Just when I feel that we’re making headway with Zach and his bed-wetting problem, we seem to take two steps back. He had done so well for about a month. He was staying dry every night, and even admitted that he was able to tell that he had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night (even if he wasn’t willing to get up to go). That in itself was a huge admission. It’s what we’ve been struggling with. Certainly it’s the biggest part of the problem: his body hasn’t been mature enough to be able to tell his brain that he has to go. SO hearing him tell us this, unprompted, was a sure sign of progress on the maturity front. Yes, he’s still taking medicine. Without it, I think there would be a bigger mess than we already have. And I still wake him up before I go to bed. My hope has been that eventually his body will produce an internal clock that will allow him to start waking up on his own around the same time I wake him up every night. That hasn’t yet happened, but I’m still hopeful.

For the past week, though, he’s woken up wet every morning, regardless of any of the other measures. We can’t increase his medicine because he’s already at the max. And, short of me setting my alarm and waking him every couple of hours, I’m not sure what else can be done. I’ve been contemplating talking to his doctor and seeing if we shouldn’t do some sort of physical measure of his bladder. In other words, I’ve been wondering if we should do an x-ray or something like that to see if it’s smaller than normal. I don’t know that anything can be done if it is, but maybe there is something that I’m missing, like a way to grow his bladder and make it bigger (not sure that can be done, but it’s worth looking into).

I really feel bad for the kid. His self-esteem isn’t very high to begin with and I can always see just how dejected he is when he wakes up in the morning wet. He’ll cry and tell me he’s sorry, as if there is something he can do about it. I reassure him that it’s ok and that it’s not his fault. But short of a breakthrough where he stops wetting the bed for good, I’m not sure what else to do for him. I’ve considered putting him back in pull-ups for bed time, but I don’t think that will help him at all (other than he won’t wake up wet). I think when Alex finally stopped wetting the bed and had his plastic mattress taken off, it hit Zach pretty hard. Nothing really seems to console him. I know he’s getting to the age (just a month away from turning 9) where friends will start wanting to sleep over, or want him to sleep over and I worry that it will still be too soon for Zach. I don’t want him to be embarrassed by it because it’s not anything he can help. But I’m running out of options to help him. I realize that with each year older he gets, the probability of him growing out of the problem increases. It’s just really frustrating to not see that kind of progress, or in our case, to see it, embrace it, then see regression.

Anyone else had this problem and have any suggestions that we can try? Please keep in mind the monitor is NOT an option for us because of dh’s work schedule.

Family, The Family, life, the kids | No Comments »

This time of year things get so busy half the time I never hear a single word being said to me. It isn’t because I’m intentionally ignoring anyone. It’s just because I have so much going on and my mind is racing so much there too much in my brain to comprehend the information being given to me. That being said, I heard loud and clear what was said to me yesterday, and it was not at all what I expected I’d hear.

We have been moving for the last week. Not far. In fact, right across the parking lot. We had been living in a 2 bedroom townhouse and have moved into a 3 bedroom. Mostly, through last week, we moved smaller stuff over; boxes, clothes, tv’s, etc. This last weekend, we moved the big stuff. After that move, I’d been having some pain and numbness in my right shoulder/arm. I thought for sure I’d pinched a nerve. So, I made an appointment to see a chiropractor yesterday morning. As it turns out, a pinched nerve is not what I have. He’s 99% sure I have Carpal Tunnel.

Talk about a shock to the system. I had no idea that was coming. My mom was Dx with that and actually had surgery in Dec of 2002 (though I didn’t know she had the surgery). She wasn’t at all surprised to hear that that’s what is wrong with me. At least it’s manageable. It’s likely I caught it early enough so as not to have to have the surgery, but I guess only time will tell for that.

General, life | No Comments »

Well, the first week of school has come and gone with only minimal drama. Although, at the time, it seemed like major drama. The twins’ bus was an hour late the first day! An hour late! And no parent got a phone call (this is what really upset me). I had to call them to find out what was going on. It didn’t get any better the second day, either. It was 45 min late. Friday was it’s earliest day (to my knowledge) and it was still 30 minutes late. This is causing a problem for us. Not so much because no one is home, because Brian is home to get them. But the problem it poses is that, by the time they get off the bus, do their homework and eat dinner, it’s bed time for them. On the days I have to work or have class (currently M-T-Th), they have to go to bed when Brian does around 6:30 or 7. So those three days, they get virtually no play time, and certainly no outside play time. And since the twins just learned how to ride their bikes without training wheels, that is the more coveted thing to do during any spare moment of daylight they can squeeze out of the day.

I’m also seeing just how hard the school/work thing is. Not physically, although I am always tired. I can deal with being tired. I did it the first time around, I can do it again. But what really gets to me is Zach crying in the morning, not wanting to go to school because he wants to stay home with me. I am home with them in the mornings and Wed, Fri, Sat (afternoons and evenings) and Sundays, but I guess that’s not enough for him. I really killed me today to wave goodbye and see him waving at me from the buss, tears streaming down his face. I had warned them all, as best I could, that it was going to be tough this year and that they weren’t going to see a lot of me. But I guess they were not prepared for just how much time I’d be away from them. I think I’ll need to spend some one-on-one time with him, and the other 2 as well.

Please pray that we all get through this school year sane! It looks to be a very long one. I know it will all pay off in the end, when I graduate in may and the boys, Brian and I all see the fruits of our labors. But it’s getting to the finish line that’s the battle right now.

Family, The Family, going back to college, life, school, the kids | 1 Comment »

It’s back to school day for us, and since I haven’t updated my blog in…um…FOREVER…I thought today would be the perfect day to jump back in. I started back to classes last week. The boys have been both excited and apprehensive about going back. Alex was up a bit before I got up at 6 this morning. He was snuggled up on Brian’s side of the bed and as soon as my alarm went off and I discovered he was there, he excitedly whispered “I can’t believe it’s my first day of first grade! I’m so excited!” His brothers, on the other hand, were not so enthusiastic. Ryan was a bit more cheerful when he discovered one of the boys in our complex, who was in his class last year, has the same teacher this year. Actually, they both (Ryan and his friend) seemed a bit relieved. Zach wasn’t able to find anyone at the bus stop in his class, but he’s guaranteed to have 3 from his class last year, so I know he’ll be ok. Alex has Ryan’s teacher from last year, so he had absolutely no apprehension about going to school today!

As for me, well, I’m still falling into a routine. Today is my late day on campus; I have a class from 6-9 pm. Other than that, I’m faring well. I’m staying ahead of the readings, which is good. I hope I can maintain that for the entire semester. I need to do well this semester and next to solidify my grad school entry. Speaking of readings…I must go do some of that now, before my next class. Since I left my dinner at home today (the coffee pot being dead this morning should have been a sign…I also forgot to brush my teeth!), I must figure out what to do for dinner during my 3 hour break this evening. It will probably consist of eating in the Union, even though it’s super expensive. But at least it leaves me plenty of study time!

The Family, blogging, going back to college, life, school, the kids | No Comments »

My 6 yo is insisting on testing all the limits known to mankind. He’s generally a good kid, don’t get me wrong, but, boy, that kid has cajones! We never really had a problem until he turned 6. Once 6, he thought that none of our rules applied to him. I have no idea what gave him that impression. When I’m giving them “the rules” he’s always the one that says “Me, too, mommy?” And I have to remind him that Yes, the rules apply to him, too. Yet when he’s playing or on his own (and not occupied playing with his brothers or me), he forgets that there are any rules that exist at all!

Take, for instance, his insistence on crossing the street without letting us know. Yes, he’s 6, and yes, we live in a townhouse development way back from the main street. However, there are still plenty of people that tear through the parking lot like bats out of hell, despite the fact that are a zillion kids around. So, if he’s going to cross the street, I want to watch to make sure he’s safe (especially since they have a failure when it comes to looking before they run out into the street). We’ve had this problem with him before, where he told me he was going one place, and ended up crossing the street to go to another. Today was one of those days.

We have given him every punishment imaginable and nothing phases him (which is another problem all its own). I don’t know what to do with him anymore. I’m really and truly at a loss. I’m hoping it’s just a rebellious phase and that this, too, shall pass. Unfortunately, not having experienced this with the twins, I dunno. I’m sure we’re not the only ones to experience this, even though it sure seems like it. All I can say for him is that he’s lucky I’d already had my coffee and that they are leaving for 3 weeks on Saturday. Otherwise, his punishment would be much, much worse. mIf he keeps this up, he’ll be lucky to make it to 7…

Family, life, the kids | No Comments »

Have you ever had that ssv (still, small voice), taping away on your shoulder? I think we all have at some point. This week, my ssv decided it was tired of being still and small and it smacked me upside the head!

After starting back to school last fall to finish my teaching degree, I thought I had 3 more years left to get my BA Ed. While talking to my advisor this week, she suggested I concentrate on my Poli Sci degree (that’s my major) since I’m not yet into the education program at Brockport. I had planned to apply this fall for the spring, but I decided to think about what she’d said. DH was adamant that “a degree is a degree” but there isn’t anything I can do with a Poli Sci degree by itself. So, while pondering all this at work Wed. night, and not being at all happy about it, something suddenly hit me. And it wasn’t one of those small realizations, either. It was a smack in the face: I can graduate with my BA in Poli Sci in May, enter grad school in the fall, and graduate with my MA Ed in the time that I had been planning on getting my BA!

I have no idea why I didn’t see this before. Honestly, the thought had never occurred to me before. I guess I never thought about it because it wasn’t the goal I was striving for. I never wanted a Political Science degree. I’ve only ever wanted to teach. But really, this makes the most sense. I was going to have to go right into grad school once I graduated, anyway. I might as well start it earlier and get it over with sooner. It’s a smart financial decision and a smart time decision for us.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think my graduation date was so close. This is a HUGE accomplishment for me! My parents are excited, too. I’ll be the first college graduate in our family, even if it did take me 12 years! And I’m excited that the boys will be able to see it all take place. That’s important to me, too. So, barring no unforeseen problems, it looks like I’ll be a college graduate as of May 15th 2010!

going back to college, life | 3 Comments »

The boys are all due for their yearly physicals, so I scheduled the twins for theirs today. Might as well get them done and out of the way early, no? I was amazed to see just how much they’d grown in a year! Zach has gained 8.5 pounds and grown 2.25 inches. Not super growth in terms of height, but I was shocked at how much weight he’d gained. He still looks lean and lanky and he’s still bony (lol), but the doc said he’d progressed fine in terms of height vs weight. He’s still on the short side for his age, only between the 25th and 50th percentile (closer to the 25 end, though). He’s 55 pounds and exactly 4 feet tall

Ryan, on the other hand, has gained a whopping 11.5 pounds and grown 3.25 inches in the last year. I was much more impressed with his gains. I knew he had grown quite a bit taller, but I had no idea he had gained so much weight! He’s much better than Zach in percentile ranges, being in the 65th for weight and in the 48th for height. He’s 61.5 pounds and 4 feet 2 inches tall. If he keeps growing at this rate, he’ll be as tall as me at age 11 (I’m only 5 feet 1/2 inch tall)!

I’m glad they seems to be *finally* catching up with their same aged peers. Admittedly, I think it’s taken longer than most preemies. Maybe it’s because they were micro-preemies? I dunno. At any rate, seeing them against their classmates, they seem to be right in the middle.

They also appear to be starting to get sweat glands under their arms. We were worried about this, but the doctor said it can start around age 7. It’s intermittent, as it’s supposed to be. She said as long as they weren’t showing signs of early puberty, they’d be ok. So far, they are still prepubescent. That put our minds at ease. They were also due for a chicken pox booster. Zach didn’t even flinch! Ryan yelled “OUCH!” and then looked at me and said “Wait, that’s it? It didn’t even hurt!” I think the ouch was a bit premature, lol, and much more for show than actual feeling!

Now they are officially ready for third grade. 2 down, one to go. And he’ll be taken care of in 2 weeks

Family, life, school, the kids | 1 Comment »

Oy, I have been in a funk, lately, as it relates to the blog. Don’t know why, but I just have not wanted to blog/have not had anything to say. I am trying to rededicate myself to blogging at least semi-regularly. Even if it isn’t anything anyone wants to read but me, I guess that’s ok. I’m also going to try NaBloPoMo again for July. This month’s theme ought to be easier for me, since it’s routine. I have that down pat, that’s for sure. Even if our routine is mundane, it’s a routine, nonetheless.

The boys are finally out of school. They finished last Wed. and it was a heck of a day for the twins. They were bawling by the time they got off the bus. They so didn’t want to leave their school, and I can’t blame them. It’s such a wonderful school, and I will miss it for them. Alex will be there 2 more years yet, so we aren’t totally done with it. And I suppose it’s harder for them because their only experience with a new school was when we moved here; they knew no one but each other. They feel, at least a bit, like that’s the same experience they will have this time around (for those who don’t know, they are leaving the primary school, which is K-2, and heading to the elementary school, which is 3-5). Especially Ryan, which is not uncommon with PDD/ASD kids.

So, part of our daily routine has become talking about their new school and reminding them that they will still have their friends with them. They’ve been in the same class, with the same teacher/students since they started (A great idea for the primary school, I think. Whomever Alex has next year will travel with him to second grade, as well.). While they won’t have the exact same students, they will be placed together in groups of 4, so that each student knows at least 3 others on the first day of school. I also remind them that all of their friends are also going. They’ll all be on the bus together, albeit a different bus than before.

So, such is the start of our summer. More tomorrow on the summer reading challenges the boys and I are involved in…

blogging, life, the kids | 1 Comment »

One set of my in-laws are always gracing the boys with artsy gifts. This is probably attributed to the fact that they are heavily involved with museums and my mil used to be (and maybe still is) an antique seller/appraiser. They live in a quaint little area of Connecticut where there are lots of little mom-n-pop toy stores, antique stores, etc. Very neat shops, to say the least. Anyway, for Easter, they sent the boys each a Nyokki egg plant pet. I’d never heard of this before, but assumed, from the description, it’s like a chia pet, but on a smaller scale for kids. We finally opened one up and started it a couple of weeks ago. It’s very cute!

Nyokki means “grow” in Japanese. And boy, once they start, they really live up to their name!

Here’s a pic from yesterday:

And here’s a pic I took this morning:

Once I compared the pics, I couldn’t believe how fast the grass is growing! A couple more days and the boys will be able to cut the hair, if they want. So far, we’ve really enjoyed them. It’s fun to see how fast they grow!

fun, life, pictures | No Comments »

I’ve decided to dive in and take part in this month’s nablopomo theme. I’ve neglected my blog for far too long and it’s high time I start giving it some love. May’s theme is sweet. I can’t say I’ll be posting on the theme every day, but I’ll try. Today, though, I guess I’ll just give a big, huge update. We’ve been super busy this last month and May isn’t looking any less busy. We had my sister-in-law’s wedding the first weekend in April, which was fun, but exhausting all the same. I’ll post pics at a later date, once I get them all re-sized and blog friendly I stayed in Indiana for the following week to finally meet my niece for the first time. She’s SUCH a cutie! So sweet and chubby! I’ll post pics of her, too! Then we had Easter and our wedding anniversary. Then my father-in-law was in town, and then we had Ryan and Zach’s birthday this past Tuesday. April was a fully-loaded month for us and I’m glad the spinning has finally stopped!

This weekend, I think we might be going to the circus. I remember going as a kid and loved it. I would love to take the boys. I think every kid should experience the circus just once in their life. Then on Sunday, the twins and I are walking in March for Babies. I’m only abt halfway to my goal (which I ended up lowering). You can sponsor us, if you’d like. You can also read our story there.

After that, next weekend we’re taking the boys to Day Out With Thomas. That was our birthday gift to the twins. I can’t wait to see the look on their faces, either! I’ll definitely be posting pics of that for all to see! We took them to Red Robin Tuesday night for dinner. and I’ll get those pics up, too. I’m going to work on resizing them tonight/tomorrow. I promise to get them up by Monday.

A great accomplishment happened this week in our house…Brian received his NWA seal of approval! We’re celebrating tonight with yummy dessert and a movie (or back-logged dvr’d svu’s, lol).

We’ve also joined a photo challenge over at PhotoChallenge.org. They have a daily challenge and a monthly challenge. Until now, I’ve only been doing the daily challenge. But I think I’m going to start the monthly challenge this month. It gives me a way to hone my photography skills, anyway

For now, I’m heading out side to enjoy the beautiful weather. I hope you do the same!

Charities, March Of Dimes, blogging, life | 1 Comment »