A Mini Magazine For Your Reading Pleasure. . . .

I haven't blogged in a while. . . I'm feeling chatty. . . really chatty.

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WHAT IS CURRENTLY DRIVING MOM  NUTS?

CATS

I've HAD it.  I mean REALLY had it.  As many of you know, we have two kitties, Blue and Blackjack, otherwise known as Boo and Pootie.  For the past week Boo (usually the somewhat behaved one) has decided to open and shut the kitchen cabinet doors in the wee hours of the night.  Now, here's the kicker. . . . the cabinets have baby locks on them.  The kind that only let you open the door about an inch.  So, just imagine the cat opening the door an inch and then letting it slam closed about fifty times a minute during the wee hours of the night.  Apparently ALL the men in the household can sleep right through the rucus.  I,however, wake up at the first slam.  I try my hardest to ignore him because I know that he is doing it because he LOVES hearing me coming bulldozing through the kitchen with flames coming out of my ears yelling wildly while whispering.  For some odd reason the cat has decided that he REALLY enjoys this game.  

If I cannot take the misery and finally decide to get up and lock him in a room, I then hear him whining and scratching at the door all night.  There is simply no way around my misery.  Well, there is a way, and I'm about at that point, but not yet.

As if that wasn't enough, during the daylight hours Boo has decided that he will launch from countertop to countertop in the kitchen and drive me nuts.  As if I am not grouchy enough from the night before, he decides he wants to torment me during daylight hours.   

And, as if ALL of that is not enough, guess what the vet recently talked me into.  Getting this:

THIS is called Feliway.  It is a plug in that emits an odor, smelled only by cats, that is suppose to bring cats into their "happy" place and make them behave better.  It says it takes 4-6 weeks to start working.  It cost $49.  I have had it for about three weeks.  As you can see from the nightmares I've endured during my nights and days it has not started working.  I think I've been had.

And, if all that weren't enough. . . as if we haven't had our share of animal "troubles" lately (losing two old sweet basset hound doggies within the past four months), Blackjack (affectionately known as "Pootie") decided to start throwing up and having poopie issues.  After a very expensive trip and overnight stay at the vet, we still don't know if it's a life threatening issue or just a hairball/digestive issue.  So, I don't know if I will be writing a third obituary soon or just suffering from the chunk he's taken from our bank account as he recovers to healthy again.  Stay tuned. . . 

NO TIME

Why can't I find more time?  Why can't I actually be BORED a little of the time?  My days usually start at 4:40AM and ends anywhere from 10PM to 11PM each night.  You would think not having an outside "job" and getting up that early and going to bed that late that I would have time to do everything I need to do.  I just don't get it.  Lately I have been guilt ridden thinking about baby books.  I have three beautiful, hardbound, painstakenly perfectly designed and written baby books on Zachary Thomas.  

I have ZILCH on Chase Parker.  I am going to rectify this soon if it kills me.  The thought of designing, creating, and writing a book is just an overwhelming thought at the moment.  It is SO different when you only have one child.  Wow.  Nevertheless, I will find a way to do this for my sweet baby boy.  He deserves it so much.  Once I get into it I will enjoy it and time will fly by.  It's the getting started that is so daunting.

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MEDICAL MINUTE:  Body Brushings!

OK, LET ME EXPLAIN. . . 

Many of you know that Chase Parker has been seeing a physical therapist since he was six months old for therapy for his torticollis.  During the course of his therapy I have learned much.  I've read this interesting book that has explained alot about Chase, myself, my husband and even my firstborn, Zachary.  Yes, while the book is geared mostly towards individuals with autism and other similar disorders, it does explain our sensory system in great and very interesting detail.

The short story is:  

Zach and I are "OVER" REGISTERS

Chase and Paul are "UNDER" REGISTERS

Example:  There's a canoe, sitting in the water, tied to the dock.  An "over" register person walks up to the dock, steps very carefully into the canoe, immediately feels it rocking and automatically reaches for something to hold onto and fears falling into the water.  Takes his or her very sweet time sitting down properly and safely.

An "under" register walks confidently up to the boat, steps in, feels it rocking but really doesn't react.  Depending on the force he or she promptly sits down or falls out.  Either way, no freaking out occurs but they could get eaten by the alligator waiting in the water.  ;)

Which means in a nutshell:  Zach and I freak out because we immediately jump to the worst conclusion possible and adjust accordingly to live life on the "safe" side.  Chase and Paul immediately jump to the best conclusion and sometimes don't use ENOUGH caution.

No person is perfectly balanced in these areas.  We all have sensory "issues" in one way or the other.  As a part of Chase's therapy and overall sensory well being we have started "body brushings".  Supposedly these body brushings "restart" or "recharge" his sensory system.  Our feet, hands, and joints are major sensors.  Sometimes, in Chase Parker's case, he does not get information fast enough to the brain through his sensors.  In Zach's case, he gets too much information too fast.  Apparently body brushings help balance that all out.  In any event, the boys (especially Zach and even Daddy!) love getting their body brushed (as weird as that sounds)  Check out these video clips (turn your volume up) . . . . after viewing you find that you want more info about bringing your sensory system into balance feel free to contact me.  ;)

Which brings me to my favorite "Zach Quote" of the month so far. . . 

As he was enjoying his body brushing he turns to me and says, 

"You rock girl!"

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CANDACE DUCLOS:

At the top of my list for sure.

I've always believed that it truly does take a village to raise a child.  I would not be a sane person today without the help of my husband, grandparents, aunts, uncles, other extended family, friends, and, of course, teachers.  

Zachary stayed home with me until he was three years old.  He transitioned beautifully into preschool for three mornings a week.  His first teacher, Miss Meagan, was awesome.  She was just there for a short time while he began during summer term.  His first Fall semester came and he was so blessed to be in Mrs. Mary Forrestall's class.  Awesome as they come.  Everyone at Trinity United is topnotch.  As this new school year approached everyone told me that I was in for a real treat when Zachary started his last year at Trinity.  Candace Duclos is the coveted Pre-K 4 teacher.  Everyone told me that there was no one better.  While she holds a Masters Degree and has been there for umpteen years, the most important thing to me is that she exhibits such a loving, unique teaching style that I can hardly explain.  But I'll try.

I didn't really get it until the first time I heard her address her class.  Her voice is smooth as silk and she has an almost hypnotic way with the kids (and me too).  Every sentence she says is positive reinforcement that they are special, they are loved, they are smart and they are good.  Zachary has fallen in love with Mrs. Duclos and after just a few short times of seeing her in action I totally get it.  He comes home excited to tell me about his day and always looks forward to going to back to school the next day.  He even mimics her while he's role playing. . . so cute!!  I asked him one morning why he liked Mrs. Duclos so much.  His response, "she is always so nice to all of us".  

It's so nice to know that I don't have to worry in the least when he's at school.  I know he's learning and I know he's loved.  That's all that matters.

I just hope and pray that I can talk her into a few more years so Chase Parker will get the great foundation she provides for Kindergarten.

Thank you, Candace, for taking such great care of our sweet boy.  Paul and I appreciate you so much.  It takes a special person to do what you do every day with such extraordinary patience and skill.  With so many school years ahead for Zach I am without a doubt sure that there will never be a teacher that we love and respect more than you.  In just a few short weeks you have made an amazing impact.  

Now that I've said ALL THAT. . . . will you stick around for Chase Parker?  ;)

Some pics of Mrs. Duclos' classroom. . . . 

Zach signs in every day!

the quintessential preschool picture (thank you Stacey for the idea!)

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HUSH!

After surviving a Walmart run (one of my least favorite things to do) I was buckling Chase Parker in his carseat.  Zachary was being quite grumpy and I sternly said to him, "It would be in your best interest to hush".  All of a sudden I hear a sweet, angelic voice mimic me and say so sweetly. . . "hush".  Chase Parker was so proud of himself and I of him!

I caught him later proudly saying his new word:

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A special SHOUT OUT!

Laura Case Photography

Cary, North Carolina

Many of you know my love for photography.  If you don't know you can certainly guess by reading and looking at my blog and facebook.  Considering that I "broke" our family website (RIP www.thebirdwellfamily.com) with over 17,400 pictures and 80 hours of high def video I think it's probably more than "a love" but rather "a sickness".  And, many of you know I struggle with frustration over not having enough time to really learn my hobby like I would love to.  My plan of taking photography classes when Zachary started school was put on hold when Chase Parker came along.  

In the meantime of me self-teaching and limping along at my hobby I have discovered this wonderful resource.  She is Laura Case of Laura Case Photography (www.lauracasephotography.com).  She lives in Cary, North Carolina and I actually found her blog while doing a search for articles on torticollis when Chase was first diagnosed.  I've been a daily follower of her blog (jonandlaura.blogspot.com/) for months.  She is a dedicated mom and wife, incredibly talented and funny, but also, selfless.  I admire that she dreams big, makes a plan for seeing her dream become reality, and then does it.  

I love her work and one day decided to contact her.  I'm so glad I did.  She has taken so much time with me, selflessly giving up awesome photography tips, editing tips, etc.  She even has reviewed my work and given much useful feedback.  

It's so nice to know that there are generous souls still out there in the world.  Thank you Laura Case!  You are awesome.

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Family Fun:

and from a recent swim playdate with several of Zach's friends. . . 

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Some Zach Funnies:

One night at dinner:

Out of the blue, one night at dinner, Zachary asks me, "Mom, do you read your Bible every day?"  In a split second, after I almost choke on my food, feel sudden conviction, and wonder if it really was God himself speaking to me, I say, "Not like I should son. I try to but I don't always succeed."  He replies, "Well, you might want to think about reading it a little more."

Definitely causes one to stop and think.  It also caused me to think about why he didn't direct this question to his FATHER as well who was sitting right there!!!!!  

After reading a train magazine that he got from Books A Million:

"Mom, there are alot of trains in here that I would like you to buy.  Maybe you could just buy some online today and work up to buying them all soon." 

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THE END.

(Whew.  I know you are relieved.)