Monday, January 26, 2009

An update on Ryan's school.

We went over the MFE (multi-factory evaluation-I think?) results and his IEP (Individualized Education Plan). We are so grateful that he got in. Our only concern was that he didn't qualify for speech. Gathering from what the therapist and other psychologists said during the meeting, it seemed everyone was surprised that he didn't qualify but on paper, his score was too high, by about 5 points. They said they can't retest him for 6 months which would put us into June and no one will be there but they agreed to bring him in 2 weeks before school starts and retest him in August. We were very relieved. We thought we were going to have to fight for this but were very relieved that they agreed to this and that they really seem to have Ryan's best interest in mind.

We had the option of going ahead and starting him at the preschool but decided to hold off since he is at Easter Seals. So we are going to keep him at ES and he will attend the summer camp there and then start fresh at the preschool in the fall.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Death by Chocolate



A new version of death by chocolate. Pure heavenly bliss. I demand you to make these.
Photo courtesy of Betty Crocker.
For more decadent pictures, visit Bakerella where I got the recipe.

Friday, January 23, 2009

The Golden Arches

On Fridays, I usually take the boys out to lunch. It is the one day that we can get out of the house, so when Ethan gets home from school, we head out. Ryan loves McDonalds french fries and has come to recognize the golden arches just for those. Anytime, we drive by he begs for french fries and since he is lacking in the food department, we usually give in and run through the drive thru for some delicious fried potatoes.

Today, we are driving to our favorite place and Ryan spots the golden arches.

"Look, Mommy! It's the french fry house!"

Ethan and I had a good laugh.

Who knew french fries, had a home.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Go get yourself a KozyPal!

So one of my bestest friends started her own business several years ago. She is so incredibly talented. She makes cart covers so your little ones don't get all of those icky germs that are all over those grocery carts. I have one of the original KozyPals and even though it has almost 6 years of use, it is still in great condition. The best part? Melissa is doing a giveway! Everyone loves free stuff! Go shop here or go visit her blog here.

100 Things

My friend, Melissa at Mama Loco, posted this over on her blog today and I thought it would be fun to do too. Feel free to copy it and post it to yours as well.

Bold whatever you have done.
1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not sick.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.--Does the Venetian hotel in Vegas count?
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagra Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen and Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to truly be satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Been to the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.--well, I was with Greg when he bought his. ;)
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved someone's life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Happy Birthday to my baby boy.

Today, Ryan turns 3. I can't believe my baby is 3. It seems like yesterday I was pregnant and trying to wait patiently for his arrival.

We are so incredibly proud of him. (Although today, after many tantrums, we were caught wondering if this cute, little boy would make it to his 3rd birthday.) He has come so far. Less then a year ago, he was only saying a handful of words and was having a lot of trouble communicating with us. We still have our struggles but he has come so far. I do wish we had made more progress with his eating but I know, in time, he will over come his struggles. Since Ryan won't eat it, instead of cake, I am making him banana pudding. We will do presents & pudding and then have a joint party for the boys later in the month.

My last belly picture


New baby


Ethan meeting his new baby brother


About 6 months



First birthday (and the only time he has ever eaten cake)


Second birthday....such a Grandpa's boy


So excited to meet Mickey Mouse!


First time on a boat


First day of school


Christmas 2008


Fun at school



Happy birthday, Ryan!! We love you so much!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Poor EE

It's been a while but things have been crazy around here.

Last week, Greg took a day trip to take his friend Steve back home. He was only gone 24 hours but we ended up with an ER trip.

Tuesday night, Ethan went to bed with no issues. He woke up 2 hours later, screaming that his stomach was hurting. It was so bad that he was keeled over in pain and wouldn't walk. I ran up to him and carried him downstairs to our bed. It was so hard to see him in such pain. I called Uncle Justin to warn him that I might need his help to come over with Ryan, who thankfully slept through the whole ordeal. Ethan fell back asleep in my bed but the whole time was moaning. I called the on call doctor but after 20 minutes of waiting, I asked Uncle Justin to come over and off the ER we went. I threw Ethan's shoes in my bag and tried to bundle him up since it was cold & raining. Luckily, the roads hadn't frozen just yet.

I hate going to Children's ER. It isn't in the best of neighborhoods and you never know how long you might have to wait. After finding a parking spot, which seemed to take forever, we made it into the ER. We checked in and signed some paperwork and we sat in the waiting room where we proceeded to witness a mom, either totally strung out on drugs or booze, run over my foot with the wagon she was pulling her daughter in. She couldn't walk a straight line if she tried.

Finally it was our turn. Ethan was feeling a bit better by this point but they diagnosed him with severe constipation. They gave us some meds that Ethan didn't like so much and told us that if he didn't go by tomorrow to call the doctor.

The next day came and went and nothing. I will spare you all of the details but we had to take some drastic measures and I had to call in reinforcements (Grandma with the kitty cats) to come and help me. Luckily, that did the trick and Ethan even got some money from Grandma for being so brave. He quickly stashed it in his ATM machine he got from Santa.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Not Me Monday



I decided to steal this from my friend, Cammie at House of No Sleep, whom I am sure got it from another blog she stalks. I am hoping to keep with it every Monday.

I did NOT drive in the ice on Saturday because I needed my coffee fix.
I did NOT watch crap tv including Rock of Love Bus, The Real World & The City.
I did NOT give in and give Ryan back his binkie when he wouldn't stop screaming.
I did NOT not do the laundry because I needed a nap.
I was NOT in a bad mood all weekend.
I did NOT look forward to sending the kids back to school.
And I did NOT start a countdown for my girls weekend in NJ.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

2008 In Review

We have had a lot of highs & lows in the Syferd household this year.

January was full of sickness. Ryan started receiving home visits through MRDD. Greg and I, along with our friends, Justin & Leigh, went to San Francisco, and Ryan turned 2.

In February, I got to visit my bestest friends in Houston, Ethan had his blood drawn three times in three hours, Ryan started speech therapy, and we started the Autism evaluation process for Ry.

In March, we took a fabulous family trip to Disney World. We rented a gorgeous house and Ethan got to celebrate his 5th birthday with the big Mouse.

April was the month of the shingles, Migraines & ER visits. It sucked.

May brought a great camping trip, Ethan's almost broken arm and his last day of preschool.

In June, Ryan started summer camp at Easter Seals, big boy bed, lots of fun in the sun and unfortunately, lots of sickness too.

July brought the start of a second opinion on Ryan for Autism and farewell to the Stills.

August, Ethan started Kindergarten, first stitches for Ry, and a girls weekend at the Jersey shore for me.

September brought the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Ryan's first day of school & bus ride, and the Walk Now for Autism at Ohio State.

October was filled with fun Halloween activities, flag football and Ethan's first trip to the school office.

November brought wonderful friends to Ohio for a visit but it also brought horrible tragedy and heartbreak.


December
was filled with holiday cheer and we found out that Ryan qualified for the special needs preschool that we wanted him to go to next fall.

Happy New Year! We hope this year brings lots of happiness.