Some Updated Pics of My Little Guys

Jack's 4th Birthday

Oliver

My sweet sensitive boy...

We have really been looking into Jack's issues a little more now that he is a bit older. We have had concerns since he was born, but most times voicing our concerns led to doctors just saying to wait because things could change. Things have changed...some things are just a tad bit better and some things are worse. His newest things are taking his clothes off (a lot), gagging himself, throwing himself into people, hitting and throwing himself down on the ground a lot. We had an appointment with a neurologist who basically felt the "big picture was a boy with Autism" and gave us some recommendations on where to take him to be tested. This past week the school did a sensory profile on him. To no ones surprise, he has some sensory dysfunction. I am glad that this has been found so we can help him. The occupational therapist was extremely impressed with the fact that his emotional/social scores were normal. She says usually when you have behavorial dysfunction due to sensory processing you have emotional/social issues as well. She said that is a huge indication of how we handle things at home with him. I said....that's no surprise...he's normal and I'm the one with the emotional/social disorder..ha ha. Anybody that has children with special needs knows how HARD and EXHAUSTING it can be at times. I am very glad that we are recognizing his sensory needs before it does become more emotional/social issues. Jack has proprioceptive sensory disorder so it makes him EXTREMELY active. He throws himself and runs into people trying to gain some input. His brain does not regulate senses properly. He seeks to fix what he does not feel right within him. After a nice long conference with the team which included occupational therapist, social worker, speech therapist and his teacher we are going to try working on fixing his sensory needs....I suppose putting him on a sensory diet. He will require certain techniques or playing throughout the day to help regulate his brain. The trick will be trying to find what sensory input will help not make him more hyper or upset. I feel so overwhelmed by all the information. I can't imagine being able to do everything that is required to help Jack. I keep thinking that when he gets to heaven...none of this will matter....he will be perfect. Earth is so temporary....our bodies are temporary. It still hurts though. I'm not gonna lie. I have a hard time finding my energy in God when I have no brain to seek God in the first place. Does that make sense? I feel God all around me during the day. Sometimes he seems to be just like the dishes that sit in the sink...waiting to be washed. He is on my to do list. I know that, that is not how it should be. I'm just exisiting at times...breathing. I sometimes find myself saying...Lord, I'm just breathing, just breathing. I need more than just breathing. Sigh...I'm done venting. I just thought I would catch up on Jack. My littlest one is now climbed up on the chair and is batting around the lamp. My little family circus....

Updates :)

It's been a while hasn't it. Just wanted to say that I am still here. Having a 2 year old and a new baby can keep one VERY busy.

A few updates:

The summer was not really busy, other than dealing with the little ones. The heat made it hard to get out of the house.

We finally got our dining room and living room painted, courtesy of my wonderful mother. It really brightened our moods to have some fresh paint on the walls and to finally start making the home our own. We did the dining room in a wonderful red color and the living room is a nice yellowy gold tan color. The one picture of the dining room shows the red on one side and the blueish primer on the other side of the fireplace.



We attended a few art fairs and went strawberry and blueberry picking for the first time. That was a lot of fun.







Jack turned 2. He is doing a lot better. He has started to talk and counts up to 10 and backwards to 1. He says a few words and each week seems to have another word he learns to say. He is continuing with the Early Intervention playgroup. He is my child that teaches me patience and makes me want to lose a lot of weight to keep up with him. He always seems to find something to get in to.



Oliver got bigger :)



I made a rag quilt and some coasters.



I canned some applesauce. Made some pasta sauce and refrigerator pickles too.


School started last week here in the home and the first week went very well. I feel so blessed to be able to sit around the table first thing in the morning having family devotions. I love to be able to see the wheels turning in my son's head as he figures out math problems and also the joy he expresses when he gets them all right.




Wow, that was quite the update! I continue hoping that I will be able to get back to blogging more regularly.

Until next time....

Jack's First Birthday

Today was Jack's first birthday. Last year after dealing with a hard last month, the doctor decided to deliver Jack one month early. His heart rate kept dropping during monitoring and after being admitted a few times for extended monitoring, they decided to do an amnio and make sure that his lungs were mature and they induced my labor. My labor was only 3-4 hours long and then I was able to finally hold my little guy. Even though he was one month early, he still weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces. He has been such a blessing to our family. I am excited to see his first year mark, but at the same time sad because it goes by so fast. I am looking forward to seeing how he progresses in the next year. Happy Birthday my little Jacky baby!

11 Months Old

Today the little guy is 11 months old. Hard to believe. I really wish it would not fly by so quickly. In just 4 weeks he will be one....I am struggling with not wanting him to turn a year yet.

Swinging

Jack loved his first time in the swing!



How do you like to go up in a swing?
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!




Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside--



Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown -
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

Sweet Baby

Baby's Words
by Frank Greg

Although I am small and cannot say a word
these thoughts of my family I wish could be heard . . .
I feel all your love and the kind things you do.
I get so excited that I smile and coo.
A soapy warm bath or the comb through my hair
all your soft whispers that tell me you care.
Then wrapped in your arms it is safe and secure
protected with tenderness that is perfect and pure.
And if ever I'm messy, hungry, or cold
with just a small whimper I'm quickly consoled.
You kiss and caress to stop me from weeping
then patiently wait 'til I'm comfortably sleeping.
You make my life joyous, full of colors and fun
when I see you each morning your face is my sun.
So, if you aren't certain your gestures are felt
look deep in my eyes and I'm sure you will melt.
They say I'll grow fast like the blink of an eye
but do not be sad at the time that goes by.
Because I'll remember all you've given and shared
to get me through life completely prepared.
I'll be the great one who stands out in the crowd
your hearts will be happy I'll make you so proud.
I thank you so much for all that you do
and never forget that I love you, too.

My Little Boy

Why God Made Little Boys



God made the world out of His dreams

Of magic mountains, oceans and streams,

Prairies and plans and wooded land,

Then paused and thought “I need someone to stand

On top of mountains, to conquer the seas,

Explore the plains and climb the trees.

Someone to start out small and to grow,

Sturdy, strong as a tree…” And so,

He created boys, full of spirit and fun,

To explore and conquer, to romp and run.

With dirty faces and banged up chins,

With courageous hearts and boyish grins.

When He had completed the task He’d begun

He surely said “A job well done”.

Some Pics Of My Littlest Guy

Starting to grab his feet. He is not really interested in rolling over just yet.



He is really starting to like various toys with their different sizes and colors.


Finally starting to enjoy being on his stomach. My poor little guy has had reflux which has limited his activity for the past 6 months.




He is looking pretty confident in himself.

He is coming up quick on 6 months. Exciting but sad how quickly it really flies by.

Jack 5 months.

It has been hard again with Jack lately, but isn't he just so cute! You would never know he was a handful.