The Front Porch Swing

[moms3cuties]

you

I've been trying to be a bit more active. Been walking with the kids. Now we're watching Zumba videos for kids... Thomas likes all the fast paced songs with the kids dancing... I keep him in my lap and moves his arms and bounce him in pace with the kids on the screen.


I'm way too uncoordinated to do the adult Zumba stuff. I love dancing, but it's not pretty.


While his communication is getting better, I worry about his eating and his coordination. He's falling a lot and getting hurt a lot (often by throwing himself down in a fit). He's looking so beat up right now. He's 34 lbs, which means he lost a pound since his 2 year check up in January... seems like that's not good I worry myself sick with this boy! I've been reading and reading, still trying to find the answer. Reading about Dyspraxia, which could explain some of his issues. Everytime I read things, I realize I may still be the cause of it... I've always been uncoordinated, clumsy, still can't tell right from left unless I think real hard. I can't do those dance classes where there's a teacher in front doing the moves, because my brain can't figure out how to mirror the movements.. and my reaction speed is atrocious. Reading about all the things trying to figure out how to help my son, I seem to slowly figure out my own limitations. I never thought there was an underlying cause or a name for it.


Don't get me wrong. I get around just fine, I'm pretty darn healthy, but I'm a bumbling idiot at times I run into walls and doorframes A LOT... and I watched my son do the same thing yesterday. He fell, cried, I soothed. I put him down, and before he made it to the end of the hallway he falls again, hitting his hea you have

He's such an identical copy of myself, I worry for him.


His ankles seem to fold in when he walks/stands, something my feet do too. I have very high arches and wide feet.. as a child I had orthopedic shoes and as an adult I saw a podiatrist (back in Europe, where the insurance covered it mostly) and had inserts that offered arch support. My legs are uneven, so one insert also had a slight elevation to even my legs out. It took me 3 weeks before my body got used to the adjustment... But that was then, these days no inserts, they're gone.. and I am doing ok without (or atleast, I guess I got used to the constant ache in my back and shoulders caused by it ) But anyway, I worry for him. Maybe he would fall less if I had his feet looked at? I don't want to come across as a hypochondriac at the pediatricians office either...

.....I would see your pediatrician & get him referred to a specialist because my son had high arches and they recommended a arch support for in his walking shoes and recommended he wear them inside too. So find out what the consensus is or you may find him walking barefoot inside might help however I don't know which is the best way to go. but as a mother of 3 I would certainly go see a specialist, as you have nothing to lose.

 

[Wisher1000]

DH has finally found a job he wants: law enforcement. He's gonna have really work for that one. He's 300+ lbs.. strong, but not enough stamina to run the 1 1/2 miles. And you have to climb a 6 ft fence or wall! But, if it's a motivator to get in shape, I'm all for it. 40 hours even as correctional officer pays more than his current 50+ hours as general manager.. and that's starting pay! And benefits, something he doesn't get now.

TTM - Jobs in LE are hard to find right now, but don't let that discourage you. You NEED insurance and LE usually has great benefit packages. Start now, today, working toward passing that PT test. Find out what they require for all the agencies around you and use the toughest one as your goal. If it requires 25 push ups, 10 pull ups, and running a mile in a set time, he should do as many push ups/pull ups as he can, twice a day, and walk/run a mile a day, everyday. By the time he has to do it for real, it should be a piece of cake. This is what I did and it worked like a charm. I passed the PT with ease and outdid many of the men, (and I'm a big girl, too!)

 

[lazy gardener]

I am tempted but I tried Jenny craig and couldnt bear the food after a week. plus I cant afford it no amount of squeeking and skrimping can make it affordable. Both Jenny Craig and Medi Fast require that you sign up for the year and buy thier foods.

If I committ to a program it will be back to Weight Watchers. I have had Success with it in the past...

deb

Deb: little changes add up over time. I find that if I add an extra serving or two of fruit, I loose weight. Also, if i cut out calorie drinks for one meal, that helps also. Chips are my down fall, and I am a stress food eater.

I've been trying to be a bit more active. Been walking with the kids. Now we're watching Zumba videos for kids... Thomas likes all the fast paced songs with the kids dancing... I keep him in my lap and moves his arms and bounce him in pace with the kids on the screen.

I'm way too uncoordinated to do the adult Zumba stuff. I love dancing, but it's not pretty.

While his communication is getting better, I worry about his eating and his coordination. He's falling a lot and getting hurt a lot (often by throwing himself down in a fit). He's looking so beat up right now. He's 34 lbs, which means he lost a pound since his 2 year check up in January... seems like that's not good

I worry myself sick with this boy! I've been reading and reading, still trying to find the answer. Reading about Dyspraxia, which could explain some of his issues. Everytime I read things, I realize I may still be the cause of it... I've always been uncoordinated, clumsy, still can't tell right from left unless I think real hard. I can't do those dance classes where there's a teacher in front doing the moves, because my brain can't figure out how to mirror the movements.. and my reaction speed is atrocious. Reading about all the things trying to figure out how to help my son, I seem to slowly figure out my own limitations. I never thought there was an underlying cause or a name for it.

Don't get me wrong. I get around just fine, I'm pretty darn healthy, but I'm a bumbling idiot at times

I run into walls and doorframes A LOT... and I watched my son do the same thing yesterday. He fell, cried, I soothed. I put him down, and before he made it to the end of the hallway he falls again, hitting his head, crying again.

He's such an identical copy of myself, I worry for him.

His ankles seem to fold in when he walks/stands, something my feet do too. I have very high arches and wide feet.. as a child I had orthopedic shoes and as an adult I saw a podiatrist (back in Europe, where the insurance covered it mostly) and had inserts that offered arch support. My legs are uneven, so one insert also had a slight elevation to even my legs out. It took me 3 weeks before my body got used to the adjustment... But that was then, these days no inserts, they're gone.. and I am doing ok without (or atleast, I guess I got used to the constant ache in my back and shoulders caused by it

) But anyway, I worry for him. Maybe he would fall less if I had his feet looked at? I don't want to come across as a hypochondriac at the pediatricians office either...

TTM: I'd recommend that you get your son evaluated... I thought he was getting services? There's a program called Brain Gym that is geared to helping kids connect the brain with movement patterns. Can you find a brain gym instructor in your area? The techniques are super easy and designed to be incorporated into every day life. Works on both gross and fine motor coordination, as well as providing calming influences. I'm just about as uncoordinated as they come.

Its that whole move my feet thing. I can barely walk. At nearly 400 lbs my knees are telling me I am doing too much to them. I have to press four hundred pounds with one leg just to go up stairs. Each step is agony (icepick feeling under the knee caps) and the rest is warrning me that I am going to fall down.
Kept up with the infrastructure on the house. The place is paid for so I dont have much to deal with. Eighteen acres of paradise... My paradise...



deb

Deb: Is there a community pool in your community? Pool therapy is just what you need. I ran a pool program a few years back, and the stories I'd hear from my ladies each week just about brought tears to my eyes! They'd come in for their work out, saying... before I started, I couldn't (fill in the blank) but, now I can! They were moving with much less pain, some of them gave up their canes! And they were all able to exercise for an hour in a pain free environment. The pool was reserved for them during that hour, so no one felt self conscious about being of a larger size. The water is an equalizer. It puts those joints in a gravity free environment so they can move pain free. And the participants can choose how much resistance they use by how aggressively they move against the resistance of the water. A good instructor will be able to adapt the movement patterns of her program to fit the physical limitations of all of the participants. Wanna come to Maine? I'll be your personal instructor???

 

[vehve]

Deb, that truly looks like a slice of paradise.

 

[perchie.girl]

Deb, that truly looks like a slice of paradise.

Thanks Felix. Imagine all the old time westerns with the big boulders. thats my place only difference is I have more rain so I have Chaparal on the property. Most of the stuff wont get much taller than about ten feet. Ribbon Wood or Red Shank depending on whos talking about it. And Chamise All of the trees are desert trees that live off the environment. They handle drought wind and snow. And if the land burns they are happy to germinate their seeds in the process.

deb "off to go pack the truck"

 

[vehve]

I can imagine tumbleweed rolling among the boulders.

 

[LindaB220]

Those were at size 16. No skinny minnie or anything, but good enough. My skin has zero elasticity.. I got my first stretch marks at 12 years old. In good news, that meant I was not at all worried about them during pregnancy haha.



39 weeks along with Ms.Millie



A few weeks ago.

Having kids takes the fear of prancing around in a bathingsuit away. He's having fun, that's all that matters.


Free roosters aren't hard to find

Our first one didn't go easy either... then we changed methods, it's been much smoother since.

You look great and happy in all those pictures. No worries. Good for you. I am feeling very happy today. I did my processing yesterday and I feel that I'm accomplished at it. Better tools of course, but it needs be, I'll do like Kassaundra and use a broomstick and break the neck first. Instant death.
All my birds are becoming accustomed to each other. Win-win. I'll put the other four 4 weeks olds in with the 8 wk old girls tonight.
I'm going to put my rooster in the crock pot tonight. 32 hrs chill. Is that enough?

 

[perchie.girl]

I can imagine tumbleweed rolling among the boulders.

Actually no tumble weeds. They like cultivated or previously cultivated land. For what its worth Tumble weeds are not indigenous to the US. They came in with a wheat shipment from Russia... I believe some time in the 1870's Many people here don/t know they are called the Russian Thistle.

Here is another shot of my land from the road.


If you knew there was a house there you still wouldnt see it. My house is above and to the left hand corner of this picture. The rocky mound in the background partially belongs to an eight acre parcel owned by a husband and wife college professors. Some of those boulders have shed their undersides to make shelters deep enough to hide about twenty people.
deb

 

[vehve]

I think I've seen that pic before, it's amazingly beautiful in a harsh way

 

[Tomtommom]

you
.....I would see your pediatrician & get him referred to a specialist because my son had high arches and they recommended a arch support for in his walking shoes and recommended he wear them inside too. So find out what the consensus is or you may find him walking barefoot inside might help however I don't know which is the best way to go. but as a mother of 3 I would certainly go see a specialist, as you have nothing to lose.

Yup, I need to. The list is so darn long with things I worry about.. and I always feel rushed through appointments or kind of poopood at. I need to get another pediatrician... but meh, I aint got the patience/energy for that.

TTM - Jobs in LE are hard to find right now, but don't let that discourage you. You NEED insurance and LE usually has great benefit packages. Start now, today, working toward passing that PT test. Find out what they require for all the agencies around you and use the toughest one as your goal. If it requires 25 push ups, 10 pull ups, and running a mile in a set time, he should do as many push ups/pull ups as he can, twice a day, and walk/run a mile a day, everyday. By the time he has to do it for real, it should be a piece of cake. This is what I did and it worked like a charm. I passed the PT with ease and outdid many of the men, (and I'm a big girl, too!)

In Shelby county the way into becoming a deputy is to get a job as correctional officer, so that's the way he wants to go. Beginning pay for a correctional officer is still more than what he gets now, with less hours and better benefits. Helena hires twice a year, but they require experience and possibly a degree of some sort. Chilton county would be fine too, or any of the towns around us. I refuse to let him work as a Birmingham cop.. I wouldn't sleep at night. And he honestly doesn't want to work there. Bessemer would be a big no. He used to work in Fairfield at Domino's and that was a very, VERY shady area.

He's very strong, so I have no doubt in that aspect, but his short arms and legs make pushups an issue... so he needs to slim down *laugh* He can do it, I just worry too much. He spends 10+ hours on his feet a day now.. I think if he slimmed down he would be amazed how much easier movement is.

Thanks for the vote of confidence

Deb: little changes add up over time. I find that if I add an extra serving or two of fruit, I loose weight. Also, if i cut out calorie drinks for one meal, that helps also. Chips are my down fall, and I am a stress food eater.

TTM: I'd recommend that you get your son evaluated... I thought he was getting services? There's a program called Brain Gym that is geared to helping kids connect the brain with movement patterns. Can you find a brain gym instructor in your area? The techniques are super easy and designed to be incorporated into every day life. Works on both gross and fine motor coordination, as well as providing calming influences. I'm just about as uncoordinated as they come.

Deb: Is there a community pool in your community? Pool therapy is just what you need. I ran a pool program a few years back, and the stories I'd hear from my ladies each week just about brought tears to my eyes! They'd come in for their work out, saying... before I started, I couldn't (fill in the blank) but, now I can! They were moving with much less pain, some of them gave up their canes! And they were all able to exercise for an hour in a pain free environment. The pool was reserved for them during that hour, so no one felt self conscious about being of a larger size. The water is an equalizer. It puts those joints in a gravity free environment so they can move pain free. And the participants can choose how much resistance they use by how aggressively they move against the resistance of the water. A good instructor will be able to adapt the movement patterns of her program to fit the physical limitations of all of the participants. Wanna come to Maine? I'll be your personal instructor???

He's getting some services for speech. Still need a diagnosis for autism/dyspraxia/development disorder... whatever they want to call it, we need it for his individual education plan which goes in effect in January. All the waiting gets really old. We've got an appointment monday for Easter seals, which is more speech... they offer PT and OT as well, so i may see if I can get a referral for that.

We just keep on trucking.



He had fun today. Inflatables in the park and a yummy popsicle.

You look great and happy in all those pictures. No worries. Good for you. I am feeling very happy today. I did my processing yesterday and I feel that I'm accomplished at it. Better tools of course, but it needs be, I'll do like Kassaundra and use a broomstick and break the neck first. Instant death.
All my birds are becoming accustomed to each other. Win-win. I'll put the other four 4 weeks olds in with the 8 wk old girls tonight.
I'm going to put my rooster in the crock pot tonight. 32 hrs chill. Is that enough?

Yup, I do the broomstick too... waaaay better. 32 hours should be fine, 48 is better, but 32 would be enough if he's young. I left my 1 1/2 year old hen in the fridge for 48 and she was perfectly edible.

Actually no tumble weeds. They like cultivated or previously cultivated land. For what its worth Tumble weeds are not indigenous to the US. They came in with a wheat shipment from Russia... I believe some time in the 1870's Many people here don/t know they are called the Russian Thistle.

Here is another shot of my land from the road.


If you knew there was a house there you still wouldnt see it. My house is above and to the left hand corner of this picture. The rocky mound in the background partially belongs to an eight acre parcel owned by a husband and wife college professors. Some of those boulders have shed their undersides to make shelters deep enough to hide about twenty people.
deb

So beautiful!

I've got faith in you, Deb. I think you can shed some pounds so you can enjoy that paradise. Baby steps. Even just moving your arms burns calories.