Hello blogosphere…it’s been a while.
It’s been an intense fall at our house. My work had me going pretty much constantly
since early October, so there hasn't been time for much else.
But I have a moment to breathe now and thought I would share the updates from the last six weeks:
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| Connor & Clara celebrate his first birthday! |
Our little man is a year old. Hard to believe we've been a family of four
for more than a year now. His birthday
was awesome. I had a work event up in
New York and so we decided to make a family trip of it and go to Niagara
Falls. On his birthday, October 26, we
went to Canada to see the spectacular views there. Little Connor is a world traveler at one year
old!
And I was fine. Sure there were deep sighs and teary glances
exchanged by Brent and I, but overall is was a happy day. Connor’s birthday party plans were slightly
snuffed by Superstorm Sandy, but we made the best of it and gathered with
family and a few close friends – thankful for the gift of life, electricity and
food.
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| Jessie & Woody on Halloween |
Clara and Connor were Jessie and Woody for
Halloween. Totally adorable.
Connor has really been improving in the last
three weeks with arm movement and reaching for toys. He actually bats at the
jingle toy hanging from his car seat bar if we’re patient enough!
We’re back to a clear helmet now. This would be helmet #3. He seems to tolerate it much better than the
blue one and it’s far more fashionable as clear goes with everything. :) Still haven’t heard those magical words of an
end date yet, but we’re hoping he won’t have to wear it much into 2013.
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| Trying out the new corner chair |
There are two new instruments of torture in our
house. Our fabulous PT found us a corner
chair and stander to try out. I shouldn't say torture devices…they look quite menacing, but he actually doesn't mind his corner chair that much. And
the one time Carrie and the PT actually got him strapped into the stander, the
report was that he seemed to enjoy his new view on life. So we’re on the hunt for a different stander
– one that doesn't require two grownups to get a one year old into.
Connor’s sitting and standing are
improving, too. His balance while
sitting is much steadier than earlier in the fall. One of Clara’s favorite
things to do with him now is roll a ball back and forth when he’s sitting in
between my legs. I still have to guide
his hand to hit it back to her, but he follows the ball with his eyes and moves
his hands towards it when it comes to him.
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| Doing so much better with standing! |
While he’s no where near independent when
standing, he will bear weight on his legs now for more than a minute at
time. He doesn't fuss and will look at
toys or a mirror, but his favorite pass time while standing is sissy singing
and dancing in front of him.
We continue to see the feeding team at
CHOP. While his eating form has improved
much, he is slowly gaining weight which is good news. Connor also saw the Gastrointestinal doctor,
Dr. Loomes, again a couple of weeks ago and I was so thankful that she took the
time to hold and snuggle him during the appointment. We are blessed to be under the care of many
skilled and caring professionals, but she is the only one who holds him for
more than the purpose of examining him.
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| With my kiddos in New York |
Connor has become quite the little chatterbox.
He makes lots of different sounds and can really make a lot of noise when he
wants. He also gives kisses now which is
just the cutest thing!
Current requests for prayers and well
wishes include:
- Good results from an upcoming Pulmonologist appointment to make sure the aspiration in his lungs is not worse than we think.
- Thanksgiving for Clara’s 7th birthday on December 5!
- Continued improvement with his feeding form and ability.
- That December might bring some time of rest and renewal for our family.
Blessings to you!
