Happy New Year!

The end of 2009 was a very sick one for our family. All four of us wound up with a nasty respiratory infection through Christmas. While Justin and I have recovered for the most part, Jeff and Zane are still fighting off the wicked bug. For Zane, this has meant four nebulizer treatments a day of both Pulmicort and Albuterol, along with a nasal irrigation of saline solution throughout the day.

The end of 2009 also marked another disappointment with respite care. Jeff and I had planned to spend time alone with Justin on the slopes of Durango Mountain Resort. An hour before we had intended to leave, the respite worker canceled. I have given up on outsiders providing us with the respite that we so desperately need. My parents came to celebrate the Christmas holiday with us. My dad—who has taken care of Zane before—agreed to watch him while we took Justin to Wolf Creek. That is when we fell ill. Fortuntely, Jeff’s parents are coming next weekend to watch both boys. Jeff and I plan to ski at Telluride while they are here. We will take Justin out skiing later this month even if it means taking Zane along to the slopes. I am through training respite workers and relying on them for assistance. It is too stressful to continue along the path I have been on with them since August of 2009.

We hope that 2010 brings peace and happiness to everyone. We plan to start off the new year on a positive and healthy note (that is, once all of us are back to being healthy).

Happy Birthday, Zane!

Tuesday, December 22nd is Zane's third birthday!!! Happy birthday to the most beautiful three-year-old I know, to the little boy who has inspired me more than any adult ever has. We're so happy to have you in our lives, Zane. Thank you for being born.

Love,
Your Mom

IEP Day

Zane had his IEP meeting today, which officially moves him out of early intervention and into the public school system. While he will now receive services (PT, ST, and OT) from San Juan Board of Cooperative Educational Services, he will not begin preschool until next school year. Instead, he will start going to the preschool to see the therapists instead of having them come to us at the home. Things went well with his IEP, and Zane will continue to see his current PT, as well. We hope to have him sitting without hands-on assistance by August when he will start his educational career.

Also, I have trained a fourth respite care provider this past week. The last one decided that the drive from Durango to where we live (18 miles) was too long. Good thing she doesn’t live in the Phoenix area; she’d never survive the commutes there. Oh well. This is the last person I plan to train for quite awhile. So far I am running a deficit in the respite department, having invested more hours in training than have been given to me.

In less than two weeks, Zane will be three years old. We never thought we would see this day come to fruition.