Three is a good number!

Tis the season for "Silent Nights" because in 7 months there won't be any more for a long time! Yep, that's right. Merry Christmas to the Hunt family, baby number 3 is on its way! I am 12 weeks today and due on June 28th! Boy/Girl...what do you think? At least we know there is only ONE this time around.

The kids are pretty happy. Elle kisses my growing bumb daily, and asks if the baby is crying in there when Alex sits on me. She likes to stick her gut out and tell everyone that she has a baby too. She thinks it's a girl; however, every girl including Noni, Nana, and Rae Lyn (who's having a boy) are all having girls. Daddy, G-Daddy, CB, and Alex are having boys. That whole concept flew right over her head! Alex is clueless to the whole thing, but at least he has recently learned to lightly poke and pat babies instead of grabbing their hair and sitting on them. Progress!

On a Rae Lyn note, she is ready to pop. Hopefully, in a few weeks, I will get to be an aunt for the first time. Hello, baby Tripp!

There is always some Alex news to report so here is the latest Alex endeavours:

1. We are currently working with our ENT to see if Alex has nasal/sinus issues. He has had some problems with a fowl odor, very unfortunate, coming from his mouth even though we brush'em, brush'em, brush'em every day. He has always had sinus infections and seems to be stuffy all the time (little piggy noises get old). We put him on an antibiotic incase the smell was due to post-nasal drip, and it worked. However, once he finished his medicine, the smell came right back. Dr. Palmer said that is a pretty common sign that he has a foreign object in his sinus cavity. Alex does not have the motor ability to stick things up his nose (he has yet to stick a finger up there), but he does tend to choke or gag on food at times and throws it up (many times up his nose). There is a possibility some of that food has become compacted in his sinus cavities (here is the point mom wants to barf a little).

So the plan is to do two rounds of antibiotics to make sure that it is not just a severe sinus infection. Then a CT scan on January 4th to see what's there, and then who knows what. Surgery to removes stuff if there is a problem, or a possible long term treatment if it's just a chronic sinus infection. Fun!

2. We went to Our Children's House of Baylor this past week to have Alex evaulation for a feeding therapy program. The program is suppossed to be amazing for all types of kids with feeding issues. Alex has improved ten-fold with his feeding in the last 6 months. He eats by himself with utensils, and can eat most normal foods without being purred all the time. He still has trouble with thick breads and noodles, as well as, meat. He pockets them like a chipmunk. So they will help us with that issue. The other great benefit to this program is they will do a speech therapy that starts with the oral motor process of eating. They think that Alex's muscles in his cheeks and upper lip are almost non-existant right now. This is why he cannot clear the food from him cheeks, and why he has trouble forming letter formations with his mouth. The program will be two-times per week (ouch) for as long as he needs it (at least 7-8 weeks). The only office that is close to me is in Los Colinas (Hey Carly). At least they are open until 6:30 to accomodate this working mommy. I am excited about this therapy. Something new!

Alex still rides his horse every Saturday. He moved on up to a saddle and a bigger horse named Corky. He is chocolate and super sweet. Alex has so much fun there! We have also been seeing the chiropractor/kinesiologist once a month, and I have seen big strides in Alex's awareness.

As for Elle, we are going through the same evaulation process with Our Children's House too. Elle doesn't have any motor, oral, or speech issues that she faced as a baby. She does have a strong adversity to most foods. Her menu consists of only 3-4 types of food with a strong adversion to everything else. Meal time usually ends in crying, throwing, and hitting. Fun! They work with kids like Elle all the time, and I am excited to see what we can do for her. It's worth a try, and they can coincide her appointment with Alex. If I have to go there for him, might as well give them a shot with her.

She has her first dance recital tomorrow at All Saints. I can't wait to see what she does?!?! I will take pictures and post them. At least she will be cute if she doesn't dance. Then we have our Christmas program tomorrow night. Alex will get to do that with her, and they get to dress up in their Christmas formals:)

We are looking for to Christmas. It is our first year where they really get what's going on. I can't wait to not have to work and relax a bit. We are going to have a family of 5 soon, and I need all the rest I can get!

We hope everyone has a Merry Christams and a Happy New Year!

Holland...

This was given to me by my mom, and to her by a PTA mom at her school. I thought it was a perfect metaphor!



I wanted to share this with all of you, this is how parents of special needs children feel. I really love this story.

WELCOME TO HOLLAND
by Emily Perl Kingsley.

c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with
a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique
experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like
this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous
vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make
your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The
gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian.
It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You
pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands.
The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for
Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of
going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in
Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible,
disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease.
It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a
whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people
you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less
flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you
catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that
Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has
Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and
they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And
for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was
supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because
the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get
to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very
lovely things ... about Holland.


Just thought it was worth a read!

The Late Bloomer (you got to read it all to figure out this title)

Today, I was talking to my students about our novel study, A Wrinkle in Time. We were discussing how a young, five-year-old in the story was considered a "moron" because of his lack of speech and appropriate development compared to other children when, in fact, the young man was a brilliant mind. Each time I talk about this story, I wish and I hope that Alex will be like the young boy in the story who shows all his nay-sayers that there is a possibility to defy all odds.

Today we've made a small victory! During this class discussion, I was left a voicemail to call the genetics clinic for our test results. The voicemail left me shaken because, of course, they don't leave test results in a message. Seriously though, who would really be upset if they left a message saying "hey, your tests are negative/positive, give us a call!" Really, does it have to be all melodramatic?

The nurse says, "Give us a call Mrs. Hunt about the test results for Alex. We have some things we would like to discuss with you." Yikes, really that seems bad! I called back during my conference with a dread and worry in my mind. This was it. That final straw to state whether Alex really does have a condition that we can not turn back from or if we were still on the path of possibilities. After what seemed like an eternity of her telling me the tests that were ran and the possibilites of outcomes, she dropped the "bomb." (Thought I'd add some melodrama to this moment to honor the sweet lady who made my day).

Alex is clear of genetic birth defects. All tests came back negetive, and Matt and I are clear of the possibilites that another child in our family could possibly be affected by a defective gene that one of us may carry. Such a fear!

Threw that one in on you didn't I. We think about our precious Alex and his possibility of a genetic defect, but we were startled with the reality that if we had more children their possibility of having Fragile X or Angleman's would be more than 23%. It is a relief that Alex is clear of this possibility once and for all, but also a weight of our shoulders that we are not putting another child in jeopordy if we choose to add on to our clan.

So here is the lastes: Listen up!

I am sort of, pretty sure, almost positive that Alex has said "HI" 4 times in the past week. Yes, seriously! It is far and few between, so I don't want to count it as his offical word. However, I do want to put it in record that Alex has a different sound coming from his mouth and he is trying to vocalize more! Yet, I am positive he has said "hi!" He is pointing to pictures on command, doing activites at school with purpose, and he is doing all of these things with attention and interest. Alex has a very, hyper active personality. Calming him down and controlling his senses is important. They are doing this at school! They are amazing. I am so happy with where he is at. It is, by far, the best place for any special needs kid. He is so lucky to be in this setting to learn, grow, and be nutured.

He has had a problem with waking up, completely ready to go, energized beyond words at 3 AM. It is a problem, but was solved by dad the other day by putting a baby gate up in their room. He woke up at 2:30 and was up for about an hour. I was not going to go get him, but rather hopeful that he would put himself back to bed. He did, but it was with his sissy. Talk about a wonderful moment waking up to your kids sleeping huddled together in the same bed. I love moments like these!

Last thing for this blog: We have been beyond blessed to have found CLC for Alex and Elle. When the kids were one; their nanny was ready to move on to other things, and we were left with finding a place for the kids. She was wonderful for them for the first year, but we needed to move on. I was worried and frantic because school had already started and I was unsure of where my kids would be taken care of in the best possible setting. Little did I know that God was going to lead me to a little slice of heaven on Earth. If any of my CLC teachers read this, please share it with the entire faculty. We are forever in your debt. You are our angels, answers to our prayers, and more than any "teacher' could possibly be (and that's coming from a teacher). We are blessed beyond words to be part of your program. Let me give you a small example of their love. Elle's teacher, Mrs. Norma, was talking to me the other day. I mentioned something about Alex (She is not Alex's teacher). She told me that God has a plan. Just trust it. She told me that I had to trust in him, and it will work out! She then gave me this book to take home and read to the twins. I'm going to pull at your heart strings, but I feel that I could not put Alex and my hopes, thoughts, and prayers into better words. If you have time, please listen to this sweet little girl read this quite simple book:

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=129939

Thank you for all the comments, emails, and phone calls. You are what make us believe and hope, and Alex and Elle are what make us strive forward. These twins are amazing!

A mom's quest for answers....

I think we are all aware that life hands us obstacles, twists, and turns that change us, make us, break us, and mend us. Many of us have yet to understand the why or how, but in my mind I know that there is a greater purpose, mission, or reason for our struggles and experiences: good or bad!

What I have yet to understand, is how Alex's experiences are going to fulfill those "words of wisdom" in his life. What is a little boy who has struggled so much, worked so hard, and has yet to break the barriers of his body suppossed to learn by life's obstacles at the age of 3? I guess that is where the "time will tell" piece of wisdom is suppossed to come in. Maybe we will all look back on this and think: Wow, we really had a scare on our hands, or we will look back and think of all the what ifs, what could be, and back to the ultimate question: Why? I think either way, we are blessed beyond words to have this amazing kid who has touch so many people's lives and hearts. He warms your soul, he brightens your mood, he makes you want to cheer, pray, and smile! He is the whole package even though he doesn't seem to fit that average, normal term of complete!

Now there is no pitty party here for our family! We are just starting to come to terms with the fact that we could have a miracle on our hands and all could be "perfect" for Alex. Maybe all those preemie, twin, boy, diet, etc. things could really be the reason and we could see a change when he is 5 or 6 or whenever, but we understand that we might not solve our "Alex" mystery ever.

So here is where this philosophical babble comes from: We had a few appointments this week that were suggested by our Neurosurgeon. The ones I mentioned last blog. We started with the genetisist at Cook's and we found some interesting things out. Let me start by saying that Matt thought she was a "B." I think he just thought that because she took a picture of Alex for their records and she mentionted that Alex and mom looked so cute, but didn't mention dad who was in the picture as well. What can I say, we looked pretty darn adorable that day! But, she was a bit crass, a bit snippity, and a whole lot angry that she was home from her trip to Northern New Mexico.

Any who, she started out by telling us that she thinks his "problem" is genetic. She thinks that if he doesn't test positive for a few tests, than he would probably still fit in the category. I don't think I am comfortable with this though. If you don't test positive, why throw a label on it and call it a day? So here is what she thinks:

She tested for Angelman's again. If you are unfamiliar with this go back to my first blog in July 2010. She thinks he has the facial features of a kid with Angelman's syndrom. This is technically what Dr. Marks (our neurogologist, not neurosurgeon) told us the first time we saw him. He did a Mircroarray test (DNA test) on him a few years back. That's the one that we had to wait 6, excruciating weeks for, and it came back negative. However, the geneticist says that the Microarray test is not the best test for detecting Angelman's. So we did another one that could give us a better understanding of his genes. Here is a link to the Angelman's website, which I think has a whole lot of non-mportant information for a person who wants learn basics about the syndrom. Either way you can look at the kids and tell me if you see a similarity between the kids's facial features and Alex's features: http://www.angelman.org/
Here is a better site for information: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/angelman-syndrome
What I would see with this disease that fits Alex are these symptoms: developmental delay (which is like EVERY disorder ever), severe speech delay, balance issues, light hair, light eyes, and smiling (heaven forbid). He actually has a big head for his size (so that is one we can skip). He has a bit of spianl curve that the orthepedic is following, and his sleep is awful lately (but that could because of our sinuses that we were just prescribed Nasonex for). He doesn't fit the siezure or hand flapping thing, but he is pretty close with everything else.

The other thing that Alex is being tested for is Fragile X. This one scares me a bit because of the little nuances that are right on the money. Of course this starts with every scary side-effect that is imaginable for most problems that someone could face, but it gets a bit more specific. So here is the site to navigate for this issue (if you got time).http://www.fraxa.org/default.aspx?gclid=CIWVhfj-jqsCFdwg2godcml1xg

Basically, Alex has the sensitivity to light, sounds, lacks attention, has a long face, and has large feet. His receptive language is great while his expressive language lacks. The kids on the site have a similar look to Alex, but I think that all these kids look fairly normal too.

So this leads me to the "who do you trust, what do you believe, where do you go from here" segment of my blog":

I have one doc telling me it is CP, one doc telling me it is Angleman's or Fragile X, one guy telling me to wait and see. So who do you believe? I guess, go with your gut. Become knowledgable, fight to see doctors, change doctors, and challenge doctors. Get second opinions, find other avenues, change your course of action, and know that in your heart of hearts that you are the most knowledge about your kid...more so than any doctor, professional, or therapist. There is no way that someone who has met and interacted with my kids for 30 minutes can honestly decipher his life's problem, his treatment, and his future.

Note for all you parents out there: Don't just go with the first person's opinion of your kid. Seek out different opinions and listen before "labeling" your kid.

So this leads us to another month of waiting. What will these tests bring? A label? A, lump your kid into the label even if he doesn't test positive for the label, or a big old question mark over the whole mystery? I am going to go with the latter. We don't know! Alex could defy all odds, Alex could just be truly delayed, or Alex could have life problems.

All I know is that he is my little boy, he is my twin's, twin, and he is Alex. He is what he is and that is pretty damn special! So get to know him, don't be afraid to play with him, don't treat him with kid-gloves, and above all don't discredit his affection for you. He wants to be held, loved, played with, and nurtured. He might not come up to you and initiate the play, but if you think about it...a lot of kids need some warming up. He just does things in his own way. Get to know that and you will be his friend!

I will update you on the results of his test when I get them, and the plan of action once I figure it out!

I didn't update on Elle last time, so I wanted to throw a bone her way. Elle is one sassy pants if I have ever seen one. She is potty trained (thank you God!). She rules the roost. She is dramatic. She is sassy, and she makes me laugh every day. She is super fixated on the fact that mommy and Elle are "happy." She wants us all to be "happy!" She loves school, she loves her friends. On that note, we are all her friends, but G-daddy is her "best friend." She thinks Tia is having a little boy named Joey (that would be Tripp, Elle, but she won't sway from Joey). She thinks we all having babies including herself and DADDY! She has learned to do that coy smile that gets you anything you want (see her picture in this post). News flash Elle, I mastered that smile...doesn't work on mommy. Try it on your dad! She can throw better than a girl, kick an ball with accuracy, is sturdy as an ox, and competitive. I have one live-wire on my hands, and I love it!

Here is my kids, mostly Alex, in a nutshell. A really, really, big nutshell! Can someone help me crack the code?

The Conundrum that is the Body

It's a wonder what in the world we have been doing with Alex all this time. We have recently found a new component to Alex's story. On August 5th, Alex had his routine check up with his GI doc, and they decided to do an allergy test (per my request). I just wanted to see if his diet had annything to do with...anything. Apparently, it does!

Alex is allergic to wheat, milk, sesame seeds, and egg whites. That explains the demanding shake of his head and avoidance to eggs in the morning. I just thought he didn't like it and needed to be coerced...oops! Luckily his allergies are on the low side of the allergy scale (whatever that means), and he has not had a horrific anaphylactic shock moment. However, here is what concerns me: I have fed Alex wheat products and milk products every day of his entire "food" life. Why have there been ZERO symptoms? Those questions were not answered by the allergists that we visited this past week. What I got from him was that Alex has not shown the basic symptoms of vomiting, hives, etc. while eating these foods. Since these were not apparent when he first ate the foods, we have probably created a tolerance to them. Here is where I am lost. I have had a few doctors tell me that if you don't see these inital symptoms then there is not an allergy. So, how do you get a test that says there is an allergy and even gives you a level of seriousness? What is it doing to his body if the "normal" symptoms are not showing up on a daily basis? Here is where I figured out the title to this little ditty; the conundrum of the body. It baffles me! The doc still has to look at Alex's allergy tests that were taken by Cook's GI to help us further. So we are back to the words that I hate...let's just wait and see!

In the meantime, we have put Alex on a wheat, milk, sesame seed, eggless diet. Boring and super expensive! I feel bad for Alex because he really wants those things he use to eat, but we are adapting and making many meals for him daily to help create something worth eating! I wish we didn't have to do this, but I want to make sure that we are not poising his system.

We have also added a few new specialists to our list. We currently have seven and are adding two more to the mix. I have many eyes on my little boy! On September 7th Alex is going to have a big day. We have three appointments that I am not sure we can realistically get to on time. I was shooting for one day off versus multiple days, and we will see how it goes.

So, first up on the agenda is his genetics appointment. We took a genetics test almost two years ago and everything came back normal. However, when meeting with our neurosurgeon (who did Alex's tethered spine), he suggested to do some new things. So, we are going to do some further research with the genetisist. He will analyze his testing, evaluate Alex, and give us some suggestions or advice. Apparently in the field of genetics, there is a lack of understanding in all that encompasses genetics. When you get a test back that is negative, there are still possibilies that you fall into the rhelm of a disease. So we are going to purpuse that avenue.

We are also going to see our ENT as a follow up. I am excited to see this guy because Alex has had two ear infections since the placement of the long-term tubes. He growls when he sleeps and he tends to have some problems with really think snot (for lack of a better word). I am curious to see what this doctor has to say.

After the ENT we head over to the orthopedic surgeon. Alex's feet are, interesting! They lack arch support, they are turned out, they are fatty, and they turn out at the knee. The toes have a funny ball at the base of the foot and knuckle of the toes. I have notice his weird tootsies, and when we saw our neurosurgeon (catching on to the fact that there is one doc in our corner to solve our mysteries) he told us that it might be worthwhile to see the orthopedic guy.

So Alex's time has come again to explore the world of medicine, and it happens to be right when mommy's school year is starting and we don't have free days to take off for appointments. Who cares though! I want to see what others have to say so we can add on to Alex's adventure.

On a side note, Alex's PPCD school starts next week (August 22). There can only be a maximum of 10 students in the class with one teacher and two aids. This is our year! There are only 3 students, including Alex, in the class. I am so excited about the one on one attention he will receive!

I will update you on Elle and Matt at another time. This was just an Alex update! :)

Memory Boxes

Here is a little something I have been working on for Alex and Elle. I have all these things that I want to keep for the twins that are piled up around the house, and I needed a special place to put the keepsake items that are going to be important to them in the future. Here is what I came up with... (Elle's box is not completely done on the inside...ran out of glue).

Summer time...and the livin's easy

I could get use to this life! It is for sure, the good life being at home with the kids and just enjoying my time with them! I like 3 year olds! What a great age of learning, exploring, excitement....few tantrums....but overall just a fun love for life! Here is what our summer has been like:

Elle is pretty much potty trained!!!! Rangers game = no accidents. 4th of July parade = no accidents. Nap time = no accidents. I still don't have her going on her own. I have to ask and her and she will go, but we are so over the hump, and I am now only buying diapers for one! Now we just have to get Alex on board...hum...any thoughts?

Elle has started dance class! She has been to three sessions of tap and ballet now and is ... ok ... at it:) She likes tap a little better than the ballet because the shoes make a tap-tap sound, and ballet is just not as fun. I stay in the hall because she doesn't pay attention when I am around. Whenever I look in, she is usually just tapping her shoes in random fashion and not really in-sync with the other little girls. However, to her defense, she is only 3 and the other few girls are 5 and have been doing it for a while. She loves it though, and that is all that matters!


She has an obsession with babies in bellies (she thinks she has one in her belly). I think it is because Rae Lyn is pregnant. She thinks we all have on in our bellies, including Matt! She asks to see it and kisses his belly for him.

The other day she was in a sea-shell bikini top and told me that she wanted me to see her pirate. I was confused and thought she thought she was wearing a pirate costume. When she asked to see my pirate and pointed to my chest, I realized she wasn't saying "pirate" but "private." I told her that we don't need to talk about privates with anyone other than mommy. Sheesh!

I frequently get licks on the face because she says that's how doggies kiss you, but she will do it so often that you start to feel pretty gross. She loves to paint and has now taken to painting herself with water colors. We have had to learn that paint goes on paper not anything else.


Finally, with Elle, she loves to swim. We swim often, and she can do it with just a floaty on. That is a big help in the pool to not have to keep a hold of her at all times. I can just let her tut around with her floaty while working with Alex. She wears some seriously cute bathing suits, but the point of this story is to tell you all what she calls that suit. I have tried and tried to get her to say it right, but she insists she is saying what I am telling her to say...which is..."baby soup." I think it is too funny! She will dance around and tell us that she has her "baby soup" on. Then point to her belly and say that she has a "baby in her tummy" and her :baby soup" on. Crazy girl!

Now to the Al-inator. He is doing so great. We are still not making huge strides. No words to tell you as of yet, but he is really on his own as far as mobility and control. We hardly fall, we walk everywhere anymore, his depth perception is getting so much better, and he is eating solid foods most of the time with his fingers. We are really coming along.

We still do horse riding every Saturday, and I am just enjoying it so much. He is having a blast, and the families and kids we share the session with are inspirational. I have really made a little horse-riding family out of these parents and kids. They are just amazing. I have been really blessed to have found this therapy center with the teachers and the other kids that are in our session. Just fabulous. I cannot rave enough about it! Anyone wanting to do some volunteering or need info about Wings of Hope, shoot me an email!

We are trying aquatherapy on our own. I have researched some videos online and asked my old therapists for suggestions, and Alex has really started to enjoy the pool and what he does in it. He enjoys it so much that he bee-lines for the pool and practically falls in he is so excited. Now I just have to keep him from drinking the water all the time...


We can't wait to start school again in the fall. Even for those short 3 weeks, I was seeing progress. He was pointing out pictures of animals, sitting during story time to listen, and enjoying their sandbox. I am really pleased with his progress, and I am so blessed to have this amazing teacher, Mrs. Lane. He is in great hands.

As for Matt: He is in Arkansas a bunch. He has many projects going right now, so he is busy, but we are proud that he is really holdig his own. He had to head out before the 4th of July this year. He was bummed to say the least, but he knows that this is what is needed to continue to move his career in the right direction. Matt, if you are reading this, I am sooooo proud of you and I love you. We are coming up on 7 years next week. I couldn't imagine a life without, as my dad would call him,...Matt, scat, you dirty old rat! ;)

What a start to the spring

So here it is, a long time since I have written a thing, and so much to tell! Let's start where I always start, with Alex.

Alex has been through horse therapy 8 times now, and I swear by it. I have seen a turn around in this kid. His balance is better, his coordination, his fine-motor skills, and his overall confidence. He still doesn't speak, but he grunts often and with inflection. He even does this weird gurgling, scratching thing with his throat like he is congested. When I asked my OT about it, she thinks he is playing with his throat muscles and trying to start his speech. I hope that's the case!

We have also been through AISD's special education referral process. In February, we went to see the district's audiologist who gave Alex and Elle a good score on their hearing report. Good thing those long-term tubes are working. Elle was referred for speech as well, but didn't qualify since she was labeled "average." Never thought I'd be so happy to have an "average" kid! We went to have a formal evaluation at a place called Kooken which is AISD's early childhood special education center. Elle was great, and was dismissed from their services. Alex was consistent with his testing through my ECI therapy and qualified. I am very excited about this (not the fact that I have a kid who qualifies for these services, but estatic that I have the chance to help my kid who needs these services). He will now have a daily PPCD (Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities) program from 8:05 to 11:05. He will then be bussed to CLC (Alex and Elle's church preschool). During his daily class he will receive speech. The lady will work with Alex two days a week. Next year, he will be evaluated for OT (Occupation Therapy), PT (Physcial Therapy) and MT (Music Therapy). Made that last one up...not sure if it is MT or just music therapy. Here is the cool part. He gets to start next week. Since the twins are turing 3 on Saturday, he will have the opprotunity to start right after his 3rd birthday. So we get to begin all these wonderful services right away. Yeah!

Today we attended Alex's first ARD (Admission, Review, Dismissal). Matt got to sit in to see how one of these work. Thank goodness I have sat through my share of 7th grade ARD's to know what was happening. I can easily see how a parent who is just starting out could feel overwhelmed. It was great though. The teaching staff was so accomodating and helpful. I know that Alex will be in great hands. Not to mention, Noni will be a few hallways away along with her amazing teacher friends like Lisa, Barbara, and Teri (and all you other Divas). I know he is in great hands!

This summer, I am going to continue the horse therapy (some of these kids have been in it for years...so we are going to keep it up as long as he likes it). I also plan to get Alex in aqua therapy so that he can learn to swim and learn to move his body through the use of water.

Now, let's move on to Elle. My sweet yet sassy little lady. So, we have learned the art of ignoring. How a three year old can master this concept is beyond me. She is also really good at changing the subject in the blink-of-an-eye. I frequently have to hold her cheeks so that she will stare at me so I can talk to her. Then she says "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes....MOMMY" until I shut up. Awesome! On the other hand, she gives kisses like they are going out of style and loves to play with my hair. She hasn't learned how to be gentle yet, but we are trying. She has to do everything herself even though it takes forever. I am pretty sure I have peed my pants a bit because I am holding it in while waiting for her to decided to get out of her car seat and get in the house. Then she will look at me and say "Mommy, I am trying, please hold on!!" So, Sorry! Her attitude is refreshing though, and I know that she is just being a true 3 year old. As a friend of mine said (little shout-out to Jessica H.) "You want that attitude because you know she will be able to hold her own when she gets older." I am pretty sure I butchered what she said...but it was something like that. We love dancing (especially Dancing with the Stars), so we are about to embark on our first dance class on June 3rd. Fun! She has a unique sense of style too. When picking out some new PJ's the other day, she did not choose the monkey, frogs, ice-cream cones, or butterflys. No, my daughter chose the...crab. She said "whooooo, crabs." Again...Awesome.

So to make a long story longer, we are about to head into our 3rd birthday this Saturday, May 7. We are getting so big (just hit the 30lb. mark for both of them. I know they are little for their ages...preemies). Alex loves balls and trucks right now, and Elle loves anything that tickles her fancy at the moment. Right now it is princesses. She was so excited to see the royal wedding and the beautiful princess, but was confused as to where the witch was. We love trains and Dora and dancing in front of the TV. They sure are fun!

Thanks for keeping up with us! Our twincident has been an experience to date, and our fun will just keep chugging along.

Something New

I have to take a second to give Alex a hand.....Bravo baby!

Alex clapped for the first time today. All on his own. It was clumsy, it only happened a few times, but he clapped! I was going to attach the video to this thing so you guys can see it, but my blondeness couldn't figure it out. Oh well!

We were doing music therapy tonight. We work him out while he sits there and listens. This time my mom had him, and she was clapping his hands together. She let go, and he just kept going. Once I had the camera on him though, he got cold feet and couldn't perform. I am just super excited and had to share!

Another exciting Alex story will come to you on Saturday. Alex is having his first horse therapy session! He will get to be a big boy and ride a horse while go though a therapy routine. How cool is that. I am excited to see where this new road will take us!

Elle will get to go see her Tia and Uncle CB because the equestrian center is just a few miles from their house. She will get to impress them with her silly songs, crazy attitude, and passion for...yelling! She has kept me in stitches lately with her fairwells to her classmates. A sweet little Colby always yells at her when we leave saying "Hey, Elle." (Say that with some attitude...heeeeey Elllllee) When we turn around, she gives her an air kiss with her hand...Elle gives one back...then they run and hug each other. So dramatic! We do the same thing with Ava in the morning. Big hugs and run off hand in hand to the PE room. Silly girls!

Alex has a "girlfriend." A sweet girl named Macy has become his buddy. She feeds him, reads him books, holds his hand, and just loves on him. He has started to be part of the group more and more, and I frequently find him right in the middle of story time or sitting with someone playing with a car. Today he was sitting next to another little boy in a rocking chair. I think he is feeling more comfortable in his skin!

Just a little update on the twincident!

Snow Days

Wow, what a cold February! I hate snow, cold weather, and blistering winds. Come on sun and summer. I am so over this winter thing!

Life at our house has been nothing short of an adventure since the twins were born, but the last year has definitely been the most difficult to date. The twins are sneaking up on 3 this year, and I am in denial that they are already this old! Seems like just yesterday they were those teeny 4 and 5 lb. babies in NICU. I cannot fathom that three years have gone by already. Time sure does fly by when you are have fun or running around like a chicken with your head cut off!

Let me update you on Alex: We have been doing the music therapy, amogst our other therapies) now since the last time I updated you. I have tracked his progress, and we have done the therapy religiously each and every day. Here is what's new: Alex stops while walking and balances himself without having to grab on to something or shuffle his feet to keep from falling. He literally can just stand there and look around. This is pretty big because of all his balance issues. To go with the balance, his sitting Indian-style or with his legs out in front of him has improved greatly. He used to have to put his hands down and lean on them for support, but now he can just sit there without the extra help. I think that this is from the music therapy but also from the spinal surgery. I think he is just figuring out that he can do this!

Alex has also started to have an interest in books. He use to just push them out of his way or swing them around in his fingers, but now he acutally turns the pages whether he is with me or sitting by himself. He looks at pages, laughs, and goes through the books. I love it!

Alex has started to wave when you wave to him or ask him too. He will sit and stand on command...I know I am making him sound like a dog! He will go to the bathroom to take a bath or brush his teeth when I ask him to show me where to go. He finds his chair in the kitchen when I ask him to show me that as well. There seems to be an overall understanding of what we are saying that is improving. It is not great, but there are signs of life in that brain of his...and that is big!

Alex has also found that he doesn't need his pj bottoms on, nor his diaper, when he wakes up in the morning or from nap. The problem is the poop-painted walls when he has a bit more than pee in his diaper. Matt and I have had 3 major clean-ups in the past few weeks, and it is disgusting.

Elle has taken on her brother's idea, and started to get naked during bed-time as well. She takes her clothes off almost everday and sleeps in the nude. I think we might have a problem on our hands! I bribe her with M&Ms to keep her fully clothed by morning, but that doesn't seem to work.

Mom: "Elle you need to keep all your clothes on tonight; and if you do, you will have M&Ms when you wake up. Can you do this??"

Elle: "Sure, Mommy."

I don't think she knows what I am saying nor what "Sure" means!

Elle's speach is improving dramatically. Her words are getting better, and she is super funny. She is a bit mean too. Apparently she pushed a little girl down at school the other day. She didn't seem all that upset about it! She has an independent streak to her that is a mile long. She likes to do things herself. She tells me to "get out" or "go away" if she is really consentrating on her task. We started the whole potty training thing, and she has decided it is not for her. We are taking a break, and will try again during spring break. We will see how it goes then:) She misses her daddy a lot during the work week, and we are tying out the whole Skype thing to keep us all connected when Matt's away. They seem to like that.

So this is what they are doing, but I wanted to update you on what we are about to endeavour with Alex. We are currently in the process of testing him for special ed services through Arlinton ISD. He is getting an audiology test on Friday, and will be evaluated by a team of therapists in April. If he qualifies, which he most definitely will, he will start half day classes at Little on his birthday. He will get the whole last month of school to start classes, and will start again in once school starts back in August. Here is the cool part!! Alex will be at the same school my mom teaches at. He will go from 8:15-11:15, and then he will go on a buss (Oh, yes! I said BUS) to CLC (their current pre-school) for the remainder of the day. He will have an assistant with him at all times to help him go from point A to point B, and we will have some pretty intense schooling for my little man. This is a big step for us! A bit scary, but will hopefully open up a whole new world to us.

That's the Twincident report in a fairly large nutshell. Hope the start of the New Year has treated you with wonderful moments. If not, please remember that faith, hope, and love are what can uplift you when you are down, worn-out, or in a tough situation. Just a little faith goes a long way! Thank you God, for giving me my faith! I am not sure what I would do with out you!