Words Words Words

"Mommy!  Look!  Rollacosta (rollercoaster)" is a weekly exclamation from our little Evan.  His words are really coming now and sometimes more often that we would like....(not really).  He is quick to remind me if Gretchen or Sean are crying.  He is quick to say "ow, it hurts" to pretty much anything.  He has told Gretchen he loves her on more than one occasion.  For sure, he is going to be a little charmer and if his present behavior is any indicator, a bit devilish.  He is singing a lot more too - Dora theme song and Laurie Berkner songs.  He has come a long way in the last nine months and we are so pleased.

Sean, too, is talking more.  He is very good a mimicking television (Dora, Diego, Timmy the Sheep) and books that he loves.  He started seeing an occupational therapist which I think is helping him a lot.  I still worry about his prognosis (is he autistic?  slow talker?  what?) but I am kind of waiting to see how the next six months go since he is doing a lot of things Evan was doing six months ago.  Both of them are transitioning out of Early Intervention programs into Early Childhood...which means new evaluations and testings.  They are going to get their vision and hearing tested in addition to checking their developmental progress.  We are pretty sure they will qualify for special education again so it should be an interesting year as we look to getting them potty trained.  Sean has gone on the toilet.  Evan went on his potty in his room this week so we may be close to that project very soon!

We will not be doing a big summer party for the boys' birthday but we will for Gretchen (July 9th - save the date!).  Instead we will do a small family gathering and some friends to celebrate their 3rd birthday.  It seems like just yesterday I was crying about having to leave them at Lake Forest NICU.....  I will try and keep the blog more up to date.  Check out our pictures from spring!

Darth Vader Time

Sean getting a breathing treatment at the ER

Well, we have been so lucky to not have any major sicknesses this winter that I knew it could not last....  Sean and Evan both have bronchitis and Sean has an ear infection that is getting treated with a second set of antibiotics.  Last week the breathing issues came to a head and Steve was counting how many breaths per minute for each boy because they both had labored breathing.  We called the pediatrician and Sean was sent to the ER.  Because of Sean and Gretchen being hospitalized for RSV in the past, I had a sick feeling in my stomach that we were about to spend the next five days in the hospital with a sick child.  Then something amazing happened:  they sent us home (after Tylenol, Advil, albuterol and prednisolone).  We dutifully gave them breathing treatments (machine sounds like the Darth Vader mask) and we administered steroids and antibiotics as needed and just prayed for the best.  We took the boys on Monday for a follow up where I swore they were going to have to bump us up to pulmicort because the wheeze was still there but nope!  Wheeze gone... Chest congestion yes but no wheeze...  Even though I'm now on a antibiotic for a sinus infection and taking some prescription strength cough syrup for my own case of bronchitis, I went to bed with a little piece of mind that my boys are growing stronger with good productive coughs.  Since their precarious birth, I have secretly feared so many issues that happen to premature kids that I never feel at peace, never relaxed about my little men.  Sure, they still need speech therapy and occupational therapy (Sean) but these little interludes give me hope that they will have a "normal" life.... that they won't be singled out for being different...  Maybe they will... who knows but for now, I know those lungs are working!

My little Tomtens!

We had a very busy holiday season (just look at Gretchen's blog for a list)!  The boys were not up to sitting on Santa's lap this year but they did smile at him.  This is their first real holiday season as boys (toddlers) and not babies.  So we did boy/kid type things!  They played out in the snow although reluctantly at first.  They opened their presents though Sean did not get into it as much as Evan.  And they really, really enjoyed their presents.  Aunt Sharon bought them a jumpolene and boy did they jump!  Christmas Eve we have a play where the girls dress up as St Lucia.  The boys got to be tomtens (elves) in the play.  Sean enjoyed doing it more I think but he likes wearing hats and snacking more than Evan does. 

They are going up so fast!  Both Evan and Sean are improving in Speech.  We had a review of their IEPs with Early Intervention in December and it is likely they will continue to receive speech services after they turn three.  We have seen a lot of improvement in both of them and are hoping for the best.  Evan has more words than Sean does (I lost count now how many) but Sean repeats most of what he hears.  I'm hoping he'll start using those words he repeats for himself soon.  Grandma continues to take them to gymnastics and they are close to being out of their cribs.  Evan threatens to climb out of his more and more.  It looks like 2011 is going to be action packed for all five of us!

Growing and Growing

The boys are keeping us alert and awake...  They enjoyed Halloween briefly..  We had two costumes that they both wore at different times:  an elephant and a dragon.  Steve took them around to a few houses but like with Gretchen when she was two, they didn't last long. 

Evan is a nonstop talking machine.  He's mimicking words and phrases so we're careful with what we say out load.  Sean is slowly coming around - he's babbling and singing a lot.  Sometimes he repeats random words that we say but his speech is not where it should be at this age.  Both boys are still receiving speech therapy and Sean will be evaluated for occupational therapy.  They think he may have a sensory processing issue which would explain his limited selection of foods.  Both Sean and Evan have issues with food - some would call it picky eating but I think there is more to it. 

Their personalities are so different, as I expected.  Evan is loud and boisterous.  He has to be the center of attention most of the time but he can be so sweet that it's hard to resist him.  For example, in the morning, after throwing a fit about his coat, he will blow me kisses goodbye.  Sigh...  He is funny.  He loves to take off his socks and shoes as soon as he gets home.  He doesn't like wearing clothing and has a hard time with long sleeves and coats.  He gets used to it but he doesn't like it.  He reminds me a lot of Steve's dad, Dave.  I think he would walk around the house in shorts and nothing else if we let him.

Sean on the other hand is soft spoken most often but can be screechy when provoked or frustrated.  He usually goes with the flow and doesn't enjoy Evan's daily dramas.  He can be very physically with both hugs and head butts.  He sings a lot... little songs to himself.  He enjoys musical toys and books.  He also really likes bead mazes - he plays with one at church every weekend.

I posted a video of Evan but I promise to get one of Sean up.  Until then, here are pictures from this fall.

Evan talks, Gretchen giggles

We had a lot of fun this summer.  The boys grew so much!  Both Steve and I agree that we packed as much as we could in one summer.  Zoo trips, Six Flags, walks around the neighborhood and camping kept our whole family on the go. 

Speech Therapy

I send the boys' speech therapist occasional updates on the boys to let her know how they are progressing at home.  For memory's sake, I'm posting one of my progress notes.

Evan:

*Good at following directions to do some simple tasks like putting something in the garbage or if we ask him to bring us something.
*He retains and tries to re-tell some books that we read at night.  For example he likes Goodnight Gorilla.  When I give him the book to play with (while I get Sean ready), I can hear him "telling" the story as he flips through the pages.  He says "Ooh" at the same place I say it.  And he says Goodnight for all the pages where the zookeeper is saying goodnight to the animals.
*He is doing better with body parts.  We've been singing Head Shoulders Knees and Toes to him.  Today he pointed at my feet and said Toes!
*I have tried giving him choices more but he isn't quite tuning into it.  It's like he has other things on the agenda and doesn't even listen to the choices.
*In general, Evan is very physically adventurous.  He climbs everything he can.  He is better at jumping in his crib (something he has been working on unfortunately).  He climbed monkey bars at the park this week and scared me half to death.

Sean

*Sean has been babbling more and more loudly (not in his usual soft tones) and more singing
*He also has been babbling with words more and when I come in the room he has said Momma which he really didn't do before (it was more random)
*He has been more affectionate too - seeking us out for hugs or to be picked up.
*He has been playing with sand a lot - twice on Thursday, again on Friday and on Saturday.
*He ate pudding although reluctantly.  We tried some other new foods as well that he wouldn't eat:  bologna, watermelon, string cheese, spaghettios.  The food he does like however he eats completely (loves bacon and waffles now)
*Sean is expressing his displeasure with Evan and other things (like food choices) instead of just walking away.
*Sean is starting to climb and go down the slide by himself (he used to wait for us to catch him).  He also likes to push stuff:  strollers, wagons, bikes, anything with wheels.