3 kids +3 schools= CRAZY MOMMY!

Good news!!! Max has a slot for this fall at the Lee Ann Britain Infant & Toddler Development Center. It's a huge step for him and so exciting for all of us!!! Max has been receiving therapy in our home since we brought him here from the NICU. But so far, his doctor didn't agree to any group therapy settings, or more intensive work, because Max's biggest risk was germs. We HAD to keep him away from other kids and all the bacteria that goes along with them.

Finally, this fall, he's agreed that with the speech and feeding issues that have continued, as well as his physical and occupational therapy, it's time to step things up. Most importantly, he agreed, that since Max had his tubes placed in January (in his ears) and hasn't had any major infections, his immunity is maturing a bit.

I had Max on a wait list for the developmental preschool at Lee Ann Britain for next year, when he's 3, but since the speech problems (possible Apraxia) came up, I wanted to hit it head on. My goal has always been to help Max reach his full potential, whatever that is, and I felt we needed to do everything possible to move him forward. He's frustrated by not being able to let us know what he wants a lot of the time, he's bored with the few foods that he does eat, he wants to do more with and be more like his big brother and sister and it's amazing to see how he tries so hard when he's around them.

I took him to visit the school last spring, during the school year. Troy wasn't able to get away from work to go with us... but I was literally in tears at how excited Max was. He just ran and played and had the best time... and it was so wonderful to see him in an enviroment with other children his age around him, having so much fun!!! I carried him kicking and screaming to the car, and sent Troy about a dozen pictures from my cell phone. I told him as soon as we left I knew this was the place I wanted Max to be.. and I just hoped that we'd find a way to make it happen.

We've always trusted God when it comes to Max. Because from the second my water broke, 4 months early, we've had little or NO control over what happens in his life and development. We prayed and asked God to help us help Max. We asked that if this was the right fit, that he'd make a spot for him at the school. (the wait list is long) We asked that he would keep him well so his doctors would agree to this. We asked that he would help us figure out how to pay for this amazing program.  (the cost can be close to $40,000) And then we waited. It's been months and finally, just a couple of weeks ago, we heard from the director, that she had a spot for him! She also confirmed that our insurance, his Medicaid, and scholarships would make it affordable for us. Max is going to school!!!!

He'll be there 3 times a week. I'll be with him for his speech therapy, feeding and swallow therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. There is also a toddler class that we will attend together and by the end of the school year, they'll start to transition him to that class without Mommy, in preparation for preschool next year (2013-14 school year) I can hardly believe it and I"m so excited for him! I just know how much he tries to communicate when he's around other kids and he's eaten different things lately, purely because his brother and sister did... so I"m hoping the peer interaction will him him.

This is so exciting, yet so crazy! I'll have 3 kids at 3 schools this fall!!! Ella will be a 2nd grader at our neighborhood school, Alex is doing transitional kindergarten at his same preschool, and Max will start his therapies and toddler class. I'm still juggling all the schedules, searching for a part-time nanny to help with Alex while I"m at school with Max, and waiting to learn Ella's dance schedule, etc... for the fall.

 It's just another adventure for us as a family, but one we'll gladly accept. We know this is a great opportunity for Max and we hope it's just another step forward in his amazing little life! Prayer accepted and welcomed as always!