Please and Thank you

Whenever Kyle asks for something, I always make him say "Please" and "Thank you."  I even remind his daddy to ask Kyle to say both when he asks him for things. 

Kyle can sign "please" and he says the word too.  His "please" comes out "pea."  Kyle can also sign "Thank you" and he says the words too.  His "thank you" comes out "bee boo." 

Busy Week

We drove out to Winston Salem on Monday.  We intended to look at some apartments but got lost, plus it's difficult to get things done when Kyle is with us.  We decided we would go apartment hunting while Kyle was in school.  Although, it was fun to drive around to see the city a little more. 

Kyle had therapy today!  While he was at therapy, Shannon and I went to Walmart.  We had an early lunch at Subway and then I went shopping. 

We're going back to Winston Salem tomorrow while Kyle is at school!  I am excited to get out of town with my husband!  It will be fun to be together without our son, which is rare for us! 

2 light bulbs

Kyle had therapy today so while he was doing that, Shannon and I went to BJ's Wholesale Club.  Shannon has been drinking bottled water like crazy, which is a huge change!  He's been craving water over soda, which is good.  So we ended up buying 4 cases of water, cereal, chips, snacks, and a few other things. 

We ended up going to Walmart a few hours after we returned home from Kyle's therapy.  This was our regular shopping trip!  I bought the ingredients to make banana bread, so this should be interesting!  I am hoping it will turn out okay!  We also bought additional ingredients to make homemade black bean burritos, and french toast!  I've been wanting french toast for the last few days! 

I am really looking forward to making banana bread!  Kyle likes the pre-sliced blueberry bread that Shannon buys at the Walmart bakery, so I hope he'll like this too. 

We also bought light bulbs!  We needed light bulbs for the bathroom and another room.  There has been 2 light bulbs in the bathroom that have been out for at least a year.  I had Shannon put in the new bulbs and I love that I can see better!  It's so nice with the extra light.  Before, I felt like I was using candlelight just to see!

He's not feeling well

Last night, Kyle started feeling warm to the touch!  He was feeling a little too hot, but we never took his temperature.  He was definitely looking sick when he climbed into bed to go to sleep.  He slept until around 11pm when he woke up and just wanted to sit up and watch cartoons.  By that time, I went to sleep and let him watch tv.  I had a hard time falling asleep though, but I did take a long nap earlier in the afternoon. 

Kyle wasn't looking that good this morning.  For a bit in the afternoon, he actually looked a little better but a few hours later, he wasn't looking good again.  I ended up canceling his therapy session for tomorrow.  I am hoping he'll be able to go to school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! 

New week, new schedule

Kyle starts this week with a different school schedule and different therapy date!  He is now off from school on Monday and Tuesdays.  His therapy has been switched to Tuesday afternoons.  He now attends school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday!  I don't think Kyle will notice the difference but I am making sure I remember his new schedule!  We now have to plan our life around his new schedule! 

Schedule Changes

We received a letter from Kyle's school saying that they are doing some changes and Kyle would be moved to the other preschool class (the same class and teacher he had last year).  We think this was stemmed from me talking to his teacher.  His teacher was calling us every other week or at least once a week asking us if Kyle was okay, or wasn't feeling well, etc.  In other words, she was wanting us to come pick him up without asking us to pick him up.  It started to get annoying having to sit by the phone waiting for his teacher to call.  A few weeks ago, I asked his teacher is there was a way to have another teacher assistant just for him for the extra help he needs.  She understood what I was asking and she advised me to call the main Exceptional Children's coordinator for the school district.  His teacher said it would mean more if a parent were to call, rather than his teacher.  I called them later that week and was told that this would be up to the people who were above her to decide.  Well, the next week, we get notice that they were putting Kyle in his previous preschool class.  We are actually happy about this since this teacher is a mom and she is very loving! 

I received a call from Kyle's teacher today just letting me know that they made the change and Kyle is still adjusting to the change but he's doing good.  She also wanted to change his school schedule to where he would attend Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (instead of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).  She said there are less kids on Friday, plus they go to the cafeteria and the library on Fridays.  She also wants to show him how to get his own tray and food in the cafeteria to get him ready for Kindergarten!  His new school schedule will start next week.

Since he will no attend school on Thursdays, that meant I had to reschedule his therapy appointments.  I called and was able to change his therapy to Tuesday mornings!  He will start that next Tuesday as well.  His appointments are at 11am now.  He will still receive Occupational and Speech Therapy! 

Food Stamps update

When we went grocery shopping last Sunday, our food stamps had already been re-approved, but we were unsure how much it had changed.  We received a notice in the mail of our new amount in food stamps...it's been DOUBLED!!!  

The snow has been crazy here.  It hasn't snowed in the last 2 or 3 days and the snow on the ground is slowly melting, but it's also icing over.  School was canceled on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and now today (Thursday). Since it hasn't snowed, we plan on taking Kyle to therapy today!  He hasn't been to therapy in about a month now! 

Since Shannon and I are both unemployed, I decided to apply for full coverage of Medicaid for us.  Kyle is already covered on Medicaid.  Shannon and I are already covered on the "family planning" side of Medicaid.  I mailed our application in yesterday's mail and they should receive it today.  I am not sure how long it takes for them to process the application. 

Therapy interrupted & JC Penneys

We got off to a late start this morning.  Shannon woke up late and then we had to start the car to let it warm up as it was covered with ice (it was 16 degrees this morning).  Not only that, I heard on this morning's news that there was an overturned tractor trailor on the freeway.  We weren't sure if it was on the freeway we had to take.  As it turns out, the accident was on our way, but the truck was overturned in the ditch and everything was off on the shoulder so it didn't affect traffic.

Kyle had therapy today.  While he was doing that, we went to Walmart where I had to return a few things and pick up a few things.  I plan on making homemade energy bars and needed the ingredients for that.  I also bought some snack foods for Kyle.   We usually return to the therapy place a little early.  As I was coming out of the ladies room, I heard Kyle whining and looked at the clock to make sure we weren't late coming back.  His therapist said he wanted to leave (he was whining and went towards the door).  So we all went back in there to "play" and he was okay with it for a bit, but then he wanted to leave.  So we ended up leaving early. 

On the way home, we stopped at JC Penney's to pick up the toys my mom bought for Kyle for Christmas.  I also ended up buying a bath rug set in Olive color for our bathroom.  It looks good in the bathroom but Kyle doesn't like change, so he keeps removing one of the rugs from the bathroom!  LOL 

Rainy morning

Kyle had therapy this morning.  While he was in therapy, Shannon dropped me off at Walmart and he went by the post office to mail something out.  I bought another pair of Levi's jeans, I love my last pair that I had to have it in another color.  I bought some art supplies for Kyle.  He now has washable markers, a little paint set, and a huge pad of white paper to use. 

I needed some whey protein and decided to try a different brand based on the customer reviews.  Plus, if I like it, I won't have to order whey protein online.  I found a few other things we needed and stopped by the Garden Center before checking out.  They had a display of plants on 50% clearance but I didn't see any that I wanted. 

Thursday was a long day

Yesterday was a long day for us.  Kyle had occupational and speech therapy in the morning, which he loved!  He didn't want to leave.  Then at 2:45pm, we had a doctor appointment scheduled.  Kyle has been blinking his eyes more than usual.  He's not rubbing them as if they are itchy, so we think they may be dry.  Even his teacher called us and consulted the school nurse who said it could be a "neurological" problem and that we should take him to the doctor.  Kyle weighs 37 pounds.  The doctor prescribed Zyrtec (for allergies) in liquid form, so I can hide it in his drink. He thinks it's allergies/changing of the seasons, etc.  He didn't seem to concerned about it. 

On our way home from the doctor's office, we stopped by his school to pick up the food we ordered from his school fundraiser.  I ordered 2 pizzas, 2 types of cookies, and an apple pie!  We had one pizza for dinner last night and Shannon really liked it. 

Between 7pm and midnight, Kyle threw up at least 4 times!  The last time he threw up, I was unable to go back to sleep.  We're just hoping it isn't another round from March/April of this year.  Shannon and I have been trying to figure out why he's throwing up as well. 

Trying something different

Kyle's preschool teacher called me on Friday afternoon and wanted to let me know that they are going to move him in the other preschool class.  There are more kids in that class and he'll be able to be around more boys and there will more opportunity for him to observe/hear other kids his age talking!  Plus he already knows the teachers and the kids in that class, they are also on the same schedule as far as "recess" time.  I asked his teacher if he will still receive speech therapy and she said that he would as he receives it twice a week.  The teacher said the speech therapist is really good, she gets down on the floor with the kids.  Plus he receives speech therapy at a separate location that is paid for by Medicaid.

His teacher also said he's a very happy boy this year.  I asked her if he's eating and drinking his milk and juice and she said yes!  She said he'll eat everything, which is surprising to me!  LOL  She said the kids are learning to open their own cartons of milk and juice.

I am really excited for him to be put in this classroom.  Since he doesn't have siblings, this will be a great way for him to see other kids talking.  He is already imitating other kids and us.  He's been learning how to do different exercises in occupational therapy and speech therapy.  His therapist says she only has to show him once or twice and after that he knows how to do it on his own.  For example, if she wants him to sit on the swing a certain way, all she has to do it show him once or twice and he will do it all by himself after that.

A time for Therapy and Shopping

Kyle had therapy today.  I set the alarm extra early so I had time to get ready and eat breakfast.  Kyle ended up waking up/sitting up right after I got out of bed.  He and I had breakfast together, he had cold cereal and I had oatmeal.  I was surprised he actually wanted cereal because normally he's so picky about what he has to eat.  As we were getting dressed and ready to go, Kyle wanted his school backpack because he thought he was going to school.  He seemed to know that things were out of routine, which he makes him nervous and uneasy.  When that happens, he starts whining.

A few days ago, my MIL mentioned to both Shannon and I that Kyle's hair doesn't look as shiny anymore and wasn't as soft to the touch.  I told her that it will shine in the sun.  Then she asked if he's still taking vitamins and I told her no.  Her comment made me realize that he does need to be taking vitamins as he does not eat that well!  He's a picky eater times 10!  In the end, I am glad she said something about Kyle's hair as she does not always feel his hair or see it everyday. 

While Kyle was in therapy, Shannon and I went to Walmart.  Shannon stayed in the car, mainly because he hasn't showered in days.  LOL  I ended up getting some colorful tops that were only $7, capri-type pants that can be worn for working out or lounging around, 2 pairs of jeans, shoes for Kyle, two different types of vitamins for Kyle, almond milk, and liquid plumr.  When I find jeans that actually fit in the waist, I tend to get 2 pairs!  These jeans fit like a glove, plus they are Levi's brand and so comfortable!  Kyle's feet seem to be growing like crazy because he needs new shoes.  His other pair of shoes that I bought from JC Penney's need to be returned because they will be snug on him.  This time, I bought him a size 11 in toddler.  I tried looking for BOY size shoes but they are still way too big for him.  I ended up getting Kyle two types of vitamins, one is a multivitamin and the other is for "immune support."  Hopefully that will help him stay healthy at school and not bring home as many colds!  I bought him "gummy type of vitamins" since he seems to like those.

My MIL and I ended up going to the "mall" here.  I wanted to return Kyle's shoes.  We went to another department store and I found a workout top on clearance for only $2.98!  I couldn't pass it up and bought it! 

School and Therapy

This was Kyle's second week of school for this school year.  He seems to be accustomed to our new morning routine of getting up early, getting ready for school, and walking to the bus stop.  When it's time to get on the bus, he knows to use both hands to hold on the to the rails and pull himself up on the steps! 

We took two weeks off from taking Kyle to therapy.  Last week was the first week of school and we weren't sure what his school schedule would be.  Also, his medicaid wasn't renewed yet so we didn't schedule for this week.  Now that his medicaid is officially renewed, we are now back on the schedule to take Kyle to therapy.  We are now going on Thursday mornings!

Kyle seems to love school!  He isn't whining when he sees the bus.  He seems fine on the walk back home from the bus stop as well.  His teacher says he's having good days too!  

Sick Again?!

Kyle has his speech therapy and occupational therapy yesterday.  When he woke up, we could tell he wasn't feeling well.  He was also being whiney and having fits.  Although, he did really good in therapy.  He already knew that he gets to play during therapy so he looks forward to it.  While Kyle was in therapy, Shannon and I went to Kohl's which is just down the street.  Shannon needed new shoes and found a nice pair by Nike.  Shannon no longer wants to get his shoes from Walmart because those sneakers aren't as comfortable and sturdy as a name brand, which I understand.  I want him to be comfortable.  We have never been to Kohl's so it was pretty fun for me to see what they have!  It seems they don't have toddler clothes because I tried looking for school clothes for Kyle. 

Kyle woke up this morning and just wanted to lay in bed, he's still not feeling well!  Kyle didn't seem interested in eating breakfast either.  Kyle did end up throwing up twice this morning!  I am just hoping it's not another 3 weeks straight of throwing up!  I don't want to go through that again, especially without being able to use the washer and dryer freely!  Plus, Kyle starts school next Wednesday!  I really need to talk to his teacher, I still don't know what his school schedule will be.  I am going to ask to have him go 4 days a week so that we have one day off to take him to therapy.

One Less Worry

We found out today that Shannon's unemployment was renewed!  They even paid him back pay from the last few weeks while the unemployment had lapsed!  I then suggested to Shannon that we get that phone reading from psychic, Nancy Bradley!  My in-laws had a few readings from her as well as took some of her classes.  So far, all of her predictions have come true for them.  Shannon called to make the appointment and our appointment isn't until October 28th!  That will give us plenty of time to come up with questions for her. 

Since I made a few videos about the beauty products I use, the company has asked me to make how to/demo videos and video blog posts for them!  They would send me products to use and then I would make videos and video blogs about them.  They asked me what I am charging to do something like that and I am not sure what to charge!?  They are also looking for other people to make videos for them, so I am on the lookout for other people to ask! 

Kyle has occupational therapy and speech therapy tomorrow!  We're going to have to change the day of the week we go to therapy due to Shannon's school assignments.  He would prefer another day of the week that we go. 

Kyle starts school next week!  I did get him two pairs of shorts that he can wear to school.  I think he'll need two more pairs of shorts and then I'll work getting more pants and shirts for him! 

New Video, Therapy, and Groceries

I posted a new video the other day.  It can be viewed here.  I can't wait to make more videos, I love sharing the products I use!

Kyle seems to enjoy therapy!  He has Speech and Occupational Therapy every Tuesday.  The therapists are really nice and he seems to get along with every therapist that has worked with him.  While Kyle was in therapy yesterday, Shannon and I went to Walmart.  We did a quick trip and bought all the non-perishable foods on our grocery list. I also bought a little box of baking soda for cleaning, I use it to clean/scrub the tub and bathroom sink.  While we were waiting in line to checkout, I picked up two workout tanks.  I hope to start a new workout program soon.  I've been wanting to change up my workouts since rotating my workouts is getting old. Plus new workout clothes adds to my motivation!

We recently applied for food stamps, so we probably won't be approved (or denied) until mid-September.  We are still waiting to hear whether or not Kyle will be approved for SSI.  We turned in all the necessary paperwork, so now we wait.  Shannon had to reactivate his unemployment, just like everyone else who was on unemployment.  He was not approved for unemployment so he is in the process of trying to get that reversed.  We had a little issue with our Medicaid, to where Kyle was denied.  When I called to ask why (knowing that I had sent in the necessary paperwork), I was told that our caseworker is no longer there.  It sounds like she made a lot of mistakes and she forgot to renew Kyle!  LOL  It sounds like there are many other cases like ours because the lady told me that she had a lot of other files to go through. 

Kyle goes back to school on August 25th!  I can't wait!  We haven't had a chance to get more school clothes, but I do know he will need additional pants and shirts since he will be going 4 days a week. We are limited to doing one load of laundry a day and my MIL and I take turns every other day.  But when it rains, we are unable to do laundry because it floods their septic tank to where they are unable to flush their toilet.  Their septic tank isn't working properly, to get it fixed would cost $20,000 or so they've been told.  When we use too much water, such as doing too many loads of laundry, the septic tank overflows and it starts to smell like raw sewage!

Speech Therapy and Groceries

Kyle had his Speech Therapy Evaluation today!  The Speech Therapist wanted to talk to us for about 15 minutes, just to ask us a few questions about Kyle.  Then she took him for about an hour to play/work with him to get a feel for where she needs to start and build some goals.  Since we had an hour to kill, we decided to leave property to go to Walmart.  I ended up buying the non-groceries things we needed.  I bought Kyle a new pair of shoes in size 10.  He seems to be outgrowing the size 9's (but he can still fit them), and they are worn down.  I also bought 3 tubes of toothpaste since the were on "rollback" for only $1.50 each!  I picked out some new slippers that are really cute and a bath puff for some body wash that I have.

The therapist said he did really good and she's excited to set some goals to work with him!   We set up his Occupational and Speech Therapy for next Tuesday at 10am and 11am. 

We ended up going straight home after his therapy.  Shannon wanted to take a nap.  During that time, I had a chance to work on my computer since it had a virus.  I kept running the only anti-virus program I was able to download and finally the virus is completely gone!  I have no idea where the virus came from or how I got it, I am just glad it's gone and we didn't have to take it in to the shop!

We ended up going to the Walmart that is here in the city we live in.  We bought our groceries as well as some other things.  I bought some hand weights, that I plan on adding to my workouts.  I am excited to use them since I am trying to work on my arm muscles more!

Cookbook

I "bought" a vegetarian cookbook from Amazon today.  I also "bought" a bar of soap to use on my face to help with the occasional pimples that I get!  BOO to pimples!  My order was free since I've been saving my gift cards that I have earned from Swagbucks.  Anyway, I am excited to receive my cookbook, it has overwhelmingly positive reviews and it seems like a great way to cook on a budget!  Plus, the book was just over $5!  Most vegetarian books feature recipes that require rare or hard to find ingredients.  This book seems perfect for us and our lifestyle! 

Kyle has his Speech Therapy evaluation on Tuesday at 10am.  After this appointment, he will be receiving Occupational and Speech Therapy once a week!

I got lost at Walmart!

Today was Kyle's Occupational Therapy evaluation!  It lasted about 2 hours!  The first hour or so was for the therapist to ask Shannon and I about Kyle and going through the survey we filled out.  Meanwhile, Kyle had a chance to play in the room!  It was a nice size room with a padded floor (like you would see at a gymnastics studio).  It also had big plastic balls, cardboard bricks and all kinds of things to build with.  It also had a soft swing that Kyle was playing with.  He was pushing it so it would swing back and forth.  He would push it to make it swing and then duck so that he would swing over his body and head!  He loved running around the room and play with the swing. He had so much energy too!

The last 45 minutes was for the therapist to do some "standardized" tests to see where he was at with motor skills so that she could set some goals to work on with him for future therapy.  Shannon and I decided to leave property and ended up going to Walmart.  We had Subway and then I went shopping and bought Hanes underwear, slippers, and liquid plumbr. I ended up getting lost in Walmart because it had a different layout!  It was a beautiful store, but I had to ask where something was! 

Next week is Kyle's Speech Therapy evaluation at the same location!  Once that is done, we'll set up weekly therapy sessions one day a week.  They are going to schedule his Occupational and Speech Therapy back-to-back so that we don't have to go there twice a week.  I am really excited for him to have Occupational and Speech Therapy.  I look forward to seeing him improve and hopefully start talking more with us!  I would love to be able to communicate with him.  I am so glad that this therapy is covered by Medicaid too.  We're still waiting to hear whether or not Shannon and I will be covered with Medicaid too.  

I also mailed in our application for food stamps yesterday.  That whole application process will take about a month to be approved or not! 

Yesterday, I received a surprise in the mail.  Somehow I am on Marlboro's mailing list and I don't even smoke.  They sent me a metal water bottle thing.  It's really nice and a nice color of red!  It was funny that I got this because I thought about buying one from GNC because they had some on display on their "clearance" table. It looks like the one below without the keychain clip. 

Next Week's Schedule

The new schedule for next week was posted.  I am disappointed because I was under the impression that I was part time and I would be working 2 to 3 days a week.  Instead, I am working 5 days next week with a total of about 27.52 hours!  Three of those days are full 7-8 hour days!  Although, I am hoping it's just a "fluke" because my department manager is on vacation next week and 2 cashiers are quitting (I was hired to cover one of them).  I think they hired another cashier already, but I am not too sure. 

I am worried about working alone, but I will have a back up person to help.  This place is not like Walmart where I would have other cashiers around to ask for help.  They have one person covering each "cashwrap," which is where you can checkout.  Each cashwrap has 4 registers. 

I think I am learning everything that I can learn on the job, but there will still be instances where I will need help.  Everyone seems really nice.

I am optimistic about the County job that I applied for.  I am hoping to get called for an interview. 

I received a response from another company that offers speech therapy and occupational therapy.  They are in the next town, so it's not too far.  They want us to call to set up an evaluation for Kyle.  I am thinking of having Shannon call to set up an appointment since I will be working so much next week.  I also have to call the Social Security office to apply for SSI for Kyle, but I may have to have Shannon do that as well.  It's that time for us to re-new our Medicaid for Kyle and I am unsure if we will qualify.  Thanks to the big chunk we received from Uncle Sam from our tax return, we may have too much in our bank account to qualify.  However, when I return the forms with our bank statements, I will include a note stating where the money came from with proof from the deposit.  I am unsure if our tax returns will count against us in this case.  If we lose Medicaid, I am hoping we get approved for SSI for Kyle because that money will be used to pay for his speech and occupational therapy.