Back to School!

Hi Everyone, 

      Sorry it has been a couple weeks since the last blog. It always gets so busy at this time of the year. Well, it gets busy for me, and since I am the one in charge of this blog - the blog doesn't get completed until everything settles down :) Actually, I have been so tired at night, I just have been going to bed, pretty much after the boys or I spend time with Chris and we watch TV. 

First three days of school have been pretty good. I really like my class this year. I have three, that I can tell with keep me on my toes, but that is better than a whole class - like I had last year. This class is very smart, willing to work, and doesn't talk back. I hope it continues. One student totally blows me away. She knows how to spell Independence by herself and gave me an equation for 26 (19+7). I am really hoping this will be a good year. 

Nicholas is doing OK. His last TBall game was a couple of weeks ago. He did really well. He starts Soccer on Monday! He also starts PreK on Monday. His first day is Wednesday. Chris goes with him on Monday and Tuesday for Orientation. Nicholas has an eye doctor appointment on Tuesday. It is semi important. He was throwing up and complaining of headaches. He would throw up and then was fine. He did this twice on two different days. I had a enough and took him to the doctor. The doctor said it could be a viral infection that left acid reflux. I do not believe it is acid reflux since Nicholas does not do acid reflux. If it was Jacob - I would totally believe it. It could also be fluid on the brain from the growth hormone. Throwing up and headaches are two signs of this. To even suggest fluid on the brain freaked me out. We were going to the eye doctor this past Wednesday, but Chris couldn't take an hour off to take him, so it is for this Tuesday. He hasn't been complaining about his head, and no yucky burps - but still complains about his tummy. The growth hormone doctor will get a call. I truly believe the stomach problems are from the shot. 

Then I had Chris take Jacob to his 15 month appointment. Since we were just at a NICU appointment and doing therapy, everything would be fine. I stayed home with Nicholas. Chris comes home and says we need to see a neurologist which we already are and Jacob has a squishy spleen. We see the neurologist in October for a follow up for his head and therapy. So a nothing appointment turned into a something appointment, A squishy spleen could be the underlining symptom for a disorder such as seizures. Out the two problems from my children - I worry about the spleen the most.  Jacob is doing really well though. He is still very attached to me. He is taking a few more steps. The OT therapist told me that we would talk in a few months about less visits! 

It was a week! We ended the week with some walking, and that was just great. I will try to get some new pictures. Have a wonderful week!! Mandy

Have a great day! from Nicholas :) He wanted to type

One More Time

Hi Everyone,

  We went to the playground for the last time this Summer. We will go in the afternoon when I come home from School or on the weekends, but it won't be the same as the Summer trips :)  Taking the boys to the playground this Summer has been a blast! One of our favorite places.

The boys have been wearing me out lately. I will explain why in each paragraph - but hopefully, next week gets better. I love my boys, but oh my goodness! :)

Nicholas' behavior has been pretty good. On the 27th he starts the Preschool. They have orientation and then it really starts on the 29th. We are also putting Nicholas in Soccer. We see some skills when he practices at home, and we think Soccer will be good for him. His T-Ball coach says, there's a lot of running - YES! We really enjoyed T-Ball this year. We will probably do it again next year.
Now, for the ugh part. Nicholas has been waking me up twice a night. He wants water, there is a monster under his bed. He finally slept through the night last night - but oh my! He has also been throwing up. It is upsetting to him. We don't know why. I called the doctor and he told me acid reflux. We are thinking it is a little more than that. I don't think it is a bug. No fever, color is fine, and he only does it once and then is fine. Ooh this child! :)

Jacob takes over the daytime shift of not leaving Mommy alone. This stage / phase has been going on for a long time. I cannot put him down. If I put him down he freaks. When I try to feed him he freaks. When I change his diaper he freaks. He has many meltdowns a day - it has been rough. He is doing a lot of cute things though. If you notice in the last picture, he is pointing. New thing! He also waved a couple of times. He say "Aht" for Hot. I say hot quite a bit :) Physical therapy is trying new things. I went in there and told the therapist, it is so frustrating to see Jacob trying to walk and his legs are just not working. She put him in this mammoth walker - called a gate keeper. His feet went everywhere, but it's a start. We may have to get one for home.

Mommy is a little frustrated right now. I honestly need a break. In a few weeks, I am going up to Lakeside to hang out with one of my best friends' - just a girls weekend. I need that. I love my boys, I really do, but my heart hurts when I see them with a mysterious illness or frustrated with walking. I don't even know how I will deal with going back to work. I have done it before, so I am sure I will be fine - but it doesn't mean I won't miss them.

Ok, Mommy is tired. Have a good rest of the week! Mandy

You can do it Jacob!

Hi Everyone,

      Last Tuesday was the very first time I could stay in Physical therapy and Jacob did not freak out. It was such a good session. Chris and I were so proud of Jacob. Yes, I will admit it - I had some tears in my eyes, because I was so proud of my little guy. The week before, I had to leave. He wanted Mommy, and physical therapy was not going to happen that day. The therapist understood, but told me she would like for me to be in there next time, so I can see what he does during therapy and what we can do at home. I did not leave Jacob in therapy by himself. Chris was in there, and he is way more comfortable with Chris in the session. When I was in the waiting room, I could hear Jacob yelling (in a good way) and laughing. I was a little worried about staying in there this week, but he didn't even notice me. He did so well. He used to be so afraid of the big red ball, and as you can see he is a pro at the ball now. The ball strengthens his trunk. The therapist put a hip helper on him. It is the blue shorts that are closed at the crotch :) It brings his legs together. She said his legs are too far apart, and these will help. I love the black vest. It is a trunk supporter. It helps him so much. When he doesn't have it on - he falls backward all the time. He has low muscle tone and not sure how to put his feet. He wants to walk so bad - but like crawling, something just isn't clicking. It is very frustrating to watch, but at least we are getting therapy for it now. We have a NICU appointment on Tuesday, and I think the doctors will be pleased with his progress. OT has been going wonderful too!!

Nicholas has been keeping me busy. Last Friday, he had his first bee sting. He is not allergic :) He also took the sting like a champ. Had tons of questions after it happened, but the bump was gone by that night. On Monday, Nicholas fell at the library and then told me his tummy hurt. It actually was his ribs. He was OK by Tuesday. He woke up Tuesday with a headache. He felt a little warm to me, so I gave him some medicine. We were shopping after Jacob's appointment and I get a call from the babysitter. She told me that Nicholas had a tick on his head. It was gross! We took him to the Urgent Care and the doctor really had to pull off the tick. He still has a mark! They gave him an antibiotic to keep away Lyme Disease. He woke up Friday with a rash. Took him to the doctor and said to stop the antibiotic. His first T-Ball game went great. He was the first batter and scored the first run. My parents came and I think they really enjoyed the game. I have pictures from the first game :)

Busy week, not sure if I will blog. My classroom opens on Monday. It will be very busy, with working in the classroom and attending therapy. Hopefully, we will be going to the Zoo on Friday. Probably one of the last Summer trips to the Zoo :(

Have a good Week!!! Mandy