The Fanning Four

So, now that we're on a surgery hiatus for a few years (thank goodness!) we're turning our focus to how to best help Caleb learn to talk and to get a handle on his sensory issues.  According to the book I've been reading, The Out-of- Sync-Child , "sensory processing disorder is the inability to use information received through the senses in order to function smoothly in daily life." SPD is an umbrella term. Go down a level, and Caleb would be classified under "sensory modulation disorder" and then one more level to "sensory seeking". Basically it means that Caleb requires more input than the average child to understand his environment. He particularly craves touch, movement, and smell. I don't really understand it all and we may be seeking the help of a neurologist soon, so I would be able to explain more after that. But in every day life it looks like this: Constant movement- he loves to swing, horse play, be tickled, jump, run aroun...

So I've known this information for almost a week now. And I've held it close, only talking about it with a couple people. I guess I'm just embarrassed. I'm tired of needing help. I'm tired of talking about medical problems.  We've had a lot with my mono/Lyme disease last year and Caleb's 2 surgeries. I kind of just want to pretend it's not real. But it is, and so here it is. About 2 months ago, on a rainy day, I was getting the kids our of the car and slipped on the wet garage floor and totally wiped out. I had immediate intense pain and wasn't sure I was going to be able to stand up. Bethy was so sweet and came over and started picking up the things I dropped and asking how she could help. Fortunately I did get up and even managed to hobble around and make the kids' lunch. I limped around for the next few days, went to the dr. twice, got a brace, some pain meds, and anti inflammatory meds and assumed I'd heal with time. It did get better. ...

I haven't been a great blogger this past year. It's just been full. Life has been full. Caleb had his 3 year check up and his pediatrician said it looks pretty healthy. He's 30.8 pounds and 38 inches tall. She did hear a heart murmur and we have been concerned because he gets out of breath easily. So we will be making a trip to the pediatric cardiologist soon. We'll keep you posted. Caleb still doesn't say very many words and only one or two that are truly understandable. His speech therapist has said he has speech apraxia. That basically means that his brain has trouble telling his mouth what to do.  He still has a lot of muscle weakness (part of why we want to check his heart). The muscle weakness in his face and mouth make it difficult for him to make sounds. We have taught him quite a few sign language words and are working on getting a picture card communication system going. It has been very difficult to accept his lack of speech. We definitely thought h...

She's talkative (although we've been told she is much quiter at school), energetic, and intelligent. Commonly heard phrases ,"Hey, can I tell you somethin'?", "What means ______?" (asking definitition of a word), "Let's pack up" (she likes to pack suitcases and go on imaginary trips), "My pets......" (she has a world of imaginary "pets" including penguins, polor bears, etc.). She knows so many Bible stories, I think she's ready for seminary. She is shy around new adults but friendly with kids her age. She likes to pick out her own outfits and has a Punky Brewster type style. She loves to play with baby dolls, color, paint, and throw "parties". She is in gymnastics and just moved up a level to Hot Shots. She is learning how to swim this summer. She wants to marry her friend Nathan, be a Momma, and have 2 kids. She thinks Nathan will work on houses and go to the bank. She wants to adopt one ...

Happy Third Birthday Caleb!!! I can't belive he's turning 3!!! What a spunky little guy we have! He loves spaghetti, PB and J, crackers, bananas, frosted mini wheats, chocolate milk, lasagna, any type of bread, green beans, and applesauce. He can say, "hat", "heart", "head", "hot", "car", "at" (cat), "Momma" (for Mom or Dad), "uh oh", "up", "ook" (book), "ooh" (shoe) and "more" He can identify most body parts He can point to any number 1-10. He's a computer whiz! He can sign: more, lollipop, eat, all done, baby, time, cookie, thank you, please, hurt, drink, milk, bird, cracker, bread, peanut butter, water, plane, car, shoes, socks, and some others I can't think of He loves to swim He is very cuddly He is almost totally day time potty trained- his own initiative He likes to sit and "read" He loves bathtime and playing with bloc...

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I was in the bathroom the other day when I saw five little fingers reaching under. I am not so sure what it was about that moment but it was the first time I really felt ownership of those little fingers. Not in a "I own my TV" kind of way. It's more of a "you belong to me, you belong with me" kind of way. My attachment process to Caleb has been difficult journey; one of the more difficult and surprising aspects of adoption for me. I'd share more than that with you over a cup of coffee, but for now, we'll leave it at that.  I have recently figured out that one of my biggest hurdles in attaching was the guilt I feel at "taking" Caleb from his biological Momma. I know that's not reality, but when I see the joy of a child he is, my heart aches for her and what she is missing. I am fully aware that our delight in him is at the cost of their relationship with each other and it just breaks my heart.  And I'm ok with that but I can't l...