Baby Pool Party

Ok, so the last time we tried a pool playdate, we went to Tinley Park public pool....and albeit very fun, it was pretty stressful for us moms. We spent the whole time chasing tots and rescuing them from impending pool danger.

So...in an effort to still have some fun outside, I hosted a baby pool playdate at my house. I set up two baby pools and a crazy sprinkler in the backyard and we let the kids go. We actually had a beautifully sunny day and overall the kids had a blast. We ordered Jimmy Johns for lunch and had a great time spending a couple hours watching the kids run and splash around, eating and catching up. Totally more our style....I mean what's a good playdate if the Mom's can't relax too and talk! ha ha.

Cooper and Gavin playing combined sport using a basketball, soccer ball and golf clubs.

Lauris had no fear of this wild caterpillar sprinkler and approached with the biggest smile and giggle.

Our set up.

A late comer, Jackson got in on the pool action too.

Practicing good lawn care...mowing and watering.

Maddie was the one REALLY enjoying the sprinkler.

Cooper and his shadow.

Date Night

As I posted on facebook earlier in the day, Tuesday was a super fun day...Ultrasound, Chinatown, Billy & Elton. That's right.


Chad took the whole afternoon off which is amazing in itself and after our ultrasound, we went to Chinatown and got dinner for us and Chad and Lorien. We hung at their place and had dinner after which we headed to Wrigley Field to see Billy Joel and Elton John. Seriously, SO FUN!!!


The concert tickets were a gift to my hubby for Father's Day and it turned out to be perfect. They were both great performers and we had so much fun singing and dancing along. It was a beautiful night and our seats were on Wrigley Field...seriously, awesome.


Overall, just a super fun day.

Ultrasound

This week we had our 1/2 way ultrasound and as you can imagine, it was AMAZING! This little baby of ours is quite the mover! I had to go to a different place this time than with Gavin and I'm not so sure about the system this time around....but, it all but makes up for it when you see that little baby moving around.


Everything looked great and I measured right on track at 21 weeks and 3 days. The baby weighs about a pound. We already decided NOT to find out so we'll save that surprise for November. :)


Overall, it was a huge highlight to my day...and a reality check. To put a little "face" to this baby moving around makes it all real and exciting. The baby was moving around a ton (which I could actually feel) and it kept moving its arm and turning its head to face us like it was saying "hey mom and dad." After seeing the ultrasound...although we have NO grounds for this, we think its a boy...it just reminded of us of Gavin. Guess we'll wait and see....


(I'll post pics later when I can get them scanned.)

Salvaging the Weekend

This past weekend the Leonards were scheduled for a visit however, for reasons still unknown to us, Gavin was rocking an extremely high fever on Friday. At its highest it was up to 103.6. Needless to say, the Leonards stayed home so we could keep whatever germs we had to ourselves. It was extremely disappointing so in an effort to "salvage the weekend" we still went to the zoo on Sunday. On Saturday Gavin had no temp and continued to be normal throughout the weekend so we took him on an outing. It was fun to have a couple of hours just the three of us, exploring some new adventures at the zoo.

First stop, the petting zoo. Gavin LOVED, and I mean LOVED, petting and brushing all the goats. He also kept trying to make sure every other kid in the place had a brush so they could have as much fun as him.

The more goats around him, the more he loved it.

Feeding them, that was another exciting adventure. He was picking up the pieces of food off the ground to maximize how much he could give them.
He had no qualms about them licking away on his hand.
Remember those signs about not sticking you fingers in the cages? Um, yeah.
Gavin signing duck.
Dinosaur exhibit.
Two guys talking about the dinosaur times.
Gavin wouldn't look at the camera b/c he was too busy furiously turning his head to every moving dinosaur while signing dinosaur and yelling Mama or Daddy the whole time as if we didn't see them ourselves.
Gavin and Mom.
Oooh, butterfly hunting...another new sign he learned.
Hanging in the butterfly dome.

Lunching and Pooling

On Tuesday mornings my Mom and Grandma golf at Calumet Country Club. So, in an effort to get us all together to hang ...and of course take advantage of a great pool...we are starting a weekly pool date. After Mom and Gram are done golfing, whoever can go of my aunts, cousins and kids meet at the pool for lunch and then swimming. This past Tuesday was our first official day ...yes, it has taken us until mid-July to get this organized. It was beautiful out and the kids had tons of fun swimming and playing together. Gavin however, was a bit out of sorts and spent much of the time whining, moaning and/or throwing a tantrum (there is a major sharing problem involved with that one). I'm thinking it could be teeth but you never know. Regardless, we made it home for a decent nap that afternoon after which he did perk up some. Here are just a few pics I got of the day. Hopefully these fun days will continue for the rest of the summer (minus the tantrums of course).

Halfway There

It is so hard to believe that I am already halfway done with this pregnancy!! Except for the time in the beginning when I was so sick, it feels like time has just flown by. Obviously, I'm super excited and aware that I am pregnant but I just never have time to focus on it. I'm so consumed with Gavin and whatever else life throws us these days, it gives me little time to sit and ponder about this little life inside me.

The time has come for me that I've officially had to "embrace the belly"...I started to really pop out this time around 17/18 weeks which is about a month earlier than with Gavin. So, at 21 weeks, I'm embracing the growing belly for what it is...bring on the maternity clothes...as unfashionable as they may be at times.

I've also grown quite accustomed to the little kicks and knocks I feel periodically in my belly throughout the day. Again, I began feeling these right around 18 weeks (or at least that's when I was certain) which was earlier than with Gavin. However, since its a fav part of pregnancy for me, they were a welcome change.

So, half way there and I know these last months will fly by...which just leaves me thinking, how am I ever going to be ready for this!?!?

Physical Therapy

This week we had Gavin's first physical therapy appt at 7:45 am Monday morning. Overall, it went really well. He enjoyed playing with the super fun toys she brought especially b/c they are big and interactive and new. He bounced on some horse thing which focused on core strengthening, we played with a mini parachute which helps him keep two hands in front of him, we tried playing in different positions and with lots of different toys. The PT helped show me some things I can work on with Gavin at home which is helpful. I know that this therapy session each week can only help him but I'm hoping that we won't be doing it for long. In some ways, I have a hard time understanding what it is exactly that is going to help with speech and I have a hard time recognizing Gavin's weaknesses. We can't start OT though for about 7 weeks so until then, we'll focus on PT and hope it helps. Once we start OT, I'm praying that we'll be able to cut back on the PT. We'll see. I am just trying to be open to what the therapists say and open to what God wants for Gavin.

4th of July

Fourth of July was really fun this year because I took Gavin to his very first parade (unfortunately Chad was working). We met up with some of my cousins in Palos and walked to the Palos Heights Parade a few blocks from their house. Although it was a bit rainy that morning, it actually held off just enough to watch all the floats and of course, collect loads of candy. Gavin was in awe of all the people, floats and trucks that passed by...and the fact that they were waving at him was even better. He just kept waving and smiling and once he figured out what the candy was, he just kept scooping it up and either putting it in his bag or bringing it to me asking me to open it. Later that night we had a few friends over to grill out and relax at our house. Most of our kids (except Cooper) are still too little to stay up for fireworks, so as they went to bed we had a great time catching up with each other.

Our curb spot...waiting for the action to begin.

Waving at EVERY float, person, animal, etc.

It didn't take long for him to realize what he had and that the candy just kept coming.
Sam, Margot and Gavin.

An object of much fascination to Sam and Gavin...the big trucks.
Later at our house. Jackson, Lauris and Gavin
The boys out back doing a little fishing.
Cooper was hanging with the big boys.

What a Friend We Have

Yesterday I went to a funeral for my great uncle and it was a very sad day. However, he had chosen some music and passages he would like at his funeral that were such a reminder to me. In particular we sang "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" ....and as I talk about my discouragement (see previous post), I can't help but read the lines of this song and be thankful to have a friend like Jesus.

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged—

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful,

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge—

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised

Thou wilt all our burdens bear;

May we ever, Lord, be bringing

All to Thee in earnest prayer.

Soon in glory bright, unclouded,

There will be no need for prayer—

Rapture, praise, and endless worship

Will be our sweet portion there.

Discouraged

Recently we had Gavin's OT reevaluation, PT reevaluation and speech reevaluation. Today we had a meeting to go over the reports and discuss what was recommended for him.

Unfortunately, both OT and PT recommended he have therapy one day a week. Obviously, that is crushing news to me. In talking with all three therapists, they feel that truthfully he doesn't need therapy 3 days a week but really, none of them are going to claim another area is more important than their own. So ...that leaves me making a decision about what to do when I feel like I'm not that knowlegdeable on what type of therapy is going to help him the best. Also, I don't WANT Gavin to be in therapy 3 times a week...I want us to have fun and have days free to play and enjoy him.

So, I'm in a difficult spot. I have a baby coming in November. I want to soak up as much time with just Gavin as I can which means not having my life run by therapy. I also see a happy little boy who isn't even two yet....I mean can he really need that much therapy at this age? He is well-adjusted, strong and healthy. I don't get it. However, if by doing therapy 3 times a week, will I have him to a point where he is going to be so much better that by baby-time in November, it will be easy to drop one or two therapy sessions? I don't know.

Here is the report recap: in both OT and PT he did not test a delay, however, they want the therapy b/c although he is accomplishing the tasks he should be at his age, he is doing them in an atypical manner. He falls ALOT...more than the average 21 month child. On the PT side, he pushes his chest out, locking his arms back when he walks creating a barrel-chest. He doesn't play with two hands often, preferring to lock the other one not being used as a stabilizer. He stabilizes his body in atypical ways. The PT thinks he has the strength he needs but is creating bad habits that need to be eliminated....all in hopes of aligning his body so he'll be able to communicate and speak easier. OT claims he does not have any sensory PROBLEMS...but by helping with some sensory issues, it may help him develop his speech more. For example, he does not stay focused on a task for long and often communicates more when engaged in active play. She will help stimulate him where he can concentrate longer and stay focused on tasks longer so he'll benefit more from his speech treatments. She also wants to work on the sensory response he may be having of toe walking (which he still does), core strengthening and other muscle strenthening.

I don't know. I try to follow it all as best as I can. I'm disappointed and discouraged and maybe I'm feeling bad for myself. I know what a blessing and a sweet little boy we have in Gavin. I have to remember that and remember that he was perfectly made.

FLORIDA

Over this past weekend my mom, Gavin and I went for a quick trip to Florida. There was some work going on down there that she wanted to look into and we figured we'd just make a short trip out of it from a Friday to Monday. The weather was beautiful (although there were a few clouds and showers at times), Gavin loved playing with Mom and Grandma in the pool and we had a great time getting away and relaxing for a few days. As always, it felt refreshing to leave everything behind for a few days and read a book by the pool.

Putting our piggies in the ocean.

Playing in the surf.

Mom & Gavin...watching the waves.

As you look at this picture, take your left hand and open it flat. Then take your pointer finger of your right and make an arc as you put your finger into the palm of your left hand. You just signed 'again.' Imagine Gavin signing that over and over and over for his "jumping in" game.

Big smiles on the "catch."

We had so much fun laughing and giggling in the pool.

He was helping blow up the raft.

Testing out the raft that was just his size.

Lots of love.

No greater place than in Grandma's arms.

New Batman jammies complete with cape. He kept running to the mirror to check out the cape.

The back view.