Preschool Update

People are always asking me how Isaac is doing in preschool. I know that several professionals in the special ed. community disagreed with our decision to pursue sending Isaac to a mainstream preschool and despite their opinions, we felt it would be best for Isaac to attend a school other than the one he was on track to attend due to his special needs. We are so happy with the decision we made for Isaac. He is thriving and is having so much fun in his current preschool setting. After only a couple weeks of preschool, I noticed that Isaac was beginning to act more like a boy and less like a baby. We tend to call Isaac our "forever baby" since his daily care is more involved than the typical three year old, so it is incredibly exciting to see him blossom (finally) from baby to boy. Isaac is making tremendous progress in speech development and gross motor skills. It is so exciting to hear him begin to verbalize some of his needs and wants, and I love watching his karate and superhero moves. Last October, he was only taking a few steps and even then he was mainly furniture walking. Now, he is jumping--JUMPING! It's incredible.

It still tugs at my emotions to see a typical three and a half year old standing next to Isaac, but I have found ways to cope with those emotions and I always remind myself of how much progress he has made over the last six months. What most people do not realize is that Isaac's self-care (toileting, dressing, feeding, bathing) is still that of an infant. This is what becomes the most discouraging, but I am so used to our "normal" that on most days I have become somewhat blind to Isaac's delays. When he is in a good mood, Isaac is the most entertaining, interesting and funniest person I know.

"Come, Beda (Isabella). Kame (Game)."

He still snuggles with us every night to fall asleep.

Preschool Thanksgiving Feast. He actually touched a green bean.

 
Isaac gets so excited to see Isabella each morning. He shouts, "Hi Beda (Isabella)! Hi! Yo (show), Beda!" (she gets to pick a show each morning and our little TV addict can't wait to find out what she will choose to watch)

My preschool goal for Isaac was for him to simply play and engage with other children his age, and most importantly, to have fun. Without a doubt, each of those goals has been met and we are so thankful for his wonderful preschool teachers and the safe and encouraging environment they have provided for all of their students.

Preschool

Isaac's first day of preschool deserves a big long post, but I don't have it in me right now and I know family is eager to see pictures and hear something about his first day, so this is a quick drop-in of mostly pictures. This day was a culmination of all of our hard work and it was a day to enjoy the ways God has worked in Isaac's life in making this huge milestone possible. Isaac is attending the same preschool program that Isabella went to when she was four years old. We fell in love with their play-based preschool program and the care and compassion of the teachers, but because of Isaac's special needs, I thought I would only dream of him being able to participate in the same program. It really is a gift and an answer to prayer to have him walk into the very same classroom where Isabella made many fun preschool memories, and have Isaac welcomed with open arms. 

Isaac loves rockets so we were both excited when we found this book bag. I couldn't believe he wanted to wear it since he is very particular about what is touching him. He needed to hold on to his toothbrush, just in case something got stuck in his teeth--which would never happen.

Isabella: Isaac, are you excited to go to school today?
Isaac: Me?!
Isabella: Yeah, you're going to school!
Isaac: Oh! 
Isabella: I'm gonna cry. It's just so exciting that he's going to school.

"Sleep well, dear."
"You too. I just hope I can sleep."
"Are you nervous about dropping off our Little Man."
"Yeah, he's just so little and he doesn't have many words."
"Mmhmm, but he has a lot to say."

At the end of the two and a half hours, he ran out of the room happy and smiling. I couldn't have asked for a better first school experience for both of us. 

Preschool, throw up, and mascara

I have had a horrible headache all day. It's not a migraine, but it's bad enough that I actually enjoy picturing my brain exploding all over the place. I assume after a brain explosion my headache would be gone.

For about a year, the goal has been that Isaac would begin preschool when he turned three. Because he has "special" needs, this label qualifies him for free therapy from the school district, beginning at age three. About three weeks ago, we were forced to end private therapy because the fund we were receiving ran out of money. And as you all know, our insurance does not cover therapy for those who truly need it. Shame on them. So, we have to be creative. Today I mailed out a grant application, and if we receive the grant, it will cover speech therapy for a little while. Also, it should come as no big surprise that we don't have five hundred dollars a week to pay for therapy. It's okay though. Honestly, a break from the therapy routine is somewhat welcome, and we've settled nicely into not having to be anywhere on Wednesday mornings.

So...preschool. Isaac and I went to meet his teacher yesterday, and see the room he will be in. Initial thoughts: the teacher was nice, the kids were nice, the room was a complete disaster, they hadn't received any of the faxes they should have received to complete the PT and OT evaluations...we have to go back two times next week. Oh, and I cried when we got back to our car. I have literally held Isaac for more hours of his life than not held him (I have a really buff left arm), which is not a bad thing, it has been tiring, and annoying at times, but it has just been our life. With that said, I'm having a really hard time thinking that I will be able to leave him and trust someone else with him. It didn't help that one of the kids threw up on the floor and I was imagining all of the disgusting things he would be around...like, other kids, for example. Kids can be pretty gross. After the throw up incident, I considered grabbing Isaac and climbing out a window (the door was blocked by puke).

After the visit, I decided to run a couple errands to clear my head. I needed mascara (very essential item), so we stopped at Macy's, where, I started crying at the make-up counter. It should go without saying that I asked for the long lasting mascara...emotional breakdowns tend to come unannounced, so at least I would be prepared with bold, extended lashes.

All of my friends who have children with special needs tell me that preschool is amazing, and I'm sure it will be, I just have to let all of this sink in.

Isabella took this picture this morning. I was so excited that one of my children actually wanted to be in a picture with me. Isn't he the cutest thing you've ever seen?