September 28, 2007

Happy 1 Year Aiden...

Today Aiden is one year old corrected age!! I can not believe it has flown by.. He is doing wonderful, and will be starting his Early Intervention with the feeding specialist. Hopefully that will go smooth. I don't have much else to update since he was at my mom's since Sunday, the day after I had the girls.

I will say this.. It was soo good to have him home and have him see me and know who I was and just smile and want to hug me right away. It's such a good feeling that he's getting bigger and misses you and knows you and just simply loves you.. I wanted to melt, it was so sweet.

SURPRISE!!

Quick update from Dad while Mommy recovers...

Say hello to:

Morgan! (3lbs 14 oz, and the elder by 3 mins)


Riley! (4lbs 7oz)


And one very excited (and now very tired) daddy. More updates later!

September 21, 2007

A quick update...

We got the person we wanted for OT. Aiden happen to already be on the waiting list for speech (it was suppose to be for drinking) so that got him in and we got Jean!! YAY i am so excited!!
She will be coming every Thursday in the morning with his other EI worked Nancy now and will work with him to transition to a cup and help us learn new techniques.

YAY YAY YAY!!! Is all I can say..

September 20, 2007

Aiden had his eval with OT today for "feeding issues". As you all know he eats like a champ, it's drinking that is a problem. First off he will probably have the g-tube for at least 6 more months. YUK! but we got some good tips and ideas from the OT and she is trying like heck to get him on her case load but since there are other kids waiting, we know how that works and well it probably won't work out. It stinks cause she specializes in feeding and drinking and works a lot with kids that have gtubes, but they can't pick and choose, so keeping our fingers crossed we can get the lady we saw today (who was fantastic with him) I'd be oh so happy..

We have some mouth exercises to do to create stronger muscles in his mouth. Aiden has learned to eat with his head back a bit (chin up) which if you try it, makes it hard to swallow. It's easier if you have your chin a little down (I know you are all trying it now huh)
So we are going to work on him keeping his chin down a little. Also working with a new cup that I am going to try and hunt down today. Then when he eats off a spoon we need to alternate putting the food on the left side of his mouth then the right. Back and forth for a bit then a normal bite. This will exercise his tounge which works well but is a little weak.

I will say this, the OT was VERY amazed with him. She said for a 24 weeker he is doing fantastic and my fears of him being autistic should be out the window. He is on track with so many things, he focuses on you and tries to repeat or copy. He's eating and trying to walk, he crawls. He is doing so much and so well and i just wanted to cry I was so happy.

It's normal mommy worries I think I have and as for the drinking well it will come. We just have to keep eating and drinking fun and not crunch down on him or he will look at it like a negitive thing and start pushing away and then the real struggle begins. Once they get to about 12 to 18 months is when it's hard if they decide they don't want to do something. Aiden is already there, cause when he doesn't want to do something HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO IT!, but "keeping it fun" like she said helps them like eating, drinking and/or what ever else your doing.

So we will see what comes in the next month of working with the new exercises and cup and seeing if it helps. OHHH She did also say it is very common for gtube kids to take longer with things like this AND also the fact that he gets liquids during the night when sleeping will contribute to him not drinking during the day too. SO we are going to stop his overnight feeds (we alternate formula and water, 16oz over 6 and a half hours) we will now bolus him 4 ounce of fluid after a meal, depending on how much he drinks on his own)

The good think, no more detaching tube during the night, and wet milk smelling baby at 3am, which consists of washing and changing him, and changing everything in the crib.. UGH!!!

Wish us luck!!

September 13, 2007

SO.. my little bug is a night owl all of a sudden. The last few nights he has been up til the wee hours. This seems to have nothing to do with his napping during the day. We have gone all day with only a 30 minute nap and he was up til 2:30 in the morning. The next night he was up until almost midnight, and tonight , it is now almost 1am he is in his swing with hopes he falls asleep. He is just about out, and I am sure over tired, but as normal I am sure he will be up in the morning no later then 9am. He is usually up about 8 but if we are lucky he sleeps a little later.
I am not sure what he is running on, but maybe he can pass some on to me. I could use the energy.

Other then that there isn't much to update. Still no teeth lol, and still no consistent cup drinking. We talked to E.I. and his worker if going to talk to the girl who does OT and see if she will be willing to come to Wakefield (where we live) and work with him. If not, since Wakefield is not in there district, we will lose our E.I. worked who has been with Aiden since he started E.I. and have to switch to the company that services Wakefield.
I don't want to lose the person we have cause she is really good with him, but he needs to learn what a cup is for and to drink from it. Obviously we (me and Chuck) are not doing something right, or not enough, or what ever, but to get the G-tube out, my little bug needs to use a cup.

He's also getting braver at letting go of things, he did it twice today and tried to walk to me. It was awesome and of course he fell on his bum, but just that he tried was so cute.

He truly is an awesome kid. He's come so far and has learned so much. I know I worry about everything when it comes to him, but I'm his mom that is my job right? And besides, anyone who has traveled down the road I've been down would worry too. It's normal I think, and who doesn't want only the best for there child...

I'll have more pics soon of our first trip to the Southwick zoo a few weeks ago, and of Aiden in his new wagon that I got in June for him and the girls and just put it together. We are also going to a trip to Franklin Park zoo this sunday so I'll post them pics too.

August 29, 2007

I never did post the pics of Aiden practicing with his sippy cup. He looks like a pro in the pics. We are getting a little closer but I still think it's a ways off..
There are also some pics of his 1st mac & cheese dinner, and him on the swings. We took him to the park the other day and I put him on the swings for the first time, he loved it so much i had to bring him back yesterday to take some pictures.. Enjoy..

OREO LOVE

YES BIG NEWS!!!!! WE DISCOVERED OREOS!!!! LOL and clean up was fun too..

August 20, 2007

So, we had our eye doctor appointment today and one eye is the same and one got a little better.
Aiden's right eye is far sighted but has become a little more near sighted so that means it's improved a tiny bit. His left eye, the one that turns in a bit at times, he is near sighted in, and it has stayed the same. The fact that neither is worse is a good thing, but the out come is in the future he will need glasses. Right now there isn't a point unless he starts to favor one eye more then the other or it effect his every day activities. Also if his "lazy eye" starts to turn in more and more often then that is a sign he will probably get the glasses a lot sooner them we anticipated the doc said. She also suggested we can patch his right eye an hour a day, with hopes he keeps the patch on, and that will exercise his left eye. This could help it to stay centered better.

Other then that little man, or should i say big man, is doing well. He is sitting up with no issues any more. He is crawling all over the place, and pulling up on every thing and anything. He's cruising around holding the edges of the table and futon and doing pretty good with that now too. He's also started to go forward rather then just backwards in his walker. (he only gets to use that at Nonny's house, we don't have one here there isn't enough room)

We still don't have any clear, clean cut words besides dada and mmm, oh and every so often mummmmma.. But I still don't think he associates them with us yet.
We are trying buh-bye, up, and hi (he does get hi every so often too) so maybe soon we'll have some new words popping out..

I've also discovered that playing in a bucket is a good thing. He plays with his toys and seems to like it so far, well 3 out of the 4 times he has done it, and he can't get out yet so I know he's right where I put him if I have to pee.. LOL

Things are good, my boy is getting big, and still has no patience like his mother ha ha, and amazes me every day.. I am excited for him to walk and be able to hold my hand.. SO cute, and helpful since the twins will be here in about 7 weeks.. YIKES!!

August 8, 2007

Fussy Baby!!! UGH!!!

So What do you get when you add hormones, a huge belly, sore hips and back, lack of good sleep and a fussy 1 yr old?? A mommy who is about to go crazy!!

Yes that is me. We have been trying to change Aidens schedule so he goes to bed at 8:30 rather then 10:30. Some nights it works other nights not so much. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it either. Even if he is tired and has had his nap held he still refuses to go to bed. Other times he will go right to sleep. Besides that, he is a fuss bucket at night the last few days and I"m going coo-coo. Part of the problem is now that he can crawl he thinks he can walk and stand too (and he cant) As I have said, he has the balance of a drunk man, so pulling up on something is one thing, even though he still falls doing that and sometimes not so graceful. But trying to hold on with one hand and do something with the other or step away is another thing. I know kids need to fall but he already has a bruise on his forehead that is finally going away and well no one wants there kid getting hurt all the time either.
So I set up the pack and play since our apt doesnt have the space for him to crawl and not fall into something that will somehow hurt him (I just know it) and he will play in that and pull up and cruise the sides, until he get board and wants to get out and have a free for all.
He doesnt want the jumper, or the swing, or the pack and play. He wants to go go go, or for you to rough house with him and toss him all over creation like daddy does. (Which is the best sight cause he laughs his little butt off) however Mommy in the present time is just not able to do the same. I have not gained a ton of weight but enough to feel it, and this belly is bigger then I have ever had. Bending as most of you know is not easy so the up and downs with him is limited. Once daddy goes to work, its tough. He is such a strong kid with such a strong will and wants to do so much. I feel guilty at times cause I am not able to be so rough with him and chase him around as much as I would if I was not carrying the double mint twins.

I guess its gong to be time for more outings to Nonny"s house so he can be better entertained. Gas may kill me going back and forth so much but its worth it to have a happy baby.

Other then that he is doing really well, if only we could get that damn cup down. Every day we try and I have now started to just give it to him and not do the hand over hand so much. He drinks from it and then plays with it and dumps it. Ya know how kids are.. To be honest, I think he might have his tube just a wee bit longer then we want him to have it for the simple fact that the kid has no interest in drinking.. I think once he is a little older he will take to it just fine, once he can understand the concept of a cup. For now well its day to day, and that is all we can do.

I took some new pics today.. hope you enjoy

PICTURES

Pics were added also to the July 13th posting and here are some from the 4th of July.. DOn't worry the corona was closed.. LOL

July 23, 2007

I know I owe everyone new pics so here they are.. AND.....

We FINALLY got our first hair cut today... YAY!!!

July 18, 2007

Guess who is crawling with No issues now.. Yup! Our little man is off and crawling full force..
Now we just need to work on balance and patience.. Ha Ha
He gets so upset when he wants to get from one place to another and can't get there fast enough or something is in his way. He's so like his mother I tell ya.
Right now he is at his 2nd ever sleepover at Nonny's house. My mom took him last night and probably for tonight to give me time for my foot to rest. It's a bit tough having a 1 yr old and a sprained foot with torn ligaments. He is having a fantastic time going for walks and playing with my brother. It's just amazing how much he has grown and changed in the past 2 weeks. I look forward to the next month to see how close he gets to trying to walk.. Now that is going to be fun :)

July 13, 2007

Well guess who is trying so hard to crawl.. It's great and exciting to see him roll all over the place and get up on all fours and just look at you and smile like he is saying "Hey look at me".
Now he does that, then wiggles the bum, and off he goes, or tires to anyway. He gets here and there with a combo of rolling and semi crawling, but still has a little work to do.. ha ha

He also had his first "real" breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. He did really well considering any other time I tried to give him real food he'd gag or choke. So we went slow, or shall I say I went slow and he tried to scoff it down. No chocking No gagging. YAY
Then then following day for lunch we tried a grilled cheeses and he, once again, did fabulous. He's now tried pancakes, toast, eggs, grilled cheese, fish, and meatloaf. All he's ever had before was hard bread and french fries.. It's very exciting for me to be able to try new foods and things with him and have him eat them with out having major issues. Now if we can only get the sippy cup down so we can PLEASE get out that damn G-tube, I would be a very happy mommy.

Things have been looking up and in 2 weeks I am in aww at how much he has changed and learned. He is truly amazing in my eyes and I can't wait for him to take his first step all by him self. I can only imagine the feeling of accomplishment he will have.

I will post new pics soon, as we just moved so I've been a little behind putting them on the computer and what not. I do have breakfast pics to share so just hang tight. They will be up soon, probably tomorrow.

Pics Added Finally of Aiden eating his first breakfast...

July 3, 2007

Ahhhhhhhhhh.. Sigh.. The move is over.. Now it is just unpacking the million boxes and trying to get this apt looking like a home. Talk about tired and overwhelmed..

It's much much smaller then our old place, and I have to say it was hard leaving and turning the keys over. I walked into Aiden's room and tears started. His first room and now it will probably be painted over and some other kids room.. :(

Well we moved cause we had too. The owners sold the house, but by the grace of god things fell into place again and we got to move into Chuck's sisters house. She has a 1st floor apt that was empty and they live upstairs. Liek I said it's much smaller BUT, it is giving us an super op to save some more money for the next year and have a good down payment for our own house.. YAY! :)

Now onto Aiden...

We had out 1yr check up yesterday (a little late I now) but he is doing great the pedi said. He got two shots in his arm and cried cried cried.. I felt do bad he was getting them and knew he was going to cry that I made Chuck hold him and then after the shots tried to steal him away to give him love and kisses.. So wrong of me, I know, cause that makes "daddy" look like the evil one.

So we are now weighing in at 22.3 pounds (although I think the 0.3 was his diaper, lol, cause he needed a change) and we are 29 inches. That puts us at 50% for height and weight now.

As for his new little skills. He is now saying Ma, Da, Ba, and Mmmmm..
and all then Ma, Ba, Da's nave Mmmm in front of them, of courxe he wouldn't do this a week ago for his Early Intervention evaluation. Ha Ha
He is also rolling up a storm and can do belly to back (that has been a while now) and back to belly. He gets into the crawling position too on his own with no help from us and tries but seems to face plant more times then he can get those hands and feet going. LOL

This has all been in the last week to few days. I am so excited, I can't wait for him to crawl and pull up on things and walk. As for the big "W", well walking I think is going to be a bit longer. he will walk if your holding his hands, but his balance is still WAY off. Not surprised since I was a Clutz-o-matic as a kid, it's only normal for mine to not have the balance yet to stand on his own, and I'll take sitting up on his own first please.. He does ok but still falls over. Once he is down he tries and tries to pull himself back to a sitting position but so far those tummy muscles are not strong enough. He looks like someone struggling through then 100th sit up.. (Almost there but just can't get it) Unless you give him your finger then he'll pull all the way up, BUT would rather try to stand then sit.

I also asked the pedi about the divit in the roof of his mouth. He said most likely it will grow in more if not all the way, but agreed that it did probably have something to do with him not taking to a bottle and havign some issues with swallowing. I am surprised no one noticed it before (besides me). I did mentionit in the NICU and told it was common, but no one seemed to follow it or look at it again. I also think it is the reason he has trouble with some table foods I try here and there. Depending on what it is, like bananas or something that can stick to the roof of your mouth, he gags. It gets stuck and he doesn't like that. (Who would? )
But try try again is all we can do.. It would be nice to get him off baby cereal and onto some good mushy foods like pasta that he could hold, but then again cereal is so much neater.. HA HA

Either way at the end of the day, after everything he has been through. I am more then greatful that he is here with us and a happy kid. So he is a little behind.. Ya So!! He'll get there, and when he does, watch out world cause here comes Aiden!!!
He is already a handful, once he gets rid of his sea legs, he is going to be a monster.. and we have two more on the way.. UGH!!! Lets hope the girls are calm and relaxed LOL

Oh and I forgot to mention.. Aiden had his first over night last week. A double overnight at that. My mom was going to take him overnight to give us a chance to pack more and get the new place painted. Well she called the night before and asked to take him one night earlier. With hesitation I said OK, i knew we had a lot to get done, but this was the FIRST time ever Aiden would be away from me for an overnight. His first sitter, one day I had to work and Chuck was too sick to watch him, was hard enough. AN OVERNIGHT and now 2!!!

Well we survived, he did fab, and loved it, I on the other hand could NOT sleep the first night. I was up til 3:30am and then woke up for good at 7am. I tried not to call every hour and did good since I was at work I was distracted some.

It was funny cause after the two nights over there, my dad called and said bring him back cause now he couldn't sleep with him not there.

Yeah you can tell, this kid isn't loved at all.. Not even the tiniest bit..

June 24, 2007

Some new Pics of Aiden and his new duds.. He's all ready for Golf with Daddy and Uncle Eddie.. lol

June 23, 2007

Happy 2nd Birthday Chase !!

We LOVE & MISS YOU more then words can say

xoxox

Mommy, Daddy

Aiden, Morgan & Riley

June 22, 2007

It's getting to me and emotions are high. I tried so hard to get to tomorrow with out a break down, and I am sure that being pregnant with hormones raging, trying to get things ready for the move next week, and dealing with a 1yr old who is teething and not dealing very well with the fact that mommy is getting to big to pick him up and rough house is not helping.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of Chase's Birthday, which is the same day he passed. In my mind it's as fresh as if it just happened a few hours ago. Two years later and it's not any easier to think about. I miss him so much it breaks my heart. I look at Aiden and my mind constantly plays the "I wonder and what if game". Yes I know I shouldn't do that, but it's easier said then done, and if you have never lost a child then you have no idea.

The loss gets easier day to day, but you NEVER forget and you never stop missing. You never stop hurting at times like this. A parent should never have to bury a child and I would not wish this loss on my worst enemy.

My only comfort is knowing that he is at peace, he is our angel, and will never feel pain. In my heart I feel like he watches over us, and knows that we love him.

With all my heart I love you angel baby, and I send you up kisses. One day I will see you again and until then know you are forever a piece of my heart that no one can ever replace.

June 11, 2007

Aiden...

One day you may read this and i want you to know that I love you. You are the greatest gift any parent could ask for. You are my heart, my soul, and my life and every ounce of struggle has been worth the pain to have you here with us today.

Your an amazing child and i am so proud of you. You have gone through so much in such a short time and come so far. Your a happy, loving, baby who just loves people and attention.

My birthday wish for you is that you grow up always knowing I love you more then words can say. That all your dreams come true, and happiness is yours for the taking.

Happy Birthday my beautiful baby boy... I Love You Bug xoxox

Mommy

2:22PM HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIDEN !!!!!!!

Born June 11, 2006
Due Sept 28, 2006

1 pound 6.5 ounces
12.5 inches

Currently

1 year old
adjusted age 8.5 months

21 pounds
28 inches