The zoo!

We journeyed to Nashville, TN last weekend to visit with some friends and hit up the Nashville zoo! This was our first big family outing since moving to Kentucky that was all about fun!

Of course the day was grey and rainy, but the drive to Nashville was easy and uneventful. We get to the zoo, just as the rain lightly rolled in. Ugh. We had the science center as a back up plan, because in the South it rains like it doesn't like you, but when we mentioned not going to the zoo, JJ had a complete meltdown. We had made the mistake of talking about the zoo during the days leading up to the trip so in his world, it was the zoo or nothing at all.

Thankfully the rain passed over while we were eating lunch in the car and we decided to brave the zoo. We paid our entrance fees, checked in with the guest services office (because Hazel was with us) and learned of the two exhibits that Hazel was not supposed to enter (the free flying bird exhibit - probably a bad idea for a retriever... and the petting zoo) which were no big deal for us to give up and off we went.

It was muddy and humid. I think within a couple minutes our clothes were glued to us and I was grateful that I'm the only one in our family with long hair (besides Hazel of course).

There were a few moments that really stick out for me as I think back on our trip with the boys and Hazel.

1. Meerkats love Hazel.
We now call her the pied piper of meerkats. They swarmed the glass to stare at her, and as we traveled past the glass exhibit wall, they followed her. It was incredibly funny and the people around us found it funny as well, everyone got a good look at the meerkats while we were around.

Meerkats watching Hazel through the glass.

2. If you want to really see the zoo animals, bring a service dog.
Meerkats weren't the only ones curious about Hazel. The tigers were particularly fascinated as well. As we walked by their enclosure the Siberian Tiger got up and followed Hazel. It kept trying to find a way across the little river in their enclosure to come closer to the fence to check out the animal that was on the outside.

3. JJ loves the merry-go-round.
JJ has never been on a carousel before. This was his first time and Hazel was a rockstar. The staff at the zoo were the most tolerant we experienced all day (don't get me started on our McDonald's trip after the zoo) and they didn't bat an eye as I took JJ and Hazel and got JJ settled on a cheetah.

And the final memory that is really no surprise to me is how much JJ loves the zoo. He has always enjoyed the zoo but this was his first time he has not been strapped into a stroller for his safety. He got to walk through the zoo with Josh and me while Elliott rode in the stroller (his legs are littler). This picture makes my heart smile, because this is why Hazel is in our family, to make moments like this possible for our boy.

One final picture for you;

Our Family August 2013

Hazel and JJ at the Dr. and Back to School!!! :)

This week marked a series of new things for Hazel and JJ. They had a long road trip to a new hospital, began at a new school, where Hazel is learning to work with a new handler during the day and JJ is learning a new routine and system in kindergarten.

And through it all, they are amazing. As a team, they are beginning to gel and respond to each other.

On Tuesday evening, we drove 2.5 hours to see the boys new Doctors at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. We drove up the night before as their appointment was set for first thing Wednesday morning. It was a long drive for the kids because they refused to sleep in the car. Once in the hotel, after her walk with daddy, Hazel curled up on the boys bed and they all slept peacefully until 6:45am. We got up, Hazel went for another walk and then we all trooped downstairs to breakfast. Hazel curled up under the table at JJs feet and caught a quick cat nap while he ate, she even ignored the egg he dropped on her.

Off to the hospital we went, and it was a long morning. We began at 8:30am and saw two neurologists, a geneticist, genetics counselor and two different nurses. JJ took most of it well but within an hour in the exam room he was losing his cool, and decided he needed his girl.

He leaned on Hazel's back while doctors came and went. This picture brings up so many mixed emotions for me. There is a joy, and peace in seeing the two of them together like this, knowing that he was drawing on her presence to maintain his calm. But then there is a sadness because JJ was so lost at this point. He ignored everything going on around him except for Hazel and his iPad. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but his face just tells me how overwhelmed he was at this point.

I don't know how many times I've said that Hazel has been a gift from God for our family and this picture once again proves it. She kept JJ together. She did something for him on this day that his daddy couldn't do and I couldn't do for him. She kept him together, she kept him calm and while he turned inward, she kept him safe. When JJ turns inward like this, he runs a high risk of hurting himself because he becomes completely unaware of his surroundings and things that could hurt him. This appointment was over 3 hours long and he stayed with Hazel for most of it.

We left Cincinnati and drove home. We were all glad to be back in our own surroundings, but the week was not over because the next day was JJ's first day of kindergarten.

This has been a major area of anxiety for me. This is a huge transition for JJ and even with ESY this summer, it's still a big change because he is in a new school again, with new classmates and new teacher/aide combination.

Thankfully, we have been very blessed since moving to Ft. Knox and during ESY I was able to build a great relationship with the autism specialist who works at JJs new school. JJ has been given a 1:1 aide for the classroom. Her name is Ms. Leah. At this time, we have been told that JJ will have her with him for 2 weeks, but we are hoping to extend that until JJ can function in his new environment safely. I spent the day yesterday in JJs classroom teaching Ms. Leah how to work with Hazel, the basic commands and with Ms. Brandy there (the autism specialist who also worked with Hazel over the summer), by 12:30pm, I felt completely unnecessary and went home! I didn't go in this morning (as was the original plan) and was kept informed of JJ's day through text messages from Ms. Leah and Ms. Brandy.

JJ and Hazel coming in from recess on the first day of school with Ms. Leah leading Hazel.

Aside from a few little bumps (JJ hit his head today while trying to bolt while tethered to Hazel), so far the back to school transition has been very smooth and I am so relieved and pleased with how things have gone.

Tomorrow we have our first trip to the zoo as a family since Hazel joined our family. We drive to Nashville to visit with some old friends and we will be joining them at the Nashville zoo for the afternoon. I know JJ is very excited about the zoo and I cannot wait to see the difference in this trip from the last time we went to the zoo (in Colorado Springs) and JJ had to be strapped into a double stroller with Elliott. Tomorrow, JJ will walk the zoo like a typical child with his best friend by his side.