Not One.....But TWO!!

Daniel started getting sick last weekend. So, he missed his therapy for the week, along with school. He wasn't sleeping well because of his stuffy nose and fever. So, Lonnie and I took shifts. He seemed to be getting better on Wednesday night and we figured we were safe for Turkey Day.

Well the day after Turkey Day, Lonnie rolled over and said, "I don't feel so good." and here begins the day with not one sick guy but TWO!!

Daniel seemed to have gotten a one day reprieve on feeling crappy, but now he seems to have the runny nose and watery eyes AGAIN. Now there is a little cough along with it. Lonnie is still if the first stages of it with the runny nose, the chills, headache and slight fever. Oh its gonna be a fun filled week ahead!

So, now the two of the guys are laying on the sofa, covered in blankets and drinking orange juice like its going outta style, and a Kleenex box close at hand. Daniel is in the projectile snot flying stage with the sneezes! Makes for interesting wall art at times!!

A Plethora of Updates

Let's see, its been a while since I updated. So I'll try to keep it brief and give you it to you in quick little points! At least I'll try too!

Last Thursday we had our first Preschool Parent/Teacher/Therapist conference. I'll admit I was very nervous about this. But all in all, it went well. They say Daniel is adapting well with one exception- Daniel is a social butterfly. That is the kind way to put it, the other way would be to say that my child is "nosey"! I like to call him "inquisitive" He is more worried about what everyone else is doing than what he should be doing! But according to his "report card" he is on track for the year.
We will be bringing in his power wheelchair at the beginning of the year and he will be working on that. Also his Pony walker - we will bring in twice a week so that he can work with that and learn to venture OUT of the classroom and out of Ms. Mills safety zone. :) Daniel doesn't like to be away from his teacher or a certain aide that is in the room!

On Friday, Lonnie and I got to have a date night. Daniel got a wish last year from Rainbow Connection in Michigan and since then we get free tickets to different events. We have been able to attend things that normally we wouldn't be able too. Sports games, The Wiggles, and different little shows. The one Lonnie & I went to with a couple friends was "Beatlemania". Lonnie loves the Beatles so he really enjoyed the time.

Daniel is also scheduled for a 23 hr. VMR EEG(video monitoring room- EEG) in the middle of December. Which means another trip to the hospital and an overnight stay. Another 45 minutes of screaming to get all the electrodes hooked up and attached to the recorder. Then another 23 hours to sit in a hospital room with Daniel not moving off the bed because the video camera has to be able to video tape him for the whole time. Another 23 hours where no one but Daniel can sleep as we have to make sure that if he has a "weird" movement or anything suspicious that might be considered a seizure we have to mash the button to mark it on the video.

ABR - I watch the other parent's blogs of their journey through ABR, who began at the same time as Daniel (October 2008) and I always feel like well if their child is making progress why isn't mine? I know don't compare your child with others. This is easier said than done. Even with all my preaching in past blogs, that I am OK with how Daniel is and how he isn't doing certain things. And I am, but it still stings and I think it always will to see other children that are younger or the same age as Daniel and they are doing things that he can't. Its not because I'm tired of doing these things for him, its because I don't want HIM to see that he is different. Anyways, back to ABR. We are continuing to do our ABR, and I will say it is a difficult thing to get all the hours in on top of everything else Daniel has going on. As I said some parents are noticing lists of things. These are the things I have noticed with Daniel. His chest seems fuller, thicker. He is using two hands a lot more. The other night while I was laying down and Daniel was kneeling beside me with his forearms on my chest he pushed himself up to straight arms. His upper body seems to be getting slightly stronger. Now are they because of ABR or is it just happening at the same time and its purely a coincidence? This I can't tell you, but I sure as heck am not going to stop what we are doing because something seems to be working. Might be slow, but still ......this is not a sprint, this is a journey. He might not reach goals as quickly as some, but he will in Daniel time. And when he does we'll all be there to cheer him on.

Went out shopping this weekend to two stores. TWO. And both places either Lonnie or I said something to someone who was staring. I mean jeez....have you people NEVER seen a child in a wheelchair? Lonnie was probably a little more tactful than I was. Go figure right?! This lady was staring at Daniel, and there was no mistaking it. I simply looked at her and said "Yep, a little boy in a wheelchair.....pretty frickin' amazing eh?!" Lonnie was about half way down the aisle behind us and he said what's the problem? I simply said the lady was nosy and that I had to explain that it was a boy in a wheelchair, and he said "oh ok". Like its typical to have to explain.
Then Lonnie saw someone staring as we were walking down the aisle and said to her "Are there any questions I can answer for you?". Now usually he'll say this and he'll just keep walking but this time we kept eye contact with the lady until she answered him. LOL She actually kind of just looked at him like Oh crap, which way can I run?!? then she answered him by shaking her head no. Needless to say, I was done shopping at that point and just felt it better we go home cause one of us would probably harm the next person who even remotely looked our way! Now why can't most people be like the guy in the grocery store who was walking towards us, saw Daniel was looking at him and he smiled, waved to Daniel and spoke directly to Daniel "How you doing big guy" and walked on passed. He obviously was raised by someone who taught him manners!!

Potty training- We get up every morning and Daniel goes pee pee on the potty. I'm kind of just getting him use to sitting there every morning. He generally wakes up dry so I know he has to go, so we sit and read a book or count our toes until he pees. I don't know about anybody else's kid, but every time Daniel pees he does a whole body shiver so I know each and every time!! During the Christmas break at school we will be doing the actual "training" as we have no therapies for that two week period and we should be home most of the time. So starting at the beginning of December we will do our hourly diaper checks and right them down in a journal. I am very excited to attempt this as I think it will be huge for Daniel.

We have been working on our eBay store. Just another little way to keep me busy and also get a little extra money to go towards Daniel's therapy expenses. So, if you would like to take a look, or send the link on to anyone else to help our that would be greatly appreciated. Custom orders are welcome, and if there are colors or certain things you'd like but don't see on there, just send me a message and we can figure it out. I'm hoping this will help with at least part of the costs for ABR in February. The link for the store (4 x 4 fabrics and more) is on the side bar also.

Daniel's therapies continue to go well. He still does 2 x a week of OT, 2x a week of PT and 2x a week of speech/augmentative. All of this on top of his ABR and his 5x a week of preschool. Busy boy!! And I want to look into hippotherapy and more swim therapy also. Might as well dream that there are endless hours in the day right?!

We seem to have a sick little boy the past couple of days. He is running a low grade fever (but fevers suck when you're epileptic) and a bit of a runny nose. Needless to say he has missed school and therapy this week. Just wish that other parents realize that when your child is sick it is BEST FOR EVERYONE to keep them home. Don't send them to school or therapy so that they then can cough and hack and sneeze all over everything including the therapist and teacher who then will pass it to the next child! Nothing is more irritating then sitting in the lobby waiting for your turn and seeing a parent hauling in their visibly sick child for therapy. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING??!!

Drinkin'

Ok I can't figure out how to get the video from the cell phone to my computer but I did get the photo.

Which really doesn't do the whole thing justice, but you get the point!!
Please note: the fingers grasping openingly the glass. Please note that TWO hands are on the glass. Please note that glass is headed for the mouth to take a sip!!!

No Room For the Weak or Meek...

I have discovered that the world of special needs is no place for someone who is weak, meek, quiet, passive or thin skinned.

It has taken me a few years to come to this full realization.
And I must admit, that I sometimes wonder if I can cut it in this world.

There are so many emotions that a parent/caregiver and the child goes through.
GUILT. UNDO PRESSURE. FALSE HOPE. UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. JOY. EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER. FEAR. CLICKING OF THE CLOCK
When Daniel seems down, I am down. Vice Verse also. I have been down and dragging ALLOT lately, and I am FRICKIN' SICK of it. I wake up in the morning and lay there and say "OK today IS going to be a productive and good day." and when I go to bed at night I lay there and say "WTF? What did we do today? I didn't accomplish even a third of what was on the list to do."

I needed to realize that just because I didn't do EVERYTHING on the list of things to do with Daniel, that I was NOT a failure. That I am NOT letting Daniel down. I am simply human and I can only do so much. I get tired, I have medical issues, I get sick, I have other children and people in my life. I AM NOT SELFISH. I need time to just be a regular ol' mom. I don't always need to be in therapist, advocate, doctor,teacher, wonder mom mode. I need time to just chill, and Daniel needs time to be a typical 3 year old little boy. Every moment of everyday does NOT need to be crammed with some for of "treatment"/"training". I do not need to go to bed every night feeling like I failed my child.

When you are the parent of a SNK (special needs kid) you learn to stop caring about the scores on the tests, and not cry every time someone asks if your child has met the milestone for their age. Don't give a crap about what the other kids are doing, don't panic about the parent/teacher conference. Don't take it to heart when they say that he doesn't "compare" to other kids. Don't wear your heart on your sleeve.

Guess what people?? I don't want him to compare to the other 3 1/2 yr olds out there. Daniel is unique. He was unique from the day he was born. He was unique BEFORE he got all of the diagnosis that he has. And I wouldn't have him any other way. Daniel is a fighter, and damn it....his mom is going to be a fighter too. He may have to teach me some things along the way.
So far he has taught me to not be meek, don't be passive and let people walk all over you. He has taught me to love unconditionally. He has taught me patience (Lonnie stop rolling your eyes!)

He tells me with his eyes.... That he is truly happy. And that = happy mama


So I say:
Get Up and be proud, don't care what people say or do. If they are hurtful, smile at them (and smile because you know in your heart of hearts....that Karma will bite them in the ass one day!)
and smile because you know you truly have an amazing child. You teach your child on your terms, you do what you can for your child, and you love your child. You teach them right from wrong, and you teach them to treat others kindly and with respect no matter of their abilities, disabilities, race, or religion.

And with that being said, I am going to bed.........no I didn't get my whole list of things in with Daniel and I am NOT a failure to my child, and just because he might not measure up on someone else's scale, in the grand scheme of it, who the hell cares? When he's 35 yrs old, do you think anyone is going to say...."well he didn't walk unsupported until he was XX years old".

But I will tell you this...he held a glass today (with no handles) and took a drink!! AND today was the first day he held his own bottle and drank it by HIMSELF! YAW HOOOO!
and as soon as I can figure out how to get it off the cell phone and on here I will!

Another book review....

Again, my daughter got Daniel another book.

When your child gets ready to start school, or to start going somewhere new.
This would be a great book to send to school ahead of time for the teacher to read to the class, to prep them. Just so maybe it won't be so hard for your child.

This book is called: "A Very Special Critter" by Mercer Mayer

It's about a new student that is coming to school. and just because he uses a wheelchair doesn't make him different. Its a good book for the little ones to see, that just because he's in a wheelchair doesn't mean he can't do things.

I love Amazon, you can pretty much look up the book above, and when the screen populates you can see a bunch of other books that are suggested for special needs. I am all for getting people prepped before hand, so that Daniel or me for the matter don't have to deal with stares. Of course there will always be questions, and I don't mind questions most of the time. Unless of course you're looking down your nose at us!!

So, again Caitlin.....thanks for finding us another winner. We're waiting patiently for the next new book!!!!

Nap time?

I would have to be hard pressed to figure out something I enjoy more than the few minutes before Daniel goes down for his nap/bedtime. Its a hard feeling to describe but I will do my best. There is a process to getting Daniel to take a nap. Sometimes its a quick process and sometimes its a bit lengthier than we'd like. :)

There is a confession in this post, one that I would generally say I am not too proud of, but one that even though most parents would think its wrong....I love. At the age of 3 yrs old. Daniel is still put to bed. We don't put him in a bed and tell him its nap time or anything like that. We go and we lay down with him. We snuggle, and we pat his butt or back until he falls asleep. And yes. He. still. sleeps. in. our. bed.

When he started having seizures we freaked out, and he slept with us. so we could be there and no if anything happened....and well from then on....its just been the way it is.

Ok, I think that is two confessions, but oh well.

Anyways nothing has a better feeling than him inching his way over to you and curling up against you. It takes a lot of movement for him to get over to you and once he does, he just sucks it up. his face right up to your face. Once this happens though one must be careful. Daniel has this weird obsession with being nose to nose with you and if you should fall asleep, he'll lean his head back slightly and try to suckle on your cheekbone or better yet the tip of your nose. Don't ask why....we don't know. BUT, I can say I have woken up to this a few times and he starts laughing his butt off! Of course, I have also woken up to him starting to do it and he accidentally nips the end of the nose....that hurts (for future reference).

When he does this little trick of his it reminds me of a little kitten that has been taken away from its mother too soon and is just looking for anything to suck on. Its actually pretty funny. Weird but funny. Something we won't let him live down when he grows up!

Anyways, one of us always goes to lay down with him until he falls asleep and then we get back up. It is so very endearing when I have my arm over him patting his back, we are nose to nose, and he flops his arm over my shoulder and tries to pat my back. Or he just tries to pull me closer (perhaps with the hidden agenda of getting me close enough to nose suck!).

Lonnie often says to me, we should just put him in bed and let him fall asleep himself...yeah ok sure. We've created a monster I think. Lonnie also says....what are you gonna do when he's 12? and I just look at him and say, "I'll be patting him on the back and rockin' him to sleep if he wants me too."

Whose got who tied around their finger??

Outta sorts...

There are plenty of times when the alarm goes off in the morning and I just let out this big sigh, and know that I NEED to get out of bed.

Then there are days when the frickin' alarm goes off, and I let out the big sigh and just want to curl up and cry. Some days its so hard to pull myself out of bed let alone get up and do the balancing act that our days entail. Some times you just want to roll over and not get up. I get into these little funks more often than I would like to admit. The funks are tending to take a little bit longer each time to get out of.

Seems like everything always hits at one time. And mind you they don't have to be anything significant. It could just be that the schedule got out of wack because of a little added blurp. Just irritates me. I know in reality that its silly...

So to keep from complaining on here too much....just a few photos/videos and I'll be off.

This is a little video on Daniel's idea of fun. You don't hear much from him but I am sure from his facial expression you can tell he loves it. And its a great work out on the legs! (for the person in front not so much for Daniel - although it does stretch his legs some

This video was taken at augmentative therapy. It was the first time we've ever done this. Daniel read a book on the computer and then had to answer questions about the story at the end. I would like to say I would be pretty impressed even if it wasn't my child. At least we know that the ability to retain what he is hearing works.

Potty Time!

Have you seen my potty? Book by Mij Kelly

My oldest daughter Caitlin (preschool teacher and children's book collector!) recently gave Daniel this book. When she gave it to us, she said "Oh my gosh you're going to die laughing" She was right. Daniel even gave a couple giggles too! "Its a story of Suzy Sue who had something very important to do..." The truth is, she needs to poo—but someone has snatched her potty away! What an awesomely cute and funny book about potty training!

Another book that we received from here is called:
This book is cute too, it comes with stickers and reward chart to keep track of success. Gives the child the steps and what to do, wipe, wash, flush.....

"Big Boys Use the Potty!" by DK
Now, there is also a class that is offered in my area by a woman that has a bunch of letters after her name (which means she must know something about something!) such as RN, MA, CS, NP and PB&J! Anyways the class is called

"Making it Happen" Toilet Training the Special Needs Child.

According to Ms. Judith (and Daniel's preschool teacher who has used this method numerous times), this is a task that needs commitment and needs a team to do it. So with the family and school all working together we are starting. She stated that it is time to start potty training when the child remains dry for 1 hour minimum, mental age of 18-24 months, has formed bowel movements, can sit up (supported or non), free from major medical issues, Family is free from stress (OK we almost had it 100% until that little note but we're doing it anyways!) emotionally ready, and finally after age 4 becomes a priority.

So again, because Daniel has an awesome teacher at preschool, we are going to be charting before we actually really consistent make Daniel do the potty. For two weeks we will complete diapers checks. We check Daniel every hour from the time he wakes up and mark it on the chart. If he is dry, we mark it, wet, bm. Obviously if it is dirty you change him but mark it and continue checking hourly. This will be done at home AND also at school. After two weeks, we will figure out a pattern if there is one, if not we will figure out potty times and he WILL be taken every day for the next week at those specified times.

NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE A POWERFUL AWARD for when they do a good job.

This class is a two hour class all with hand outs and ideas, and ways NOT TO LOSE YOUR COOL.

Now with all the books, charts, graphs, correct wording we are going to use and rewards set up we are on our way.....

look at that determination!

It's Potty Time!!

THANK YOU CAITLIN!!

Tagged By Stacy

I was tagged by Stacy .
These things are so hard for me!

8 TV Shows I watch(not in any order)
1. Spongebob (yeah I know!)
2. Mystery Diagnosis
3. Delivery Me
4. Dr. G (medical stuff)
5. Hell's Kitchen (when its the season)
6. American Idol
7. Max and Ruby (children's show)
8. The Biggest Loser

8 Things that happened to me yesterday
(crap I can't even remember what happened to me 2 hours ago!)
1. Took Daniel to therapy
2. Did some ABR on him
3. Cooked dinner
4. Went to my favorite store - JoAnne Fabrics
5. Actually bought 3 Christmas gifts
6. Went to bed early
7. Worked though the night at work
8. Forgot to go to my weekly doctor appt! :? SORRY!!

8 Favorite Places to Eat:
1. Subway
2. Thai Food
3. New China
4. Any place Italian
5. Any place I don't have to cook! :)
6.-
7.-
8.- Can anyone guess why I need to lose weight?!?!

8 Things I am looking forward to:
1. Not working tonight
2. Sleeping in (a little)
3. ABR in February
4. ABR in March with Leonid
5. Summer
6. Getting the bench my brother is building
7. Daniel getting his augmentative device
8. Cleaning the rest of my house tomorrow (YEAH I KNOW I'M SICK...I can't stand disorganization!)

8 Things on my wish list: (can we make it 80?)
1. A good Christmas
2. My sisters ( A & M) to get better
3. My families good health
4. Daniel to continue to strive and keep seizures gone
5. Happiness & less stress
6. To be able to come up with enough money for the rest of the first year of ABR
7. For my sister A not to move! :)
8. For hubby and I to find time to spend together without worries

8 people I tag: I know people hate doing this but, just suck it up and take a few minutes! ;)
Erin, Marcela, Jennifer, Caitlin, Brittany, Alexandra, Tori, Bird (it'll give you something to post about one day! But make sure you don't take away from your ABR hours!)

Don't Underestimate

sister Brittany and Daniel
October 2008

Since Daniel is the busiest 3 year old boy I know, not necessarily because he wants to be but because that is just how it is. Unfortunate as it is, Daniel needs these extra hours of "playtime" (therapy) because of his conditions. Just takes him a tad bit longer (actually it takes me longer to figure out an adaptive way to do it.)

From Day One, we were told that the future is unknown with Daniel. Basically, because of his diagnoses, not to expect too much from him.
"You will just need to learn to deal with his ongoing issues, and realize this might not have been what you were expecting..." DUH? Really??

Well from Day One...people started putting limits on Daniel.
They see he has Cerebral Palsy; "Oh well don't expect that he is going to walk".
They see that he had Infantile Spasms (epilepsy - horrible kind), "Well crap....mental retardation goes along with that."
They see brain malformation and that's the kicked "HOLY CRAP, that ones a douzy, yeah you guys have some issues to deal with there. I'm sorry"
WTF? He is still a living breathing little boy. He is still MY baby. Do NOT LIMIT HIM, because he will just make you eat your words. It may not be tomorrow or the next, it may be years away, but he will do it. And when it happens I will take the reports you gave me saying he wouldn't and I will attach a photo or video of him doing it, and tell you where to shove it :)

Well from Day Two and on, its been a fight, its been difficult. I'm not going to tell you its not all sunshine and happiness, because its not. I'd like to say that Daniel is like every other 3 year old boy out there, but he's not. And for that I am grateful. Seriously. Wouldn't change Daniel if I had a chance, because then he wouldn't be the Daniel I know. Now, if he overcomes certain obstacles on his own, then I welcome it. I will celebrate with him and let everyone I know hear me scream it from the roof tops. As any parent should of their child's accomplishments whether they are typical children or children that are differently-abled.

I am not living with rose colored glasses on....there will be things that he can't do. But don't ask me what they are, because I don't know. He might not be meeting milestones right now, but so what...he's doing it on Daniel time. He is doing what his body is allowing him to do now, the body he fights against each day. Now for his brain....yes you're right there is a brain malformation, big deal....he is probably smarter than the average bear! People just automatically limit him because of a label that a doctor applied to him, when he was just a little boy. And that label is stuck with him for the rest of his life. SUCKS but there isn't really much I can do about that but to help Daniel prove then wrong.

These are things we are working on and will be posting in the future:

• learning to read
• learning to count
  
• potty training
• sign language
• ECO - Augmentative device (computer)
• counting, sorting, shapes and colors
• sitting up unsupported
• ABR therapy
  

I am sure there are some of you out there saying I am setting him up for failure. That I will make him feel bad because he WON'T be able to do that. But I will say this in my defense, when you started to teach your "typical" child any of the things listed above, did you stop and say "Ooooh I better not do that, I might be setting him up for failure?" NO! You continued because that is the natural next step correct? Daniel is just like anyone else, he can learn, he is smart, and he understands.....just like your child. And I am not going to treat him any differently than I treated my other children when it comes to the different things - just because someone has labeled him. How do I know he can't do it? Should I assume? (ass - u - me) No, because I have no clue what Daniel has planned out in his head. We might go about it differently than your child does...but in the end, the result will be the same. So does it really matter how he got there? Whether he got to the finish line on his own two feet, or if he got here in a wheelchair?
He still worked at being the best he could be, and got there in the end. It may have taken him longer, but sometimes the victory is so much sweeter if you take your time getting there! ;)

Know Your Child - AMENDED

When you become a parent, it is part of your responsibility to know your child. Know when things just aren't right, when they are sad, scared or upset. You just learn these skills.

When you become a parent of a special needs non verbal child, you have to know the same stuff above, but you also have to learn the "feel" of your child. His movements, his facial expressions, the way he holds his body. You have to know this child more than you know yourself basically.

When something comes up that is just not the "normal", alarms go off. Sometimes they are false alarms, and sometimes those alarms caught things in time. Regardless, that alarm goes off, and there is instantly a knot in my stomach and tears in my eyes. There is that fear, that horrible gut wrenching fear, that there is something else wrong with your child.

When the alarm goes off, you react and you react quickly from fear. Then begins the guessing games. Because he is non verbal, and his age (3) he can't answer you with any certainty yet on what the issues are. It sucks. It more than sucks.....it sucks big goose eggs! the whole time you will have this knot, and even after all the tests and the comments of "I'm not sure...." you will still always question.

About two month ago, Daniel started with gagging (right after being weaned from his anti-seizure meds). Immediately I figure its because the drug was stopped. But no, doctors say its reflux. Daniel has never had reflux or thrown up in his life until these episodes (and we didn't change anything but the medicine) so they put him on Reflux meds. It seems to have helped a little, except in the morning when he is ready for another dose. So maybe it is reflux, and maybe it isn't.

About 2 weeks ago, Daniel started with these things we call "startles" (you see little babies do this sometimes like they get the sensation they are falling). He's had these before and we've had EEG and they say they aren't seizures (at that time) so we go through these phases where he'll have these startles for a week or so whenever you lay him down. We generally just work through them. Well now he is having them a lot at night when he is sleeping and his arms flail out and he wakes up crying. Multiple times a night. Not good for the sleeping hours!

Two days ago we notice that Daniel has very sweaty, clammy hands and feet. (Never had this before that we know of) he isn't running a fever....can you guess? Nope me neither but don't look it up on the Internet cause it could be a million and one things, some very scary. And when I look these things up on the Internet and I see that its not very common, what would be the odds?
Well crap, what were the odds of a child getting Infantile Spasms (1:6000)? Or the odds of having a rare brain malformation (when he was diagnosed there were approximately 60 cases known in the U.S.)? What are the odds of a child having Spastic Quad CP without having a traumatic brain injury or a difficult birth(1:1000 full term child)? Pretty Frickin' Odd!!
So when I read that something is odd and not common.....well you do the math. I've got one child who has 3 different things that aren't on the common side.
Now whats our chance of having something else that sucks? Pretty frickin' good.
Of course our odds for winning the lottery aren't as good! Of course.

So, I guess what I'm saying is, as a special needs parent......if you're a special needs parent and reading this, when does the anxiety stop? When do you get to live without fear that something else is going to happen? When do I get to get this knot out of my stomach?

Know your child inside and out, because doctors will guess as much as you as to what is wrong. You are your child's only voice.

AMENDMENT: Also forgot to add in there that he has also started grinding his teeth (that aren't in great shape anyways! AND we are scheduled for a 30 minute EEG tomorrow!

________________________________

On a different note, watch this video. it will amaze you, and it gives me so much hope for Daniel's future.


Watch CBS Videos Online

Count Daniel out for Halloween

Considering that fall and this time of year is mine and Lonnie's favorite time of the year. The crisp fall air, the pretty colors, and Halloween being Lonnie's fav holiday....one would think that it would rub off on Daniel. He does indeed like to play with all the pumpkin guts.

This year we decided that Daniel couldn't be anything baby'ish anymore cause he's such a big boy so we decided that oooh how about little Frankenstein. Couldn't find a costume so figured I'd make one. I don't know what was going through my head at the moment, considering I didn't even have a pattern. What the hell was I thinking? So I began the project and well needless to say, it didn't turn out how I had it pictured in my head. Lonnie ended up going to the store an buying him a costume, which he ended up wearing for less than 30 minutes because.....HE DOES NOT LIKE HALLOWEEN!! But he was very good for me to put on his make up. So...........ta da, a little vampire. And Lonnie ended up wearing the Frankenstein head that I made (originally for Daniel)

And below, you will see how Daniel truly feels about Halloween....(click on the picture to see it up close) Daniel was fine with his sister and her friends (on their way to a Halloween party) then Lonnie comes up all dressed up and....well you see the results.

Daniel ended up going trick or treating to about 6 houses down the street and decided that he couldn't handle it and the stress was too much. He came home and passed out candy. He was a much happier little boy after that!