Ufff. It’s been a while. Mostly because, like the rest of you, we have been trying to keep our heads above water during this pandemic. But, like most seasons in our family, it has not been boring...
* Because Connor is considered high risk and just to be good humans, we have mostly been quarantining since March 14. With no family or close friends nearby, we’ve been experiencing the isolation that I know so many are facing. Life with a child who has intense special needs can be isolating in and of itself. The pandemic has only multiplied those realities.
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| Bike riding at one of our favorite local parks |
This fall we have done a couple of outdoor, masked hangouts with friends and colleagues which has been so life giving. Mostly our weeks have been filled with soaking in the sunshine and exploring the many forest preserves in Chicagoland and partaking in a few fall outdoor activities. If I’m being honest, my deepest dread right now is the impending winter here and that the weather will force us indoors for the weeks and months to come.
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| Connor's first day of 3rd grade |
Connor has been doing so-so with distance learning. I think he misses the interaction with adults and kids at school but can mostly pay attention during his Zoom time. The hardest thing is that Connor is not an independent learner, so one of us needs to be sitting with him almost all the time.
Next week, Connor goes back to in person learning two days a week. In some ways it was a difficult decision to send him back and in other ways, a no brainer. Our district is being super careful and just bringing back special education kids and then preschool through second grade in the weeks to come. I think this arrangement will be much better for Connor and his learning and frankly, our sanity.
* At the beginning of April, when it was evident that we were going to be doing this at home quarantine thing for a while, we decided to go all in with potty training Connor. Knowing he likely wouldn’t tell us when he had to go, we went the “habitual” route – meaning he sat on the potty every 30 minutes. It felt like all we were doing was going to the bathroom, putting him on the toilet and washing hands. For weeks. We gave ourselves a little grace and pushed the schedule to every 45 minutes. About once a week, Connor would go on the toilet, boosting our hopes that this was really going to happen. Accidents were rare and he became an ace at holding everything in until it was rest time or bedtime.
And here we are, six months later in about the same place. He’s in big boy undies all day except for rest time and sleeping. He has not had an accident in weeks. He also doesn’t go potty in the toilet. I’m not sure what’s next in this adventure. We’re consulting with experts and doctors to see what the healthiest and most developmentally appropriate next step is.
Oh – and we don’t put him on the potty every 45 minutes anymore. Our backs revolted and there is now more time in-between visits.
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| Practicing mask wearing. You can see his left eyelid is quite droopy when he isn't actively hoisting it up |
* While at home, we’ve continued with all of Connor’s therapies. He’s doing great pedaling his bike in short bursts and we have a new walker on loan from Easter Seals that he isn’t protesting 100% any more. He is making more sentences on his talker and learning to describe things in more detail. Fine motor skills continue to be a struggle, but we’ve found several new games and activities on his school Chromebook that help strengthen those skills.
Please keep this upcoming neurology appointment and Connor’s
return to school in your prayers. Know that we are thankful for all your love!
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| Bonus picture! On one of our many walks this summer |
