Chomper Check-up

Yesterday was the kids’ first trip to the dentist! Some of you are probably thinking, "he's 3 and already going to the dentist!?" and others, "he's already 3 and this is his first trip?!" but I read something recently (albeit I'm 99% sure it was a direct mail piece from a dental office) that children should see a dentist by their first birthday. Well, that was the first I'd heard of that....I'm pretty sure Will's 3 year check-up was the first time our pediatrician mentioned it. I did plan to bring Will when he was 2 but don't ask me how a whole year went by without taking him. Just one of those things I kept putting off. But a week or so ago I finally made the plunge and called the insurance to get a list of in-network providers. Well, there are none within a 25 mile radius so we get out-of-network coverage and picked whoever we want. Since Maggie had to come along for the ride, I figured why not get her checked too.

At any rate, the office has a huge pirate ship in their waiting room for the kids to play in and Will liked it but you can only go inside and not climb on top where the sail and wheel are, so he didn’t looove it. He gave it his best go and tried to climb up there before I caught him and the receptionist explained there’s no upper deck access. I really like this office…very colorful….a different primary color for each table, TV’s aptly appointed on the ceiling so as to watch while getting a good ‘ol fashioned teeth cleaning and a treasure chest to sift through for a job well done! And they have Fun Fridays where they only see new patients and each get their own time slot. So we were the only people there, very nice. I’m glad they didn’t think I was crazy for taking pictures of everything, in fact, the dentist was grateful and asked me to send him some!
Maggie just had a little exam and the dentist said he could feel her lower central incisors under the gums so they should come in soon. I’m so ready!! I feel like she’s been teething forever…she’ll go in waves where she’ll wake up a few nights and then she’ll be fine. He says that’s pretty common but I’ll be glad when they cut, especially now that she’s so into feeding herself, we can expand our food horizons. So Will was really the star today- laid on the table, under the light and had fluoride brushed on and all. He was such a big boy and did a great job being cooperative plus he received a healthy report from the doc! Will picked 3 bouncy balls out of the treasure chest after his cleaning. I’m happy to report that our first dentist trip was a good experience, hopefully all future check-ups go this smoothly.

Will’s view from his seat

Way to go Maggie

Sunday, July 24th was an amazing day. We went to Sunday School then I picked Maggie up from nursery and brought her to the cry room so I could watch the sermon. I didn’t pack any toys that day, I’m sure partly because they have toys in her class and partly because I didn’t think about it. But wholly by divine appointment, I think, because the only thing I had packed she could play with was a spoon. And in the sitting position (on my lap) she grabbed it at midline and brought it to her mouth!!!! I still get teary-eyed recalling that moment. Now, for most of you with children that’s like no big deal, your baby was doing that months ago. And Will had been by this age too. But this is HUGE for Maggie and a large accomplishment in its own right!! And she did it right about the time Buddy started talking about God’s faithfulness. Oh my word, every baby is life-changing but the circumstances and trials we’ve gone through since Maggie’s birth continuously display God’s Mercy, Grace and well, Faithfulness to us and have been the catalyst for a life-change so much stronger and more profound than even bringing a new baby into the world. As I quietly thanked God I also apologized for not being nearly as faithful to Him as He is to me. Daniel cried when I told him especially when I added that it wasn’t a one-time fluke and she did it several times, even with her right hand/arm which she struggles with more. She has brought her hands (usually one at a time) to her mouth to chew on them but always struggled with it when holding objects. I have discussed this with Heather (OT) and she explained that it takes a lot of coordination to not only bring something to your mouth, but to hold it there. This is hard work for the brain to tell your muscles to do (though most of us don’t know it). 
So now we’re in full self-feeding mode and giving her anything she can gum because no teeth yet. And can I tell you she is LO.VI.NG. IT!

The only problem is she reeeeeally enjoys feeding herself so doesn’t always want her cereal/veggies- what happened last night. But she can’t survive on things she can eat without teeth alone. So we’re working on it.
Oh, and she is bringing both hands together at midline and then to her mouth now too. Not clapping yet, but she’s close. Praise God!

Outdoor fun

The heat here has been ridonculous lately – as it is everywhere from what I’m hearing – so our playtime outside has been limited lately. Because of this I have realized my child is getting spoiled and cringe when I hear him say “it’s too hot outside.” You’re three years old! There’s no such thing as it being too anything outside when you’re three!! Sooooo one day last week we braved the heat and went out anyway. Here are some of my favorite pics:

This, my dear son, is why it's so hot outside-

you're wearing long sleeves and pants in

90 degree weather!

One of my faves:)

Will's dream

Here's the conversation we had when Will woke up today:

W: Mommy, I threw my flip flops in the snow and they flew away and now I have no flip flops to wear outside!
M: Is this a dream you had?
W: Yeah!
W: I threw them and the bugs took them away.
M: Oh no! Those bad buggies, tell them not to take your flip flops.
W: I can't, they already took them!
M: Oh, well tell them to bring your flip flops back.
W: But they ate them! They were very hungry.
M: That is some huuuungry buggies to eat flip flops!
 But since that was a dream and you're awake now, maybe you still have them.
W: They looove flip flops. They already took them. Sorry.

A short time later I found his shoes in the bathroom and brought them out
M: Hey look, I found your flip flops!
W: And bugs didn't eat them! Told you.

-Oh, did you really? haha. Love this kid's imagination-

Thankful Thursday- Progress

Maggie saw our OT on Monday and our PT today and both are loving her progress. Heather brought new, temporary splints for Maggie, her size is still on order so we're using a pair of older (but clean) ones until they arrive. Since Maggie can open her hands when she wants to grab something Heather has never been concerned about the muscle tone in Maggie's hands...there are some babies/children who keep a tight, clenched fist and cannot or will not open them. However, Maggie does still like her fists when doing other things that require concentration, so the splints are there to encourage her to open them all the time. The first set were only for wear during nap time or bed time because they didn't allow her to use her hands while wearing them, hard to explain, and I did not like them. I said all that ('cause I've mentioned the first splints but not sure if I explained them) to say her new splints are PRE-CIOUS!! Now, I say to you as I did Heather and Marliese, I am not suggesting that I'm happy my daughter needs splints BUT these tiny little things are just adorable, I practically squealed (gotta look at the bright side, right?) Here, take a quick look:

I mean, I was ready to break out her leggings so she could work-out 80's style! They're too cute...and the best part, they're functional. She wears them most the day to encourage her hands to remain open all while playing!! Aside from thinking they're precious, I'm thankful to have these new and improved splints and am completely confident/faithful that she won't need them forever! She's already keeping her hands open more.
Back to progress. I have to brag on my child for a moment and just say Maggie is so smart, she picks right up on how-to-do things (she gets this from Daniel). I mentioned her fast learning skills here  and she did it again today: Marliese brought some cups and asked Maggie to place toys "in" the cup and take them "out" and she understood immediately. The hard part to watch, especially as a parent, is that Maggie's coordination is not up to speed with her cognitive abilities so she gets it, wants to do, but it takes a few tries. But that determination will link the two, is linking the two! Maggie's trunk is getting so strong; Marliese and I discussed today that she's made big strides in the last three weeks probably.  Just amazing. God is working and we are so thankful!!! I just have to keep going to Him and know that I can hand all my worries over, He is behind the scenes working. Did you watch the video I posted Tuesday? Take a look & listen....that's exactly what I'm talking about. Mercies in disguise. We just don't know everything...which is why it's called faith.

Blessings

I heard this song for the first time today and wow. Just wow. Incredible lyrics, very convicting (in a good way:))

Amen!

I love my husband and  his heart for God...

http://lotekness.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/taking-stock/

Family Time

Will was super excited this past week when my sister, Tracy, decided to pop down for a couple days with her four kids and our nephew whom she was watching for the week. We enjoyed our time together swimming, getting ice cream, watching movies, and playing inside and out. Maggie also enjoyed the company with little Taryn and Olivia doting on her!  We were sad to see them go since we probably won't be up before school starts. My eldest nephew, Caleb, turns 13 today...happy birthday lil guy!!! And I considered making it to his birthday celebration this afternoon, but just couldn't make it happen.

Caleb :)

Olivia, Taryn, Caleb, Cian, Luke & Will

 sharing treats from the ice cream truck

The mind of a three year old

Some of Will's cute expressions/conversations:

7/11-
W: What are you doin waffle?!?!! I just want to eat you! It's takin a long time to open mommy"
-it being the toaster-

7/7-
Will says to me: You can't just leave that there in front of Mater's road! (a box of diapers while he was 'driving' his Mater)

Diego: Are you a good climber?
Will: Yea! I have a swing set to climb on!

Diego: Are you strong like a jaguar?
Will: No. I just this strong! (shows his muscles)
-glad he has realistic expectations-

While doing pull-ups on the swing set-
W: My daddy does these
Me: Yep and you are sooo strong! How'd you get to be so strong?
W: I don't know. Jesus. Jesus made me big and strong!
a few minutes later...
W: Thanks for getting me a swing set.
M: You're welcome
W: 'Cause I don't wanna climb inside, just outside.
M: That's right!
-glad that lesson is starting to sink in-

7/1-
W: It's ok Maggie, we almost there. That's what my daddy told me.
- 'cause he's only Will's daddy apparently-

And some really cute pics

10 months of God’s Grace

Our sweet Maggie turned 10 months old today! And what a wonderful 10 months this has been, my how time flies! We’re so thankful that we’re able to celebrate our miracle baby this many months later. Maggie has been making so much progress lately with her therapy and when I think back on her very humble beginnings and see everything that God has accomplished in our lives, in her life, through her, I’m amazed. Not only by His Grace but also by the fact that so many people out there don’t believe in our almighty savior. And that saddens me- so let’s save that for another post.
As you know, we saw our PT last week and Maggie had a great session. Marliese decided she wanted to see Maggie more often (I know, initially you think, ooooh that’s not good- but remember she said if they didn’t see potential they wouldn’t come out as much) and plans to see us every week for the next three weeks. She came by yesterday and noticed an improvement in Maggie’s trunk- just in a week!! A.MA.ZING. Keep those prayers coming! She brought one of those pop-up toys- I can’t believe we didn’t have one with Will considering it’s such a classic- and Maggie loved it! Marliese showed Maggie how to open each character- push, twist, flip what have you- and then close them again. Not only did Maggie sit during this whole exercise (going minutes at a time without M even touching her and freeing one hand to play) but also Marliese was impressed with how quickly Maggie caught on to operating the toy and again attributed this to Maggie’s cognitive ability. Of course, Maggie’s gross motor isn’t up to speed with her thinking capacity, so we had to help her with the movement of the exercise but she understood and wanted  to do it herself! She also played with the ring stacker telling her “on” and “off” when applicable; Maggie imitated Marliese saying “on” – in baby language of course. She did great on the exercise ball bracing herself when necessary and managed some baby sit ups.
We saw Heather, our OT today and she noticed right away that Maggie’s trunk was stronger and noted increased coordination. They both see progress every time they see her which is exactly what we all want! Aside from all this, in the last week Maggie has held quadraped again, bent down to pick up a toy and pushed back up, pulled a heavy book out of her tray’s side pocket, and dropped keys into the side pocket and dug in to get them (this shows good eye-hand coordination and object permanence). In one week! How could this be attributed to anything but God and her consistent improvement is miraculous time and again. I’m so proud of our hard-working baby girl and thankful for God’s loving hand!

I’ll put her monthly compares up another time and also my 4th of July post…I know, I know, I do not like posting out of order, but this was just too good to wait!