Learning not to Hit

I had a list of things that had to be done today. They were all around the house and I got them all done. We haven't had any appointments this week excluding the usual Ronan therapies. This truly is the calm before the storm as June is plum full of appointments. All the specialist want their annual updates on Ronan. At his 2 year check-up he will have the routine tests that children with Down Syndrome get every year. This means a ton of blood work and possibly a new specialist or two. Just when I think we have all the specialists we could possibly have another is added to the mix.I have to say this is good though because it means they are taking good care of my boy. I just wish he could have more of a normal childhood. But to Ronan this is normal and he handles everything like a champ. As you've probably already concluded Inara loves to be dramatic. She is the most expressive kid I've known and you can instantly tell what she's feeling with one glance at her face. She has discovered how to hit and bite. I find it amazing how much you don't have to teach your kids. They seem to learn some things all on their own. She is learning though she will start to hit and then look at me and pull her hand back so she is starting to realize she shouldn't. Biting however seems to be random and I think teething might be the real cause. When she bites I gently touch her mouth and say "No no. Ouch." She seems to understand. Here is her shocked expression. I don't remeber what was going on here. But it was most likely that someone had said no or had taken a toy from her. Tomorrow is a big day. Xander and Ronan are having their birthday parties. We are going to the zoo to celebrate then lunch, cake and presents to follow. Both sets of Grandparents will be present. After the party the three big kids are going up to their Grandpa and Grandma Fullmer's house for four days. Maybe I can get some drama homework completed. The classwork is extremely extensive so much so I've considered dropping the class and finding something else. But I've chosen to stick it out and hopefully pass. The work itself isn't hard just extremely time consuming. I have to write a three page paper and a five page play by next Friday and that's just the start of the class.I'll make it through though, hopefully. I have the kiddos packed and off to tell bed time stories and kiss babies goodnight.

Just Had to Have Eggs.

I have to leave for class in about an hour. Between now and then I have to get supper made and served. I have to get pajamas laid out and prepare my books and make sure I have all I need. I also decided to do the blog now because when I get home I need to work on drama class. Busy is good though it keeps my mind from wandering idly.
I wanted to get the cakes made today because I wanted to make sure I had time to complete both Xander's and Ronan's before Saturday. I wanted there to be plenty of time in case one of them didn't turn out for whatever reason. I had just gone shopping yesterday but had forgotten eggs. I needed nine eggs total to make both cakes. I decided to take this opportunity to give Landon some alone time. He'd been seeming to need some attention lately so I invited him on my walk to the store. On our way we snuck over to the park and I let him play a little bit before we continued on our way. He liked the walking bridge that passed over a busy street. He found a dead snake on the sidewalk and obeyed my admonishment not to touch it. The rest of the way to the store he filled me on the most likely events that lead to the snakes demise. At the store I was happy to see I had guessed accurately that the small store did contain eggs. We grabbed the eggs and I let Landon choose a treat. He picked a red lollipop. We walked back and I enjoyed Landon pointing out all his observations. Now that I had the eggs I set to work on the cakes. I baked them while I got lunch ready and they were cooling by the time lunch was through. By the time the kids were in bed for nap they were cool enough to frost and decorate. I completed Xander's first. His is a space cake and has two space aliens battling on a planet. All Xander's idea and my attempt to carry out his wishes. I wasn't sure if he'd think I'd interpreted his idea correctly but when I showed him after his nap he let out an excited gasp and started jumping up and down saying "I love it Mommy!" For Ronan I wanted to keep it simple but cute. Ronan has an intense love for socks with this in mind I decide I might try some sort of sock cake. I wanted it to be cuter than just drawing a sock with frosting. When I was at the mall I came across various sock animals. I decided on the bunny and horse to go on his cake. I was please with how it turned out. I took the figurines off until Saturday and both cakes are sittig in our porch fridge. With a busy weekend ahead I'm glad I finished both cakes. Ronan can fall asleep anywhere and his favorite position to sleep in is folded in half. I'm really not sure how comfortable it can be to sleep with your feet by your head but I guess to Ronan it is the most soothing.

Penguin Trauma

Today's excitement or rather slight trauma occurred this afternoon. I went in to get the kids up from nap and as soon as I opened the door Xander started bawling hysterically and between deep sobs he gasped "Mom! Landon's head!!!" I turned the light on and am horrified to find that the entire left side of Landon's head was covered in blood. His sheets had blood on them. Thoughts started running through my mind. Did he fall off the bunk bed?
They explained that they had been playing a game and in the dark Xander was flying his toy penguin around the room. His toy penguin is plastic and has a beak that was unknowingly sharp. As Xander was flying it around the room its beak met the side of Landon's head. Isaac took the shower sprayer and rinsed down Landon's head.
All that was left was a pin size poke. All that blood for an itty bitty cut. We got Landon completely cleaned up. He wanted assured that he was not seriously injured so I took a picture and showed him. He was very relieved to see there was minor damage.And the Award for most dramatic performance goes to Ms. Inara Fullmer.
She is discovering that her and the word "NO" are not friends.Ronan has recovered from the attitude dismay he manifested yesterday. He was back to being a little sweetheart. All except in the area of accepting that his sister has the right to eat too. He thinks any and all food is the sole property of Ronan.My classes have started again. I'm finding Summer classes to be more time consuming since they are cramming everything into just a few weeks. My drama class in particular has a lot of play reading and many papers. I think I'm going to try and work ahead when I can. Tomorrow night I go to my first human Biology class.
Yeah, with my boys I'm really surprised that there are not more fiascoes like the penguin head stabbing incident. They are both all boy and sometimes they show no fear like how they try to get into their top toy drawer. Maybe we should get a step stool.

Trying to Find His Voice

Tuesdays as always Ronan has therapy. He gets to spend time with his three girlfriends. Ronan picked today to gain a real attitude. I'm really not sure what got into him but he decided anything his therapists wanted him to do he would do the opposite. They wanted him to walk to the ball pit and instead he suddenly decides to take off crawling in the opposite direction as fast as he can.
He even refused to show his PT how awesome he's getting at walking. He wouldn't take a single independent step for her. After his thirty consecutive steps yesterday I knew Ronan was trying to pull a fast one on his therapist. As soon as we get home guess who walked all around the house. That's right Ronan who just thirty minutes before acted like crawling was his only specialty. But what can one do. Ronan has a mind of his own and he is letting me know that more with each passing day.

Today he carried his new found attitude into interactions with his siblings. He was disgusted when I fed Inara. He seemed to think she was taking his food so every time I gave her a bite he would protest. He also let his brothers know that they could not take any toys away from him. At one point one of them grabbed an item he had because they thought he was too young to have it. They had the best of intentions but Ronan wasn't too grateful for their watchful eyes. He followed them around yelling in his babble language. I'm not sure we'd want to have it translated.I think all of this is a sign of Ronan growing. He's starting to become more aware of choices and what he wants. Now he's just trying to figure out how to communicate his desires. I think the language barrier is a frustration for him. He knows what he wants but doesn't know how to express it. I'm hoping as we attend signing class we can really give Ronan the voice he is so desperately trying to gain.

The Day of Unexpectedly Wonderful Events

Today was supposed to be like any Monday, uneventful. Not that uneventful is bad because I prefer it to the storm of medical appointments and procedures. But today turned out to be full of very fun events all set off by spontaneity. The first happening was expected which was Ronan's therapy but what took place during the therapy left me full of pride for my baby boy.Ronan has been taking steps anywhere from 15 to 30 in a row. But he does so randomly and does not use it as a means to get anywhere in particular. Most of the time it is more of a show to insight applause from all those looking in his general direction. But today for therapy he was out to not only impress but to astonish his mama. He walked and walked and walked for his therapist. Step after step hardly stopping for the entire 45 minute session. I was so proud of him that I had to wrap him in a giant hug just as the therapist was leaving.
For the afternoon my sister in-law and I decided that the gorgeous day had to be enjoyed by us. We couldn't let the day pass without allowing it to exert some energy from our children. With this concept in mind we loaded the car and headed to the park by the lake. When we arrived we noticed they officially had the beach open and our kids pleaded to join the masses of other children splashing away in the water. Lucky for them we live five minutes from the lake and I ran home collecting clothes and towels for an impromptu beach trip. Aunt Alana waited at the playground with the kids so I could make a quick trip home and back.
Once back at the beach we got all the kiddos changed and then off to enjoy the water. The water's coolness brought relief from what was now becoming an extra warm day. The kid's splashed, raced and dug in the sand. The boys found a giant log to sit on. Jadzia and I ran together in the water until our speed propelled us into the water. We both emerged from the water in giggles. Then we did it all over again. We had an exceptionally good time. All unplanned and beautifully wonderful.
We packed up after an hour or so. The kids were already asking when we could return. I told them we would have to make a picnic day and finish it off with more beach fun. Since the lake is so close I think we might frequent it often this summer. After all who doesn't enjoy free swimming. We ended the perfect afternoon with giant Popsicles.
Upon arriving home we saw the mail had brought something fun for Xander. His Great Grandpa and Grandma Chandler had sent him a birthday card with ten dollars in it. I inquired with my mom if she wanted to pick up some respite time with Ronan and if my dad wanted to watch the other three so Isaac and I could get some more Xander birthday time in. My parents were more than happy to oblige so Xander, Isaac and I took an in the moment trip to the toy store. We had to go down every aisle. How is a kid supposed to know how to spend ten dollars if he doesn't see all the store has to offer.
One mistake was to take Isaac down the Star Wars aisle. We lost him for a bit and Xander and I moved on. When we were reunited we came across some super hero masks. The logical thing to do was for each of us to put a mask on and set my camera timer to snap a picture of us together and that's just what we did.
Xander decided on a dinosaur set but with the 20% off coupon and three dollar Toys R us birthday card he still had some money left. He decided to stretch his money and get three little items. He got a race car, silly putty and bubbles. I'm not sure how long we spent in the toy store. All I know is by the time we finally found our way home there was only enough time to give everyone baths and put them in bed.
I woke up this morning with only therapy on the agenda and instead I got a day full of fun and happiness. I have to say some of the best days in life are completely unexpected.