Her Hillbilly Highness: October 2005

10.26.2005

Remember When???

I'm just thinking back to the past Halloweens and wondering how excited Kylie will be this Halloween when we go trick or treating. Last year she was still kinda shy but did manage to get out "trick or treat" and "thanks" when told how cute she looked. This year, I am hoping that she will really get into the spirit and actually go up to the door without me. She will be going trick or treating in our neighborhood with Kaylee again and I'm more excited this year! Of course I don't think Riley will care to go but you never know how he is going to act in certain situations. I think that Alan will take him to a couple of houses nearby and if he really catches on and likes it he can join the girls around the block. Here are some pictures from the past. By the way, I'm still getting razzed for putting Kylie and Riley in that same Mickey Mouse suit. For those interested (Erica and Amy) the suit is retiring this year!

10.25.2005

The Memory Walk

This weekend was all about The Memory Walk. My sister in law, Carolyn, organized family participation in an Alzheimer's walk in Mckinney in honor of my sweet grandmother, Beady. Mom, Dad, Gary, Carolyn, Kyri, Jeff, Alan, the kids, my mother in-law Nancy and I all walked three miles for the cause. It took about an hour but we were all so busy talking that it flew by. Alan pushed the kids in the stroller and they were happy the whole time! Afterwards, we went to Gary and Carolyn's house for brunch and it was delicious. Kylie likes their new cat, Lexie and had fun singing and talking to her.

I went to a Bazaar with my friend, Stephanie and her precious daughter, Kamdyn Saturday afternoon. We had so much fun looking and buying. There were so many cute things there. I have some really talented friends!! I met up with Alan, Keith and Nancy and the kids for dinner at Chipotle that night. They had gone shopping for the kids and for Alan's birthday.

Sunday was church and lazyness after that. I swear that everyone in the house had the longest nap. We were all exhausted! Now the holidays are approaching and I know that we are going to be super-busy!

And now on to Riley.......Riles had a rash this week so we went to see the "highly recommended doctor" that my friends all swear by for the first time. Well, it was after Sunshine School and Riley had only a small nap after waking up all night and was beyond over-stimulated in the office. I told the doctor that we had him in therapy and he reassured me that we were doing the right thing. You could tell that he was concerned about Riley and although it hurt to think that my worst fears are realized, I'm glad that someone cares enough to be concerned and is not just overlooking the fact that Riley is not acting appropriately in some situations. It hit me really hard this summer that Riley might be on the Autistic Spectrum but now I feel strong enough to face it and I want him to have all the therapy he can so that it might make a difference in the long run. He is doing well in therapy and Alan and I are praying that Riley will learn to communicate more each day. I have never prayed so much in my life as I have with this little boy. He has been a challenge from day one. I love his little smile and the way he pats my back and gives me sugar. I have a feeling that he is always going to be more than I can handle but I'm now ready for the challenge.

10.16.2005

I WANT MORE!

We had a GREAT weekend! Riley said his first recognizable phrase that some of my family heard as well. I mean, we didn't even have to GUESS what he said. And there have been more times, especially today, that I haven't doubted what he has said and it actually makes sense! Okay, we were at Nana and Poppy's house on Saturday for Aunt Becky's birthday party. Riley was getting into the Halloween candy and LOVING it! He was all about those Life Saver gummy chews. Anyway, I wouldn't give him another little pack until he said or signed more (which lately he has been saying 'want more' but I didn't put that together until last week) and he said very clearly "I WANT MORE"!!! Oh my gosh!! You should have heard the laughter and applause ring out. This was a huge step for little Riles. He is now saying "I don't" and shaking his head no for anything he doesn't want to do. He did this alot today. Especially when I loaded him up in the cart for a quick trip to Target. I absolutely need to have more faith in him and all that he is understanding. Alan totally has faith that he is going to 'get it' and I wish I was as strong in believing that too. My good friend, Erica reminded me the other day that he wasn't in a wheelchair and not to treat him as such. She is too right! Alan and I are so lucky to have friends and family that are simpathetic to this situation and who want the best for Riley. We are so thankful for all the support that we are given!

10.14.2005

And He's Off........

Today was a pretty good day for me and the kids. First off, Riley woke me up with really gooey hands. I finally figured out that he had OPENED the jar to his hair wax and had a great time smearing it on everything. Then he had speech therapy this morning and did great! He imitated words and play really well. Alan and I are so proud that he is progressing each day. Sometimes we will hear a phase and just look at each other....."Did he just say I did it?" His new word is 'baboom'!! The therapists are really working with him to say "my turn" and not throw a fit everytime we try to share with him. You can tell that this is frustrating for him but I know that it will help him in the longrun.

This afternoon while we were playing in his room he climbed into his crib!! I took him out and told him to get back in (so I could get the camera) and he whined and wanted me to put him back in. Is he lazy or what? Well, he figured out how to get back in and I captured it for all to see.

Alan has been working late and going in early so I'm going to go spend time with him now. He plays with the kids so well and they are all belly laughing and rolling in the floor. I love my little family!!

10.12.2005

We Did It!!!!

Well, Mom and I did it. We finally finished something that we started. Mom came over today and we made the ruffles on the bottom of Kylie's overalls and are even making Riley some. Don't freak out...we're only putting a ghost on his and BOO! on his little bottom. The only person that is not happy is poor little Kylie. She managed a smile for the picture but is not very thrilled with the idea that these are her overalls and she might have to wear them. She is such a little tomboy!

I have just gotten over a stomach flu and am feeling SO much better. What is it with these viruses? Before I had kids, I hadn't thrown up like that since I was in middle school! I REMEMBER that, too. My mom felt so sorry for me that she came in my room and said, "If you feel like watching a movie later, there's one on HBO called, Valley Girl. Now it's a little risque in some places but I think you can handle it." That ended up being my favorite movie until about five years ago. Mom really knew how to make me feel better.

In other news, Riley didn't have speech today because Dara's son was sick. I'm kinda bummed about that but he talked a little today and sang "Cwinkle, cwinkle widdle tar." He will have play therapy on Friday so we will see how that goes.

Oh, and Kylie saw the Monarch butterflies outside today. We painted a picture of one and gave it to Poppy since he told us the story of the Monarch butterflies and when to look for them. I called to tell him tonight and he and Nana were at On The Border. Kylie asked where they were and I told her On The Border and she asked, "What border?" Don't you love kids? It really made me stop and smile.

10.07.2005

Overalls and Pantyhose

The kids and I have been at Nana's house making overalls. What a chore! No wonder people pay for these things. Mom and I had grand plans to make these cute custom overalls that we saw on ebay but I think they are more trouble than they are worth. We still have so much work to do on them but stopped because Nana was having back spasms.

In other news, Riley has been giving people five and he even said 'gimme pive' once. It was really cute! Other than that, he's been acting out of sorts and throwing everything that he picks up. Today he had the run of the mill at Nana's house and went up and down the stairs like a big boy whenever he wanted. Although he woke up at 5am and only had a 20minute nap on the way home, he's loving on me and acting happy to be home. He will be in bed by 7 tonite!

Kylie got Cinderella and has watched it a couple of times but still goes back to 'Sharkboy and Lava Girl' (thanks Kaylee!) She tried on her Little Mermaid costume but decided that she liked wearing pantyhose up to her neck and a pair on her head instead......whatever!

10.05.2005

The Vineyard Race

Alan and I have started to attempt 5k's. I guess our first one was in June and we have done one every month except July. You would think that we would be fit but we can't seem to work out in between the race and actually get in shape. They took a picture of us before the race and I'm so glad that we don't have one after because I really struggled to finish this time. We both broke our current time record....but that's not saying alot.

Riley at the Library

Riley and I went to the library a couple of weeks ago (Kylie was at Nana's house) and they were having an open house. Well, Riles made himself quite at home with the cookies and punch and on the way out the newspaper lady wanted to take a picture of him. I was like, "If he will stay still long enough, go ahead." Well, he sat in front of the story time booth and she snapped one of him and told me that it would be in the paper and/or on the website. Since we don't get the Sachse paper, I checked on the website this morning and there he is!!! Only 2 and he has been in the paper twice so far!!

10.04.2005

Riley's 2nd Birthday

Riley is trying to blow out his candles on his 2nd birthday cake. Amy Smith made him an Elmo cake and he really liked it. He is more into Cookie Monster these days, though. We had a small family party for him and Kylie really helped him open up his presents. She is starting to play and help him more each day. My favorite is when she was washing him in the bathtub the other night with a foam letter E. He was tolerating it but you know that it couldn't have felt too good!

Kylie Lynn

Since so much time is spent on Riley, I wanted to say a few things about my precious daughter, Kylie. She is beautiful, smart, creative, imaginative, helpful, joyous,loving, independent, and a dreamer..........around the house. At Sunshine School, she is also a dreamer... a daydreamer. She is quiet, shy, and doesn't listen to directions. I know this because I teach right across the hall from her AND sometimes her class comes to my class for a lesson. I also SEE it firsthand. I can read a book and little Miss Kylie will be the only one looking around and not listening. It's funny now but just wait until we get to go to parent-teacher conferences about our daughter!! We have to decide this year whether she GETS to go to Kindergarten next year or not. I'll keep you posted on that one. BUT, she is so adorable and we look forward to her imitations of LavaGirl and The Little Mermaid and her renditions of INXS and American Idol favorites. I can't tell you how I hate it when she puts pantyhose on her head like Randy on "A Christmas Story" but I love to catch her doing it. She may not be into the Princess scene but she does have a mind of her own and I Love it!!!

First Time Poster

So, I finally ask my friend, Erica, what all this blog nonsense is that she has been telling me about for WEEKS and so now I'm doing it. I think this is a great way for me to brag on my sweet little children and also to vent about Riley's speech and play therapy. Today was not a great day with the play therapist, Colleen. Riley didn't talk a whole lot or even want to participate in the games that she was initiating. SO, when she was writing her report on how things went, he was playing and clapping with Grey and yelling his name. So frustrating!!! They come twice a week and so far he is gettting pretty comfortable with them. He really likes the speech therapist, Dara and does well for her. Alan thinks it's because she is really pretty. He's so clueless sometimes. They want us to keep initiating games for Riley so that he will want to play with us and other children. Some days I see a lot of progress and he uses words with me and other days he is really quiet and clingy. Alan and I are praying that we start to see more progress each week. Alan is more hopeful than I am. But, we love him for who he is and as long as he is happy and healthy, I can't really ask for anything more!

Her Hillbilly Highness