We're getting excited about our upcoming trip to Chicago. If you ask Brian how we're getting there he says, "on an airplane!" However, if asked if he's going to ride on a plane, he insists that he is NOT going to do it. Funny boy.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Boys Being Boys
Brian and Shawn have been roughhousing a lot lately, which is good as current research shows how important this is for development. Here are some pictures of those crazy boys!
We're getting excited about our upcoming trip to Chicago. If you ask Brian how we're getting there he says, "on an airplane!" However, if asked if he's going to ride on a plane, he insists that he is NOT going to do it. Funny boy.
We're getting excited about our upcoming trip to Chicago. If you ask Brian how we're getting there he says, "on an airplane!" However, if asked if he's going to ride on a plane, he insists that he is NOT going to do it. Funny boy.
Little Bug
Lilah looks so cute in her lady bug pajamas that I just had to take her picture this morning before dressing her!
We went to the doctor for her 4 month check up. She weighs 16 lbs 4 oz (92nd percentile) and is 26 3/4 inches long (95th percentile)! She got two shots (and was NOT happy) and an oral vaccination. The nurse was cracking up because she was such a drama queen about that.
She has been so close to rolling over, but we had to say no when the doc asked if she'd done it yet. She didn't waste much time. She started rolling back to belly today! She's so proud of herself! We actually both missed it the first time. I was trying to figure out how to install her winter car seat cover and Shawn was vacuuming. I looked up and realized she was on her belly and I KNEW I'd left her on her back. She's been happily practicing every since, so this video is actually her second time rolling over!
Lilah Rolling
We went to the doctor for her 4 month check up. She weighs 16 lbs 4 oz (92nd percentile) and is 26 3/4 inches long (95th percentile)! She got two shots (and was NOT happy) and an oral vaccination. The nurse was cracking up because she was such a drama queen about that.
She has been so close to rolling over, but we had to say no when the doc asked if she'd done it yet. She didn't waste much time. She started rolling back to belly today! She's so proud of herself! We actually both missed it the first time. I was trying to figure out how to install her winter car seat cover and Shawn was vacuuming. I looked up and realized she was on her belly and I KNEW I'd left her on her back. She's been happily practicing every since, so this video is actually her second time rolling over!
Lilah Rolling
Monday, November 14, 2011
Movin' on Up!
Look who's four months old...
We don't see the pedi until Saturday, but I thought I would put her chair picture up anyway! Lilah is soooo vocal at four months. She is also soooo close to rolling over. Just not quite there yet. She is very interested in our food, so I am anxious to see if we get the okay from the doc on Saturday to try rice cereal. I think she will enjoy it! Oh and I think she's actually starting to look a bit like me. Just all of a sudden this month her face reminds me of my baby pictures. Not her chubber legs, but definitely her face when she smiles a certain way!
We don't see the pedi until Saturday, but I thought I would put her chair picture up anyway! Lilah is soooo vocal at four months. She is also soooo close to rolling over. Just not quite there yet. She is very interested in our food, so I am anxious to see if we get the okay from the doc on Saturday to try rice cereal. I think she will enjoy it! Oh and I think she's actually starting to look a bit like me. Just all of a sudden this month her face reminds me of my baby pictures. Not her chubber legs, but definitely her face when she smiles a certain way!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Mish Mash of Pictures
These pictures don't really have a common theme-except that they are of my sweet little babies, but I wanted to make sure to get them up anyway!
And while I am on here, have you ever seen the movie Napoleon? Not Napoleon Dynamite, just Napoleon? Brian stumbled across it on regular tv this week and it's his new obsession. Worst. Movie. Ever. It's about a golden retriever puppy and a bird. He loves it. We had to go to Blockbuster today and rent it to avoid a major melt down. Brian woke up sick and we had to stay home from school. I am thinking croup. Awesome. I am hoping he gets over both the illness and this terrible movie quickly. I am loosing brain cells by watching it. Seriously.
Okay, onto the cute pictures...
Brian in a box.
Lilah in her bath.
Big girl...almost rolling and really holding that head up well!
Helping Daddy put the bouncer together for Miss Lilah.
More outside pictures. I just love 'em!
And while I am on here, have you ever seen the movie Napoleon? Not Napoleon Dynamite, just Napoleon? Brian stumbled across it on regular tv this week and it's his new obsession. Worst. Movie. Ever. It's about a golden retriever puppy and a bird. He loves it. We had to go to Blockbuster today and rent it to avoid a major melt down. Brian woke up sick and we had to stay home from school. I am thinking croup. Awesome. I am hoping he gets over both the illness and this terrible movie quickly. I am loosing brain cells by watching it. Seriously.
Okay, onto the cute pictures...
Brian in a box.
Lilah in her bath.
Big girl...almost rolling and really holding that head up well!
Helping Daddy put the bouncer together for Miss Lilah.
More outside pictures. I just love 'em!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Farm Field Trip
Before Brian starts at his new preschool, I should probably post some pictures from his field trip at his current school, the one I run. He did qualify today for free public preschool and will be starting very soon. We have chosen to put him at a school near my work (for many reasons). Convenience is obviously a factor-I will be able to drop him off before work and leave a little early to pick him up each day. The school out there is also small-he will be in a class of 12 or so kids versus 20, and there is one preschool class as opposed to the 5 classes at the school near our house. I also like the idea that it is close to work because I will be able to get to him quickly if he needs me. And the final reason is that his buddy Brad is in the class. I know Brian will adjust more quickly if he gets to attend school with his best bud. And I will feel better knowing that they are together.
Anyway, with that off my chest, here are some pictures from his field trip to the farm. It was a perfect day for this...70 degrees! We really lucked out. Oh and in case you are wondering, Addison is not in the class. She just tagged along since she's Brian's friend and I'm the boss!
Anyway, with that off my chest, here are some pictures from his field trip to the farm. It was a perfect day for this...70 degrees! We really lucked out. Oh and in case you are wondering, Addison is not in the class. She just tagged along since she's Brian's friend and I'm the boss!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Real
The past few months have been so busy and I have been posting a lot of fluff on the blog. All important stuff-pictures of the kids, Lilah's stats, things about the new house...but I haven't posted a ton of "real" information.
This is mostly because I haven't had time, and partially because I have struggled with whether or not I want to post it at all because some of it has been pretty upsetting to me. Also because even though some of the things that have been going are really upsetting to me, they are nothing compared to what other people...people I know...have been going through, so really, who am I to whine?
But here goes nothing, I'm just gonna unload it and you can do what you want with it. So here's what's real. Or at least some of it.
Ruben doesn't live here anymore. I have cried more tears than I can count about this and I am still not okay. I don't know when it won't hurt any longer, but it still does and it's been, well, awhile.
Thankfully my parents have taken him in. I know he will be fine there. But I miss him.
Basically, he did this...
and he had to go.
I was afraid to post this because I don't want Brian to read this years later and think it's his fault. So, future Brian, if you're reading this Mommy doesn't blame you. It is my job to protect you and this was something we had to do to make sure you were safe.
BUT Brian also has to know that I am human. And I feel things like sadness. Ruben was my first child. I raised him like he was my child. And therein lies the problem. I will never make that mistake again. When we get a new dog...and we will someday, it will be just that. A dog. Not a member of the family. I can't trust myself to go there ever again.
Maybe having to remove a beloved family pet from the home seems silly to some, but it has been hard for me. Remember that I am still only 3 months postpartum, so it's been ridiculously hard truth be told.
And then there's the business of what's been going on with Brian medically recently. It all started when we saw Dr. Wiley, the Developmental Pediatrician about Brian a month ago. Again, I have struggled with putting this information out there too because of future Brian. But it's what's going on, it's real.
It's been a painful road that I won't go into, but I think we are heading toward an SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) diagnosis. Or maybe the diagnosis has already been made. This is unclear to me...can OTs diagnose? Because of these issues we have started OT (Occupational Therapy) once a week in addition to Speech Therapy weekly.
Of course I have tapped into many resource with regards to this...books, google and my aunt who has two boys with the same diagnosis. Brian falls under the category of Sensory Seeker, rather than Avoider, which is what most people think of. Avoiders are the people who can't touch certain things, can't be around certain smells, etc. Seekers want stimuli. Constantly. This list really sealed the deal for me.
Here are some things that you might see a sensory seeker doing:
This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you a starting point.
The items in bold are the ones that apply to Brian at least in some form. I found this list here, a site by a mom with similar issues. She has actually published books on the topic.
Once I read this list I was really excited. I was like, this is it, this is what it is! And OT can help fix it! My cousin Chris said it best. He asked my aunt if something was wrong with Brian, because he had overhead us talking. She told him not really, but that he has some of the same sensory issues Chris had. Chris said, "Good, then he'll be okay, 'cause I'm okay." How is that children have faith when we don't? Love that kid!
So we've just begun OT. We'll see if it helps. I really, really hope it does.
And the final thing that's been bringing me down is that Brian is being evaluated by the county tomorrow to see if he qualifies for free public preschool. This should not be a bad thing. He will receive more speech and possibly more OT each week if he qualifies. This should be a really good thing. But I always envisioned my kids in Catholic schools. I went to Catholic schools. I have built my career around Catholic education. This is not to say that public schools don't produce great people. My parents went to public school. Several of my best friends are products of public schools. But, it's just not what I pictured for my kids. And that is hard for me. I don't do well when I don't get what I want.
I am the person who will always say, "what's best for one child, isn't what's best for all." I know that. I preach it. I know Brian would likely benefit from the help he would receive in the county schools. And I know it's freaking 3 year old preschool for goodness sakes. It doesn't have to be forever. My head knows all of this. Could someone please tell my heart?
Okay, I'm done now. For those of you who made it this far, thank you for reading this very, very long rant. I will go back to posted happy posts with pictures and fluff now. I promise. Except there may be a post very soon about red hair. I am getting to my breaking point on people's reactions to that as well, I'm not gonna lie. But other than that it will be fluff. Swear.
This is mostly because I haven't had time, and partially because I have struggled with whether or not I want to post it at all because some of it has been pretty upsetting to me. Also because even though some of the things that have been going are really upsetting to me, they are nothing compared to what other people...people I know...have been going through, so really, who am I to whine?
But here goes nothing, I'm just gonna unload it and you can do what you want with it. So here's what's real. Or at least some of it.
Ruben doesn't live here anymore. I have cried more tears than I can count about this and I am still not okay. I don't know when it won't hurt any longer, but it still does and it's been, well, awhile.
Thankfully my parents have taken him in. I know he will be fine there. But I miss him.
Basically, he did this...
and he had to go.
I was afraid to post this because I don't want Brian to read this years later and think it's his fault. So, future Brian, if you're reading this Mommy doesn't blame you. It is my job to protect you and this was something we had to do to make sure you were safe.
BUT Brian also has to know that I am human. And I feel things like sadness. Ruben was my first child. I raised him like he was my child. And therein lies the problem. I will never make that mistake again. When we get a new dog...and we will someday, it will be just that. A dog. Not a member of the family. I can't trust myself to go there ever again.
Maybe having to remove a beloved family pet from the home seems silly to some, but it has been hard for me. Remember that I am still only 3 months postpartum, so it's been ridiculously hard truth be told.
And then there's the business of what's been going on with Brian medically recently. It all started when we saw Dr. Wiley, the Developmental Pediatrician about Brian a month ago. Again, I have struggled with putting this information out there too because of future Brian. But it's what's going on, it's real.
It's been a painful road that I won't go into, but I think we are heading toward an SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) diagnosis. Or maybe the diagnosis has already been made. This is unclear to me...can OTs diagnose? Because of these issues we have started OT (Occupational Therapy) once a week in addition to Speech Therapy weekly.
Of course I have tapped into many resource with regards to this...books, google and my aunt who has two boys with the same diagnosis. Brian falls under the category of Sensory Seeker, rather than Avoider, which is what most people think of. Avoiders are the people who can't touch certain things, can't be around certain smells, etc. Seekers want stimuli. Constantly. This list really sealed the deal for me.
Here are some things that you might see a sensory seeker doing:
- Spinning
- Climbing too high
- Climbing everything
- Crashing into things (people, furniture, walls)
- Mouthing/licking inedible things (furniture, toys, body)
- Chewing inedible things (clothing)
- Eating excessively
- Constantly wrestling (with siblings)
- Touching everything
- Playing with food
- Messy eater
- Overstuffing their mouth
- Eating spicy/hot foods
- Under-responsive to pain (‘shakes it off’ quickly)
- Dumping out toy bins just to look at everything
- Excessive sensory play (mud, water, soap, etc.)
- Jumping
- Pushing
- Loves running barefoot
- Chewing on their toothbrush
- Can’t sit still in their desk
- Falls out of their chair for no apparent reason
- Loves loud noises (turns up TV, battery toys against ears, vacuum.)
- Can’t monitor their own volume (you constantly say, “Stop yelling!”)
- Smells everything, even bad smells
This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you a starting point.
The items in bold are the ones that apply to Brian at least in some form. I found this list here, a site by a mom with similar issues. She has actually published books on the topic.
Once I read this list I was really excited. I was like, this is it, this is what it is! And OT can help fix it! My cousin Chris said it best. He asked my aunt if something was wrong with Brian, because he had overhead us talking. She told him not really, but that he has some of the same sensory issues Chris had. Chris said, "Good, then he'll be okay, 'cause I'm okay." How is that children have faith when we don't? Love that kid!
So we've just begun OT. We'll see if it helps. I really, really hope it does.
And the final thing that's been bringing me down is that Brian is being evaluated by the county tomorrow to see if he qualifies for free public preschool. This should not be a bad thing. He will receive more speech and possibly more OT each week if he qualifies. This should be a really good thing. But I always envisioned my kids in Catholic schools. I went to Catholic schools. I have built my career around Catholic education. This is not to say that public schools don't produce great people. My parents went to public school. Several of my best friends are products of public schools. But, it's just not what I pictured for my kids. And that is hard for me. I don't do well when I don't get what I want.
I am the person who will always say, "what's best for one child, isn't what's best for all." I know that. I preach it. I know Brian would likely benefit from the help he would receive in the county schools. And I know it's freaking 3 year old preschool for goodness sakes. It doesn't have to be forever. My head knows all of this. Could someone please tell my heart?
Okay, I'm done now. For those of you who made it this far, thank you for reading this very, very long rant. I will go back to posted happy posts with pictures and fluff now. I promise. Except there may be a post very soon about red hair. I am getting to my breaking point on people's reactions to that as well, I'm not gonna lie. But other than that it will be fluff. Swear.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Backyard Photo Shoot
I am loving the fall leaves in our backyard. We had lots of mature trees at our old house when we first moved in, but the combination of a freak wind storm and trees that had been topped one to many times, forced us to remove every last one. I missed them so much and am thrilled to be in a house with mature trees again. I even love raking truth be told! (Shawn, however, is not a huge fan!)
I especially love the leaves because of how easy they make picture taking. And it doesn't hurt that my kiddos are pretty darn adorable. (No bias of course!)
Here are some shots I got earlier today. I hope to get several more this year and every year!
Happy Halloween!
Halloween was a bit of a challenge this year. Apparently wigs are scary. Very, very scary.
Costumes are also a no go. Even if a certain three year old boy happens to choose his own.
Thank goodness for Pappy Gargamel.
Of course, if your parents were dressed like this...
and your Nana was dressed like this...
you might curl into a ball too.
So there are no smiling pictures of Brian AKA Thomas the Tank Engine this year.
Of course there are a few of Lilah.
And we had a great time with Addison at several different events.
But don't give kids candy before your take their pictures. It never works out!
Brian didn't completely understand the concept of trick or treating, but he did have fun running through our neighborhood with Addison. He introduced her to everyone we met along the way. Too cute!
We also made a stop in our old neighborhood to see some old friends, Uncle Jon, Aunt Teri and of course, Itz.
And pumpkins...yeah, they're cool!
Costumes are also a no go. Even if a certain three year old boy happens to choose his own.
Thank goodness for Pappy Gargamel.
Of course, if your parents were dressed like this...
and your Nana was dressed like this...
you might curl into a ball too.
So there are no smiling pictures of Brian AKA Thomas the Tank Engine this year.
Of course there are a few of Lilah.
And we had a great time with Addison at several different events.
But don't give kids candy before your take their pictures. It never works out!
Brian didn't completely understand the concept of trick or treating, but he did have fun running through our neighborhood with Addison. He introduced her to everyone we met along the way. Too cute!
We also made a stop in our old neighborhood to see some old friends, Uncle Jon, Aunt Teri and of course, Itz.
And pumpkins...yeah, they're cool!
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