6 month Check Up

You did very well at your check up Rowan!  I cannot even believe you are going to be six months on April 7th!  Here are your stats:
Weight  17 lbs 14 oz 80th %
Height   26 3/4  85th%
Head     42.9   70th%
You got 3 shots.  :(  And we tried to give you some dye-free tylenol when we got home and you puked all over daddy.  First time you have ever thrown up and since you have never really spit up, I ESPECIALLY hated seeing this!  You HATED it!  In your defense, daddy tried to give it to you while you were laying flat on your back.  :/  So needless to say, it went down the wrong pipe!
The dr. said he does not see any teeth coming in which is so funny to me because your big bro already had 2 and was getting 5 more at this time!  He had 7 at 6.5 months.
We tried to sit you up on the table and you still tip to the one side.  He said you are just not ready.  ;) 
You ARE scooching allllllllllll over now.  One side of the room to the other.
You love to play under your blanket and under the chair.  So cute.
The piggy toy in the pic above is one of your faves.
You also loooooove your brother's froggy blankie.  And he shares with you SO SO SO nicely.  He loves you SOOOO much!
Your brother makes you laugh so hard when he comes down the steps (apparently it is HILARIOUS!) and when we are done eating he likes to yell DONE!  which sounds like DAT! but you crack up every time...like over and over.  It is just adorable how much you look up to him.
You are doing GREAT in your carseat now!  THANKS BE TO GOD!  ;)
Sleep and you are not the best of friends.  ;)  You have only slept through the night a handful of times and since it is not teeth, I am just not sure what the heck the deal is.  I think you just want your mama to snuggle with you which is just fine with me!  ;)  I am getting a little tired though.
You are FINALLY napping well!  2-3 naps in your crib for at least 30 minutes each.  Sometimes for 2 hours!!!  I love that!
I am still breastfeeding you and planned to at least through 8 months.  But, they just discontinued the Target Brand formula we were using and the others are like 10 dollars more, so I may just do it til a year!  Such a savings!
You are not liking foods other than cereal still.  I tried peas and I cannot even explain the gag reflex.  You still make a face like you are eating a lemon when I give you pears.  In cereal, you tolerate them.  The only food you will eat alone is prunes.  I mean GROSS!  And I can also mix sweet potatoes into cereal but you will not eat them alone.  Picky much?  ;)  After our trip this weekend, we are going to start the green veggies.  I can only imagine how that will go over.  And the dr. said to try some mixed fruits and veggies once you have tried them by themselves that maybe you would like them better.  And then some meats and also some finger foods in a month or so.  Cannot believe you are this big already!  Unfortunately, you are not liking the homemade baby food at all.  :(  Only the store bought.  Not sure if it is the consistency or what.  But, again, we are going to keep trying!!!
You are getting a little bored with some of your "spots" these days. 
You LOVE being outside in the bumbo just watching brother play and the weather has been so nice, we have been out there a lot.  We put you in the swing the other night for the first time and you were not real sure about it at first, but then warmed up.  ;)

We cannot believe what a sweet girl you are.  And love you oh so much!

A few sidenotes:
This is when I got "baby fever" after Liam and was ready for another.
I cannot even believe this, but we are going to "try" (well cannot even call it that because if it happens, it happens, and if not, that is what is meant to be) for that third through next April.  That would keep me at 35 and under which I have always wanted.  I am SOO irregular (maybe TMI) that it is sooooo hard to know when I am ovulating etc.  Liam and Rowan were both "Clomid babies".  Without using that, it is not going to be easy at all, but we will see.  Again, we are not really even trying, but would not be upset if it happened!  If it doesn't my wonderful hubby is going to get uno what.  ;)  And we are most definitely done then!  ;)

Friday, we are going away for the first time ALONE in 4 years.  We are SOOOOO thankful to my parents for coming here to watch the kiddos, even with the week they have had.  :(  I will not go into details, but the long and short is my sweet little brother Kevin has been battling a drug addiction for many years but was never ready to get help.  Yesterday, he was FINALLY admitted to a drug rehab center in Pennsylvania.  He went willingly and we are so proud of him.  To say that the past few months of worrying and stress has taken a toll on my parents is an understatement.  He was truly at "rock bottom" and we were all very fearful for his life.  They are really excited to have the time with the kiddos and I think it could be just what they need.  I feel extra lucky to have such supportive, unconditionally loving parents.  Being a parent now myself, they truly do amaze me!  2 days and counting till I can give them a HUGE hug!!!! 

Happy Tuesday!

Rowan is still cracking us up!

I know have posted about this before, but this girl is A TRIP!  She keeps up laughing and is such a joy to be around.  Here are a few of her latest funnies...

She is still eating her feet on a half hour basis.  ;)  I mean if you cannot laugh at the feet eating, the legs alone are sure to give you a little giggle! 

Not sure what this is, but she is so darn proud of it after she does it!  She "collapses", turns and looks at me with the biggest, gummiest smile.  Melts my heart and cracks me up all at the same time!

Okay, seriously THE.FUNNIEST.THING.EVER. and the picture cannot even capture the half of it.  She rolls all over the place on the floor now...even doing some scooching.  But she looooooves to roll herself up in the blanket and play under there!  HILARIOUS!
This was her when I unwrapped her. 

"Hi mom" and still so happy! 
I am telling you...she is sooooo funny!  And soooooo happy!
I do not have a pic but the other cutest, random "Rowan-ism" is the pointed toes when we stand her up.  Those of you who have seen it, know just what I am talking about!  Curled and like a ballerina with point shoes on! 
Oh my sweet girl. I have no idea what I would do without you!  :-)

Easter Egg Hunt 2012

At noon, we met the Rockenbacks at Blue Goose for some food before the big hunt at the soccer fields.  Rowan decided to sleep in (of course on the day dada was getting up with her!) and she did not take a nap before we left.  But, she did fall asleep on the way to the restaurant and stayed asleep in her carseat for a bit while we ate.  She is such a flexible, sweet baby, it just amazes me every day!  As always, she woke up super happy and ready for the big day.  Liam has been a little cranky this week, but was still TRYING to be on his best behavior.  ;)  After we ate, we changed some diapers and headed over to the shuttle.  It was the PERFECT day for being outside.  A little hot, but overall soooo pleasant.  Nothing like what the summer is going to be!  YIKES!

Taking a knee in preparation???  ;)

With daddy on the shuttle on the way to the fields!

I mean what child would not be in HEAVEN???

Had a little bit of a rough time waiting for the start!  yikes.  Oe temper tantrum later we were a.ok.  ;)

Okay, here we go!

Getting the stash together!

Mommy and Rowan and Liam!  :-)

And the results!  The two adorable blondies with their baskets filled.  Hmmmmm...I must say I think girls rule ;)  Emmie was definitely the smarter hunter.  She got all the CANDY while Liam's basket is filled with teddy grahams and cheerios.  ;) 

What a great day of great memories.  We feel so luck y to have met such good friends here.  Liam is a lucky guy to hang out with such a pretty little lady all of the time too!  ;)

 

Warm Nights

Loving this weather at night.  It is soooo much fun to take the kiddos out back and just watch the interaction and JOY on their faces.  :-)  Life is good!

Liam loooooooves the swing!

Rowan just hangs out!  She is seriously the cutest!  I know I am partial, but really??!

Haha...Rick was trying to put together Lima's soccer goal (a Christmas present) and Liam ran away with the post!  ;)

Love these little moments.  How lucky we are!!!

Just some random stuff ;)

1.  Liam did well on his second hearing test.  They feel he is hearing normally.  This audiologist was FABULOUS with him.

2.  Liam loves spicy foods.  He ate buffalo wings last night and loved them!  Loves tacos too.  Just a pic of his wing face.  ;)

3.  I love Rowan's gummy smile.  I tried to get a pic of it but it was not a success.  I did get this cute one though!

LOVE those eyelsshes.  She just started doing raspberries.  Cutest little thing ever!

4.  TGIF!  Looking forward to a busy, but fun weekend!  Egg hunt tomorrow, pedi, clean out car for parents, try to pack, family picture and Easter shopping, church, drop off a dinner to a friend that just had a baby, groceries for parents, and drink some wine at some point because it has been a looooooong week.

A day in the Life ;)

So, Rick went to the Lakers/Mavs game tonight and although I was sad to miss Book Club I was finally able to type and send an email to my mom with the info. she had been requesting for next week's visit with the kiddos!!!!  I wanted to give her a general idea of what our day looks like.  I know she has raised 3 kids so I am anxious to get some NEW ideas when I get home; but after I typed it, I thought it would be something nice to remember considering their schedules change like the wind!  Here is the email!  :-)

Here is my attempt to explain our "routine"...very, very general...so adapt as you see fit!  ;)

Between 6:30 and 7:30 Rowan wakes up for the day.  I feed her.  You can defrost a 5 oz. frozen bag of milk for her.  We boil water and swirl the bag until it is melted and warm.  And she likes it warmer than you would think is "safe".  ;)  It has shocked Rick and I.  The bottle will be good for 3 hours from the time you defrost (so til about 10 am.)  Just reheat in a pot of boiled water when you need it again...she will not drink it if it is not warm.

Liam usually gets up between 7 and 8:30.  After I feed Rowan, I bring Liam's milk cup upstairs and get him dressed.  Then, I give Rowan a bath and get her dressed while Liam drinks his milk and plays with the toys upstairs.  You really do not have to worry too much about the gate up there.  He does really good up and down the steps.  But, if it makes you more comfortable feel free to lock the gate. 

We all go downstairs.  Liam watches channel 47--Mickey Mouse til 9 am and then I turn the tv off.  When we get downstairs, I give him a bowl (in the cabinet to the right of the sink) of pieces of banana and another bowl of some kind of dry cereal (cheerios or fruit loops).  He also gets half a flinstone, a vitamin C, and his singulair tablet.  I call them his candy and he gobbles them right up.  I also brush his teeth and give one squirt of the nasonex in each nostril.  He will finish his milk pretty fast, so I give him a half juice, half water cup.

Rowan will play on the floor, or in the walker during this time and she may drink some more of the bottle.  

Around 9, we usually go into the playroom.  Rowan will jump in the doorway jumper and Liam plays while I get a bath and get ready.  Anywhere between 9:30 and 11 Rowan gets fussy and you can tell she is ready for a nap.  You can defrost another 5 oz. bottle, bring her upstairs and feed her, then put her down in her crib for a rest.  She will nap for 30-60 minutes.  We turn on the humidifier, her music and just have the shade down and blinds closed.
While she rests, I play with Liam in the toyroom or even outback if it is nice while I watch her in the monitor.  He will probably want one or two snacks.  I usually do goldfish and maybe animal cracker or wheat thins.  One snack, unless he really seems to want more.

**Or, when she gets fussy and you give her some the second bottle is when we will venture out sometimes and she will fall asleep in her carseat.  So if you want to get out, this would be a good time.  Around 10:15ish.**

**If Rowan gets up extra early like between 6 and 6:30, she will probably have a 3 nap day (which is around 9ish, 11:30ish and 3ish)**

**Both will usually have a poo diaper by around 10ish too.**

When she wakes up, she MAY take some more of the bottle, maybe not.  Then she plays on the floor or sits up in the bumbo seat and just watches Liam play.  Liam may want to watch Sesame Street on Channel 13 from 11-12. 

Between 12 and 12:30 we all have lunch.  I make sure the TV is off during this too and we all sit together and eat and chat.  ;)  You can use the rest of the second bottle for Rowan's cereal.  2-3 tablespoons of cereal and mixed with a half jar of prunes or pear or sweet potatoes.  Liam gets another cup of milk and some kind of fruit, peas, and yogurt, or grilled cheese, or a hot dog, or bagel with cream cheese.

After lunch, Rowan will sit upright in the bumbo or in the walker while her food digests ;) and watch Liam play for about 30-60 minutes. 

I change both of their diapers (Liam will usually poo) and Liam goes up for a nap between 1 and 2.  I read him a story sometimes before nap.

When she starts to seem tired, I would defrost another 5 oz bottle and take her up for a nap.  She may only drink an oz or two.  She will sleep again for about 30-60 minutes.

When she wakes up I would try to give her the rest of the bottle and change her diaper.

Liam may play the whole time in his room.  I will usually get him out of his room between 3:30 and 4 if he has slept or not.  He gets a snack and some juice/water.  Snacks could be yogurt or fruit or pretzels or cheese.  I change his diaper.

We sometimes go out back from 4-5.  You can defrost another 5 oz. bottle and she may drink a few oz. before dinner.  If not, no biggie.  Rowan will just sit in the bumbo on the table and watch Liam play.  Liam likes balls and bubbles, his slide, and his ride on and ride in cars.  You could grill at this time if you wanted too.  Or we just play in the playroom or upstairs in the loft as somewhere different.

At 5:15ish, it is mealtime AGAIN!  ;) 

Rowan will get 2-3 tablespoons of cereal and one of the fruits or veggies she did not get at lunch.  I just alternate them all.  Just use the milk from the defrosted bottle.  Liam can have some chicken (he likes to dip in ketchup or bbq sce) or taco meat, corn or broccoli or mixed veggies, rice or a crescent roll, and some fruit or yogurt if he does not eat much of the other stuff.  Liam gets another cup of milk. 

Rowan is usually thirsty after she eats and may need more milk.  You can make a 3 oz. formula bottle to give to her if the defrosted bottle is all gone.  Some playtime and then bath anytime between 6 and 7.

Rowan gets in her pjs and I change her diaper for the last time around 7.  Liam sometimes gets a snack and a cup of water while we watch some TV from 7-7:30.  Rowan will let you know she is ready for bed anywhere between 7 and 8.  We make a 5 oz. formula bottle at 6:45 just to have it ready for when she blows!  ;)  Same thing as for nap, music, bottle and rocking.  She may be really fussy and seem like she does not want the bottle, but she will usually always take about 3 oz. Liam will go down by 7:30 if he did not nap and by 8:15 if he did nap.  

Rowan may wake up in the night.  Unless she is crying, I would not go in.  If you do have to go in, you can rock her, bounce her, turn the music on, or even try a pacifier--she may just chew on it.  If she is still fussy, she may really be hungry so you can make a 3 oz. formula bottle.  By 4:00 am if you do hear her before, she will get up between 4 and 5:30 and go back down.   I would make 3-5 oz. formula bottle  (5 if she has not gotten up, 3 if she got up earlier and ate).

Some notes ;)

If Rowan is really upset, singing to her (This Old Man or Wheels on the Bus) will calm her down.  Playing peek a boo or clap-clap or just talking to her.  The girl LOVES attention.  She loves looking at herself in the mirror.  And of course if you carry her around. ;) Favorite places--floor on the mat, doorway jumper, jumperoo upstairs, floor upstairs, floor in the playroom with some dolls, walker in the kitchen and this is random and probably not the cleanest place, but she loves the floor in my closet...loves looking at the shoes.  Girl after my own heart!  ;)

Liam is VERY sensitive these days.  He does NOT like to be told no.  I have found explaining to him WHY in a sweet voice, REALLY helps. He even kinda flips out from a firm voice.  Timeout on the steps only if nothing else is working.  We maybe need it once every 10 days now.  I do mention it a lot and he usually straightens up and gets himself together.  Positive reinforcement REALLY works!  PRAISE when he uses words!!!!  He loves it!  ;)

I guess this is all.  Again, it is OUR day and you put whatever kind of spin on it you would like!  I would love to have some new ideas of things that they may like to change up "Groundhog Day" a bit! 

Love you and daddy so much and REALLY appreciate that you are doing this for us!!!  Cannot wait to see you in one week!  xoxoxo

Kel :-)

My poor munchkin--first stitches (well, staples) :(

It was a first that I never wanted to have to report.  :(  Hoping my son is not as accident prone as his mother.  But, it has already begun today.

A simple morning began the same as always.  Baths, breakfast, a little cartoons.  We were planning to have 6 friends over for a playdate as well.
At 9:30, there was a knock at the door.  A man in a gray hooded sweatshirt asked if Richard Blake lived here.  I said yes.  He went on to ask if I was Kelly Blake in a very EERY voice.  He then said and I quote "if my husband did not give him his money, we would have some problems".  I was in SHOCK!  I said who are you and what do you mean?  He said "your husband will know what I mean".  WHOA!  I slammed the door, locked it, and called Rick HYSTERICAL.  He left work right away and headed home with a quick stop to the police station.  Long and short is that Rick oversees the fraud department for his company.  They were holding funds on this client because of some unusual activity and it just so happens they are located in Little Elm.  They had apparently been calling Rick's office and harassing them and then somehow found our home address and showed up.  Can we say SCARY?!??!?  When Rick stopped at the police station, they said since he did not assault me, there was nothing they could do.  Seriously?!?!?  Rick's boss contacted the company lawyer and they are getting a restraining order against him so if he does attempt to come at all close to our home, he will be arrested.  OMG!

In the midst of all of this, I tried to cancel the playdate, but not everyone got the email.  So, Ashlea and Ally showed up at 10.  I was explaining to her what was going on while Liam and Ally ran around playing.  The ended up in the dining room where we were talking and Liam pulled on the curtains.  Down they came.  The rod pulled right out of the wall, screws and all and landed on the top left side of his head. He immediately went hysterical, but I just saw two small scratches on his forehead, until his beautiful blonde hair began to turn a dark shade of red and I saw a big gash.  OMG!  THANK GOD Ashlea was here because I went bizerk to say the least.  I could not stay calm, and I think this upset Liam more.  Ashlea cleaned him up a bit and we agreed he needed to get it looked at.  Liam calmed down pretty quickly and I called Rick.  He was at the police station at the time and headed home right away.

Liam ate a bagel before we went while I called the pediatrician to be sure we should not go there first.  He really seemed fine.  MUCH better than me!!!  They said go right to Urgent Care.  We were in at 11 and out by 12 with 2 staples in his head.  The numbing part was the worst and thank goodness Rick was there.  We stopped at McDonalds on the way home to get him yummy french fries and ice cream for lunch for being such a strong boy.  He is currently running around the living room right now and seems just fine.  No nap.  I am a little worried how bath and night time sleeping will go because of where it is on his head.  We go back tomorrow to have it checked and one week from today to have them taken out.  The dr. and nurse were FABULOUS with him.  SUPER gentle and sweet!  Props to Carenow on Preston Road and Lebanon.  :-)  We do have to watch for a concussion, but the dr. said by the size and location he thought he would be ok.

Rick took the rest of the day off.  I was so happy to have him here.  Here are some kinda gross pics.  I felt pretty awful taking pictures of his painful injury, but maybe he will want to see it one day?!?!  Rick just went out to get his haircut and he is picking up some skinnygirl Margaritas on the way home, which I have been dying to try.  PERFECT night to have one and relax after quite an exhausting day!!!  I just never want these kiddos to EVER feel pain.  It is THE hardest thing to see and go through.  :(

Eating ice cream for lunch after the staples and drs!

GROSS I know.  The two shiny things are real staples!  :(

This is really kinda weird I am posting this, but I always remembered the outfit I was wearing in each of my major bike accidents.  This was the shirt he was wearing with his battle scars on it.  :(  He seriously was so strong.

So happy we are all safe and Liam is going to be okay.  Tomorrow is a NEW DAY!  YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

St. Paddy's Day Fun!

Yesterday, we hosted and "Adult and Kids Playdate" here for St. Patrick's Day.  How many time is this holiday on a Saturday?!?!  With two little kiddos, it is a little tough to get out to Greenville Ave. or to Kegs and Eggs.  So, this was the next best thing--but actually THE BEST thing.  I am just not into all of that madness anymore and I am so happy we got to spend the holiday WITH our kids while they could also have fun playing with peers.  Wish more people could have come, but the crew we had was a great group!!!  Here are some pics from the day:

Rowan was a party pooper and took a nap at 6:30!

Daddy Tim and his girls Ava and Brooklyn!

Emmie and Liam!

Cutie pie Zinedean!

Playing outside!  Ava, Liam, and Emily!

That's my boy!  ;)  Why do I feel like this is a sneak preview to St. Paddy's Day like 2030 (wow that sounds Strange!!!)

Drunk wandering???  for now, he must have found a clue!  ;)

 And still lost in the hat while his buddy picks up the chick  ;)

Such a fun day!  And ready for a fun week!  Sidenote:  Key West in 2 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  yayyyyyyyyyy!  ;)

Update on Liam

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy to report that Liam passed his M-Chat screener!!!  He failed 4 questions, but you need 8 to fail the whole test.  Two questions had to do with using his pointer finger to point at things instead of his whole hand (who knew this was an important skill?!??!) and the other 2 were related to hearing.  So, we are still going to make an appt. with the developmental pediatrician considering it takes 4 months to get in...although he has had an amazing 2 weeks, we just want to be sure we have the appt. in case he regresses again. We also have an appt. on Friday to see another audiologist to get a second opinion on his hearing abilities. 

On a VERY positive note, he is now speaking in 2 word phrases.  (Hi baby, go bye-bye, etc.)  That just happened in the past week.  As I said in my first post about this, I HOPE he makes a liar out of me and that it was just me over worrying!!!  His behavior therapist added two extra sessions with us per month.  She was able to meet us at the park for a playdate on Friday.  She was VERY impressed with his parallel play (pretty much imitation) of his peers and the way he tried very hard to talk and interact with them.  She said his eye contact was very good and could not believe how much more he was talking.  Let's say lots of prayers all of this keeps up!  I am one happy mama and you can just tell he is feeling more and more confident.  More to come later~!  :-)

Rowan is 5 months!!

Well it was yesterday but we has been so busy this week with lots of fun playdates!  Monday at the park with Elizabeth and Kate.  Tuesday, we went to Sam and Melissa's house.  Yesterday morning we visited Emmie and Kristi in the morning and then at 3:30 we had Ethan, Cameron, and Jackson here so mommy could chat with Jen and Ashley too!  ;)  Today is rainy and we are all worn out so not too much on the agenda today except a mommy dr. appt. at 4.  Tomorrow, we have groceries in the early am, then speech at noon, and a playdate here at 3:15.  FUN week it has been!

So, better a little late than never, Rowan, here is what you are up to....
You are in 9 month clothes but slowly but surely moving into 12 months!  And I must mention...you HATE GETTING DRESSED...and especially dressed up.  We must work on that!  You are my only girl sweetie!!!
You are getting MUCH better in your carseat..that is why we have been able to get out so much this week.
You go to bed every night by 7.  You are still getting one formula bottle at night and you are looking for it by 6:45...we will see what happens with the time change this weekend.  Mommy is still planning to nurse you now til 8 months.  It has really been sooooo easy with you and not to mention soooo much cheaper!  We just had to buy our first thing of formula because you were drinking samples of similac advance.  So, it really has been soooooo inexpensive.  And the new one should last about a month.
You are LOVING your brown rice cereal.  I have been mixing in pears or sweet potatoes here and there to help regulate you ;) but you do not really care for either by themselves.  You get very excited when you know it is time to eat--you look like a little lizard when I put you in your chair with your bib on--you start sticking out your tongue to get the food off of the spoon before the spoon is even full or near your face--soooooo cute!...I am feeding you 1-2 times per day...depending on the day.
Your nap schedule is finally become regular!!!  You take one nap 2-3 hours after you wake up which is usually between 7 and 7:30 now (well after waking up at midnite, 3, and 6!!!---not sure what this is all about!)...you are super happy in the morning.  You usually nurse a tiny bit and then you just like watching your big bro play.  You think he is sooooo funny.  Then, we get a bath and come downstairs and you nurse a little more.  Not really interested in food in the morning--1. probably because you have eaten so much at at night and 2. because you do not want to miss anything.  :-)  Next nap is around 12ish and the last if you take it is around 4ish.
You are really warming up to your daddy and becoming a little less attached to me.  You have no problems with strangers usually.  As long as they are talking and smiling at you, you are a happy girl.
Not sure if your teeth are making their way up or not.  Your gums are starting to look more and more swollen, but it is so hard to tell.  You do want to chew on ANYTHING and everything!  Yesterday at Emmie's house you were eating a little unicorn...hair and all was all in your mouth!  ha!  Not a fan of the teethers, just like to chew on those link rings.  They were the best 4 dollar investment ever!
You like laying on your mat with some toys around you.  You are trying to grab for everything now and even scooched a little the other day to get to one.
Still LOVE the Bjorn although you are getting sooooo heavy!  But it helps so much at your fussy times or for grocery shopping.
You like your doorway jumper and your walker.  You can get around pretty well in it. 
You are talking up a storm.  Newest sound is that "sucking in" sound...you choke your self every time but LOVE doing it.
You still love to be held and entertained ALOT.  We practice sitting up daily, but you are still pretty wobbly.  Do not seem to really want any parts of it.
Love you so much and just want time to sloooooow down!  You are the cutest.thing.ever.  Here are some pics from this morning!

You love your feet and your big bro!!!  Happy Thursday all!

Update on previous post

First, I want to thank so many people for your sweet words and thoughts.  We have met such amazing friends here and you all are what will get me through this I know!!  ;)  I was on an emotional roller coaster all weekend...sad, mad, hysterically crying, hopeful, scared...but I know this "admitting" part will be one of the hardest parts of this process.  Things really could be so much worse and we are blessed with a very special, beautiful little boy. 

So, after discussing my concerns with Liam's case manager, she felt they were very valid and recommended completing an autism screener on March 14th.  Results will be either pass or fail.  If he fails, we will be referred to a developmental pediatrician who will test and be the professionals to give the diagnosis of autism, if he does indeed have it.  From there, we know we will be able to get the support he may need and we will do anything and everything we can to ensure he has the BEST help possible.  Unfortunately, it could take 2 months from now to get an appt., but at least we are on the road to some answers. 

Thanks again and those prayers are greatly appreciated!! 

My Sweet Boy

Rick and Liam have been eating dinner together every night at the "big table".  Liam gets so excited and it actually has helped him to eat more...like meat!  He imitates every move Rick makes and it really cracks us up.  I would love to eat with them too (one day, one day!!) but I am usually feeding Rowan at that time so for now it is very special for the two of them.

He takes bites at the same exact time as him.

Drinks at the same exact time and then says "ahhhh".

 And turns his plate so the remaining food is closer to him just like daddy does.  SOOOOOO cute!  They feed the fishie every night too while they are up there. 

Naptime has been happening more on the floor than in the big boy bed.  (cannot get the pics to upload but it IS pretty hilarious what I find every day!)

Liam and mommy had a special date to storytime at the library this morning.  It was so wonderful to have that bonding time with him.

Which brings me to my next thing...which is extremely hard for me to admit.  I have some major concerns at this time about Liam being autistic.  The disorder shows up between the ages of 2 and 3 and as time goes on Liam is exhibiting more and more characteristics.  I kept telling myself for a long time I was just "over worrying" as always, or he was "just a boy" but I feel I need to express my concerns out loud because my gut instinct continues to get stronger.  Just as it was very hard to fully admit, understand and come to terms with Liam's language and cognitive delays, this is even harder.  I am having a meeting with his ECI case manager this week to discuss and plan further testing specifically for ASD.  In many ways, he is a very "ordinary" 2 year old...but there are some serious red flags that I just cannot continue to ignore or say "it is just Liam".  He continues his repetitive behaviors in the house of acting out Blues Clues as if he is in his own world.  He often does not respond when I call him by name.  He has to have all of his books standing up on their sides in a line now.  At storytime this morning, he walked on his toes (which has become a daily event) and did a lot of flapping of his hands and arms when other children or adults were trying to talk to him and most of all, he continues to rarely give eye contact when talked to by stranges and sometimes even those who are familiar.  He is unable to attend to a task (playing with blocks for example) for longer than 3 minutes without retracting back to his "own world".  He has been a puzzle I have been trying to put together since the time he was born.  Like there was just SOMETHING that was not connecting.  He has gone in stages with hitting himself in the head when frustrated and throwing tantrums has been going on for a while...but tantrums that just never seemed like "normal" tantrums to me and mainly caused when he cannot handle transitions and/or there is a change in routine.  He still will not call Rick or I by name...he can SAY mommy and daddy, but does not make the connection to call for us when he needs us.  All of this is EXTREMELY difficult for me to admit, but storytime this morning made me about 98% certain something is just "not right".  We have not spent enough time one to one in social situations since the baby came and I see a lot of regression in his behaviors...not "bad"/acting out behaviors, he just definitely seems worlds away from some other kiddos his age.  Call it immaturity, Call it me worrying too much, Call it him being a boy and believe me, I HOPE and PRAY that it IS indeed one of these things...BUT my gut tells me otherwise and I would be unable to live with myself if we did not look into this further.  He is my little angel and I want to do whatever I can to create a stress-free/frustration-free life for him.  Knowing will be the first step and from there we can become more educated on how to be proactive with helping him to live a "normal life".  I am crying as I type this because when you become pregnant and then have that little baby you just KNOW that they will be perfect.  Life can be tricky.  We are also having his hearing checked by another audiologist for a second opinion, so hopefully we can rule out that his communication delay is not due to his hearing.  In addition, it has always amazed me how advanced he is in all motor skills (fine and gross) but I have recently learned that this could also be another red flag...the HUGE discrepancy in the communication/social and motor skills areas.  I love my little man so much and just ask for lots of prayers that I can be strong for him.  It is breaking my heart but all I want is for him to have the BEST.LIFE.POSSIBLE.  Liam, we LOVE you to the moon and back!!!  :-)