My Sensational Child

In my opinion, Most mothers know their children better than anyone else. This is something that I firmly stand behind and has led me in my own battles with others regarding Landon's development. About 2 months ago, Landon was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, commonly known as SPD. I knew this to be true months before I ever met with my local Early Intervention team. You can say, it was my mothers intuition.

What is SPD? And what can be done for children who suffer from it?

SPD is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from the five senses (vision, auditory, touch, olfaction, and taste), the sense of movement (vestibular system), and/or the positional sense (proprioception). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_processing_disorder

Once your child has been diagnosed, they can benefit from a treatment program of occupational therapy (OT) with a sensory integration (SI) approach from a trained therapist or clinician. For more info on the treatment of SPD please click here: http://www.spdfoundation.net/treatment.html


My Sensational Child

Since I have filled you in on the brief logistics, lets get to the real purpose of my blog post this afternoon. I have decided to write at least 4 times a week, accounting all of the challenges and daily routines I face with raising my Sensational Child. I hope to allow others to see what it's like for us everyday. Raising a child with SPD, is damn hard work. For those of you who differ, I hope to prove you wrong with this blog. And don't think for one second I am complaining about my job as a mother to a sensational child. I would not want it any other way! Landon is special because of who he is, and who he is- is a Sensational Child!

Thanks for stopping by and here's to a new venture!

Be real,

Joy

How to be rich in less than 5 minutes.....

Success & Happiness ...ughh.....sometimes I hate taking about this topic with certain people. Its a never ending battle between opinions. As we all know, everyone values success in their own ways. Some may think wallets full of Benjamin's makes them Superior in the world, while others flaunt their CEO/CFO titles around like we give a shit. You wanna know what i think? Well, too bad, I am going to tell you anyways. I think if you wake up satisfied & happy with who you are, what you do and most importantly what you have than you are Successful! You are more powerful than the richest man in the world.....Because almost certainly that man is more miserable than you think.

Remember the old saying your parents tried telling you growing up? " Money doesn't buy happiness"....well, here we are and its TRUE. Money may make life a bit easier- but if you aren't happy with your "bare ass self"- then all the money in the world is not going to help. Strip down those designer clothes, fake nails, jewelry up the yin yang and what do you see?? Someone who is happy with what they have.....Children, a roof over your head, food to eat, a hobby you enjoy, good friends & family and most importantly YOU! You are here...living each day....Be Grateful for that.

I am grateful for my son. He is my best friend and I couldn't imagine life without him.....so I am grateful that I woke up today with him.....and will be grateful for tomorrow when I wake up to him again. I am grateful I found my soulmate at such a young age- as you never know when your last day will be and I want as much time with him as possible. I am grateful my husband works so we can have a roof over our heads...as small as it is and as much as I complain- its home...it's a cozy home...and most importantly it's OUR HOME! I am grateful for my friends & family who without saying bring so much DRAMA & LOVE into my life. I wouldn't want it any other way- because they are MY friends & family and you should be grateful for what you have not what you do not!

Think of what you are most grateful for tomorrow as you sit and enjoy your meal. For starters, Be grateful you have a meal to sit down to... Too many this year are without.

Happy Turkey day!!!!


JOY

Swine Who??

Swine Flu is on everyone's mind these days....



Everywhere I go people are talking about...... and today while walking around Wrentham Village Outlets, I overheard a woman say that she didn't want to go into the food court because people had their mouths open and didn't want to catch Swine Flu......Are you freaking serious??? Then why are you out of your house??? Comments like these drive me insane! If you think because you are walking at fast pace...the "Swine Flu" won't be able to "get you"....than that's just stupidity......you are in a public place!!! Sorry- had to vent- sometimes people should just keep their mouths shut- they don't realize what an ass they make themselves look like with the things they say!

Next- Vaccine.....To get it or not to get it?? That is the Question! And what is the CORRECT answer......... There is no right or wrong answer for everyone. It should be a personal decision. I am not for or against the vaccine. However- I have chosen to not get the vaccine. Landon has received the regular flu vaccine and I feel protected for him. Some people fail to realize that this flu is still acting like the regular flu.....most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment.

I have chosen to not get the vaccine for many reasons..... 1st: I am a firm believer that all the necessary precautions did not go into making this vaccine and not enough research was done as it was such a short amount of time before they started to bring it to the market 2nd: most times I doubt what doctors think is best ( as I am the ONLY one who can say what is best for my child and I have had many encounters with doctors who are 100% wrong ) 3rd: I wash my child's hands, don't take my child out when he sick, ask others to leave when they are sick etc....

For those who think their decision to get or not to get the vaccine is better than others- than shame on you. How dare you judge someone based on their own beliefs. This is a personal decision and you have to stick to what you believe, make the decision and be done with it. No back handed comments to me will make me change my mind about getting the vaccine. If you don't like it- then Screw You and go pick on someone else- cause this Bitch isn't listening to it!

To those who still need to make this very personal decision- feel free to visit the CDC website for a complete guide to the Swine Flu. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm

Out-

Joy

Summer Fades Away.....

We went Apple Picking with Friends at Phantom Farms. It was so much fun!!! Landon had a blast running through all the trees!!!

Edaville 2009- Day out with Thomas with Daddy & Mommy. He loved the train ride and we can't wait to go back in December.

Edaville 2009- we went on a mini roller coaster!! Landon was having a blast as it went up & down and round & 'round!

Block Island- August 2009 Landon's 1st boat ride and he was in love! WE had so much fun in the water at our own little private spot!

Cape Cod, July 2009- ZooQuarium- this is the place we discover Landon's love for reptiles!! He loves his turtles so much!!!!!


Landon's 1st haircut- July 30th 2009- Yes- he is almost 2 and has only has his hair cut once......Look at it?? Why would you want to cut his locks off!!!!


Dinner out with Mommy & the Mouse! Chuck E Cheese...we had so much fun. We went one day that Daddy had to work in Boston! He loves the pizza and the rides are a plus+ !


Here was a brief look at the end of the summer (July & August). We have many things planned for this month- hayrides, pumpkin picking, Halloween party & trick or treating, Landon's 2nd Falltastic Birthday Party, Feeding the animals and so much more!

Hope you all had a nice summer and hope you enjoy all Fall has to offer- we sure will!!!!

Nighty - Night

Landon- No- means NO!

So - what to say...well these past 2 1/2 weeks have been tough. Landon has learned a new way to express himself- particularly his anger and frustration. Guess? Biting himself! Isn't that just lovely! One day- I said "no" to something he was doing- and he grabbed his hand and bit down...and I mean really hard. He has little bite marks for days on his hand. One time he even broke skin! The he wanted me to kiss it and make it "better", but I was told to ignore it and not give in to this type of action. So I have been- it's been almost 4 full days and no biting incidents. I hope its gone away....he gets so mad at me for saying No- that I know one of these days he will do it again. I know it has a lot to do with his lack of works. He can't express to me when he is mad or what he wants. I feel bad for him- but at that time...I like not having a kid who can talk back- LOL. His educator and doctor say that biting themselves is a normal way for kids to show anger when they can't speak.......I just don't like seeing him be so mean to himself. The second he starts to bite someone else- or something else-It's all over. Not sure what I will do- but I won't have that.

Other than that- summer is over- but we are still jam packed for the next month with lots of fun activities! And we are having Landon's birthday party a month before his actual date of birth- It is going to be so much fun! I can't wait!!!

I will post some more info on what we did the remainder of the summer with some pics- Until then- Night all!!!!!

A Nutty Day

May 31st 2009 was a day that I will never forget. A day that will inherently make Landon's allergy worse ( the next reaction) and a day that I became truly fearful of eating out with my son ever again.

It was like any normal day...Landon had his breakfast and snack and lunch time rolled around quickly. I was in the mood for some French Onion Soup so immediately " Panera" popped into my head! Panera has the best French Onion Soup.......and I mean best! So Landon, Jesse and I got into the car and headed to Panera on Bald Hill Rd (the one next to Trader Joes- for all you Rhode Islanders). We have been here so many times- and almost 90% of the time we ask what their policy on working with nut products is and if the items we order have any nuts in them. WE always order the same things- every time. We feel safe with these items because we know that there are no nuts in them. This time- we didn't ask about their policy- since we knew what it was and we were there just 4 days ago and was not veering off from the same items we always ordered.

Things went wrong- really wrong. Someone must have made something with nuts, or handled a pastry with nuts and grabbed my baguette without changing their gloves. Something that takes only seconds to do- could have cost Landon his life. That is unacceptable to me. They have a policy regarding "nut products" for a reason. They were supposed to change their gloves anytime they handle nuts-Period. No excuses...if they are busy- running low on gloves etc...
They were not busy that day...and it was early in the day that there should have been plenty of gloves...so what was the excuse- Laziness and not doing their job right.

Long Story Short- we ended going home & placing Landon in the tub as discussed with our Doctor to try and clean off any allergen on his skin.....About 2 minutes into the bath Jesse called me in to look at his eye...no Ladies & Gentleman- not his surrounding skin of his eye- his actual eyeball. It was swelling right out of his head. I almost passed out...and immediately my heart went to the floor- I felt weak, dizzy and couldn't even talk. I called my mom and all I kept saying was, " His eye is coming out of his head", over and over again....Jesse Called 911 and they were here in about 3 minutes and rushed him to Hasbro.....
When we got there his breathing was getting worse and his eye literally looked like it was about to fall out of his head. They gave him so much medicine in hopes to avoid the Epinephrine because it is very painful and has its own risks. But No- my poor baby had to get the Epi shot. We were there about 8 hours and sent us home because his breathing was stabilized. Landon as on 3 drugs for about a week to try and get the allergen out of his system...and had a black eye for about 2 days after.

I can't explain what this was like. This shouldn't have happened. I know mistakes happen- but that's why they have policies out there.....A mistake had already happened for them to enact this policy. Please- if you work in the food service industry- as your boss what their policy on nuts is...and if they don't have one- contact your local town council and enact one. It saves lives.

We have only been out to eat 4 time since this incident and only 1 time did we allow Landon to eat anything form the restaurant. This is something that Landon will have to learn when he is older to understand. But for now- the burden is on my shoulders to make sure this NEVER happens again. A burden I don't mind as long as my son is happy & healthy.

I am not Nuts.....I hate Nuts!

Joy
A.K.A Landon's Watchdog

This Picture was at the Hasbro- after all the meds.......he was hooked up to many machines and was such a good boy considering the circumstances. His eye looked like this for about 2 days and then was black & blue. This picture is in the bath- the eye hadn't even started to come out yet...Picture this 10 times worse..the bottom lid was folding over itself because the eye was expanding and protruding out.....We called 911 immediately after we saw this.....

Summer Lovin'

Its hard to believe its almost August!! This summer has been very wet- but Landon & I have still had lots of fun finding things to do! I actually don't like the hot, icky weather- so having some cloudy rainy days are great for me!!!! But I would like a good beach day every now & then. Here are some of the highlights of Landon's summer so far.....



Landon at Oakland Beach...loved watching all the boats!



Landon & friends( Jack & Mya) at a home playdate.
This was his 1st real lesson in sharing!! He did GREAT!!!
Not so much anymore!!!!!!!

Landon learning to golf with Daddy in
Eastham, Cape Cod when we went to visit Mimi & Poppy!


Landon feeding a deer @ WWII Memorial Park

Landon & Jack having some Sandy Fun in the Sandbox
at Capron Park Zoo. He also feed a goat, Llama and saw a
baby lion cub which he calls CAAAA (for Cat!)!
What a great day and lovely Zoo!

Landon has had so much fun this summer...I am sure he will enjoy himself even more in August- we have so many great trips planned with the family and the Moms group! Davis Farmland, Roger Wheeler Beach, Cape Cod and so much more.....He is also becoming a bit more attentive to us. He is listening to Mommy & Daddy so much more....He still doesn't have many words verbally- but knows what many things are....... He is just a bit lazy with his words!!!! But to each his own- he will speak when he is ready ( I have to keep telling myself that otherwise I think something is wrong-LOL). But seriously, he has made great accomplishments these past 2 months! We are very proud of him and can't love him more for who he is!!


Hope you all are enjoying your Summer!!!