Liam's Report, Progress and Future Plans

Today it is Liam's turn!

Hot off the press from the update for James, we got a new appointment letter for Liam to see the speech therapist. We go next Thursday, February 13th to see what the original speech therapy lady has to say. She was wonderful and gave me hope that with her assistance we would actually get somewhere with Liams speech difficulties.

Two months on, we finally heard back from the Rhyme Time group therapy. I hated every moment of those sessions. Talking to kids aged 4 and  5 like toddlers was belittling and I could not see what was being achieved.

In short the report states that Liam had a good level of understanding, listening and waiting turns. He was able to answer all questions confidentally but needed a little assistance clapping out syllables although he was pronouncing each syllable perfectly. For the general overall report he marked 3 out of 5 for the syllables and rhyming work and 4 out of 5 for listening and attention as he really wasn't that interested.

The recommend we carry on the syllable games and clapping at home which Liam is still reluctant to do and that we would be receiving an appointment from speech therapy shortly. Ironically, that appointment arrived a week before his actual report. Again, this proves my point on the organisation of this little group.

I'd be happy for Liam to have proper one on one speech help. I personally, think he still needs to make some sounds clearer. I still get confused sometimes as to what he means. Obviously as his mum I understand him alot more than others but I just want him to get that little bit of help and see how it goes. Liams key worker at nursery is on a course with the speech therapist that Liam sees next week so she can help him with exercises in school to help him.

At home, Liam has found a new feature on his 2DS. A voice changer! He has been having so much fun with that this week! It is encouraging him to sing and talk so he can hear himself and mess about with the sounds. He particularly loves the "helium" one. Funny boy!

I just want to help my little boys and make life easier for us all in the long run. I don't enjoy all these appointments, it feels like I am neglecting the other kids needs when I am spending more time with one over the others but hopefully there will be less appointments and more progress this year.

I think the school want to refer Liam to the Child Development Center like James but I will argue that one as I don't think there is a problem with anything Liam does beyond his speech. He is confident painting and writing, he knows his numbers to 20 and can already tell me a number of phonics. We play a numberplate game where Liam tells me the letters or sounds on the car and the numbers he can see. He seems very forward with it,

The school will be making a plan of action once we've heard from the next appointment and see where to go from there. I just hope it is all available in the school rather than here there and everywhere. I'm tired of all the running about for the sake of it.

Results, Blood Tests and Follow Up Plans

James' Griffiths tests report came back this week. He is struggling mostly with motor skills. He has a weak grasp and a "wide based run". He concentrated well, tried incredibly hard and was very good with social interaction.

All in all, with this and that tallied up, James came out with an ability level of 3 years and 10 months. So he's about 1 year and 4 months behind other kids in his age group.

I'm not at all worried about this. He has some really good qualities in other ways. They didn't check his "educational" levels as such, his reading, numbers, recognition of the normal things I'd be concerned about in school but it just seems to be the physical side.

She didn't even mention his speech in the report which was the initial reason all this started off.

So, for the moment, the report shows that James' difficulties are in fact physical ones not necessarily related to school work.

James isn't the most confident kid in the world. He's quiet and thoughtful, thinking before he speaks and acts. I don't see that as a bad quality at all.

I am no good myself at running or jumping so I see where that comes from.

The next stage was for blood tests to check for any muscle weakness and any form of genetic problem as to why he struggles with the things he does.

He was a little trooper. Considering he is only 5, he had blood taken like you would as an adult. No numbing cream or anything, they set up the strap on the upper arm and went directly into his little vein in his arm.  FOUR little test tubey things were taken for sampling. I was surprised how much blood they took from such a little person! Being concerned I asked if he needed to wait before we left as we do in the UK when you Give Blood. Yes, giving blood is an entire pint, but it looked so much from his little body, it must have been in the same region of percentage of blood taken. He got his special plaster and back at school he got a special sticker when he went in for the afternoon.

We now await the results of the blood tests and we should get a follow up appointment in about 2 months. He has also been referred to Occupational Therapy which is a form of physio to help strengthen his muscles. This should be done in school, but if it isn't I am going to contest it. A trip to the Physio is 40 minutes drive and I've already told his teachers I don't want him missing out on too much school time for this. He's already missed one and a half days this month for these appointments that the school has to agree to as it's medical but I don't want time travelling back and forth to have a knock on effect to his school work in which he is doing well.

I'm just pleased we've got that done and have done everything we can to help the little man for now and that the teachers will be off my back for that for the time being at least as I am set to go through it all again with Liam due to his speech difficulties.

The things we do for our kids and their teachers. 

London and York

How can we be on the last Friday of the month already? It doesn't seem any time at all since we were excitedly waiting and welcoming Christmas and that's nearly a month ago!

So the end of January and I didn't get round to write about Matthew's tenth birthday this year. He wanted a Playstation 2, yes, TWO so we got him that, most other family gave him money. We went for a day out in London. Taking in a few sights, a trip on the sightseeing bus and plenty of rides on the tube. We went for dinner at the O2 arena which unfortunately goes down in history as one of the worst family meals out ever, but Matthew seemed to like it even if hubby and I found it incredibly disappointing. Matthew also got to have a go at presenting a special Sky Sports News show that they had set up at the O2. He and James were behind the special news desk and Matthew read the autocue. They gave us a lovely little video to show for it. The day flew by but we had a lovely time. Matthew got to spend most of his birthday money and we all had a lovely day out.

Last weekend hubby and I went to York for the weekend. Wow! What a beautiful city! Certainly a place any visitors to the UK should visit if they like their history and architecture of days gone by.

First stop after getting off the train was to the adjacent Railway Museum. It wasn't my thing but hubby wanted to see it. It was ok but very repetitive. All trains look the same to me but we zoomed around it and saw everything before venturing into the main part of the City inside the city walls.

We took a look at York Minster. The big Cathedral in the center. It was very busy so we chose to just have a look and leave and admire the architecture from outside.

York has a bit of a dark history. So much so that it features the York Dungeon. 

A center where you can relive the gory history of York. You go round in groups of about 30 from room to room and watch a little "re-enactment" of each display piece. Guy Falkes was from York so there's a fair bit about the Gunpowder Plot and his death. There was also a showing on a glass maze with lights behind to scare the shit out of you occassionally to see another ghastly figure in your place. There was a little chamber room where they discussed torture methods and weapons. 4 "shows" from the end, this is where our little tour ended as hubby fainted. At first I was panicking with him being diabetic. He said he didn't feel well. Really hot, light headed and moved to the back of the room before passing out. The room was cleared and a first aider was called in. We waited for him to stabilise, took off his coat and jumper and waited until he felt a bit more with it before exiting through the fire escape. He explained to the First Aid lady that he knew it wasn't the diabetes side effects as he normally has a couple of hours warning and normally does have plenty of chance to eat before he feels too bad. I was just the worried wife.

There we sat in the fresh air whilst he cooled down. The rooms where everything was happening were small and cramped, had all sorts of smells wafting in (part of the atmosphere) and were rather warm so being in the cooler corridor he started to look better. He didn't look so pale and after a rest and a bottle of water we were given the option to go back in where we were or have our tickets validated for another time. Staff were brilliant and really helpful. We decided to leave it and went off to get some food.

Talking about it later, hubby told me he had fainted once before. First time when standing in confined spaces with a fairly large amount of people when they were having a meeting about his school. So we're now thinking it could be a form of claustrophobia.  The only thing we missed that I wouldn't have minded seeing was about the witches of York.

Before going the Dungeon we had already had a drink in The Golden Fleece.

York's most famous pub renown for it's hauntings. The ghosts of The Golden Fleece were covered in the Dungeon and the bar, hotel and restaurant was once shown on tv's Most Haunted. A ghost seeking type program which shares the haunted stories of places across Britain. It was nice to say I've been in there. I loved that show when it was on tv even though you know the stories are real stories and the "dramatics" are as fake as a Rolex off a market, I love the old dark history and tales. I never saw anything creepy in there whilst drinking my half a pint of Carlsberg, but I didn't expect to. A tiny little bar, it must only seat 20 in the actual bar yet the pub clearly trades well with the massive advertising board outside stating that it had been on tv. The restaurant was full and the food looked great. Once I explained to Matthew we had been there he was so "OMG, I have to see that episode! I can't believe you went in a haunted pub!!" Bless him! :)

The evening meal in York was BEAUTIFUL. We visited The Whippet Inn.

A new trendy steak house that had really good reviews on Tripadvisor. It was the high end of budget at £85 for 2 of us but one of the best meals out ever. Scallops with cauliflower and horseradish puree, apple crisp and pea shoot start for me. Mussels for hub. Steaks for mains with potatoes, salad and onion rings followed by Grilled fresh fruit salad with a splash of rum and homemade icecream for me and lemon tart and sorbet for Sir with a glass of good quality wine and ale. It was expensive but AMAZING! That's all I can say.

The hotel was a lovely. A short walk from the station and City center. Comfortable, warm and a lovely place to just chill at the end of the night. Breakfast in the morning had a great choice and then it was time to get the train home.

I would certainly go back to York. Another time for the full weekend so we can see York Minster, the museum of Yorkshire, the walls, the gardens, the other visitor attractions. Maybe it's an idea for our anniversary this year. I'd love a proper bit of time to see a bit more than what we did as it was a really lovely little break with so much to see and do.

Moms Are Amazing.

On this occassion I cannot take credit for such wit but here is something that all mums worldwide would understand. My personal added thoughts are in brackets at the end of each statement:

21 Clear Signs You're a Mom

1. Instead of running from projectile vomit, you run towards it.  (sticking a towel in a washing machine is FAR better than trying to clear it off the carpet, walls, floors, work surfaces. You know what I mean)

2. You do more in seven minutes than most people do all day. (Dress 2 children aged 4 and 5, pack 3 lunches, check book bags, pe bags, swimming backs, lunch bags, line up 3 pairs of shoes and 3 coats. Check I filled in any forms of permission. Do I need money for anything? Where is my phone? My keys? All in my bag as they should be. Feeling sort of organised!!! Welcome to 8am - 8.10am Monday morning)

3. Happy hour has become the 60 minutes between your kids going to bed and you going to bed. (The sod it, dinner can wait for me and hubby hour!)

4. A glass of wine counts as a serving of fruit. (Not that often but sometimes, wine is a good stress reliever and brings out more goodness and inner satisfaction than an orange or apple)

5. You have mini-therapy sessions all day long with anyone who will listen. (I have blog therapy)

6. Going to the grocery store by yourself is a vacation. (I love this. I can look at what I want to look at. I spend what I need to spend. Done)

7. You think of physical pain on three levels: pain, excruciating pain and stepping on a Lego. (With 3 male offspring. That really is the truth. Give me another birth with no pain relief anytime!)

8. You have the ability to hear a sneeze through closed doors in the middle of the night, two bedrooms away, while your husband snores next to you. (Or your kids sleep talking, turning on the bathroom light, the cat over the road)

9. You'd rather have a 103 degree fever than watch one of your kids suffer with it. (I get on with it, the kids look so sad!)

10. A 15-minute shower with the door locked feels like a day at the spa. (Yes indeed)

11. Peeing with an audience is part of the daily routine. (Aint that the truth)

12. You use baby wipes to clean up random spills and the dash of your car. (And kitchen, and dining table, and coffee table and to dust the window sills, clean the skirting boards! There's a million uses for a baby wipe) 

13. You lock yourself in the bathroom and pretend to have diarrhea just to get a break. (No, I just sit there for a quiet 5 minutes. I don't pretend anything) 

14. You love Moms' Night Out and Date Night with the Hubs. (Really enjoy date night, moms night not so much anymore)

15. You have a secret chocolate stash because frankly, you're sick of sharing. (Actually no. I just occassionally steal theirs)

16. You've been washing the same load of laundry for three days because you forgot to dry it. (Not quite that bad but some things have been double washed as after a day in the machine it began to smell damp)

17. You realize you've been watching Nick Jr. alone, even though your kids have been in bed for over 30 minutes.  (It's more worrying when you find yourself watching Crash and Bernstein or Phineus and Ferb 2 hours after they are in bed as it was the only thing that you wanted to watch)

18. You can cook dinner, breastfeed, talk on the phone and yell at the kids, all without breaking stride or missing any of the TV show you are watching. (90% true but watching tv when you have a kid, let alone 3 is a big myth)

19. You get more excited about the Mini Boden Catalogue than J Crew's. (Not at all. Never heard of J Crew and I don't do catalogues but I love shopping for the kids.)

20. You decide to stick with your car for the next decade because a) you can't afford to switch and b) you haven't found a car wash that knows how to get all the milk stains and glitter removed. (We change car regularly, every year or so but only because we know it will get damaged to a point we can no longer fix it ourselves. We only buy cheap so it doesn't matter quite so much)

21. By the end of the day, brushing your teeth feels like a huge accomplishment. (And end of night bedtime seems to be the biggest reward of all!)

One To Twelve

1) The less stress, slowed down, enjoying life more Me is happy with the more relaxed attitude.
2) One of my favourite times of the week is now the walk home from school. We don't need to hurry. I don't need to get stressed when the kids trail along slowly. I now look upon it as a time to discuss their days. It's much more enjoyable. We're finding no difference in the time it takes to walk home but we all walk in the door happy.
3) James has his Griffiths Test on Monday. I've explained that it will be a time to play games, do puzzles and follow instructions to see how he is doing in school. He is looking forward to it!
4) Hubby's Grandad went back in hospital on Tuesday. He went to the Doctors as he was feeling unwell. He was taken to hospital by ambulance as the Doctor was concerned.
5) His medication following the heart attack wasn't working as they hoped.
6) Today he is having an op to help clear any blockages that may be troublesome.
7) Tomorrow we go to York. Hopefully I will get a lot of pictures.
8) Liam is nursery's Star Of The Week.
9) Liam's teachers are impressed with his singing and number work.
10) Matthew started swimming at school again today. They now go to the local leisure centre rather than the school pool.
11) We are still having incredibly mild weather conditions for January. I LOVE it.
12) I'm reading alot more again. This makes me feel relaxed and I am becoming more critical of books. This year I am trying to write reviews on Goodreads rather than just rate books.

This Year I Promise ......

I've never been a big maker of resolutions. I tend to fail quickly if I make any but this year I thought I'd have a go.

Nothing major, just to be more compassionate, understanding and to step back from lifes stresses and ENJOY the world more.

I've never been religious, but I guess, deep down I'm a spiritualist. I don't do the yoga, I don't do the alternative therapies, I don't look to Angels for guidance but I do believe that Happiness comes from the inside. 

That happiness is a state of mind and if you want it you can achieve it.

I am a rather reflective person, but I try not to dwell on the bad things in life. I try to work out how to make them better.

There are some tough times in life. Really tough times and those days can be slow, long and dark but there's always going to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Worrying about things does no good, but making a positive change, going out to do something that makes you feel good and generally seeing the small, good things in life can make such a difference.

This year, I want to lose all the guilt I've been carrying around for so long.

The mis-calculations that lead to a failed marriage. That I let my kids down. That my kids have been struggling in school or with speech or whatever. There's very little I can do to change the past but there are ways I can accept that sometimes, the world does suck. Each tough lesson is a step to a stronger person the other end.

I've always been a tad emotional, self critical and find it easy to feel a complete failure when things don't go my way. I'm the first to admit I can over-react and feel overwhelmed taking things too personally too often. It comes back to guilt, it comes back to feelings of failure.

I don't get this way very often, but when I do, I hate myself even more.

This year, it's all about acceptance that sometimes things just happen. It's not always a personal attack on or at me, it's just the Universe and how it happens. If my kids are struggling with things, I can only do my best. If I am supportive and know I am trying then that really should be enough this year. I won't beat myself up over not getting it right.

This year, I will stop feeling guilty about not liking people. If I have a distinct feeling that I don't like someone, I will remain polite but accept that my first impressions are often right and learn to distance myself from the "bad energy" (I didn't want to sound like a hippy or anything but it's getting that way) I don't have to be friends with everyone. It's ok not to like people. I'd rather be true to myself rather than force something I don't feel or live a lie and be a hypocrite.

I will not feel guilty that friendships have changed. Sometimes a step back is needed and we need to move forward in a different direction.

In short, I want this year to be more simple. More about the little things in the world that make the whole picture an amazing scene of beauty.

Goodbye 2013

Just to close the year I thought I would write a quick post.

2013 has been an ok year. We haven't had too bad a ride of it.

Health overall has been good for us all. We've not lost anyone close to us nor have we had any family births.

We've had a couple of family scares from the attempted suicide of my cousin and hubbys grandads heart attack but all seems well on both fronts these days.

In all, 2013 can easily be described as consistent.

I've said this before and I'll say it again, whilst I am a person that enjoys and looks forward to change, there are sometimes in life when it's just nice for things to stay the same.

Very little seems to have changed in 2013 and that's not necessarily bad.

I am settled with this life and I love the way my family have developed and grown up in the past 12 months.

If I could have a wish for the forthcoming year, it would be that I would like next year to be pretty much like this year.

I wish health and love to all my friends and family throughout the year.

We've had up and down days, we've had the general bugs and little injuries here and there but that happens to everyone.

Nothing really big has happened this year and that can be seen as a blessing as much as anything even though I look upon this year as an easily forgettable year.

It also makes me a little apprehensive as to what the new year may bring as we've had it fairly easy for some time.

So to one and all I wish you a happy new year with much happiness. xx

Christmas Recap So Far

1) I loved James's nativity. They all looked so small.

2) Matthews Church Service got rave reviews from most parents at the school saying how lovely it all was. I don't know if they were being polite or if they went to a different service to me. I went because of Matthew but to be honest, it was a long slow hour that I would have been happier being at home for. Matthew didn't enjoy it either.

3) Liams little service was the best of the three. The kids went into the school hall and did all their singing and dancing on the stage. They were so CUTE. Mrs Farmer his teacher gave every child the oppertunity to announce a song or recite some song words as she pointed the microphone towards their little faces. When it came to Liam, he wasn't having any of the pointed microphone business. He grabbed it with both hands and jumped up and down with excitement shouting "Snowman, Snowman". I have a future star in the making!

4) We've started the present exchanging with some family and my best friend. We buy for each others kids and that's it. We only started last year as we've only known each other a couple of years but I felt bad that she buys for 3 of mine and I only buy two of hers so I sneaked in a little box of chocolates for her. On Friday I collected my presents (I did it in a drop before collecting Liam from nursery - this is to keep the Father Christmas illusion very much alive. I'm sure I got suspicious seeing bags and packages handed between parents - then collected ours on the way back after drop off yesterday)  Whilst collecting our presents, she told me off for adding that extra present. She then started laughing saying that she'd hidden something in there for me as well. Great minds think alike!

5) Hair and brows done. Feeling ready for Christmas now. Big night out tonight.

6) I've rearranged that appointment for James. (See the last Bitching post)  It's now January 20th and the only issue is I need someone to pick Liam up from nursery but I'm sure I can get that covered. Part of the problem is that the school is trying TOO hard. It's been very public in the press that our county of Suffolk (County = tiny State) is falling behind in the education leagues by rather alot. We are in one of the lowest success stories of the country. So there are more pressures on the Educational System. More pressure on the head teachers and more pressure on the teachers. It's a headache for everyone. Whilst I do understand they are trying to help and reach targets, it's annoying that everything has to be just so and kids are treated as statistics on how well a county is doing. Kids are being treated as numbers and so are the parents.

7) Kids all had school Christmas dinner this week. Matthew was put out because he didn't get a sausage to go with his turkey whilst Liam got a double helping!

8) The weekend at Butlins was lovely. It's been many years since I was photographed with Father Christmas but hey....it's Christmas.

9) We are all ready for Christmas. I can't wait. The kids are all set for Christmas and getting all excited. Liam last night saw some presents that are to be dropped off at my mums today and the little magical look on his face had me all choked up as he said "Father Christmas takes those" He was in real awe and it all seemed so special. I am really relishing these days. They are going to be so grown up before I know it.

10) Speaking of which, three weeks today, Matthew will turn TEN.  Where has that decade of my life gone?

I hope to get one more post in on Monday or Tuesday to wish everyone a happy Christmas and update on the Christmas grown ups night out. x