School's In Session

Well, we have the first month of school under our belt.  Whew!  It's been pretty good but a definite challenge getting back into the routine, structure and discipline. Brynn has started off okay and likes her new teacher.   

She definitely enjoys the various gadgets that are used in class.  They use calculators, iPads, Smart Boards and Chromebooks ... oh boy!!

Our guy, Jonah, is enjoying being in first grade very much!!  

The classes are involved in Project Lead The Way and it seems to be a fun and creative way to get kids engaged in learning. 

Despite Jonah's obstacles in speech and language, he reallys enjoys socializing and interacting with his peers and they have been wonderful at accepting him just the way that he is.  While Jonah's speech is quite difficult to understand, fortunately, his peers have acclimated and adjusted to his way of communicating and can even interpret for someone who is not used to hearing Jonah talk.  

That really is wonderful and we are so pleased with the way the children are able to overlook the differences and accept Jonah the way that he is.  However, we have been continuing Jonah at Speech Therapy through Children's Hospital and we have now just received approval for the implementation of an IEP (Individual Education Plan) at school so that he can have more therapy integrated right into his daily routine.  

Jonah may have another surgery sometime in January to revise and/or enhance the pharyngeal flap that was done this past June, however, at this point, it is tentative depending on the progress with his speech.  He is working really hard and he does sometimes frustrate quickly.  But he has so much to try to catch up on (identifying letters and numbers while at the same time learning to read and understand beginning math concepts) all while he is working hard to make his mouth form the sounds of all those letters and numbers and words!  It really is A LOT and I am so proud of him and I really try to show him how exciting it is when he succeeds.  It's amazing how his whole face lights up!

And then there's this little buddy, Rees!  He's having a great start to going back to school.  He is much more comfortable with the routine and the structure and environment than when he first attended earlier this year . 

Rees is scheduled to have his next surgery late October.  The plan is to continue taking steps to correct the numerous issues he's been dealt.   

I do find that I am getting a bit anxious as I anticipate Rees' next surgery.  I am admittedly worn out and knowing that he will have surgery in October, then in January and then again in April ... well, let's just say that I'd like to throw myself on the floor to have a baby-fit!  Honestly, my life has become more challenging.   

Silly me ... I thought the biggest challenge was going to be the possibility of two kids having a serious surgery at the same time.  Uhhh ... 

... well, one surgery turned into eight surgeries in just seven months.  Eek!!  

But I am really happy that they are doing quite well.  They are changing and learning and growing every day ... and really doing SO WELL for all that they've endured in such a short time.

I am still a whole lot of worked hours SHORT of qualifying for FMLA for next year but thankfully my manager has been very understanding and has allowed me the flexibility to work around the numerous appointments and follow-ups we've had and continue to have.  It does put a bit of additional stress on me as I am constantly calculating, re-calculating, arranging, and re-arranging my work hours so that I ensure I am getting in all of my hours but I have been blessed as well in being able to balance it all.  

Rees, too, has been working hard at school and at home trying to learn ... though, he has a bit of an advantage with the fact that he started over and is in kindergarten again.  Yet, he is still behind the other kindergarteners simply because they have five years of learning experience on him.  But another advantage that Rees has that we feel will help him is that he pays attention when we're working with Jonah and he often follows along and wants to do what Jonah is doing so he's getting double practice, which is great!