Conversations with Elizabeth

Elizabeth has been asking lots of funny questions lately about babies and about what she was like when she was born. After reading a book she has on the human body and pulling the flap to see how the baby born she expressed her disgust that the baby comes from her mothers 'bum'. I explained where the baby actually comes from and she once again expressed her disgust. She then asked if she was born that way too, I explained that because she was so tiny and needing help the Doctor's helped her come out faster from a incision in my tummy. Elizabeth ended the discussion stating 'I hope the next baby is born out your vagina'.
At least this discussion was at home, many of our impromptu talks happen when out in public and she really catches me off guard.

Next Time Decaf

After a year and half wait list Elizabeth is now having her psych-educational assessment. Depending on my mood I am okay or anxious about this testing, some days I think she will fly through this testing and they will tell me that she is a very smart girl who will do great and other days my fears are they will come back and tell us she has ADD and/or Asperger's. We feel that this testing is important so her teachers can adapt to her learning needs early on. We have no doubts about her ability to learn as she truly is a walking encyclopedia but her intense knowledge also makes us nervous because she really knows too much for a 5 year old. She continues to be impulsive and distracted at times but it is improving.
Elizabeth did quite well from what I could hear (Mommy's are not allowed to be present) I could hear her singing and giggling during the testing. Me on the other hand not too good the stress of the impending results had me edgy but the biggest problem is I drank a large Starbuck's Iced Coffee just prior to her testing. I don't drink coffee (hot or cold) and I should have thought that Iced Coffee contains caffeine (duh) but I drank a large from a freebie Daddy had got. Those were the longest 3 hours I have spent in a very small waiting room with nothing to do and on an extreme caffeine high. Of course the secretary was sitting near me and I was trying to be still so she would not report me to the Psychologist. To top off our day I had promised to take Elizabeth to a nearby splash pad for a treat for her hard work and of course when we got there it was closed so she at the end of her rope had a meltdown with crying and retching but we got sorted out when I found a nearby outdoor pool for her to paddle in. It took about 7 hours for the caffeine to clear my system even after lots of water and a run.
Elizabeth begins part 2 in a couple of weeks and next time I will be prepared with a decaf tea and a juicy book to pass a couple of hours and I will ensure that her reward won't be a let down.

Grammy's Cottage

We were able to get away to the quiet haven at my parents cottage last week. We had a very relaxing week doing some of Elizabeth's favorite things; catching minnows, fishing, swimming, playing in the sand, playing mini-golf and her favorite roasting marshmallows. We even found a museum nearby which had an exhibit on Dragon's which are close to dinosaur's on Elizabeth's list of favorite things.

Designs by Elizabeth

We have had some rainy days here so when I was at work Elizabeth and Gram's got creative. Elizabeth continues to pamper her dinosaurs; they are her dolls she carries them wherever we go, she feeds them, she does shows for them and lately she has been making them outfits as well. Her latest designs were rain-gear. As you can see her Dino friends are all in matching raincoats and hats all designed by Elizabeth.

Good News

I am pretty excited and feel like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Elizabeth's new school called and had me come in to sign paperwork to get services (OT/PT) for the first day of school (I do confess to making a couple of phone calls and her dedicated Phsyiotherapist did the same). They also had me sign the papers to have their audiologist prescribe an FM unit at school which the school board will pay for. I have been pretty stressed about her entering school and ensuring her needs met but after hearing all that the school has done so far I am now excited for her to start.
Elizabeth is also pretty excited about school as well; she received a photo album from school with pictures of all the things she would be doing at school and she can't believe that there is a library there. She also already knows where both the Principal and the Secretary keep their candy which I am sure she will take advantage of.

More

I have heard from the grapevine that Ramon is just finishing his visit in Montreal for his CME Medek therapy. Hearing that he was coming back totally pulls at my Mommy's guilt as I know how much Elizabeth benefits from his work. When we finished a long block in Fall 2009 Elizabeth came home and walked up a small flight of stairs independently and hands free, fast forward to today and we have not seen it again since. As you can see in the video Elizabeth enjoys CME therapy and works well with Ramon she never fought or resisted. We have all the boxes and lessons from Ramon from her past sessions but completing the therapy needs 2-3 adults one who has the strength and skill to hold a 5 year old in the air by her shoes. I can't help but wonder if we were to find a way to afford more CME therapy what would she be doing now?

End of School and a Snake Necklace

It is totally bittersweet Elizabeth is done at her Preschool/JK. She has been at this school for the past 3 years and has played, learned, laughed and thrived in an environment that was perfect for her. I can't believe it was 3 years ago when I took her to see the school and then she was still crawling. Her teacher's now tell me they were really unsure how she would do as she was not walking but thankfully she did begin to walk 2 months before school started. Elizabeth was the first child to be integrated in their school and they accepted her for her not the difficulties she faced.
The small classes, interesting themes, additional French and art classes, how they celebrated Mother's day with a tea party and Father's day with a snack for Daddy before work and how they introduced academics in a fun way to learn. They always were interested in Elizabeth's well-being and every teacher knew her and encouraged her. The teacher's were very accepting of recommendations from her therapists, her fiddly FM unit and I loved that her teacher would even remove Elizabeth's AFO's to help her walk in high heels like the other kids.
Elizabeth celebrated the last of school at a picnic the school held. I think the highlight was the Reptile man that visited and brought all the things that Elizabeth loves. The snake necklace really made Elizabeth's day. We will miss her old school and the small safe environment they had but now back to big girl school and a new chapter in her life.

Dance Recital

Elizabeth had her end of year dance recital in her adaptive dance class. The class worked so hard practicing all the steps and Elizabeth remembered the movements quite well. Elizabeth really enjoyed her dance class, her favourite thing about her dance class is the attention she gets from her helpers. Elizabeth has 2 helpers that hold each hand so she can complete the steps with their support. Her helpers are the sweetest girls who adore Elizabeth and are teaching her so much. On the night of the dress rehearsal her helpers were waiting at the door for her and presented her with a card wishing her luck and coached her though all the steps and how to present herself on stage.
I did not get to see Elizabeth perform as I was backstage to help her and supervise the class but from what I heard she did great. Hearing the thunderous clapping from the audience was proof that the whole class was inspiring.

Fatigue

Elizabeth's Resource Teacher and I met to discuss her progress and her discharge. We were talking about Elizabeth's 'days' and how she fluctuates day to day for her need of physical support. Her teacher had said they often can know what day she is having if she brings her chair around in the classroom. On these days she often by the end of the morning has difficulty sitting on the floor so she will bring her chair during circle as well. Initially her classroom teacher would tell Elizabeth to put her chair back but after her Resource Teacher pointed out why she does this Elizabeth was allowed to keep her chair. This is a big change for Elizabeth as when she first started school she never sat down and then would be crying at home because her legs hurt. Her Resource Teacher has been a tremendous advocate for Elizabeth and we are grateful that she is aware of Elizabeth and her needs and can help others to be aware as well.
Now that it is warm outside and we are spending more time outside I notice she carries her chair around to play and help me in the garden. We really try to keep Elizabeth active and give her every opportunity to walk but after talking with her teacher I now know that I also to have be careful not to push her and give her legs a break.

Elizabeth is doing great with her new bike. We have bought her a Triton 3 wheeled bike/roadster and she is now flying on it. I love that I am actually getting exercise as I am running to chase her and keep her from danger. She loves riding it and is getting quite daring. The steering was tricky for her to figure out and in the beginning she smashing into everything and we kept having to pull her out of bushes and off peoples front yards. She is riding further on this bike and our goal is to ride to a nearby ice cream shop. Everywhere she rides people and kids stop by and say how cool her bike is, we met some little boys and they could not wait to try her bike, even though it was pink. We still have to modify it with a proper backrest so right now we used bungee cords to tie cushions on it so she can reach the peddles. We just have to find a basket so she can bring her dino's for a ride.