Taking a long weekend just for me and my husband

I don't know who's this is going to be harder on. I've only spent 2 nights away from Nathan when he was only 2. Now, he's 4. Being much older, he's going to notice our absence more. He's in the best hands, being his Gramma (Mamma) :) One thing is for sure, he LOVES her, and I have nothing to worry about him being in her care for this weekend. And, I know, I am going to go reconnect with my husband and have a blast. I asked Jason what he is looking forward to most and he replied.. just walking around the boardwalk, stopping into stores and pubs.. playing a game of pool, having a drink.. then walking around some more. It's going to be exhilerating to be on our own time. I'm looking forward to the hot tub, shopping, maybe hitting a club saturday night.. and the buffet breakfasts. I love St. John and anxieties aside, I'm REALLLLLY looking forward to this weekend.

I'm glad my mom knows Nathan so well.. with his eating disorders and little things that make him who he is. I can picture them playing together, and laughing. He's loving knock knock jokes and is able to make up his own jokes.. his favourite is impatient cow, impatient cat.. frog, dog, sheep, lion.. yea.. it just goes on and on.. each one making him laugh even harder. He also loves to draw and print. His sight words are astounding and it won't be long before he does start reading, I'm sure. I think today, Ill stop off at the dollarstore and pick up some of those activity books for some quiet time, as he can easily get sucked into those. He got one for his birthday that I believe he has done and redone at least a million times.

I'm so proud of Nathan, and I love that mom can come to spend time with him, get to know his progressions and I know he will blow her away. He does to me everyday. It's these moments.. memories that kinda form a lump in my throat. However.. having company spending a couple days in my house reminds me exactly how 'messy' I let things go. Everywhere I look.. gahh.. I'll be doing my best in the next couple of days to make sure it's to my satisfaction.

So.. Nathan's quirks.. hmm.. man, where do I start. He acts out shows to play, and can get mad if you get the characters wrong. When he has his peanut butter toast, he likes a bit of PB on the a spoon first, and asks 'I have peanut butter'. If he has a bath, no matter if the water is absolutely perfect, you have to add a bit of cold water for him to feel before he gets in, or he immediatly freaks out it's too hot. Just like any 4 yr. old, you have to remind him to eat, sometimes using reinforcements to get him to finish. Limit his TV / computer time. Using a clock or timer works best, and tell him if he doesn't turn it off nicely, then no more TV/ computer time. Dora needs to be limited.. sometimes just saying choose something else works.. sometimes not. He likes to watch a show before bed with a small snack and of course his story in bed. I'm sure I'm making a bigger deal then it's worth, but I am leaving my son over night for TWO nights.. hehe. If he's 'not quite himself' just send him to his room and tell him he can come out when he's in a better mood. You want to see his happy face. It's funny thinking of these things. All the things we do as a mom ingraded into our being, that we just do without thinking. Without thinking someone has to do all the things we just 'do.

I know deep in my heart everything is going to be ok. And, we are only 45 minutes and a phone call away. And, I am going to thoroughly enjoy my weekend with J. And I am not going to make it about leaving Nathan.

Titleing my posts are getting hard...

Yesterday we took Nathan to Physio and he passed his grosse motor skills!!! He is on par with an average 4 year old :O) This pleases me to no end. He is still quite sloppy with his running, but is taking longer strides. He needs to work on going downstairs like a 'big boy', but she thinks that is more out of habit then inhabitions. He also needs to work on walking on beams (one foot in front of other). Also, riding his Trike. His clinical supervisor asked me if she would like for them to work on his pedaling.. and my reply was, please don't take that away from me too. I didn't mean for it to be mean. Or imply anything of it. But, those were the words that instantly came out of my mouth. I felt bad for the way it came out. So far they have taken my afternoons, teaching him drawing, speaking, puzzles, playing.. etc. All the things I used to do in the afternoons. Our spontaniety (spelling?), able to just hop in the car go to the park, nursery, outside, watch a movie.. you know.. stuff you do with your child when your a stay at home mom.

There is not much more enjoyable for a mother to watch her husband teaching our son how to ride a bike. Sure, its slow going.. we're going on our second year of this. And just the other day, he pushed his feet to pedal about 5feet before getting all frusterated and wanting to walk or run. He sees the bigger kids riding their bikes, and I know he is close. It's just a matter of it 'clicking'.

We aren't sure what is going on with Nathan. He is doing a noticable side gazing with his eyes. It was VERY prominate yesterday at his appointment. These are the stims that set him apart from his peers. It's recent, this side gazing, and the Clinical Supervisor seems to think that it is sensory for him, not attention seeking. She asked us to ignore it, not to bring attention to it. Now, we are required to fill out a chart with time, activity and frequency of this. He's always done wierd things with his eyes and I had his eyes tested twice. She thinks he likes how things look out of his peripheal vision. He also likes to play around with his forehead muscles and squinting.

The programs he is on are working well. He's commenting on things he sees without prompting. He's drawing houses, flowers, rainbows, stick people. He is showing his rigidness when it comes to the use of colours. Now, if anyone knows my son.. he's an amazing colourer. But, you know, some kids have to be taught that you can colour a tree purple.. Nathan has to be taught that trees are green, or the sun is yellow. He's compromising though, which is kinda funny. He'll do some of it Laura's (his worker) way, and some of it his way.

He's improving on self coping. Before he would go to his room to calm down, now he is able to work out his frusterations at the table. His language is improving, and answering questions. He still gets alot wrong, but he's choosing more words to use, and to bounce back with asking the same question, or something that is appropriate, or even completely random. One of my favourite things to ask is "What is your favourite part?" We do this every night, What was your favourite part of today?

His progress binder is already getting quite thick. And Laura has been really wonderful to talk to me about everything she is doing, and the differences of previous attempts. Where his compliance lies, things to 'sabotage' and his strengths. Funny, throughout this therapy it's bringing out both his personality, pride.. but also shows forth his 'autistic' side. And here I was scared that they were going to come over and think There is Nothing Wrong with This Child! Their biggest concern is to keep Nathan challenged as he picks things up SO quickly.

Gardening...

Yep.. Gardening with a 4 year old boy...

No Nathan, you can't take the worms in the house.

No Nathan, you can't put the worms in your pocket.

No Nathan, I don't want to see the worms that close.

Ewww Nathan!! Squirmy the worm does NOT go on my back!!