September photos

Is it really September already?  Wow.  What a change in the weather the past week.  We wake up to 50 degree weather and so I've already pulled out some jeans for the boys.  Let me just say, that adjustment was not an easy one for Isaac.  He has a hard time with transition and going from shorts and t shirts to pants and sweatshirts wasn't easy.  We still have battles when it comes to pajama's but at least he's accepting his jeans and sweatshirts for the day.

Ross had purchased an old tricycle at a garage sale last summer.  I just brought it out this weekend because I didn't think Isaac could pedal yet.  Boy was I wrong.  He took off on it like he'd been doing it forever.  He doesn't have the hang of pedaling on his hot wheels at Grandma's but the tricycle was a whole different story.  Now we need to buy another because Caleb wants it too!

It's hard to believe Isaac will be 3 years old next month.  Time has just flown by.  He still isn't potty trained but he's getting there.  I really haven't pushed the issue at all because with his personality it could really backfire on me.  I have let him lead the way so far and he usually is willing to go when I ask.  In a few weeks I might pull out the big boy underwear and let both him and his brother wear them and give it a shot. 

We had a good Labor Day weekend.  Saturday the boys and I spent almost all day outside.  I didn't mind because the weather was perfect.  The little house that we own has been vacant for a long time.  We had someone buy it from us to add onto his current home.  The demolition took place Saturday and the boys loved watching the John Deere take it down.  Sunday after church we headed to the lakes and stayed with my parents for the day up at West Oaks.  It was a good time.  Ryan, Bjorn and Daryan made the trip down so we got to see them for a little bit too!!!  Unfortunately we arrived at nap time so Bjorn and the boys didn't get to play...next time!  Sunday night we went back to my parents house and stayed over and then hung out at West Oaks on Monday.  We stopped at the flea market but it was rainy and chilly so we didn't stay long.

Here's a few pictures from Labor Day weekend!

Boys outside Arnolds Park

Boys being silly outside on a nice day

Watching the house demolition

Wow a tractor to watch too!

Cute little Caleb Benjamin!

Riding the trike is fun!

Ready to go swimming!

He looks so innocent!!!

Sponge Bob swimmers

Watching the boats from the patio

One of the 4 kittens

Sensory Processing Disorder

I debated whether or not to put this out there on the blog.  I decided why not, if someone else has a child with similar symptoms then maybe that will allow someone to realize their toddler isn't just being a "typical toddler" going through the "terrible two's". 

Isaac has not been diagnosed with anything nor have I taken him anywhere to be diagnosed.  I am not a doctor but I can tell you from doing my own research that I am about 95% sure that Isaac has what is called Sensory Processing Disorder, a/k/a Sensory Integration Dysfunction. 

Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from one or several of the five senses.  For those with SPD, sensory information is sensed but perceived abnormally.  Unlike blindness or deafness, sensory information is received by people with SPD; the difference is that information is processed by the brain in an unusual way that may cause distress or confusion.

Some symptoms of SPD include:

• Fearful, anxious or agressive with unexpected touch
• Becomes fearful when touched from behind
• Resists friendly or affectionate touch from anyone besides parents or siblings
• Dislikes kisses
• Avoids messy play
• excessively ticklish
• Distressed by clothes rubbing on skin
• Distressed by seams in socks
• Distressed about having hair, toenails or fingernails cut
• May refuse to walk barefoot across grass or sand
• May crave touch, needs to touch everything and everyone
• Frequently hurts other children or pets while playing
• Avoids/dislikes elevators
• Afraid of heights
• In constant motion, can't seem to sit still
• loves being tossed in the air
• Always jumping on furniture, trampolines, etc.
• is a "thrill seeker" and dangerous at times
• Likes sudden quick movements
• Seeks out jumping, bumping activities
• Kicks feet on floor or chair when sitting at a desk or table
• Likes to be tightly wrapped
• Prefers clothes to be tight
• Loves roughhousing
• Frequently falls on floor intentionally
• Loves jumping off furniture from high places
• Frequently hits, bumps or pushes other children
• Seems to do everything with too much force
• Plays with animals with too much force
• Distracted by sound not normally noticed by others
• Often does not respond to verbal cues
• Needs directions repeated often
• Sensitive to bright lights
• Easily distracted to other stimuli in room
• Enjoys playing in the dark
• Difficult getting along with peers
• Difficulty accepting change in routine
• Can't go from sleeping to awake without distress
• Severe/several moodswings throughout the day

These are just some of the symptoms and Isaac does not have all of them but he does show the majority of them.  Raising a 2 year old with SPD and raising another 2 year old is not easy.  What causes SPD is unknown.  Can it be related back to his adoption?  I suppose so but who knows.  Isaac was adopted at 3 days of age, so no he technically won't remember being separated from the woman who carried him for 9 months, BUT unfortunately odds are that he will at some point in his life feel a loss.  All adoptees experience loss at some point, because they have lost a relationship with parents that God intended to occur.  It's up to Ross and I as his parents now to help him through this loss he will experience.  Is he experiencing a loss now?  It's possible but I don't know.  Isaac seems to have some anger built up inside of him and trying to understand the mind of a 2 year old is tiring.  He can't express his feelings in a way that we understand so we are going to find the help we need. 

Until then we're trying to be as patient as we can and figure out what things work best for Isaac.  Isaac is a true blessing to our family.  A little more than 3 years ago I thought I'd never be a Mother.  Then we were placed with Isaac.  The ironic thing is that we received the call about Isaac just 4 days after another expecting mother looked at our profile and chose another family.  Within days I was bonded to Isaac and I felt at peace.  All the feelings I felt during our wait had vanished instantly.  I had even told my family that if I never gave birth to a child I would be fine with that because of the deep love I had for Isaac.  I can't explain it, but it didn't take long for me to feel like he was my son and some days I honestly forget he's adopted.  Of course you all know how the story continues, God had more exciting plans for our lives with another precious boy.  My boys are true miracles in our lives.  It's not easy raising them.  Each stage in their lives is different.  The infant stage was hard because Isaac was still an infant when Caleb came along.  Then things got a little easier after they turned 1.  Now things are getting a little harder with having a 2 year old and almost 3 year old.  They are at very trying stages of growing up but I wouldn't give it up for anything in this world.  There's never a dull moment at our house and it's insane sometimes, but it's worth every cent!