A very sad week.
Our beautiful cat Harley passed away and we all miss her very much. She had lived until the grand old age of 17. Her kidneys gave out in the end and it was felt best that she was put too sleep. I was with her and held her paw as she slowly and gently passed away. The house is just not the same since she died.
It has affected my boy rather badly as he was so very attached to her. They adored each other. They had such a close bond. He has never known a time without her. I knew he wouldn't take it well and was not surprised when the sleep pattern went out the window and he refused his lessons. He is so full of anger at the moment. But as we all know, this is part of the grieving process and he has to be allowed to grieve in his own way. I think he will need a while to get over this.
The only good thing is that, as a set back in his education, at least it is at the beginning of his school year. If this had happened after he had made a really huge amount of progress I think it would have been harder to regain the lost ground. We can hopefully now put this behind us and start moving forward again.
Rest In Peace Harley 1992 - 2009
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Monday, 7 September 2009
Sleep....... Please and a New Term
The sleep issue went from bad to worse until my boy was awake all night and not getting up til 3pm in the afternoon. I was feeling permanently exhausted. Desperate times called for desperate measures, especially as the new term was looming. I couldn't get him to sleep any earlier as that is one of his problems, his body doesn't make enough melatonin to get his ready for sleep. Trying to wake him up earlier was a no go as well, it just doesn't work. The only option was left was to keep him awake for longer and push his sleep round that way.
I kept him awake til 10 am the first day with sleep until 6pm.
The next day he was awake til 1.30pm with sleep until 8.30pm.
Then it was 4pm with sleep til 9.30pm.
Then for a finale he stayed awake til 7pm and slept right round til 7.30 am as he was so exhausted.
As for me, well I now know what jet lag feels like!
New term started today and I was a bit worried as to how it would go. I needn't have stressed over it as he settled into his lesson like a dream. I think he's missed the routine of it, although he wouldn't admit it if asked. I just hope that things stay this way. Also the new routine of getting up early and actually having three meals a day has cut down on his snacking on rubbish. He was a pleasure to be around today, he helped to make cakes and even carried my shopping in from the car. I am so proud of all he has achieved today and have told him so. He really enjoyed the praise and I hope this helps to raise his confidence.
Things seem to be on the up at last.
I kept him awake til 10 am the first day with sleep until 6pm.
The next day he was awake til 1.30pm with sleep until 8.30pm.
Then it was 4pm with sleep til 9.30pm.
Then for a finale he stayed awake til 7pm and slept right round til 7.30 am as he was so exhausted.
As for me, well I now know what jet lag feels like!
New term started today and I was a bit worried as to how it would go. I needn't have stressed over it as he settled into his lesson like a dream. I think he's missed the routine of it, although he wouldn't admit it if asked. I just hope that things stay this way. Also the new routine of getting up early and actually having three meals a day has cut down on his snacking on rubbish. He was a pleasure to be around today, he helped to make cakes and even carried my shopping in from the car. I am so proud of all he has achieved today and have told him so. He really enjoyed the praise and I hope this helps to raise his confidence.
Things seem to be on the up at last.
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Back to the Old Routine
Well it's all settling back into the old routine although my boy is still having trouble sleeping. I have seen the early hours every night this week. When I say early hours, I mean 4-5 am. We have even had a 6am. No wonder I feel tired. It's not helped when having been told not to ring early my mother in law thinks 9am is ok and seemed surprised when I wasn't wide awake! Oh well never mind. Mr Cobweb has been working away all week so peace and tranquility has reigned and so has a tidy house. It's much easier when he's away, because if my boy can't sleep I can just go to my room and doze until he's ready to sleep and then pop in and settle him down. But whem Mr C is home I have to stay in with my boy as otherwise it would wake him with me keep wandering in and out, especially as he's a light sleeper and has to be up for work by 5am. Yes, you did read that right, I go to bed as Mr C gets up for work!!
The cat decided to honour me with a present and looked rather pleased with herself a she deposited a bird in front of me. I thanked her profusely thinking it was dead and that I would be able to dispose of it when she wasn't looking, but the bloody thing moved. It was still very much alive! I grabbed it quick before it flew all over the house and then let it loose out the front door. Oh dear, my cat was not impressed and gave me a filthy look before slinking off out the way. You have to be impressed though, my dear cat is 17yrs old, not bad for a geriatric!
When Mr C decided to have a weekend off this week I made the most of it and went out for the day. It was lovely to be alone and out in the sunshine having been pretty much housebound all week. The boy not wanting to go out, apart from a trip to Pizza Hut. I had a really good wander round the town, bliss. It doesn't take much to please me. What did upset me was when I returned home to find that Mr C had done nothing, rubbish was still in the kitchen, washing up unwashed in the sink, the kitchen looking like a tip as he'd cooked himself lunch. Living room a tip with whatever had been used was just left there and worst of all the cat had pee'd on the rug and only a tiny peice of kitchen towel had been put on it to mop it up. Believe me that was piece would'nt be enough to mop up a gnat pee. I couldn't believe that in the space of just a few hours Mr C had pretty much wrecked the whole ground floor and then couldn't even see what he'd done!
Sunday I was given a long lie in and breakfast in bed. I think someone felt guilty. The weather was fantastic again so I decided to mow the lawn before we lost the cat in it. Yes, it was getting that long. Whilst getting that done Mr C cooked dinner! More guilt I think. Still I'm not complaining.
The cat decided to honour me with a present and looked rather pleased with herself a she deposited a bird in front of me. I thanked her profusely thinking it was dead and that I would be able to dispose of it when she wasn't looking, but the bloody thing moved. It was still very much alive! I grabbed it quick before it flew all over the house and then let it loose out the front door. Oh dear, my cat was not impressed and gave me a filthy look before slinking off out the way. You have to be impressed though, my dear cat is 17yrs old, not bad for a geriatric!
When Mr C decided to have a weekend off this week I made the most of it and went out for the day. It was lovely to be alone and out in the sunshine having been pretty much housebound all week. The boy not wanting to go out, apart from a trip to Pizza Hut. I had a really good wander round the town, bliss. It doesn't take much to please me. What did upset me was when I returned home to find that Mr C had done nothing, rubbish was still in the kitchen, washing up unwashed in the sink, the kitchen looking like a tip as he'd cooked himself lunch. Living room a tip with whatever had been used was just left there and worst of all the cat had pee'd on the rug and only a tiny peice of kitchen towel had been put on it to mop it up. Believe me that was piece would'nt be enough to mop up a gnat pee. I couldn't believe that in the space of just a few hours Mr C had pretty much wrecked the whole ground floor and then couldn't even see what he'd done!
Sunday I was given a long lie in and breakfast in bed. I think someone felt guilty. The weather was fantastic again so I decided to mow the lawn before we lost the cat in it. Yes, it was getting that long. Whilst getting that done Mr C cooked dinner! More guilt I think. Still I'm not complaining.
Sunday, 9 August 2009
A Glass of Wine and a Hot Tub Under the Stars
Bliss is a relaxing evening in the hot tub with a glass of wine looking up at the stars. As we were in the countryside the night sky was far more dramatic with a higher number of stars to be seen. A clear night with a bright moon and thousands of stars was a stunning sight to behold. However I have to admit that, most of the time the peace was disturbed by my beautiful boy who was in sensory heaven in the hot tub. The combination of the jets making the water bubble and the colour change lights that looked like they were dancing in the water made him so happy. He loves a colour change light sequence at the best of times but combine that with the water and he was in seventh heaven. I did manage a couple of trips to the hot tub alone but they didn't last long as he soon followed along.
Adjusting to new surroundings was hard for him. The first night was difficult and it took until nearly 4am for him to settle to sleep, along with saying he wanted to go home. We always try to make it easier by taking his own bedding and and colour change light and desk fan to help him but the mattress feels different and we can't avoid that. Once the first night is over he generally begins to settle.
We had a few trips out but due to his not really having left the house, or in fact done much exercise for the previous few months, it was hard work for him. He did his best and ended up walking quite a long way, but the heat of the day is what did the damage. He kept getting very hot, that coupled with tiring easily due to his hypermobility, and he couldn't stay out for long. I was still proud of him though as he tried so hard despite it being distressing for him.
It's lucky he is oblivious to the stares generated by his outbursts, when he gets distressed. I think if he was aware he would only become more upset. As it was his dad walked off because he just couldn't cope with either his outburst or the stares. Luckily I've got thicker skin. He's my boy and it's isn't his fault, he cannot help it and whatever he says to me when he is distressed isn't intended in the way he says it, it's not personal, it's just how he feels at the time and is entirely due to his distress. I was so proud that he had tried as hard as he did. We made sure he had a couple of quiet days in at the cottage. It was a necessity really after being isolated for so long, it meant he would be able to cope with the days out and maybe even enjoy them.
BeWilderwood in Norfolk is a fantastic, magical woodland treat. It has treehouses with rope bridges between them. A woodland adventure park. We love it. It was tough going for my boy but he clambered up to the treehouses along with the rest of us. In fact he lead the way! It was just a shame it was another hot day and he tired quickly. He really enjoyed what he managed to do though. Each day he recovered in the hot tub after our trips out.
He was however looking forward to coming home and decided that on the Thursday night as he couldn't sleep he would start packing his stuff at 4am! It didn't stop him from getting up at 10am the next day. Firday night he was asleep by 2am, hooray I thought, that thought didn't last long though as he was up at 5.45 am sat by the front door with his case ready to load into the car and go home.
Yes, we are now home and very pleased my boy is. He spent a lot of time cuddling the cat when we got back, fortunately she is very accommodating and has just let him. A bad night again though as he has to re adjust to being back in his own bed, although the lack of sleep has been on our side and he fell asleep quite quickly when he finally went up to bed.
Sadly now we are back home a mountain of washing is mine to sort out. Whilst we have been away the cobwebs have returned along with the tumbleweed that is the cats moulted fur. Still I have a week to deal with it and the memories of a good relaxing holiday.
Adjusting to new surroundings was hard for him. The first night was difficult and it took until nearly 4am for him to settle to sleep, along with saying he wanted to go home. We always try to make it easier by taking his own bedding and and colour change light and desk fan to help him but the mattress feels different and we can't avoid that. Once the first night is over he generally begins to settle.
We had a few trips out but due to his not really having left the house, or in fact done much exercise for the previous few months, it was hard work for him. He did his best and ended up walking quite a long way, but the heat of the day is what did the damage. He kept getting very hot, that coupled with tiring easily due to his hypermobility, and he couldn't stay out for long. I was still proud of him though as he tried so hard despite it being distressing for him.
It's lucky he is oblivious to the stares generated by his outbursts, when he gets distressed. I think if he was aware he would only become more upset. As it was his dad walked off because he just couldn't cope with either his outburst or the stares. Luckily I've got thicker skin. He's my boy and it's isn't his fault, he cannot help it and whatever he says to me when he is distressed isn't intended in the way he says it, it's not personal, it's just how he feels at the time and is entirely due to his distress. I was so proud that he had tried as hard as he did. We made sure he had a couple of quiet days in at the cottage. It was a necessity really after being isolated for so long, it meant he would be able to cope with the days out and maybe even enjoy them.
BeWilderwood in Norfolk is a fantastic, magical woodland treat. It has treehouses with rope bridges between them. A woodland adventure park. We love it. It was tough going for my boy but he clambered up to the treehouses along with the rest of us. In fact he lead the way! It was just a shame it was another hot day and he tired quickly. He really enjoyed what he managed to do though. Each day he recovered in the hot tub after our trips out.
He was however looking forward to coming home and decided that on the Thursday night as he couldn't sleep he would start packing his stuff at 4am! It didn't stop him from getting up at 10am the next day. Firday night he was asleep by 2am, hooray I thought, that thought didn't last long though as he was up at 5.45 am sat by the front door with his case ready to load into the car and go home.
Yes, we are now home and very pleased my boy is. He spent a lot of time cuddling the cat when we got back, fortunately she is very accommodating and has just let him. A bad night again though as he has to re adjust to being back in his own bed, although the lack of sleep has been on our side and he fell asleep quite quickly when he finally went up to bed.
Sadly now we are back home a mountain of washing is mine to sort out. Whilst we have been away the cobwebs have returned along with the tumbleweed that is the cats moulted fur. Still I have a week to deal with it and the memories of a good relaxing holiday.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
An Agreement is Reached and the Fun Begins
At last we have reached an agreement with the local education authority, WooHoo, and now have a place at a school with a fantastic SENCO who is enthusiastic and willing to help. They are able to adapt to my boy and take it very slowly and gently. It will all start in September when the will start with outreach at home from the school along with his current tutors. I am so relieved and although I know it will be hard work I am finally feeling rather positive that we will finally be able to ease my boy back into formal education. I can now relax and enjoy the holidays.
We kicked off the holidays in style as my sister arrived to spend the weekend with us. We had planned a visit to the cinema to see the new Harry Potter. My boy prepared for this by watching all the previous 5 films and reading ALL 7 books in the week before we were due to go. He was so excited! We all thoroughly enjoyed the film and jumped out of our skin at one point.
Back at home there was a leisurely evening meal with many glasses of wine and a dvd of Marley and Me. This prompted the need for lots of tissues as it is very sad at the end especially as the wine had made us more sentimental. My poor sister had to sleep on the sofa as my boy wasn't giving up his bed for anyone! She fit the sofa quite well being a bit of a shortarse.
The goodbyes were very tearful next day as she is leaving to live in Spain at the beginning of August and I will be sad to see her go. She will be staring a new life there with her partner and I think they will be staying for good as the business he started there 3 months ago has really taken off.
It has been nice to relax and not worry about getting my boy ready for lessons over the last couple of weeks, although not having that routine has been difficult for him. I think he's finally settling into the holidays, just in time for our annual visit to the cottage in Norfolk that we hire each year. I cannot wait to chill out in the hot tub! We leave for the cottage at the weekend and once I have finished all the frantic packing I shall head off to bed safe in the knowledge that we shall be there soon.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Nearly the Summer Hols and a Dead Dyson
Decided to have a really good clean through today, get everything up straight before the summer holidays. Unfortunately things didn't quite go to plan. In the middle of cleaning a fur covered landing the Dyson packed up. It was just the fuse, changed it, vacummed a bit, it stopped again. Ok I know when i'm beaten, it's obviously got something very wrong with it. Just got to find a couple of hundred pounds now to replace the bloody thing. Still, I did manage to finish the landing, which was beginning to have more fur than the cat. It's her favourite place to sleep. It's dangerous, you get up in the night to go for a pee, trip over the cat and nearly launch yourself down the stairs. Then on the way back to bed, decide to go downstairs for a drink and she will weave through your legs. I'm sure she's trying to kill us! Far safer to cross your legs, ignore the thirst and go back to sleep.
The boy has had his last tutor session for this academic year. It went rather well. They were studying physics, so decided to test forces. This lead to the fun of making mini parachutes. His design was extremely good. He managed to make one which descended gently whilst carrying a LEGO mini figure. His tutor was most impressed as it was better than hers. It was definately a proud mum moment.
He will be starting his secondary education in September once we have sorted out a school. We are still in negotiations with the local education authority at the moment and if that doesn't work we have a tribunal to got to later in the year. I'm really very worried about his education as although he is extremely bright, he struggles due to his sensory processing disorder, lack of self esteem and anxieties. We'll just have to see what we are offered and if we think he will cope.
Bye for now x
The boy has had his last tutor session for this academic year. It went rather well. They were studying physics, so decided to test forces. This lead to the fun of making mini parachutes. His design was extremely good. He managed to make one which descended gently whilst carrying a LEGO mini figure. His tutor was most impressed as it was better than hers. It was definately a proud mum moment.
He will be starting his secondary education in September once we have sorted out a school. We are still in negotiations with the local education authority at the moment and if that doesn't work we have a tribunal to got to later in the year. I'm really very worried about his education as although he is extremely bright, he struggles due to his sensory processing disorder, lack of self esteem and anxieties. We'll just have to see what we are offered and if we think he will cope.
Bye for now x
Saturday, 11 July 2009
One Grumpy Bump at the Weekend
A long lie in, aaahhhh bliss.
Was expecting a visit from my sister in law and got the cream cakes in ready. Hoping she would arrive with her boys so they could all play together. Sadly it was not to be, no phone call, nothing.
Enter one very pee'd off boy who hates it when things don't happen as planned. It was hard listening to him trying to make sense of his disappointment (mainly swearing and being generally obnoxious). I did try to explain that sometimes things don't always go as expected. It didn't help lighten his mood and he was a real grumpy bump for the most of the day.
He eventually decided to take his anger out by playing Smash Bros Brawl on the Wii. It really did seem to help. Not bad really, considering a few months ago he'd probably thrown a humdinger of a tantrum. You have to be grateful for the small mercy's in life.
Was expecting a visit from my sister in law and got the cream cakes in ready. Hoping she would arrive with her boys so they could all play together. Sadly it was not to be, no phone call, nothing.
Enter one very pee'd off boy who hates it when things don't happen as planned. It was hard listening to him trying to make sense of his disappointment (mainly swearing and being generally obnoxious). I did try to explain that sometimes things don't always go as expected. It didn't help lighten his mood and he was a real grumpy bump for the most of the day.
He eventually decided to take his anger out by playing Smash Bros Brawl on the Wii. It really did seem to help. Not bad really, considering a few months ago he'd probably thrown a humdinger of a tantrum. You have to be grateful for the small mercy's in life.
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