Where have the past 6 months gone??

Sorry it has taken so long to post. Free time? What is that? Yes things are incredibly busy here these days, but getting a little easier.... some days. Where do I start? With our dear Luke...

Luke continues to do well. We have continued to see some improvements since China. He is consistently sleeping through the night now, has much better head control and definitely making more sounds. Luke went to school this spring 2 days a week. It was hard at first for me and him, but after a few weeks he adjusted great and loved it. It was nice to know that he was getting the stimulation he needed that I couldn't provide. ..and it was great for me to have a little break and get to spend some time with just Ethan and Emily. He had surgery on his eyes back in April to help align them and since has started reaching for more things. He still wears his glasses for far sightedness. Luke has a stander now which helps him with weight bearing on his legs. He's not crazy about it, but we'll keep working at it, just like everything else. He absolutely loves having a little brother and sister. When we put Ethan or Emily next to Luke his face just lights up!! They love him too, they're always touching his face and smiling right back at him. It's been very difficult for me not having as much time to work with Luke as I used to. The guilt is overwhelming at times...but I know that the babies will be getting more independent soon and slowly I'm beginning to have more time to work with him. I also know that Luke has some form of therapy 5 days a week. .. that first and foremost, he is just a kid. He deserves a break and wants to have fun like everyone else. Our life cannot and will not be consumed by CP!! He is still the sweetest, smiliest little boy I've ever met. Although, he is definitely a 2yr old! He has become more expressive when he is not happy and attempts to manipulate both myself and his therapists with his BIG pouty lip. Lastly, he started horseback riding therapy, which is supposed to be great for building up trunk and neck control! It's so cute to see him on this big horse, he seems to really enjoy it!

Cody is doing great, finally potty trained!! It only took a week. I knew once he figured it out it wouldn't be long. Thank goodness, a few less diapers to change in a day!! He is still loving his "diggers", really anyone reading this, please stop buying more diggers, it's getting out of hand. How many excavators does one 3 yr. old boy really need :) He still says the funniest things, he is my little man for sure. A few months back he put a necktie around his neck and told us he was Barack Obama!! Too funny! He has learned to ride his bike like a champ, although I'm afraid Clint is turning him into a daredevil, riding up and down the ramp to Clint's shop and doing "skids" in the driveway. He is all boy.

Ethan and Emily are now 6 1/2 months old and I can't believe it! I am thankful they are sleeping pretty much all night now. Our chunky boy Ethan still likes to have a little snack around 4 am and Emily likes to wake around 5:30 am, ready to play. Emily is still a little peanut, but poor Ethan. He's only in the 50th percentile for weight, but 5-10th for height... he is our little tank. He is a very happy little guy, like Luke, very laid back. Emily is our pretty, sweet, little girl, but she is going to give Cody a run for his money. She is a pistol and never stops moving. I am completely amazed by them everyday. I didn't realize how much I took for granted until I had a child with special needs. I appreciate all the little things they have the ability to do....something as simple as rubbing their eyes when they're tired. Luke has never done that..don't get me wrong, he also amazes me with his determination and believe me, I really appreciate all of his little things too.

So I guess to sum it all up, Life with Luke is crazy busy, sometimes very sad, sometimes frustrating, but mostly...beautiful....I wouldn't change a thing. Well... maybe one thing.

MMMMOORE!!

Well, great news, Luke has spoken his first word: MORE. No, it's not perfectly annunciated (not sure how to spell that), but he says it at appropriate times (usually while eating) and seems very proud of himself. You cannot even believe how excited we are about this!! It brings tears to my eyes every time I tell someone. In other great news with Luke, he is now sleeping through the night on a regular basis (yes, I'm knocking on a bunch of wood right now). He's been doing it for over a month now. I know he must feel so much better and what a relief for us... just in time for the new babies to come home and keep us up!! Like I told Clint, it's better to be up with 2 kids than 3! Luke just seems to be getting so big, I can't believe he's going to be 2 next month. Luke is also going to be starting a class at the Learning Center this week. I think it will be great for him to be around other kids, and he gets more special instruction there, which will work on cognitive ablilites as well as more oral motor therapies. His occupational therapist will also be able to work with him an extra day while he's there. He' s going to start with one half day a week and then will go 2 half days in a month or so. I know Luke will love it, but it also makes me a little sad to send him off. I am going to miss him so much. I guess in a way I feel a little guilty. It's a mom thing I guess. It will also give me some time with just Ethan and Emily. This is more of the guilt I've been feeling. I just hope I'm giving all the kids the attention they need. I just have to try my best and learn to deal with the guilt I guess.

Ethan finally came home a few weeks back, what a joy for us! No more running back and forth from the hospital. For those who didn't know, Ethan contracted RSV while in the nursery at the hospital. Luckily, he didn't get pneumonia, but he was a pretty sick little fella, and this delayed him coming home for a few weeks. He is still on a little whiff of oxygen, but otherwise doing great, he's topping the scales at 7lb. 8oz now!! Emily is doing great as well, weighing 6lb. 12 oz. She is a little pistol, very squirmy, whereas Ethan is very laid back and mellow. Cody and Luke just love them to pieces! We are very glad to have our whole family together again. Thanks to all of those who have been praying for our family and little babies.

Last, but certainly not least, Cody is still a "Little Clint". He just cracks us up these days, but also such a sassy little 3 year old! He told me to "take it easy"the other day. He has now gone on the potty 2 times!! WOOHOO! I really hope he continues, 4 kids in diapers is just too much and too expensive!! Well, I must go try and get some rest before the babies need to eat again!