Cole's Therapy Progress

Cole and Abe headed to Costco- don't worry, there is no air bag up front and Costco is less than a mile away!

So, as a follow up to Cole and his therapy- things went great. He had been doing so well in speech, that for the last three weeks that he was still eligible to receive services (the state literally only covers kids until the day they turn 3), they sent the OT only (plus, they justified it that he will get speech services like crazy in preschool.)

Basically, the first time she came, she just sat to observe Cole and his behaviors during a speech session. Of course, Cole being the charmer that he is, was a near angel while Cassidy (his SLP) was there and his OT (Raina) was beginning to wonder what she was doing there. She, at a later time, told me she was grateful she stuck around that day, because you better believe the instant Cassidy left, Cole began to act like his self (his self around me, anyway), and at that point Raina thought 'Oh, this is why I'm here.' (this was after he walked up and smacked me for talking about him, and when Raina told him that that was unacceptable behavior and we don't hit people, especially mommy, he turned and screamed at her to "shut up."-- We can't really have that happen at school now, can we?)

She had several opinions of Cole and his behaviors, as well as suggestions and tips that have been a tremendous help to me. In a nutshell, Cole is too smart for his own good, causing him to feel he is a peer to adults (and sometimes, superior to adults-especially me) and definitely superior to his true peers. Raina also commented that in all her years, she has never seen a child so concerned with/focused on what the adults were doing and discussing, and chiming in like he did (especially for his age.) She feels there are also many other factors into his behavioral issues, that are too boring and intricate for me to enumerate here- but just know that I (as well as those who spend time with Cole) are having to make adjustments, all for his ultimate benefit. She also helped me realize things about myself and the way I parent, which has been invaluable. Because of the time constraints, we crammed 3 information-packed sessions into a week (basically, we sat at the kitchen table and just went back and forth for an hour+ at a time.)

Cole's therapy overall has helped him/me/us more than I would have thought possible. The State Coordinator also wants me to look into a developmental children's psychologist or developmental pediatrician (which I will be discussing with Cole's pediatrician at his upcoming well-check for a referral) just to help give me some more understanding and guidance at how to adapt and handle a child like Cole (you may think this all sounds crazy, perhaps extreme, but I have discussed this matter to death with trained professionals, and a dear friend who has been through a very similar situation, and they all agree that this is all/has been more than necessary to help Cole, especially for once he gets to school and to make sure he never becomes labelled the 'bad kid'- which we are quickly approaching that irreparable territory, and that would be more than awful, because he is anything but a bad kid, he just needs some extra help right now, and we've been fortunate enough to receive that help.)

I am more than grateful though that I have had the help and direction with all this that I have had. My aforementioned friend tells me all the time that she wished she had known about all these services (or that they had even had these services) when she was dealing with her son, and I will forever be grateful to Cole's pediatrician for the referral (and forever drive to Scottsdale to see her!), because never would I have known that any of this would be available and be so beneficial to my son and our family.

I think that will be it for the serious stuff- now I'll just go back to writing about Cole coloring on all his new toys, or pulling out scissors to cut open packages of Reese's PB Cups that he helped himself to out of the upper pantry, or getting himself a can of pop out of the fridge in the garage- all of which has just occurred today!

*On a super side note- with all this happening I have been more than terrified of Cole getting kicked out of preschool for behavioral issues. I have been informed that because we have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) in place, they can't kick him out! Woo hoo! Though I am sure I will still get called into the office regularly- though I am really hoping and crossing my fingers not to!

Updates and then some...

First off, let me start by saying this is why I hardly blog anymore. While writing my last post, here is what Cole was up to...



baking (or so he thought)...

At least he was attempting to clean it up...

It was honestly quite the little disaster. Oh the things this boy comes up with (keep reading!)

We spent the Saturday before Mother's Day with Abe's mom. We went to Chik-fil-A on the way to the train park in Scottsdale. It was a beautiful day and Cole enjoyed it, mostly.

He became a little apprehensive as the miniature train took off. He was very relieved to get off the train.

He enjoyed the train cars that didn't move (like this one) and was OBSESSED with the model train displays (especially the Thomas the Train car that zoomed along in the window!)

This moment was particularly funny, cause Paula couldn't quite control the water pressure while holding Cole and Cole was getting blasted in the face and up the nose, and thought it was actually quite funny.

We missed the annual Mother's Day dinner at my folk's this year (due to church, it was just WAY too late,) but don't worry- I plan on taking my mom out the next time I am in town. I did craft up some little albums for both moms as gifts, and while they took a tremendous amount of time, they turned out great and both really enjoyed them (it was the craft I arranged for my MOMS Club group for April)

I took Cole on a hike one day through the Granite Dells next to Willow Lake, here in Prescott. He did so good, and walked nearly the entire way! I did not enjoy carrying him the last 20 minutes or so, so I think next time we will try to go with Dad.

Cole has also been getting a hold of my camera. While downloading pictures today, I found these beauties and had to share:

Cole also decided, again while I was on the computer, that Dozer needed a haircut and I came out to find this...

He, of course, was SOOO proud of his work

Then, while sweeping I realized one of these things was not like the other...

Yes- those are little blond locks off the head of the little boy who, at almost the age of three, has STILL not had a haircut. So, in true Cole fashion, he decided to give himself a "ha-cut." And I, in a fit of hysterics and some rage, swept all the little piles of fur and hair right into the dustpan and into the garbage. I have regretted that I didn't save that first little snippet ever since, and will be sure to save some when I ACTUALLY cut his hair. {I still try not to think about it too much!}

Cole's fish, Mack, has passed away. I found him floating vertically (not normal) in his tank and like any good wife, called Abe and told him he needed to dispose of him as soon as he got home.

Abe took Jack out and placed him in a cup, and then went into the bathroom with Mack and tank, locking the door, and flushed the fish with Cole banging on the door. We thought we had avoided any confusion on Cole's part, only to have Cole then come and say to me that "dah-ee put Mack in da potty." Obviously, we can't put anything past this kid. We explained that Mack was sick, and had to go down the potty to which he replied "get him out and get meh-yi-cine" Too funny.

...About a week later, again- I was on the computer, Cole came in and said "Mommy- Jack miss hims friend" (all in Cole-speech, of course) and I said, Yeah he probably does, and then Cole said "yeah, him falled and get a booboo." At this point I turned and said "WHAT?!?!" and Cole said "Jack falled and get a booboo" I can't begin to tell you the things that ran through my mind, so I jumped up and ran out to see the coffee pot sitting next to the fish tank- and no Jack. As I got closer I saw Jack lying on the buffet, looking as though he had been smashed by the coffee pot, and not moving. Keeping my fingers crossed, I located some paper tried scooping up Jack (at which point he started flopping- OF COURSE!!!) and managed to get him back in the tank. Miraculously, he is still alive and we have had numerous discussions about how we don't take Jack out, missing his friend or not! (I can only imagine Cole was trying to take him to the potty to be with Mack!)

We are still looking for houses. Our cute little house next to Cole's school- well, I don't know what to say about it except, supposedly, someone came in and offered to pay a year's rent, cash, up front (fishy???) so whatever...I'm keeping my eyes, ears, and internet tabs open in search for that next house, and since we aren't in desperate-backs-against-the-wall-need, we're taking our time.

As I mentioned previously, Cole had a secondary evaluation with a developmental specialist. It started off when, a couple month's back, I was having his annual review with his AzEIP coordinator and Cole decided to throw a tantrum of monumental proportions (though, altogether, not uncommon for us) The coordinator and I discussed what I could/should do in this situation, and I thought that would be that. About a week later, she called and said she wanted him to be evaluated for sensory sensitivity. That evaluation basically consisted of me filling out 8 pages of "does the child avoid this...does he prefer this...does he only do this...does he avoid doing that..." and on, and on, and on. After about another week, I got a phone call saying that since his sensory reactions (everything from touch, taste, smell, sight, emotion, interaction, etc...) were so all over the place, they are going to send an Occupational Therapist out to work with him/me during speech sessions. We should start seeing her this week, and they are only planning on her coming out 2-3 times, of course, I guess that could change, depending on what she determines. So I will keep updating on that new development.

We also were able to get Costco to take back our 5 year old TV and give us a 63" Plasma. Don't ask how it happened, we are still quite unsure ourselves. All we can say is WE {HEART} COSTCO!!!

Cole has also started to say-in screaming fits of hysteria- only what I can interpret to be that I am the stupidest person EVER!!! (at least that is as much as I can understand) He also calls Dad a "bad guy." I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this- usually I do a bit of both- but I can say that I am more than glad he is talking, seriously!!! People still make comments about don't you wish he couldn't talk still, to which I reply, absolutely not!!! He has started calling me mommy (just in last few weeks) and when he says "i wuff ooo, mommy" there is nothing more precious or magical in the world. So yes, I will take being screamed at and called the stupidest person ever, if it means that I also get to hear the good stuff. We waited sooo long!

I know that there has been so much more going on, and for the life of me, I can't remember right now. Of course, as soon as I walk away from the computer, I will remember- but I will have to save it for another time! Meanwhile, I better go and check what kind of terrible mischief/messes/trouble my progeny has himself in- I can only hope that, perhaps, he has passed out on the couch...though, I'm sure, I won't be that lucky.......

More Snow, A Little Update, and a Ranch Trip

Well, it has been a crazy month at our house. So I will start where I left off. **To see the pictures better, just click on them. Some of Cole's expressions are priceless!

We have had several more snow storms, and are expecting another this weekend. Cole absolutely LOVES the "no" and especially "no baus" aka snow balls. That is, until his dad pegged him in the face with one. Seriously, it was up his nose, down his throat, a full on annihilation- totally on accident of course! Now Cole always talks about "no bau, my eyes, my nose, my mouf, ow" It's pretty funny.
Cole also still has to do WHATEVER dad does. He even wanted some of Abe's morning coffee so bad, that he gave him a cup (totally iced down, obviously). Needless to say, Cole won't be asking for coffee again any time soon!

Cole is still passing out regularly in the funniest locations. Here I caught him with the Cheetos and his face and hands were totally cheese covered.

Abe and I also took Cole to the Prescott Fire Departments 125th Anniversary Celebration (its the oldest fire dept. in AZ). Cole was in heaven! There were trucks and firemen everywhere (so, Mom didn't think it was too shabby, either! haha) Cole brought his own fire hat and held onto it for dear life, since every time Dad would convince him he could let it go, it would blow off his head!

This is his favorite location to crash- in his car seat! Hey- it was a tough day saying hi to all those firemen!

We also met with Cole's preschool, and he was accepted! He will start August 9 and go 3 days a week. He will have speech therapy while in school and they will even provide a bus if I would like (its a short bus, with built in car seats.) I have to go and meet with them again at the end of April to do "goal planning" (I've said it before, a bit ridiculous in the red tape department) but we are just so thankful that he will be able to go to such a quality preschool, get the help he needs, and it won't cost us a thing! Of course, since he has been accepted he has been talking an unbelievable amount, though I know by comparison, he is still pretty behind. But at the same time, it is so amazing to watch his progression.



We then made a trip to the Ranch this past weekend. It was Cole's second time, though it was really more like his first cause he was able to enjoy it so much more this time. The one drawback with this Ranch trip was getting there. With all the rain and snow, the river is too high to cross, and the very scary rim road is, well, very scary, so we had to take the back-back-way, which meant 3 1/2 hours of ROUGH dirt road (normally its only 2 1/2 or so) To kill the time, I bought a set of "dad's wook twucks" which I would give to Cole periodically along the way. It worked!

Here is one of our breaks/stops on the way in. (Don't mind Cole's outfit, he picked out his clothes that day. Abe actually asked if I wanted to change him before we left. I figured we were just going to the Ranch, and besides, Cole was so proud of his outfit!)

Two of Cole's 6!!!! trucks he got on the way in and out of the Ranch

Once we were all settled, and had eaten dinner, we were hanging by the fire barrel on the patio and Abe noticed this...

OH MY GOSH!!!! I couldn't believe it!!! Cole was pretty cool about it and spent the rest of the weekend talking about the "nake on my butt" (snake was easier to say than lizard, though he did attempt to say lizard a few times.)

Cole wasted no time playing in the dirt with his new trucks! Sporting Dad's head lamp and all!

The Ranch was in its prime. Virtually no bugs (one of my personal peeves of the Ranch), the fruit trees were blooming, not too hot, though it was a little windy.

With those conditions, a few more fruit trees were given a home in the lower orchard. Cole was a BIG help!

Cole also found a squirt gun in the pool toys. He would talk his dad into giving it a "drink" then proceed to pull out the stopper and drink himself. It was pretty gross!

The guys decided to give the water wheel a FULL blast whirl. Dozer, who has had a fascination with splashing water since he was a puppy, kept jumping down in the well around the wheel. Abe had just pulled him out for about the 40th time, and Cole decided Dozer needed to be shot (which was tempting for all of us!) Finally, the water wheel just got shut down, in hopes of keeping our stupid dog alive for the time being.

Cole also got in some serious dirt bike time. Not only that, but he had his first dirt bike wreck (which he still talks about!). Abe hopped off, propping the bike on the kickstand, to grab something. He heard the motor rev, tires spin, and turned just in time to watch Cole and the bike fall. He had accidentally left the bike in gear (instead of neutral, like he thought) and Cole decided to "drive" himself. Fortunately, there was no physical injury, just a little psychological injury to both guys. Abe said all Cole was really worried about was if he had "bwoke da bike" Ohhh, the things that concern two year old boys!

At least we had been outfitting Cole with his helmet.

He was such a proud biker that weekend!

He also got some serious "dad wook twuck" time in, which he later learned was a "backooo"

Here he is with his "uncle" Tim, posing for the camera

This is a few of the apricot trees. All the mature fruit trees had started blooming and it was really very pretty.

Cole even got to work the levers and knobs and dumped a few loads at the Ranch dump.

getting some Mom QT

Getting some dad QT

The whole gang at the fire barrel.

(I have to say, I do like the Ranch a whole lot more with a lot less people- and having our tent trailer there (Abe took it in a while back) made it even better!)

Both mornings we went and walked around the pond and quacked at the ducks.

I'm telling you, if there is a place greater than heaven, my little outdoorsy boy was there!

Any rock Cole saw around the pond became an instant victim to its murky depths!

As we were preparing to leave on Sunday, Cole decided to do a little more "work" with his trucks. He started like this...

...and ultimately ended up here...

One last ride on the bike. Notice his double hand wave to me.

Tim said he bet Cole would crash on the way home. I thought on that dirt road it would be impossible. I was wrong...

Cole was so filthy he got an extra long bath. His face has scrapes (from when he ran into a downed tree running away from Dad), his knees are bruised. His hands are full of slivers and splinters, but that little boy wants nothing more than to go back. I hear several times a day "da wanch, bakoos, dit bikes, twackoos, nakes my butt" Looks like I will be heading to the Ranch a lot more from now on, which as long as the camper is there and there aren't 40+ people, will be fine with me.

Cole slept that entire night when we got home (a HUGE deal for us!) and I think he was still so tired, I found him here...

Oh this kid! Though, I would take him back to the Ranch just to get a full nights' sleep again, for sure