New Ventures

Whoa! Where does the time go? I cannot believe, a week from today is Christmas! Lots of exciting things going on since my last post. Kolton turned the big 2 on 10-30! Such a big boy!! He had a Cowboy birthday party, but he was a little under the weather the day of his party so he didn't enjoy too much of it!! He got lots of great gifts and everyone else had a great time!! The beginning of November, we had 2 little boys come out (they also recv therapy services from the same place Kolty does) and do therapy horseback riding!! Super exciting!!! Kolton shared his pony, Coco Beans with the little boys, and they loved it!! We had 2 little ones scheduled to come today also, but one was sick so we had to cancel for now. I am super excited to get to share Coco Beans with other special need families. I have wanted to run a handicap riding program for a while, and am praying this is the start of something great. I will keep you posted!!

Kolton is on the verge of walking anyday now, he rarely uses his walker anymore and prefers to just hold your hand. He is working on confidence, and soon as he gets enough he will be off on his own!! I can't even picture in my head, the freedom he will have with walking!! I can't imagine him walking in the store or outside or anywhere!!! I am a little scared!!! But soooo ready- he's so heavy to be carrying around still:)

Ok- for the biggest accomplishment this month- Brace yourself, you may faint when you read what I am about to write!!!

KOLTON FED HIMSELF!!!!! WITH A SPOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If I didn't witness this event first hand, I would not believe it!! He not only surprised me with his talent, he also shared it with Shannon (his OT, whom we now refer to as his 2nd momma, cause he called her mama one day, yes I was a little jealous!! But he LOVES her and so do I, so it's ok)
We were completely shocked, just to refresh everyone's memory- Kolton has NEVER, EVER fed himself, will not even pick up food or a spoon. During his therapy session, we were practicing hand over hand, helping him pick up the spoon and put it in his mouth, when all of a sudden he picked it up and put it in his mouth ALL by HIMSELF!!! We were screaming!!! And he looked at us like we were a little nuts!!! I swear he was thinking- Whats the big deal!!! I can fed myself I just don't want too!!! In fact, I know thats what he was thinking, cause I know Kolty and he is just so hard headed!!! and a little spoiled!! I still get excited when I think about that day!!! Brings a BIG smile to my face- I have never been so proud in my life!!!! You Go Kolty!!!!

Kolton also has a new word- Uh Huh!!! sooo cute!!! of course he doesn't use it appropriately but who cares!!! Its so dang cute, he could say Uh Huh for anything and I LOVE it!!!! The best part about it, when I ask him to say Uh Huh, he says it!!! YAY for Uh Huh!!!! He also is babbling a lot, and can say Ba for ball, bath and basket, Pa for plant, Ga when he sees Gramme, Fa sometimes for fan!!! Speaking of speech!! I decided to switch his Speech Therapy to a new facility that offers speech 2X a week. He was previously recieving speech 2X a month. Needless to say, I think I made a mistake! Yes, I was wrong:( The new place, we have to go to, versus them coming to our home. They also prefer to be one on one with Kolton, which means I have to sit in the waiting room. Granted, we have only gone once (we just started), I just can't do it!!! I could hear him screaming while I sat in the waiting room, and I have come to the conclusion, I am not ready for the seperation!! So I think I will stick it out for the rest of December, and in January start back with Brighton again!!!

The first week of January, we will be flying to California to the MIND Institute!!!! For those in the FX world, you know what this means and how excited I am!!! For those non FXers, this is like going to the White House and meeting the president- well not Obama, but a President you may have liked in the past!! Needless to say this is a HUGE thing for me and Kolty!!! A wonderful organization called Miracle Flights, bought us our plane tickets!!! WOW, I am still speechless:) I am in awe that there are organizations that are willing to help our special kids in any way possible!!


I have to say, when we were first diagnosed, I use to fear what the future would hold for Kolton. What struggles he may go thru, what he may never get to do, and worse of all, what other s would say. I don't know if it is because my life has been some what of a sheltered life as I like to refer to it. I haven't traveled to far away places, worked at an awesome company, all I know is the life immediatley around me. I still live where I was raised and have never really ventured in this world. I haven't really accomplished much. Maybe it was my own fears that I was putting onto Kolton's future. I used to be scared of what others would say about Kolton, if he would be teased in high school, would he have friends, will people understand where he is coming from? But the more I am venturing away from a "normal" life, the more I realize how many people really, genuinely care about our special kids. I can't help but be amazed at how many friends I have made, support I have received, and places I will travel to. All because God chose me to be Kolton's momma.

Whatever Kolton, does or does not do, I am at peace knowing that he will be LOVED wherever he goes. He is infectious, his innocence is consuming, his happiness is addicting and his smile contagious! Here's to the Life ahead!!! Uh Huh:)


Merry Christmas & Happy New Year:)

Mommy's Little Lion

The Cutest Pumpkin in the Pumpkin Patch!!

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!

New Beginnings:)

Wow, it's been a while!!! All I can say is September is definately a month to remember:) It was such a great month, sad to see it end. Kolton and I both have made big steps this month. To start off, the 2nd weekend of September, we attended our first Fragile X support/family outing. We drove up to Dallas for the weekend and were able to meet some great families with Fragile X kids of all ages!! We met some new friends, Christy and Cale. They are newly diagnosed as well, and it was nice for me to get to share my feelings and suggestions with Christy. We both know exactly how each other feels. I wish we lived closer!!

I had such an amazing time- seeing the kids and for the first time I felt like Kolton really fit in! No one cared if he threw his blocks, flapped his arms, or chewed his hand. He was one of them. He was accepted the way he is. In that one day, I was in his world. I did not have to worry or think about what others were thinking. What he was doing/ acting was the normal. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Today I still feel like that. I don't care what anyone thinks- I know that I love him for exactly what he is, and somewhere in this world he belongs, he fits in. Kolton will always fit in with me:)

The middle of September, Kolton's previous OT therapist, Shannon returned to Brighton (school Kolton receives therapy services from). This was like Christmas for me!!! Oh what a gift, to have Shannon back:) He loves her, and by her second visit, their relationship was back to were it had been!! I cannot wait to see the progress he makes with Shannon. Speaking of progress- he has made TONS. I don't even know where to start!!! He LOVES to play "BEANS". Yes, beans!!! This is a sensory play and the first time he was introduced to beans, he crawled away and would not come within 3 feet of the tupperware of beans. Now he will dig, pour, and dump the beans everywhere. So exciting!!! Except I am finding beans everywhere. I changed his diaper this morning and found a bean:) Sent a bag to my mom's this morning, and she found a bean!! Was at the store the other day and found a bean in my purse when I pulled out my wallet!! Beans are an instant smile for me, I can't help but think of Kolton (and all he has accomplished). When I walk pass the bean aisle in the grocery store - I smile:) Thanks Kolty:)

Kolton also has the "IN" concept down and actually helped Kaylee pick up her toys. He put "IN" two of her pet shops in her toy box!!!! Go Kolty!!!

In September, Kolton also started music therapy. I was skeptical at first, especially when I listened to the music!!! But he seems to really enjoy it and I have seen a difference in his behavior since we started so I now believe it works!!! The music is very strange and made of strange noises (such as dolphin shrieking sounds) not very appealing to the everyday person. However, to Kolton, the music helps him be more aware of his body, his surroundings and gives him a lot of input. It has been compared to riding a roller coaster. The feeling we get from riding a roller coaster, Kolton gets from listening to strange music!!! Oh, how I wish I could slip into his mind- I would love to see whats going on in there!!! I know it is something amazing- and I am missing out!!

Earlier this year, around April, Kolton started using Sure Step orthotic ankle braces to help him walk. Well the little monkey, outgrew them in no time and has now received new and improved orthotics in a cool camo print!! Kolton has such low muscle tone, he has a hard time standing. Low muscle tone also causes loose tendons and makes Kolton stand on his ankles!! His feet turn in so much he is literally walking on his inside ankle. Ouch!!! With his Sure Steps, he was so strong he was turning them in as well, so his new orthotics are a little taller. The right one goes up to the bottom of his knee and the left just above his ankle. The right one is also a "double" orthotic, a smaller one the fits into the larger/taller one. Kolton's right foot is worse than his left, the reason for the extra support. These will in time, train Kolton to keep his foot in the correct position and not roll them over. We are walking every chance we get. I am secretly hoping he can make a grand entrance at his birthday party, but if not, his walker received a super cool makeover with racing flames and a custom flame name plate!!! So cool:)

September was filled with lots of New Beginnings. New friendships, new starts and new accomplishments. Kolton and I are both growing everyday. I am learning more about myself than I ever have. I am actually amazed at all I can do!! I am no longer wandering in the dark, but slowly finding my path through the tunnel and towards the light. Somedays the light is still dim, but I would take the dim over dark any day!! Fragile X is no longer my every thought. I am doing things, going places, and actually having friends!! Wonderful friends that totally accept and love Kolty for who he is. I realize that the people I love and that love us will accept Kolty for himself, if not they lose- not me. Kolton is amazing and he shows me a miracle everyday.

September in Texas started with rain- something we haven't seen almost all year. I have to say that rain is a misconception. Most would agree that rain brings on gloomy days and sad thoughts. But I would have to disagree. My September has been the best month I have had in about a year. Our trip to Dallas, was very wet. It didn't just rain, it poured, heck it flooded. But I saw it in a different aspect. What happens after it rains? Everything grows. God gave me the rain, to help me grow. Whether its tears or rain drops falling, I say let it pour, cause after every rain storm is a rainbow. Kolton is mine.

Kolty,

Let's grow together.

Love,

Mama

I am the cutest:)