Snapshot Sunday

Ready to Go, originally uploaded by cheryl.

Photo Flashback

Guess who? (January 30, 2007)

Sawyer at School

Some days he participates, like this photo from back before Christmas break. Other days, like today, he falls asleep within 15 minutes of arrival and sleeps all day long.

Either way, school has definitely been good for him. We're seeing lots of improvement from this time last year when both boys began Early Start. The program and teachers are wonderful. And we're so glad they're going to be there again for one more year.

Is It Summer Time Yet?

The boys and I are over winter. It's been cold, with lots of rain and snow. In fact, the light snow we had yesterday morning caused the twins "afternoon" school session to be canceled. Which meant another day at home. Trapped inside. Bouncing off the walls and ready to strangle each other for much of the day.

The walls close in on us. Rotated toys (or even relatively new ones from the boys birthday) don't even help. We're all restless. The puppy mopes around wanting us to take him out for a walk or outside to play. And the boys are needier than usual, wanting someone to constantly play with them or watch over them. The television is constantly on because it buys me a little peace and quiet to attempt to get some things done around the house. It is not our finest hour.

We're not winter people, Mommy especially. The idea of going out to play in the cold is not at all appealing. All those layers, all that effort, for such short periods of play. Or perhaps it's that one child already has a rather nasty cough that he can't seem to shake and another has the perpetual sniffles. I don't need any more sick or unwell children. I'd be happy if those two felt more like themselves (and were therefore a little less whiny and needy than they currently are).

So, the boys and I have decided we're ready for summer. Forget spring, with its wind and rain and unpredictable temperature shifts. We just want summer. Warm days, even hot ones, are fine by us. Some time in the kiddie pool. Stroller walks and bike rides around the neighborhood. Adventures to the park or picnic lunches in the truck with the windows down. Trips to the lake.

Yes, please. All of the above.

And can you put a rush on it? Please.

Under Deep Cover

If you're around him very much, one of the things you'll quickly discover about Sawyer is his need for pressure. He LOVES big, strong hugs. He loves to have things constantly pushing against him or laying on top of him or squeezing him. Many nights at bedtime, he will actually reach over and pull me on top of him. Something about that pressure, that heaviness, makes him happy. It's one of his sensory things.

Last week at our IEP meeting, his occupational therapist listened as I explained some of his needs and also some of the things that might interfere with his school performance, like night time waking and dancing across his room for a few hours (which sometimes makes him fall asleep in class). She told us she would get a weighted blanket for us to try at home, because it often helps with kids like him who are known as "sensory-seeking" for things like deep pressure.

And while it has not turned him into a little boy who sleeps more than 8 or 10 hours a night, it has made him a very happy little boy at bed time. He crawls right up into his favorite spot - curled on top of the pillows and right next to the headboard (often squished in between, in his constant search for said pressure). And when I put that heavy blanket over him, he gives me his big, happy grin. He LOVES it.

Looks like we're going to be investing in a weighted blanket of our very own!