It's good to be back! So much has been going on with our little family the past 7 months! I'm sad that I fell behind in the blog but I'm back and re energized with a still very busy family but a renewed desire to share all the good stuff that's been going on with the FOUR of us!
First off- Luke is WALKING all by himself!! It's been a very slow process but about a month ago he surprised us all by taking quite a few steps on his own at therapy. This last week he's really ventured out on his own (mainly around the house and in open spaces at stores). His vision is still a major obstacle and his balance a little wobbly but he's doing great. Here's a video Matt took of him at the DC Shoe outlet in Pismo Beach (he was trying out his new shoes) this past Saturday (October 16th). It's from Matt's cell so excuse the poor quality. Also be sure to listen to it- Luke is quick to respond to us!
The advances this guy has made in the past few months is amazing. Along with the walking he's talking more and more, coming up with his own thoughts, ideas and stories. He's learned how to open our doors at home (including the sliding glass one! He loves to let the dogs outside!) and he's working on taking his clothes off by himself. These are all difficult tasks with only one good three-year-old sized hand! And potty training- we're working on it! On top of all of that Luke is now in a big boy bed in his "new" room (the old guest room) and loves it- he can't get in or out by himself but he's very comfortable and has been sleeping great since the very first night.
And preschool is a HIT! Luke's going 3 days a week for 3 hours each day all by himself! I drop him off in his classroom at 8:15am, beg him for a kiss (he always playfully refuses), he usually disappears into the classroom before I leave and then I pick him up, all smiles, at 11:15am. His teacher is fabulous, he loves the aids and the kids (mainly "typical" kiddos but a few special ed kids are in the program with him) are great. He's becoming more comfortable around his peers and the teachers and specialists are working on his vision and whatever other areas he needs help (mobility and vision mainly but also potty training). We are so lucky to have this great program in our area.
First off- Luke is WALKING all by himself!! It's been a very slow process but about a month ago he surprised us all by taking quite a few steps on his own at therapy. This last week he's really ventured out on his own (mainly around the house and in open spaces at stores). His vision is still a major obstacle and his balance a little wobbly but he's doing great. Here's a video Matt took of him at the DC Shoe outlet in Pismo Beach (he was trying out his new shoes) this past Saturday (October 16th). It's from Matt's cell so excuse the poor quality. Also be sure to listen to it- Luke is quick to respond to us!
The advances this guy has made in the past few months is amazing. Along with the walking he's talking more and more, coming up with his own thoughts, ideas and stories. He's learned how to open our doors at home (including the sliding glass one! He loves to let the dogs outside!) and he's working on taking his clothes off by himself. These are all difficult tasks with only one good three-year-old sized hand! And potty training- we're working on it! On top of all of that Luke is now in a big boy bed in his "new" room (the old guest room) and loves it- he can't get in or out by himself but he's very comfortable and has been sleeping great since the very first night.
And preschool is a HIT! Luke's going 3 days a week for 3 hours each day all by himself! I drop him off in his classroom at 8:15am, beg him for a kiss (he always playfully refuses), he usually disappears into the classroom before I leave and then I pick him up, all smiles, at 11:15am. His teacher is fabulous, he loves the aids and the kids (mainly "typical" kiddos but a few special ed kids are in the program with him) are great. He's becoming more comfortable around his peers and the teachers and specialists are working on his vision and whatever other areas he needs help (mobility and vision mainly but also potty training). We are so lucky to have this great program in our area.
Here's Luke's preschool picture taken in September. I LOVE the cheesy smile!
C.L. Smith Elementary- Preschool 2010-2011
Luke has been keeping us so busy and we love it. He's just the best guy- good natured, hilarious, loving. We couldn't be more proud. Even his 3 year old antics are manageable! Don't get me wrong- he can be a stinker. He's incredibly opinionated and bossy but he's rarely ever mean or aggressive about it. You can usually talk rationally to him and persuade him to do what you want, or don't want, him to do. He's very open to discussion (and negotiation!) and sometimes seems mature beyond his years. He's very quick so I'm sure we're going to have our work cut out for us when 3 turns into 13!
There's no doubt that Luke will be an amazing big brother come February! We found out the good news in June and so far everything has been great with my pregnancy. The craziest thing is that at our 13 week ultrasound I BEGGED the doctor to tell us what he thought the sex of the baby was and he did- but VERY VERY tentatively. He said "boy" but we ran with it! I was just convinced that I was meant to be the mommy to only males! I picked out the nursery bedding and had the whole room mentally redecorated for our new little guy. Thank God we didn't purchase anything! We even kept telling Luke that he was going to have a little brother! So imagine our surprise this past Monday when at our 21 week ultrasound the doctor said "You're definitely having a little GIRL!" Shocked beyond belief!
The ultrasound showed HER to be healthy and that's what is truly important. Luke was healthy up until the day he was born (and at that point was very unhealthy) so it's little comfort from that perspective but a healthy baby NOW is best case scenario NOW. The doctors will monitor me closely and I have another ultrasound scheduled for right after Christmas. Consensus among medical professionals is that what happened to Luke was probably a fluke but it's still nerve-racking since they aren't sure so we can only hope and pray at this point.
And in the spirit of fairness (a tough lesson Luke will have to learn!) here's a picture of our little princess from Tuesday's appointment. She's about 12 oz. right now and camera shy so no great face picture. This is the best one- her head is on the left and that's her arm karate-chopping her poor mom's tummy.
Our daughter! Due 3/1/11 but coming via c-section in February 2011!
Again, I'm so happy to be back and know that at the very least, the grandparents are happy we're back too! We've come so far since I started this little project back in February 2008 and I'm excited to see where the next few years take us!
