We're going to Disney World!

J suprised me with our first family vacation shortly after he started his new job. I've been busy planning ever since. This is the first time we are doing anything "big" as a family. Peanut loves Bush Gardens so we are feeling brave.

So far we know that we want to stay on property.  I've narrowed it down to the Pop Century Resort or the All Star Movies. They both seem to have a lot that the kids will enjoy without blowing our budget on the room. I was even more excited when J suggested we take advantage of their annual pass payment program. We plan to make a few trips this year including Star Wars weekend for my birthday. (J really does bring out my inner dork ;-p) We also think it will take away the pressure of seeing and doing everything since we can come back another day. That will do wonders for Peanut because she'll probably be a bit overwhelmed.

We plan to do a charactor meal, but we haven't decided where yet. The kids are going to love it! Se don't even have to worry about Sweet Pea's allergies because Disney was kind enough to send us a list of places that he can eat and what menu items are safe. I was so thankful for that list because I was already stressed about making sure he'll have food to eat and whether or not to pack a cooler full of his foods. They are also offering some amazing accommodations for Peanut. It is a relief to know that we will be able to relax and really enjoy our vacation.

I am also very excited because we will be doing the kids first haircuts at The Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom. We have an appointment shortly after noon so we can hopefully catch the barbershop quartet.  I am excited because the kids also will receive first haircut mouse ears. I wanted to hold off on cutting Peanut's hair until she could let us know if she wants it long or short but with her sensory issues brushing her hair is like starting a war. I have been hesitant vto cut Sweet Pea's hair. He has such beautiful curls and the longer hair really suits him. But when it is wet it is almost halfway down his back and it could really use a trim. I think we're going to keep it longer for now.

I'll probably post more of our plans as they come together and of course there will be tons of pictures after the trip!

A Peanut Update: Peanut's Autism Evaluation Report

We have been waiting on this report since the day of her appointment. We recieved a diagnosis and therapy recommendations but were left with a lot of unanswered questions. It turns out we would have received it sooner but was returned to the office by the postman. We weren't really sure what the report would include. It has a complete summery of the visit. I was suprised how thorough the summery was. It also included her Battelle Developmental Inventory scores, band her Childhood Autism Rating Scale score.

Out of respect for Peanut's privacy I don't feel comfortable posting her actual score results publicly. According to the Battelle Developmental Inventory she is delayed in several areas including: self care, self concept,  receptive communication, expressive communication, gross and fine motor skills, attention and memory, and perception and concepts. Some of these delays are mild, but some of them are a more severe. On the CARS she scored under the severe catogory of autism. What is encouraging is that she was at the lower end of "severe". There is a note mentioning that her positive response to early intervention is encouraging and that they sill re-evaluate atound age 5 to see if she falls under a more mild diagnosis on the spectrum such as PDD-NOS or Aspergers Syndrome. 

There was a summery of recommended services and therapies and contact information of our evaluation team.

I was a bit suprised by some of her scores. But overall I understand them. I just keep looking forward and enjoy each day. She has already made so much progress and we know she is going to continue.

New Pics!

Here are a few new pics, more to come soon!

Alex being a cookie monster and Izzy napping in the cradle with all her babies and stuffed animals ♥

Thinking About Next Year

I am so thankful this year is over. Lately all I can think about is the upcoming year, our "fresh start". I feel pretty optimistic about 2013.

We are moving to Indiana. I am thrilled because to me it never stopped feeling like home. I am going up ahead of J and the kids to secure a job and rent a house. I am dreading it because I've never been away from Peanut more than 3 days and I've never been away from my little guy. As happy as I am to move I am really dreading this part.

Once we get settled in and it warms up a bit outside we will be getting everything set up for our chickens. I am so excited about the chickens, they are the first step to get our farm. We need three years of experience to qualify for a USDA guaranteed loan and they are pretty flexible with what they consider "experience". We are also joining the Farm Bureau and will be attending classes and workshops.

Peanut will be doing all of her evaluations as we transition from early intervention to the school district and we'll be completing her first IEP. I am a bit nervous about the IEP because I've heard school districts are hard to work with because of funding issues. I am hoping we will get through it easily. They want her to start a special preschool in the fall. Since we first discussed children we knew we wanted to home school. We still plan to after preschool at this time. Schools tend to push to mainstream now and we don't believe a special ed classroom would be a good fit either. Peanut tends to learn better by watching or doing an activity and we feel that we can take advantage of this and teach her through experiences. We plan to do a lot of field trips based around our lessons and I am excited for when that time comes. But honestly I kind of look forward to preschool to get a much needed break. Both kids can be exhausting and a little time to get stuff done around the house will be nice.

I am looking forward to having seasons again. I am sad that autumn is so far away. The kids are going to love the changing leaves, playing with them, crunching them with their feet. I am hoping to get the kids get up there in time for them to see snow. The last few winters have been kind of odd and dry so I am really hoping for tons and tons of snow.

I am looking forward to being closer to my family. I've missed everyone very much over the past twelve years. Even more after having a family of my own. I am trilled to see my brother. Sometimes it makes me sad that I have such a large family and never really got to enjoy it. A thousand miles is pretty far.

I'm Back!

First I would like to laugh at the fact that auto correct tried to change "I'm back!" Into "I'm Bacon!"

It has been a long, busy year. In March we had Peanut evaluated by early intervention and she started speech once a week. We ended Sweet Pea's food trials as his list of allergies grew. We moved. And Peanut was recently diagnosed with autism. Yes, it has been A very long year.

We have stopped introducing  new foods until we see the allergist. we are hoping a specialist will be able to be of more assistance since he has so many issues. As of now Sweet Pea is allergic to Cow's Milk Protein which is included in all Milk By-Product. (Cheese, yogurt, Butter, etc.), Soy Bean Protein which is included in all soy products with an exception of some oils. Pears, Almonds, Peas, Rice and has a sensitivity to Sweet Potatoes.

Peanut started speech back in May and she has come a long way. We are all very proud of her progress and she is gaining words and phrases almost daily now. I was very sad to loose our therapist, Maggie days before Christmas. she really connected with Peanut and Peanut loved their sessions. Her agency closed so we'll be starting with someone new in early January.

Late November we finally Peanut's autism evaluation with the developmental pediatrician. she was diagnosed with classic autism. It was a bit of a shock because we knew something was off but a small part of me was hoping they would say she was just quirky. After it sunk in I can see why the diagnosis was made and a lot of odd things in the past make a lot more sense. I really don't feel like the diagnosis changes anything, she's still our same sweet Peanut. I feel like we have a better understanding of what is going on, but I don't see anything to "cure" or "fix" because she's amazing. I feel like we have more responsibility and we may have a few challenges. I have found it is difficult because not everyone accepts or believes her diagnosis. I can understand why, when we are out and about she's usually having a good day. But when she has her bad days look out! She is affectionate, she does make some eye contact, she even is starting to talk more. I love that no one wants to put a label on her. I think maybe people think they are being supportive when they try to downplay it or say that maybe the doctors are wrong and she is just delayed, but it really is aggravating. We need support but it is difficult to feel supported if no one acknowledges or accepts her condition

That's the big stuff from the year. Now I plan to keep better track of things and post more often lol

Y3W: Too Darn Cute!

This week's "Your Three Words" are Too Darn Cute! A little more than three words today :)

Peanut isn't feeling her best today so she decided to make a bed on the floor with all of her dolls. She fed, burped, and kissed them each before laying them down :) (I wonder where she learned that? Hehe) but as soon as I was about to sneak a picture she was done. Sweet Pea is loving the drumstick from his sister's food bucket.

Wordless Wednesday