Ryan started the day grumpy and super pale so we had a slow start. I brought a cool wooden nuts and bolts set on a Facebook BuySellSwap page (seriously keep an eye out, you can pick up awesome bargains and save a pile of money on educational toys and books!) The lady selling it kindly dropped it off and Ryan was straight into it! Over the morning, after a few mini meltdowns and being put in his room to calm down (and to stop him throwing everything in arms reach) he wrapped himself up and quietly lay on his bed. I went in and read him a story and he cheered up. ‘Down the back of the chair’ by Margaret Mahy is a fantastic story by a New Zealand author and it was the first time I had read it. Ryan asked to hear it again so we read it twice. Could be the next bedtime favourite! ‘Basketwork’ by Lynley Dodds has been it for months now and we all know it off by heart! Smelling coffee he went to see if Stefan had saved him any lol.
I got a water play sensory tray out (knowing I have been slack in this area since holidays began and that doesnt help his moods if he isnt getting the sensory input he needs) and Ryan had a great time making “porridge” with rolled oats, warm water and some blue food colouring (just to make it fun!) He got the giggles and finally told me his foot hurt… he had been sitting on it and it must have got all tingly!
We had an early lunch and decided to go for a walk around Virginia Lake. Less than 5 minutes there and Ryan was throwing himself on the ground screaming and performing so we went back to the car and waited it out. Stefan and I decided to pop home and grab the pushchair, which we haven’t needed in a while, and let Ryan get some fresh air that way. It worked and we had a nice walk out Gordon’s Bush and all felt a bit more cheerful. I have no problem putting him in the pushchair when needed. It is a good way to make sure he feels safe and secure in strange places, he uses the hood to sheild himself in shopping malls from the lights and sounds, and it also means we can get out of the house on days he isn’t up to walking or has a sore head but fresh air is needed… and today was one of those days. Sometimes people stare and the odd person has commented “why is that boy in a pushchair, he’s not a baby” and that hurts and I hope Ryan hasn’t heard but I know my reasons and I’m happy that I’m doing what is best for him so try to ignore the strange looks/comments.
After nuggets and a frozen coke Ryan had an appointment with the hospital dietician. In the waiting area there is a ceiling fan and it is the same building Ryan’s sees 4 other specialists so the receptionists know him well. He runs up to the counter and we have taught him to say his name before he asks them to “please turn the fan on”. He used to just run in yelling “lady lady, turn the fan on lady” no matter who was already in line. Then he asks them to “please turn it off” and he watches as it slowly slows down and stops.
Collecting a teenager from home we headed back to a second attempt at a walk around the lake, still using the pushchair. Ryan put his $1 in machine to turn the fountain on and watched it as we walked. David raced him through mud and puddles, both ending up covered in it but the laughter was infectious and everyone we passed smiled and laughed with us as Ryan yelled “ready steady go David! Run away from Mum!” and off they went again.
Back around and he put another coin in for the fountain and as we sat to watch it a man was feeding the ducks bread. “Hey man, can I have some bread please?” Ryan asked and he gave him some
