Carter's New Bed/Vision/ IEP/ Sleep/ Crawling

Carter got a new bed and it is awesome!  He was falling out or wedging himself in the side rails of his old bed and we were worried.  We tried two side rails and cushions at the foot of the bed but he was still getting stuck or flipping over the rail.  I talked to his nurse and they sent our insurance a pre-approval for a Sleep Safe Bed II.  I am not quite sure how long it took exactly but I'd guess a few months.  They approved the bed and we had it delivered and set up yesterday.  It definitely is a piece of furniture like they said, but so nice.  Here is a picture of his old bed and now his new one.

Old Bed

The new bed has a memory foam mattress, cool.  It's light and easy to pick up and put sheets on.  So it appears we got the nicest model that has a remote to control the mattress instead of a lever.  The entire mattress can levitate pretty darn high.  They said this is for changing diapers, getting them out of the bed etc so you don't hurt your back when they are bigger.  Good idea.  The headrest and feet can also go up.  It was kind of fun playing with it.  The remote also can lock so little hands can't keep playing with it.  Carter officially has the coolest room now.  Also, Daddy got him an early Christmas present.

Laser Stars is a laser star projector that displays animated stars, cloud formations and the occasional shooting star on the ceiling.  It's made with lasers- you can move it to where you want it to show.  It's quiet and so cool to watch.  We turn it on when Carter is going to bed and he loves looking at it.  We thought it would help when he wakes up so early to turn it on for him to watch. 

So Carter had an eye appointment and his vision therapist yesterday- he passed his eye test no problem.  The vision specialist, Sandra, said he still qualifies for services because visual problems are listed in his diagnosis, and he still has some delays and inattentiveness.  His IEP which means Individual Education Plan, is end of this month.  We are pretty much decided on having him go to USDB since the classroom is smaller, and will give him more attention and therapy.  I think he'll soak it all up.  I am also hoping he gets more tired doing more during the day and will sleep better at night.  His doctor seems to think his sleep problems come from his sleep apnea and that no medicine will help.  She keeps advising us to get him a cpap which I'm nervous about.  I guess if it means he'll sleep better it might be worth trying.  Darn, I wish he'd just grow out of it.  For now, 3am seems to be his wakeup call. 

Best news for last- Carter is crawling!!  I have tried multiple times to get a good video of him moving, but I always seem to miss the good one where he crawls faster and longer.  When he really wants something, he is pretty fast.  His form isn't perfect but he is not just scooting now on his bum.  I tried uploading the video for over an hour and it didn't work.  Sorry.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Carter was the coolest pirate EVER in his ship.  We got the idea online and Chris built the body around his wheelchair from cardboard boxes we had.  So it could come off easily, he cut out holes and used string.  We also stapled some of the tape down.  Then I did the decorating with Grandma Thorup which took hours.  I used electrical tape on the lines to give more depth.  On the front left is a sign I got from Zurkers that says Be Very Afraid.  The front right has a pirate map, compass, and knife with eye patch.  Then the sides we cut out holes for cannons which are black felt paper.  I used a brown marker to make squiggly lines all over to look like wood.  The treasure chest in front was also from Zurkers and had fake coins and jewels in it.  We also used it for his treats!  We got three dowels from WalMart for the pirate flag which we taped on the back of his wheelchair and the back of the boat.  The wheel also came from Zurkers as well as the map, sign, knife, treasure chest and back flag.  The main flag I pulled out of the back of a Pirateology book I had.  Now that this is so awesome, we will probably use everything for his birthday party next month!  There was also some nautical netting on the back- we were going to attach an anchor too but it was too heavy.  We had to make this entire thing to come off, fold up in the car, and then reattach at my Mom's house.

Front right

Cannons

2 Flags

Front left

Ladybug Sierra