Our First House Party

Today was our first little family get together at our new home. We kept it very simple. We had doughnuts, coffee, muffins and juice. It was easy to put together and easy to clean up. We had a great time. For most of the family this was their first time seeing the house since they saw it in it's flooded state.

Most Sundays we all get together at a restaurant. Our family has way too many people to try and sit at one table. The person you sit next to is about the only person you talk to. Today was awesome because we were able to go mingle.

Today was the first, but definitely won't be the last. And with summer on the way, I can smell the bar-b-ques in the air. Yeah summer!!

Silly Little Boy

Noah got a hold of my headband the other day. He is so silly. Shawn was not very happy about the pictures. Dad's are so funny like that. Noah is enjoying a healthy morning snack, grapes, tomatoes and milk.

I love this little boy of ours. :)

Not Autistic?

Brain Freeze.. Today was Noah's first day of roller skating. He did really well.

Shawn and I went to the University of Iowa February 6th with Noah. Noah was referred to U of I because we have had a really hard time finding a pediatrician that would be his primary doctor.

Shawn and I were in high hopes of this appointment to be in our favor. Another reason that we were going to the U of I was to apply for the extra help that is offered by Iowa for special needs children. Let me back up a bit. We really had a hard time finding insurance for Noah when Shawn got out of the military last March. Noah is considered "a pre-existing condition" by insurance companies. I applied to at least 4 insurance companies before I started understanding what was happening. I found an insurance company that Noah was eligible for. In order to be covered by HIP IOWA (Noah's Insurance), along with an application you also have to provide a letter of Noah getting declined for insurance. What do you think that does to the cost of the insurance. Sky High!!

By going to the U of I we were hoping to get Noah on a MR or Ill and Handicap waiver which would make him eligible for medical through the state of Iowa. Not only would he then qualify for insurance. Noah would also qualify for respite care. Respite care is for the parents caring for the special needs child. A caregiver of you choice or one appointed by the state would come into your home and help with your child. Or Shawn and I would be able to get away for the evening and just have some quite time.

I decided that before we went to the appointment I was not going to give Noah any meds. I am not able to describe Noah's activity level or actions not on meds. Noah not on meds is something that you have to experience for yourself to truly understand. After the first appointment, Noah had been everywhere in the office except the ceiling. The doctor asked us if we minded if the gave him his meds after lunch so the rest of the doctors could see him on a different level.

After a long 9 hour day at the U of I Shawn, Noah and I left exhausted. Noah saw a dentist for the first time. Noah saw a occupational therapist, physical therapist, sociologist, phycologist, and social worker, he had his eyes checked, and his ears checked...am I missing any one?

At the end of 9 long hours, we sat down and were told that they really didn't think Noah was autistic. The doctor told us that we would receive their reports through the mail in a few weeks.

What shocking news!! Not surprised!! On one hand it has taken Shawn and I to warm up to the idea of Noah having a diagnosis such as autism. On the other hand, as I have been doing my own research, there were so many things that did not "fit" Noah.

Noah's diagnosis now is aproxia (speech delayed) and ADHD.

Over a month...

Wow. It's been over a month since we have been in our new home. What a wonderful feeling being in our new home. This home feels different than any other place we have lived. It really feels like home. We are still unpacking, organizing, cleaning and decorating. I'll get some pictures up soon. It's hard to get pictures when the whole house is clean. Ha ha. Doesn't happen very often!