Thursday, June 21, 2012

Tonsils Begone

The sleep study Wade had done in April indicated that he has moderate obstructive sleep apnea.  The recommendation was to remove his tonsils which have always been borderline large, especially in comparison to his small airways.  

So Tuesday was "Good-bye Tonsils Day".


Waiting for the cotton candy sleepy medicine.


Before tonsillectomy---happy!


After tonsillectomy--not happy!


At home--before Cousin Kari came to visit.


At home--after Cousin Kari!  Much better!


Playing doctor with the new medical kit from therapist friends.


Yes, he has a heart!


Tonsils versus no tonsils


Hurting again!  


Yogurt pops from a kind auntie help to make life bearable
. . . even when you fall asleep before you get started.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Dynamic!

I am enjoying all the wonderful words I am hearing from Wade the last while which he puts together in ways that just tickle my funny bone.


Our music therapist has started using the Music for Little Mozarts piano course with Wade.  It incorporates the adventures of Beethoven Bear and Mozart Mouse along with music concepts and Wade is LOVING it.  He learned the dynamic signs forte (loud) and piano (soft).  

One evening I was talking to Chris in the living room while Wade got ready for bed.  In the background I heard Wade saying something very loudly, but I ignored him for a bit while I finished talking with Chris.  When I finally went to see what Wade wanted, he said reproachfully, "Mom!  I was forte, LOUD!"

(Yes, yes, I KNOW, dear!!!!)


In our other summer adventures in learning, we finally got our Numicon Math Kit 1.  Down Syndrome Education International recommends using this math with our children.  Numicon was not originally developed as a special ed curriculum, but I've been in contact with a special ed teacher and researcher from Virginia who has had amazing results using this math with her students.  She is currently doing some research projects that will evaluate the effectiveness of Numicon in comparison to other math programs for students with disabilities and math difficulties.  Wade and I are eager to get started learning more about using it!


The summer writing practice continues.  


And so do the oral motor exercises.


Even for Murphy.