Change, change, change

We have had lots of changes in our house lately and I have had a few requests for updates on various subjects so here we go...

Toddler beds:

We put the beds up.

They played.

McKenna repeated "don't want to sleep in a big girl bed" 3 million times.

Mark put her crib back up.

Nights are great but short, naps are nonexistent.

Yesterday I entered their room to find Parker climbing McKenna's crib while she had him in a headlock and he had her by the hair, both screaming themselves hoarse.

The sibling love I had always envisioned.

Parker in his big boy bed (railing followed the next day)

McKenna:

McKenna has been doing pretty well.  She has slowly rebounded from her health scare in the spring but has never returned back to full strength.  She goes to physical therapy weekly and has braces on her feet and ankles which she tolerates really well (the fact that they are pink helps immensely).  We have also noticed that whenever she is sick or overtired that her muscle weakness along with some OCDish behavior come back which concerns her doctors but at this point we are taking a little vacation from all of the medical tests.  

The poor girl has been through enough.

High school:

Ashlyn is doing the best that Ashlyn can.  The adjustment to the expectations of high school have been tough to say the least.  She goes to school each day trying her hardest and that is all I can ask for.  

In the meantime I will continue to dream about winning the lotto so that I can create my own school that  works for her and the many other kids with autism who struggle through their education.

Ashlyn on her way to scoring a well-deserved goal at her soccer game.

P.90x:

I am on week 4.  I love the program and have seen results really quickly BUT my exercise schedule depends on the fact that my children actually sleep (see "Toddler beds").

I may be on week 4 for a while.

Lastly, I put the kids in a Mommy & Me (& Me & Me) class and they did great.  I was thrilled to find a class that would even include Sawyer.  They all surprised me with how well they did and the teacher kept commenting on how well behaved they are.  They were only good because they were in shock by all of the activity (we don't get out much) but I took the compliment and ran.  I'm looking forward to their weeks to come in the class, hoping Parker and McKenna will come out of their shells a little bit and that Sawyer will stop eating the glue sticks.

The best picture I could get of the three of them on their first day of "school"

Soccer

Tonight our varsity girl's soccer team held a practice for Ashlyn's Special Olympic team.   The girls were great with all of the kids and Ashlyn definitely got a workout.  She was exhausted by the time practice was over and so were the little ones.
While I was nursing Sawyer tonight, Parker wiggled in right by my face and said "So, um, what's the deal?  Parker needs to go to bed."  I'm totally with Parker on this one and need to go to bed too so don't have an ounce of creativity left for this post so on to the pictures...

Ashlyn practicing (and far enough away that she couldn't scowl at me for taking her picture)

The peanut gallery

Soccer practice

The kids and I had a blast at Ashlyn's soccer practice tonight.  I was hoping they would not catch a glimpse of the slide until much later in her practice but McKenna zeroed in on it before we were even out of the car so off we went, Ashlyn in one direction and Parker, McKenna, Sawyer, the stroller (loaded with enough gear to keep us living happily on a deserted island for a good week or so) and I in the other.  

I'm not sure I will do that again without an extra set of hands but regardless everyone had a great time and we will all sleep good tonight.

Speaking of soccer practice, I have to say for the millionth time how much we love Special Olympics.  Ashlyn is busy year round with activities and has met an amazing group of kids and volunteers.  Someday she may even like it enough to let me snap a picture or two of her in action :)

Where is that stupid light??

Ugh, I never should have posted about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Either someone shut off the light or this is a very long tunnel.

While McKenna's health has improved and she has gained some balance back she is limping horribly AGAIN.  After getting out of the hospital McKenna was off balance, uncoordinated and floppy with some tic-like movements but the limp that started all of this was gone.  Well, she woke up Saturday morning with the limp in full swing.  I think she is starting to hate walking.  She walks a little, tries something different, crawling or scooting or a funny little gallup... anything to keep her legs moving and get her where she wants to go.  She does not complain or call any attention to whatever in the world is going on with her legs though.  This is all just SO strange and it is driving me crazy to not have an answer.

In the meantime it is still life as usual in our house.

Sawyer has started crawling and, more amazingly, sleeping.  I can't remember the last time I actually slept through a full night.  How I missed sleep.

Ashlyn competed in her first Special Olympics swimming meet and won two second place medals and a third place medal.  We are so proud of her!  Unfortunately I was in the hospital with McKenna so could not watch her compete.  Thank goodness for grandparents and video cameras!

Parker is his same wild self.  He had a blast being spoiled by a variety of different people who kept him busy over the past two weeks.  Every day he goes through the list of names of people he hopes are coming to visit... Nana, Papa, Aunt Nancy, Aunt Marynan, Mamanda and Uncle Bet.  They all took a turn at chasing him while McKenna was in the hospital and we appreciate it so much.

Many thanks again for all of the love and support from everyone!

(I wanted to add some pictures to this post but they won't upload, hopefully I can add them later.)

Polar Plunge

My brother Kyle and his fiance are doing the Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics (think freezing water + January weather in your bathing suit+ a bunch of other crazy people willing to do the same for a great cause). We are in love with Special Olympics in our house, Ashlyn participates in every program she possibly can. She plays soccer, just started swimming, is anxiously awaiting track and field and counting the days until she is old enough to play basketball. Special Olympics is an amazing organization that gives so many kids and adults the chance to participate in programs that they may otherwise never be a part of. Please think of donating if you can. Click here to visit his donation page.

Thanks so much for doing this Kyle and Aubrey, we love you!!!

She scores!

I've never seen a victory dance quite like the one I saw last night. 

Ashlyn scored her first soccer goal and was beyond excited.  As soon as the ball went in she ran, jumping up and down, arms circling, all the way down the field.  I think she practically knocked some of her teammates over as they gave her high fives. 

My dad and I watched her from the sidelines and when I looked back at him he was as choked up as I was.  This was one of the moments on that mental list you keep as the parent of a special needs child... the list of things that you aren't sure you will ever see. 

I remember spending weeks in physical therapy helping her learn to climb a set of stairs and celebrating when she was finally able to get both feet off the floor when she jumped and now I am watching her score goals in a soccer game. 

She has definitely shown us all that the sky is the limit.

Last night one of the moms turned to me and said, "Wow, she deserved that, she spent weeks trying for the goal" and I just smiled because I know it hasn't been weeks, she's been trying for years.

Baby Brain

So I was trying to thinking of a creative name for this post or a cute story to share and I've got nothing. I thought I was starting to recover from "Baby Brain" because lately I can at least remember my name and don't long for a nap all day but apparently it is still in full swing. So here's an update on the kids and some cute pics, sorry I'm not more entertaining :)

Parker and McKenna are both turning into great little talkers. McKenna is putting three and four words together and starting to sing songs in the sweetest little voice and Parker, ever the performer, will say anything you ask him too. They are also signing like crazy, the "Baby Signing Time" videos have been the best thing we ever purchased! They are into everything, every time I think the house is completely baby-proofed they find one more thing. And they fight... face-grabbing, hair pulling, no sharing fights. I thought they would just be sweet and loving to each other forever! They are still sweet and loving but just have there moments, lots of them.

Sawyer is almost 3 month old already and is the cutest little guy. All of the kids love him to pieces, I don't think he is ever alone for a second. Someone is always trying to touch him, kiss him, feed him Cheerios or sit on his lap :). He looks so much like his siblings. I can't wait to watch him grow up but am in no hurry, I LOVE babies and since this is our last I'm cherishing every moment.

Ashlyn starts 8th grade in less than two weeks. I truly can't believe she is so old. She has been a great helper around the house this month and I will miss the extra set of hands when she goes back to school. She also started soccer on Tuesday and loves it. Special Olympics puts on an amazing soccer program and they make all of the practices and games such a great experience for the players. I have always loved the organization but now that Ashlyn is participating see first hand what amazing work they do. So if you are ever looking for a place to donate time or money Special Olympics would be my pick!!

Silly smile from McKenna

Handsome man

The many faces of McKenna, look at her in each of these pics...

He's moving so fast I have no idea what's in his hands

Uncle Keith and the kids (this one is for you, my little blog follower, Gracie)

Daddy and his little ones

And an attitude shot before we go