Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Progress

Gabe has an appointment next week at Shriners. His PT did some evaluations to write a progress report to send to his doctor. The good news is he is not really behind! He does some things differently but he is able to do pretty much all of the age appropriate tasks that she asked him to do. Some of the ways that he does stuff makes her think that he doesn't have complete sensation in his hand, but we know he has some, because the other week she had him playing a game where he had to pull stuff out that he couldn't see.The PT was surprised that he was doing so well with fine motor skills, but he has made a tremendous improvement in that area in the two months since we switched from PT to OT with early intervention.

Monday, February 6, 2012

He's so...one


Last Wednesday Gabe's PT told me how wonderful it was to see him acting like a typical one year old. Its so true. She also said that he is the most strong willed little boy she has ever seen, I had to laugh at that one, since I know two that have stronger wills. I don't know why I didn't think he would be a rambunctious toddler. I have heard stories about laid back kids who don't get into stuff, but I'm starting to not believe them. He was a really laid back baby, I think some of his brother and sister must have rubbed off on him. He has his struggles with his arm, but he doesn't let them hold him back in anyway. I gave me a new perspective. Whenever I get frustrated at him for climbing or making a mess, I think that his limitations could be worse, and I am so glad that he is enjoying being a toddler, and am just trying not to spoil him too badly.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

15 months and 2 months

taken on the 24th, I can't believe how much my babies are growing and changing. Gabe is starting look like a little boy and Sophia is losing her newborn-ness, and holding her head up when she lays on her tummy!




Kisses

I am not a fan of makeup on children, I don't wear it myself (nothing against it, I'm just too lazy) So when Isabelle got a makeup set for Christmas I fully intended to throw it away. I never got around to it and they found it today. When they found it today and asked to play with it. I hesitated for a bit and decided that as long as they could keep it on their faces they could use it.  They had a blast. Isabelle painted her nails and I think she did a better job then I usually do. It is cold and rainy and Gabe is sick so we're stuck at home, the perfect day to play something we aren't usually allowed to play.



and of course what is more fun then making lip marks when your lips are bright pink? Gabe got decorated and I even got a kiss. 


now where's that makeup remover?

Friday, January 13, 2012

12s

I saw this on an online forum that I frequent. Simple enough, take 12 pictures on the 12th of each month.

Thursdays are our day that we don't have to go anywhere, so we often stay in jammies as long as we can. It was a rainy dreary day, so we were stuck inside as well

Sophia is 7 weeks today, she is chunking up nicely, she still seems so tiny to me though

she is starting to smile

tummy time

wearing Sophia

Slinky

fun in a box

Gabe and Izzy drawing... she moved the paper on him, and he drew on the table, good thing they were washable markers.
lunchtime, its getting harder and harder to keep this monkey contained, time to switch to a booster seat at the table.

Izzy and Isaac got to watch some videos on the i-pad, Sophia joined them. Izzy loves to hold her which is great since she always wants to be held. 

went to target for diapers, came home with...well a few extra things

Gabe modeling the wig we found on clearance at target

my clean laundry to be folded, this pile almost always exists in one form or another here. I'm convinced that all moms have piles of laundry.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Monday, January 9, 2012

Life

Sophia is 6 weeks old already.  She loves to be held, does not like to be put down. Thank goodness for my sleepywrap.



Gabe has hit toddlerhood full force. He is running everywhere, and starting to say a few words. He has learned how to go down the stairs, and is climbing on everything. He is also learning how to use utensils.



Isabelle and Isaac have been keeping me busy as well. I love seeing their imaginations at work. Today they made their pegboard a birthday cake. They even pretended to bake it in the box. Then we sang "happy birthday" and blew out the candles.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Party Planning - things my kids say


Source: 79ideas.org via Crystal on Pinterest

I love the enthusiasm of four year olds. Izzy has been planning her birthday party since October. "I want a princess party with pink cake and pink icing" I have recently found the pinterest love, and have been browsing on it while I nurse Sophia. Today I asked her what kind of party she wanted, so we could look for pictures on Pinterest. "I want a princess party! and I want it to be pink, and everyone must wear pink... or blue, and bring a pink toy or blue or purple"

Sunday, January 1, 2012

A new year...

... a new beginning. I'm not big on New Year's resolutions, they seem to get broken in a few weeks anything. but I think of the new year as a sigh of relief, the holidays are over, our routines are so broken that we might as well work on new one's. Its been interesting looking back on this past year, as I feel like its been a year of growth for me.  A year ago,  we were still very uncertain about Gabe's recovery, and Sophia wasn't even a thought in the back of our minds. God has faithfully led us through this year. I am looking forward to this next year, as another year of growth.
There are a few things I would like to accomplish this year. We'll call them goals since I don't like resolutions.
1. Read my Bible every day.
2. Memorize scripture, and teach the children to memorize scripture.
3. Cook more meals, using whole foods whenever possible
4. Spend more meaningful time with the children.
5. Simplify. reduce clutter, get rid of the extra stuff in my life that causes me stress.