Retractions and Extractions...

There's a reason that I don't work for Time Magazine. Looks like I'm not much of a fact checker. I got a few emails politely correcting some of my statements about Proloquo2Go. What I should have said was "We have not been able to figure out how to..." or "I'm too busy to go through eight steps to..." or "I can't be bothered reading the very detailed manual and need something quicker to manage." Instead I made bold, sweeping statements like "You can't add your own photos" (which apparently is not true!). I am hereby retracting all of my incorrect and grandiose statements about Proloquo2Go - except the part where I said it was a great app. Because it is. And I went back and edited yesterday's post. I guess I would never make a good journalist. Oh well.

Thank you again to Kirsten and Eric, the developers of the So Much 2 Say Communication App I reviewed yesterday. Apple allots them only a small amount of free trials to give away - and by the time I did my review she had gone through a lot. But I feel lucky that I am able to give TWO away tonight. It hurts my heart to not be able to pick everyone - but I feel better knowing that the app is VERY affordable if you choose to buy it. So, with that said... in a lottery drawing done just now with Ed as a witness - the app promo codes go to:

Serena O'Malley

&

Courtney Norris

I will be emailing you your promo codes this evening! I'd love for you to stop back and let us know how your child does with the app.

Today was busy from the start. Miss Katja was nice to come early this morning so I could get to an appointment with the fertility clinic. I had to leave the house at 7:40. More on that later. When I got home we literally put the kids in the car right away and headed to the pediatrician for flu vaccinations! Gavin smiled through his injection...and Brian easily took the flu mist. No tears here!!

After lunch it was time for Gavin's teacher to come. Miss Janna is always so wonderful to Brian when he's around during therapy. Today he happened to have a late lunch and wasn't yet down for his nap. He never likes to miss the action...

...and Janna often includes him in such a sweet way.

Gavin and Brian are both very enamored with Miss Janna.

There is big news on the fertility front. After my ultrasound this morning showed ten mature follicles on my left side - and four on my right - I was scheduled for my egg retrieval this Saturday! Everything is very regimented in IVF. When they called me I had to immediately take my stimulation injections - the one's I've been taking every night. Then...exactly at 9:30 this evening, Ed is in charge of injecting me with HCG. Why Ed? Well - it has to go in my hip area and since it's a very long needle it's a bit awkward to do by myself. He's a sport to do this - for sure. The HCG is to trigger the follicles to release their eggs - just in time for them to be extracted by the doctor on Saturday morning. I will be under anesthesia for this. It's all pretty fascinating; but I have to say - this whole process has been enormously stressful for me. It may not show on the outside - it's business as usual around here. But I'm a wreck. There is so much riding on this - for me. I am a little worried about how I'll handle it if it's not a success. But I guess we'll cross that bridge if we come to it. In the meantime - I need to start trying to relax. My body is so tense I can barely breathe. It's not in my hands. It's not in my hands. It's not in my hands. Rinse, repeat.

Brian's Big Evaluation...

Today was all about Brian. This afternoon I had a speech therapist, a teacher, a psychologist and an occupational therapist here to evaluate him. Right now he's receiving "Early Intervention" for speech and teaching services - which stops when he turns three. The evaluation is necessary for his transition to the school based programs. They need to see if he'll qualify (which he will because of his speech issues) and then they will recommend schools or programs that would fit his needs.

I was holding my breath when they all arrived...hoping that Brian would be on his best behavior and do everything they asked of him. He is two after all! Turns out I didn't have a thing to worry about. Brian was an angel! He sat sweetly among this group of women - hanging on their every word and direction. He tried everything they asked of him and was very cooperative! And, he showed off just how smart he is. (Mommy bragging is allowed on my blog)

Just like last time he was evaluated (to get him into Early Intervention), I was bummed when he was distracted during a few questions. Like pointing out body parts on a doll - which he totally knows. It was hard to sit back and not coach him! But I think they got an overall idea of his strengths and weaknesses from seeing him for an hour. His biggest weakness (besides having extreme good looks...sorry, can't help it) is still speech. But he is getting better every day - trying to parrot everything we say.

Everyone was impressed with Brian's patience. They were here for a little over an hour testing and quizzing and "playing" with him. I was so incredibly proud of him. He got the biggest hug and the biggest cookie when everyone left!

It will be a few weeks before I get the results of their evaluation along with their recommendations.

While they were here, a small knock on the door announced the arrival of Brian's iPad! After squirreling away money I pounced on a one day deal at Target for a cheap (and new!) iPad. Now Brian and Gavin both have their own! Since my posts on iPad apps, I've encountered a couple more I'd like to share.

For Brian... an app called Toca Tea Party! It is the most adorable app to pretend play with. We set up three of his Little People at each place setting and then pretend they are having a tea party. It was very easy for him to learn how to set the table, fill glasses or tea cups, eat and drink the food - and even clean up spills on the table. This Mommy give it two thumbs up.

For Gavin...something very exciting. I wrote before that we have been using Proloquo2Go with him. I think it's a wonderful app, but it can also be complicated to use. And it's not cheap. Gavin's speech therapist and I often complain about it being not so "user friendly" - and not so easy for Gavin to use. I belong to a Facebook group - "iTeach Special Education - iDevices in Special Education". It's a support network for people using iOS (Apple Operating System) devices and apps in special education. I would recommend this group to any parent or therapist to special needs kids. It's a great resource. It was on this page that I encountered a woman who, along with her husband, developed a brand new communication app for the iPad. She graciously offered me a free trial. AND - if I honsetly review the app here on my blog, I will get some more free trials for some of my readers!! I typically don't "review" things on this blog for swag - but this is different. I like the idea of potentially helping some other Moms out there by giving them the chance to test out this new app. I will write up my full review (with video of Gavin using it) in tomorrow's journal. I have a lot to say about it.

The app is called "So Much 2 Say". While you're waiting to hear about our experience with it, you can check out a video explaining how to use the program here...

I've never done a giveaway - and I'm not sure yet just how many I will have to give away. I do know that I'm very concerned about fairness and not disappointing anyone. So I'm pretty sure I'll do it by lottery. After checking out the app in the video above - and reading my review tomorrow - leave a comment if you are interested in participating in the drawing!

I Can't Believe They're Mine...

Last night before dinner I took the boys outside to play on the swingset for a short time. We're having quite a heatwave here (wouldn't it figure - just when we get a new swingset!) so we didn't last long. Then after dinner I gave them a bath. Maybe it was the heat...or the relaxing bath...but what happened next was shocking. Drying Gavin off and giving him his massage (I know...you wish I was your Mommy, too, right?) I caught him FALLING ASLEEP!! This is unheard of for Gavin. Ed came up and took him into his room. They sat in the chair and within 30 seconds, Gavin was snoring in his arms. Seriously - so unheard of. Brian and I went into his room and started reading a book - but soon he wanted to get down. He walked right over to his crib and wanted me to put him in. He, too, fell asleep in minutes. What in the world was going on? I took the opportunity, since it was still sunny out, to sneak in with my camera. There is nothing more beautiful than a sleeping child.

Brian likes lots of stuff in his bed - all of his "guys", his Twilight Turtle

and books, of course.

Gavin likes books, too. And he sleeps with his eyes open if you hadn't noticed.

Just like his Daddy!

I stayed in each of their rooms for a while - just staring at them. Gavin looks so grown up - so big. How did that happen? And Brian looks like a little angel with those long lashes. Somedays I just can't believe that they are mine. I'm so lucky.

Today was Gavin's last day of therapy with Miss Maggie and Miss Janna until the second week of July. We'll be on vacation next week and then his therapists are on a break for three weeks! It's going to be very quiet around here.

Gavin and Miss Maggie worked with the Proloquo2Go app on my iPad again today. It's a frustrating process for all of us, Gavin included.

I'm sometimes unsure if he really understands the concept of touching the screen to communicate that he wants something. Oftentimes I think he hits the screen by accident and we reward him if it works. Other times he seems to intentionally touch the iPad, but in the wrong spot so it doesn't "talk". Arrgh. We'll continue to work on it. Maybe by the time Maggie is back from break Gavin will be a pro.

Miss Janna worked with color matching again today.

Although I'm unsure, too, if Gavin understands - he did do something cool! He was picking up these little tiny toys with his hands and holding them for a bit. I love love love when Gavin uses his hands. But it almost always has to be on his terms. He hates when he is forced to use his hands, as you can see...

In a depressing turn of events (not really depressing - but annoying) I went to put on my brand new shorts today and they didn't fit! This medication I'm injecting has caused me to blow up. So I had to run to the store and buy bigger shorts! Waaahh! I don't care so much about the size....and hopefully all this will be worth it in the end...but it's just that I hate to shop! Yes, you read that right. I hate to shop. I know...now you wish I was your wife, right? *wink*