Cream of Potato Soup

Yesterday we did some school shopping for Evan. He was very helpful--every item I held up for him, he said "put in cart". Yeah, thanks. But he did choose which colors of things he wanted, so I feel like we got some things he'll like to wear. He's actually getting picky about that stuff, which is so funny to me. For example, he rejected every pair of shoes I offered, so we'll have to look elsewhere for those.

The new clothes were purchased not a moment too soon--I had Ev put on a pair of last spring's jeans today and they fit fine in the waist but were over an inch too short. He looked so goofy. I can't believe he's grown so much in just a few months, but I guess it can happen right under your nose. I put a 3/6 month sleeper on Grady tonight and it's almost too short. These boys, they grow like weeds.

We also spent part of our day yesterday at Lisa's house. Evan played with Cole, and Grady cried at baby Evabelle. I had high hopes that they would fall in love at first sight, but I guess that's not quite what happened! It was a nice afternoon though, and Lisa and I actually got to chat a little bit while we nursed and rocked and policed the kids. Ev and Cole got on well, especially because Cole is more of a leader and Ev is more of a follower. It was good--Ev needs other kids to engage him, as he's still not confident initiating things himself.

One thing happened though that has really stuck in my head. At one point, Cole turned to me and said, "He doesn't talk right. He doesn't talk....normal". I was surprised that a 3 year old was able to point that out, and I explained to him that he was right, Evan can be hard to understand and he's had a hard time learning to talk. But that was the first time another child has noticed that Ev was different.

That was tough for me--I got a glimpse of how things might be for Ev once he starts going to school with "typical" kids. I wonder if he will be made fun of, or if he will be able to make friends. Cole was perfectly fine about it. He didn't stop playing with Evan, he didn't tease him, and I can only hope other kids will be so good along the way. But I wonder if Ev feels it too, if he's so aware that he's different and that's why he keeps to himself so much.

But all this is still some ways away. We've still got another year of preschool ahead of us (six more days until the first day of school!) and I know the Ev of today is not the Ev we'll be sending to kindergarten next year. He's changed so much just in the last six months, who knows what is ahead for him? Let's hope it's nothing but good things. Either way, he'll have some nice new shirts to wear when the good things come.

Posted by jenny at 9:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

My easy baby, Grady, has become decidedly less easy over the last two weeks. He is up a lot at night (down at 9, up at 10, 2, 4, 5, 6, and for good at 7), and wants to eat about every two hours (almost) around the clock. He only sleeps well when being rocked or held. He naps for 15 minutes at a time during the day, and he doesn't go much longer at night, unless he's being snuggled. It seems other babies his age are giving their moms much longer stretches (between feeds and of sleep), especially at night. He's crying a lot more too, but still not as much as Evan did.

At first I thought G was going through a growth spurt, but as this drags on it's hard to think that could be the cause. Reflux? Gas? A phase? I don't know, but I know I'm more tired than I have been thus far, and it's really starting to wear on me. At the very least, he's healthy and well-fed, so I guess this is something I just have to ride out. And of course he's still super cute, so that helps a great deal.

Tomorrow is Mike and my 6th wedding anniversary. Every year I marvel that we've made it through another one. Not that we're always on the verge of break-up (though he might say we are!), but that every year has had different excitements and challenges. This time last year there was no Grady, and who knows what the next year will bring? I know for certain that it will bring more laughter, probably some tears, and lots more fun as we make our way through the world together. Happy anniversary, dearest, and here's to another great year!

Posted by jenny at 7:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Evan pooped on the toilet this morning. He's done it before, but never at home, and certainly not since he started wearing underpants. Finally, here is our positive step on the way to poop training. I can't believe it's been two years since I wrote this, detailing the very first time Ev pooped in his potty. I was so young and optimistic. That day, I probably would have thought you were crazy if you had told me it would take another two years until Ev was trained. But here we are, and all I can say is I'm just relieved to finally be here. Even if it means I have to know where every public toilet is in two counties.

Ev did awesome all weekend, no pee accidents, and we even were up in Erie for most of the day Friday running around. I'm so very proud of him, and I think he's proud of himself. That makes a huge difference. It's great to see him make such progress. Just another example of "he'll do it when he's damn good and ready".

School starts again in two weeks, and for the first time we have to go school shopping. I couldn't be more excited. Ev needs more underwear (he will take some to school for "just in case"), new jeans, a few shirts, and socks. And probably another pair of shoes. Sounds expensive, but so much fun. I'm no fun to shop for right now (though I've lost all the baby weight, my belly still seems to be much looser than last time and clothes just don't look right), so shopping for Ev will give me a little thrill. I can hardly wait.

Posted by jenny at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Day three of the underpants experiment is almost at an end. Yesterday and today, Ev's only accidents have been of the poop variety, and that's even with trips out to the post office, church, Wal-Mart, and therapy. So I feel confident in saying that Ev is finally pee trained. Poop and night training to follow. But for a kid who I thought would always be needing Pull-Ups, I'd say this is a victory.

I have to say it's just too cute to see Ev in his little underpants, by the way. He has the cutest little butt. It's the only part of his body with any fat on it. As Alan remarked this weekend, it looks like we don't feed the kid. He is dreadfully skinny. I don't think he's put on any weight in six months, maybe longer, but he has grown taller. I don't know if I should be alarmed or not. Maybe I'll have to ask my mother what Steven was like at age four.

Posted by jenny at 6:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Today is day 2 of just underpants for Ev. I've been putting it off for weeks, but I knew eventually we'd have to go for it and let the chips fall where they may (sorry). Yesterday went pretty well--only three accidents. And two of those were pees when Ev just got too distracted playing to remember to go. The other was a rather icky poop, but I was expecting that since Ev has had very little potty success in that department. We're working on it.

I learned some important lessons that I will apply today. The first is that you don't ask Ev if he needs to go--he will always say no. You say, "Evan, put down the truck and go potty." That works much better. The second is that you never remove the poopy underpants before putting the kid in the bathtub. What an unholy mess. The positive side effect of the pooping is that we've gotten Evan used to taking showers finally. He doesn't like it, and he still needs help, but at least he's not screaming and trying to claw your eyes out like he once did.

Grady is doing very well himself. He's become a very happy little fellow, cooing and smiling whenever someone will pay attention. He has been fairly snuggly lately, not wanting to be put down if he's tired. He'd rather be rocked and cuddled--and really, who wouldn't? I'm indulging him as much as I'm able, because I know it will be just a few short months before he's creeping and crawling away from me.

How this summer has flown! Next week is our anniversary, and then Labor Day and suddenly it's fall. The whole new baby thing seems to have taken up most of our time and energy this year. I'd like to get to the beach once more, and TREC, before school starts again. And maybe one more trip to Waldameer. It looks like I don't want summer to end, doesn't it?

Posted by jenny at 9:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Why do kids think they need to get up at quarter to seven, even on Saturdays? Honestly, there's just no reason for it. Today the offender is Grady, not Evan--E's still upstairs snuggling with Daddy. And little G who just couldn't sleep in has drifted off again in my lap. Ah, well.

Today we're headed down south to visit Alan and Heather in Pittsburgh. I'm excited--we've been trying to visit them at their house for the last three years or so, and I'm glad we're finally going to get there. I think we're also going to try to hit up the Apple store. Mike convinced his aunt to come over to the dark side with us, and it would be so nice if we could just pick up her new machine instead of waiting for it to ship. I'd love to squeeze in Beth and Ikea while we're down there too, but there's only so much you can do in a day.

The neighbors are having a garage sale today. I'm hearing the first customers approach as I type this. They have a one year old daughter and a six year old son, and they're getting rid of tons of kid's clothes and baby items. We were invited to put some stuff out as well, but I couldn't get anything together in time. Really, we're just going to have to have our own big garage sale next spring. Then we'll be done with all the baby stuff, and we'll be ready to get rid of the swing and the walker and the baby toys and everything. Oh, won't that be a blessed day? I suppose I'll be kind of sad, but at the same time it will be nice to reclaim some space in the house.

Now Evan is up as well, with a hearty "good morning" as he descends the stairs. Let the cereal pour, let the juice boxes flow! Showers and baths and pants changes for everyone! The day has begun!

Posted by jenny at 8:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Today was Grady's two month check-up. He's 12 pounds, 14 ounces, and 22 inches long. Short and fat, as the doctor said. However, saying that he's 22 inches means he's only grown an inch since he was born, and I find that hard to believe--I know he's gotten longer than that. So they either measured wrong today, or measured wrong in the hospital when he was born. Of course, I could be wrong myself, and I'm just getting defensive because they called my kid short and fat.

Grady also got tested for whooping cough due to his lingering cold symptoms, and he got three shots in his tender little thighs. While we were waiting for the doctor, Mike was reading over all of the information sheets they give you about each vaccine. He turned to me and said, "Now, which is the one that's going to give him autism?". I joked back, "Don't worry honey, that one doesn't come until 15 months."

And there it was. We haven't talked about it since he's been born, but there's the secret fear we harbor in having another baby, especially a boy. The A word. I think we're both terrified that we may walk down that road again, and there's nothing we can do about it. Now, let me say that we're not sure that Evan is autistic, as he's never been formally diagnosed. And we're not saying the vaccine played a part, though it does please me greatly to know that no vaccines used in our pediatrician's office contain mercury in any form. But we all know that Evan is different from other kids. It may be PDD-NOS, or it could be a developmental delay/disability due to his prematurity--we may never know. But we do know Ev has had it tough so far, and he's probably going to have a hard time all along the way.

That's the last thing you want for your kids, a tough life. Yeah, it is hard on us too--we've been under constant stress about it since Ev was born. But the taking him to therapy, and meeting with teachers, and struggling to teach him is only a small thing compared to what Evan has to go through himself to learn and grow. Nothing comes easy for him, and each new thing he learns is a small victory. We're just hoping Grady doesn't have as tough a time as his older brother has had.

Already we can see differences. Grady isn't as fussy as Ev was, he doesn't cry as much. He is quicker to smile and seems to be more social (and vocal) than his brother. But then again, that was four years ago--maybe my memory is fuzzy, and maybe I'm seeing what I want to see. Only time will tell if Grady is going to have a hard time as well. And it will be some time before I'm able to sit back and relax.

Posted by jenny at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Grady's two month birthday passed over the weekend. I can't believe we've come that far already. At two months, G has a smile at the ready when he's awake, and he loves to look at faces. He's a great eater, and he's growing fast. Our biggest challenge is finding him places to nap where Ev won't disturb him. He's overall a lovely little baby, and I'm excited to see how much he changes this next month.

My breast pump broke over the weekend. I can't tell you how annoyed I am. We should be able to fix it with a replacement part, if we can get our hands on one. If we can't, I'll have to either rent or buy a new one. I have gotten used to pumping daily, and it's actually painful when I'm unable to do so. Not to mention the big wedding coming up in October--I'm going to be gone for a weekend and will have to have a freezer full of milk for that.

I've gotten much better at taking both boys out by myself. The past few weekends, the boys and I have even gone up to Erie for the day so that Mike could have some time for himself. We can do almost anything, though I will say that I seek out things I can do from the car (drive-thru, atm's, etc) just so I don't have to deal with the car seat shuffle.

On our way up to Erie Saturday, Ev announced that he had to pee, so we stopped at the rest area before Edinboro (mind you, we'd been on the road all of 20 minutes by that point). I carried Grady in his car seat (which is getting rather heavy) and Ev walked, but it was still a bit of a hike because the place was crowded. Once we got in there, Ev didn't like it (it did smell) and so he decided he didn't have to go after all. Awesome.

But aside from that, it's fun taking the guys out for the day. We've gone to Grandpa's, Grandma's, the park, Aunt Beth's, and a family reunion. Tomorrow we're headed to the zoo. It should be a great time, especially since Ev can name all the animals now. I'm not sure if Grady will care too much for it, but what the heck. I'll make sure to take his picture with the monkeys anyway.

Posted by jenny at 9:33 AM | Permalink

Though I'm still tired down to my bones, the boys and I have come out of our sickness fog. It was just a cold, according to Grady's blood work, but it was a fierce one that hit fast and left just as quickly. I think I went through an entire box of tissue on Wednesday alone. Nothing's less fun than being sick in the summer, and I hope that's it for us for now.

Evan's teacher just called, and he starts back to school on September 6. I am already counting the days. Summer is great and all, but I love the structure and socialization that school provides. Ev will be going four days this fall, and I just know he will be thrilled about that. His teacher also reported that Ev is talking so much at school now, and they can barely shut him up. Such a change since last year.

Ev's therapists are also pleased with his progress. In speech, he's learning about verbs and how to answer questions appropriately. He's also moving on to pronunciations of three syllable words. In OT, Evan's working on following directions and learning to write his letters. He's getting better at both of those things, but the food issues are still a problem. Ev is still averse to a lot of foods, and getting him to try new ones is often a huge ordeal.

He has been doing better--ice cream cones are now a favorite, though he used to totally avoid them. Last night Mike got Ev to put a grape in his mouth, but he spit it right back out and then cried about it for ten minutes. We're going to get there, I just think it's going to take some time and involve a lot of trial and error (and tears). But we have to get him eating something besides mac and cheese and scrambled eggs.

Posted by jenny at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This post has absolutely nothing to do with Marineland, but if I hear that song one more time I'm going to jump out the window.

Why is it so hot already at 9 am? The boys and I are venturing out today to seek central air.

Grady is still crappy. He's coughing now more than snotty, so things are progressing. The doctor had us do blood work yesterday because of his fever, but they haven't called us so I'm assuming all is well. We've just got to ride it out I guess.

We did find out that Grady weighs 12 pounds, 5 ounces now. Holy cow, right? This cracks me right up. I do hope the gain slows down soon, because at this rate he's going to catch up to Evan by Christmas.

Man, I need a shower.

Posted by jenny at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)