We had a super fun week...HOT...but super fun!

Neither of us had anything scheduled, so this week was 100% pure vacation! We went to the park a bunch, played out front, just had a blast.

Everything culminated in our RV trip at the end of the week. We were supposed to leave on Thursday and stay until Saturday. We were gonna leave after mom's meeting at Regional Center. The meeting was pretty strange, I guess. The doctor that mom talked to was pretty harsh, not really informed of my life circumstances, and not really interested in hearing mom explain why exactly she was there. Instead, he was accusatory, brash, and all around nasty. He even made mom cry! I guess towards the end of the meeting things turned around a bit and mom finally got a chance to ask for help. So, they came up with a plan of sorts to get my pediatrician on board with prescribing OT through our insurance. Once we see what our insurance will do, we'll see what we may need from Regional Center. Hopefully nothing, 'cuz it seems like that's about what their willing to give us!

Anyhow, we left Friday for the RV park. It was super fun. Our campsite was only a few steps away from the playground, a few yards from a lake, and surrounded by huge trees. The bummer...as the day grew on, it got hotter and hotter. So hot it got (pardon the rhyming, we're on a big Dr.Seuss kick these days!), that we actually had to leave late day and head for home. It was too hot to play on the playground equipment, too hot too walk around...TOO DARN HOT TO DO ANYTHING! The good news, we're getting much better at planning/packing/transitioning. We also know we like this park so we'll go there again in the fall.

Today was dad's last day of vacation. We had a great day. We hung out in the RV, then took a spontaneous RV "trip" to the park down the street! Winston got to go, and everything! We played in the water, on the playground, it was just awesome. When we got home mom went out and got us Del Taco and we all ate and watched TV in the RV until it was time for nap. What a fun day!

So, no complaints this week....it was AWESOME! Hope you had even half as great a week as we did! Oh, and Phil is still going strong....like I said, a GREAT week!

xoxo
Saf

Here's some video of Nixi eating breakfast. You can see her use sign language when she asks for more (touching fingers from both hands together), as well as asking verbally for donuts!

Say cheese, Phil!

What an exciting week, culminating in mom and dad catching our newest family member, Phil the preying mantis, out on the back patio! He's super cool, he eats flies! Its awesome!

So, it was a busy week. I had my early intervention session up at the therapy center. Saf was hesitant after the weird sessions we had up there a few weeks ago, but all in all it went pretty well. We got to take dad with us since he's on vacation. That was super neat!

I went to see the neurologist on Wednesday. LONG DAY! My appointment was at 8:30am and mom and I were up there until 11:30. I had to get my blood drawn, and that was horrible. I also was supposed to go pee in some crazy bag, but after an hour and a half of no potty, mom and I tapped out and went home. The doctor was really nice and mom seemed to like him a lot. He's scheduling me for an MRI, EEG, metabolic/chromosomal/genetic testing, and an eye exam. Got love a guy who's thorough! He diagnosed me with developmental delays and low tone. He said the reason I wasn't walking more than a few steps at a time is because of my lack of tone. Apparently low tone is a neurological issue....hence, the MRI. He wants the EEG because of Saf's history or petit mal seizures. All the other testing is just to learn more about me. Should be interesting! We see him again in 3 months after all of the testing is done and ready for review.

We had some great park days, despite the fact that its so very hot here. We kept cool in the fountains, 'cuz Saf is back full force and with a vengeance. We also had a few fun days in the front yard hanging in our little pool and even having a picnic! Friday we did a park day with our friends, Flyn and Greer. It was super fun.

Tonight we were watching a cartoon before bed. In it, there was a scene of real kids doing a school play. Mom told dad how much she'd love to see us in a school play and dad said he was just thinking the same thing. Don't tell mom, but I think I saw her tear up for a second. So, here's the plan, when I'm big enough I'm gonna get with Saf and we're gonna put on a play for them. It'll be so cool. One of these days...

So, we had a pretty eventful week. One more week to hang with dad before his vacation is over. This week we're gonna try to hit a river side RV park for an overnight stay...? Mom also has a meeting with some doctor at Regional Center to discuss Saf's services. Mom's gonna try to get more occupational therapy for Saf...which they historically don't provide. Fingers crossed. Make sure to check out my video below...have your volume up high so you can hear me counting to ten! Yes, taht's me...not Saf. Mom caught me counting quietly to myself and grabbed the video camera just in time!

Hope you all have a great week.

Peace
Nixi

I can count...mom and dad suspected I could for the past few days...confirmed!

I don't wanna smile...I don't wanna smile....FINE! HAPPY NOW?!?!?!

We had a great week! Lot's of park days because we're pretty much on vacation from all of our services. Nixi still has her Early Intervention once a week, but other than that we're easy breezy!

I have all but gotten over my fear of playing in the fountains with other kids. The band plays on! I went in the fountains twice this week, and even played right next to the boy that had started this whole thing by spitting in my face weeks ago! Nixi went down the slide 3 times all by herself...wasn't the most graceful decent, but it got the job done and she didn't cry.

Dad is on vacation so we're planning a trip in the motorhome in a week or so. Nixi has an appointment with a neurologist up at Children's Hospital this week so they can try to figure out why she's sliding out her leg, and some other stuff. It's at 8:30 in the morning.....luck be with you, neurology department! Smack dab at the beginning of what would be nap time. That'll be fun...NOT! I get to stay home with dad, thank goodness.

So, I suppose we'll have more to report next week.........this week was just a real easy, fun time. Just the way we like it!

xoxo
Saf

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Ahoy, mateys! Trusting your 4th of July was full of fun! Our was awesome. We opted out of the fireworks, but had great food and an even greater time playing in our new pirate ship playhouse...as you can see!

Last week was a really good one. Nixi took her first steps! They were pretty sturdy, but she has yet to get up the nerve to take more than 3 in a row...her current record. None the less, way to go little sis! Mom cancelled our Thursday session up at the therapy center so as not to risk ruining the place for us if it went poorly again. We scheduled Nixi's early intervention sessions with our beloved Teacher Lorene up there so we can still use the space, but with a more relaxed vibe. That'll be great! I had my last day of school, which was awesome. I wore my hair in pigtails...very cool. See, I have what they call "tactile defensiveness". What that means is that I'm uncomfortable with touch. The absolute worst spot in my body is y head. So, mom never thought I'd be able to wear hair clips of pigtails...but I did! And I looked cool!!
Now I'm off for summer break and when I go back I'll be going to a whole new school. Mom's gonna take some video of it so in 6 weeks when I go back I'll know what to expect. Dad's gonna have 2 weeks off for vacation starting this Friday...that's really exciting. We love taking him to the park and showing off! Today at the park I approached a little girl, waved, and said "hi" with no coaching from mom or dad! I also played in the fountains....even with little boys there! Someone had a dog there and that was enough to entice me! Someday mom is hoping she can get Winston certified as a therapy dog so I can take him places with me, because I'm much more relaxed in the presence of animals. Hmmmm, I think Winston is gonna need a lot of work........we'll take our time on this one!

Also, we keep forgetting to tell you that I'm reading full books! Mom and dad knew I was reading sight words at about 2 and a half years, but I'm reading full books now! Not too shabby!!!! Besides the fact that I'm just plain brainy, some folks on the autistic spectrum have what's called hyperlexia. (You can be hyperlexic without being on the spectrum.) The doctor for the state who evaluated me thought I might be hyperlexic because of my love for numbers, symbols, and letters, and my ability to read words. Generally, boys are hyperlexic, so its rare in girls. However...I RULE! Sorry, had to toot my own horn for a minute. Just wanted to give an example of one of my special powers! I'm super girlie!

So, have a great week and will get back at ya next week!

xoxo
Saf

Super fun day at the park...note my snazzy hair clips!

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!

Busy celebrating...........will post a new entry tomorrow night, so check back on Tuesday to hear how our week was and to see some great video!

Saf & Nixi