August 21, 2011

We have had such a fun, busy summer and it's not even over yet. I'm posting some recent pictures from our summer, including one from our most recent adventure in Newbury Port, MA (I'm still unloading the car!).

Beau is absolutely amazing. I can hardly believe he's getting ready to go to kindergarten... where did the time go? I love watching them grow, but I do miss the baby years. They are simply amazing to me. Between ballet, soccer, t-ball, karate, play dates, and school it's no wonder time flies like it does. Even more amazing is the conversations between the kids. Both of them are so advanced for their ages. Sometimes I find myself shocked by their higher cognitive functions - like rationalization, negotiation, and logical conclusions. Cracks me up when they tell each other that they "need a minute alone". Too cute!

As you can see, Beau not only learned how to write his own name, but also his sister's. :) I don't have the heart to clean it off months later.

Every once in a while I look back at the NICU blog and I'm reminded all over again how it felt to be a NICU parent. To all NICU parents, past, present, and future, I wish you only the best. Be strong and have faith. My thoughts and my heart go out to every single one of you. To those who have kept up with the blog and continue to read our story, thank you for all of your time and well wishes. They have meant the world to our family. And finally, to those who want to pay me lots of money to share my story you can contact me at drelovett@hotmail.com! LOL. Worth a try, right?!

New info!

Hi everyone... if anyone is still left reading this blog. I wouldn't blame you if you aren't any longer. It's been way too long since I've last posted.

Life has been interesting in our house. Full of ups and downs and new experiences.

Beau just turned 4 and Becca just turned 3. It's AMAZING! Every so often I read through my old blog posts and remember how they came into the world. No one can believe Beau's progress.

We noticed he had a speech delay that wasn't improving about 8 weeks before his 3rd birthday. We called early intervention who worked with our little man until he turned 3 and his preschool took over. He saw the preschool speech pathologist for 3 weeks, then entered into the summer program. From there he just exploded! Now he doesn't STOP talking lol. He has an IEP in place so he can continue to get help for his language.

Currently he's working on writing his name. This would be SO MUCH EASIER if he had ANY interest at all in coloring or writing. Sigh.

Princess peanut butt (Becca) on the other hand just loves to color and write. She's already starting to write her name and draw me pictures. She's a mommy's girl through and through. She's always by my side and I just LOVE it!

Beau isn't as much of a cuddle bug as Becca is, but I just love it when he comes over and sits on my lap with his monkey. Oh yes, the monkey's are still with us! They are essential to any bedtime or awkward situation for the little man. Even his preschool teacher is on friendly terms with the monkeys!

I will keep blogging and posting pictures of the kids for all of those interested. Just let me know!

I'm such a slacker!

I can not believe how long it's been since I've signed into blogspot, let alone posted. For all you Beau and Becca supporters, here is your fix!

Beau is doing so great! It's amazing. He's been actual age appropriate in all areas since May. He makes all kinds of animal sounds, jumps over things, plays lots of games, and just LOVES books. He and Becca are feeding off of each other and really pulling each other along. He's starting to recognize and point out different colors. So far, he loves yellow. He says ell-oh. He loves to make up games and show us how to play. Currently his toy monkeys are on the same diet he is. He insists they come with us everywhere we go and they are always key to whatever we're doing. Beau now tells me what he wants to do by showing me with hand gestures or trying to say the words. He'll choose his own snack and will tell me when it's time to each and drink by taking me to the pantry door or the fridge. He insists I pick him up and he'll take out what he wants. He's just amazing to me. I can't believe he was that little, tiny baby given a 50% chance. His pediatrician calls him the miracle boy... loudly... in front of all the other kids and parents. We get a lot of curious glances. We are so proud and amazed by him everyday.

Becca is just as amazing as her big brother. She can count to 10 with a less and less help, and counts to 5 on her own! I can't believe it. She's got to be some kind of genious. She has over 20 clear words, can jump over things too, and keeps up with her brother better than anyone would have ever expected her to at just 16 months! She has memorized a couple of books. She'll bring the book to me and sit down in my lap, then she'll make the animal noise, or say the color or number or whatever. She's amazing! She'll carry a full conversation with you about almost anything you want her too. She is my little mimic though. Everything I do, she does. She uses her hand as a make shift phone when it rings and holds a conversation complete with "uh huh", "yes", and then will laugh just like I do. She hangs up the phone when it's done ringing too. She's very excited to have just discovered the "piggy toes" rhyme. She looks down at her toes and grabs each one as I say, this little piggy went to market, etc. She picks things up so quickly, physical, mental, and social. We've learned to really watch what we say and do around our little beauty queen pumpkin butt princess genious. No... that's not her real title... It's just the one she's earned lately. :)

Big News!

Hello everyone! We have lots of new, good news!

Becca has taken her first steps and is well on her way to walking! We can't believe how smart she is. She is quite the little mimic. She's even got a few words! She says, "uh-oh, dada, mama, and Beau." She's so funny yelling at him when he steals her pacifier. She's still a little princess and drama queen. She knows how to get her way and is so cute she's really got us wrapped around her little finger! She's finally hit the 20 lb mark, so we've upgraded her car seat. She now faces front and just loves it. She thinks that's the best thing ever. I'm going to have to remember to take pictures of her in it. It's pale gray with pink and gray plaid. Too cute!

Beau is doing great! He's had his last round of Synagis for the year, and hopefully forever. He weighed in at a wopping 24 lbs! Up almost 2 lbs since his visit last month. Now I know a lot of you are thinking that 24 lbs is not a lot for a 2 year old, but it is for Beau. He's always had a hard time gaining weight. He's so tall and thin, plus he doesn't sit still for a minute. He's always on the go climbing up things or pushing his sister out of the the way! This week we had a re-eval for PT. It was going really well even with Beau's semi cooperation. At the end of the eval, the PT and OT told us we no longer qualify for services since Beau is age appropriate in all areas!!!! Can you believe it?! Neill and I were speechless. Beau has come so far and is doing so great... we are just so thankful to everyone who got us through the NICU and beyond with your thoughts, prayers, and good wishes. It's amazing. Thank you so much!

The kids now have a brand new toddler jungle gym in the yard. It's HUGE! It's just like a club house complete with a second story lookout tower. Beau runs right up and climbs the ladder to the top. He's too funny sliding down the slide. The look on his face is a mix of terror and exhilaration. Becca loves the tunnels underneath. She'll stop and start smacking the walls, giggling like crazy. She's trying to figure out the ladder, but for now we're safe. You know, I say we're safe, but that's only when I'm not prying rocks and pepples out of her mouth. Sometimes she'll spit them out, but sometimes she crawls under the porch where I can barely reach her and has a feast on dead leaves and small rocks..... gross. So far, knock on woode, she's never swallowed it, just stuck it in her mouth. I don't even want to think about where they've been.

Hi everyone! It's been so long since I've last posted. I can't believe how busy I am. Now that I'm back to work, I realize how much free time I had before and how much I don't have any now. Anyhow.... Mom's 50th birthday party went brilliantly. Sorry to all of you that couldn't make it. It was a lot of fun, the baby pictures were fantastic, and mom didn't suspect a thing! Scary what good liars we can be when we're on a covert mission.

The kiddos are doing GREAT!! They get along together SO well. Beau is an excellent big brother. Neill and I found them in their room and Beau was teaching Becca all about legos. He put them together, then pulled them apart, then handed them to her. She was so sweet watching him and trying to do it. We couldn't believe how patient he was with her. They are just the best of friends and it's so amazing to see. Beau loves to keep her entertained and she loves when he feeds her.

Beau's getting his molar's in. I didn't even know he was cutting more teeth until I saw the gleaming white in the back of his mouth. No I-teeth yet, 2 1/2 molars though. The I-teeth look like they're trying to do something, what I have no idea. Becca has three teeth. They are SUPER sharp. Trust me, I've been bit way too many times. You think I'd learn not to stick my fingers in her mouth.

Both are super busy. They are everywhere and into everything. Luckily the whole house is baby proofed, so they go as they please with little to no boundaries. This is a good and bad thing. When we go out, they get lots of boundaries and Beau has the hardest time with it. Becca's still small enough to just put on my lap and as long as I have food, she's good. The girl can eat for America! She cracks me up. She's pulling up on everything and cruzing a bit. It's too cute to look down to the peanut pulling up on my pants leg. I think awww she wants her momma, then I realize there's food in my hand and I don't feel so awww anymore. hehehe But I must say, she's a very cute little cuddle bug. Our pedi said she's doing great, she's a peanut though, but at least she's a consistently growing peanut. She is so smart. She learns SO quickly I can hardly believe it. She's such a mimic too. She's mimic sounds, movements, and dances! She crawls along the floor, then stops to lean back and forth going, la la la. I can't stop laughing at her dancing and singing.

Beau on the other hand is HUGE! He's so long I can't believe it. That boy has the longest legs, the thickest, longest eyelashes, and plump red lips..... I am so jealous! He is very busy learning how to use his body in all kinds of interesting ways, like hanging upside down or running away from Neill and I. He's also developed a very important skill.... pull open the vents and throw toys into the vent shaft... YAY! I'm so proud. He thinks it's great to throw the food he doesn't want into the grates too. Lovely. He's still a chronic W sitter. We're working on alternative positions and thankfully, he's open to suggestions. His words are amazing. He is so smart I can't believe it. He can understand complex instructions (throw the ball to mom), can hold a conversation (whether you fully understand his side is up for debate), and cleans up his mess! He's too cute. He's also learned to smile on demand for pictures! The picture above is that smile lol.

We've started introducing him to the potty. It's harder than I thought. I have to keep reminding myself that people potty train their kids everyday, but I'm absolutely clueless and definitely open to suggestions! For now he'll sit there for a few, but then is too busy. We've let him walk around naked to get him used to his body functions, but that boy just isn't ready to pee on the potty. So for now we're working on sitting whenever we have to go and if he gets "the face." We all know that face that says I'm in the process of soiling my diaper!

We're really looking forward to spring and summer at our new house. We've got our own yard!! We're picking out sand boxes and getting ready to bring toys outside. Now all we have to do is build a fence made special to keep in babies!

New pics........finally

Pictures, pictures, and more pictures! These are taken just before Christmas and Christmas morning. Becca just loves posing for the camera where as Beau still tries to grab it off me. So far Becca is dragging herself across the floor, but makes a little headway everyday with actual crawling. Beau is practically running now! He's so funny running away from me at bedtime. Mostly, he'll tell me that he wants a nap or to go to bed, he'll even say yes when I ask if he's ready for nuh nights time. Too cute! How many toddlers actually ask for a nap?? Becca is more of a princess everday. Last night she couldn't handle her auntie balling up tissue paper. She'd cry until she stopped, then smile. Too funny. Beau finally got that 8th tooth in. I was wondering when it'd make an appearance. He's had 7 teeth for about 3 months! Becca has 2 teeth that she uses very nicely. She's babbling like crazy. Lots of dadada sounds. Beau has a large vocab for such a little man. He's starting to say short phrases which is just phenomenal to me. Also... we've had a recurrence of his favorite swear; sh*t. I can't tell you how embarassing it was to have an old lady cooing at the kids and Beau babble then clearly say "sh*t" with that innocent look on his face. I've had a whole range of reactions from shocked to laughter. Us parents are choosing to ignore it while turning our heads and laughing. How do you do it? They're too funny when they act up. I'm spending more time walking into the next room to laugh then stopping the behavior. Oh well... such is life!

I Know I Know!

Oh man am I behind on this blog! Soon I'll be putting up new pics and writing more, as soon as the holidays finishing beating the crap out of me.

We have several new updates. I have a new job and I LOVE it! I work with troubled kids in a court ordered group home. Besides how the name sounds, we have a good time and we get to help kids in trouble.

Beau has caught up completely developmentally AND for growth! He's the size of any other 18 month old toddler; nevermind he should only be 14 months. He has 7 teeth now :). He is WALKING! No... running away from me now. He's so funny. All he needed was a little bit of guts and he took off. His new trick is walking and drinking from a sippy cup.... it's funny to say the least. His eczema is rediculous though. We've been refered to a dermatologist who will hopefully be able to help. Winter is so rough on his skin. Anyhow, I'm still not used to seeing my little boy decide that he doesn't want to do whatever and walk away from me into his room... too funny!

Becca is a little princess as always. She currently has 2 teeth! She's very particular and demanding, luckily she's SO cute and cuddly and smiley and happy.... :) Beau has a new remote control car that she HATES! She just looks at it and starts crying. I can't entirely blame her seeing as Beau decided to aim it at her. She's currently sitting up and very close to crawling. She's been up on all fours and rocking back and forth for a while. She gets some forward motion, but mainly backward. She's very frustrated that she can't just get what she wants immediately... this could be a problem later on. I don't even want to think about the teenage years with her. She's finally taking to solid baby food and has stopped acting like I'm poisoning her. Now she snaps at the spoon like a snapping turtle! We have a video that is so funny of her eating... I'll have to remember to upload that. She stares at the spoon for a few seconds before lunging forward and eating the food. She's also taken to biting the spoon.... cuuuute.
Next time hopefully I'll be able to upload pics and vids!