effect of- (obviously, not exact words- but what I got out of it) Blah, blah... You are so lucky to have such wonderful parents that love you so much. You are one blessed little girl. Your parents will do everything they can for you.... We are so blessed to have you.

Ok, I wanted to cry. The person who wrote this has NEVER EVER told me I am a good Momma. Or even implied it. So, I asked Adam after we left. He said, (what man that didn't want to get a beat down wouldn't say this?!) yes, baby you are an awesome mother. Any mom who has a special needs child that does as much as you have done and do for Logen deserves an honor. You are an amazing woman and mother. But, he married me. So, he wouldn't have done that if he thought I was crappy, right?

Anyway--- I do a lot for Logen. And, Parker. They are my children. I do what mother's should do. I love them. I can't imagine a single day without them. I hate the system, it's all jacked up. But, we put up a fight, a damn good one at that. We will never let them win. They may get the best of me occassionaly- but once I learn the ropes- you better believe they'll be hearing from Jessica again. Doesn't all of that count for something? Doesn't the fact that we are constantly searching for new therapies and treatment options count for something? We look for things to better their lives, we would move mountains for our children. I would give my voice, or leg, or arm, or life so Logen could speak if thats what Logen needed me to do. We love our babies, we read them books, we play with them, we feed them, we hug them, we keep them safe, and clean, and dressed, and fairly happy (when they get what they want, when they want it, how they want it). Doesn't that amount to something?

What counts as being a good/great parent? What do I do to get there? I want to be there. I have to be at that parenting level. My children need me to be there.

Monkey Man

This would be my child. He took off running after I got him out of the shower. I found him climbing up his crib. It made me think of Godzilla climbing up a building. Why, I have no idea. This kid is a monkey- seriously. If there is something to be climbed, Parker WILL find it.

Here are a few more climbing pictures. Adam was in the garage putting stuff in the attic for me. He looked up and noticed Parker was almost all the way up the ladder with absolutely NO help at all.

Shoes

More funny stuff from our day:

* Silly Mom put Parker's shoes on the wrong feet. I stood him up and told him it was time to go. He stood there and cried. He wouldn't walk. I then noticed what I had done. Problem was solved once Mom fixed it. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal. He still wears pedi-pod soft sole type shoes. I can't bring myself to buy 'real' shoes for my baby.

* Logen threw a FIT and a half when we left therapy today b/c another kid had crocs like his. He thought they were his. He took off his tennis shoes and wanted to put those on. Seriously, had to drag the kid to the van. So, when we got home, I told him to go to his closet to find his crocs. He did and we put them on. He was happy as pie!

* Parker falls alseep on my chest this afternoon. 1 of Logen's shoes falls off. He gets ticked. He is chasing the shoe around trying to put it on. Instead of bending over and using his hands to help him, he wanted to put crocs on w/o the use of hands. While it did make me sad, it was too funny to watch his chase the shoe around yelling at it! Lazy lil' stink!!!!

Kids Say Silly Things

When I was picking Logen up from school today to take to therapy, he was out of the room getting changed. So, Parker and I hung out and chatted with his teacher. Parker bit a little girl on her tummy a few weeks ago while trying to steal her toy. Today, she had a cup of blocks that Parker apparently wanted. So, he went to grab them from her. She came up to me and said, "Please don't bring him back in here". You can't help but laugh. I asked why. She said, "b/c he will bite me." I asked her if he bit her again. She said, "no, but don't bring him back." Logen's teacher and I were laughing. His teacher said that the policeman would come get me if I left him in the car or at home, she said, "that'd be ok". Silly kids!!!

Mr Monkey

Here's Proof! He's a MONKEY! We've had to move some chairs to the garage and the others are pushed up against the wall with the table blocking them in. Parker is strong enough to drag a stool to the table and climb on it as well. We have to be watching him like hawks!!!! He's into absolutely EVERYTHING! Excuse the mismatched clothing and socks... it was one of those days!

Is My Kid Rude?

Last night we went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner. Parker was sitting in a highchair at the end of the table, like always. A very pregnant hostess kept walking by. Every time she walked by, Parker would turn around as far as he could, point at her, and make lovely noises. The first time it was pretty funny (b/c he couldn't care less about any other passerby) I think about the 5th time she came by the lady stopped to talk to him. He completely ignored her. Like, looked up at the ceiling ignored her!! Can a 1 y/o be rude?! Had to share this one. Actually, just want it 'written down' for memory sake. Someday, he's going to look back and who knows what he'll think!!!