An Amazing Month

This has been a wonderful experience.  Jake has done so well at school that is blows my mind.  I love the fact that he has accomplished several things even with minimal assistance.  He is walking better in his walker, sitting for brief periods on his own and helping more with putting on and taking off his shirt.  He still isn’t a happy camper being on his stomach but can push himself up for small periods of time.  He has showed his verbal side this time.  He is singing some of the songs and talking all the time.  I have to admit there were several times I wished he wasn’t because all I heard was Daddy, truck, Katie, over and over and over……

He had his days with earning several stickers and others not so many.  Just like any of us, he had times he just wasn’t into doing the tasks.  I feel that this program is like other kids doing sports.  The more they practice the better they get.  The same goes for our kids, the more they practice these tasks, the better they become.  They may not succeed at everything, but accomplishing something is huge.

I am tried attaching some videos of Jake at school but had trouble loading them.  I have them on my facebook account if you want to see them.

Missed having Trey here this last week.  He went to SEYC camp and had a great time.  Travis got to come and visit and he brought our nephew, Cody and niece, Catlin with him.  We have been adventuring all over the place.  They got to experience the ocean for the first time.  Jake has been happy to have them here to play with too.  I have taken them letterboxing with me and they loved it.  We have walked and walked and walked through marshes, woods and areas with tons of mosquitos.  We have seen alligators, snakes, turtles and even deer.  It has been fun but unfortunately they have to leave before school is over, so it will just be Jake and me on our own for a day or two and for the journey home.

I will put more pictures and update this when we get home.  Friday is our last day and I hate leaving.  This program has been a huge blessing.  Thanks to all who helped make it a reality.

 

Later.

Week 3 comes to an end

Overall this was a really good week.  Jake had his whinning episodes but still did the work admist it all.  He is getting better at helping me put on and take off his shirt.  He still struggles some with the socks.  That is a work in progress.  He has verbally answered most of the questions that Erika asked.  He answeres the days of the week, sometimes he gets his seasons & the weather.  He has really been into singing the songs that go with each activity.  All the kids are learning what they’re expected to do when they hear Erika start a song.  They either tense up or get over excited depending on the activity.

We have done a few outings like going to the beach, the pool and letterboxing.  It has only been one day, but I am missing Trey.  He left on Saturday to head back home to get ready to head to camp today.  He is going to the SEYC camp in Cook Springs, AL for the week.  This is an awesome church camp that he has attended several years.  I am glad he was able to go.

While waiting for my mom to come and get Trey, we headed into Savannah to do some letterboxing.  We found two of the three we looked for.  After he left with mom, Jake and I headed out to do some lbing but didn’t find any of the ones we were looking for.  Two weren’t in the spots and one had a snake living in the hiding place, so I left it alone–for now.  I might attempt it again, not sure yet.

Two more weeks left then back home again.  This program is so wonderful for Jake that I wish we could get it started back home.  So many kids in Gordon CO would benefit from this program.  Jake is doing so much more than we ever thought possible and he just keeps learning and growing.

God has blessed us so much and everyday I am thankful for everything.

Later

So far So good

We’re starting the week off pretty good, except for the 5 am wakeup call.  Jake was wound up and ready to roll early.  He kept poking me, going Nama-hungy.  I told him to wait, he would get quiet for just a few minutes then start all over again.  He is such a trip.

He earned 4 stickers today.  On Thursday, I had told him if he did good for me on Friday, he would get a safety sucker.  He remembered and did great on Friday, asking for the sucker when class was over.  He is learning and doing so much more than I would have ever imagined.  God has truly blessed us.

We went to the beach on Saturday.  It was extremely hot, which gave us some tan.  I still have a lot of body left to tan   We were going to go letterboxing, but went in search of my elongated pennies instead.  I got all the ones listed on the computer-yeah.

On Sunday we did go out letterboxing and in search of some more pennies.  We found some boxes & a penny at Tybee Island.  The island was packed.  The day was overcast but it was extremely hot.  I thought it had cooled down some so I put the windows down. Well it was still humid and that affected Jake’s sinuses.  He had a major nose bleed.  It looked like he had been in a fight because he was rubbing it all over his face, trying to wipe it away.  I had to soak his clothes.

Today was a good day.  Jake had the giggles but did all the programs well.  He has realized the routine again and is getting back into the swing of things.  This has been a great trip for Jake so far.  I am so glad it helps him and gives him a new found freedom.  He is even sitting unassisted for short periods of time.  I love it.

Time to fix supper.

Later.

Thursday’s work

Jake’s picture

Originally uploaded by Samlee415

The kids were artists today. They had to use certain colors and paint a picture with clouds, trees, grass and rain. Jake did a great job with Mommy’s help. I didn’t keep the paper in front of him when he wasn’t painting so he wouldn’t slober on it. He wasn’t over enthused today so it wasn’t hard to help him paint. When he is really excited he tends to smear and tries to lick the paint. The other kids did great jobs too.

Jake did good in the other programs today except the lying. He did the work but fussed while doing it. It was like he just wanted to complain or yah yah just for the it of it. He did really good during the standing program, not only standing, kneeling and squatting but singing too. He was in a singing mood again today. Love to hear him.
We went to a local farmer’s market today. It was small but nice. Got some grape tomatoes, peaches and a cucumber freshly grown in SC. It was humid but a pleasant walk.
The weather here has been extremely hot, but last night and tonight we are having some killer weather. There is extreme lightening, thunder and rain. The road to the center is sand with small puddles that are deeper than they look. My van has sand residue on it from puddle jumping. I guess it is only fair to get the rain, we had a dry week last week, so whatever. I was going to go to the pool after supper but I guess that will have to wait for another day.
Better go, Later.

Jake rolling across the floor

Jake rolling

Originally uploaded by Samlee415

Jake had a fair day today. He is getting so much better at getting himself around by rolling. I put him at the edge of the mat near the red & green squares and went to the restroom. I expected him to remain in the same general area or at least near the yellow square. When I got back, he had rolled all the way over to the shelves. He had his head in the shelf and was trying to play with Elmo. It was just too funny. It was great to see him move this much.
He was in a singing mood today. It is great to hear him sing the ABC song, B-I-N-G-O and others. He loves music.

We went with Jesse and her family bowling. We all agreed to not go to the bowling alley in Hilton Head Island again. The prices were extreme and they were very inconsiderate with two children in wheelchairs. It cost $13 to bowl just one game and shoe rental. At home, you can bowl at least two with shoe rental. The bowling alley was extremely out of date too. For the price they charge, they could at least update the scorers, etc. Oh well, enought complaining. Two more days to go this week.
All is well, Later.

A Day to remember

First and foremost, I would like to send out my heartfelt love for Mrs. Romell Swann (Granny Swann).  She went to heaven today after living a wonderful life.  She was a great mother, friend and Granny.  She will be terribly missed.

Today was a pretty good day at school.  Jake was a little fussy at first and I was worried that he wouldn’t work good today, but he perked up.  He did good on all the programs and even played ball with the others today.  In between the lying and standing programs, all the kids were positioned in the floor and practiced hitting a beach ball to each other.  It was absolutely fabulous to see these kids doing something that others take for granted.

 Here is Jake w/Erika, Jesse w/her mom-Bettie, Bower w/ his mom-Jennifer & Cody w/ his mom-Kristi.  Aren’t they cool!!  They worked really hard doing this and had fun in the process. 

Looking forward to more adventures with the kids. 

Later.

Start of Week 2

We finally got some air.  The owner had to put in window units because both AC companies that came out were just interested in money and not repairing the unit.  There was a small leak but neither one would just do a spot soulder–one wanted the owner to buy a whole new unit and the other claimed a whole new part needed to ordered and bought.  Yeah right!  Thanks for nothing.

The boys and I went walking the mall yesterday.  Bass Pro Shop is having family fun weekends with free crafts for the kids.  Jake made a gift for his daddy and had his picture taken for the pretend cover of Field & Stream.  We walked quite a bit. Trey grilled some pork chops that we had marinated.  He did a really good job–very proud of him.

Jake got up around 5am in a great mood.  I tried to ignore him and sleep.  I was only halfway successful.  He started out good but was yawning by 10:30am.  He fell asleep on the way home. 

He did really well with all of the programs except the standing.  He kept wanting to hop up and down like a frog.  Each day is a wonderful surprise when he does something new that I wasn’t expecting.   I am looking forward to tomorrow.

More later!!!

The Heat is ON!!!!

Yesterday and today–HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!!!  I don’t know if I did enough Hot’s.   The AC unit went out  Wednesday night.  The AC guys were supposed to show up Thursday morning but didn’t show up until after 6pm.  It was 90 degrees in the house.  I had to take Jake to the pool just to cool off.  Well of course, he didn’t fix it, he just band-aided it claiming that a whole new unit was needed.  Needless to say, the air only got down to 77 and was up to 80 degrees by 8:20 am.  It was 90 degrees by noon.  So the boys and I went down to the beach to at least get a tan with the heat.  The owner had to call someone else to come and actually fix it, but they won’t be here until tomorrow afternoon.  In the meantime, he is bringing window units to help with cooling.  But enough of that.

Jake had a bad day yesterday.  I think the heat was too much for him.  He was extremely whinny during class.  He did good at first with the academic part.  He is a true artist-he had as much fingerpaint on him as the picture.

He took an extremely long nap after lunch and then we headed to the pool.  Since the temperature went down some, Jake and I were able to sleep pretty good. 

He had a great day today.  He worked hard, had patience and make the neatest face with playdo.  He did all the parts of the program extremely well.

The heat is still appalling, so we headed to the beach with friends from class and hung out.  It was great spending time with them.

Better get some things done.

Later

2 Stickers

Today was not a good work day.  Jake was totally distracted by the two new kids.  He just tried to show off by laughing, wiggling and some whinning.  He only earned a 1/2 sticker for both the sitting and lying program.  He did earn a sticker for the standing program.  He was just in one of those moods today.  It happens sometimes.  Let’s hope tomorrow will be better. 

We went out and went swimming.  He did great.  He was kicking his feet and trying to splash his left arm and was actually moving.  He loves the water and it is great to see the freedom it gives him.

It is hot outside and inside.  The AC unit is acting up so I had to call the owner.  He is getting someone to come and check it and hopefully get it fixed by the morning.  We’ve opened windows and have ceiling fans going but it is still 82 degrees inside.  I might have to sleep on the back porch–ha! just kidding, too many mosquitos.

Going to go and watch some TV.

Later.

A Wee bit Whinny

Jake working hard

Originally uploaded by Samlee415

Today was a pretty good day except for the wee bit of whinning. Jake did great with the academic part. He pulled the scarf off the mirror and an Elmo. He picked out his eyes, nose and then picked them out on Elmo. He even pointed to Elmo’s right foot when asked. He told Erika what season it was and when asked he who was sitting very very tall next to him, he said Cody and Jessie.
He was a bit whinny during the lying program. I think the excitement of the past two days, finally caught up with him and he wasn’t thrilled with being on his stomach.
He did great crawling and rolling and wonderful during the standing program. Last year it was hard to get him to sit on his knees with his bottom up off his feet–he did it today!!!!!
During a little breather, he played with Jessie, patting her on her arm. She laughed at him and blew him kisses. It was so cute.

Time to get some work done.
Later.