Updates! Post your updates here!

[imstillhuntjul]

Instead of burying my new state/job/lyfe post in the roll call, I decided to make a new one b/c, well, AW.

Moved to TN late Dec to a little rental house on 2 acres close to work. Really rural, everyone's super nice. I fit in well enough at the university but not in the community. They taaalk reaal slow, call me ma'am, own dogs not cats, drive trucks not hybrids, and say "well now that's a real smart way to carry a baby" when I put Clara in the SSC. The whole area is great. I even convinced 3 bumpies to have a GTG in Cumberland Gap this spring. If anyone else wants in, let me know!

I started work early Jan with a longer title and a nicer office. This semester I only teach 6 hrs/wk, so the rest of the time is creating stuff, frequently on the computer but sometimes meetings and models. My 2 closest coworkers were with me in St. Kitts for a while, and they're good people.

I got my horse back!!! She lives happily at the vet school and I ride 2x/wk. I hope to add a third ride when it stays lighter later.

After abandoning my masters for 6 wks, I picked it up a few days ago. I pounded out drafts of my final publication and thesis and sent them for review. YAY! When they come back, I need to wrap that shit up fast though. If it's not done by March, I pay $5k tuition. Maybe it'll be worth it eventually, but that masters has brought me a whole lotta misery so far.

We haven't started therapy here, any of us. The issues we had are the elephant in the room. Right now things are precarious but better, and I'm fearful to upset the cart. DH said last week he'd like to start marriage counseling. I don't know where to do that and haven't had time to look.

I'm slowly crawling out of my hole. There are some things that will never be the same, but I think I'm going to manage to wrap those up in my other issues and walk on.

Those of you who have updates on your health, LO's issues, your ute, the neighbor's dog, or DH's shoe size, feel free to leave them here!

[NinNin85]

Glad things are getting better! imstillhuntjul

I guess I can give my update on D here. She got her AFOs ;ankle & foot orthotics/braces) a week ago yesterday. She really struggled to adapt and was having horrible temper tantrums. However, the $60 pair of specialty shoes I bought to fit her braces were to clunky for her to walk right. I found her 2 used pairs today that aren't as wide and clunky. She is a much happier girl now!

D is suspected to have right sides hemiplegia that is loosely considered CP (cerebral palsy). We still won't know more until there is an MRI around 18 months. We will go back to Shriners some time in June. To be evaluated by a Pediatric Neurologist. We still have no words yet, but her receptive language has greatly improved. She is finally making complex babbles and playing with her tongue. I won't worry to much until she hits the 18 month mark.

It's been really hard for me, because taking care of children with developmental disabilities was my job before finding out I was pregnant. I really loved the job, but always felt so bad for the parents. Although her case appears to be pretty mild; now I feel like I'm in their shoes, but with enough knowledge to know when to worry and not enough. To feel super comfortable...

I'm feeling better now with some passing of time. All I can say is we are our only advocates for our children. If you think something is wrong; get it checked sooner than later.

A pic from the day she got her AFOs

(Sorry for the novel)

[NinNin85]

deeds1017 she is definitely a fighter! I don't think much will hold her back. She's got a great personality, and not to many people can look past her pretty blue eyes and dirty blonde locks.

[trexbeck]

I teared up when I saw you got your horse back! That is so awesome and must be so wonderful to you, imstillhuntjul . I can't imagine how tough it must be to be going through a lot emotional and in your relationship and then moving to a new place too..that's tough! I hope you guys continue to move forward and look for solutions once you settle in a little better

ETA: @ninnin85, D looks like she is such a blessing and what a blessing you are to her having experience with children who have developmental disabilities so you have a better understanding then someone like me who would be completely in the dark. I hope she continues to work through all of this in leaps and bounds. She is beyond adorable!

[azieber]

imstillhuntjul Thank you for the update. It sounds like you are doing better, and that's what all of us want to hear. It is awesome that you have reconnected with your horse as that seems like a source of therapy for you already. If you and your DH can get into counseling, I think that would be great. I agree with pp that if he is willing to it shows a want to improve your relationship. Maybe since you have been busy with work and your masters he could research one in the area? I hope you continue to make improvements in yourself as well as your relationship with your husband. Continued t&ps to you.

Ps, how is Clara?

[azieber]

@ninnin85 thank you also for your update on D. She is such a cutie. I am glad that you are getting answers and are able to make progress with her diagnosis. Hopefully she is able to make improvements and adjust well to her braces. Did they say how long she will be in them? Also off topic, but how did your show go?

[lia1303]

imstillhuntjul so glad to hear you are settling in and things are starting to get better. I agree with deeds 100% the tone of your post is so much more upbeat you can tell you are starting to find a better place. I hope things continue to improve.

NinNin85 D is so precious. I'm sorry you are dealing with all this, you are one strong momma.

[NinNin85]

Jan 21, 2015 9:00:26 GMT -5 azieber said:

@ninnin85 thank you also for your update on D. She is such a cutie. I am glad that you are getting answers and are able to make progress with her diagnosis. Hopefully she is able to make improvements and adjust well to her braces. Did they say how long she will be in them? Also off topic, but how did your show go?

I'm not sure how long she will be in braces for. At the very least until her Metatarsus Adductus corrects., so probably at least until June when we go back to Shriners. I haven't been given a time frame yet though.

The show will be Feb 8th. I will let you guys know once it happens though. Right now I'm trying to sew as much as possible. Then last night my big shipment of other products and need to go through all that as well!

[trexbeck]

Jan 21, 2015 8:51:56 GMT -5 deeds1017 said:

Jan 21, 2015 8:11:36 GMT -5 trexbeck said:

I teared up when I saw you got your horse back! That is so awesome and must be so wonderful to you, imstillhuntjul . I can't imagine how tough it must be to be going through a lot emotional and in your relationship and then moving to a new place too..that's tough! I hope you guys continue to move forward and look for solutions once you settle in a little better

ETA: @ninnin85, D looks like she is such a blessing and what a blessing you are to her having experience with children who have developmental disabilities so you have a better understanding then someone like me who would be completely in the dark. I hope she continues to work through all of this in leaps and bounds. She is beyond adorable!

I miss you trexbeck! 

I'm here!! I'm trying to come around more and also be a part of the OAD board  

[mosy]

I'm happy to be able to catch up on what's going on with everyone!

I took a hiatus from TB after we found out we were being robbed, and life pretty much sucked for awhile as I adjusted to a new job/field, bringing Camden to work with me, and dealing with PPD on top of all that stress. But most of that is behind us, and things are really good. We made some renovations at the office, and Cam now has a playroom there where he spends his days with me.

[jennlin]

imstillhuntjul things sound like they are on the right track! Hope you find counseling soon that you are both comfortable with.!

[imstillhuntjul]

Jan 21, 2015 8:56:26 GMT -5 azieber said:

imstillhuntjul Thank you for the update. It sounds like you are doing better, and that's what all of us want to hear. It is awesome that you have reconnected with your horse as that seems like a source of therapy for you already. If you and your DH can get into counseling, I think that would be great. I agree with pp that if he is willing to it shows a want to improve your relationship. Maybe since you have been busy with work and your masters he could research one in the area? I hope you continue to make improvements in yourself as well as your relationship with your husband. Continued t&ps to you.

Ps, how is Clara?

Clara's doing great. She's at a really fun but difficult stage. She's really interactive and but super ACTIVE. She is into everything and can find danger in the safest place in 0.06 sec flat. It's fun to watch her personality come out more and more. She's very charismatic.

[imstillhuntjul]

Jalee, D's very cute in her new shoes! Sorry she's been through so much already. She is blessed to have you to care for her. As you are well aware, there are many times that people far exceed the expectations that doctors may have for them, especially young people, because their minds are so elastic and their attitudes typically very good.

[crunchymama11]

DD1's speech has greatly improved! She still goes in stages where she advances, regresses, and then advances, and we just finished a regression. Hearing her new words and phrases makes me happy :)Her behavior has improved, her focus has improved, and she is doing great in gymnastics! Her gymnastics teacher said she has really been focusing and has good listening ears. She is trying hard to read and spell, and I think that is helping her speech as well.

DD2 is still a butt lol. Still cries a lot and is in general very difficult. She doesn't speak much and refuses to do sign language except for "milk" (nurse) and still prefers to scream at me until I can figure out what she wants. Plus I really really don't like this age- I find it very difficult and exhausting.

[lia1303]

crunchymama11 I'm so glad your DD1 is doing so well in gymnastics. If I recall correctly you were worried about how that was going to go.

[pharmtechmom]

I'm about 6weeks now. My first appointment isn't until Feb. 19th...bummer. N is doing great and getting into everything! He has such a funny little personality. He can sign: daddy, mama, milk, more, and all done.

Homeschooling is also going great. We have far more good days than bad days compared to when she was in public school.

I'm glad to see an update from everyone!

Guise, I can see the progress in crunchymama11 DD1. She is a smart little girl!

[lia1303]

pharmtechmom, I didn't realize you were expecting. Congrats!!! H&H 9 months to you

[pharmtechmom]

Jan 21, 2015 23:15:04 GMT -5 lia1303 said:

pharmtechmom, I didn't realize you were expecting. Congrats!!! H&H 9 months to you

Thank you! I just found out last week. We're excited about #4.

[crunchymama11]

Jan 21, 2015 22:33:05 GMT -5 lia1303 said:

crunchymama11 I'm so glad your DD1 is doing so well in gymnastics. If I recall correctly you were worried about how that was going to go.

Thank you! Yup! I was so defeated those first few weeks. But it was one of the best decisions I have ever made!

[monkeytoes15]

I'm so happy to here how you guys are doing. I'm happy for the good updates.

Jayson and I are doing good. He is doing really well with all his motor skills, and understands when people are talking to him. But is very behind in his speech, still points and screams. But I'm not to worried yet. I know he will get there soon.

I'm doing well myself what with the divorce and all. DH and I where really fighting and not talking well before. But have started to communicate better, when it comes to parenting. It's nice to be able to talk and be on the same page when it comes to the baby.
So I really feel we can coparent now, without it being a battle.

[mosy]

monkeytoes15 Cam is not doing much in the way of talking yet, either. He says mom/mama and dada, and I thought he said "all done" once, but he hasn't again. He regularly says something that sounds like "daht-nn!" and points when he sees something he wants, but I have no idea what word that might be. It's still mostly vocalizations at this point, but I know that any day he'll just start repeating words and talking up a storm! He does understand when I ask him if he wants his sippy or something though; he laughs and runs up to me if the answer is yes. It's fun to watch him grow and learn.

I'm glad to hear that you and your H are able to communicate and work together to parent; I'm sure that's a lot of stress off you.

[NinNin85]

monkeytoes15 pointing is a really good sign. D doesn't even do that.... But her receptive language is good. I would think if they can understand speech then eventually they will start to say words.