SPICA Day 8 - PreSchool

Tomorrow is the first contract day of school for Chad and I.  Chad is also right in the middle of 2-a-day football practices.  So, a giant topic of conversation has been, when is it okay to send G to school?  When we talked to his Dr., my big take away was that it is going to depend on your comfort level with the provider.  After visiting with the director of his preschool and his teacher(s), we have decided to give tomorrow a try.  Before anyone thinks we are crazy, let me explain that our circumstances are pretty unique making this seem like a reasonable decision.

Determining Factor #1:  Grahams classroom is a PPCD classroom (Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities).  This means that students with special needs are in his classroom along with children who are role model peers.  This also means that there are 4 adults in his room to 13 children.  That's a pretty nice ratio, eh?

Determining Factor #2:  Graham's Preschool is a part of the school district and is located 30 feet from the building I work in.  I could be over there in 10 seconds.  Literally. 

Determining Factor #3:  Graham was really enjoying himself at open house tonight.  It will be great for him to be around kids for part of his days.

Determining Factor #4:  They are prepared to make any accommodations necessary for him.  The director brought in a beanbag for him and they are letting us bring in one of his car seats he's grown accustomed to (their tables are already perfect height).

Determining Factor #5:  I walked one of the aides through restroom breaks and she practiced lifting/carrying him.  He giggled.  He already likes her.

Determining Factor #6:  We have a back-up plan.  Chad has already talked with his administration and is able to get out of his week of inservice next week if needed.  Meaning Graham could stay home or Chad could pick him up early at any time.  I can also leave inservice at anytime...my meetings just actually pertain to what I'm doing.  Chad's?  Not so much.  He just needs to make it to football practice on time. :) 

See?!  I told you we thought this through a little bit! :)

So, Graham goes for 1/2 a day tomorrow.  It's a test day.  We'll let you know!

PS.  Graham is sleeping in his own bed tonight rather than the couch!  (Muscle spasms -- not as severe or as long-lived tonight).  That said, Momma is sleeping in her own bed, too!  Except I'm not sleeping because I'm blogging.  G'Night!!

SPICA Day 5 -- The Great, The Good, The Works in Progress

Today was a good day.  Graham was pretty worn out from all of his new adventures the day before, so we took it easy all morning.  Hanging out, watching Peppa Pig and eventually moving to his new "chair" the car seat. 

G's favorite spot playing and eating is at the table Daddy modified.

Grandma and Papa came to visit and play while I began to tackle modifying some shorts and undies for G to wear when he heads to school.  I got two pairs of shorts done and 2 pairs of super-cool Spider Man undies before I realized I had not placed the Velcro in the right places to make them work properly and the shorts were too small even thought I bought them 2 sizes larger than G normally wears.  Do over.  SO Chad bought larger boxer shorts, I started over with the remaining undies.  Undies are done, shorts are today's project.

That boy worked too hard to get into big boy undies to start wearing diapers now!

Split both sides, added iron-on Velcro, stitched over Velcro. (playing his version of "patty cake" with Daddy)

Graham did some drawing and gluing at his table.  He made this stick person with a smile.  Then he turned it into a frown because "he's sad because he hurt his leg."  Then he gave the stick person a "good leg" and a leg with a cast.  I'm not sure what the story is behind the extra eyeballs and mouth he added at the end.

Graham wanted to try laying "on his ear".  So I rolled him over on his hip (good leg against the sofa) and propped a pillow between his two legs.  The casted leg just sticks up in the air funny and it's hard for him to stay that way on his own, so I sat behind him to support.  It seems to give his back some relief.  I've watched him tonight try to roll over to his side in his sleep. 

We ended the day with a short (very short) stroller ride to the stop sign at the end of the street and back.  He kept asking to "go to the park".  The 105 degree weather is not very cast friendly and we're trying to avoid letting him sweat.  He seemed satisfied with his little bit of outdoor time. 





 I had one minor meltdown today after Chad got home from practice.  I was cooking dinner, still in my p.j.'s, no shower, still tired from no sleep the night before, cast rash on my forearm, achy back, and a messy house that was closing in on me.  All it took was a sweet hug from Chad and the tears came.  He strongly suggested I go for a run or a walk.  Charlie B. and I took two laps around the neighborhood and I was renewed.  No more pity parties.

The worst part of the day was in the evening.  Just like the past two nights, Graham got violent muscle spasms in his leg just as he was about to fall asleep.  We had given him Valium already, thinking that might prevent the spasms all together.  We were wrong.  We gave him codeine again, which did not help with the spasms, but seems to help him sleep once they subside.  He conked out but I could still see his little foot sticking out of the WIP leg kicking as little "aftershock" spasms hit.  We will be visiting with the dr. about this on Wed.!

So, not much sleep for me again.  No reason why.  Just insomnia.  Which equates to blog time.  I'm going to try to catch a few more z's while G is sleeping well.  Chin is up. The sun is rising on Day 6! 

SPICA Day 2 - Couch Parties

Day 2, post-trauma can be summed up with the words "Couch Parties".  Chad and I were grabbing sleep whenever we could and taking turns rotating between the couch and the bed.  Graham was doing more awake time than sleep time -- whether it was leftover adrenalyn or the pain meds or not burning his normal amount of toddler energy -- not sure, but it left the pretty exhausted. 

Honestly, Chad and I both enjoyed our drug-induced visits in the wee hours with little G.  That kid is funny!  He's been using lots of big word lately, too.   As in "Mommy, that's too difficult," when I would ask if he'd like to try sitting up.

The Wylie East head coach and his family stopped by to deliver "something the wives went in on".  Let me tell you, these baskets have been our survival baskets over the last 5 days.  Seriously good snacking and time-passing goodies in there!

Day 2 in summation:  condeine and Motrin kept G comfortable.  Mommy and Daddy struggled with learning how to change a diaper in this contraption, and especially with keeping this cast clean.  Sleep was at a premium.  Little twinges of sadness and emotion would creep in at odd times, but we are keeping chins up and staying positive!