Rowan and Finn

Stars

2012-01-24T07:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I spoke with Finn's Occupational Therapist for some time. I was picking her brain on some therapy techniques and routines suggestions. Read more »

Christmas 2011

2012-01-17T16:59:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from around Christmas time for the family. If the present opening pics are dark, it's because the kids woke us up at 4:45 am for presents! Guess they were excited! Miss you all!

Twins in a Bin

2012-01-15T13:53:00.000-08:00

Some pictures for the family to gawk at. Things are going pretty well. I'm so proud of my little ones and how they have grown. So full of love and kindness, plus they are hilarious.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-08T07:36:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been out of touch a lot lately. Things are really busy with Steve working extra hours, my two jobs, Finn's School and Therapy. But we are happy when we are busy even if we are tired. We had a great Halloween. It was fun trick or treating this year. The kids were really into it. Rowan was creative with costumes and decided what they would wear. She chose Fairy Princess of course. Since Finn was unable to communicate what he wanted to be, Rowan decided her twin needed to be a Dragon! I found a dinosaur costume for him and we told them he was a dragon! He was just missing wings and some fire to breathe. We went with Jen and her Kids which was great because the older kids were so helpful with the little ones. Rowan was very very polite during her house visits saying "Trick or Treat" and "Please" and "Thank You.". Finn had practiced Trick or Treating in school that week. They had 2 practice sessions as therapy going from classroom to classroom. We were totally surprised when he walked up to each door and said "Trick or Treat" and "Thank You." without prompting!

Rowan has been having a great time at the gym daycare lately. She is making fast friends with the little kids who go there while their Mom's work out. She had a fabulous time last week when her Auntie Hun took her to see Disney Princesses on Ice again. She went out for Grilled Cheeses at the Soda Jerk in Hershey and then over to the Hershey Rink. She apparently had a wonderful time and wore her Halloween costume. She dove into a pile of other little pixies and made plenty of little friends. Then she talked about it for days after. She is such a creative and friendly little girl. She makes up beautiful, magical stories and talks very intently to her toys. Usually she is helping animals to learn to be good friends and cooperate, or monitoring the activities in her castle with her pink dragon, named "Silver". They fly all over the kingdom and visit Finn at his castle where he lives with his blue dragon "Renny".

Finn is really is coming along and has begun "conversing" with us everyday and replying to yes or no questions and making choices. Last week he woke up after bedtime crying and we brought him down. He sat smiling on the couch next to Steve who was playing games on his laptop.

Finn: Whatchoo doin' Daddy?
Steve: Playing video games.
Finn: *Gasp!!! Video games? I love video games!!!

I have been taking him to the gym daycare at least 4 days a week and he goes to school 2 days a week. So he is getting plenty of social interaction. He occasionally approaches children, even if he does not know how to interact yet, he is playing with other kids in his own way. Yesterday the teacher sent home the following note: "Finn had a nice day playing today. He is doing SO well paying attention and participating in circle time. :)". We are so hopeful as we watch his personality continue to emerge. He has such a sense of humor and is such a loving and affectionate child.

Here are some pictures from Halloween. Hope you are all doing well. We miss and love you guys!

Kids 3rd Birthday Party and Visit to the Farm with NaNa and PopPop

2011-10-04T05:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of the kids in the backyard, their visit to the Cherry Blossom Bed and Breakfast and Farm to visit Alice and Frank and of course their 3rd Birthday Party! Note, we miss our Auntie Anne and Uncle Brian and of course Grammy and Grandpa. Hope the pics make you smile!

Update August 2011

2011-08-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been slacking on the Kid's blog. We have been having a pretty good summer. Sometimes the kids and I go to Mimi's (Cindy's) during the day and swim in her pool. Rowan is fearless jumping off the ladder and magically breathing underwater. She is a fish just like me I suppose. Finn took a bit more getting used to the water, but now he is an old pro. We went to see Steve's parents at the Lakehouse in the Poconos. They had such a good time swimming. I'm so proud of the kids. They were jumping off the dock and playing with their Dad and watching the ducks. Rowie learned to fish. She almost caught a fish 5 times but he kept stealing her worm! She was not impressed.

This Thursday Rowan and I are taking a special girls trip to the beach at Margate. We are staying at Erin's Aunt's house on the beach with Erin and Maggie. Steve and Finn are taking a guys weekend at the Lakehouse. Rowan barely wait to go with Maggie. She is excited to wear her Hello Kitty sunglasses and her water wings. She wants to build sand castles and go swimming. I also plan on taking her to see Lucy the elephant. Pictures to come.

Much has been happening with Finn going to school. Right now they are only offering one class per week to him and I am in negotiations with the school district to increase this because it will be the most helpful. The school district has had budget cuts and is skimping on classes. I am hoping recommendations from his developmental pediatrician and his therapists will help him get what he needs. However, I am working with an advocay group to make sure he gets FAPE (Fair Access to Public Education). They are required by law to provide him with what he needs which is social interaction with other children in a group setting. In addition, I am trying to make sure he is in a class with verbal children that will challenge him. Please keep your fingers crossed. Children with Autism have a window in which they can get "rewired" to be more functional later in life. That window ends at 4 or 5. It becomes increasingly more and more difficult as time passes. For now, he is doing well and in the beginning stages of conversation. Just last week he went up to Erin when I was in a massage and said "Where's Maggie?" when she told him she was at home he asked, "She coming?". This may not seem like a big deal, but it shows two things, 1. His ability to use language contextually as opposed to scripting or his echolalia and 2. He has awareness of people and his surroundings and that he has the ability to perceive future events. Big step! I am jumping for joy. It;s happening for him, we just need to keep the momentum going and get him social interaction on a grander scale than once a week. I won't let him fall through the cracks like so many kids do. The financial state of our education system is a disaster. I had no idea what a fight it would be. Countless phone calls, follow ups, logging every correspondence, letters written. Legal action. It is a full time job. One I am glad to do, however it makes me sad for other kids who don't have an advocate.

So, as we are coming up on the kids 3rd Birthday I can barely believe it. It has been such an incredible, challenging and beautiful experience. I am honored to be mother to such 2 amazing children. Its one thing I have everyday that makes me grateful and hopeful. More soon after the shore. Hope everyone is having a happy, healthy summmer!

Rowan Rides Her Tricycle!

2011-06-19T12:24:00.001-07:00

So proud of Princess Peanut!

Best Friends

2011-06-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

Maggie and Rowie Play in the backyard with Finn and NaNa

"That's enough squealing!" Those kids sure can get loud together. Lots of happy fun times with the kids in the backyard this year though. They are having a blast!

Apologies!

2011-06-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have not blogged in a bit. Been very busy. The weather being nice means lots of time outside away from the computer. This is just a short post to let you know that the kids are doing great. Thanks to both grandparents for packages of clothes and various other little giftys. We love you a lot and are so grateful. I promise to post some pics and stories soon. XOXO

Hair Cut

2011-05-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

A quick blog to post pics of Rowie's first hair cut! Nana and I went together on her visit. I waited all this time thinking it would grow nice long curls, but she really needed to have the fine baby hairs cut off so she would stop having a mullet.

Here is a pic of our two long haired hippies before the haircut.

I admit to crying during Ro's hair cut. I remember when she was bald as an eagle with just a bit of reddish blonde fuzz. It felt like the last of her babyhood slipping away. But that's how it works! My babies are growing up so fast and I could not be prouder or more grateful for them.

On a side note Grammy sent a pretty dress to Rowie and wanted a pic, so here she is... looking like a little farm girl ready to run in the fields and pick flowers...

Faerie Festival 2011

2011-05-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we took the kids to the Faerie Festival again in Glen Rock. We went with Hun and Steve rode up behind us on the motorcycle. Rowie helped Mommy put on her faerie make-up and picked her own outfit. A dress, with a skirt underneath and a sweatshirt. I need to get Ro her own set of wings for next year. She was very jealous of mine. I also plan to make a faerie wreath for her head like mine. I'll let her pick out her own flowers and ribbons and we can make it together. We laid in the grass on a blanket and played and people watched.

Dad and Finn rough housed on a blanket after lunch.

Hun and Rowie Snuggle

The Rowan was approached by the Pocket Faeries! They let her pick her own treasure from the pockets on their magical staff!

Rowan picked out a gift from Ocean Faerie! It was a shell with a magickal blue pearl!

Rowie and I got some special Mother/Daughter time while Steve and Finn roamed around.

And then Auntie Hun took her to the dragon show and bought her a pink feather barrette. She loves dragons now. (Hun also got her a pink dragon T-shirt last week which she loves.)

While they were at the dragon show Mom and Dad took Finn to listen to a band playing music. He loved it and sat on a log listening to the band for a long time, just mesmerized.

Then it started to rain so we had to get going so Steve would not get stuck on his motorcycle in the downpour! But, we had a great time together. Looking forward to going again next year!

Clever Girl

2011-04-24T19:33:00.000-07:00

Rowie asked me to make her a train with playdough. Here is a picture of my literal interpretation:

Then I asked her to make a train. Her interpretation is more abstract yet somehow far more wonderful and creative:

Such a clever girl.

Hunting Wabbits!

2011-04-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

Egg Hunt 2011!

We surprised the kids with and egg hunt this morning. We kept telling them all yesterday that the Bunny was coming and might bring them eggs. We hid them in the backyard (ok, as much as you can "hide" for a two year old to find them). Then we let them loose and had them run and put them into bags. After the eggs the kids ran and played for a while in the dirt. It was fun. Finn only tried to escape three times and "stopped" each time we told him to. Progress! Woohoo! We came inside and sang improvisational songs on the guitar, danced and took a bath to get all the mud off. Now it's snack time and Steve is mowing. Hope you enjoy these few pics!

Discharged from PT

2011-04-18T17:45:00.000-07:00

Today turned out to be Finn's last Physical Therapy session. It is a happy day indeed to know our son can move forward without any physical inhibitions. He had a long road from that little baby who could not turn his head and had trouble learning to walk because of his balance issues. I am so grateful to early intervention and to Finn's Physical Therapist Amy. I will always be grateful because she was by his side (and our side) for 2 years and four months coaching, watching, teaching and noticing his every move. She listened to me very early on when I was concerned about Finn losing his speech and suggested that I get him a behavioral consultation, Because of this Finn received early intervention far earlier than he would have. If not for the fact that Amy's own son had a diagnosis of Autism we may have never known. I believe she knew the signs. He could have fallen through the cracks or his condition gone unnoticed for many years I think of what could have happened if we had missed it. Many parent don't realize something is off for years, missing that crucial window for intervention. If not for Amy who knows what might have been. I am deeply, profoundly grateful. I did not want to say goodbye and I admit I cried when she left today. She will be greatly missed.

Our Finn can now run, jump, dance, spin and turn his head just like any other kid!

Motorcycles, Ballerinas and Swings Oh My!

2011-03-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

Here are some quick pics of the kids. We went to the playground yesterday...

Today Rowie got a Ballerina outfit from her Grammy and Grampa

She is saying "CHEESE!" as usual...

The State Museum

2011-03-27T19:18:00.000-07:00

We took the kids to the State Museum today. They had such a great time. They got to see the wildlife of Pennsylvania, Geology Exhibits, the Industry Exhibit (all the way from covered wagons to planes and automobiles), Art, and their favorite... dinosaurs! Here is a picture of Finn holding a Mastadon rib...

We had the kids posed in front of a 3 story statue of William Penn Steve had to get on the floor to get the image to fit...

Afterwards we took them to "Curiosity Connection" which is an area for kids 5 and under to play and explore. Here are some pictures of the facility.

They crawled through hidden passageways, slid on the slide, climbed atop a mountain with trees and animals and ran in the forest. Rowan's favorite thing was the farm truck. She kept pressing the buttons to activate the "radio" and then dancing at the wheel to "Old McDonald".

Finn's favorite part was the building center where he found little "Thomas the Train" cars and kept linking them together and looking at the face on the front. He was yelling Thomas! Thomas! Thomas! Just like his Dad he is so excited about trains, planes and automobiles! Rowie did not want to leave and had to be dragged to the car.

After the museum the kids passed out for a nap. When they woke up, Uncle Ben came over to help build more fence in the yard to make it more secure and Steve snapped these two pics of Finn.

It was a great day with the kids. A wonderful Sunday with family and adventure!

Pretty Girl!

2011-03-24T05:53:00.000-07:00

Look! Someone went into my make up case when I was not looking at got.... artistic! I am going to have to buy new makeup now, but isn't she a pretty little girl? Gotta love this picture. Its a classic!

P.S. She is seriously saying "CHEESE!" as I am taking this!

Sing and Play

2011-03-19T05:50:00.000-07:00

I took the kids to Sing and Play yesterday in Grantham. A church there puts it on and only charges a dollar a family. We met the behavioral therapist there for a session. The idea is to get more opportunities for Finn to be in a structured setting with other kids. There is a large gymnasium set up with tunnels, ball pits, hula hoops, tricycles, big tubs of rice and beans with scoopers, soccer goals, basketball hoops and dress up center with a large mirror. The first thing Rowan went for was a flourescent pink tutu and pastel pink hat. She wore them the entire time. I would have gotten pictures if I weren't so busy chasing and playing. Finn's favorite activity was by far was basketball. He spent a lot of time putting every kind of ball into the hoop. During the middle of the play session there was "circle time". Each child had to pull up a carpet square and sit down for Sing time. At the end the kids made a parade out of the gym and sang a song. They really enjoyed themselves. It was nice to go out in the warm weather with them again. We plan on going back next Friday. Unfortunately it is the last session for the winter.

Also here are a couple of random pics of the kids for the Grandparents:

Dad plays Pacman with the kids... just like he used to do when he was young.

My thoughful little boy...

My sunshiney girl on her Rocking Horse...

Horseback Riding

2011-03-06T09:32:00.000-08:00

Took the kids horseback riding the other day. Ok, well really it was more like riding Ponies. One of my clients and friends rides horses and took the kids and I to Nobodaddy Farms in Hershey. This is where Shannon rides and works mucking the stalls sometimes. Sometimes they have Equine Therapy for children there. The kids had a good time, even though Rowan was terrified of the horses at first. We went into the stalls and she screamed so loud she had to be removed so as not to upset the other horses. So Shannon moved us all outside and one by one trotted out some of her favorite ponies and horses for them to gradually get used to.

Finn had no problem with the animals but also paid little attention to them at first. He was a bit frightened when we put him up on the pony, but was also enthralled once he sat on one.

Rowan was eventually willing to come and pet one of the ponies

and finally hop up and ride one.

We then went into one of the barns to visit the Billy Goat. Both kids were scared and wanted to sit on a hay bale instead!

Then we all went down to the field to watch the horses in the field.

What a great day out! We will definitely do this again!

Kiddo Update March 3, 2011

2011-03-03T05:02:00.000-08:00

The kids are doing great. Rowan is speaking in complete sentences although people sometimes have a hard time understanding her. She talks so fast too. Sounds like someone we all know… (Ahem). Rowan has been very helpful these days helping me vacuum, dust and sweep. She wants to watch the Wiggles and Richard Scary videos (which she calls “Puckle” because the main characters name is Huckle cat). Current obsessions: half-sour pickles, her new sandals and wearing hats. She is definitely in her “challenging 2’s” phase. She is trying to learn her boundaries and has a lot of strong will. It’s all part of growing up. It feels like it is happening so fast! Rowan’s favorite activities right now are play-dough and drawing in any form. These are supervised toys only because they end up in mouths and on the walls, etc. but I am hoping to find some of those colorless markers with the invisible ink for the special books. She just loves to scribble and color and make art. She can do it for long stretches of time and has a great attention span for it.

Finn is having a verbal burst. I presented the Occupational Therapist and the Speech Therapist with a list of over 50 words he has used spontaneously and a list of commands he is responding to in the last two weeks! In addition he is starting to make requests. He says, “Let’s Go” and “C’mon!” when he wants to go somewhere. He asks for juice and “fishie” when he wants Goldfish. The therapy is really working. He is trying so hard. His joint attention is excellent as well as his eye contact. He has begun giving me kisses spontaneously and running up and hugging me. Ever since his illness (flu and strep) he seems to have come out of his inner world a great deal. Finn’s favorite toys are cars. The therapist suggests he only play with them for an hour and we have to take them away from him at night so he does not stay up until midnight playing with them. He has been playing his keyboard and making beautiful sounds at times interchanging single keys in different combinations. He has such a proclivity for music, it boggles my mind. I am considering asking Mimi to give him a piano lesson now and again when we go to her house. Maybe this summer or next.

Yesterday I made the follow up appointment for the Developmental Pediatrician. This is a 6 month follow up to Finn’s diagnosis. In addition, I made an appointment for a transition meeting with the Early Intervention to the Intermediate Unit for the end of March. It looks like I will be sending my little boy off on the bus by himself in September to go to school. I was tearing up thinking about it. He’s so small; it just seems odd to send off such a little one alone. But I know he will be in good hands. How many days he goes to school will be determined by his need and according to the case manager how squeaky the wheel is. I plan on being very vocal in advocating for him to have as much school as possible because being with other children his age in a structured environment is what he desperately needs now. I am making efforts to get them out into the community more. This Friday Ro and Finn and I are hoping to go to Hershey Chocolate world to meet with the Behavioral Therapist and the Occupational therapist. I am pretty excited myself because I love the chocolate world ride. If we end up going, I will try to remember to take pictures!

Finn's Music

2011-02-23T07:05:00.000-08:00

Finn and I have been using music and a means of relating and communicating. He is not in music therapy right now though because we don’t want to overload him. He is still currently receiving Occupational, Physical, Behavioral and Speech therapy. However, because its one of the ways he feels most connected I use music everyday to commune with him. His obvious enjoyment of this motivates me to play it for him, and now he has begun independently requesting it. This is a huge milestone in his development. Yay for Early Intervention!

I believe there is a correlation between autism and minimalist music. Out of personal interest I have been doing some online research. I can not find a lot of information about this topic except from some adults with Asperger’s Syndrome who claim it’s the music they love the most. But I know he enjoys minimalist composers. Perhaps Philip Glass, Steve Reich and Michael Nyman appeal to the logical part of his brain. There is a great deal of mathematics involved in these sorts of compositions. Maybe the repetitive nature of it stimulates his sensory system. He does seem calmer after listening to it. We use it in between our daily therapy together to give him the sensory breaks he needs so desperately. He seems to favor pulse pattern minimalism, but also enjoys more mainstream/popular music that is more evocative. His favorites are pared down music such as simple piano with vocals, preferably female. Here are some clips of his current favorite songs. When I play them for him he asks. “More! Again!” afterwards.

Listen with Finn:

Regina Spektor - Us

Kate Bush - Coral Room

Auntie Anne and Quincy Come to Town

2011-02-22T08:23:00.000-08:00

Auntie Anne came to visit last week on her way to a job site. She brought Quincy the dog with her. Rowie has been asking for her puppy every day since. We keep telling her he will be back soon. The kids tried on a reflective vest and the helmet from the job Anne is working on. Here are some snaps. They are kind of blurry though.

The Magic Tree

2011-02-17T06:06:00.000-08:00

I started taking the kids to the Magic Tree in the Harrisburg Mall as a part of behavioral therapy. It turned out to be a great place to bring the kids from time to time so they could get some hard playtime in. They love it there. There are lots of kids to interact with. Sometimes the kids are scared of the giant singing tree with moving limbs, but mostly they are too busy running, climbing, sliding, driving and giggling to notice. We took them last week and then up to the food court for a lunch out. Here are some pics of our fun time there.

Rowan Stares out As She and Finn Drive Off

Kids Inside the Magic Tree

Finn's Jeep

Running Up the Bridge and Sliding Down

Beep! Beep!

"It's Fun!"

Over the Bridge and Through the Magic Woods

My Funny Valentine

2011-02-13T16:39:00.000-08:00

Here are the cupcakes we made. Carrot cake with creamcheese icing and pink heart frosting. Yum!

Fun with the Flu!

2011-02-12T06:36:00.000-08:00

Well, we have all been sick here for days. We were up with the kids all night washing linens on Wednesday.The flu swept through the house with a vengeance, Everyone is on the mend now. We still managed to have some fun. Rowie played dress up and picked her own outfit out. Here are some pics:

We have the ingredients to make Valentines cupcakes. So if we are feeling well enough today we will make them together. Pictures of cupcakes to follow!