…for Emma’s IEP, that is.  It is that time of year where we, as a team, sit down and discuss where Emma’s at, and what her goals should be.  I always stress out around this time because I never know if our goals will match up.  In other words, what I think Emma needs may not be what they think Emma needs.  For example, a few people on the team last year didn’t think Emma would need a full-time aide to help her in the classroom.  I knew her better then that, and I fought for the aide.  In the end, she got the aide (of course), but not without a few battles.  Did she need the aide? Absolutely.  Is she doing awesome with the aide? Absolutely.  (Insert “I Told You So” here)

So I can’t help but wonder what, if any, obstacles will come our way.  I won’t be naive to think that she will get everything she needs without any struggles from the team.  I always go into these with a firm stance on what I believe she needs as a student.  I’m not sure whether the team sees it as a benefit or not, but I think that it’s lucky for me (and Emma) that I used to teach.  I am able to see both sides of the table.  This also means I’m no fool and you won’t be able to pull the wool over my eyes.  I think a lot of parents are like that.  They know me better then that, now.  I am here to fight for what Emma needs, and no one will stand in my way.  Got that?

Phew.

If anyone has gone through the IEP process, it can be grueling, draining, and a battle.  One thing I highly recommend is hiring an advocate.  I have hired a wonderful advocate, Chris. He has been wonderful in supporting Emma’s needs, and ours.  What I like about Chris is that he has quite the education to back up his expertise.  But more than the education, he’s got the experience.  See, he’s got ONH as well.  So his input comes from a place of book smarts, as well as personal experience.  Can’t beat that combo.  He’s been a tremendous help with Emma.  And while he’s in Ohio, we just conference him in on telephone!

We have this IEP in 2 weeks.  I’m nervous…not gonna lie.  I don’t typically like meetings, and I definitely don’t like confrontation (though it’s never really gotten to that point).  I will definitely let you know how it all turns out!

If you’ve been through an IEP, what were your experiences?

Yesterday I didn’t want to quit when I was running my 11.15 (because the .15 was a big deal)…not me! And I wasn’t nauseous at all.

Yesterday I did not eat my weight in garlic knots from N.Y.P.D. pizza….not me!

When visiting my friends’, who had their first baby this weekend, I didn’t want to steal sweet Addie up and take her home…not me!

And since we didn’t make it to the snow this weekend, I didn’t take the opportunity to leave the house a mess…not me!

And when passing around the popcorn while watching Wizard of Oz with the kiddos, my son did not say, “Mom, I’m not a fan of popcorn.”   Not Mason!

What didn’t you do this weekend?

We’re heading up North for the weekend to play in the snow!  We’re keeping our fingers crossed that we don’t get snowed in.  Or maybe we want to get snowed it?  Either way, I should remember now to pack extra medicine for Miss Em…that’s the worst is when plans change and you don’t have enough medicine to tide you over.  And then plans don’t change so much!  Anyhoo, have a great weekend and I’ll be back on Monday with some snow pix!

Post edit: No trip for us.  The roads are closed further up north and “they” strongly advise no one to come up unless you have to, and then to use chains.  Unfortunately that cuts us out of the equation.  The kids are bummed, mostly because they have to go to school today.  And I now have to figure out the next steps to fix the leak in our wall.  That will be my weekend!

Anyone with a little girl has read Pinkalicious, right?  If not, that is sad.  Anyway, the premise of the story is that on a rainy day mom and daughter bake cupcakes.  Pink cupcakes.  With lots of pink frosting (and a cherry on top).  Yesterday we had our own Pinkalicious day.  Except we made cookies.  But, by golly, we had pink frosting and cherries on top.  It was a lot of fun.  We called Mason Orange-alicious and gave him his own orange frosting.  He was in heaven! Things like that make me think I’m a good mom.

Our feelings…put to song.

Emma’s behavior has been a bit on a downslope towards the end of last week.  The dentist’s visit didn’t help, that’s for sure!  And Friday was still a rough day.  We decided to edit our weekend plans and see if Emma could sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa’s house for some special one on one time with them.  We had already purchased tickets to see the Phoenix Coyotes, so we decided to make it a special night for just Mason with Mommy and Daddy.  As it is, Emma gets really over-stimulated in crowded and loud situations, so this was probably a really good idea, given her behavior the 48 hour prior to the game.  Plus, she was super excited for a slumber party with Grandma and Grandpa.

Mason had fun at the game. I think.  He was a bit restless, which isn’t hard to believe for a 3 year old boy.  But he had fun, and loved watching everything…mostly the “flying taco”.  I think it’s good to have 2 on 1 time with the kids.  We do 1 on 1 a lot…but hardly ever do we both have time with just one kid.  We will make more of a habit.  As it turns out,  Emma had a wonderful time with Grandma and Grandpa, of course.  I don’t know what it is, but that girl will totally sleep in over there.  Not so much here.  And I don’t know why!!  When we talked to her Sunday morning, she sounded refreshed and rejuvenated.  It was a good thing for all of us, I think.  Here are some pictures from our hockey game!

And when I say “our”, I mean my kids.  To the dentist.  For a cleaning.  My hope was that they’d go back there all by themselves.  Emma was actually excited; Mason a bit more hesitant.  But, after Sharon showed Mason the orange toothbrushes, he was pretty much good to go!  I was home free!!  I sat in the lobby, took out the iPhone and started catching up on Facebook and E! Entertainment news.  It was great!  Maybe it was the text I sent my husband (“the kids went back ALONE!!”) that jinxed it all.  Because not 5 minutes later a hygienist   informed me that Emma was having “issues”.  And on my way back to Emma, I learned that Mason was having some “issues” himself.  First: Emma.  Well, let’s see.  She refused to sit in the chair.  So that meant she got to sit on my lap, facing me, wrap her legs around me and lay back her head in the dentist’s lap.  Obviously she wasn’t their first difficult patient.

If you don’t know my girl, she’s long and lean, and 100% muscle.  No fat in her skinny little body.  That being said, she’s freakishly strong.  I mean really strong.  I had to use all my energy to hold her hands down and keep her legs from unwinding themselves from by waist.  I didn’t break out in a sweat, but I felt the beads of perspiration starting to form.  Meanwhile, Emma is screaming her head off.  I haven’t seen a tempter tantrum like that in a long time.  Fortunately the dentist found nothing wrong with her teeth (thank GOD!) and she politely asked if we could make our next appointment during the morning hours.

Emma’s 2 bottom teeth are loose.  She’s a little sensitive about that area anyway. But still.  Besides hiding some valium in her food next time (I’m TOTALLY kidding), what can I do?  Do I need to start looking for a pediatric dentist that works with special needs kids?  I know they have them at our hospital. Are we at that point?

How do your kids do at the dentist?

You can now follow me on my blog!!  Check out my Google Friends Connect down on the bottom left to be able to follow me and get updates when I post new content!  Thanks to Lolli for helping me with this!!

So please….follow me!!  (did that sound too desperate?) (did my desperate plea work?)

Not really, I just wanted to say that!  I know that on Blogger blogs, there is the option to (easily) follow your favorite blogs.  Such is not the case for my very own WordPress blog.  I have not found a (working) plug-in to save my life!  Of course if anyone has any suggestions, I would be more than appreciative to receive them!

I understand that the option to subscribe to my blog will create loyal followers and readership.  Not everyone uses Google Reader, like me, which-actually- is getting out of hand.  There has to be some way to easily subscribe (or follow) my blog. There has to be.  I’m searching and searching.  I’ve asked for help from the technology gods my dad and his SEO pro friend for help.  I hope to get it fixed by Monday.  Wouldn’t that be nice!!

I will keep you posted!!

Until then, who has read Julie and Julia?  Seen the movie? I’m one who likes to read the book first and then see the movie.  Regardless, I’m about halfway through the book.  It’s inspiring in my quest to blog, and a little bit in my quest to be a better cook!