Playing Pretend is Silly Mom

By Kate Swenson | May 14, 2014 |

There are so many things I didn’t know before this whole special needs journey started. Things I don’t want to know actually. For example, I never knew the importance of imaginative play. Let me rephrase that. I knew the importance of imaginative play but I did not know that some people don’t have it. Or that when you don’t have it you really struggle to occupy your mind.  I’ve always had a huge imagination. I pretty much play everything out in my head before it actually happens. True story. I have made…

Read More

Cooper Ate A What?

By Kate Swenson | May 13, 2014 |

I am a different person lately. I can’t help but think that this is how it should be. I picked the boys up from daycare yesterday and was told that Cooper had am amazing day. He initiated play with the blocks all on his own. And he ate a tuna melt. Um…I can’t get Cooper to eat anything and he eats a whole tuna melt at daycare. And also tried an apple for her.  I was walking on air when I left. And no screaming on the way home. Score. And…

Read More

Holding my Breath During the Good Days

By Kate Swenson | May 12, 2014 |

We are having good days. As usual, I am so nervous to type it because I feel like it will jinx it. Cooper is learning, laughing and even improving. I would say around age 2 I started to notice that Cooper either had good days or bad days. I would try to explain it to people but I don’t think they believed me. But now, after creating this circle of other moms like me, I know it is common. Where Sawyer learns something new every single day, Cooper may not…

Read More

Super Cooper is Growing Up

By Kate Swenson | May 3, 2014 |

I’ve spent the last few weeks feeling sorry for myself and for our situation. To put a date on it I have been struggling since Easter. I think it’s all so real now. Most likely because of all the evaluations. They are so brutal. And, of course, I know a label/diagnosis is coming and I can’t run anymore. But, it’s time to dig out of this funk. I am ready.  I will throw this kid on my back and climb up a damn mountain if I have too. Being sad doesn’t get you anywhere. And…

Read More

The Inability to Just Try

By Kate Swenson | May 2, 2014 |

There is such a huge difference between ‘can’t’ and ‘won’t.’ Basically trying and failing or refusing to try at all. Cooper refuses to try and it makes me freaking insane. As a parent it is heartbreaking to see your child try and fail. And trust me, I know this firsthand. It seems like every week we are doing one or two evaluations and I watch as cooper fails it all. And then add in the fact that his 15 month old brother is toddling along side him doing it all.…

Read More

Running From Your Problems

By Kate Swenson | April 30, 2014 |

I can think of a dozen times throughout this journey where I have considered taking my family and moving away. I fantasized that we would buy a cabin on a lake somewhere. Jamie and I would both work from home and we would raise the kids the way we wanted too. I would even homeschool the boys. Doing this seemed so right. Probably because the parent of a special needs child lives in constant Fight or Flight mode. I guess what I am really trying to say is that I fantasize about…

Read More

Faith Is Easy To Have Until It's Tested

By Kate Swenson | April 29, 2014 |

I wouldn’t consider myself to be a super religious person. I firmly believe in God and that he touches everything. Heck, I pray to God every single day and I have turned to God during especially hard times in my life. But there is something I need to get off of my chest. Faith is a funny thing. It is so easy to have Faith until it is actually put to the test. It is so easy to tell someone to trust in God’s plan. But when you are devastated and your…

Read More