Transition Time

Well, the moment has finally arrived. It is time for Blake to transition from the early intervention (a.k.a. birth-three) happy place to the public school system. As a therapist I always referred to the early intervention time as a bubble - a nice, cozy, loving bubble. As a parent of a child with special needs I have enjoyed the bubble and DREADED the moment that the school district monsters take over. I want Blake to be in a place where he will be challenged, yet loved, and will receive all the therapies he DESERVES - not what the budget says he can have.

So, today was the big meeting. Big enough that Matt was allowed to leave the hospital. It was scary. The school was big, the kids were big....overwhelming. Well, for me. Blake was refusing to hold our hand and was proudly walking down the enormous corridors admiring the decorated bulletin boards. Then, we walked into the meeting room where it was 5 school employees against Matt and I. I was grateful he was in scrubs and a pager - maybe he looked important? intimidating?

To my surprise, the meeting went GREAT! It is recommended that Blake should be placed in a mild language delay preschool classroom with a few typical peers along with the children with special needs. He will be able to receive Speech therapy, Occupational therapy, and - is everyone sitting down - PHYSICAL THERAPY! A lot of children lose the opportunity to get PT once the early intervention bubble is popped. I still have to take a tour and meet the teacher. Our choice will be to either transition to the public school either immediately after he turns 3 or start in August when the new school year begins *OR* stay where he is at The Meyer Center, which is a charter school and all of the children who attend the center have special needs. As long as the tour goes well my answer is easy and exciting, yet still a bit scary. It is so hard to believe we have reached this moment with Blake. I am sure he will do much better than me.

Fort Hollenbeck

The simple things are always the most fun...

Growing up...

When Dane was born I was convinced I was crazy for having my boys so close together, but as they grow and change I am grateful for that decision. They are becoming the best of friends and are inseparable when playing at home. Blake initiated the new game pictured above where he puts a mixing bowl on top of Dane's head, then Dane pulls it off and yells. They both crack up laughing! Dane is growing up so fast from feeding himself to his interactions with Blake through play. Each day is a new adventure in both boys' growth and development!

Breaking News x 2!!

I am sure some of you won't think either of these breaking news bulletins are worthy of breaking news status, but let me assure you, in the Hollenbeck household they are!

First...

DANE DID NOT CRY WHEN I DROPPED HIM OFF

AT MOTHER'S MORNING OUT YESTERDAY!

Dane is quite the momma's boy and can be very clingy around strangers. He began the MMO program right after Thanksgiving and screamed every time I left (somehow I joyfully walked away to have the morning alone :) )...actually he would start to cry when we walked into the room. Until yesterday! He took off running when I opened the door and began playing with his friends. He even avoided me when I came to pick him up. I am thrilled that we are moving into a new phase of Dane enjoying playing at MMO and being more comfortable around his new pals!

Second...

WE ARE GOING ON VACATION!

Matt and I have not been on a vacation since summer 2000 (that is not a typo!) when we went on a cruise after graduation from graduate school. Please feel free to feel sorry for me for not getting a honeymoon. So, after getting married, pre-req classes for medical school, medical school, the birth of two children, and a move across country we are off to Hilton Head Island for a week! We have HUGE thanks to give to our parents for joining us on our trip. We are so excited to explore Hilton Head and surrounding areas with them, and to let the boys spend some much-needed time with their grandparents! We will be renting a house on the island and hope to have a couple of day trips to Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC! We can't wait until the end of March for the first vacation in 9 years!

So, all is well in the Hollenbeck house! In addition to the breaking news above, we will also have visitors in two weeks! My mom and aunt are coming to visit for 4 days and help celebrate Blake's 3rd birthday! It is a huge blessing to have exciting things to look forward to..and it helps the time go by quickly. Meanwhile, I will enjoy the sunshine and having my windows open today and will look forward to the weekend...

Elmo Live!

All ready to go! Blake is saying "Elmo" in this
picture...I took it as the "O" came out. Watching the lights and listening to the
sounds before the show starts.

Sitting on the edge of my lap enjoying the show!

Lots of smiles after the show!

This is a picture I took on the way home from the show. Elmo Live took place in Spartanburg, about a 30 minute drive. It was past his naptime on the way home, but he stayed awake and looked at this program in this position the entire drive home. Blake even carried it around with him the rest of the day. He took it up and down the stairs, to the potty...basically anywhere he went, the program went too. It was so fun to watch him enjoy the show and his excitement that lasted the entire day! Dane was sort of along for the ride and watched the show from the back of the auditorium. I had very close seats and he wasn't too thrilled with my choice. Fortunately, he sat with Matt and enjoyed the show just a bit farther away. We had fun times with Elmo and friends...and it was a big treat that Daddy was able to go with us!

Made Me Laugh...

I was sitting and watching the news last night waiting to hear the weather. The 7-day forecast came up. Near the end of the week I noticed an icon that said "Frigid." The high is supposed to be 38, the low 29. Now that is just funny. At least to me.

Gadget Indulgence

If you have ever eaten in a college cafeteria this gadget will look familiar. Remember all of them lined up each with a different cereal? I am not the type to research a product to make my life easier, and if you know me well enough you know I like to poke fun at those who purchase "Made for TV" products. Let me include I did NOT find this on TV...I googled cereal dispenser (I am sure that makes me much cooler). To be frank, I have had it with Cheerios. The little yummy circle both my boys love flows way too quickly out of the box, which usually lands on the floor or all over the counter. They are a pain to locate and pick up, so thank you Baron for taking over that task. Now that we purchase the large 2 bag box at Costco my life dealing with Cheerios has gotten worse. Once you open one of the bags and take it out, it doesn't go back into the large box - hence all of the crushed cereal. You can't pour from the large box because the second bag may fall out, and it is just plain too bulky to pour. And on and on. So, now when I want to fill a bowl, a small snack cup, or even a hand I can without frustration. Plus, isn't it so cute sitting on my counter? Stay tuned in case this lovely gadget breaks in a week like most do.