Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Not so bad?

That's what they said. It is not as bad as it seems. The puking thing that is. It is apparently common for kids who have had a fundo to get a GI bug and vomit. It seems that the force behind a GI bug wretch is so much stronger than just a run of the mill wretch that it is expected for him to get something up. Well we have had a few questions answered. He didn't wretch uncontrollably and have to go to the hospital, he didn't blow out his fundo, he can in fact vomit and he can puke right on through a good dose of Zofran. That must have been an angry bug.


Good news is that it was short lived. The bad news is that now he has a killer cough. I am guessing that with the nasty stuff going around, he would have gotten a cold anyway but it has been exacerbated by aspiration. The other bad news is that Kiera has a cough and fever now. I tend to forgive the actions of my little tornado as I would any outdoor tornado on the basis that it means no harm it just is what it is. A destructive force that comes together under favorable conditions and follows a path without malicious intent. Well now my little tornado is sick. And crabby. The destructive path has widened and now includes tears and clinging.


Her new favorite phrase is "My turn to try it!" and it is applied to everything that anyone else is doing. Everything from drinking (and NO ONE is sharing a cup in this house right now) to potty time. We have two toilets and two potty's on the same floor off the same hall and no matter who is using what and what other options are available, if someone is trying to pee, Kiera is right in front of them yelling "My turn to try it!". Her determination has caused the accidental outcome of actually peeing in the potty so I hesitate to complain but it sure would be nice if...there are just too many ways to finish that sentence! I'll just leave that one out there as a fun "what if..." daydream.


We have noticed something else around here. Kiera is worried about Ben. We often think about the impact she has had on his life and how she wants to be just like him but this is the first time it has really made me think about how she feels about Ben. We use phrases around here all the time like "we are a family", "we love each other", "we take care of each other" and "we watch out for one another" but what about Kiera. Up until now we were so glad that she looks forward to seeing him, she runs to hug him and says she loves him. I guess I wasn't watching closely as she has grown up enough to care and worry for him. She is just so young that I didn't expect that sort of empathy yet. She is gonna keep me on my toes! She has also requested a "big girl bed" a seed planted by someone while Mama was on a weekend getaway with the girls. We were also getting hit up for a "big girl seat" (another seed planted) and since I will keep her contained in her crib as long as I can keep her contained in her crib, we have chosen to go with the seat and Kiera has graduated to a booster at the table. It is a bit of a mess but they make vinyl for a reason right? Both kids had to get in a messy cheese to commemorate the moment. I'm doomed!


Sunday, September 23, 2007

Whoa!

Ben just threw up. I don't even know what to write next. He is NOT supposed to be able to do that right now. Should I be happy? Should I be sad? Should I be furious that I put my baby through a harsh, life changing surgery and it may not have worked. Does this mean that he is one of the lucky or one of the very unlucky. Right now the Doc on call was glad to hear that he could vomit a little to take some of the pressure off and soothe his stomach but next month are they going to suggest I prepare myself for another surgery to tighten the wrap! I am really not a doom and gloom person but, things do not often go as planned in this family so I can't help but fear the worst. Vomit! Are you kidding! I was really excited to hear a little burp but VOMIT! And...I just changed his sheets...

Friday, September 7, 2007

First Day of School

Ben went back to school on Tuesday and took the bus again on Wednesday. Am I sad? No. Is he? Heck no. We have been doing the school thing for so long that it really was a smooth transition from summer to back in the game. We talked about school for a few days before the open house and Ben was so excited to go back and see his friends. By friends he was referring to his teacher, the 2 parapro's, his OT and his speech teacher. We are still working on the kids as friends at school part. He had a great summer with other children and interaction but school is one therapy after another in a room with children with special needs. It is tough to work through social and speech issues when every other child in the room has social and speech issues. We walked into the open house and here I was so excited about Ben's new found "let's play attitude" and he greeted three children by name and asked "how are you", "I'm glad to see you" and "Do you want to play trains?". Nothing. Not a single response. Then Ben moved on to the teacher and they was excitement and hugging and chatting about summer. I guess we'll just keep working at it and hope that Ben's baby steps forward will help another child take a baby step forward.


The first day of "ride the bus" school brought up some request from Ben. First was that he wanted to go to school but in Mama's car. I told him that it was a bus day but that I would pick him up. That was OK but only if Mama took the bus with Ben. I just told him that the bus was just for him and he thought about it for a second then said "OK Mama." That was it. He just need some answers to straighten thing out and then he was smooth sailing. It amazes me how mature he has become over the last year. He want's honest information, an opportunity to ask his questions and he's good to go. Amazing.


On a selfish note, I am really glad to have the opportunity to chat with adults when I pick him up. I truly enjoy the women in Ben's room and am excited to hear all of the new ideas for packing in the calories at school. May seem to be a simple thing but it is great knowing that there are good people on "Ben's Team". I really might make T-shirts Allison ; )