Family pics before dinner with Pa and Uncle Brother last night...

Monkey Joe's this morning...

Davis had his check-up with the GI doctor on Tuesday. He weighs 26 lbs and is 3 feet long! Tall, skinny boy! I'm pretty happy with his weight, since it's gone up 10 oz since November. That's pretty unheard of for him. Especially since he's been sick so much this winter. Thank God for the feeding tube!

He's in about the 7th percentile for weight if you go by his actual age (32 months) and in the 10th percentile if you go by his 'due date' age (29.5 months...which is what the doctors use). For height, he's just above the 10th percentile for his actual age and 50th percentile for his 'due date' age.

He did very well in Physical Therapy this morning. He walked all over the house with his little push toy.

HAPPY WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

Nemo

I took some pictures of Davis during Aquatics yesterday...

This is the ramp leading into the pool (ya know, for people that insist on swimming with their wheelchair!?!). Anyway...he walks (yes, walks) from one side to the other transferring the Sesame Street characters.

She makes him swim from about 5 feet out to the edge of the pool wearing a tiny little life vest and WEIGHTS around his ankles. Needless to say, he's so exhausted and mad after this.

His eyes are saying, "Mom, if you don't get me out of this pool RIGHT NOW, I'm gonna be soooo bad for the rest of the day." He meant it too.

I finally got the 'go ahead' to enroll Davis into the Older Two's class for next year (instead of the Younger Two's). So, he'll get to forge ahead with his B.F.F.'s from this year.

Thursday night, we watched Uncle Brother's basketball game at KSU. Ev's friend, Matt, is pretty much Davis' favorite person, so he kept shouting his name from the stands...like, while the entire gym was dead silent. There's a strange connection there.

Friday was Aunt Erin's birthday, so we celebrated with the Nunley's at Stevie B's Pizza buffet...Why does 'buffet' translate in my head to 'eat your body weight'?

We kept our Valentine's Day celebration at home with crab legs and shrimp, wine and beer, and The NBA All-Star contests. What's better? Thought so.

Sunday, my besties and I worked on our tennis skills...season starts in a month!!! And I am sooooo excited! Gooooo ____________ (insert team name here)!!!!!!!! I appreciate Justin so much for watching Davis while I'm out, but why do I always return home to find a tornado reenactment scene? Boys. That's why.

Davis had his first session with his new OT this morning. That went well.

I've been spending a lot of time filling out the 25 page form for 'real school' next year. They want to know EVERYTHING about him. How does he interact with his peers? How do you discipline him? Can he dress himself? How does he react to loud noises? What are your concerns? Goals? In what areas does he excel? And so on and so on and so on...I have to be really thorough because this is all part of what they'll use to determine what services and special attention he'll need next year. I would have never thought these would be things I'd experience in my life.

Davis has developed this really intense attitude. I swear, he makes this face at Justin and I that I probably couldn't do until I was a fifteen year old brat. It literally shocks us every time he does it. Accompanied with the 'face' is this ridiculous body thrust, arms swinging motion. I don't know where it came from because I'm certain Mickey doesn't treat Donald that way. It's completely unacceptable, but it's also another confirmation to Justin and I that he really is 'all there'.

Love is in the air...

Davis had his Valentine's Day Party at school today. Once again, I was summoned to help out.

One of my girlfriends student taught in one of Boston Elementary's special needs classes while she was in college so I contacted her yesterday to get some information about it. She said she LOVED it there! Apparently, they get lots of government funding, so they have the latest and greatest educational tools. She also mentioned that sometimes the little preschoolers were brought into the kindergarten classes during certain lessons like music and art. Wow. Sometimes tax payers' money gets put to good use. Who knew?

Justin worked around the shop yesterday and, since the weather was so nice, we all played outside for most of the morning. (Danielle, I know your heart rate just went up...Sorry!) Davis was driving his car all over the yard and playing in the bobcat! (Side story: Justin changed the oil in my car and found a mouse nest under the hood! So, I guess we have some furry friends living in the garage. Sick.)


Davis and I had our meeting with the Special Education Facilitator and our Babies Can't Wait Service Coordinator this morning. It was basically an introduction into the School Program and a lot of paperwork. They informed me that a lot of changes were being made and that he'd probably be sent to Boston Elementary. She said that starting in the Fall, both severly autistic and intellectually disabled children will be placed in their own rooms to receive the proper attention they need. That'll leave all the mildy disabled children, like Davis, in classrooms together. What a relief!!! She encouraged me to leave Davis at his normal preschool for Tuesdays and Thursdays and attend Boston the other three days. She couldn't believe how smart he was, either! I told her that I thought Davis could verbalize about 50 words (most being word approximations). Well, later in the meeting, Davis starts crawling around the room, points to a snowman on the wall, and says, "No-man." She was so surprised! Then she picked up a blank piece of paper and asked him to identify the object and he said, "Pay-puh." She couldn't believe it. She was like, "Oh, he's got way more than 50 words!" So, all in all, it went well and I feel much better about what's to come!

Justin's grandmother came to visit on Saturday and we all went to the park. I noticed that Davis wasn't using his right leg when I'd try to make him walk. He'd start off with his left leg and really struggle to bring his right leg forward. I silently freaked out. I called Davis' PT and she suggested that I soak him in warm water and stretch his legs to see if there's any pain anywhere. I did that and found nothing. In doing some research, I found out that during times of illness, bad weather, and growth spurts, CP kids will experience even more increased tone. So, maybe its all related to this cold he has right now. He's been using it a little more since then, but it's still something I'll need to keep an eye on.



I completely forgot that we switched OT and Speech to Monday mornings and was reminded by a message from Comprehensive Therapy at 8:10...Um, Andrea. Give us a call as soon as you can..." Oops. I wouldn't have taken Davis in anyway because he needs to go back to the doctor, but still...not a good way to start the week.



We visited GG and Jay last night for dinner. Davis loves it over there because he gets to play with Kitty and my Mom and Jay let him get into anything he wants to. I'm constantly like, "Davis get out of the cabinets. Davis put that vase down. Davis knives are not toys."...that last one was a bluff...And my Mom is like, "He's ok. He's not going to hurt anything. He can play with whatever he wants to here." Just a regular ol' Fun House.

Doc strolling in after a wild night...

Changes in the Air

Davis had his last visit with Emily, his Occupational Therapist, on Wednesday. She had the audacity to go and get pregnant ;), cut her hours in half, and leave Davis high and dry. I'm going to miss her sooooo much. She's the reason that Davis can hold his eating utensils better than most grown men. It's because of her that he'll finally get his hands near shaving cream and is a master puzzle-putter-togetherer. Oh well. Everything happens for a reason. Luckily, another OT, Renee, at the same clinic was able to pick Davis up and he'll start with her next week. Davis already knows her so it'll be an easy transition for him. This is a miracle in itself because with the Babies Can't Wait Program, it usually takes them some time to get stuff like that done...so...yay for them! Soon, his Speech Therapist will be going on maternity leave and we'll have to start scrambling all over again.

Registration for Fall classes at Davis' preschool (Wildwood) starts next week. I've been stressing out over what to do about it because he also starts Special Needs Preschool then. The issue is that Davis' special needs are mostly just his speech and developmental delays. Cognitively, he's so smart. He runs the risk of being placed in a classroom with, for example, severly autistic children only because they don't group the classes by disability. If you have special needs and require special attention, you're all thrown into the same pot. I've already put my foot down and let everyone in Babies Can't Wait know that I WILL NOT let him stay in an environment where he has no chance to learn, receive proper attention, thrive, etc. But, it could turn out to be a really positive experience where he's placed in a class with kids on his level. Anyway, the dilemma is that if I end up taking him out of the Special Needs class, I'll want him to go back to Wildwood (where he attends now). But, by then, classes will be all filled up. So, I couldn't decide if I should just register him at Wildwood now, pay the $130, and if he doesn't end up going, then oh well. Justin had the brilliant idea that we go ahead and send him back to Wildwood next Fall for Tuesdays and Thursdays, like now. There, he'll be surrounded by all 'normal developing' kids. And just have him attend Special Needs Preschool (IF it's not a terrible situation) on the other three days. Problem solved...Hopefully. AND...another good thing about Davis entering the school system, is that if I decide to pull him from the actual classes, he can still receive the therapy services. So, no matter what, his time spent in PT, OT, and Speech will get doubled beginning in September. Gotta love Early Intervention Programs!

He'll be evaluated/studied next Tuesday by a group of therapists (and a psychologist) through the school system to determine how much Special Needs Preschool he even needs. So, that'll be interesting to see. I'll definitely keep you posted!

We all went to a birthday party at Monkey Joe's yesterday for one of Davis' classmates...

It's Miller Time

I'm, by no means, condoning this behavior...but...it's pretty dang funny!

Justin left his 'Daddy Juice' out since they wouldn't all fit in the fridge.

This was after school yesterday...

And this was this morning...

Can't leave the kid alone for a second anymore!

Germs, Germs, Germs

The sick train made a stop at 3095 last week. First, it struck me, then Justin, and now poor little Davis is sick...again.


We're in the process of giving Davis a Big Boy Room! I'll post pictures when it gets closer. I can't believe he's going to be 3 in less than 5 months! It's crazy how time flies!

He's been standing up and walking behind one of his little push toys! It's so exciting to watch because he's never had the balance or strength to do this before now!

Tease

Davis got pushed down again at school today. Well, they're not really sure what happened. He either 'fell'...or...he was ambushed. Either way...it sounds like the teachers were sleeping on the job. :)

He hasn't stood up again since Saturday. That boy's playing mind games with me.

I hate painting

We had a pretty eventful weekend...

Friday night. My girlfriend and I were in the yoga room, ya know, getting in touch with our 'deepest self'...or whatever...when all of a sudden, in walks Justin (looking more uncomfortable than ever). He whispers, "I need a diaper." My first instinct is to turn to my fellow stretchers and assure them that my husband is in full control of his bodily functions, but I figure they're probably smarter than that and way too busy repeating their mantra to worry about what I'm doing. So...I'm barefoot and running to the women's locker room to get my keys while Justin explains to me that he was summoned over the PA System to head to the Kid's Room. He said he was sure Davis fell and cut his head wide open. He definitely 'cut something open', but thank God it wasn't his head. Justin goes out to the car to get the supplies and then I clean up the mess...and what a dang mess it was. He always waits until the most inappropriate times to take his biggest dump of the day. Needless to say, it was impossible for me to 'clear my mind' after that.

Saturday afternoon. We decide to take Davis to Chuck E Cheese. Now, let me begin this story by saying that this place is NOTHING like i remembered it as a kid (Showbiz Pizza). There was no big ball pit. No enormous puppet band. And definitely no good pizza. Chuck E Cheese is nothing but a huge arcade with games way too advanced for my 2 and 1/2 year old. He had a great time, though.

Note to self: Davis is NOT a fan of little tiny carousels.

Saturday evening. We're all just hanging out in the living room. Justin and I are exhausted from painting the bathroom all day. Davis is sitting on the floor staring at the TV and ALL OF A SUDDEN he just STANDS UP!! He STOOD UP ALL BY HIMSELF FROM ON THE FLOOR!!! It was crazy. He did that twice and then decided he'd like a little more balance and stood up next to the ottoman and just LET GO! He did this about 5 times and stood without support for about 6-7 seconds each time! It was so awesome! Of course, I was trying to get him to do it again for the rest of the night and he refused. It's so funny how kids do that stuff only when they want to. You're in charge Davis. You're in charge.

Back to the vision board.....2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING 2009 = WALKING...

Signing Autographs Soon

It's amazing how my little 2 and 1/2 year old impacts so many people. I mean, he's virtually a celebrity. All he needs is the red carpet...I wonder if I could make that happen...

We walk into the aquatic center every Monday and the lifeguards are like, "Hey Davis!" I would bet that about 200 people walk in and out of that place on a daily basis, but they remember my Davis. How do they even know his name? And all the old folks that do aerobics during his 1 hour session want to talk to him and throw the ball back and forth with him and distract him from what he's really there to accomplish...Meanwhile, I'm leaning over the edge of the pool screaming, "Hey lady, this isn't social hour! We're on a time schedule here!" Maybe I'm starving for a little attention...

Then, there's the grocery store...As soon as we walk in, everyone stops what they're doing and breaks out into song. Nope...That's another embellishment. There's is this woman, though, that stops us during check-out to catch up with Davis. Like they're old pals from grammar school or something. "How's your day been? Are you behaving for Mommy? Give me a five! Alright! You gonna go home and eat all those vegetables like a big boy?" Same conversation every time. Groundhog's Day Style. Davis' side of the chat goes a little like this: head shake up and down. "Uh-huh" high five. fist pump. "Uh-huh" "Bye"

When I picked Davis up from school yesterday, his substitute teacher said to me, "Davis is such a sweet boy. I enjoyed working with him so much! He's so much fun to be around!" Makes me so proud!!!

Speaking of 'sweet boy'...Davis hung out in time-out about five times last night. He's in this 'I'm going to get into everything I'm not supposed to' stage and 'I'm going to scream and throw a fit when I get caught getting into this thing I'm not supposed to' stage. We did settle down long enough to watch Wall-E, though, and he laughed and laughed at that dang robot! It was so cute.

FOR MEMAW

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MEMAW!!! WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH AND WISH WE COULD CELEBRATE YOUR SPECIAL DAY WITH YOU...BUT...WE'RE THERE IN SPIRIT!

ENJOY!

JUSTIN, ANDREA, AND DAVIS

Bob

Davis did really well in Speech Therapy yesterday. She taught him his very first 'three-word' phrase...wanna know what it is?!?!

"I love Bob." That's right...Bob. Not Mommy. Or Dadda. Or lamp. Just Bob. Who's Bob, you ask? Bob is a builder...Bob The Builder.

So, since 3 pm yesterday, I've been doing NOTHING but pounding 'I love Mommy' into his head. And all I'm really getting is 'Mommy'. It's ok though (no it's not)...

Davis has been playing with his new play-doh set a lot lately! This is exciting because it means he's overcoming his sensory issues with different textures. Maybe this means he'll actually play in the sand at the beach this summer!

Back to reality...

Davis had his first day back to school yesterday. Justin picked him up and said that all the kids were marching around the room, but Davis was being held while the teacher marched! They're so accommodating.

2009 better bring me a walking Davis!!! Below is his Vision Board for the year... :)

His balance has improved a lot over the past few months. We only have to hold one of his hands to support him. And he talks NON STOP!!! We all had breakfast together this morning, and when Justin held the door open for this woman he said, "Hey. Good morning." Davis repeated it with, "Hey. Mannin."

We got gym memberships to 'work on our fitness' and they have this really nice kids' room. Justin peaked in on him after about 15 minutes and he was just sitting on the floor by himself. He said he felt bad for him, but when he went back a little later, Davis was crawling up this little tree house thing and sliding down the other side, head first. All the other kids were lined up behind him to do the same! Leader of the pack...vroom, vroom...

Post Holiday Calm

Forgive me readers, for I have sinned. It's been almost 4 weeks since my last entry. SORRY!

I hope that everyone had a wonderfuly Christmas! Ours was great. Davis finally understands the concept of opening presents, so that was exciting. He got lots of new 'big boy' toys!!

Justin made him this train table

This was at his Preschool's Christmas part

There's not much else new to report. He's just getting over another sinus infection, of course. All of his therapies are going great. He's been talking so much more lately. We drove around at night to look at Christmas lights and Davis would shout, "Pey Yighs!" Translation: Pretty Lights!

We visited a church that had a preacher named David Ring speak a couple weeks ago. He also has Cerebral Palsy and travels all over the country to share his story. His success and positive spirit are so inspirational to me as Davis' mother. I sat there and cried THE ENTIRE TIME. I felt like he was talking directly to me. At the end of the service, I thanked him for sharing his story and he said to me, "Do you have a kid with CP?" And I said, "Yes." He was like, "I thought so because I saw you crying the whole time!" I KNEW he was staring at me!

See you all in 2009!!!

What's up, Santa!?!

Well, Davis and Santa had their annual meeting today. You know, to chat about toy trains and Curious George books. I was preparing myself all day for a big, crying fit when I threw him onto Old Saint Nick's lap, but to my dismay, he stayed dry-eyed. His reaction was quite the opposite, in fact...

I promise he has a pulse...

After that, it was off to our 'home away from home', El Ranchero. Who doesn't love to be serenaded by a Mariachi band?!?

And, we finally decorated our Christmas tree!!!

Plugging My Second Blog...

http://andreasknits.blogspot.com/

Uncle Brother's 22nd

My prize winning Gingerbread House. Very quaint and cozy. There was, however, a driveby shortly after construction. A snowman lost his head.

Dad was very, very, very proud of his 'made-from-scratch' birthday cake. And, come to think of it, I don't remember getting one of these for MY birthday...Figures...
This is really creepy. Davis spilled milk onto the table IN THE SHAPE OF THE UNITED STATES and that's the cup he was drinking out of...IT HAS THE UNITED STATES ON IT!!!

Pick up...

...right where I left off. Davis woke up on Tuesday feeling much better, which was great because we were headed for Nashville to visit family! After that, we were Owensboro bound...

In Nashville, having lunch at a Thai Restaurant...

Playing with Trafford's train collection...

At the WKU Basketball Game...