This past weekend, we celebrated Nathan's third birthday. It's hard to believe that it has been three years since he joined us, but the journey has happened quickly. We celebrated quietly on Saturday (his actual birthday) with just the five of us at home and a few phone calls and gifts from out-of-town family. Then, Sunday, Jim's family came to the house for a celebration with food, drinks, cake, and presents.
Many thanks to everyone who was nice enough to celebrate Nathan's big day, whether it was by sending a card or gift, making a call, or even just thinking about or praying for him.
Now that he is 3, he will transition from Early Intervention to the school district for services (therapies, equipment, etc.). He is not actually scheduled to start going to school (he is set to attend a Special Ed class at Theodore Judah Elementary School in Folsom) u
ntil April 15 when the flu/RSV season is officially over. We don't know for sure how things will go, but we hope for the best. We had our Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting with about 15-20 people crowded into a classroom on kid's chairs around a low classroom table to discuss how the school district would safely administer physical and educational/therapy services to Nathan. Aside from the district's inability to recognize the educational research supporting music therapy, the meeting went quite well and we left with some hope that the transition will be smooth.Nathan continues to face his challenges and now has the aid of oxygen at night. It usually is set at a minimal rate, but enough to keep his oxygen saturation at an acceptable level. His seizures continue despite all of the medications and the ketogenic diet, but some days are better than others and we all soldier on with hopes that someday they will be managed.
He has been very chatty over the last month, cooing and babbling at length when he is feeling well. Nathan even says "Ma-ma" sometimes when prompted. It took a year of practice, but it was pretty clear. Now, I need to wait a year for ample time to teach him to say "Da-da."
In other family news (it's been 5 months since we posted anything on this blog), Zachary continues to grow his body and vocabulary. He is a handful with a bad habit of getting ear infections, but a joy to watch get bigger. Madison is enjoying the first grade and just celebrated her 7th birthday in February. She had a roller skating party with 11 girls (not recommended for adults hosting parties). The party was a hit, Madison had a great time, and Nathan even made the rounds at the roller skating rink in his wheelchair.
Right after Madison's birthday party, Tricia made a business trip to Malaysia for 10 days, leaving me home with the kids on my own (with lots of nursing help to keep me sane). All parties survived, but Tricia has been grounded, except for family trips until further notice.
All in all, it has been a very busy 5 months since our last posting: Jim's 20-year high school reunion; Halloween; Thanksgiving; Christmas; New Year's; and a 3-night stay at the hospital with Nathan's lone 2007-08 winter pneumonia (fingers crossed).
Thanks as always to everyone for your interest in Nathan and our family and for your support and thoughts as we move into Nathan's fourth year and next challenges.
