Funny or Naughter... How about Both!

I find myself lately wondering if things Nash does and say are Funny or Naughty. I am now realizing they are both... Slightly Naughty and darn funny!

With Nash's slow development of language we often have wondered what is going on in his mind... With his ability to get a few more words out we are finding out. And sometimes it is down right hilarious.

Besides saying... "Toot" every time someone lets one go, he has expanded to giggling along with it and often times really cracking up at his own gas!

He stuck his fingers in his mouth and gaged a little and to my surprise he looked and me and said, "Puke!" Ummm.. Totally got that from me saying... "Stop that or you will puke." Nash's gag reflexes are crazy. One little thing and he gags and often pukes... Prefect a bulimic 3 year old.

While holding play dough up to his mouth he says... "No no don't eat it!" Followed of course by a bite or he rubs it on his mouth smiling at me...

One of my favorites is... He does something he knows is pleasing to us or he accomplishes something we have been working on and he says... "Good Boy Good Boy." We laugh and say, "You're right you are a good boy." He just smiles.

He reached in my mouth last week and grabbed my tongue and said "Tongue." I was shocked he know what it was... He saw something on TV and named it and again I was shocked. He must have these things in his head, but often times cannot make the connection to get them out. I do however LOVE that it is all coming together more and more. I just hope and pray someday he will be able to talk freely... I am ready for those embarrassing moments at the store. I am ready for the night sitting by his bed for an hour telling it is time to go to sleep and he just keeps on talking. We love his little voice and are SOOOOO Thankful we get to hear it!

However, we are not sure he will ever talk much in Speech therapy. This week he talked throughout the hour of PT only to say one word in his half hour speech session & that word was "Bye." Yep, spaced out the entire time and would not say a word. We were making pretend Ice Cream cones. He loves Ice Cream, but not a word. I was going nuts, because of course I just told the therapist he talked a lot during PT. AHHHH kids they will make liars out of you!

And wouldn't you know we got into the van and he says, "I.... want.... Ice Cream.... Please." So it was in there, but at that time he did not want to talk about ice cream at all. Little stinker!! Yep, getting more gray hair!

Sometimes I laugh, because sometimes I just cannot help it. He can be one funny little guy. Who stops and gives me all kinds of kisses when I ask... Less of course when I ask while he is in speech therapy.

I find myself many days smiling more and giggling more with Nash. Having fun! Living a little life sometimes that we call "normal." You know the norm for other people that we don't often have... Some days we are having "normal" and it is AWESOME!

Tonight as the respite worker came to help out while I was going to run errands... Didn't happen, which is besides my point... Anyway, Nash after eating dinner I gave him some pumpkin dessert he was smashing on the counter, rolling it in his hands, licking it off, and making a REAL big mess.

She said, "Oh no Nash you are making a real bug mess..." I said, "Don't worry about it, what other age in life is it ok or as fun to play in your food." She said... "Nash you are lucky to have your mommy." As I cleaned up and she put him in the bathtub I started crying a bit... For one of the first times I let that sink in... She is right Nash is lucky (blessed) to have me. I sometimes beat myself up with thinking there is always more I could do to help him. I should this... I should that... If only he wasn't born so early... So many things us moms try to do and burdens we carry. Reality is nothing could have changed where we are today and he is blessed to have a mom and dad who care soooo much and would do anything in the world they could do for him. We are also sooo blessed to have Nash... He has taught me more about life, true love, faith, strength, and determination then anyone I have ever met. God did know what He was doing when He gave me His child Nash to raise.

Words... In reflection... They are soooooo strong. Every word said can never be taken back... Words can be funny, inspiring, hurtful, and just plain wonderful when your three year old is finally using a few. They can bring tears to your eyes or laughter to your soul.

I say... Bring on more words... And keep coming with Funny, but keep naughty at a minimal!

Ahhh... Finally a Moment

These days it has been getting harder and harder to find that moment when I can sit down and update our Blog.

Nash has been phasing out naps... So that two hours a day where I did my work for the IH Waiver is gone... Trying to find other opportunities to sneak away to the computer and do work. Admitting that it often becomes video time for Nash... Yes, the major "No No" according to many articles... Do not let your TV become your child's baby-sitter... Well, how about educational videos?? Well, they are from time to time and frankly some days help me keep my sanity.

Some days I find my son sitting on my lap watching U-Tube videos on how to count to 50, colors and shapes, days of the week, months of the year, and his favorite "Our God is an Awesome God," while I am on the phone with families. Having to say, while is is slightly difficult it has been working in several ways... He can count to 50 and the families I am talking to have no idea my child is on my lap while I am working.

Nate often calls me "Super Mom." Juggling a million things at once doesn't make me feel like a super mom, but super inane sometimes... Reality is some nights I sit down with Nash falling to sleep in my arms around 8 PM and Nate is still at work and I do think... "WOW we accomplished a lot today." Then after thanking God for making it through my mind jogs to "whats on the agenda for tomorrow?"

Speaking to the many mothers I talk with whose childern have special needs I think they are all "Super Moms" the amount of stress dealing with doctors, insurance, DHS, paperwork, therapies, oh and of course caring for the child is down right nuts sometimes... Understanding it... Well, I have now realized it is impossible unless you are walking in the shoes. I find myself advocating for families and realizing I am fighting a giant Government. Often not on my to do list each day, because I am not even sure where to start... Yikes... Maybe someday!

Now for the real reason why you probably checkt our Blog updates!! Nash!! After Christmas I promise to get some pictures up... I asked for a new camera... Mine has not worked for months.

Nash is trying to talk more. Engaging in some short conversations. He for the most part answers simple questions. We just keep hoping and praying that his language will continue to develop so he can get out his thoughts instead of being frustrated. Little by little he says phases and this is making our lives a bit easier.

Walking... Pretty good... Up on the toes again... He is growing in more so his muscles get tighter as the bones grow. This makes him walk on his toes. Hence the reason for casting his legs at the beginning of Sept. Physical Therapist thought casting would occur three times a year for a month each... Now we see why. All this work now will hopefully prevent him from being wheelchair bound as he gets older. There are surgeries, however we do not feel cutting into Nash's legs or spine are the right answers. At least for now in his life... When he gets older and has opinions we will take those into consideration. For now we will do anything to prevent surgery... Cutting into the body always has some sort of negative side effect. Medications are similar, so we are trying the natural ways for now.

Nash has been a pretty happy little guy. Funny at times, which I LOVE!! Ah and his kisses he comes and gives me are the BEST thing ever!!

We are on what we call, "House Arrest" again this winter. Avoiding germs. Last year we tried minimal house arrest and it led to several colds and two vomitting flu bugs, and a hospital stay. The doctor felt with this year supposing to be the worst flu season ever to keep Nash at home. We agree! We also opted not to get the H1N1 shot, because of all the negative side affects. We are being very careful, taking probiotics and Vit D3. Hoping and praying that we avoid this flu season.

Yeah... If you haven't noticed we do LOTS of hoping and praying. Trying to avoid the worrying, which unfortunately comes with all children, but often more with childen who have special needs. Working so hard to help your child get where they are today, you want to avoid at all costs something that will set them back or cause them harm... That tends to bring ona little worry that you try to sqaush with prayers and faith!

Potty training... Sort of working on it... Many other people have said to wait or not to worry about it. Most people would be freaking out if their 3 year old was not going on the potty. Us... well thankful he knows what the potty is and that he is getting closer to being able to pull down his pants. Which not is super funny... When I go pee or Nate goes pee Nash says "P...ISSSSS." You're thinking... They taught him piss... No we did not! However, when we sit Nash down to try to go potty make the noise... "PSSSSS." Which Nash loves, however says "P..ISSSS." First time Nash did it was with me and I thought Nate taught him the word... Then Nate thought I did... Only to realize he said it was because of the noise I made.... Ahhh... super cute! But not what I was intending! We find ourselves having a quick chuckle and telling him "Good Boy for relating the noise with the activity." Then we make the noise correctly hoping that sooner then later he will pick it up!

Oh speaking of Good Boy.... Sometimes Nash tells us he is a "Good Boy" after doing something he knows we will say "Good Boy" to him... Example... Scooping his cereal on his own... After chewing a bit he says, "Good Boy!" Knowing we would say that to him. It is sooooo cute! Just makes us super thankful for progress!!

Fridays are Nate's day off and he and Nash went to drop something off at Gpa and Gma Kuehls... I hear they are home... Better go make lunch! Glad I finally had a moment....

Writing this Blog often helps me see how far Nash has come and how thankful we are to have such a wonderful blessing from God!