Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Summer seems like a good time for change.  I don't know about you, but when I feel even a little bit out of sorts I look around for things I can change around, fix, or redecorate.  This past year has been such a whirlwind that I have piles of changes I have just waiting to be made.  Many of them are with the kids.  I just can't find anyone who wants them.  Joking.  

I have posted on FB recently about "Operation Big Girl" which is one of my summer projects for change.  Some are changes that we are ready to make and some are changes that we are forcing out of necessity. The first of the changes went very smoothly.  I told Mack we were going to give all of her sippy cups to another baby and start using straw cups.  She was really excited to do that.  Mack is going to be 4 in October but because of her behavior, we have to keep cups with lids for longer than we did with Fiona.  Her sensory need for sucking also has meant that she has a sippy near by to help calm her as she downs 12 ounce cups of water in seconds.  Well, the sippies are gone.  We still have a straw cup and know how to use an open cup if behavior permits.  We've changed.  Change is good.

The next thing I plan to tackle is getting rid of the potty seat in the bathroom.  As you know, Mack has CP and though you can't see most of the effects...she can sure feel them.  Her body has a really hard time going poop on its own.  She has to take daily laxatives and still doesn't go all the time.  She sits and sits and it is very painful so we have left the potty longer than we wanted so she could have her feet on the floor and be as comfortable as possible.  I'm officially done cleaning the potty and baby Mason is going to be gifted a meticulously scrubbed potty soon. I can't wait for this one. 

The napping in panties came up when she was moved out of her preschool.  She was able to sleep in a pull-up at the other school and now she won't be.  So- I am under pressure (I'm seeing a Bowie theme here) to get her out of daytime pull-ups.  She isn't ready for this.  She was dry yesterday and got her 3 M&Ms and I think we will have more days like that scattered here and there.  I haven't a clue if we can tackle this change.  This one seems like her brain needs to initiate the change on its own.  Time will tell.

Next week I will begin painting Mack's room (she surprisingly chose pink) and will paint the furniture in Fi's bedroom.  We are making Fi's room a big-girl room with a desk instead of toy shelves.  Mack has inherited the toy shelves and toys.  She feels big now.  I haven't wanted to change her room too much before this because up until now change has not been easy for her.  Now it seems like she can roll with it.  She's getting a twin bed with orange polka-dot sheets and she can't wait.

I like change.  I think I could repaint my bedroom every year.  I search for order by changing things I have control over.  I think the changes we are making around here are going to help move us forward to living a little more.  I know it doesn't seem that getting rid of a sippy cup or a potty can make much difference.  Really what it does is proves to me that even though our life has been crazy ass, we can move forward and grow just like everyone else.  And that has me dancing in the street.