Rafi's 1st School Project

Rafi has been attending a PreK class for 3 year old children who have a slight delay in development.  In Rafi's case his delay is in speech so he is also getting Speech Therapy 3 times a week.  He is doing soo well.  It's only been 2 weeks and his teacher says he is improving already.  We are super happy for this news.  He will also start Occupational Therapy this week to see if he has any Sensory Processing issues.  His teacher says she has not seen any so far in the classroom.  His original evaluation shows that he does need the therapy.  He gets frustrated easily and is impossible to calm down once he gets a "meltdown".  A meltdown is what I call him crying and screaming for a very long period of time.  It is not a tantrum but rather him showing his frustration due to his lack of communication and possible sensory issues. 
As I shared before in this post, I have been reading The Out of Sync Child.  This book has been super helpful in understanding exactly what is going on with Rafi and why he behaves the way he does at times. 
Rafi is doing so well that he already has made a new friend.  :o)  I won't share his name due to privacy, but he and his family are very nice and sweet.  He even loves greeting Isabella when I go pick up Rafi after class.  He calls Isabella "his baby".

Stay tuned for more updates on how Rafi is doing with school and his therapy sessions.

Thanks for reading!! 

God Bless You!

Cloth Diapering

In an effort to try and save money so that we can afford Rafi's new diet and therapy for Sensory Processing Disorder, I decided to switch my daughter Isabella to cloth diapers. 
I started using Kawaii Diapers because they were more affordable.  Since then, thanks to sales and free gift cards, I added some Fuzzibunz and BumGenius diapers to our collection.  I also use a Fuzzibunz hanging pail to keep the dirty diapers until I do laundry.  I wash them every two days or so.  So far, I have 8 Kawaii, 8 Fuzzibunz, and 4 BumGenius.  I think this should be enough so I can wash them every 2 days. 
I use Rockin Green detergent to wash them as you need a special detergent otherwise your diapers will start to repel rather than absorb.  I also use biodegradable flush-able diaper liners by Gro-Via.  These make cleaning soiled diapers super easy. 
For diaper rash, which now that she is on cloth diapers she rarely gets them, I use Gro-Via Magic Stick or Coconut Oil.  They are both safe for cloth diapers.  Other creams could damage or stain cloth diapers.    

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

I am currently learning tons about Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).  We are suspecting that our son has it and while he gets officially diagnosed I am reading and learning as much as possible to be able to help him.  I am reading the Out of Sync Child and the Out of Sync Child has Fun both by Carol Stock Kranowitz.  So far I answered a questionnaire and was able to determine which areas he needs the most help.  The books also have tons of activities to do with them.  I have so far tried home made play doh, silly putty, walking on a sheet of bubble wrap, home made oobleck, and recently ordered him a trampoline to get him jumping. 
I will be posting photos and recipes for the home made items.  I will also be posting some more detailed information on what I learn about SPD as I go thru this journey with our son. 

Crayola Bubbles and More at Toys R Us - Saturday Fun

Rafi and I went on a morning outing on Saturday.  Here is what we did together while Dad watches Izzie at home. 
We went to Toys R Us today.  We got an excellent deal on Crayola Outdoor products.  We got a bubble launcher, a bubble set with different wands, and a box of 52 sidewalk chalk.  All for just over $13 after sale and coupons.  I used $2 off coupons for the Bubble products and the sale was 25% off the bubble launcher, almost 50% off the bubble set and Buy 2 Get 3rd Free so the Sidewalk Chalk set was Free.  Very cool!  Anyway, the color bubbles are super colored.  Here is a photo of Rafi after he played with it. 

They are non toxic and washable so no problems.  :o) 
We also got him a Spiralin Seas Waterpark by Little Tikes.  It was on sale for $29.99 and I had a $5 off coupon for any Little Tikes product and a $5 off coupon on any $25 purchase plus a $5 rewards certificate.  So after all the discounts I paid about $15 for it.  I am super happy.  Izzie got some pants from the clearance rack at B1G1 50% off clearance price.  We also got a couple of other baby items we needed and paid about $34 after all discounts.  Very nice!! 
We also went to Old Navy and got flip flops for $1 each (5 limit per person).  They do this sale every year which is nice cause you can get the kids new sizes. 
We also got some Frappuccinos at Barnes and Noble.  He got Vanilla Bean and I got the Decaf Mocha Coconut. Very yummy treat on a terribly Hot Summer FL Day! 

What did you all do on Saturday?

Returning to my blog!!

Hi everyone!  I took a too long leave of absence but I am returning to share lots of new things.  I recently added a new member to the family.  Her name is Isabella Rose.  She is precious!! 

So with our newborn will come new baby info that I would like to share with you all.  Also, I am currently learning about Sensory Integration Issues in children so you will be reading a lot about that too.

Thanks for your patience with me.  I have a desktop and not a laptop so it makes it difficult to sit down to write with two young children, but I will be making time to share now lots of new and old info with you as well as photos of our growing children.

God Bless!!

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Xander and the Wind - A Story Before Bed Free Books

Here are two more Free books from A Story Before Bed.

• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

• Xander and the Wind

Go HERE for my previous posts about other Free books from A Story Before Bed.

These books are valued at $9.99.  All you need is a camera and microphone on your computer so you can make a recording of you reading the story for your child.  Once it is recorded, you can preview it before saving it.  After you save it, you can access it anytime.  If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod you can access it there too after you download their free app.

Free Samples by Mail

I just signed up for the following Free Samples by Mail. 
Thanks goes to Freebies 4 Mom for posting these.

• Garnier Fructis Anti-Dandruff hair care from Walmart.
• Wisk laundry detergent from Walmart.
• Crest Pro-Health for Me toothpaste from Vocalpoint.
• Crest Pro Health Clinical Protection toothpaste from Walmart.
• Cottonelle Fresh Flushable Wipes tub Not a Free Sample for an actual Full Tub from Cottonelle for you and a Friend when you sign up to receive a coupon by mail for a free tub.
•  Jergens Overnight Repair Nightly Restoring Moisturizer and Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer plus a $1 coupon.
•  Dove Damage Therapy Daily Moisture hair care sample from Costco. This sample is available to everyone (just leave the membership number field blank)
•  Pampers Dry Max diapers (your choice size 3, 4, or 5) from Sam’s Club for everyone (you do not need to be a Sam’s Club member to receive your free sample).  Freebies 4 Mom site says it is expired but I was able to fill out the form and get a confirmation stating I should receive it in about 4-6 weeks so we shall see.
• 2011 Planning Calendar from WomensHealth.gov. Calendars begin shipping December 2010. I was able to order one English and one Spanish Calendar.
  
• Shout Color Catcher from SCJohnson.  
• Kashi TLC Snack Drive (select from TLC Cereal Bar Ripe Strawberry, TLC Chewy Granola Bar Trail Mix, TLC Crackers Original 7 Grain).  I chose the Crackers. 
• John Frieda Root Awakening Strength Restoring Shampoo, Strength Restoring Conditioner and Strength Restoring Smoothing Lotion.  Fill out the form and answer a few questions about your current hair care plan.

That is all for now.  I needed to catch up as I have not been using my computer very much since I found out I am pregnant.  I now feel I have more energy so you should see more posts from me from now on.

Thanks and Enjoy the Free Samples!!