We have been working on signing with Nathan for awhile now. So far he can sign "more" and "please" with his own variations. At first I worried that this was a problem but our PT Toni assured us that all kids have their own variations. As long as they use the same sign appropriately, it's fine. Here he is signing "more please" during snack the other day. The "more" looks like clapping and the "please" is him bringing his hands to his chest. This makes sense, because when we ask him to "find his belly" he does the same thing and the sign for "please" is rubbing your belly. I'm not really sure why he won't bring his hands down to his actual belly, but that's for another day. Enjoy!
September 21, 2009
Not Me! Monday
It's back!
Are you feeling guilty for making a whole batch of chocolate fudge brownies that you know your husband wouldn't like just so you could eat them yourself? Embarassed that you found fruit rotting and molding in the back of the refridgerator? Hope no one noticed that your child wore the same outfit two days in a row? Well don't be! Not Me! Monday was born out of one woman's desire (MckMomma to be exact) to admit some of her imperfections and reveal a few moments she'd rather forget. I found it therapeutic to join in and do the same thing! Maybe you would, too!
This week I most certainly did not run the dishwasher numerous times, even though it was not full, just so I wouldn't have to wash bottles. Again. Nope, not me!
I also did not convince my husband that we absolutely needed a steam mop which cost $80. No, I didn't convince my husband we needed said mop just because I am too lazy, I mean busy, to get down on my hands and knees and do it the old fashioned way.
Over the past couple weeks I definately did not notice that a large pile of junk was accumulating at the bottom of the stairs. This pile of junk did not sit just downstairs of the front door where it was perfectly noticable (if not obvious) for all who entered to see. No, I would certainly have taken care of that before it got out of control with bags of food that needed to go to church, many, many pairs of shoes, a drying rack with clothes, a large package of toilet paper and other miscellaneous items strewn about. Nope, not me! I keep a tidy house at all times!
And finally, I did not use the chocolate milk my husband bought (because they were buy 1 get 1) as a substitute for regular milk just because we were out and I didn't get around to (or feel like) going to the store. Nope, not me!
I'd love to hear what you didn't do this week!
Are you feeling guilty for making a whole batch of chocolate fudge brownies that you know your husband wouldn't like just so you could eat them yourself? Embarassed that you found fruit rotting and molding in the back of the refridgerator? Hope no one noticed that your child wore the same outfit two days in a row? Well don't be! Not Me! Monday was born out of one woman's desire (MckMomma to be exact) to admit some of her imperfections and reveal a few moments she'd rather forget. I found it therapeutic to join in and do the same thing! Maybe you would, too!
This week I most certainly did not run the dishwasher numerous times, even though it was not full, just so I wouldn't have to wash bottles. Again. Nope, not me!
I also did not convince my husband that we absolutely needed a steam mop which cost $80. No, I didn't convince my husband we needed said mop just because I am too lazy, I mean busy, to get down on my hands and knees and do it the old fashioned way.
Over the past couple weeks I definately did not notice that a large pile of junk was accumulating at the bottom of the stairs. This pile of junk did not sit just downstairs of the front door where it was perfectly noticable (if not obvious) for all who entered to see. No, I would certainly have taken care of that before it got out of control with bags of food that needed to go to church, many, many pairs of shoes, a drying rack with clothes, a large package of toilet paper and other miscellaneous items strewn about. Nope, not me! I keep a tidy house at all times!
And finally, I did not use the chocolate milk my husband bought (because they were buy 1 get 1) as a substitute for regular milk just because we were out and I didn't get around to (or feel like) going to the store. Nope, not me!
I'd love to hear what you didn't do this week!
September 17, 2009
Happy stander
Army clawling. Check. Pushing up onto all fours. Check. Sitting unsupported. Check. He is working right down the list, and it seems that lately there is no stopping him! So we are moving on to bigger things, like working on standing. Nate can't bear weight in his legs...yet. We are hoping that is what the stander will teach him. It was so awesome to see him in an upright position for the first time! Our wonderful pool therapist, Nancy, was generous enough to let us borrow this stander until we can get our own. The goal is to have him stand in it for about an hour twice a day. Our PT, Toni, said that some kids don't tolerate it very well at first. And we all know how Nathan can be...tempermental, fussy, whiney and lazy. Yup, that's our boy. Ha! Take a look!
He looks like he is really upset about it, doesn't he? ;)
Today I took him in to get measured and casted for his AFOs (Ankle Foot Orthosis). They actually cast his legs to make the braces. The man who was doing the measuring and casting couldn't believe how calm and cool Nathan was...said he was the best patient of the day! Nate was very interested in the whole process...perhaps a little too interested since he was grabbing at tools and such. :) My goal was to take pictures of the entire process, but Nate ended up sitting on my lap while he was being casted while I flipped through a book with pattern options. From what I understand from other SB moms, picking out the pattern for the straps is a big deal. It's all about the pattern. I think I made a good choice...it wasn't in the book but they do custom stuff and were happy to oblidge. Guess you all will have to wait two weeks until they are ready to see! I bet the suspense will be unbearable!
He looks like he is really upset about it, doesn't he? ;)
Today I took him in to get measured and casted for his AFOs (Ankle Foot Orthosis). They actually cast his legs to make the braces. The man who was doing the measuring and casting couldn't believe how calm and cool Nathan was...said he was the best patient of the day! Nate was very interested in the whole process...perhaps a little too interested since he was grabbing at tools and such. :) My goal was to take pictures of the entire process, but Nate ended up sitting on my lap while he was being casted while I flipped through a book with pattern options. From what I understand from other SB moms, picking out the pattern for the straps is a big deal. It's all about the pattern. I think I made a good choice...it wasn't in the book but they do custom stuff and were happy to oblidge. Guess you all will have to wait two weeks until they are ready to see! I bet the suspense will be unbearable!
September 12, 2009
Little feet
Upon waking up from his nap, Nathan had put himself in a precarious position. You see, he had twisted and turned himself sideways in his crib.
And had gotten his little feet stuck in the crib railing! Isn't he adorable?
And had gotten his little feet stuck in the crib railing! Isn't he adorable?
September 11, 2009
Bubbles and curls
Our PT Toni has been sparking Nathan's interest during their sessions with bubbles. He will sit upright or on all fours perfectly as long as she is blowing bubbles. He hates the bubble machine we got him for his birthday, however. The rrrrrrr sound it makes upsets him for some reason.
Summer has finally arrived. Just in time for the leaves to start changing and begin falling. With this new "heat wave" of ours comes humidity. Humidity + Nathan's hair = CURLS! This is the best shot I could get of them...but they are everywhere and so, so cute!
September 10, 2009
Walk and Roll
I had read/heard about these Walk and Rolls from another mom and anxiously searched and waited for one to come around in our area. I am so happy that we can partake in this fundraising event! While Spina Bifida is one of the most common birth defects in the US, not many people even know of its existence. And whats worse, despite the impact of Spina Bifida on individuals, families, society, and the nation, little research has been conducted on the many components of this complex birth defect. For some, treatment options are limited and for others, they are practically nonexistent. Ryan and I feel so blessed that we are able to get Nathan the kind of care that he needs. We see an array of specialists at one of the best hospitals around, and take part in a wonderful Early Intervention program that allows therapists to work with him right in our home. And as much as I can go on and on about how I dislike my job (or at least where I work), I believe that God put me there for one specific reason: my awesome health insurance! Again, a huge blessing. Can't rave enough about how much has been covered for Nathan through my insurance. I know that even though the school I work at can be tough and challenging, it is THE RIGHT CHOICE for my family and that is what is most important.
I know there are others living with SB that were not as fortunate as Nathan has been. The medical advances that have been made in the past 10 years alone have given people with SB a much better chance at living normal lives. And yet there is still SO MUCH MORE that needs to be learned and discovered about it. There is NO KNOWN CAUSE. As much as I break myself down thinking about what I may have done while I was pregnant to cause Nathan's spine to form incorectly, the hard facts are that the cause is still a mystery. Please help us in our efforts to find a prevention and a cure by checking out our fundraising page and considering making a donation to the Spina Bifida Association of Illinois. It would mean so much to our family and could make a big difference in the lives of those living with Spina Bifida!
www.firstgiving.com/teamburnett
September 06, 2009
September 03, 2009
Squirrel food
This is my husbands, um, affectionate name for the food I have been keeping in the house. I had previously blogged about trying to go organic and so far it has been going really well. I feel good about the food we are eating and are feeding Nathan. However, Ryan isn't exactly on the bandwagon. Most days he just opens the refrigerator and stares at its contents for several minutes before declaring "there is nothing to eat!" I am enjoying the challenge of coming up with new food to make. I get a lot of help from blogger "friends" who post recepies. One of my favorites that I just tried is Tabouli. Never even heard of it before. And Nathan loves it! I think out of sheer desparation Ryan tried to feed it to him one afternoon for lunch and Nate just gobbled it up. Of course, I still get wierd looks and comments from people (particularly my mother). For example, last night we ended up eating at my mom's house. Ryan, my mom and I had Subway (no, we don't ALWAYS eat organic) and I brought an avacado for Nathan (it was ripe and needed to be eaten before it went bad!) I searched around her cabinets and found some raisins. Then to add a little flavor to the avacado, I mixed in a little salsa. That was his dinner. Avacado and raisins. And my mom, totally appalled, says "is that what you are feeding him?!" Of course he loved it. And I love the idea of exposing him (and myself) to all kinds of new and interesting foods. So I am asking a little favor. Please share your recepies with us! And as a thank you, I am going to share/pass on the recipe for the wonderful Squirrel food, I mean Tabouli I recently made.
Tabouli
1 box tabouli, Near East was the brand I used
1 medium cucumber, chopped
1 medium tomato, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Extras: chopped fresh parsley or mint
Follow package directions to make Tabouli. After it has set in refrigerator for half an hour add all other ingredients and mix well. Serve well chilled. Y-U-M!
Enjoy!
Tabouli
1 box tabouli, Near East was the brand I used
1 medium cucumber, chopped
1 medium tomato, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Extras: chopped fresh parsley or mint
Follow package directions to make Tabouli. After it has set in refrigerator for half an hour add all other ingredients and mix well. Serve well chilled. Y-U-M!
Enjoy!
Our new "baby"
Well I sure had some of you fooled! I got more than one frantic phone call, text message or e-mail congratulating me on being pregnant. My mom even got a voicemail at work with a "congrats on being a Gramma for the second time". Sorry to disappoint, but I am NOT pregnant. If you go back and read carefully, you will realize that I am not talking about a baby after all (research? weighing the pros and cons?) Although it is small and fragile, a baby it is definately not. Our new little addition came in the mail Monday afternoon. It's black, was a family investment (otherwise known as expensive)and has permanently been attached to my eye since it arrived. I'm sure you have figured it out by now.
I have lots to learn about taking pictures but am willing to put in the hours as needed. I took a short class this past weekend with a well known photographer in Chicago and learned the BASICS of photo taking. So far it's just been fun experimenting. Fortunately for me, I have a few friends who are fantastic photographers and can ask them questions once in awhile. I haven't had an artistic outlet in quite awhile so I am looking forward to jumping right in and learning the ropes.
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