RDI and Star Box

Last week we took a, somewhat impromptu, trip to the Tri-Cities to see our RDI Consultant, Christine. We had been on a bit of a "break" from our program when Christine had unexpected surgery. We kept our activities status quo for a bit and then got back in contact as she was feeling better.

Christine had planned on making a visit to our neck of the woods this time, but with some scheduling conflicts we decided a few days ahead of time to head down her way. Both Morgan and Piper LOVE visiting "the hotel" and sleeping in their peapods (mini tents). They were so excited to make the trip!

We have been in a phase of our program where Morgan, David and I were all assessed on our skills and current status of many things such as, our mental health, obstacles that may be in the way of making progress, as well as Morgan's areas of "deficit". I know that terms sounds odd, but this is something you hear a lot when kids with autism are evaluated. Common areas of deficit are social skills (can be a wide range), referencing, joint attention, etc. It is different for every kid. A bit of great news is that Christine didn't see any "outside" areas that needed to be addressed with additional therapies. Some kids need help from an Occupational Therapist or Speech Therapist for specific issues that can be obstacles to progress in RDI. Sometimes these things can show up along the way, but for new we are grateful to not have to consider this.

I also fully appreciate how this program really takes into consideration of the whole family, not just the child with autism. Since it is to be parent led, we need to be in a place where we are able to guide Morgan in the optimum way to help her make progress.

When we met with Christine she gave us a report that included her assessments in all these areas. We reviewed videos that had been previously recorded and discussed the positives and negatives. In the end we received our first three goals. We scheduled meetings through the end of July and are taking new steps forward. David and I have quite a bit of homework to do on our own in addition to working with Morgan. It's going to be busy summer in so many ways!

The picture above is on our scheduled stop at Starbucks on the way home from the Tri-Cities. Morgan refers to this lovely place as "Star Box." Usually the girls get a treat of pink donuts...but that day they didn't have them, so they chose to share a chocolate chunk cookie (see Piper's right hand). Happy girls, make happy car trips!

Update on RDI

So...we made our first trip to the "Tri-Cities" (Pasco, Kennewick and Richland, WA) last week and it went well! The drive was two hours, so not bad. We (meaning me and both girls) made a stop halfway on the way down for Morgan to go potty. As we left the Starbucks restroom I told Morgan we were getting back in the car. She said "No, I want lunch!" Apparently she thought we were stopping for food too. She had already had her lunch at home and we were purposely making the trip during "nap" time so Piper could sleep. I managed to get both of them back in the car and Morgan seemed satisfied with a special scone I got her.

When we got into town we met up with David (who had made the trip early that morning and had some sales calls), had some dinner and went to meet with our consultant, Christine. She runs the Responding to Autism Center in Kennewick and it was an impressive facility. In addition to RDI, they do all sorts of autism assessments and therapies as well as running social skills groups.

That evening we went over the basics of the program and got to know each other a bit. Morgan and Piper played nicely with some toys and who can resist a long hallway to run up and down?! The next morning we did our first RDA, a baseline assessment of where Morgan is at as well as how both David and I interact with her. Christine had us do some specific activities with her and videotaped the sessions. This will be used for comparison when we do future assessments to evaluate how our interactions improve.

David and I have started our first homework assignments. Since RDI is a parent-led program, the first few months are all about educating the families about the program and preparing us to work with Morgan using what they call "Guided Participation." It was wonderful to hear that this program will really be working to change how we interact with Morgan on a day-to-day basis, not any specific time that needs to be set aside for "therapy." We can use the taught techniques any time of the day, eating, playing, any activities outside of the house, etc. We will be helping her to learn the basic communication and social skills she didn't naturally learn. As we have not yet learned the techniques to do this, I don't have examples, but I will share bits and pieces as we go along.

All in all the driving, overnight stay and sessions worked out well. Our next session will be via Skype, so it looks like we will need to make the trip about once a month, which is totally do-able for us. We are also fortunate that Christine has family in the Spokane area too, so she will be able to make some trips our way as well.

Sweet Sleeping Baby

We had just headed back to the hotel from our picnic at Cathedral Beach. Piper fell asleep on the ride. Usually when I pull her out of her car seat she wakes up. She did stir some this time, but I pulled her into my chest really quickly and to my surprise she stayed asleep. I got to snuggle with her in our room for about a half an hour until something woke her up. She hasn't done this since she was a newborn, so it was really sweet to be able to have even a short time of snuggling.

Yosemite Family Reunion

Yay! I finally got my pictures downloaded and had a little time to blog. Piper actually just woke from her nap, so this may have less detail than usual. I probably go on too much anyway.

Our first glimpse of Yosemite Falls. Our road trip up to Yosemite was, well, interesting. On the way up Priest Grade I knew we were in trouble when Morgan starting whining and putting her hand over her mouth. She threw up all over the car!! Poor thing. We were able to pull over and as I was unbuckling her from her carseat she was saying "No, No, No!" I had to strip her down on the side of the road. Once she was wiped down and in new clothes she was happy as a clam. For myself, I had to take care of cleaning the mess of the car seat and the rest of the surrounding items. Ick. We did the best we could and completed the trip without incident. I consider this somewhat a rite of passage for us as parents. It had to happen at some point.

When we arrived in the valley we were struck by the amazing Fall colors. What a great time to be there! This was a get-together with my Dad's siblings and their families, my cousins. It was great to see everyone as we all arrived that day.

At Yosemite Falls, Morgan was more fascinating by stomping in the puddles than anything else. She did like to say "waterfall" over and over.

Piper being sweet with her Aunt Ali. She was nice and smile-y for everyone.

Here are the Bottomley siblings, Forrest (Buster), Berri, Bonnie and Bruce.

Here are some of the cousins, Ali, Amy, Becky and Meg. Poor Sara was resting in her room. She was amazing to make the trip with walking pneumonia. We were so glad to see her though.

Our little family. Not quite Christmas Card worthy, but what can you do with two kids under three years old?

Ah, Half Dome...it was good to see you. I don't have pictures of it, but we had a nice cookout at the Lower Pines campground. It has an even better view of Half Dome.

The entrance to the Ahwahnee Hotel. Mom, Ali and I took a walk over there and had a drink. Yummy Basil Gimlet! It was my one kid-free time during this trip. It was niiiiice...

On our last day we had a picnic at Cathedral beach. Morgan headed straight for the river. She LOVED throwing rocks in the water. My Dad took this action shot. You can actually see the rock!

Piper headed for the water too. She managed not to go in, as Morgan got her shoes soaked!

The whole family! This is the best we could get of Morgan. It looks like she's inspecting something, but she really trying to stand up and run away. She did request a rousing game of "Ring around the Rosie" on the beach though. Funny girl!

Wordless Wednesday: Lower Yosemite Falls

Since we've been gone

It's been a while. We've been off on vacation to Northern California and Yosemite National Park. We are home and getting settled back into our routine. I will post some pictures and updates soon. Quite an adventure traveling with two kiddos under 3 years old. In short, we're finally catching up on some sleep.

California Dreamin'

We are home from almost two weeks visiting family and friends in California. We had a great time! I wish I could always have my camera with me, but I think I got a few good shots that sum things up. Here's how our adventure went...

Morgan and Piper did GREAT on the flights. I do think two hours is tops for flights for a while. Piper was so squirmy on the flight down that David and I switched her back and forth on our laps every 15 minutes or so. We really hyped up the "fun" for the plane journey so Morgan would be comfortable. I was concerned about her sensitivity to loud noises. She did so well!

Even David sucked it up and pretended he was having fun on the flights...though I could see the tension when we had turbulence here and there. We made it!

Morgan with Grandpa B (in red with camera around his neck) at the Lafayette Reservoir. They have a great playground area for toddlers.

Looking tentative at the top of the slide. I think Grandma caught her on the way down.

David took this sweet shot in the tunnel. When I asked Morgan later what she did at the playground, she said "tunnel!" This must have been her favorite part.

After a few days in Lafayette (and David's 25th HS reunion...he had a great time), we journeyed into the mountains to Twain Harte. Here's Piper at "The Lake" with Grandpa A. She sucked poor Grandpa in with her sweet charm. He was smitten!

Morgan's favorite thing in the world, swings! We joked that the lake must be like "heaven" for her...water and swings.

We hung out on the "baby beach" this time. Lots of families and kids having a blast!

Morgan had the best time jumping off the "dock." She even jumped a few times without holding on to David's hands! Our brave girl! She loved her new "puddle jumper" life vest. She even learned how to float on her belly completely horizontal, and sort of swim a little. We just had to keep telling her not to drink the water...ick. She also loved pushing Piper around in the floaty bear.

Morgan with her cousin Keilah. They took turns "jumping" off the fireplace hearth. Cousin Jack liked to play this game too.

Look at these big kids!! Morgan , Keilah and Jack. Last time they were all together they were eight, five and seven months old. Now all 2 1/2....what a fun bunch they were!

Cousin Keilah shared her alligator float with Morgan, who chose to call it a "dinosaur."

Floating into shore. She had so much fun on that toy. You also should have seen all the other fun floaties at the lake, a HUGE duck, a shark...Morgan would point all of them out when she saw them.

Back in Lafayette...giving her best scrunchy face while eating lunch. Piper really made some strides with her eating during the trip. Bye bye baby food and hello table foods! We had her eating Grandma's lasagna at the end of the trip!

This is "The Playhouse" in my parents' backyard. My Grandpa built this for my sister an I when we were about 7 or 8 (is that right, Mom?). My parents spent a lot of time fixing it up before we arrived for this trip. Morgan LOVED having tea parties in here with anyone who would participate.

My parents also hosted a lovely "Open House" at their home for us to invite our friends to. We had a nice group of guests who enjoyed yummy food, refreshments and the California sunshine. It was so nice that week. Usually late July and early August is hot, hot, HOT. But, this year it was unseasonably cool, but still warm. Perfect for us!

David and I were able to enjoy a few jaunts and meals out and about without the girls. The Grandparents loved getting more time with the girls and we had a much-needed break or two. Of course we ate too much, but how can you pass up home cooked meals as well as "home town" favorites that we cannot get in Spokane?! Thanks for every one's hospitality and it was great to see all our families! We look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Portland - Part Three

We had been telling Morgan all week that we were going to the Zoo that weekend. We went to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle a year ago and she wasn't all that interested. We were curious to see how she would do this time. The Oregon Zoo in Portland was beautiful! The kids had a great time and Morgan did seem to enjoy seeing the animals this time.

The eagle's nest

Checking out some fish with Daddy

In the farm exhibit

As tall as a polar bear?

Three girls and a hippo

After the Zoo fun and a nice nap (whew, they were exhausted!) we headed down to West Linn to see our friends Bob and Danielle. We knew Bob and Dani from our Golden Gate Community Church days in San Francisco. Dani had grown up in West Linn and they moved there about the same time David and I moved to Spokane. We had a wonderful time catching up and spending time with their two boys Nate and Cody. We wish we could have had more time with them.

Who are you? Says Nate.

Of course Morgan has to check out all the new toys

Nate flirting with Piper

This was a crack up! Morgan and Cody playing with their Mama's phones...techno kids

Bob, Cody and Danielle...Nate-Nate had gone Night-Night

What a great trip! I think we will be making it an annual jaunt. Now we are preparing for a trip to California in less than a week. Yikes! This trip was good prep for the next one...and this one will include flying with two kiddos. Wish us luck!

Portland - Part Two

Though we loved the time we had in Portland with family and friends, this trip had a purpose beyond that. As I have mentioned occasionally in this blog, I had a miscarriage in December 2006 when we first started to try to expand our family. That was a rough time for me. I really needed a place to use as an outlet to talk about my worries, my fears and how to move forward. During that time I was fortunate enough to find an online group for women who had been through the same experience. These women are from all over the country and are some of the most supportive, wonderful people I've "met." This year there were three "conventions" organized, one on Memorial Day weekend in St. Louis, this one in Portland and one to come in Washington D.C. in September.

We had five families attend our convention in Portland. Kelly was so generous to host a BBQ at her home. We had a great time meeting in person. I was nervous, but it really ended up feeling like we'd know each other forever...though it has been three and a half years for me. As you will see, these families have now been blessed with a few kids each now! It was so fun to see these little "sticky babies" play together. We've all seen tons of pictures of these kids and it was almost surreal for me to see them in one place. Here's some photos from the fun:

The fun continued at the Oregon Zoo on Sunday...more to come!