Catching Up Update

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:

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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 7^th 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!