What's New with Rex?

Rex has now been home with us for 14 months and I am happy to report that after four weeks of preschool he is doing very well.  We had prepared ourselves for a more difficult transition, but were blessed with things going more smoothly than expected. 

Rex seems to love it at his school.  He gives us no trouble getting ready in the mornings and then impatiently waits by the door to the garage, signing go.  Drop-off at school involves no tears.  On the contrary, Rex often waves bye to us before we are ready to leave the room.  He seems very comfortable in his surroundings and quickly finds a toy or an activity.

The therapists tell us that Rex now understands the daily classroom routines.  He is attentive during circle time and generally cooperative during his 1:1 therapies.  His speech therapist in particular writes glowing reports, but more on that in a minute.  Rex knows that he has to go to different rooms for various purposes throughout the day and he has gotten used to the schedule enough to fall asleep quickly at nap and know the meal times.  While we are so glad that he is thriving at school, we are also happy that he gets excited when he sees us at pick-up.  He sometimes is quite wired when he arrives back home, but usually can settle down within an hour.  And bedtime for him is earlier now because he is more tired, so usually by 9:00 pm, it’s just Craig and me still awake.

The most impressive progress we have seen with Rex over the last month is his communication.  He has learned a new sign, car, and is in process of picking up another one, cookie.  He has begun to sign little sentences like “finished music” and “car go.”  The latter is what he signed to me when I picked him up from school one day.  Rex has also started imitating sounds and syllables during speech therapy and his therapists, along with us, believe that he has a first spoken, purposeful word which is more than appropriate for him.  Listen closely.

The therapists have also been helpful in introducing new foods that I provide in his lunch box to Rex.  He now loves bananas and has added cashews to his crunchy repertoire.  He has allowed grapes, carrots, and apple slices to touch his mouth.  Next up for experimentation: fruit leather.  I am so thankful that the therapists are always ready and willing to work with me on improving Rex’s nutrition.

Rex parallel plays with his classmates and has recently developed an interest in many different vehicles.  I love watching him roll them along various surfaces in the house and enjoy taking turns with him rolling them back and forth.  Sometimes we load them, too, and make play dough or Lego deliveries to our most valuable customers.

Rex also had a check-up with his plastic surgeon and we were happy to learn that Rex does not need any cleft-related surgeries for another year.  The next step will be a lip and nose revision, but they can wait.  During the visit the surgeon actually asked us if he was looking at Rex's natural palate and if Rex only had a cleft lip.  When we told him that he repaired the palate a year ago, he said, "Wow, I must be a genius."  I guess it looks great.

Overall, Rex is doing so well and we couldn't be prouder of this hard little worker and love bug.

Emilia's Third Birthday Party

Today we celebrated Emilia's birthday with our family.  We kept the party very small and rather short based on what we know our kiddos can handle at this time.  It was a fun extended lunch.

Setting up at a local park in terrific fall weather:

 Emilia chasing Cousin Michael:

Emilia chasing Cousin Colton:

Emilia on a mission known only to herself:

Emilia hanging out with Grandpa:

Lunch:

Cousin Will and Rex:

Opening presents (thanks, everyone, for the great gifts):

Time for cake.  Now this was a challenge for me because I had to keep it dairy-free for Emilia and gluten-free for Craig's step-mom.  I succeeded though with this moist chocolate cake with a layer of raspberry jam for filling and a simple chocolate ganache:

Emilia excited to try a slice:

 Emilia and Cousin Will:

Almost everyone in one shot:

We had a wonderful celebration and so enjoyed this special time with our family.  We're looking forward to many more birthdays.

We're Going To Hollywood

Okay, this title is a little misleading because we already went to Hollywood and are back home now.  Plus, it wasn't Hollywood, CA but Hollywood, FL.  Yes, we took a little trip to the beach and had a wonderful time.

We flew direct from Cincinnati to Ft. Lauderdale.  Emilia took all of it in stride.

Rex gave us a hard time at the airports, but did fantastic on the flight.

We rented half of a duplex on a quiet street and it had absolutely everything we needed.  From our front door to the beach it was exactly 100 steps.  It's a private beach, too, and we practically had it to ourselves every time we went.

The first ocean experience for the kids was a big success.  The air and the water were so warm, it would have been tough not to have a good time.

This water was so clear that even at five or six feet deep, we could see the bottom.  

Rex loved going out far with Craig.

He couldn't get enough of crashing into the waves in the safety of his daddy's arms.

Emilia made her own fun nearer the shoreline.

She also gave the waves a try with her daddy.

 Oops, I guess I missed a food cue and Emilia helped herself.

 Here's the only proof that I was on this vacation, too.

When you have two sleeping babes on the plane ride home, you know it's been a good vacation.

Oh, and in case you're wondering why we splurged on this trip... well, when you've missed two too many birthdays, you have to do the third one up right.

Happy birthday, sweet girl.  You light up our lives.

Help Zack Fundraiser Success

I just wanted to let everyone know that the fundraiser for Zack was a great success, bringing over $1100 to his Reece's Rainbow account.  Thanks to those whose generosity made this possible and to all who shared Zack's profile far and wide.  Unfortunately, his family has not yet found him, so please keep spreading the word whenever you can.

Autumn's Arrived

Our deck is full of tell-tale signs that fall is here:

This time of year always makes me feel melancholy.

All In 23 Hours' Work

I don’t know why I desire to commemorate this information on our blog, but I do.  I guess it’s just because in over a year so much stuff around the house has fallen by the wayside that it feels really good to get some of it done now.  So, in 23 hours home alone this week, I accomplished these tasks:

Cleaned up kitchen counters

Cleaned kitchen floor and baseboards

Picked up living room

Vacuumed living room and play room

Cleaned off mantle and put up new pictures

Ironed 9 work shirts and 4 work pants for Craig

Ran and unloaded the dishwasher twice and hand-washed lots of dishes

Made M&M cookies for Rex’s therapists and for us

Prepared freezer meals for the kids: vegan sweet potato risotto and vegan banana pancakes

Cleaned out the fridge

I also had time to do this:

Read

Watch TV (it’s like the world has passed me by for a year)

Take a shower (yes, undisturbed)

Talk to my mom

Write a proper thank you note

Sleep

Sit down to eat (yes, undisturbed)

I can’t wait to knock more tasks off my to-do list in the weeks to come.  It feels great.

Help Zack Fundraiser

I just wanted to remind everyone that the fundraiser to help Zack will run through this coming Sunday, September 23.  There are some awesome prizes up for grabs including a $100 Amazon gift card, a $25 gift card to Toys R Us, and a $25 gift card to Starbucks as well as many beautiful handmade items.

Please check the fundraiser out here:
http://adoptingsinglemom.blogspot.com/2012/09/fundraisergive-away-for-z.html.

You can make a donation through the chip-in or directly to Zack's Reece's Rainbow account where your contribution will be tax deductible.

So far we have raised around $400 for Zack (his RR account was at $171 when we kicked off).  Thanks to everyone who has so generously donated.

Unfortunately, Zack's family has not yet seen him, so the most important thing is to continue to spread the word via social media.  Please link his profile wherever possible: http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=zack.  Thank you.

Tales From The Pantry

My name is Rex and I am three,

I am as sneaky as can be.

I quietly slipped through the pantry door

And found me peanut butter galore.

My parents say OT is working:

Unscrewing jars done, I should try uncorking.

Hundreds of calories right down my belly,

Forget the bread and who needs jelly?

My name is Rex and I am three,

I am as happy as can be.

Emilia- Forty-Three Weeks Home

As of Saturday, Emilia has been home with us for forty-three weeks.

This month has brought many changes for our little girl as her weekly schedule now looks quite different from before.  On Mondays and Tuesdays she is in preschool full-day, on Wednesdays she has speech therapy, and on Thursdays she goes to toddler story time at the library with Ms. Rie.  She’s joined for this adventure by Ms. Rie’s sister and her daughter who happen to live next door to us.  Fridays is the only weekday that Emilia has no outings on her schedule.  Overall, the transition is going well. 

Emilia is starting to interact with the children at school and beginning to play with the toys that are offered there.  At home we are hearing a lot of good babbling. She is willing and able to imitate any sounds that she perceives as fun and nonsense, but stays away from the stuff she recognizes as words.  She is following several receptive commands now, such as sit down, come here, and give me a kiss.  She also knows how to give high fives.  Emilia is getting much better at holding her own open cup to drink and really into motor and object imitation now.  The key to this seems to be that we must pretend that we don’t care if she participates or follows our lead.  For example, if I sit on the floor and build a tower and talk to myself, counting the blocks or naming their colors, Emilia will voluntarily join me.  If I topple the tower, she may even start stacking it again.  But I kind of have to look away as she does it and basically not praise her for her accomplishment.  She’s a strange little person, but maybe we are finally starting to figure her out.

Emilia continues to be a cuddly little girl.  I think she has even amped up the hugs and kisses for me a little more still since we have had some days with just the two of us at home.  She is a good eater as long as we keep her food mostly soft though she tries with the solids.  I really only remember one or two dishes that she has ever rejected.  She loves all flavors from baked beans to pears to beef to (non-dairy) chocolate.  Emilia can feed herself with a fork if we load it for her.  She sleeps well through the night 95% of the time.  Very occasionally she has a bad night where I am wondering if she has bad dreams because she seems shaky and scared when we go to comfort her.  If a night like that escalates to the point where Emilia just cannot be alone without being terrified, one of us sleeps with her on the big bed in her room.  That always does the trick and she goes right back to sleeping on her own for 9 or 10 hours the next night.  Oh and Emilia has learned how to climb up on the TV stand and back down.  She really climbs just about anything in sight.  And she loves bath time and playing with water whenever possible.

It’s hard to believe that our little sweet pea is turning three years old soon.  We are so thankful that we will be able to spend this special birthday with her, the first she will be celebrating in a family.  What a gift this child is for all of us.

Our Weekend In Review

We had a very busy, very wonderful weekend.  

Yesterday we were invited to a gathering with friends.  It was kind of a pool, birthday, college football combo party.  We enjoyed seeing everyone and having a chance to catch up.  Since there are many September birthdays in the group, the cake decorator had to work hard to get all the names on it.

Among other gifts, Emilia got a purple toy cell phone which Rex promptly stole from her.  She'll get a chance to play with it this coming week while Rex is at school.

Today we went to Kings Island.  Once a year, Craig's employer rents out the entire park and offers free admission for the employees and their families.  It's always a good time.

You can barely see it, but this is Rex and me on Rex's first ever ride.  We took Rex to the park with us last fall, but he was completely overwhelmed and scared and not able to do any rides.  This time around, it was a different story and Rex enjoyed three rides and watched the big rollercoasters go.

Emilia's first ever ride: the train that circles the entire park.  She sure liked that warm breeze on her face.

And for the piece de resistance, Rex's first solo ride.  We were a little worried, but he had a good time.  He's such a big boy now.

"Hey, buddy, is this ride over already?"

We had also taken our oldest nephew to the park with us.  He had a blast hitting most of the big coasters with Craig.  On the way home the teen and the tot needed some rest from all the excitement.

I can honestly say that I am pleasantly exhausted from having had so much fun this weekend.  What a nice way to ring in fall.

Picture Of The Day

It doesn't get much better than kisses from my sweet baby girl.

Home Alone

Today was my first day home alone with no kids in 14 months.  I felt a little bit like Kevin McCallister:

Seriously, I was by myself from 7:30 until 6:15 without seeing another human being that wasn’t on TV.  A lot of people had asked me how I would be spending this day and suggested complete leisure, but I decided to find a balance between have to do and want to do, so this was my day:

5:00 am - got up and did some online correspondence

6:00 am – packed lunches for my family

6:30 am – fed the kids and got them dressed

7:00 am – took the kids to the basement to play

7:30 am – waved goodbye

Then I decided to give myself just 30 minutes to do what I would call damage control in the kitchen.  I could spend hours in there cleaning and organizing, but it wasn’t my priority for today.  So, for the next half hour I did dishes, wiped surfaces, took out the compost waste and the garbage, etc.  At 8:00 I started my major project for the day: cleaning the master bathroom.  It took about two hours, including scrubbing the tub and the shower and the toilet and doing the mirrors and sinks and countertops and floor and windows.  And now it’s perfectly spotless, sparkly, and fresh… for about another thirty minutes when it’s time to get the kids ready for bed.

At about 10:00 I took a break to eat breakfast, check my email, and post a blog about Emilia’s first day of preschool.  Then I did a little picking up where needed.

11:00 am – lunch and TV

11:30 am – called my mom for an hour and a half

1:00 pm – laid down to read but fell asleep

4:00 pm – woke up… wow, that was a three hour nap

From 4:00 until 5:15 I tackled my #2 project which is cleaning out the loft area.  This involves sorting children’s clothes to consignment, Goodwill, hand-down piles, putting clean children’s clothes away in their drawers, cleaning off a couch that no one has been able to sit on in months… you get the idea.  I am now about 65% done with the loft revival.  While I was working on the loft, I watched a re-run of Gilmore Girls, one of my all-time favorite shows.  Ah, the sweet joys of undisturbed TV time.

At about 5:30 I started cooking dinner and then I just waited for my gang to come home.  They were running very late and did not get here until 6:15.  Emilia was a little mad at me when she came in and would not look at me or hug me.  I was quite pleased with this behavior because it means she missed me and loves me.  She soon decided that she wanted her mama more than being upset and settled in with me for lots of cuddles and giggles.

And what did my children do while I was home alone?  Here are some excerpts from their daily reports:

“Emilia showed some interest and effort toward interacting with her peers today.  This morning a group of classmates were playing with the people figures and doing imaginative play.  Emilia joined the group as she was very interested in the figures.”

“Rex enjoyed listening to music and used a maraca while the music was playing.  He signed ‘done music’ when we left the blue room after music time.  We worked on fine motor skills.  A therapist helped Rex, but he sat quietly and tried hard.  He did a great job matching.”

Hubby was in an all-day meeting with the global capital systems leadership for P&G Babycare.

All in all, a good day for our family.

First Day Of Preschool #2

Yesterday was Emilia's first day of preschool.  She only attends two days a week from about 8:30 until 4:30.  After discussing her needs with the staff at the center, we decided to place her into a toddler room with children aged 18 through 36 months where she fits in terms of her physical size and development.  Of course, being the mama bear that I am, I stayed with Emilia all day yesterday to ease her transition and help her feel safe in the new environment.  On the whole, she did very well, but let me tell you the story in pictures.

Here's Emilia headed out the door in the morning, ready to take on the world:

After circle time with the group, the children get to play on their own.  Emilia's absolute favorite item in the classroom was the mirror at the right height.  She kept returning to it throughout the day to check herself out:

Is this an intense runway look or what?  I guess she wasn't too happy that the paparazzi disturbed her in her self-study:

My biggest disappointment with the day came during the meals.  I had spent a great amount of time and effort preparing the teachers, cook, and administration for Emilia's dietary needs and feeding issues.  I explained everything from her motor delays that require her to have assistance with silverware and finger-feeding to her difficulty chewing solids to her dislike for cold drinks.  Still almost everything went wrong with her meals yesterday and she had very few calories.  It would have been even less if I hadn't been there to step in.  Today I made sure to send back-up food for her, so if she struggles with the menu at the center, she can at least be fed something else.  Here are the tots awaiting their lunch which is served family-style:

We had beautiful weather yesterday and the children spent upward of two hours outside throughout the day.  Emilia was so excited about pushing this cart on the bike path:

She even pushed it alongside her new friends who were riding tricycles:

Emilia surprised me by eventually getting onto a tricycle herself. She had to move it around the path Flintstone-style because she couldn't quite reach the pedal in the far position, but she really tried to hold her own.  She also took some time to explore the play house:

And looked at a walking stick:

As well as navigated the play structure all by herself and came down the slide without assistance several times:

If her teachers can do better with her meals, I think this will be a good placement for her.  We'll keep an eye on it and make adjustments as necessary.

Oh, and here's Emilia all dressed for her second day of preschool which happens to be Pajama Day: