Major Vent

As I sit here at work, as tired as can be. I just need to vent about how hard it is to work all of the time. I leave every morning at 630am, and Monday and Tuesday, return with Dylan at 345. On wednesday I do not get home until 6pm because I train one team, and on Thursday and friday I do not get home until 8pm. I am literally working my ass off, so Alex and my other kids can have their father home with them. I am starting to become very jealous of my husband, who can mosey out of bed, drink his coffee on the couch while the kids are already dressed for school... and then join Alex and kenzie for their 2 hour snooze, Which on Thursdays and Fridays are cut down to 1 1/2 hours. Then i feel like on the weekend, it is my turn with the kids. On Mondays and Tuesdays it is my turn... By the way after all of the gymborree, Dance, and Baseball games on Saturdays-- when they all go home for lunch and a nap-- guess where I go.... back to Bodman to earn 100.00 for 90 minutes. I know it is great money. I know I should not complain. I know it is the best thing for my children and my family... It just seems like everyone in my family has had a major upgrade in their quality of life... except me. So on major PMS days like today.. I think I am entitled to a vent!

Decisions decisions???

We all struggle with decisions on a daily basis. One may wonder if one or two little decisions really matter? I found out yesterday that they can have a profound impact on the course of ones life. Yesterday we met with the neurologists from Robert wood Johnson. he specializes in neurological developmental delays. He could not believe Alex's progress!! Alex is doing things that nobody ever expected( well no professional, I always expected it- i think if you put your mind to something you can accomplish almost anything!) The only way the visit could have went any better than it did, is for the doc to tell me that they screwed up and Alex was misdiagnosed-- but he did not, and Alex will have this for the rest of his life... But he said he has learned to adapt.. He said this is huge. Little Alex will not settle to simply sit on the sidelines and watch, Alex apparently did not listen when he was told that he had a significant neurological problem that would effect his motor skills forever, he did not listen when told he would be slower and clumsy. Alex has defied the experts and all of the odds. So he is a bit more "fragile" as the doctors put it-- he will likely suffer more disclocations due to underdeveloped protective reflexes. He needs a spot going up the slide( I am sure Uncle Tommy has already figured this one out!!), he may lose his balance more frequently, but that is it! The doctor said the one on one he has been getting with his dad has paid off tremendously, he said that his father has taught him so much and it is obvious that we have been working him as much as possible. Then of course I told him about my new found interest in neuroscience and I am fascinated by the implications of the new findings regarding the brains plasticity! I have been testing the theories on Alex and it works! USE IT OR LOSE IT!! So although I left thourghly happy, I still remember the doc saying, contact sports are probably out for Alex, and I agreed. Then as I have been thinking since, try saying that to Alex when he is 6--- he will make the call, he has been writing his own destiny all along. In 4 years who knows maybe he will gain those elusive protective reflexes, why cant he learn to adapt to that? So when making deicisons remember, nothing is impossible. Placing limits on people.. just limits them. The best decision we have ever made as parents was to take Alex to therapy and stay home and work with him, it has paid off more than any amount of money lost ever could.

Can everyone finally feel better

These past 2 weeks have been very tough for our family, Everyone except for John and Alex were sick at some point. We are not just talking about minor illnesses, we are talking about major kick your ass sickness. I was in bed for almost a week and did not even get to work out for 7 whole days. I have been back to the gym the last 6 days and have only been able to do 1/2 of my usual workout. The flu that I had was terrible. Dylan and kenzie did not escape it either, they both had fevers for about 4-5 days and Dylan needed two rounds of anti biotics for his ear infections. They both missed the entire week of school last week. So we finished the week with Jaks birthday party. Alex had a good time with his cousin and playing with all of his toys. Mackenzie informed me that she would like to sleep over there because they have a nicer house than us. Thanks kenz... I appreciate that! Alex played nice with all of the other 2 and almost 2 year olds there. he fit right in and had fun. Alex dislocated his elbow again today. As we are all ready to go back to the hospital, I decided that I could put it back into place. In essence his elbow has been put in place by me and the nurses doing the xrays the other two times, so I figured lets save the trip to the OR and I will try it. Alex looked at me and said hurt arm in the cutest voice, then I took his armed and put it back together and after once wince he was fine! Mackenzie and Alex were playing follow the leader and she was holding his arm, we told her to let go, but she said they were playing and by the time we were able to separate the 2 of them it was too late. Boy did she get a talking to by her father, as you can imagine she got in big trouble. Alex will be 2 in a week and half, I cant believe it. The kids are set to go back to school on Monday so lets hope for a good week. Hopefully it will only rain today and we can finally have some spring weather!

Alex's went poop on the potty!

Well Alex informed me 20 minutes ago that he had to go potty. So I took off his diaper and put him in the bathroom. He then said door, door, this means he wants me to shut the door and let him alone. Well Alex sat on the throne for about 15 minutes, and said all done. As I looked in the toilet I was amazed. There was a bunch of poop! Alex did his first poop on the potty! I am very proud of him! Lets hope this continues then soon there will be no more diapers in this house!! Lets hear it for Alex!