School Days Update #2 December-March

It's definitely been a while since I last posted about how William is doing in school and I think it's time for an update! There has been a lot going on and a lot of BIG changes. I'll go month by month as it's easier for me to remember what happened when this way...

December was an interesting month. They did a lot of learning about the season (winter), as well as the holidays that are celebrated in December (Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, etc). They learned lots of songs and made lots of decorations. William to this day can still sing the songs for the holidays. He loved listening to the Holiday music in the car and loved singing plenty of those songs as well. The weather, however, didn't stay like it normally does and they were met with practically an extra full week of Winter Break. They had a holiday party on the last day they had school and he was very excited to share his present that he made in school with grandma. They made picture frames and in the frame was a picture of them.

January meant back to school time and boy was it time! He COULDN'T wait to get back. It also meant just a few short weeks until his birthday. He spent his 4th birthday in school. Coincidentally it landed on the day they had their pajama party and I brought in Dinosaur cookies for his class as his birthday treat. They were a big hit and he enjoyed the extra attention lavished on him with the crown and singing "Happy Birthday". He got an award on his birthday and was allowed to pick a prize from the prize box. He had his birthday party and a few kids from the class attended. It was a lot of fun. He had a hard time learning patience, as they stopped doing many helpers throughout the day and went to a helper of the week. At the end of January he did get sick again and it went through to the beginning of February.

February was a month of Love for them in school. We were met with a horrible respiratory infection that led to horrible ear infections, a sinus infection, and a round of zithromax to kick it, along with two trips to the Dr, two breathing treatments, and a round of prednisolone that didn't help his symptoms get better. Talk about exhausting. They made several crafts including the envelope for their Valentine's party. Each child got to bring in cards for each child and teacher and a snack. They had a great party and William was so excited to show us everything they got when I got off work. February also marked his turn to be helper of the week. We got to make a collage to show the class and when he was on his last day as helper he got to bring in show and tell, which was his big Bumblebee. He had a great time and they spent the month learning about Jungle animals and habitat.

March has been a fun month. The class had a Leprechaun that played tricks on them. They were always on the lookout to see when Patrick O'Shea would be trying to trick them. They made lots of fun crafts (as William calls them) and learned a lot about authors like Dr. Seuss and Eric Carlyle. They made crafts like cupcakes and pancakes (if you give a cat a cupcake, if you give a pig a pancake) and hats from The Cat in The Hat... Green eggs and ham things... He has enjoyed every one of those books and I am thrilled that my son is an aspiring bookworm. Patrick O'Shea did bring a pot of gold to them on St. Patrick's day and each child was allowed to pick two things out of this as a prize. He has been upset from time to time that the weather hasn't held out and been good enough for outside recess, but he's had fun anyways. On his last day before Spring Break they sent home a paper asking parents to sign up for Spring Conferences. I can't believe that its almost time for that again! It will be exciting to see the change from the beginning of the year until now though.

I can't wait to see what April, May, and June have in store for him. It is sad though that summer vacation is right around the corner. My poor kid is going to be so bored and antsy all summer long..

Headaches.. Will they ever stop???

"Some 2.5% of preschoolers and 5% of elementary school age children have migraines"-NeuroNews

With statistics like that its hard to swallow that a child as young as 3 or 4 (possibly younger) could go through such a painful thing and as a parent we not know it or not recognize it. As if dealing with asthma and allergies weren't enough, now we are facing the very real possibility that William could also have migraines.

Although, I'm not shocked about the possibility of this, I do FEEL absolutely AWFUL about it. This would be something that, although I can't control genetics, I gave him. Migraines run in the family, my side to be exact, and tend to affect the women in the family more so than the men. I know I've had them my whole life. They are awful and I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy. I was "blessed" in a way that my migraines didn't become as frequent and severe until high school.

I am trying to sort out all the details and in my mind keep going back to a critical piece of this puzzle that I feel was overlooked. Back when he was 18 months old my mom noticed that he would become whiny, fatigued, and look like he was in pain. On top of those symptoms he would rub his head. The Dr he was seeing at the time told us that it was just a learned behavior and that unless he had an "episode" of these symptoms and there was drooping of an eye involved that we shouldn't worry. We were told that if he had an episode with drooping of an eye to take him in immediately. I know that it's not a good sign when that happens. Being somewhat understandable of what the Dr was saying we just went about life.

At this point and time these headaches are starting to become more frequent and my child is dealing with what he says is the worst pain ever. He becomes very whiny, clingy, nauseous, at times vomits, and becomes pale and tired. Sometimes confused about what is going on and sometimes spacey like the pain is too much for him to handle. As much as I want to just take these away I can't. I can't imagine what he feels like at 4 having headaches like that.

In speaking with his pediatrician, who is amazing, she feels that this is more than likely what is happening. William and I had a talk about these headaches and I asked him some questions. His responses were very telling as to what's going on. The answers confirmed what we've been noticing. Although we can't pinpoint any triggers at this point. He has said that sounds become louder, he gets tired, his tummy gets upset (nausea), and it hurts ALOT!

I ran across a listing of migraine symptoms in preschoolers/toddlers and found it very interesting.. Here is the listing:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Throbbing headache
• Specific location of pain
• Associated "aura" - a funny sensation just before a headache, which may be a change in any of the five senses (vision, hearing, taste, smell or touch).
• Relief with sleep (headaches that awaken children, or early morning headaches, are probably not migraines - -they might be signs of a brain tumor)
• Family history of migraines

I am learning though that the best way to deal with his headaches are to listen to him, give him Tylenol or Motrin, we are going to try Dramamine for nausea/vomiting, and just let him do what he needs to do. The other day that meant letting him lay down for 3 hours doing nothing in our room all by himself. He didn't need too much more than that. Sometimes just resting is enough. And although nothing I say can make these go away immediately or stop any of the symptoms for him just having mommy there to hold him or comfort him gives him at least enough relief to know that it will be ok and eventually it will pass and he will be back to his old self.

I hope that in some small way this post will reach someone, anyone if they are reading this. If so many children get these headaches it makes one wonder why people dismiss these symptoms as nothing more than a child trying to get attention.

Turning 25 is just around the corner

And what a time for some reflection. Turning 24 didn't seem to mean all that much, but I think I have accomplished some growth over this last year. I can't say that it was the easiest year for me. I've learned that I am much better off without certain things in my life and there are things no longer in my life that I'm not better off without. I can't say that I made the best decisions at times, but I've definitely done what I felt was best for my son and myself. I can say that I've learned the following:

• when your 3 1/2 year old goes off to preschool after never being in daycare expect that they will catch everything that is going around and then some.
• never underestimate the laws of physics.. when one thing goes bad about a dozen others do too
• hot weather and two kids at the zoo don't mix.. Even if they are getting to see a dinosaur exhibit they were dying to see
• life is much easier after your child is potty trained.. no more packing diapers/pull ups and all that stuff just to go somewhere.
  
• once children learn they have an opinion and can assert themselves be prepared for back talking... the worst. :(
• Potty training a 3 year old and a new puppy is one of the most frustrating things I've ever done.
  
• it is empowering to end something that is going no where when its nothing more than a game for the other person.
  
• I may be opinionated, but at least I can speak up for myself.
  
• I may not have a ton of money and I may not be out on my own, but at least I can take care of my child and know that he is happy, cared for, and loved without thinking twice.
  
• When your child has a new obsession you are going to hear about it non stop for as long as that obsession lasts.
  
• The "why" stage is almost as bad as the terrible two's.
  
• my family and best friends are the best anyone could ask for, even if we don't always get along
• Some people have no hesitation when it comes to throwing others into disarray and leaving a mess for them to clean up.. sucks when you are on the receiving end of that

When it comes down to it I've learned a lot of lessons. I've been through ups and downs.. I'm going to go through ups and downs this year too, but hopefully 25 is going to be a year of change and optimism. Hopefully 25 brings new challenges (good ones) and new friends, etc. into our lives. I am looking forward to what this year brings. I want to put 24 behind me as a year to learn from and grow off the changes it brought.

I can't say that I can embrace whole-heartedly the challenges of parenting with the challenges that come with a child going back and forth.. I am, however, in the process of asserting my role as mom, friend, sister, daughter, and whatever other labels that may come my way. I am no longer going to allow others to dismiss my concerns, opinions, and needs. I am no longer going to sit back and just give in because its easier than letting someone be upset with me. I am making it a goal for me (at 25) that I am ok with the outcomes of speaking my mind and sticking to my convictions. I have to just allow myself to do what I feel is right even if it makes another upset. I know this isn't going to be the easiest especially in the parenting realm of my life, but it's something I have to do...

Cookie Fun!!!

It's always an adventure going to see my best friend and her son, but today was a little different. The boys got to make cookies.... But not just any cookies either. Julie (my best friend) made up several batches of sugar cookie dough and once they were set rolled them out and cut out ducks, bunnies, and egg shapes. The boys got to paint these cookies before baking with an egg wash colored with food coloring. As messy as it could have been it went smoothly and the boys had a wonderful time.
What's better than painting eggs??? Only drinking one of the yummiest smoothies ever!! The boys loved these Orange Banana Pineapple smoothies! I just have to add that they were pretty darn tasty!