Three.

It's been over a year since I last posted. An update is needed! Three years ago, our littlest boy was born. He was a little seven pound newborn who gave us a lot of scares those first few months. The last few years have gone by so fast. Bennett is now a rambunctious three year old, and there is no stopping him! His third year has been amazing! He runs, jumps, climbs, and keeps up with his five year old brother. He loves playing ball of any kind. The only toys he ever picks out at the store are sports related. Bennett is a real character, and loves to be funny. He makes jokes, and loves being playing around with his brother! He loves watching Mickey Mouse and Dog With a Blog on the Disney Channel. He loves food, and his favorite thing is chocolate milk! He graduated from physical therapy when he turned three! He has had great check-ups in myelomeningocele (spina bifida) clinic, and he is right on track! He will visit clinic again in September, and we will be looking for some potty training solutions. He has neurogenic bladder and bowels, so he is not able to control on his own. We hope to get him in underwear before he starts preschool in August 2015. Big brother, Matthew, starts Kindergarten this August! He is excited, and I am nervously excited! We just took a family road trip to South Carolina to have a nice vacation before school starts! Here are some recent pictures:

Bennett's 3 year photos

 Matthew's preschool graduation:

 First carnival ride!

 Beach vacation!:

Our Baby is Two Years Old!

It's been a long time since my last post. Life has been busy! This year, I trained for and completed my first(and probably only!) half marathon! It was the Geist Half, and it was in May. I've also been studying and practicing photography. I'm hoping to do a free session each month this year, and maybe I'll be ready to go professional in 2014. Andrew has been extremely busy at work. It's a great year for people purchasing houses! Matthew finished pre-school(he still has one more year of preschool left) and will attend two camps this summer: Vacation Bible School, and Ocean camp with some of his friends from school. He's been having a lot of fun splashing in his pool, making art projects, and having play dates with his friends so far this summer! Bennett just turned two last week. It's hard to believe that he's already two years old, although it's hard to remember life before he was here! Bennett has been spending his time running errands with me, playing sports with any ball he finds in the house, taking walks, and he's finally starting to say some words. He says about 30 words just in the last few weeks. We signed him up for speech therapy twice a month that starts in July just to make sure he stays on track. He is still in physical therapy weekly, but he's doing so well that we will slow that down soon. He's just building strength and balance, and he loves to show off how awesome he is by running around and directing the therapist to do what he wants. He is such a funny guy!

Both kids had so much fun at Bennett's "camping" birthday party!

 

Bennett's 2 year photos

Boys Will Be Boys

Matthew turned 4 this month! We can't believe what a big boy he has become- he amazes us everyday! We had a fun family party at Chuck E. Cheese. Matthew had a few friends over after school to celebrate on the big day. He specifically wanted a blue birthday cake and yellow cupcakes. Toy Story and Jake and the Neverland Pirates are his favorites this year, or should I say this month? Everyone had a great time!

4 Years Old!

Bennett, oh Bennett. What shall we do with you? Bennett loves to run and play, and fall. Well, Mr. Adventurous had a journey too big for a little boy...down the stairs. This was a few months ago. It was terrifying, it included a hospital stay, he had a concussion and small amount of blood in his head and had to take it easy for a few days. He recovered and was back to being a wild child (with a couple more safety gates installed...three was not previously sufficient). This is relevant because just this week, we had another hospital stay for the little mischief-maker. This time, there was no specific accident that sent us to the ER. Bennett was just acting like he didn't feel well, nothing major, just mild fever and a little fussy. Out of nowhere, his body went limp and his eyes rolled, and I called an ambulance. He was much better by the time the paramedics arrived, alert and waving to everyone. We took him ourselves to Riley to get checked out. The poor guy had so many tests to see what was going on(I originally thought he had a seizure, but after testing it is more likely he passed out). So CT scan, x-rays, EEG, blood test, urine test, MRI...and the sweet boy has a small subdural hematoma(blood) in the same place in his head as the bleed from the stairs. The neurosurgeon told us that the extra fluid in his head causes the blood vessels to stretch and can break more easily than children without the fluid. He's getting more steady on his feet, but he still has some toddler falls. We have to try to keep him calm for a couple weeks and we're trying to keep him off hard surfaces. So the good news is that Bennett is doing just great now! He wants to run and play, and does not enjoy me following him so closely around the house all day!

18 Month Photo

The countdown to Disney World and the beach has begun! We are all looking forward to a fun and relaxing vacation!

...And here he is in action!

Bennett, our little walker!

First Steps!

Bennett took his first steps Thursday, September 27th, 2012! He had his weekly physical therapy earlier that day, but was no where near taking steps. He saved the big moment for the whole family to witness. Andrew, Matthew, and I were in Bennett's room with him getting ready for bed that evening. He decided that it was time to walk, and just took four steps from Andrew to me! We were all so excited for him, and he was so proud of himself that he just kept trying for more! Three steps here, four steps there, and he successfully did this about five times! He walked to all of us. Matthew kept saying "Walk to me, Bennett!" and holding his hands out for him. Bennett was thrilled with himself! He's still learning balance, but he's getting so close to walking full-time! He is communicating better, saying a few words "dad", "ball", "mama"(when he cries), and he imitates a lot of words when we say them. He is very curious and points to everything wanting you to tell him more about it. Bennett loves food, cuddles, blanket and paci, trains, coloring on the art easel, and the dogs!

Matthew started preschool two days per week, and he loves it! He has been such a big helper lately, and he's getting so smart! He makes me laugh every day. He likes to pick his outfit and get dressed on his own now. He has just learned how to control his drawing, and has been crafting elephants, people, rocket ships, etc. He tends to doodle something, decide what it resembles, and then add details. He has also started tracing his name really well, and draws "M"s everywhere! He loves the Disney Junior channel on tv, his favorite show is Octonauts. He rides his tricycle around the house for hours each day. He is a tricycle pro, he is so fast and agile on that trike! Most of all, he loves his little brother! He takes great care of him, always making sure that he is happy. He shares toys and food, and always gives him hugs and kisses.

The boys have a cousin, Harrison! Harrison was born August 21st. He is a sweet, cute baby! We recently went with Aunt Tine for Harrison's first zoo trip!

One!

I cannot believe it's already here. Sweet Bennett is turning one today! Exactly one year ago, I was getting ready to meet this amazing boy. It was a scary time before he arrived not knowing what to expect. If only I could have seen a glimpse of our future, I could have relaxed completely. But as soon as I saw his face, I knew everything was going to be okay. And I was right, Bennett is more than okay. He is perfect. This boy has taught me a lot about life in his twelve months. I am so thankful to have him in my life. Our family is so much better with him in it. Andrew and I constantly reflect on how lucky we are to have these two perfect sons. Matthew just adores Bennett, and Bennett is obsessed with his big brother as well! He is the sweetest, funniest, cuddliest, most mischievous, little one year old. I can't get enough of him.

Time to Babyproof the House!

Bennett is crawling! Yesterday, I was printing a document and Bennett just took off crawling to check out the printer! He loves electronics, whether it's the remote, iPad, or the blu-ray player, he will drop everything to check it out! Electronics -and food- are his passions. Our little guy is now on the go! I guess it's time to get the cords off the floor and make sure all the outlets are plugged up! We are all so happy for him, and he's so proud of himself!