Magnolia's Christmas Program

Please forgive the clarity of these pictures, I am too short to be taking pictures behind all these parents but we had to sit far enough back that Cohen couldn't see us.

Cohen's class dressed as stars for their program and sang "Twinklw, twinkle, twink."  It was such a cute performance from all the kids.  Cohen got a little shy up on stage and scooted herself behind a little boy for some coverage.

She had her first solo!!  They asked her, "Cohen, where are the stars at?"  We practiced and practiced her little line.  She was supposed to say "Up High!"  At home she was about 50/50 if she would say it and the teacher said she did betterwith a food incentive (Imagine that!).  But she put her mouth up to that microphone and in the sweetest little voice said "Hiiiigh!"  She has such a souther drawl so it was sooo cute!

Needless, to say momma shed a few tears during her performance and for many of the other performances too.  These kids have overcome so much and these teachers put soooo much into them and it really showed!

They came back out with the whole school and sang "Happy Birthday, Jesus!"  Cohen had enough of the crowd so she did not let her teacher get far away from her.  We love Mrs. Mary!!

This is the whole student and teacher body at Magnolia.  We are so blessed to be surrounded by such a loving group of people!!

A small update on Cohen--  We have seen the Endo since the last post and she actually grew 0.33in over the last 6 weeks.  They adjusted her medication again based on her labwork that has risen to 175 (the dr would like her at 240).  She also has some bloodwork done for her immune system that indicated she was slightly deficient in subclass4.  It only signifies that the drs will be a little more agressive with small things such as colds and sinus crud to ensure it can't progress due to her low immune system.

  I have monthly meetings with her teachers and we met this past Thursday to discuss the last few weeks.  Receptively, Cohen has excelled and surpassed most of their goals for her this year.  They said she can match, scan, and identify pictures after being showed once in a group of 15-20.  We are beyond thrilled to hear that cognitively she is understanding.  However, expressively she is demonstrating small progress but not at the speed they would like.  We started weekly Auditory Verbal therapy back in October and through that and some testing done by the speech therapist, They are suspecting that Cohen has oral apraxia.  It is where the brain is understanding what it wants to say but somewhere in sending the message to the mouth the signal gets mixed up and the muscles that are used to talk seem uncoordinated.  We have known that she isn't "talking" as quickly as we thought so this does help with identify some reasons why.  Beginning in January, Cohen will begin being taught by the "Association Method."  Half of the school, is hearing impaired and half of the school is language disorder.  The "Association Method" is the method they use to teach the language disorder group.  I am not very familiar with it so I don't want to risk explaining it wrong, but I do know that it has proven to help many, many children who have graduated from Magnolia and we are thrilled to be somewhere that they feel like they understand and can help Cohen.  I will explain it further as istart to understand it more.  If anyone has any experience or knowledge on it, I am a sponge right now-- just soaking up all the knowledge I can!  My coworkers are so tired of me bugging them about speech stuff :)

Canton Lights

We took our annual trip to Canton this year...I think we picked the coldest night of the year!  We were FREEZING!  We met Robert and his family there and the kids had the best time just running in the square.  I am not sure if they really ever saw the lights :)

All the kids actually sitting and looking at the camera....this is a success in my book!

Of course, Bear would be the one who can't keep his eyes open..........

Take 2!

Cohen is really smitten by Graham and he was so sweet to chase after her and play games with her :)

I am so glad they came to meet us and entertain my kids ;)

Such a rarity, Bear and I in a picture together, just the 2 of us.....awwww, aren't we sooo cute!!

Christmas Card Final

With Love Blue Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Short Cohen update

I thought this was so cute, how difficult it is to get 5 1-2 year olds ready for a picture!!

This is as good as it gets!!

I know I have been neglecting my blog, therefore some of our friends and prayer warriors have been out of the loop.  Cohen had that surgery back in September and her sinuses never really got better.  After the culture it was discovered that Cohen grew strep-pneumo and we started a new antibiotic for 21 days.  Well about day 10, we knew it wasn't working so the next option was 1.  another surgery to put the "windows" in her sinuses 2. pic line of Vancomycin 3.  antibiotic saline wash.  After much deliberation and a great ENT, we decided definitely no to the pic line.  Dr. Carron told us our decision needed to be based on how much we think it interferes with her daily life.  After the last set of tubes, we have seen a great difference in how much she hears so we are not as concerned about that aspect.  We also decided to put off the surgery and attempt the sinus wash.  I am just not excited about putting her under anesthesia for the 3rd time in less than 6 months just to clear up some snot.  If it comes down to it, we will do the surgery.  We hope to start the washes this weekend and will pray it works. 

We also met with the Endo and she measured 30.5in (no change since July) and 22.5lbs (gained 1lb).  Her medicine had been doubled in July and we were hoping for better results after being on the injections for 4months.  Her hormone levels we retested and her IGF is 175 (which she was 29 in June, after 4 weeks of meds in July she was 125).  This is in the normal range but on the low end and for the amount of medicine she is receiving, the dr feels it should be higher.  Even though she isnt growing, her body has changed dramatically.  She has very little fat to pinch to give her injections in her arms and belly.  So we are seeing them meds work in that sense.  We have been very fortunate with our insurance company and allowing us to try this for 1 year, however because of Bear's job change we will be having to change to a new insurance company in February.  Of course we will have the help of the drug company and our Dr, but we can't help but be apprehensive in waiting to see how the process will fold out and see if we are approved and if we are what the out of pocket co-pay will be. 

But on a positive note, her schooling is going GREAT!!  We still can not believe in 6 months how dramatically different our lives have become and the doors that have opened for us.  Magnolia has been such a blessing for us. Cohen loves her teachers, friends, and education.  She is now receiving an extra therapy session each week, called Auditory Verbal Training.  I am learning so much because I get to attend this 30min class each week.  She has added a few more consistent words to her vocabulary:  mo(re), up, ball,  ba(th), "i" eye, no.  Receptively she has exceeded her goals for the first semester and were upgraded.  She is just doing so well and working so hard. 

Casual Saturdays.....

We are still not sure what to do with our weekends now that Bear does not work or study.  Soccer filled the void for a few weeks but that ended last weekend.  Kinson has been so upset that soccer ended.  So this past Saturday after I finished working, I met Bear and the kids at the zoo to try and deter him from constantly saying on Saturday he plays soccer. 

She wants to play with Kinson sooooo bad, but he will not have a thing to do with her :(

Bear had been kind of upset that we had decided to leave Cohen home during our Disney trip but 10minutes into the zoo after Cohen couldn't decided whether she wanted to be in the stroller, walk, or be held about 100 times, he quickly confirmed that we made the right decision.  She was more interested in the wind blowing, airpplanes in the sky, and the leaves on the ground!!

What it looks like when......

Halloween costumes are 50% off!!  I couldn't pass this up nor could I save it until next Halloween.  We have had hours of happiness dressing the Lightning McQueen pit crew!!

Christmas Cards....Check them out!

Have you ever ordered from SHUTTERFLY??  I am so excited about our Christmas cards this year.  Like I said in previous posts, I have been preparing since September to get our Christmas Cards prepared.  We had our pictures made and I have been browsing all the sites to find the best designs and deals.  Here are a few that I am having difficulty deciding between:

• If my children liked each other enough to actually hug, I would LOVE this card.......CUTE CARD
• This is more like what I have in mind, I like a collage of different poses.....COLLAGE CARD
• And I can't forget about how much the grandparents love to look at their grandchildren all year long....PERSONALIZED CALENDARS you can put in everybody's birthday to be printed on it!!

We had out pictures made and I had them printed through Shutterfly and was very pleased with the end results, even the enlarged prints.  I have also started to uload my pictures to their site because it is so easy and a backup to my external drive.  But y'all know me, I want a good deal and this site has not disappointed.  I am always receiving coupons and codes to receive discounts and free prints.  And for Christmas they are offering multiple promotions (free shipping, 30% calendars, etc) but I am most excited about receiving 50 FREE Holiday Cards just for blogging about them.  If you are interested in this deal go HERE!!  I can't wait to put ours in the mail :)

MS State Fair 2010

My kids had the very best time EVER at the fair this year.  Cohen and Kinson always live a pony ride.

 Kinson had ZERO fear of the rides this year.  He rode everything that he was tall enought to ride, most of them by himself.  Daddy got to ride a few too ;)

Because Kinson had sooo much fun at the fair, Bear came home and planned a trip to Disneyworld in February.  I have always been very apprehensive about going, well really it is the planning part.  Vacation to me usually means relaxation and do what you want, when you want.  So planning each day and every meal has not been really something I was all into.  However, Bear has really taken over and planned this whole thing out (with the help of some of his friends who have been---Thanks Tye and Brandy!).  So if you have any great suggestions for us or advice, it would be greatly appreciated. 
By the way, little girl is going to get to have the best 5 days with her, Nana, GDaddy, and BB while we are gone.  Crowds really aren't her thing....

So much to say, so little time!!  We are headed to Cohen's 2 year check up this morning so I have a few extra minutes to get on the computer.  We have had a BUSY October, so much to update.  Maybe some time this week.......hopefully!!

New pictures

I love this little boy sooo much!  He is so the most passionate child ever.  He makes you feel exactly what he is feeling whenever he talks.  He is not a shy child AT ALL!!  He loves to meet new people and can carry on a conversation with a rock.  We weren't worried until teachers at his school, who have been teaching for years and have seen multilple children, began asking us questions regarding his nonstop conversational skills!! 

He has the most genuine affectionate personality.  However, he can not stand Cohen.  I really hope he starts to like her soon.  But I guess I never got along with my brothers until high school....let's hope it doesn't take that long!! He is NONSTOP at all times and leaves a lasing impression with everyone he meets!  He loves school, soccer, helping me with everything, shopping, trains, and swimming.

I also cant begin to tell you how much we love this little girl!  She is so inquisitive about everything, wantingt o learn it on her own.  She is very independent and don't even think about touching her when you put her to bed.  She is not a cuddler  Her laughs are growing more frequent daily and her vocal skills are expanding.  She can identify most of her body parts, 5 expression sounds, her classmates, and family by using her flashcards.  She can vocalize "mama", "papa", "up", "ball", and "snot".  The last one is due to her forever congestion problem she has :)  The teachers say that she is capable of saying more whenever she likes the incentive.  She definitely does things on her own time!

Cohen has surgery Thursday to repair and place another tube in the left ear (don't try and figure out what number this is!) and she had a sinus lavage (fancy word for a good cleaning out.)  She has been congested since July and been on and off antibiotics to attempt to clear up her sinuses and ears.  After the last resort in early September, surgery was decided.  She did great, but we were unable to get some tests run that her genetisist asked for, so we might have another procedure in the near future.  Her sinuses were cultured and we are waiting to hear the next step in making sure it does not get this bad again.

She is ready to head back to school tomorrow, I think she likes it.....ALOT!!!  She loves her homework and screams each night when it is over. 

This post is kind of random isn't it!?  I couldn't wait to put our the pictures we had made a few weekends ago.  Last year was the first time in 10 years that I did not send out Christmas cards and it was because I never got around to ordering pictures and having cards made.  This year I vowed to get it done early.  September seemed good enough for me!!  Don't worry I didn't put the best ones up yet, you will have to check the mailbox for those :)  If you are looking for a great photographer-- http://www.frickfrackfoto.blogspot.com/-- they are super nice and the best part is you get a CD with all your pictures and you do your own ordering. 

One of my prouder moments as a Mom.....

We all know that our house is a "divided house" when it comes to College Football.  Bear graduated from MSU and USM, while I attended MC.  Bear will pull for his Bulldogs and Eagles no matter what, and well when you go to MC there is not a lot of things to do to be involved as we have gotten older. But I will definitely cheer for my Choctaws while given the chance.  So where does the LSU come in?  As far as I could remember my dad and I have cheered for LSU and Saints.  It has carried with me so I continue to cheer for our Tigers!!  The kids have had their fair share of college gear but this was the first year that Kinson is really getting into cheering.  He was soooo excited to watch "his tigers".  Since there are so many games on, Bear rigs up the living room to have 2 TVas well as the kitchen TV is usually playing a third game.  Kinson was in heaven having a TV that he could put his face within 2inches.      

Don't be fooled, he really on sat through a few minutes of the actual game, but he kept coming back to cheer on his Tigers.  GEAUX TIGERS!!

Labor Day Weekend

I know I am always behind but it hasn't been but a few days since these pictures were taken, so that is pretty good for me.  Labor Day weekend was very busy for us.  On Saturday I worked to try and catch up some and on Sunday, Bear was given a few tickets to Blue Bayou in Baton Rouge so we decided we would try and fulfill Kinson's beach urge.  I have no pictures from the water park because I had it locked up in the locker the whole time because we were constantly in the water.  Needless to say Kinson LOVED it!! I had a few issues, the biggest was that they allowed smoking on the grounds and people were wearing waterproof pouches around their necks to keep their cigarettes dry!!!  The rest were minor so maybe we will go back again next year.

Labor Day we went and spent the afternoon at Uncle Robert's house.  My kids love, love seeing Uncle Robert and his family.  Kinson especially loves the trampoline.

Robert thought that puting soap on the trampoline would add to the fun, this is the product.....Soapy eyes!!!

She would not be left out :)

Beach trip....sort of!

This was the weekend that Kinson had been anxiously waiting for--we were going to the beach!!  The problem was that the Rain Gods had other plans.  Orange Beach received 4" of rain Friday and 5"of rain on Saturday.  Needless to say we never got a grain of sand on our feet :(  We did get to spend a few hours in the various pools and the kids loved it.  After an unfortunate incident with our AC in the condo, we cut our stay a night short and came back home.  Kinson keeps asking us when we are going to the beach!!

I am never on this side of the camera, however I felt the need to document the birthday celebration!!

This is my "best friend" as he calls me.  He is really at the best age right now.  He tells us stories from his day and he NEVER forgets anything you tell him-- this has started to backfire on us. 

Isn't she adorable?!!  She loved the water so much, especially the fact that she could be in the majority of the pool and still stand up.

I promise to post more pictures soon!!