Rescued

With my 30th birthday approaching, I think I am really starting to fall apart, physically & mentally! I mean, I am still dealing with the mysterious chest pain (waiting to be called back for an appointment with a specialist to determine if there is some digestive issue like an ulcer or reflux). I have been really forgetful since I was pregnant, but it seems to be getting worse. I like to think it is just because life is so hectic, and I have so many important things to remember, that I can't seem to remember the smaller things....like the speed limit in surrounding neighborhoods!

Yesterday, I went to the early service at church while John stayed home with Joshua. After I came home so that John could get ready to go to the late service, I decided to take Joshua & go to the grocery store. I got the diaper bag & we headed out. When I was down to the last 2 items on my list, I suddenly realized that I didn't grab my wallet out of my purse before we had left the house. Normally, all of my stuff is in the diaper bag, but since I had just been to church alone, I had everything in my purse. So here I was, with a cart full of groceries (including meat that had been sliced at the deli), a tired toddler who had just finished eating the snack I had brought for him, and no cash, check, credit/debit cards with me. I frantically sent a text message to John (which took me like 5 minutes to do because I don't text, and my phone is not one that is set up for easy texting), and prayed that he had taken his phone in to the service with him. Luckily, he did have his phone & came to rescue me. Joshua & I wandered through the store for 20 minutes waiting for John, who delivered my wallet & took Joshua back home while I checked out.

John has also taught me recently that I don't pay attention to things very well any more. He didn't shave for like 4 days before I realized it! Then, he shaved & I didn't notice until he mentioned it that evening. He didn't take it personally. I think he has learned that I have a million questions swirling through my head at any given moment.

In a Hurry

With the time change & addition of black-out curtains to his room, Joshua has been sleeping until around 8:00 the last few mornings. Now, before you start thinking I have it easy...he doesn't take a nap (except for falling asleep in the car for a few minutes on occasion) & he goes to sleep after 8:00 at night. Anyway, I had to wake him up this morning a little before 8:00 because he had an appointment at 9:00. I had only been up about 15 minutes before I got him up, so I wasn't ready to go at that point either. Between giving him his medicine, getting his breakfast on the table, letting the dog in & out, and getting John's lunch ready, I barely had time to get myself ready & ended up having to eat pop-tarts in the car for breakfast. I was driving through a neighborhood about 1 mile from our appointment, when a police officer stepped out of a bunch of bushes & waved me over. He asked for my license & proof of insurance, so I was hoping this was just a random check point. He then told me I was speeding...the speed limit on that street was 20....was anyone not speeding?? He wrote me up for 34 in a 20....coming downhill. I didn't look at my speedometer, so I have no idea how fast I was going. I didn't argue with him...I just took my ticket...my very first ticket. Obviously I deserved a ticket but I was hoping for a little grace! Not today. So, we were late for the appointment & now I have to pay a ridiculous amount of money to that city....or go to traffic court. I almost made it to the age of 30 without a speeding ticket.

Normal

That is not a word that I would use to describe our life over the past 14 months or so. I mean, we have a two year old who has more appointments than most adults...therapy 5 days a week, plus regular appointments with a specialist for behavior problems, a neurologist, and pediatrician. We get crazy looks when we are out, because Joshua looks like he is 4 but doesn't talk and still has some balance issues. He tries to sign to other people, but they don't know what he is doing. We have gotten used to all of this & the severe tantrums that come with all of the challenges that Joshua has. However...there have been several times in the last couple of weeks that felt very normal. Outings to parks or the zoo have been a struggle for a while because if Joshua wasn't in his stroller, he would run away, crawl around, pick things up & put them in his mouth, and have major tantrums if you tried to stop any of it. Often I avoided those places rather than deal with the "scenes" that would occur if we tried. But, last week I took Joshua to the park after school because it was nice out. He was perfect! He held my hand & walked down the sidewalks. He stopped to look at the water. He went in to the playground & played on the slide & swing. When it was time to go home, he got out of the swing without fussing & held my hand to walk back to the car. He never ran, cried, crawled, fussed, & didn't put anything in his mouth! I was amazed! Today we went to the zoo, and I expected disaster. But, he was perfect again. I had his monkey harness/leash on in case he tried to run, but he didn't. He held my hand most of the time while we were walking. Now, I have learned not to judge parents & kids when you are out, because you just don't know the circumstances. I have been the parent with "that child" too many times, and it isn't his fault or my fault....its just the way it is sometimes in our situation. However, in both of the previous outings, I was so excited to NOT be the parent with the misbehaving child. While we were at the park, there was a little girl holding on to the swing, kicking & screaming when she was told it was time to go home. And today at the zoo, we saw a little boy peeing into the parrot exhibit! His mom was horrified when she looked up & saw him doing it! I didn't laugh until I was around the corner....partly because it was funny & partly because I am well aware that my day is coming for that sort of thing. I was just so impressed with Joshua the past two weeks that I had to share. A couple of months ago, we couldn't even imagine being able to take him to the park or zoo without chaos. He really has come a long way!

On a side note, there was a great article in the current issue of Birmingham Parent magazine written by the father of a special needs child. You can read it on the website: http://www.birminghamparent.com/. Click on the little magazine at the top to download the magazine online & the article is on pages 30-31. This issue has a special section for families with special needs, which has some great articles. Check it out if you have time.

Our Weather Watcher

Joshua has spent much of the day signing 'snow' and pointing outside. He enjoyed some time this evening looking for more of those elusive snowflakes.

Snow Day

We enjoyed watching it snow for several hours this morning. We didn't take Joshua out in it for long because he is starting to get a cold, but he did get to enjoy playing in our 2-3 inches of snow for a few minutes. He seemed to like watching it from the window just as much.

Our Newest Toy

I wish the picture captured the sheer joy that this trampoline brings to Joshua. Unfortunately, as soon as he sees a camera he gets very serious because he thinks he should get to take the camera away from you. Anyway, he LOVES this trampoline, and jumps on it all day long. He gets really high, too. I will have to get some video of it....but who knows when I will have the time to learn how to get videos on here. We definitely recommend these trampolines...it has been well worth the money to see the huge smiles it brings to his face!

Stress Test

I finally got my stress tests results on Friday, and it appears my heart is fine & is not the cause of the chest pain. I was feeling better for a couple of days & then had a few rough days again. However, I seem to be feeling much better this weekend. Maybe the two medications they have me on for stomach/upper GI inflammation are starting to work. Thanks for all of the prayers!!