Chez Vance

Joshua turned FIVE, December 31st.  And of course, it’s not the best day to have a Birthday party (it being pre-determined for New Years parties).  So we held his party on January 9th.  In attendance were 11 children (6 from preschool, 3 family friends, + his 2 sisters) and 5 adults (G’Ma Vance, Dad, Me & 2 preschool Moms).  Yes, it was his first “No-Parents” Birthday Party.  Call me crazy, being 3 weeks from my due date, but it went really well.  The kids were so well behaved, listened when instructed and there wasn’t a single punch thrown, or emotional melt-down.  I credit their parents, and the fact that they’ve had 4 1/2 months of structured schooling for their good behaviour.  We only had one shy little boy who did eventually come off the couch.  I think the parents were just as excited to have a couple hours being child-free as the kids were about the party.

In order to keep order, we did the following: a Winter craft (with glue – no accidents to be had), Snack time (I served it to them) with juice, Free Play (Hot Wheels & Train Tracks), they all pitched in cleaning up (Awesome!!), Song & Costco Cake (no messes), Joshua opened gifts while the others ate, and then Pick-up (complete with Goodie Bags).

Joshua was thrilled to have so many kids around him.  He was curteous, inviting, inclusive and very pleased with this second wave of Birthday gifts.  He developed a nice kitty of cash towards a new bike, too.  Gabrielle and Paige were included by the kids and had fun too.

Happy 5th Birthday Little Man, we all love you!

I finally got the results from my Doctor today. The screening test results came back as negative. Remember, this test doesn’t say definitively if the baby has Trisomy 21, but simply the risk factor of it having. A negative screening means that the chance of Down syndrome is low but not zero. Regardless, we thank you for your thoughts and prayers and are happy with this result.

All ready to leave.

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In the hall.

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At his cubby.

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Group Time.

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Snack Time

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The Learning Tree.

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He did really well for his first day. It was an hour long, with all the fun stuff packed into that hour. I stayed to observe his interactions. He didn’t explore all the areas of the room, but he did include himself with other kids and invited others to play with him (that was encouraging to see). His language skills are good enough that the kids understand him most of the time. He sat well for Group Time activities until the teachers were giving instructions; then he started to fidget and roam. The other kids sat at attention. When it was time to introduce themselves, Joshua said his name was J. Later, in the van, I asked him his name again. He answered ‘Joshua’. I figured out he was referring to the spelling of his name in the classroom, as he was pointing to the letter ‘J’ on his name tag when he said it. Snack went well too. The teachers provided it that day. It got a little dicey when he saw what a couple kids had brought (they didn’t get the memo), and requested that, but the teachers reasoned with him and he got over it. Yeah!
He talks about going again. We’ll see how he did today.

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I went for my Second Trimester Ultrasound on Wednesday, September 2nd. Say ‘Hello’ to Little Vancelet.
That Friday, my doctor called and said the Technician had seen an “Increased nuchal translucency”, which means a thickening of the neck skin. In ultrasounds, this is used a marker for detecting the chromosomal abnormality Trisomy 21. Also known as Down Syndrome. To be thorough, my doctor requested I get a “Quadruple Test: measures four markers, hCG, AFP, uE3 and inhibin A”. Its a blood test. I went Tuesday, September 8th. I called for the results from my doctor a week later (Tuesday), but was told it would take 10 days, as the actual testing is done in Vancouver. So, Friday I will call again.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us. We’ve felt a peace through this whole process, and believe this “medical possibility” to only be a distraction from our focus. A distraction of worry and angst. Jason and I have been coming up against oppositions frequently this year, temporarily keeping us from pursuing our visions and ‘bigger picture’ ideas of enabling ourselves financially, and others. we get past them, but it is becoming tiring. When the enemy attacks you, he goes for what is most precious, and tries to stop it before it begins. He’ll even go for your unborn. Well, regardless of the test results, we won’t be terminating this little gem.

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As you know, Paige is now a year. Thursday was her 1 year Medical Check up. Here’s the skinny.
She weighs 19.8lbs and is 27.25in tall. She has four teeth thru (two large on top) with two on side-tops just waiting to break thru. She walks holding someones hand, stands whenever she can and is quick with her crawling. She should be walking in a few weeks.
She comes when you call her name, knows what “no” means and smiles at you when she’s doing what she knows is wrong. She “helps” with her dressing (sees a sock in your hand and lifts a leg, or sits up if you have a shirt). She’s very direct at telling you what she wants (with a pointed finger in its direction and a grunt). Her three main “word” sounds are na, ma and da. Na is for food. She plays with anything in front of her, grabs for anything techie, and overall is simple. Until she’s hungry. Then, cover your ears. If you don’t have her food prepped, she’ll scream starvation until the bib is on and food is in her mouth. She prefers to hand-feed herself, loves solid foods, and is just now tacking to a sippy of water. And, if you don’t shovel her fruit fast enough, the screaming will begin again. She’s got a good set of vocal chords. She lets me know when her siblings are not treating her well.
She’ll sometimes hum herself to sleep, and still requires a soother to nod off. She rubs at her ears when tired, or says nia-nia-nia and whimpers. Her bed routine is very simple and predictable: PJ’s, lay her down, hand her a bottle, come back when she starts babbling, blanket on and soother in mouth, she turns her head and snuggles under the blanket (which she holds by her face), a few minutes later she’s asleep. A Babysitter’s dream (and parent’s). She won’t wake up til she hears commotion in the morning, or if it’s quiet, until 8:30. Rarely do we hear her cry-out in her sleep.
Her sense of humor is hilarious. She uses lots of facial expression.
She’s a Delight!

We got the call we’ve been waiting for on August 31st (Happy Birthday Dad). No, not the one about the Millions we won. Joshua got a spot in the Preschool we wanted. Talk about cutting it close! I nearly cried on the phone I was so happy for him. It’s Kelowna Christian Preschool, and I’ve heard nothing but glowing reports about it, and their history with Special Needs students. Even our Program Head for Joshua’s Autism Behaviour Sessions was rooting for us to get in there.
Last Friday, I took the girls for a meet and greet with his three teachers. They were all so calm and reassuring, with me being the paranoid, over protective, first-time mom of a school-aged child. I felt comfortable in their abilities, and that they could handle anything Joshua might throw their way. As someone said to me about school teachers, “They’ve seen it all, from normal and gifted kids”. There will definitely be extra communication between them and I because of Joshua’s uniqueness. (Maybe there would be regardless, because of how I am.)
Starting the 14th, his Preschool classes are M/W/F afternoons. This means, all his Autism Sessions are in the mornings, and earlier on Preschool days. I have a feeling Joshua won’t be the only exhausted one at the end of those days. The tricky part will be getting lunch into him (and the rest of us) before we rush into the car.
My kids daily ask for a car ride. Well, I think they will be car-rided out by June.
*Sniff* My Little Boy is going to School!

I thought Joshua was looking a little scruffy. So…

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We had Paige’s Party while in Creston.

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Jason gave a beautiful blessing for her. Joshua decided to follow it up with his own.

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