Theo Dermatologist, Pocketing, and Flowers!

We've been watching Hurricane Idalia pretty closely. Luckily, for us, it looks like there should be minimal impact to Orlando. I hope everyone in the Big Bend stays safe!

Monday, August 28th:

Josh's project in Elmurst is going to be reaching a climax this week. They are going to be working long hours, so they can do hot tie-ins and get gas on the line by the end of the month. Josh left for work before Theo got up at 5:30 PM and he'll be home after Theo goes to bed. 

Theo had a great day at school. Ms. Jess said he worked really hard and even took a nice power nap.

After school I took Theo to a dermatology appointment. He has rough, bumpy skin on his legs and arms. The dermatologist said it was just an overgrowth of keratin and he should grow out of it. But she gave us some lotion that will also help.

Jess' parents had a bunch of extra peppers, so they gave them to us! Josh is very excited to try the ghost peppers, but I won't let him cook them in the house!

The had nine observable seizures today.

Tuesday, August 29th:

Happy birthday Andie! 

After I put Theo on the bus I went to run a bunch of errands: eyebrows waxed, allergy shots, Costco, and Jewel Osco. By the time I got home and unloaded the car I had to leave again to go pick up Theo.

He had a great PT/OT session at High Hopes! 

Josh worked late due to hot tie-ins. Its dangerous, but pretty cool to see!

[A lot of people were there to observe]

Theo has figured out that he can pull the tubes out of the machine. Such a stinker!

Theo had six observable seizures today.

Wednesday, August 30th:

I put Theo on the bus and then he showed up back at home just a few hours later due to early-release-day. Luckily, when he got home he took a good nap and was ready for Ms. Jen when she showed up a few hours later.

We decided to try lemon pudding with coconut cool whip today. Theo has been really good about taking big bites, but over the last few days he started "pocketing" (aka "chipmunking"). He stores food in his cheeks and won't swallow it. We've been stroking his neck and rubbing his cheeks, but he is being super stubborn. 

Theo had two observable seizures today.

Thursday, August 31st:

Happy birthday mom! I hope you like all the pictures and frames we got you!

After I sent Theo to school I watered the plants and then headed north to my yearly Allergist appointment.

The flowers got off to a rough start, but most of them were able to recover nicely. A few of the flowers in the smaller pots didn't make it, but I'm pretty sure it was because of the five baby bunnies that are living in our yard.

They are such a pest, but they are SOOOO cute!

My yearly meeting with my allergy doctor went great! She is going to increase my shot dose again and I need to keep coming in once a week. She also told me to start taking Xyzal and she prescribed a rescue inhaler for when my chest gets tight. It only happened once last year during the harvest, but it was a little uncomfortable. The inhaler should help if that happens again. 

After the allergist I took Theo to OT. He was so excited when we got there! He just loves Ms. Laura and he loves to swing!

Theo had 11 observable seizures today.

Friday, September 1st:

Theo had another great day at school, but Ms. Jess said he is still pocketing his food. Ugh!

After school we took Theo to Ms. Becca's house so he could swim with Ms. Cody. He had a great time and was sad when he had to get out of the pool.

Theo had 16 observable seizures today.

Weekend:

Josh had off Saturday, Sunday, and Monday for Labor Day! A three day weekend in his line of work is almost unheard of! 

We went on a family outing to Costco and then we all got our flu shots. 

Theo had four observable seizures on Saturday and three on Sunday.

[I'm so excited for Tommy's new series!]

[I think this would look awesome on my van!]

HOT WEEK!

This week was a very HOT week. It was awful and I'm glad it's cooled down now.

Monday, August 21st:

Josh headed to work while Theo rode the bus to school. He still loves the bus and waves at it when he sees it approaching. It's adorable!

[I guess Theo is ready for a Disney cruise!]

Theo had a great day at school! Everyone was so excited about his energy!

[I don't know how people can live in The South where it is like this all summer]

Josh is loving our new air fryer! He's gotten really good at preparing the salmon and asparagus! 

Theo had eight observable seizures today.

Tuesday, August 22nd:

After I sent Theo to school I headed into the basement to workout. Then I went to get my allergy shots and to run a few errands. One of my favorite places to wander around on a hot day is Costco!

[Look! It's my boy!]

Theo's physical therapists (Ms. Cody and Ms. Becca) and occupational therapist (Ms. Laura) got together and decided to co-treat one day a week. I'm so excited since it will give us a day off from therapy once a week.

Theo was LOVING all the attention and kept looking over at me to make sure I was watching him. He was very proud!

Theo had six observable seizures today.

Wednesday, August 23rd:

Theo headed off to school, Josh went to work, and I had a doctors appointment today. That afternoon Ms. Jen came over for feeding therapy. Ms. Jeannine Zoomed in and Theo did really well!

That night was the first Republican debate. Of course I watched. But I'm still annoyed that our election season is two years long 🤦‍♀️

I think we should all fly out to LA for this!

AND it looks like our Wednesday was even hotter than predicted! Thursday is supposed to be even hotter! And Morris (the hottest place on the map) is where Theo goes to school.

Theo had 18 seizures today. I don't know if the heat had anything to do with it. He had a few big clusters at school.

Thursday, August 24th:

After I put Theo on the bus I headed to Morris for my dental appointment. Everything looks great! 

Next, I headed to the dermatologist for my yearly full body examination. Everything looks good there too!

They have been working on communication at school. The ipad at school has a cool app where they can set up choices for Theo.

[Frozen vs Wheels on the Bus]

Theo hasn't been taking very long naps at home and with his increase in medication I was sure he'd have a hard time napping at school. Ms Jess set him up in the "quiet area" and made him all cozy. She said he slept for about an hour!

I told her I would send his headphones to school with his white noise and they can give those a try too.

After school we went to OT and Theo had a lot of fun! While we were there we received our first quote for Theo's bathroom renovation. I think I'm gonna be sick 😭

Theo had six seizures today.

Friday, August 25th:

After Theo got on the bus I headed to my favorite store, REI, to get some new boots and warm socks for our Iceland trip.

They are very comfy and will keep my feet warm and dry!

Theo colored a picture for his BFF! It's adorable!

After school I took Theo to PT at the pool! He still loves it!

Theo had 11 observable seizures today.

Weekend:

Luckily for us Josh only had to go into work for a few hours on Saturday. He had some LONG and hot days in the field this week. He definitely deserves a break!

[Tonies and toys]

[Seriously 🤣🤣]

Sunday night I had a conference call with my brothers so we could talk about our sibling trip to Japan in April 2025! It's gonna be awesome!

Theo's First Day of First Grade

Monday, August 14th:

We had a lot of rain come through today. Theo and I avoided most of it by staying inside (until we went to PT), but poor Josh had to work in it. The contractor has been trying to finish a large pipe section quickly, so they brought in more welders. As a result, Josh had to be the Chief AND a Welding Inspector. It was raining so hard that Josh had to use his jacket to protect the weld. 

I noticed this morning that Theo's right hand and his white shirt were covered in yellow! I couldn't figure out what was causing this until I examined one of his pom poms! The dye was coming off and turning him yellow! 🤣🤣

[New tubie pads for the new school year]

Theo had three observable seizures today.

Tuesday, August 15th:

Theo and I went and saw the Pediatrician for his 6 year/start of the school year check up. Everything went fine and they said they would sign all of Theo's paperwork and fax it to the school. Easy peasy!

After Theo's nap we went to OT and then to get my allergy shots. Ms Laura (OT) said that she is going to try to co-treat with Ms Becca (PT) once a week. If it all works out we may have one day without therapy!

Theo had five observable seizures today.

Wednesday, August 16th:

Theo and I hung out at home while Josh went to work. He's been working really long days and we are so grateful for him and his strong work ethic! 

That afternoon Ms. Jess came by to bring Theo and I our birthday presents! She brought me a bunch of Yankee Candle melts (love the smells) and she brought Theo some clothes and a new toy! Thanks Ms Jess!

Ms Jess stayed and observed feeding therapy with Ms Jen. it was nice for them to finally meet!

Theo had five observable seizures today.

Thursday, August 17th:

THEO'S FIRST DAY OF FIRST GRADE!

I got Theo ready and got him in his chair early so I could take some pictures. Theo was VERY excited to go on the bus and was very sad when I told him we couldn't go outside yet. It was POURING rain! If the weather is nice we will go on a walk in the mornings before the bus comes, but not today! Sorry!

[SOOO MUCH RAIN!]

He was sobbing by the time the bus showed up. I had a large umbrella, but we both got wet. Theo didn't care at all! He was so excited to see the bus and his friends!

After I got Theo on the bus I went and did a strength training video. By the time I was done the storm was completely gone so I went to run some errands. 

[That cloud looks like a claw!]

I picked Theo up from school early, so I could take him to the dentist. He's been going to the dentist with Josh and I every six months since he was born. But he's never had a cleaning - they usually just look in his mouth real quick for issues. 

I got him from school and then made the drive to Bite Sized Pediatric Dentistry in Frankfort. I gave him some meds from our Pediatrician to make him tired in the hopes he would cooperate. He didn't. But it was fine! The hygienist's left him in his chair and the two of them managed to get his teeth all polished. Then the Dentist came in and Theo was very nervous. She talked to him for a few minutes and told him that he was almost done. She did her exam and put "sparkles" (aka fluoride) on his teeth. She then said that his two front bottom teeth were getting a little loose. Once his six year molars come in the front teeth will start to fall out. She said that his teeth look great and we need to continue to do whatever we are doing! YAY! We'll see them again in six months.

[Theo slept the whole way home]

Theo had eight observable seizures today.

Friday, August 18th:

Theo headed off to school, Josh went to work, and I went to the Pediatricians office to pick up some paperwork. It usually takes 35-40 minutes to get to the Pediatricians office, but it took me almost two hours because of a deadly accident on the freeway. I was soooo awful. I cried when I saw the scene. I was just a mile behind the accident when it happened. So so tragic. 

Theo had another great day at school! Everyone is commenting on how much more awake he is!

After school I took Theo to PT at Ms. Becca's house. Ms Cody worked with Theo for 70 minutes in his life jacket and then she took it off for the last 20 minutes. Theo was in heaven! 

[He just loves to float and splash]

Theo had 13 observable seizures today. I knew they would increase when he went back to school, but I was hoping it wouldn't be this much.

Weekend:

Josh bought a air fryer and was very excited to cook sweet potatoes. They turned out pretty good!

Theo had three observable seizures on Saturday and two on Sunday.