Hop Along Friday

 

Chubby Cheeks Thinks

I found this really cool blog the other day and just love it. "Chubby Cheeks Thinks" She does this little thing on Friday's and I figure why not broaden my blog reading....check it out, there are tons of cool sites on there.

I'm off to start some weekend reading!!

Hope you all enjoy it too!

Well I Suck This Month

Here I thought to myself at the beginning on July, "I'm going to make sure I post at least 3 times a week."

Yeah, well......as you can see that didn't happen!  Here's to hoping August is better!

Just know this, everything is going well and Daniel is doing great.  So much to tell you about just not enough time in the day to get it typed up!

So Excited!!

In my household I am the one that gets the mail.

You touch the mail and I will harm you! ;)

Mail is mine. That is just the way it works.

So today while opening the mail, the first piece I open is a bill for our yearly cost for our supplemental insurance.  I say a few words such as "Oh sure they are mighty quick to let you know that they want something but when we are trying to get something from them it takes 

F.O.R.E.V.E.R.

I set that aside for further review and see that we also got the typical Saturday junk mail.  Thankfully I decided to look through it instead of just tossing it like I normally do.  There was another envelope shoved in there from the same insurance company that sent me a huge bill like I stated above.  So as I am tearing it open I say to Daniel "Gee what  pooh-pooh news does this mail have in store for us?"

Daniel and I always read the mail together.  He thinks its a hoot when I toss the mail over my shoulder after reading it and saying in a high pitched voice "Oh poo-poo to you too!  Such RUBBISH!"

This time Caitlin (oldest child) got to witness the Opening of Mail

This time the first line says "Notice of Authorization"  

Blank Blank Blank Insurance has approved your request for a Kidwalk gait trainer, below are listed the specific procedure codes.  This letter confirms approval for the above listed.   Payments made represent payment in full, you are not allowed to bill the beneficiary for any additional monies for the above listed medical equipment.

Some hootin' and hollerin' followed

I'm not sure how long until we get our new walker but I will tell you I cannot wait!  Tomorrow won't be quick enough.  SO, sooo excited!! So OK, I'll pay the first bill instead of the cost of this piece of equipment.

Oh and I forgot to mention, when we started this paperwork a while ago Daniel voiced his option as to what color he wanted.  After asking him multiple times and each time he selected the same color, we decided what the heck....he picked it, he wants it, it is HIS walker.  

Here is the list of colors this comes in

Razzberry, Shocker Green, Candy Red, Candy Blue and Black

What color would your child pick?  What color would YOU pick? You'll have to wait and see what my child picked!

UPDATE:  July 12th - They say about 2 weeks until we get the walker in! Its going to be a long two weeks - I HATE waiting!

TOYS TOYS TOYS

I love love love toys. I love searching around and finding the right toy for Daniel. Things that he is able to do.  Have you checked out eBeanstalk?

I like things that he can do and play with his nephews and other kiddos that come over.  So I love when I can find a site that has good things in all the categories.  One that is simple to do searches.  Here are some of the favorite toys for 1 year olds.  BAM....one grandchild Christmas gift already picked out.   Then look how sweet the selection is for toys for 2 year olds.  

Oh gosh and don't even get me started on the baby toys!

I wish they had this back when my girls were smaller, The Spin and Explore Sea Gym.  And I won't even get started on the 5 year old age groups toys....endless possibilities for Daniel 

What I really like is that that at eBeanstalk they have experts that review and research all the toys.  They have OT's, PT's and other therapists on their site that can answer questions and such.  What could make it even greater if perhaps sometime down the line that added on a few special needs parents too.  It is always difficult to purchase well made toys to help our kiddos, and I know that I would love to see some more reviews or input from the special needs families.  

Today's a successful day when I can get three different toys for kiddos ranging from birth up to 6 yrs old all from one site.....oh yeah and free shipping too!  Love deals!

Therapy Equipment

I think I have found one of his most favorite spots this week.

Put him on his swing  with his headphones on and I have one happy little boy.  Now if I could figure out how to incorporate both of those with the pool....then we'd be in heaven!

 

What pieces of equipment do you have for your child?  Or better yet, how to do mesh it all into your daily routines?    I don't know about you guys but I have a hard time being able to get everything I'm suppose to do into one day without it seeming like a constant therapy session.  An example for  you, we're suppose to stretch his legs to make sure they don't tighten up at least a  couple times a day, he should go in his stander for at least an hour a day, he should have his leg braces and his hand braces on for a better part of the day too. He is also suppose to wear his leg braces at night too.  We should also make sure he gets in some walking in the walker.  Also some floor time (tummy time), also some weight bearing on his arms.  We should be doing the iGallop too but this is something we don't use much and I kick myself for not finding the time.  Could also be doing more in his power chair to prevent crashing, so, "drivers training" so to speak.

All of this on top of him getting fed multiple times, and going to outside therapy six times a week. Plus I should really incorporate some fun time right?  Sometimes there seems to be so much to do and not enough time.  Then the guilt starts to set in about NOT doing enough.  That perhaps if I did more, he would be able to walk or sit up, or maybe even be able to talk more.  Oh, I over analyze everything....the what ifs.

What does your daily schedule look like and tell me how you manage it all.

The New Swing

Remember here where I told you about my internet search and I came across this little ditty?

Well it is a huge success in the house.  Yes I am using another piece of equipment but please note that you can't see in the photo but there is someone standing right there and there is a mat underneath Daniel IF he should fall.  NEVER would I leave him unattended at any point in time.

Its just a way for Daniel to feel like a typical child and NOT have to have someones hands on him at all times.  He can move himself.

Here we get to try it laying on him tummy

And this is when we say its time to get out of the swing



Needless to say, he likes to swing! 

Swimmin' Summer 2010

IMAG0016, originally uploaded by SPRANGER.