Catching Up!

So, I apologize for not keeping everyone up to date! Time goes by so quickly and before I know it it's time for BED! Jack started his Summer School Program this morning, Tyler is napping, and Morgan is happily not having to share toys with anyone at the moment ;) Now I am in between 3 tons of laundry...and sitting for just a moment to have a cup of coffee and catch up with blogging!

Let's go one by one for an update...I'll start with Tyler! He is feeling much better after being so sick from an infection on his arm. The site is healing and he is finished with his antibiotic. We are still watching the site, but it looks so much better than it did last week. He is eating very well, sleeping like a DREAM, and is just the happiest, funniest baby. We are still really low key and haven't been out much at all, or had too many visitors. It's really, truly helped with bonding and attachment. I believe he knows us well now and shows stranger anxiety (but does warm up and flash his gorgeous two-tooth smile). He loves, loves, LOVES Jack and Morgan. His whole face lights up and his little legs and arms and legs go a mile a minute whenever he sees them! He is gaining so much strength too. He can sit unassisted for a few seconds, can pivot and roll, and is trying like crazy to push off with his little feet to scoot on his belly. He started babbling "da, da, da" and has found his little voice. He also started eating stage 1 baby food. We are going slowly due to his tummy sensitivity to certain items! So far he has tried rice cereal, squash, and sweet potatoes. Today peas are on the menu! He is still on Soy formula and is doing really well. We are so happy he's home and love him to pieces!

Hmm, who's next? How about Jack! Jack amazes me each day...his language has exploded and he uses so many new phrases and words each day it's awesome! He has been healthy and seizure free for months...he is growing like a weed too. Who knows how much he weighs these days?! I'd say a safe bet would be 55+ lbs! Back in April and May he saw a bunch of his specialists...which nicely freed up our summer. We are looking at some type of orthopedic surgery within the year. Quite honestly I have put it on the back burner and will worry/obsess over it more after our follow up appointment in September. I will absolutely keep you posted! We've had a HUGE mess with his wraparound services....to say I am displeased is an understatement. Super long story made short...for months I requested (if at all possible) to keep the same TSS this summer. I mean our family has been through the biggest change to date...mommy had to leave for Ethiopia for 10 days...we brought home a new baby, and Jack who has a hard time with change truly needed consistency. His summer school program is at a new building and this fall he will return to school and have a new teacher and a new classroom. This is a lot of change for any kid, but for Jack it's all coming at once and I fear regression with all of the wonderful progress we've made with his therapist over the past two years. So they gave us two new TSS's (one for school, one for home) AND a new BSC. So essentially at a time when our family is stretched as far as it's ever been they take away EVERYONE. I know I don't have to tell some of you how EXHAUSTING it is to work with a new therapist. I mean starting from square one (regardless of how good the therapist is) is just...painful. So we're in the middle of meeting the new team, and they are great, don't get me wrong! But the reasons for switching therapists (TSS hours and availability for the summer) are not jiving with me considering our new TSS is unable to fill all of our hours. I just want to cry. In fact, I have. It's too much. We are a family that puts 110% plus into therapy. So much is at stake...my sanity being one (very important) thing. So, yeah, I'll keep you all posted on that front too! Jack's behavior has been pretty darn good through all of this though. I am very proud of him. He is using strategies he has learned over the past two years. Although, as I mentioned before, we have been very low key for the past month. So he hasn't been faced with a lot of demands or outside stress...so I am curious to see how school goes for him today. I miss him already, and he's only gone for 3 hours!

Morgan! She's just filled with cuteness, curiosity, precociousness, fun, and a VERY strong will! She and I have the most amazing conversations. I wish I could record each and every one. She is growing up right before our eyes. She takes the roll of big sister quite seriously. She had a few weeks of preschool (2 days a week) at DDS (where Jack went). We know the staff and love it there. She is in a class with typical kids and kids with special needs. I told the teacher don't be alarmed if she doesn't notice things like wheelchairs, walkers, or braces...she's so used to Jack that she won't care if a kiddo doesn't walk or talk -- she'll march right up to them and play or compliment the color of their wheelchair! She loves to help mommy and daddy around the house and loves to talk. She talks all the time. She woke up early (6 am) this morning and as I was getting Jack out of the bath tub she said "Hey mom, is it morning yet?" "I love you, you are my BEST friend." and then laid back down. She's so sweet!

I hear Tyler already! I did have to stop typing to switch a load of laundry, change batteries in a toy, and take a phone call! I promise more posts to come!