Special People

About 9 years ago I took a job at an elementary school in OKC working with special needs children.  There were children in wheel chairs, children with mental disabilities, and children with minor issues.  They were the neatest kids to work with.  I learned that you have to get to know each child and work with them differently.  My mother always told me that she didn't think she could handle having a special needs child, but she thought I was the kind of person who could have a special needs child and be a great mom to that child.  In all honesty, I think if you are given a special needs child you quickly learn to adapt.

My Alex doesn't have anything life threatening.  He doesn't have anything that requires special equipment and he isn't in a special needs class.  Alex's issues are unique.  Jacob and I often talk about how it seems Alex is trapped between two worlds--he is struggling in regular classes and isn't required to do everything the other students do.  He has come to us and told us on more than one occasion that he feels "different" from other children. His little brother can do things he can't and every day Logan will get to play while Alex has special reading homework, special speech homework, special OT assignments, and other activities he is supposed to do in order to help him.  I can't imagine how Alex sees the world.  I can't imagine what it's like to be 7 and have to work twice as hard as everyone else.
I can't imagine what it's like to be 7 and be so persistent and hardworking while your little brother plays.

This morning we had another IEP meeting to add more help for Alex when school starts next year.  One of the sheets we went over stated that Alex could have extra time for tests and homework if he needed it and that teachers were asked to be patient with him and allow him time to answer questions.

I sat at that table surrounded by people who have worked with Alex for years--people who have come to love Alex.  They went on and on about what a sweet boy he is and how they enjoy working with him.  I can't be with my boys every second of every day and I will admit that we worry about Alex more than we worry about Logan.  What if people don't understand him?  What if people ignore him because they can't understand him?  What if some one gets frustrated with him?  What if . . . what if . . . what if . . . the list goes on and on.  It is nice to know that your child is with people who truly care about him--people who know him and his needs and want to help him succeed.  Today, I am thankful for these people--the amazing people who are in my son's life cheering him on, comforting him when he gets overwhelmed, and understanding his special needs.

Thank you for a wonderful school year and for loving my son. You all will always have a special place in our hearts!

This is a picture of Logan at his first birthday party.

Logan on his 6th birthday.

Six years ago today Jacob and I loaded 15 month old Alex into our car and headed to the hospital.  My parents met us there to watch Alex while I went in for a C-Section.  A couple of hours later we met this little guy for the very first time.  Alex was such a quiet baby that it was almost shocking to hear Logan scream.  He hated the car seat and made traveling seem twice as long as he screamed bloody murder from his seat.  Time has flown by.  Now, that loud little baby is a 6-year-old boy with a giant heart.  He is curious about everything and is constantly asking questions--how things work, why things are the way they are, what things mean.  When I was his age I remember listening to music in the car with my parents and liking the music, but never listening to the lyrics.  Logan listens to the lyrics and asks questions about them.  He just such a curious boy.  He wants to help others and cares about the people around him.  It has been a fun adventure watching him grow over the past 6 years.

Logan requested a big breakfast for his birthday dinner so we will be having biscuits and gravy, hash browns, eggs, and sausage for dinner--followed by ice cream to celebrate his special day. He took donuts to school this morning to share with his friends and kept referring to himself as, "The birthday boy!"

Happy birthday to my sweet boy.

Something Different (And Different is Good!)

I had a rough morning with Alex today. He has been sick since Saturday evening and today was the first day this week that he was well enough to go to school. He didn't throw a tantrum--that's not his style.  He did cry though.  He cried and said he would miss me.  He said he didn't want to go. "It's too hard.  I'm not smart and can't do things everyone else can."  When I told him to put on his shoes or brush his teeth he would pretend he didn't hear me. Mornings like this are hard for me.  Part of me wants to tell him I understand and let him stay home, but that wouldn't benefit him at all. I hug him, I let him know that I understand his feelings and concerns, and then I encourage him and tell him how proud of him we are.

Needless to say he was angry with me when I dropped him off at school.

As Alex gets older, days like this happen more often.  He is now 7 and realizes that there is something different about him. When we're in public Logan will talk non-stop.  Alex, however, is always really quiet.  He told me one day that he didn't want people to hear how he talks.  On rare occasions when Alex is in a really good or hyper mood he will talk in public--and Logan will ask why people are staring. I love Logan--I love his outlook on things.  To him Alex is just Alex.  He has always talked that way and he has always done things his own way and that is just who he is . . . he is Alex. I wish we could all see Alex the way his little brother does.

I wish Alex could see himself the way his little brother does.

So, this morning, I stood in the rain and watched my boys walk to the school.  Logan under an umbrella and Alex refusing to use one. Being a parent is a crazy ride.  Being a parent of three children is an even crazier ride, and having a special needs child just adds to the fun.  I would love for things to be easier for Alex, but I wouldn't change him for the world. I look forward to seeing how he turns out--what great things he is going to accomplish! Through all the challenges, therapies, appointments, and little triumphs I have learned a child can do anything--even teach his parents a thing or two about life.

Play Ball!

Well, those of you who know us well know we like baseball.  The boys enjoy playing baseball and we watch a lot of baseball. We took the boys (and Kaitlyn too, of course) to watch the UCO Bronchos play this afternoon. Let me just say . . . it was HOT.  LOL We had a good time, though.

We are enjoying the warmer weather and being able to do more things outside.
Here are some pictures of my sweet family at the baseball game.

 We took snacks and bottled water for the boys.  Here they are sitting on the blanket watching the ball game.

Jacob and Kaitlyn at her first baseball game

My guys!

As I said before, it was hot.  Kaitlyn fell asleep--we tried to keep her in her stroller so she would be in the shade.

UCO Bronchos playing baseball!

We plan to start taking picnics to the games and Alex keeps asking to buy hot dogs from the concession.  It's even more fun now that the boys are a little bigger.  Here's to many more baseball games with happy kids!

A Mother's Bragging Rights!

These two are hilarious.  They are best buds.  They are awesome big brothers to Kaitlyn and they are eager to help me around the house most of the time. I have been around a lot of other children in waiting rooms and other places this week who just do whatever they want while their parents sit there. Children climbing all over tables and running around yelling while their parents read magazines and play on their iPhones. While in the waiting room for Alex's OT one day a bigger boy was telling Alex that he was doing a magnetic game incorrectly. Alex is Alex--he does his own thing and that is the way it has always been.  His teacher will even say, "Alex is Alex" and " . . . but, it's Alex."  Ha. He completely ignored this boy until he finally sighed and left Alex alone. Alex looked at him and glared to let him know that he had heard him but he didn't want to listen to him.  Ha. Another child was sitting on the play table hitting Logan on the head.  Logan didn't do anything so the child continued to hit Logan until Logan finally just stood up and walked away. There was no whining, no tattling, no fighting--my boys just either ignored the other kids or walked away.  I watched them sitting together playing quietly while the other children ran around like wild animals and I was reminded that I have great boys.  They DO get into trouble from time to time but for the most part they are great boys.  They are respectful and well behaved and I am very proud of both of them. I just wanted to brag on these two for a minute--I am thankful that I have two great boys!!

Reading Adventures

The boys' school had a book fair about a month ago.  I always give the boys money to buy a book or two.  Logan picked out a book called "Pete The Cat: I Love My White Shoes."   That boy LOVES this book.
We have read it every night since he picked it out--he and Alex have it memorized now.

"I love my white shoes"
"I love my white shoes"
"I love my white shoes"

The boys sing the song and read the story and get excited because, well, I have to admit that it IS a really catchy little story.

We are also reading Treasure Island as a family.  Jacob has it on his Kindle and he has been reading a chapter each night to the boys.  What little boy doesn't enjoy a good pirate story?

Alex and Logan have started reading.  It is the coolest thing to sit and listen to your child read to you.  Logan is a very good reader and is getting faster.  Reading is a little harder for Alex.  He is really trying though and we are so very proud of him.

We love reading.  The boys have such a huge library that we always have a great story to read.  There are several books the boys have that I will keep even when all three of my children are too big for them. They are just great stories.  We will hear the boys pretending to be the characters in the stories.  It has really helped them develop wonderful imaginations (which I just love).

Here's to reading with your kids!!

A World of Chaos!

2012 has proven to be a year full of craziness and I will be the first to admit that I'm not a fan.  Honestly, it seemed like the craziness really started to rear it's ugly head last summer when my car died.   Things have just been flying ahead in full force since then. Since Christmas Alex has had surgery and lost his first two teeth, Logan got glasses, Kaitlyn is currently not feeling well and of course I can't get her in to see her pediatrician.  We take Kailtyn to have an ultrasound done tomorrow afternoon--they want to check her kidneys and make sure everything is working the way it should and there are no problems. I go see a surgeon this Friday and talk about the odds of possibly waiting until Kaitlyn is bigger to have surgery.  I have been told by a number of people that I won't be able to lift or hold Kaitlyn for 6 weeks after the surgery--the mom in me is not happy about that. In other news--Alex is now officially a lefty, it seems.  Since he got his cast off he is still writing with his left hand.  I asked if it hurt to write with his right hand and he said, "No, it just feels weird.  I like using my left hand."  The toilet handle is broken so we have the top off the toilet and are flushing it from the inside--until we can get it fixed.  Who has the time for that? LOL Kaitlyn is rolling all over the place.  She gets mad when she rolls over onto her tummy.  She is playing with a few of her baby toys now and growing like crazy. She has become very vocal--it's funny how they seem to change every day at this age! I should be doing laundry, cleaning, or doing something productive right now, but felt the need to blog--if only for a minute or two--while Kaitlyn isn't crying.

Here are a few pictures of some of the big changes going on in the Astley house (for anyone who still reads this blog).

Alex missing his two front bottom teeth.  He lost the first one Tuesday morning and the second one this morning.

Kaitlyn--she was swinging in her swing and cooing.  This was taken yesterday.

Logan with his new glasses--he is still getting used to them, but looks SO cute!