"Ring" around the rosie

Sean learned this at daycare (quite frankly, the song kind of creeps me out). Sometimes we "ring", but other times we just stand there smiling until it's time to "fall down". Either way, it's awfully cute!!! I love the giggle at the end - Enjoy!

Winter weather

You know that when you live in the Midwest, especially Illinois, you can expect crazy weather. Well, most of you know - and lived - the BITTER cold we had this week. Temperatures at -21, and windchills in the -40's. It was so cold that Sean would start fussing the minute the air hit his face. BUT, would he wear a hat or gloves to help prevent the intense cold? Oh no, just the hood to his winter coat (which I guess is better than nothing)... until today that is. Sure, now that's it's 30 degrees, and we didn't leave the house at all today, let's wear our new winter gear!!! Kids - gotta love 'em!

The many faces of Sean - part 2

The many faces of Sean

I have NO idea what brought on the pictures you are about to see, but this is Sean's new face. Now, every time he sees the camera and the orange light that goes off when you press the capture button down just a little, he freezes and makes this face. Gee, where would he get the cheese factor from???

Random cuteness of Sean

Here are some random pictures from this week of Sean. From eating a cookie to taking a bath, to being "shocked" (at least that's the look on his face... but I don't know how shocked HE can be to see Mickey...), he's one cutie!








Some fun with Mommy's scarf (don't you just LOVE this weather?!?)

23 week OB check / Sean's tonsils / Speech

Today was my 23 week check up and things are going great! I've gained a total of 10 pounds, which is great since I'm over half way through my pregnancy! Honestly, the way I eat, I'm surprised it wasn't more! :-) My blood pressure is still doing great (134/62) and was even a little lower than previous visits. Since they are watching that very closely due to complications from my pregnancy with Sean, they are super pleased! Today was the first day they were able to find the baby's heartbeat instantly and without the portable u/s machine. His heartbeat is the highest it's been at 153 - nice and strong!

The nurse practitioner said everything looks great, so my next appointment will be my 28 week check. This is the icky one - more blood work, glucose test (evil) again, etc. But, I can handle it! :-)

Onward to Sean... today we met with his pediatrician to have his tonsils checked. Since Jamie had the same thing as a child (but didn't get his removed until he was 20), she said that was a pretty good indication that Sean's probably would not decrease in size. Usually they wait until they are over 11 (if the child is not having chronic infections) to see if they decrease. But, since there is a family history and it may be impacting his speech, she is referring us to ENT. We will meet with that doctor on January 29th. Of course we don't want him to have surgery (honestly, the thought of it brings me to tears), but if it will help his sleeping, breathing, talking, eating, etc., I think we have to proceed.

In the meantime, we are in the process of trying to get Sean's speech therapy covered by insurance (LONG story), so that is on hold. I'm praying that all will work out - either through the state or through our insurance - so that he can get the help he needs. At $210 a visit (and he was going once a week) for 6 - 8 months, we HAVE to get this covered. We appreciate any prayers for him! :-)

Spaghetti night

Ah yes, Sean's favorite night. SPAGHETTI! Check out these pictures and I'm sure ou can see why. Oh, and don't bother cutting the noodles into bite size pieces... what fun is it if you can't *slurp* the noodle up! ;-)

Sean first speech appointment

Today was Sean's first speech therapy appointment. Unfortunately, we don't get the same therapist who did our initial consult (long story), but I'm thrilled that the new therapist is wonderful as well! Sean took to her right away. The session went very quickly - only 45 minutes (with the last five minutes allowed for the therapist to type up a summary and assign us "homework"). Of course right in the middle of the session, my once-every-two-day-pooper, pooped. That was lovely. A quick change later and we were back in the session.

I finally got a copy of the evaluation that was had done in November. Here are the highlights:

Language Comprehension Equivalency: 21-24 months
Language Expression Equivalency: 15-18 months

"Language comprehension is solid at 21-24 months with skills scattered up to 27-30 months. Language expression is solid at 15-18 months, with 50% of skills at 18-21 months, and one skill in the 24-27 month age range (uses action words)."

"Sean smiled frequently. He interacted well with the clinician and played with a variety of toys appropriately. He enjoyed looking at books, playing with the stacking cup, and with the barn and animals. He followed directions well, and was very cooperative. Use of eye contact, communicative intent, reciprocity, and joint attention were age appropriate."

The therapist did ask if he was congested as he was breathing very heavily. My answer was no, he has always breathed very hard. Every pediatrician (our regular dr., ones on call, etc.) have all commented on how large his tonsils are ("golf ball size"), which probably explains why he breaths hard and snores like a freight train. Maybe that explains his love for trains??? Anyway, she mentioned that several children with enlarged tonsils have speech delays. Since they are so large, they bulge and press funny in their mouth, which gives them a funny feeling - thus making it hard for them to talk! That could explain why he understands so well, but cannot communicate. Interesting, eh? In the meantime, he'll go to speech once a week for 6-8 months and then be reevaluated.

We have an appointment with Dr. Streigel (his pediatrician) Monday to discuss what to do from here regarding his tonsils. Of course I don't want him to have surgery, but then again, if it will help him sleep better, breath better, eat better, talk better... why not!!! I'll keep you posted, but that's it for now!

Onward to 2009...

Well, the holidays are over and we are getting settled in to 2009. Hard to believe another year has gone by! Jamie has been very busy lately working on getting the spare bedroom ready as Sean's new room. He made the master bedroom closet into a walk-in, and changed created a new closet in the spare bedroom - all without losing any square footage in either room! I'll tell ya, it's pretty awesome to be married to such a handy man!

This week he's working on the closet in the spare room. Once that's done, we'll get new carpet for the room, paint, trim (new) and viola! We should be ready to go! Sean got a new toddler bed and Mickey bedding for Christmas, so needless to say, his room will be all Mickey-d out! We're hoping he really likes it!

Totally at Jamie's expense

Most of you know Jamie pretty darn well, but what you may not know is that his life is a musical. Yep, everything has a song. Whether it's petting the dog, changing a poopy diaper, getting up in the middle of the night to pee - you name it. So of course tonight, when Jamie was getting Sean's jammies on, we (and by that make no mistake I mean Jamie) had to sing a song about Sean's lack of a rear (now if that's not the pot calling the kettle black!!!) Enjoy the show.