Saturday, November 3, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Potty Time
Clack used the potty today!!! She's not yet potty training, but I am getting her acquainted with the terms, the look, and feel of the potty. It just so happened that I'd undressed her in preparation for bathtime but didn't unbraid her hair. I used this opportunity to sit her on the potty, and she actually used it. This caused an uproar of celebration in the house!
Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 15
Classical Music - This week's composer is Joseph Haydn.
Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 42. We spent a lot of time on math today. Click had to cover a design 4 different ways and then map & color the shape. He has mastered his doubles, +1, and +0 facts (0-9).
Reading - Click read Tales from the Waterhole by Bob Graham. I read one chapter of Kingdom of the Sun - The Sun by Jacqueline Mitton; Insects Do The Strangest Things by Leonora Hornblow. We covered the water strider, the caddisfly, the water boatman and the backswimmer, and the mosquito and the housefly. I also read a few poems from Poetry for Young People - Langston Hughes by David Roessel and Poetry for Young People - Animal Poems by John Hollander.
Memory Work - Books of the Bible, New Testament, 1 John - Revelation
Science - Apologia Zoology Chapter 1 - Airfoil & Drag. We completed Experimenting With Glider Design. We built 2 gliders with different wings (long & narrow and short & wide) and tested which glider would fly the farthest. Click's hypothesis was that the "long narrow glider will fly farther because it has the longest wing." He was correct. We flew the planes 15 times. The long, narrow wing averaged 8.6 feet. The short, wide wing averaged 8.2 feet.
What about Clack?
She was unusually busy today, just into everything. She played with pennies, putting them in and out of cups, bowls, bags, and on the scale. She played with clay. She spread leapfrog cards all over the living room. She did everything but take a nap during school time!
Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 15
Classical Music - This week's composer is Joseph Haydn.
Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 42. We spent a lot of time on math today. Click had to cover a design 4 different ways and then map & color the shape. He has mastered his doubles, +1, and +0 facts (0-9).
Reading - Click read Tales from the Waterhole by Bob Graham. I read one chapter of Kingdom of the Sun - The Sun by Jacqueline Mitton; Insects Do The Strangest Things by Leonora Hornblow. We covered the water strider, the caddisfly, the water boatman and the backswimmer, and the mosquito and the housefly. I also read a few poems from Poetry for Young People - Langston Hughes by David Roessel and Poetry for Young People - Animal Poems by John Hollander.
Memory Work - Books of the Bible, New Testament, 1 John - Revelation
Science - Apologia Zoology Chapter 1 - Airfoil & Drag. We completed Experimenting With Glider Design. We built 2 gliders with different wings (long & narrow and short & wide) and tested which glider would fly the farthest. Click's hypothesis was that the "long narrow glider will fly farther because it has the longest wing." He was correct. We flew the planes 15 times. The long, narrow wing averaged 8.6 feet. The short, wide wing averaged 8.2 feet.
What about Clack?
She was unusually busy today, just into everything. She played with pennies, putting them in and out of cups, bowls, bags, and on the scale. She played with clay. She spread leapfrog cards all over the living room. She did everything but take a nap during school time!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Stone Soup
I'm having an issue with spacing and I'm too sleepy to figure it out. When I do, I'll come back and edit this post to make it more reader friendly.
Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 15
Classical Music - This week's composer is Joseph Haydn.
Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 41 & Soroban Abacus review. I received the materials from www.Nurtureminds.com, now we're able to continue our abacus lessons.
History - Story of the World 1 - Chapter 31 The Mauryan Empire of India
Reading - Click read chapter 1 (Penny Hardaway) of Hoop Heroes by S.A. Krammer. I read the last 2 chapters of The Monitor - The Iron Warship That Changed The World by Gare Thompson and one story from Goha the Wise Fool by Denys Davies.
Bloom's Taxonomy - About twice a month we'll read a story and follow the questions outlined in What If The Wolf Were An Octopus K-2 (A Guide to Creative Questioning for Primary Grade Literature). This week I read Stone Soup by Marcia Brown. We only covered the first 3 levels of questioning (Knowledge, Comprehension, & Application). We will read the story again when Click is a little older and better able to grasp the concepts of the questions in levels 3-6 (Analysis, Synthesis, & Evaluation).
Here is one of the Application activities and Click's response:
Cook your own 'Stone Soup." Record your recipe.
Click's recipe
Stones, guacamole, carrots, milk, a piece of house, potatoes, water, doggies, spagehetti, raisins, watermelon, chicken, beef, apples, and bananas.
Quite interesting.........
Handwriting Without Tears - copywork words - 'ice' and 'dice'
Memory Work - Reviewed Books of the Bible and learned 1 John - Revelation
What about Clack?
Today Clack sharpened pencils (with a battery operated sharpener) and played the recorder before laying down for a nap.
Monday, October 29, 2007
A Birthday Holiday
We're big on celebrating birthdays around here, so today was a Birthday Holiday (a rest day for mommy). Click enjoyed his birthday gifts for most of the day and we engaged in reading a few books.
Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 15
Classical Music - This week's composer is Joseph Haydn.
Reading - Click read Better Not Get Wet, Jesse Bear by Nancy Carlstrom and listened to Chang's Paper Pony by Eleanor Coerr. I read 2 chapters of The Monitor - The Iron Warship That Changed the World by Gare Thompson and a few stories from Goha the Wise Fool by Denys Davies.
Japanese - We reviewed 'Hello, how are you' and learned how to say 'I'm fine, thank you' on www.mangolanguages.com. It's a free program and they offer other languages (Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and even Piglatin... seriously!)
Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 15
Classical Music - This week's composer is Joseph Haydn.
Reading - Click read Better Not Get Wet, Jesse Bear by Nancy Carlstrom and listened to Chang's Paper Pony by Eleanor Coerr. I read 2 chapters of The Monitor - The Iron Warship That Changed the World by Gare Thompson and a few stories from Goha the Wise Fool by Denys Davies.
Japanese - We reviewed 'Hello, how are you' and learned how to say 'I'm fine, thank you' on www.mangolanguages.com. It's a free program and they offer other languages (Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and even Piglatin... seriously!)
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Click (Our Miracle Child) Turns 5 Today
I've waited all week to write this post in celebration of my firstborn. He is truly a miracle as you will learn while reading this post. I've waited but now I'm overwhelmed. I have so much to say and so much to be grateful for. I believe I feel overwhelmed with emotion because this will be my first time journaling the course of events that placed me where I am - a stay at home mom (SAHM) and a homeschooler. I exhale........
Click was born Monday, October 28, 2002 at 6:52pm. He was 1lb 10.7oz, yes one pound 10.7oz. Before we get to October 28th, go back with me to October 5, 2002. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. I awoke from a much needed nap and began preparing to head to the park for a function. I used the restroom and noticed some mucus on the tissue. It wasn't anything to call 911 about, but it did make me look through the handbook I received from my OBGYN. I read the information and it says call if there's any discharge, so I did. I had just visited my OB a few days prior, but he was out of town and I spoke with his partner. On the side of caution, he advised me to go to the emergency room and make plans to come into his office on Monday. I finished my conversation and proceeded to the park. I socialized, grabbed a fish sandwich, called the next game of spades, and casually mentioned the doctor's conversation to my husband. Of course he immediately wants to rush to the hospital (I want to eat my sandwich). This may sound silly, but the ONLY reason I consented to go to the emergency room was because Dr. T said he would call the hospital and let them know I'd be coming.... I DID NOT want the hospital calling my house looking for me.
We casually stroll into the emergency room. I was wearing the classic pregnant lady outfit - a pair of the most comfortable black stretchy pants with a turquoise, brown & white stripe shirt. If I had known I wasn't leaving until after Click's birth I would have been better prepared. After the doctor examines me, he explains that I'm 2.5cm dilated and I'd have to stay in the hospital. Still not understanding the severity of my condition, because after all, everyone I knew went close to 40 weeks, had a baby and went home, I mentally had plans to leave the following day. The next 23 days would be a roller coaster ride. It was a test of my faith, my will, and what I believed in God's word. I endured the endless needles; the surgery; being 100% bedridden; the horrible hospital food, and birthed a miracle. At 25.5 weeks gestation, Click was born. 1lb 10.7 oz.
I later found out that he was a celebrity before he even reached the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). As I mentioned, when I walked into the hospital I was 2.5 cm dilated. A week later when the cerclage (closure of the cervix with stitches) was placed I was 4 cm. There was a point during the surgery that everyone began speaking softly and one by one the medical staff gathered around my propped legs. I knew it couldn't be good, but I refused to let my mind run wild. I just closed my eyes and began to pray. At this point, all I could do was pray.
After I returned to my room, my nurse, the sweetest little Asian lady said with a heavy accent, "You made that doctor earn his money today!" I wasn't clear on what she meant until the doctor came to talk with us. By the time I made it to the surgery room, Click's feet where outside my vagina. Before the surgery could be performed, the doctor first had to push the bag of water back into my body, WITHOUT breaking it, then close my cervix which was open wide enough for the baby to slip out. This entire experience was foreign to me, but I thought they see similar cases and scenarios often. It wasn't until he visited the next morning and told us how he told his wife about the surgery that I realized it was a rare case.
When Click arrived the NICU was prepared. They'd been waiting an entire 8 days for him. Eight days prior to his arrival I sat on the bed pan to move my bowels (or so I thought). After pushing and feeling a bulge come out, but not from a familiar area, I calmly called for my nurse. Knowing that something wasn't right I said, "please tell me that those are my bowels". Of course you know the answer, it wasn't my bowels, but my bag bulging in my vagina. Despite the cerclage, my cervix was still opening.
The entire time in the hospital I didn't feel any pain. No contractions, no pressure, no cramping, but nurses didn't hesitate to burst in the door at all hours to shoot me with meds in order to stop the contractions that the monitor was reading. Ironically, on October 27, I began experiencing pain, but the monitors weren't picking up the signals. I was blessed to have wonderful nurses. Women who were committed to caring for me each day and night. I remember my nurse coming in and noticing that I was contracting based on the baby's heart rate. His heart rate would decelerate with each contraction. This continued and the decision was made to perform a c-section.
Up until the 27th I tried to remain positive, upbeat, and strong in faith. I had stopped negotiating with God, which I must obviously be terrible at because I didn't get my way at all, and said not my will but Yours be done. I didn't have anymore fight in me, and I knew that Click was coming. I had to trust that he wouldn't suffer from mental retardation, underdeveloped lungs, brain bleeds, and the host of other obstacles that micropreemies face. I had to trust that God knew what He was doing.
Click arrived. I had a 3 second look at him and he was whisked off to the NICU. The doctors had a difficult time getting him out. I later learned that my placenta had begun tearing away, so had he not been delivered when he was, we may have lost him.... God does know best!
The next 3 months was another emotional ride that I'll have to share another time. But know this, he had no issues with his mental ability. He did go home on oxygen but he doesn't have asthma or any lung issues. He didn't need any surgeries. He didn't have issues with his eyes or ears. He did not have one issue that normally plagues micropreemies. That is truly a miracle.
So on this day I celebrate 5 years with my son. It is because of him and the unconventional timing of his birth that I became a SAHM. It has been the best 5 years of my life. He has also forced me into homeschooling and it is with a grateful heart that I thank him, my husband, and my Heavenly Father for the responsibility.
5 is the number of grace. Click comes from a long line - he is the 5th generation.
Click was born Monday, October 28, 2002 at 6:52pm. He was 1lb 10.7oz, yes one pound 10.7oz. Before we get to October 28th, go back with me to October 5, 2002. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. I awoke from a much needed nap and began preparing to head to the park for a function. I used the restroom and noticed some mucus on the tissue. It wasn't anything to call 911 about, but it did make me look through the handbook I received from my OBGYN. I read the information and it says call if there's any discharge, so I did. I had just visited my OB a few days prior, but he was out of town and I spoke with his partner. On the side of caution, he advised me to go to the emergency room and make plans to come into his office on Monday. I finished my conversation and proceeded to the park. I socialized, grabbed a fish sandwich, called the next game of spades, and casually mentioned the doctor's conversation to my husband. Of course he immediately wants to rush to the hospital (I want to eat my sandwich). This may sound silly, but the ONLY reason I consented to go to the emergency room was because Dr. T said he would call the hospital and let them know I'd be coming.... I DID NOT want the hospital calling my house looking for me.
We casually stroll into the emergency room. I was wearing the classic pregnant lady outfit - a pair of the most comfortable black stretchy pants with a turquoise, brown & white stripe shirt. If I had known I wasn't leaving until after Click's birth I would have been better prepared. After the doctor examines me, he explains that I'm 2.5cm dilated and I'd have to stay in the hospital. Still not understanding the severity of my condition, because after all, everyone I knew went close to 40 weeks, had a baby and went home, I mentally had plans to leave the following day. The next 23 days would be a roller coaster ride. It was a test of my faith, my will, and what I believed in God's word. I endured the endless needles; the surgery; being 100% bedridden; the horrible hospital food, and birthed a miracle. At 25.5 weeks gestation, Click was born. 1lb 10.7 oz.
I later found out that he was a celebrity before he even reached the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). As I mentioned, when I walked into the hospital I was 2.5 cm dilated. A week later when the cerclage (closure of the cervix with stitches) was placed I was 4 cm. There was a point during the surgery that everyone began speaking softly and one by one the medical staff gathered around my propped legs. I knew it couldn't be good, but I refused to let my mind run wild. I just closed my eyes and began to pray. At this point, all I could do was pray.After I returned to my room, my nurse, the sweetest little Asian lady said with a heavy accent, "You made that doctor earn his money today!" I wasn't clear on what she meant until the doctor came to talk with us. By the time I made it to the surgery room, Click's feet where outside my vagina. Before the surgery could be performed, the doctor first had to push the bag of water back into my body, WITHOUT breaking it, then close my cervix which was open wide enough for the baby to slip out. This entire experience was foreign to me, but I thought they see similar cases and scenarios often. It wasn't until he visited the next morning and told us how he told his wife about the surgery that I realized it was a rare case.
When Click arrived the NICU was prepared. They'd been waiting an entire 8 days for him. Eight days prior to his arrival I sat on the bed pan to move my bowels (or so I thought). After pushing and feeling a bulge come out, but not from a familiar area, I calmly called for my nurse. Knowing that something wasn't right I said, "please tell me that those are my bowels". Of course you know the answer, it wasn't my bowels, but my bag bulging in my vagina. Despite the cerclage, my cervix was still opening.
The entire time in the hospital I didn't feel any pain. No contractions, no pressure, no cramping, but nurses didn't hesitate to burst in the door at all hours to shoot me with meds in order to stop the contractions that the monitor was reading. Ironically, on October 27, I began experiencing pain, but the monitors weren't picking up the signals. I was blessed to have wonderful nurses. Women who were committed to caring for me each day and night. I remember my nurse coming in and noticing that I was contracting based on the baby's heart rate. His heart rate would decelerate with each contraction. This continued and the decision was made to perform a c-section.
Up until the 27th I tried to remain positive, upbeat, and strong in faith. I had stopped negotiating with God, which I must obviously be terrible at because I didn't get my way at all, and said not my will but Yours be done. I didn't have anymore fight in me, and I knew that Click was coming. I had to trust that he wouldn't suffer from mental retardation, underdeveloped lungs, brain bleeds, and the host of other obstacles that micropreemies face. I had to trust that God knew what He was doing.
Click arrived. I had a 3 second look at him and he was whisked off to the NICU. The doctors had a difficult time getting him out. I later learned that my placenta had begun tearing away, so had he not been delivered when he was, we may have lost him.... God does know best!
The next 3 months was another emotional ride that I'll have to share another time. But know this, he had no issues with his mental ability. He did go home on oxygen but he doesn't have asthma or any lung issues. He didn't need any surgeries. He didn't have issues with his eyes or ears. He did not have one issue that normally plagues micropreemies. That is truly a miracle.
So on this day I celebrate 5 years with my son. It is because of him and the unconventional timing of his birth that I became a SAHM. It has been the best 5 years of my life. He has also forced me into homeschooling and it is with a grateful heart that I thank him, my husband, and my Heavenly Father for the responsibility.
Happy Birthday Click!!
5 is the number of grace. Click comes from a long line - he is the 5th generation.
He also loves Spiderman, can you tell? This picture was taken on his birthday!
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