Snow!

I'm so annoyed with myself for not bringing my camera, but we went to the snow yesterday with the boys for the first time to go sledding. AJ had so much fun going down the hills. Dan and I took turns taking him down while someone held the baby. I was too scared to have him go down the hill. It was cold but not unbearable. There were lots of people, too, so parking was a little complicated. This is what it's like when it doesn't snow in your backyard. You have to drive to it. I'm so glad that Dan refused to let me throw his sleds away in one of my "Let's declutter" moments. I believe he actually pulled them from the trash can, but they worked very well. We definitely have to get some better snow clothes, though. Watching me on a sled was hilarious. That's something I don't ever think I have done. I was scared at first but kept wanting to do it again. It was exhilarating. I've never fancied myself as much of an athlete but maybe I could do skiing.

Piano Lessons

Today was AJ's first piano lesson. He was a little less enthusiastic as I thought he'd be, but I guess he's only 3 so it's to be expected. His teacher was so great and very patient. He learned where middle c was and got to explore the keys playing "Echo" with his teacher. His teacher would play out a rhythm and AJ had to echo it as best he could. When he wasn't being stubborn he did well.

Pup was hilarious tonight. Although I haven't heard baba in a while ( so sad...) he IS making a new noise. It reminds me of the sound you make when you prepare to play a trumpet. I can't really explain it. Anyway, he's pushing up on his hands really well now and is sitting up for a lot longer before tipping. I was told he doesn't have the instinct to put his hands out in front of him when he's falling so I have to practice on a ball....pushing him forward to get his hands out in front of him. It's weird as I don't know if AJ could do that....

I got in touch with a cousin from my father's side of the family tonight. We have spread the word about fragile x in our family and I'm not so thrilled to learn that many family members have tested as carriers. Thank goodness for Jules' doc who made the discovery.

OT Evaluation Today

Puppy had an OT evaluation today (Occupational Therapist) for fine motor, etc. So far, she said he's on track with typically developing kids so her recommendation was not to have OT at this time. He was grabbing things, pushing up on his hands, etc. That is, when they weren't in his mouth from all the teething. AJ kept watching saying, "Look, Mom, he's doing well." He and Daddy played with blocks while the therapist was here. She did say she had some concerns about some gross motor things. She felt he should be sitting up better at this point, but she's really not sure and would consult a PT to see if it warrants any physical therapy. So all in all, good news today. He was very smiley and happy. It wore him out so now he's. . .

Yum!

We took Pup to Disneyland for the first time.....an annual holiday adventure. He went on Dumbo, Pirates of the Caribbean, and others. Of course, with the exception of during this picture he wasn't at all fussy. It was a good day.

Here's A.J......He IS his mama's son for sure.

Pup tried carrots tonight. Liked them. His teeth on the top are really coming in. Drool everywhere and lots of hand biting. He's always laughing, especially at his big brother. It makes me happy. I just got the new issue of the Fragile X.org newsletter and there's an article in there by Jayne Weber that completely made me cry. It's all about the good that comes with having a child with FXS. I've been in a rut lately thinking about the future. Then I hear him laugh and I am healed. I'm having a really hard time lately, though, because as a teacher I have a few kids in my class with some special needs. One has autism and the other two don't have diagnoses but their behaviors are challenging, and they have definite learning disabilities. I think about Pup and what he'll be like when he's in school. Other teachers and even parents of other students are sometimes insensitive with comments about certain students, and I'm particularly sensitive to those comments now that I have my own child with special needs. I want to say, "Don't you know who you are talking to?" People don't get it.

OMG! I just turned around and AJ is playing "therapist" with Pup. They're doing "exercises."

Getting Brave

I've decided to start adding pics to the blog, as I love seeing everyone's photos. Here are AJ (aka Peter Pan) and Pup (the scary skeleton) in their Halloween costumes. Pup is now almost 6 1/2 months old. AJ is 3 1/2. They are best buds.

Pup is really enjoying solid foods. He's now eating sweet potatoes, squash, bananas, cereal, and started applesauce. Yum! He's opening his mouth and gets excited when he eats. (Don't we all?)

Top teeth are coming in.

Thanksgiving Therapy

So, as usual I ate my way through two days of Thanksgiving festivities. The 4 pounds on the scale prove so.....Pup had sweet potatoes. He is really getting the hang of eating from a spoon. He will open his mouth, take the spoon, and then put his fingers in his mouth. Sometimes I have to hold down his hands to feed him. Last night at the mother-in-law's Friday Thanksgiving feast, he cried in between spoonfuls. He couldn't get it fast enough.

Pup had Lucia (the infant teacher) come out on Friday. She didn't want to miss a day! He lasted the whole session without getting fussy. He's finally doing better on rolling over from stomach to back although he doesn't really do it unless prompted with a toy, etc. She told us to start massaging his hands open as she feel that's one area is a bit behind in. She feels his palms should be open more. He resisted her massaging them as they were pretty tightly closed. He did, however, sit up for about 5 seconds before falling to the side. She told us to just keep him on the floor as much as possible and gave us a list of things to tell the OT (occupational therapist) for the evaluation on the 10th. I'll take a 1/2 day that day so I know what's going on. It's hard to work with therapists,etc. coming to your house. Lucia said that the OT will come 1 to 2 times a week depending on his/her evaluation on top of the time Lucia comes! I asked her how many times she thought he may need depending on her work with Pup, and she said it'll depend on the OT. She said that it will also depend on how Pup does during the eval. If he's really fussy, etc. and not wanting to do anything he may get 2 times a week. I don't really know which is better? Is more times a week better?

I keep worrying that he can't hear me based on the hearing test. I mean...I know he can hear, but I don't know how well. Dr. K. said it was like he had a finger in one of his ears. I've been putting my own finger in my own ear and it's not pleasant. Maybe I should just stop. haha

So thrilled

I came on here tonight and didn't realize that people were posting comments! I'm so happy you are all reading.....
About the eye contact... I agree with all of you. If he's a comfy distance away he'll stare right at you. At his well baby exam last week (6 months!) the regular pediatrician said he had a slight gaze aversion also. But I think he was looking for it because he had just read Dr. H's report. I'm not discounting the fact that he has FX, but I don't think he would've thought anything if he didn't know Pup had fragile x. What baby stares at your face for 10 minutes! He's doing well and that's what I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving. Considering I prepared myself for a floppy, poor feeding, etc. baby during my pregnancy so far I've been blessed. I hate Fragile X and what it's done to my life. I'm tired of analyzing everything he's doing. I just want to love him and I think that's what I'm going to do.

His ears have to be watched as he didn't do well on the right side on his hearing test. He may need tubes although he hasn't had any ear infections.

Anyway, I think Pup started saying baba tonight....I can't be sure but it sounded like it. Maybe if I believe it it'll be true.

AJ, at school today, said that on Thanksgiving he's going to eat PB and J sandwiches. I thought that was funny.