Thursday, January 24, 2008

Update on the Shoe inserts

So... I guess I was wishful thinking last week when I said that the PT would just have to order the shoe inserts. It has to go through TEIS and I knew this...

Anyhow, we are going to have a TEIS meeting Tuesday (the 29th) It will cover Benji's shoe inserts and also be his final 6 month review with them. He will "graduate" to the school system once he turns 3. Still not sure about the emotion there. I just don't know... know what I mean?

Anyhow.. that's that for now.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Benji's Christianbook.com Birthday WishList

Greetings!

Benji Johnson asked us to send you this Gift Registry list.

To buy any or all of these items, simply click on one of the buttons or links listed below. It will take you to Benji's updated Registry list.


Here's Benji's Registry!
Occasion: Birthday
Date of Birthday: 02-MAR-08
Registry Expires: 31-MAR-08

VeggieTales Jonah Pirate Ship Toy
SKU: WW335590
Retail Price: $25.00
CBD Price: $14.99
Ahoy there, matey! Hop aboard this fine vessel and set sail with the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, the laziest bunch of scalawags who never climbed a yardarm! All it takes is a little imagination and this sturdy playset for your kids to stage their own Jonah adventures. Ages 3 and up, not for use in bathtub.
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Benji's comments on this item: Benji likes pirates, and Veggie pirates are even better! This is great for imaginative play.
Magnetic Alphabet & Numbers
SKU: WW341780
Retail Price: $9.99
CBD Price: $8.99
Magnetic Alphabet and Numbers Includes: 36 Uppercase Letters 36 Lowercase Letters 27 Numbers and Math Symbols Does not include carrying case. WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD-SMALL PARTS. NOT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS.
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Benji's comments on this item: Love to play on the fridge with letters, plus we can work with Benji to learn his letters and numbers.
Magnetic Zoo--Small Playset
SKU: WW763102
Retail Price: $4.99
CBD Price: $4.49
The same quality construction and play value of the large playsets is also available in a smaller size! Move magnetic pieces around on the sturdy 12" x 9" playboard to create an endless combination of scenes. Ability to slide the pieces creates action, making the scene come alive.

  • Permanent lifetime magnetic power
  • Sturdy playboard with durable playing pieces
  • Vinyl storage pouch helps keep kids from losing pieces
  • Great for home, school, or when traveling
  • Promotes imaginative play
For ages 3 and up. Smethport Specialty Company.
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Benji's comments on this item: Animals... travel size.
Magnetic Farm--Small Playset
SKU: WW763101
Retail Price: $4.99
CBD Price: $4.49
The same quality construction and play value of the large playsets is also available in a smaller size! Move magnetic pieces around on the sturdy 12" x 9" playboard to create an endless combination of scenes. Ability to slide the pieces creates action, making the scene come alive.

  • Permanent lifetime magnetic power
  • Sturdy playboard with durable playing pieces
  • Vinyl storage pouch helps keep kids from losing pieces
  • Great for home, school, or when traveling
  • Promotes imaginative play
For ages 3 and up. Smethport Specialty Company.
Buy Now
Benji's comments on this item: Animals... travel size.
Band in a Box
Melissa & Doug
SKU: WW524488
Retail Price: $19.99
CBD Price: $17.99
Full fledged band set gives six kids a chance to make music, or adds a realm of possibilities to your child's musical development. Packed in felt-lined wood crate storage box, our set includes tambourine, triangle, cymbals, maracas, and three authentic wooden toy instruments. Created by the trusted team of Melissa and Doug, this set is recommended for kids over three years of age. Box 11" x 14.5" x 3".
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Benji's comments on this item: Loves to play music and make noise.
Zoo Sound Puzzle
Melissa & Doug
SKU: WW524269
Retail Price: $9.99
CBD Price: $8.99
Sounds like a great idea! When kids put the right puzzle pieces on their proper place on the board, they'll hear realistic sounds. It's a fun and unique way to reinforce cause-and-effect, early vocabulary and matching skills. Measures 9" x 12", and is recommended for ages 2 and up.
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Benji's comments on this item: Loves Wooden Puzzles and animals.
Jonah and the Big Fish: Windows to the Past Wooden Bible Story Puzzle
Melissa & Doug
SKU: WW523809
Retail Price: $9.99
CBD Price: $8.99
The beautiful Windows to the Past Wooden Bible Story Puzzles promote faith-learning fun! With colorful illustrations, narrative text, and reference notes, they are a great introduction to Bible stories and holidays. Designed to look like a stained glass window each puzzle has 2 panels with a 15-piece puzzles within a Gothic arch frame. Jonah and the Big Fish shows Jonah about to be swallowed by a whale on one side, and him praying inside the whale on the other. The text at the top of the puzzle reads: The Lord sent a giant fish to swallow Jonah. Inside the fish, Jonah prayed to God: "I cried for help... you heard my voice...salvation is from the Lord." --From Jonah 1: 17-2:10. Measures approximately 13.5" x 13.5", and is recommended for ages 4 and up.
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Benji's comments on this item: Loves Wooden Puzzles and the story of Jonah.
The Life of Joseph: Windows to the Past Wooden Bible Story Puzzle
Melissa & Doug
SKU: WW523810
Retail Price: $9.99
CBD Price: $8.99
The beautiful Windows to the Past Wooden Bible Story Puzzles promote faith-learning fun! With colorful illustrations, narrative text, and reference notes, they are a great introduction to Bible stories and holidays. Designed to look like a stained glass window each puzzle has 2 panels with a 15-piece puzzles within a Gothic arch frame. The Life of Joseph shows Joseph being sold by his brothers on one side, and him forgiving them after he has been made a ruler of Egypt on the other. The text at the top of the puzzle reads: Joseph was given a special coat by his father. Joseph's jealous brothers took his coat and sold him to the Ishmaelites. Years later in Egypt, Joseph forgave them. --From Genesis 37 and 39-45. Measures approximately 13.5" x 13.5", and is recommended for ages 4 and up.
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Benji's comments on this item: Loves Wooden Puzzles and the story of Joseph is special with our family.
The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's, VeggieTales DVD
SKU: WW745120
Retail Price: $14.99
CBD Price: $9.99
The Wonderful Land of Ha's is an amusement park with all kinds of rides and games. And there's a mysterious Wizard in the TV ads who promises a visit to Ha's will make your dreams come true. When Darby (AKA Junior Asparagus) hears that, he yearns to go. One thing stands in his way, though--Darby's father is a floss-farmer who needs his help on the farm. But Darby dreams of doing more than just helping his dad with the floss harvest yet again. Deciding that nothing can stand in the way of his dreams, Darby leaves the family farm to seek the Wizard of Ha's!

Taking his little dog Tutu with him, Darby meets some interesting characters along his way--a bored scarecrow, a Tin Man hankering for roller coaster action, and a lion craving some cotton candy. They become an unlikely foursome of disgruntled dreamers traveling to the Wonderful Land of Ha's.

But will this adventure really make Darby's dreams co!
me true? Will it be worth everything he's given up, including a father's love and care? Find out at the Veggies put a new twist on the story of the Prodigal Son and discover that there's nothing like forgiveness and there's no place like home!

You'll also enjoy the new Silly Song "Monkey," Mr. Lunt singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and many more bonus features. Get ready to be caught up in a tornado of laughter and song as Big Idea presents the Veggie gang in a very original adaptation of The Wizard of Oz!


Buy Now

Benji's comments on this item: Loves Veggies
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything Sing-Along Songs and More DVD
SKU: WW400996
Retail Price: $12.99
CBD Price: $9.99
All the Veggies and their fans have gathered for the world premiere of The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie. It's an exciting event that suddenly goes sour when they discover that the only copy of the film has been stolen! Is there someone who will step up and save the day, or will the Pirates be lost forever?

While you watch the pirate-y drama unfold, you'll see scenes from the movie and sing along with new songs by some of the top artists in Christian music today. It's a boatload of fun for the whole family!

Includes the songs:

  • VeggieTales Theme Song
  • The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything Silly Song
  • Yo Ho Hero (Performed by newsboys and Steve Taylor)
  • Spanish Gold
  • Rock Monster (A new silly song!)
  • What we Gonna Do?(Performed by tobyMac)
  • The Right Thing (Performed by Mandisa)
  • Message fro the Lord!
  • Jonah Was a Prophet

Buy Now

Benji's comments on this item: Loves Music Loves Veggies... too bad I can't get him to eat them....
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, Movie Soundtrack CD
SKU: WWCD99843
Retail Price: $12.99
CBD Price: $10.99
Join the Veggie crew of lazy buccaneers who do nothing but sing and sail all day! This enhanced CD features the songs "Yo Ho Hero" (by the Newsboys); "What We Gonna Do?" (by tobyMac); "The Right Thing" (by Mandisa); "One-Eyed Louie"; "The Cave Medley"; and "Walking Rocks." Includes bonus video of silly songs such as "Do the Moo Shoo"; a Pirates poster and stickers; and more!
Buy Now

Benji's comments on this item: Loves Music... Loves Veggies....
Snazzy CD
Go Fish
SKU: WWCD76328
Retail Price: $14.99
CBD Price: $12.99
Get funky with your kids while putting on their "jammies." Start a mosh pit with David and Goliath. And learn the books of the Bible in three minutes. All without going crazy! Includes "Gotta Move," "Love Like This," "Just Rock," "Hit the Drum," "Bible Book Bop," "The Mom Song," "Superhero," "Itsy Bitsy Spider," "Saved," "American Kid," and the title track.
Buy Now

Benji's comments on this item: Go Fish was introduced to the MOPs group this year... (and the Moppets)
Benji loves their music.



Toddler Tote, Ages 2-5
SKU: WW7282116
Retail Price: $14.99
CBD Price: $13.99
More than a handy "bag of tricks" for keeping your toddler occupied in restaurants or in the car seat, this bundle of lightweight puzzles and toys is specially designed to develop eye-hand coordination, color and shape recognition, and fine-motor skills. Includes 8 soft-textured punch-out puzzles with animal and geometric shapes, 7 plastic "stacking pegs," and a convenient carrying case.
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Please note:Some or all of the products listed here may already have been purchased by another registry recipient. Act quickly for the best selection.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Jump Start

So... Benji finally got to his PT eval today. It has taken forever due to insurance and red tape and insurance and schedules and, did I say insurance?

You know... I am so greatful that our insurance is good and that it covers most things that we have to do for Benji... but the red tape that goes along with it is a PAIN! We got the referral from the pediatrician October 14th. It took a month for the fax to go through from TEIS to the PT.... then it took nearly 2 months to get the insurance in check.

So... over the rant part of things....

Benji's right foot still is severely pronating (the ankle points to the floor, opposite of a club). The left foot is too, just not quite as bad. So... Benji will be getting a new set of shoe inserts that he is to wear all the time except when sleeping or in the tub/pool. The order will be entered tomorrow. The good side is he didn't have to be custom fitted, just have to order them. (HE HATED being fitted for the polywogs/DAFO 5.) He is getting the Jumps Start Inserts... I believe the Leap Frog.

Anyhow... figure I will wrap this up... Benji was spinning and running in circles all afternoon and passed out an hour ago... Momma better go to bed before he gets up. :)

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Reflections of 2007

This last year was a ride. God has brought us through much.

In January last year, the developmental testing on Benji came back poorly. Benji's communication skills were more than 40% delayed. His gross motor skills were delayed, just all around the results were bad. We did take into consideration that it was an updated test and it was the first time Benji was evaluated on it. We couldn't deny though that Benji wasn't communicating and was getting frustrated and overwhelmed.

March is when we discovered that Benji loves silky fabrics. He stole a night gown from me until we went to Wal-mart and bought a yard of satin. He loves his silky and is rarely seen without it nearby. His 2 yr check up put him at 36 inches and 28 pounds. This month also found the little guy exploring. He was caught in the dryer and also caught on Papa's ATV.

In May Benji had is heart check up. Things seem to be staying the same at this point but Benji wouldn't really cooperate enough to get complete readings. There was minimal change though in the readings that Dr. Hermo did get.

Summer brought speech evaluation, the spring fling, the pool, and more. Mrs. Kathleen at NHC did Benji's speech eval. It came back that Benji was at the age level of a 14 month old. (He was 28 months at the time) So he started speech. Benji enjoyed the annual spring fling at the fair grounds with the rides and such. The kicker was that we discovered Mr. Benji LOVES the swimming pool. He loves getting in the water and playing and splashing and hanging out on the floats. Also during the summer we had the reading challenge at the local library. The kids enjoyed this but especially Benji. He still won't sit through and entire book reading, but he likes stories.

August brought Benji's first trip to the ER. He smacked into the church pew and gouged a chunk out of his forehead. First thing we did after applying pressure was pray for the little guy. We then took him into Children's. He was so calm and actually slept through the stitches. He has a scar but it's not that bad.

September we started going to storytime at the library. Benji enjoyed it but he had alot of problems staying still and listening. We only went a couple weeks. We also got used to the new nursery at church. Benji really likes it and enjoys going. Made us greatful we changed churches. It's a big difference when your spiritual side is being fed fresh food.

October was busy with going to the circus and playdates and having a cookie day. While Benji did well we did notice a bit of overwhelming sensory stuff. Thankfully we were able to keep it in check.

November brought more questions than answers. Benji had his heart check up, his developmental eval and turkey day. With his heart check up we got the praise of he is stable. The valve and stenosis has been unchanged so we don't have to worry too much about surgery right now. The developmental eval gave us more questions than answers in that they recognize that something is going on, but he doesn't match the typical things. He doesn't qualify under Asperger Syndrome due to the speech delay and he don't qualify under PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) because he gives eye contact. So... we still don't know what is going on.

December brought us a major scare with Benji. Dec 8th Benji went into seizures and we went by ambulance to the ER. We thought we were going to lose him. Instead God has blessed us. He is suddenly talking much more, after about a week of coordination problems he is alot more stable, and the last week or so he's been wanting to go potty... on his terms of course. Through blood work and such they diagnosed Benji with Ketotic Hypoglycemia. It is a diagnosis of exclusion. Otherwise because it isn't anything else, they diagnose the Ketotic. We've had no more episodes of low sugar, but the doctor thinks it was because Benji had alot of congestion and didn't eat very well the night before the episode.

Christmas went well even though Benji did get overwhelmed with everything. He had three meltdowns the month of December. 2 in Walmart and 1 at home. They were full blown meltdowns too... worrisome but manageable. Just wish that people were more understanding.

So on to 2008!