Progress over fits...

Looking back at a few posts from this year, I can already see the progress Madilyn is making. She is drinking from a straw perfectly, now. I still give her spill-proof cups with straws, but this is a huge step for her. I'm completely phasing out the old plastic sippy cups and switching to stainless steel bottles with straws from the CG Kidz line (more information below). With all the carcinogens floating around way too easily in our world each day, I try very hard to provide the best products and food for my family.

She is exploring more and more on her own as well. Since she started taking a few steps and trying to stand up on her own, she travels the house between her bedroom, bathroom and the living room. She feels confident in herself and that she knows where she is, but I know there will be quite a few bumps and bruises along the way. She is just the 'right' height for hitting her head on counters and too often when she starts to fall, she leans forward with her head, uncontrollably using it to find the closest piece of furniture to stop her tumble. With this in mind (no pun intended), we are working with her cane a lot to help guide her in locating where the walls, furniture and steps are around her. Sometimes it seems like the cane is just one more thing she has to think about when she is focusing on simply walking, but in the long run it can only help her with orientation and mobility (often referred to as O&M).

TERRIBLE TWO'S AT SIX?
It's literally been baby steps for so long, I forget to treat her like she is 6 years old sometimes. But she is mature enough now to know how to act appropriately and when to do so. However, today I took Madilyn to a meeting at a restaurant. It was pretty informal and I had to either take her, or not go. So I took her. And I did not leave there a happy momma! She cried and whined the entire time. I was very embarrassed to say the least. I brought her drink and a movie to listen to on my phone, but that didn't matter. She was set on getting out of there the best way she knew how. I tried to wait her out, taking a couple glares from surrounding diners, but I couldn't take it. I was frustrated, flustered and furious all at the same time! I know she was just throwing a fit because she was fine once we were in the car. She knew she was on her way home (getting her way) and that was all she cared about. Well, I can say that she went straight to time-out after a silent car ride. No TV, no movies, no chocolate milk. I explained what she did was wrong and how upset I was about it. I can't stand the thought of hurting her feelings, though she has to learn how to act in public. I think it is hard for her to know what is going on around her in unfamiliar places, but she can't just throw fits. I want her to want to listen and learn. I've found knowledge is the key for her comfort. Is it not that way for most of us?

The CynerGreen water bottles are truly wonderful; we have a couple for each person in our house and they make great gifts! Check them out online!
www.cynergreen.com
www.cgkiz.com

World Oceans Day

Yesterday, we joined other organizations and individuals in celebrating World Oceans Day! You can still celebrate with your blind child, make an ocean replica! You don't need much, and many of the items you probably already have on hand.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• small/medium leak proof tub - glass is better environmentally, but plastic (BPA FREE) may be safer with small children
• play sand
• seashells
• water
• rocks, plants, and other treasures - like those you would put in an aquarium
• salt (optional)
• blue food coloring for children with low vision (eco-friendly, of course)

The idea is pretty simple. Just fill the tub part way with sand, seashells, and whatever else you desire; then fill with water! Add the food coloring last if you choose to use it. I mixed a little salt with water in a cup for Madilyn to taste and compare with regular water. But, salt water is dehydrating so don't drink more than a sip!

  

The pollution of our oceans is often overlooked since so many of us rarely, if ever, visit these vast wonders that make up 70% of our Earth. But the truth is the oceans are in great need of our attention. The sea life, coral reefs, sharks, whales, stingrays, manatees and more, are being affected daily by our bad habits. Pollution isn't just made up of the trash being thrown out windows or the exhaust drifting from our tailpipes, but also the chemicals we use to clean our homes, pesticides sprayed on plants, and even emissions from paint. The scary part is a majority of the materials that make up our homes, cars, and clothing, aren't always safe. In short, be aware of what you are using, touching and eating. Do your part. Check out organizations like TakePart.com and companies doing good like CynerGreen.com and CGKidz.com!

All That Shines...

We've been practicing math concepts a lot lately with Madilyn- counting, shapes, and more. Math doesn't seem to come as easy to blind children as it does sighted children. I get so overwhelmed sometimes when I think of all the things Madilyn is missing out on just by not seeing. We recently moved into a new home with many beautiful windows that give us an ever changing display of the most unique art one could ask for, the sky. I sit and look out, wondering what Madilyn listens to, or feels, to get the same satisfaction as I do from the magnificent colors and textures.

When Madilyn was born, I immediately thought of all the things she would miss out on by not seeing them. How could you ever appreciate a sunset without being able to see the natural blends of colors no man can recreate? But she has recently become fascinated with the sun anyway. She is captivated by its warmth. She sat on the chaise one day by the window, sunbeams streaming in full force without the curtains or blinds to hinder them. She waved her hand about in front of her face, blocking a little piece of the ray on her face. I know she could feel the coolness on that little shaded spot of creamy skin instantly. I just sat in awe of how she was 'seeing' what I thought she may never know. I almost felt like crying to see her expressions as she experimented with positioning her hand in different places, probably feeling the warmth, then the coolness, dance back and forth between her hand and her sweet little smiling face.

Since this moment, when of course I had no camera at my fingertips, Madilyn has asked to feel the sun each day. At our new house, the schoolroom/playroom has three long floor to ceiling windows in a bay where she can lounge around and feel the sun most any hour of the day. I didn't realize that she wasn't getting much sunshine at all throughout the day inside our old apartment, which had very few windows and we kept them shut for privacy most of the time anyway. We went out for walks and more, but that doesn't compare to getting caught in a sunbeam on a lazy afternoon. I wait each day for moments like that one. I assure you my days are full of brightness just seeing her smile and be happy, but every parent must know that there are just some little moments that fill our hearts and last a lifetime.

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see a shadow." - Helen Keller