SNOW!

We've had lots of snow in Kentucky this winter. Colton really loves the white stuff but he has been too sick to go outside and play in it. His favorite thing is going sledding! He went back to school today and guess what they are learning about? You guessed it, snow!

After a meeting at the hospital to help start a local NICU support group (more on that later) I came to Nana and Pop's house to do craft time with Colton. We decided to make today an indoor snow day.

We played in the snow.

Tasted (that part wasn't planned) and talked about the snow. Colton can say "snow" and "cold".

Read about the snow.

And even made a snowflake picture.
Snow is fun and pretty but I'm pretty sure we aren't the only ones looking forward to Spring!

A (singular) Picture

One of the only photos of Colton on Christmas. Most of the day he was sleeping or fussing because he felt so terrible. Check out his super-duper cool Mickey Mouse Jamas from Nana!

Christmas and New Years in a Nutshell

Colton has been sick the WHOLE month of December and so far in January... Ear Infection, Croup and now some type of Respiratory illness. He has been miserable. We have been to the hospital for blood work twice, admitted once for dehydration and I've lost count of our trips to the Pediatrician. They have tested him for flu, RSV and strep, all were negative. At one point he was so sick that we had to restrain him to keep him from punching himself in the face (like hard, with blood). It's been so rough on him and sometimes he grabs my neck, squeezes me and says "Mama" in his hoarse little voice. I can tell he wants me to make him feel better but I can do nothing to make him feel better. It is the most frustrating thing in the world.

Right before all this started we went to Michigan to see Dr. Trese (Colton's Retina Specialist). They did an exam under anesthesia and determined that his retinas were still attached (good news) but there had been no improvement (bummer). I have completely accepted 100% that my son is blind... it is so weird to say that so bluntly. I usually say visually impaired or "he can't see very well" but I am finally comfortable with using the B word. Today at the Pediatrician I saw a little boy admiring the fish that were on the waiting room wall paper, I had a moment of sadness thinking about simple things like that that my son will never do. I took a deep breath, looked down at my little man and smiled. He is amazing and smart and happy and my little miracle. There are so many things he will be able to do!

One thing he has been doing (and LOVING) is going to school. He has been on Christmas break and every time we say something about his teachers or classmates his eyes light up, he will go back to school next week as long as we get all this sickness straightened out.

So that is just a little update on us Darnells. 2011 is going to be a great year, I just know it.

Refresh Everything

Each month pepsi is giving 1.3 million in grants to people/groups/organizations that have refreshing ideas. Each idea is voted on by people like you and in the $250,000 category, the top 2 ideas receive funding. It is a very refreshing program.

Now, I need your help. Colton has been receiving vision therapy from VIPS (Visually Impaired Preschool Services) since he came home from the NICU in May 2008. VIPS has been serving children who are blind and visually impaired for 25 years in Kentucky. Ms. Dixie (his teacher/therapist from VIPS) has been a blessing to say the least. There are two offices- Louisville and Lexington. The teachers travel most of the state to provide therapy and education to the children in their homes. Louisville's office started a preschool program to provide more services for their children with visual impairments. This state of the art facility is not only used for the preschool but also provides programs for children birth to three that are visually impaired. The Lexington location, wants to do the same for their children. The problem is their current building will not house a licensed preschool. To see this dream come true to offer more programs and services to children in the Central and Eastern areas of KY they will need to move to another facility. With your help, this new facility will provide children with an enriched educational environment that will meet their needs for hands on learning and meeting their developmental milestones.

Needless to say, this would greatly benefit the visually impaired children here in our area and you can make this happen by voting for VIPS' idea. How? you ask. It's easy! You can vote once a day (from now to Dec. 30th) by visiting here AND by texting 104721 to 73774. You can vote online as well as by text everyday. We have a great opportunity to help these children be better prepared to face a world full of challenges.

Battle of the Autumn Leaves

Once upon a time there was a little boy who was in a bit of a "mommy mood" after his first day of preschool. He wouldn't let mommy out of his earshot so they spent a few hours eating cheeseburgers, reading books and playing in the leaves.
While playing in the leaves, the little boy discovered that they made a really fun crunchy noise when he stomped on them with his new boots.
After stomping and crunching for some time, he grew curious about how the leaves felt, he decided he would explore.

They felt funny in his little hands, he giggled and so did his Mommy. When he heard her laugh he decided she was too far away and crawled through the funny, crunchy leaves to get her...
It was a long journey but finally he reached out and there was her hand.
He had braved the leaves to reach his mommy. He raised his hand to the air and declared victory over the crunchy, funny things.
Then, the mommy and her little boy went inside for a snack and nap time. They lived happily ever after.

***be sure to check out the video from his first day here.

School Days

The first question I have been asked by everyone on Colton's first day of preschool... "did you cry?" NO I did not. I wasn't really sure but I didn't think I would. Like I said yesterday I am just so thrilled that he has made it this far. Three years ago he was in the NICU and they weren't sure if he would even make it through the night. Now, here he is going off to preschool. It's amazing, I am so incredibly thankful. I guess the joy trumped the tears today, I know for sure that my heart is full of it!

This morning Daddy brought out the video camera while we were heading out the door. Enjoy!

Ready as we'll ever be.

WOW! I cannot believe tomorrow my little boy will start preschool. It seems like just yesterday I was discussing the subject with his therapists, only for them to respond "oh, Crystal, preschool is so far away". You see, I like to have a plan, the plan doesn't always work out but I need to at least have one. The first step of the plan has been to get him as prepared for preschool as we (our family and his excellent team of early interventionists) possibly can. Everyone, especially Colton, has worked incredibly hard to get him to this day.

Last week, we had our last visits ever with Ms. Dixie and Ms. Suzanne, his vision and physical therapists. They have been with us for so long, we are all really going to miss both of them. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have made it through these last three years without them.

Colton is attending a public preschool here in Frankfort. We have met with his teachers and therapists there and already feel very strongly that we made the right decision to send him to this school. Colton's eyes light up every time we mention the word "school", he is ready. Everyone has warned me that I will cry tomorrow, I don't disagree, I might but more than anything I am excited. Excited that he has made it this far, that he finally gets to do something other kids his age are doing, excited that so far the plan is working and we are on the right track.

His IEP is in place, his backpack is packed and he is tucked in bed dreaming of finger paints and activity centers. WE ARE READY!