End of an era.....

We had a really exciting week...despite the rain almost every day!

Nixi had lots of visits. Tuesday she got to see her Early Intervention case manager, Susan. That was cool. Wednesday she got to see Heather and that was super fun. Thursday she got to see her Early Intervention teacher, Lorene, and that was super fun. Quite the popular kiddo.

I had three great days at school. Mom got some bittersweet news...my teacher, Jenn, isn't going to be teaching preschool next year. She'll still be around supervising and teaching other teachers how to do what she did in her classroom...but she wont be with me. I thought I had another year with her, so this is gonna be rough. Mom says the positive is that it helps me get used to changing teachers yearly, and at least I'll still be in the same classroom with my friends and the aides that I already know. Nonetheless, a total bummer. I love my teacher Jenn and I'll miss her a lot. She's the magic, you know?

We a few park days in between rain. Over the weekend mom went out and bought us this blow obstacle course/ball pit thing and we had a BLAST! Check out the video. I also got to go hang out with dad by myself on Sunday because Nix was feeling out of sorts and didn't want to leave the house. It was cool, we went to the pet store and the park...but I missed Nix not being there. Either way, it was cool to get out alone with dad.

So, this week its supposed to start warming up. That means lots of park days and lots of playing outside, and I love that. We have lots planned this week with...school, Nixi's visits, and we've been invited to a birthday party as well as to join in an autism awareness walk. Depending on how we're doing, we'll decide if we're up to the party...or if we'll but out the Zigo and do the autism walk. Check back next week to see what we did....I'm sure mom will get some cool video and pics to share.

xoxo
Saf

Check out our cool new toy...watch all the way to the end to see me being a GREAT big sister....

Like news...illness travels fast!

Poor sissy...Saf has been sick all week! She came down with a fever Tuesday and it didn't break until Sunday! She went to the doctor Wednesday and got some antibiotics, but with a fever ranging from 104 to 102 for 6 days, seems like it must have been a virus. She's turning the corner now and seems to be feeling much better...as you can see in the pictures mom took tonight! Hopefully she can go to school this week. She was pretty bummed about missing 2 days last week.

So far, I'm not showing signs of whatever her and mom had. I do have a cold...but when don't I? Hopefully I'll just stick with my cold and skip the other.

We had a pretty uneventful week. With Saf being so sick we didn't go on any outings, other than playing out front a few times. I didn't mind. Lately I haven't been that interested in going to the park or stores.

I went back up to see the psychologist with mom on Friday. I've been going to see him for diagnostic evaluation and on Friday I was diagnosed with Classic Autism. Its the same thing Saf has, but it looks really different for me. The diagnoses that the psychologist was considering were Childhood Disintegratve Disorder(CDD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified(PDD-NOS), and Classic Autism. He was able to rule out CDD because, while I have had some regression, the regressions started too early for CDD. Also, for CDD you have to have totally typical development until age two to four. I've had some blips in my development so that didn't fit the diagnosis either. I meet the criteria for both PDD-NOS and Classic Autism, in which case a diagnosis of Classic Autism must be given. Its interesting, Classic Autism is considered the most severe of the spectrum disorders...but is it the most severe, or the most pervasive? There are kids diagnosed with PDD-NOS because they have, say, 4 areas of deficit. Another kid might be diagnosed with Classic Autism because they have 10 areas of deficit. That PDD-NOS kid may only have 4 areas of deficit, but they may be severe. The kid with Classic Autism may have 10 areas of deficit that are mild....but because they have more areas of deficit they have Classic Autism. So, the kid with PDD-NOS may have much more severe symptoms, but the kid with Classic Autism has more pervasive symptoms. So, I guess its not a matter of severe as much as a matter of pervasiveness. Oh, the things I ponder at such a tender age. Regardless, now that we have some definitive answers...full steam ahead.

Its raining like crazy, and appears as though the rest of the week will be more of the same. What a drag. Now that Saf's feeling better it would be great to get out int he Zigo in the mornings and maybe hit the park in the afternoon. No such luck if this rain keeps up. But looks like Saf will be able to go to school, and I get visits from Heather and my Early Interventionist this week. So, sort of back to normal.

We want to wish Grandpa Cummings a very happy birthday! We missed not getting to see you this month but are so looking forward to a great visit in April. We love you very much and hope you have a GREAT b-day!

Hope you all are feeling well and keeping healthy. What a drag to be sick, messes up everything! Check back in next week to see how we're all getting on...

Peace
Nixi

Great news....mom is feeling much better. Turned out she had a sinus infection and strep throat! Dad stayed home all week so mom could get lots of rest. We missed hanging out with mom, but dad is so fun! Dad did such a great job this week, we're so proud of him! So, weird week...but great week.

As you can see from the pictures...Nixi got a new haircut courtesy of mom. We call it her little page boy look...very cute. We also got a tree tent so we can fairies in ernest! Cool!

I had three great days at school. I got my spring pictures taken and I loved it! The school photographer even posed me! That's a really big deal because Teacher Jenn didn't know we had spring pictures, so we didn't have an opportunity to prepare for it. Whenever we have something coming up we usually practice in class and have lots of visual aids to help us feel comfortable. We all did great on the fly, and that just shows how far we've all come since the beginning of the year! Mom went to my IEP (Individualized Education Plan)year in review. I completed and exceeded ALL of my goals from a year ago. Its amazing to think how far I've come. A year ago we didn't even know if I'd be able to tolerate going to school at all! Look at me now! I've even started asking my friends in class if they want to play! I asked my friend Alex,"want to play dolls?" and she did, and we did! That's just about the biggest deal ever! So cool!

I managed to escape the doctor....my eye is fine, and both Nix and are feeling great. Looks like we got off with no strep, thank goodness!

Nixi and I had a super fun time with Heather this week. She's just so fun! Nixi had a great meeting with her Early Interventionist, Lorene, and the OT (occupational therapist)Jo. She did lots of neat puzzles and matching games with Lorene, and Jo is coming up with a sensory "diet" for her. Nixi will snack on a specific balance of protein and carbs every two hours with sensory games and stuff in between. It should help her to get less upset, and when she's upset it should help her get less out of control. Sounds like a lot of work, but its also intriguing!

Nixi has started taking Melatonin to help her sleep. She hates it, but it seems to work. She's been sleeping better, only waking two or three times a night and then going back to sleep. Without it, she's been waking up at about 2am and not going back to sleep.

Also, our Cousin Ginny...but we like to call her Aunt Ginny....made us an amazing weighted blanket. Its got frogs on it and its sooooo soft and furry! We love it so much and think she's just the best! Weighted blankets help some kids on the autistic spectrum relax by providing deep pressure. We like to use them to chill...and to carry around for great joint compression and muscle work outs. Its the best!

This week we have lots of stuff going on. I have school, Nixi has Heather, and Nixi gets to go back up to Fresno to see the psychologist on Friday. We may be getting a visit from Grandpa Cummings, Weishi, and Cate over the weekend as long as Nixi and I aren't sick or anything. Should be super fun! So, great week ahead with lots of sun and hopefully lots of fun! Check back in next week to see how it all went down!

xoxo
Saf

A little video from the park today...

Mom's sick!

Mom's really sick, she had to go to the ER because her temperature wouldn't go below 104.9! Its been 4 days now and she's still going between 103 and 104, so dad's gonna take some time off to take of us and give her some rest.

So, blog entry for this week will be quick. Saf had some great days at school...this month they're doing a circus theme! At the end of the month they'll put on a circus for the families. Can't wait! I had a couple of great visits with Heather, and I got to go up to Fresno and meet the psychologist that saw Saf when she was my age. Looks like Saf might have pink eye, so off to the doctor this week. And that's about that. Oh, we also got to go to a batting cages place down the road that has pizza and arcade games. Dad helped us win tickets so we got cool plastic lizard prizes...AWESOME!

Check back next week to see how mom's feeling and to get a more in depth report on us!

Peace
Nixi

Stormy weather............

We have been LOVING the morning Zigo rides......it just makes Winston want to sing! We swear he's not screaming because we're using his back as a bongo drum!






Its been a long week. We're still coming down from the high of our visit with Nana. When we have a break in our routine, no matter how fun, it tends to overstimulate us. What that looks like for each of us is a bit different.

In Saf's case, she's been really amped up and giddy. She been really loud, hyper, and has had a hard time listening. Even though it looks like she's having a great time...she's on edge. All it takes is something small to go awry and she has a meltdown. Friday we went to Lowe's, due to the rain, and she was having a hard time controlling herself. She was running around having a great time but wasn't listening to mom and we had to leave. She had a huge meltdown that ended with mom's thumb hyper extending and some bruises.

As for me, I've been crying a lot and just overall agitated. I don't seem to be able to keep it together for any prolonged period of time before I throw myself on the ground kicking and screaming. It kinda comes out of the blue...one minute I'm laughing and the next I'm writhing on the ground. When I'm upset like that there's nothing mom and dad can do to make me feel better. They just have to let me get it out and then I'm ok until the next meltdown. I've been having a hard time sleeping, waking up several times a night screaming and pretty much staying up from 2:30AM on.

Its rough stuff, but we're all hanging in there. It rained this week...and was even supposed to snow. No snow, but in its place perfectly crystal clear sunny skies and C-O-L-D wind. We bundled up good and hit the park and it was a blast.

Saf had a pretty good school week. On Thursday her class made english muffin pizzas. They made chef hats and everything. She loved making it but wasn't so keen on eating it...so I ate it for lunch. It was great!

I had a great Early Intervention meeting with my teacher, Lorene, and the occupational therapist Jo. It was super fun. I kept telling everyone, "I'm awesome!". I was doing a great job with midline dexterity and scooping and pouring these cool glitter fur ball things. I was fun!

Verbally Saf has really come into her own in the past month or so. She's commenting on all kids of stuff. Like pointing out to mom that a lemon is an oval, and that the piano bag is heavy. She even told mom, "I loves my books" this morning...'cuz she got a new set of books. These things may seem pretty small....but they're all new and exciting developments.

Not to be out shined, for the past two days I've told mom when I needed a poopy diaper change!

While we may struggle in a lot of ways, we rock in so many others!

With that, I say........

Peace
Nixi

This may not look like fun...but it totally is!


I love it when my big sister helps me "read" a book...

How sweet it is.........

Valentine's day was awesome! We got cookie lollipops, stuffed ponies, and dancing dogs! It was so much fun! Thank you to all of our family for the really neat cards. We've been pulling them out every day and looking at them. We love them!

It was pretty much an all around great week. Saf had three great days at school. I didn't have anything so mom and I just kicked around town...always fun. I will say, though, over the past week or so I haven't really wanted to go into stores very much. I tell mom, "all done" or "no thank you". We still go, and I power through it...but I just don't seem to feel all that comfortable with it. Maybe just an off week or so.

We had a super exciting visit from Nana Cummings and her friend, Dan. We didn't get to hang out with Dan for very long because he had a shooting competition to go to...but we thought he was pretty neat and look forward to getting to know him better in the future! We had a blast with Nana. We took her to Bravo Farms and showed her all the neat animals, we hit the park every day, and we even made it to the pet store! It was super fun. I spent the whole weekend bringing her things...lots of things...everything. It was cool. Saf had a great time just showing off and playing make believe with a Nana and a rubber lizard. All in all a great time.

As if that all weren't exciting enough....our Zigo came, too! What's a Zigo, you ask? Its a reverse tricycle with a child pod attached to the front of it between the two front wheels. Sounds confusing? Check out the Zigo montage video we made! We had to piece together lots of little clips because once we were off, no way was that camera gonna be able to keep up with us! It is the COOOOOOOOOOOOOLEST thing ever! Even Winston took to it like he was made for a Zigo! What a blast we're gonna have with it...especially when I get my helmet all adjusted and can actually see!
Check out their website to see all the cool features...
http://www.myzigo.com/how.php

So, that was our week. Pretty exciting. So exciting that Saf and I need a little down time. We're both a little overstimulated and wonky. Saf is doing better than me. I'm a little touch and go...laughing one minute, crying and agitated the next. Dad has Monday off so we'll have a low key day and prepare for this week's activities. Hope you all have a great week.

Peace
Nixi

Fun at Bravo Farms...Saf's delighting on the inside, I swear....


Introducing......Zigo!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I had three GREAT days at school. Our theme this month is Valentine's Day and food. We're making lots of super sparkly Valentine's art projects and its warming up so we get extra outside time! All of the days I walked in and out all on my own, and I'm just so in love with it all...just in time for the month of LOVE! We had a Valentine's party and I got to make a cool Valentine hat and exchange Valentine's with all of my friends! I shared my goodies with Nixi and we got to have our very first lollipops.....mmmmm! Turns out, a little sugar goes a looooooong way...we were spinning for hours!

We had two great days with Heather, our BIA consultant. We even went to Target and bought cheese puffs and sandwich bags. Remember, I haven't been in Target in over a year. The only stores I've been tolerating going into are pet stores. I was nervous...mom drew me a social story of what we were gonna do. Heather went with us and, while I did have a moment there where I panicked and screamed a bit, I did it! Once a week mom is going to take me into a store to buy one or two things. At first I'm gonna stay riding in the cart...I'll build up to walking around. See, when I'm walking around I tend to get distracted and run into people, also adults are more apt to try to talk to me if I'm out of the cart. The cart gives me a little insulation while I'm getting used to things. Either way, tremendous accomplishment!

Regional Center has approved Heather to do consultation for Nixi, too. That's great news! Aside from mom, dad, and me...Heather is the person Nixi is the most consistently comfortable with. Even with Nixi's trust and comfort in Heather, the prolonged presence of an "outsider" still seems to cause Nix anxiety. See, when Nix is nervous she asks to nurse or twiddles mom's hair. In the hour and 50 minutes that Heather is here, Nixi will ask to nurse a number of times and "checks in" with mom's hair often. Once Heather (or whoever it may be that is over) leaves, Nixi goes immediately back to running around the house, playing, laughing, talking. What a goofball! She's sure come a long way, though.

Mom had some surgery on her mouth this week so dad was home with us for 2 full days of fun! We got to hang out with dad at the park, and Nix got to go see the doctor with dad. Turns out she had bronchitis, but she's feeling much better after a series of antibiotics. At the end of the week dad's truck bit the big one and died. That sucks...but the great news, we got another extra day of dad off work and we got a new car! Its so awesome! We LOVE it so much. Its so cool because its low enough that I can get into my car seat by myself. After all, I am a big girl...its about time!

So, that's the bulk of the excitement for our week. Looking forward to Valentine's Day and sharing the love. Wishing you all a very lovely day of love and a great week!

xoxo
Saf

Check out our new car...we named her Louise!