My 2011 Report Card

What did we accomplish this year 2011?

Ozzy and I had a whirlwind year last year. I’ve had to go back to teaching. Ozzy’s had to start therapy. Ama has had to wear two hats at work. It’s been very busy busy busy!

Ozzy has learned to do so many things in 2011 and here’s my account for it:

1.       POTTY TRAINING … with mild to moderate resistance. He got scared of the potty at some point. He learned to say “diaper” because he wanted one on. Reverted back to diapers for a week. And now completely diaper free… unless we are in someone else’s house. For some reason, he doesn’t like going to other people’s toilets.

2.       EATING INDEPENDENTLY… with much resistance. He didn’t like making a mess so he resisted for a very long time. It’s a good thing he likes to eat and so we taught him to eat by giving him some of his favorites which he can’t resist. Healthy? I confess not always.

3.       BOTTLE WEENING… mild resistance. We did it gradually. Sippy cup, training cups, cups with spouts, and small plastic glasses. I didn’t teach him the straw. I’m afraid of bacteria-filled non-disposable straws. I couldn’t trust myself to clean it well.

4.       POLITE EXPRESSIONS… Ozzy learned his polite expressions last year. By December he can say Please, Thank you, Welcome, Sorry, Good night, Good morning, Good bye.

5.       PACK AWAY … 2011 was a year of order so for both of us, I feel as though we were preparing foundations for the future including packing away. I no longer have tons of toys lying around. Everything is organized and shelved. Ozzy himself can return toys that have been left behind in the right box and has consistently packed away before starting with another set of toys.

6.       READING BOOKS… As soon as he learned to stay put, I dove into reading books. It’s calming for him to read books before going to sleep. It’s our transition time. Sometimes I’d feel too tired to read. But he would insist. And I would always feel obliged.
7. ALPHABETS, NUMBERS, COLORS, and SHAPES... Ozzy seems to take on learning like a sponge. He can count before he can string together words. His therapy teacher was surprised with what he knows when they took it up in class... so they went straight to drawing lines.
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It’s been a very fruitful 2011 I think and I’m fairly excited about 2012.  Another year of making memories. Another year for loving and learning how to love. When asked about what my plans are, I always hear my grandmother’s song in my head “Que Sera Sera! Whatever will be, will be! The future’s not ours to see! Que Sera Sera!”

Family Pictures

Christmas 2011. Thank you Tito Lito and Tita Jojo for the Train!

My family! Buti na lang matangkad yung tree!

Ozzy's Second Christmas (2010). Ama, made him a steering wheel. He would make engine sounds endlessly. I don't have a family picture for this Christmas however. If anyone has a picture of us, do send! 

Christmas 2009. Just before Ozzy turned one!

Look what I found in Fully Booked!

Thank you Santos family for Ozzy's Fully Booked GC!

Ozzy and I tried it the first time and immediately, we clicked! Ozzy and I could talk about the pictures. The guide helps me ask the questions for him to answer. It's so much fun! And, immediately, I'm impressed by how Ozzy could answer my questions! ( Notice the number of exclamation points I've made so far.)

I went with Ozzy to one of his occupational therapy sessions and overheard another teacher and a student having their session. Teacher was asking questions using pictures and student was prompted to answer. I said to myself, although without confirmation from the people I was eavesdropping from, "this must be speech therapy..." So when I saw this box in Fully Booked, I got immensely excited! Ozzy has already learned two words from the activity!

Ozzy's 3rd Christmas...

 Because of Ozzy's love for trains, there was an actual train installed under the tree at my grandparents' house for Christmas Eve. I was brought back to my childhood when my grandparents' house would literally look like its "glowing" at Christmas time. At my age, things have stopped glowing years ago, but I'm glad Ozzy gets that  chance to have his "glowy" Christmas. Thank you everybody for making this season special for him. My husband took his vacation leave (because he never takes any), my siblings took us shopping, and friends and family just gave appropriate gifts. I think my Christmas has just started getting "glowy" too.

Or maybe I've grown more appreciative this year. I am thankful for all the clarity I have received from our Lord, and the gift of strength that I personally didn't think I had. I am grateful for our good health. And the promise that God is faithful to us always.

I am praying for much about the same things this year. Nothing new. I pray for wisdom, that as I raise my son,  I'll always have the presence of mind to make the right decisions. I pray for my husband's good health and good performance at work. I pray for our financial needs. I also pray for my friends' and families' guidance and help from our Lord always.  

Father like Son!

At home chilling out, watching Top Gear

In Bermuda , after lunch.

I've been meaning to post these pictures, but have had a hard time with time. Anyway, thank God for time!

Life According to Mommy

I am reading a very helpful parenting book right now entitled "Train Up A Child" by Nancy Van Pelt and it has given so much encouragement that I can succeed in this new found job description of parenting. In one of her chapters, she pointed out that if a child is different from his peers, he should have a talent. A game he is good at. A field of his own where he can find confidence within himself.

And so here I was talking to my husband about it:

wife: Halsy, ozzy should have a talent....(explain, explain, explain about the book). I think he should have toddler soccer lessons.
husband: (a skeptic of all things sports that involved running) Sports?
wife: Well, he doesn't like music. He makes me stop whenever I sing.
husband: That doesn't mean he doesn't like music.

The following day husband says  to prove a point "See, he likes Music!"

My Journey

Six months ago, my son had to see a developmental pedia for his speech delay. A series of assessment tools commenced, and was diagnosed with hyperactivity with symptoms of AD. In my heart, I knew the doctor was right, but nonetheless, my heart ached with such results.

As a teacher, I knew there is no real easy way to break strong issues to parents, and as I was in the receiving end for the first time, I asked myself, if I had loved and cared for him enough. Why was he a whirlwind of a boy? How did I contribute to that? I felt as though I have done too many mistakes and that somehow God has let me.

Ozzy has gone through six months of occupational therapy, concentration activities, and a significant structured life style change. His speech has improved significantly. He has now learned to say thank you, welcome, sorry, good night, and good morning. He has recently learned to say please. He is pleasant and kind to everyone he meets, he is generous and obedient to us. He can now sit and complete tasks, read a book, and pack away. I felt accomplished and proud of the progress he has made.

Today, we saw the developmental pedia again for a follow up. Another series of assessment tools were given. Today he was diagnosed with a developmental language disorder. Once again, with my heart broken, booked another slot, this time for speech. Feeling down trodden, but fighting enough to smile at him---things will be ok.

There are days that I feel like I’m at it all by myself, and days when even my son won’t take part in it willingly. There are times when I feel that the universe conspires and make even the small things difficult. It gets exhausting and consuming. I have cried buckets.

There are days in this journey when I feel that God has had His hand helping out. I stumbled into a good self help book, and a parenting book that has done miracles to my perspective. God has kept my head above water many times and has given me enough presence of mind to be functional. I am nothing all by myself lately. I am no expert, nor do I have established full proof parenting skills, OCD, or time to spend monitoring my son at home. I leave it all to God now because He’s got the plan. He loves my son as much as He loves anyone and I firmly believe that. He will bless our journey because we belong to Him. He will be there if not for us, with us until the end.