663 + 559 Weeks

It has been a big week, following a nice weekend.  On Thursday night last week, Arley and Carmie had a massive fight, instigated by Arley and continued by Arley.  He felt really bad the next day, so Clint took Arley to the mall for his Friday session, so that Arley could buy Carmie a present.  It made the world of difference to Carmie, and was a sweet thing for Arley to do.  On Saturday morning we had Lolo and Dida over for morning tea.  I had made ginger cookies and a cinnamon apple tea cake, both of which disappeared too quickly!  It was good to have my parents over.  The kids and I see them once a week, but we had missed out on Tuesday, so it was nice.  That afternoon Carmie went down to her social group in Caloundra, without Arley this time as he has given up on the joining the groups.  Instead he is doing a one-on-one session with Sprinkle every Wednesday, and that is going along smashingly, he loves it.

Jeff and I got in some unicycling on Sunday, and we had a sneaky lunch out without the kids.  We went to Rice Boi (remember the queues for this place, Dad and Colleen?).  It was really good.  Afterwards though we got caught in the rain on our unicycles, which definitely makes it less fun.

We had so many appointments this week.  Carmie had psychology, and she also saw her endocrinologist to get the results from her endoscopy.  While her coeliac markers are still high, she is looking good on the inside, with no active coeliac disease or inflammation in her digestive tract.  So that is great news.  However we were at the paediatrician today, still trying to figure out why Carmie is getting sick and dizzy all the time.  We now have a referral to see a cardiologist to get Carmie assessed for something called POTS.  It is never-ending.  Poor Carms.

I took Arley to the dentist on Wednesday.  He is doing really well with his Invisalign treatment.  Everything is on track to be finished around July/August.  They are still widening his mouth and there is a lot more teeth-moving that needs to be done, but his teeth are looking so much better!  Couldn't be happier :)

Carmie just got home from her dungeons and dragons session, all smiles.  She absolutely loves it, and has now started collecting D&D dice.  Tomorrow Arley has Clint in the morning, then a new support worker coming over in the afternoon to hang out and play with him at home.  If it goes well, this new guy, Alexander, will be a regular Friday afternoon activity for Arley.  Fingers crossed!

I think that's it.  Barely any photos from this week.  One of Carmie, and one of Clint changing the tyre on my car.  I forgot to mention that - on the way to the endocrinologist on Tuesday, I got a flat tyre.  So stressful!  Jeff had lessons, so Clint came and saved the day.  But that is my second flat tyre in a month since getting four new tyres.  How unlucky can I be!!

662 + 558 Weeks

This has been a week of overwhelm!  On Saturday morning we had our first open mic and jam session for Jeff's guitar school.  We were worried about the weather, as it was super windy, and we weren't sure who was going to rock up, but we ended up with a small group and we all fit into the alcove on our back patio, out of the wind.  It was a successful first jam session.  We are putting them on monthly as a bonus for the guitar students, so we are very happy this first one was a success.

On Monday morning I took Carmie in for her endoscopy.  She was pretty nervous, but handled it well.  There was quite a lot of waiting around, before and after.  They let me stay with her until she was asleep, and then she was done half an hour later.  She was very groggy, but told me she had just had the best sleep ever.  Haha.  Her endocrinologist said he couldn't see any active coeliac disease, but she had 'nodularity' in her oesophagus.  They took biopsies all the way down, and we'll get the results next week.  My hope is they can find out why she hasn't been well, but that it is an easy fix!

We cancelled Taekwon Do and going to Lolo and Dida's on Tuesday, as Carmie had a sore throat and the weather was torrential rain.  I also needed a day to recover from the stress of the day before.  On Wednesday the kids went to Clint at Chambers Island, and then our support worker took Arley down to Caloundra for a new one-on-one social group with Carmie's friend Sprinkle.  It is exactly what he needs.  He adores Sprinkle, and she likes him too, and because it's just the two of them, he gets all the attention, which is what he needs for his confidence.  In a group setting, as soon as he is trying hard to fit in and they don't notice him, he gets really upset and gives up. So, we finally have a 'group' for him that he enjoys!  He'll be hanging out with Sprinkle every week, and he's stoked.

I think that's all the news from this week.  I'm glad it's almost the weekend!  My exhaustion is real!

Waiting for her procedure 

Chowing down at her favourite place, the gluten free bakery

My Bear

Matrix Guitar School Jam Session :)

661 + 557 Weeks

I have no photos for this week!  Except for one of Bella - I'm not sure that really counts?  We have been quite busy.  Arley went snorkelling with Clint on Friday.  He was very worried about the sand at the beach, and we had a bit of trouble convincing him he would be ok, but he came back home all smiles.  On Saturday he tried out Carmie's social group.  They brought in two guinea pigs for him to play with, and he did just ok.  He feels quite left out because Carmie is well-loved there and gets a lot of the attention from the other kids.  Once he feels awkward or out of place he shuts down and blocks the world out with his iPad and headphones.  Arley says he is not going back, which is a bugger, because Jeffrey and I really enjoyed our child-free Saturday afternoon!

Because I keep injuring myself, I went to see an exercise physiologist on Monday.  She has put me on an exercise program, and now I'm back to working out, which feels great.  On Tuesday we were back at Taekwon Do, except that Arley wasn't feeling well so he stayed in the car, and Carmie kept getting faint, so the lesson was pretty much all mine, and it was awesome.

Speaking of Carmie getting faint, she has still been on and off sick this week, but possibly not as bad as last week.  She is scheduled for her endoscopy on Monday morning, so keep your fingers crossed.

Jeff and I have been working really hard in his guitar school.  It is great that the business is growing, however I am finding very little time for painting.  I keep telling myself that one day my time will come.  Perhaps it really will!

This is what happened when I put down my mat for exercising this morning!