New Words, New Haircut, and Togetherness

"I'll make use of this potty chair." "I'll just scoot it over here and then I can turn on the water and play in it." Luca was caught in the act. I actually watched him move the potty over and arrange himself up there.

Luca is really starting to get some words out. He now says, "help" and "ball" and babbles non stop. He continues to sign for 'more', 'please', and 'thank-you' and has also added his own form of 'drink' and 'napkin'. It is too cute and so great to communicate with him. He fully understands us now when we talk to him. It has been 7. 5 months since his homecoming. Another great thing was his excitement in seeing me last week and today. I left him at my brother and sister-in-law's house while I went scrapbooking last Friday. I snuck in and watched him play for a while. Suddenly he noticed me and came running (full speed) over to me laughing and holding his arms up. It brought tears to my eyes. Then last night he stayed there again while Mike, Nico, and I went to an overnight camping trip. Heather answered the door with Luca in her arms and he reached over and started laughing hysterically. He didn't even want to go to Mike. It is so awesome to have this little bug know I am mommy and to be so excited to see me!!! Luca is now able to sit and watch TV for about 20 -30 minutes. He loves Barney, Sesame Street, and Clifford the Big Red Dog. I was so excited only because he watches it while I am working on lessons with Nico. As with Nico, once he is understanding the language he is able to sit and watch TV. He loves the singing and dancing and is becoming quite a dancer and gymnast himself (he watches big bro). Luca's new name is NO. He should be saying that soon as he hears it often. He is into everything. But, he is so cute and creative and not even two it is too cute!!! He is now 32" tall and weighs 30 pounds at 22 months of age.

Nico received a new haircut this week. He was trying to let his hair grow out, but decided to cut it because it was in his eyes. But, instead of just asking mom or dad to trim it, he took the scissors on his own and took a chunk out of the front. I took him to get it buzzed. He looks like his little baby self when he came home 6 years ago. His head was shaved and he was so tiny. He looks so cute with it shaved and I love rubbing his fuzzy head.

We had a great weekend together with Nico. There was an overnight camping trip at Shaw Nature Reserve for kids 5-8yo. I thought it would be a great time for Nico and I to get away and spend time together. Mike happened to be off this weekend and went with us. Luckily we stayed in heated cabins, because it was rather chilly last night (they are prediciting snow tonight). We went frog hunting, made s'mores, then taught Nico how to play checkers (which he thought was boring since he knows how to play chess). We stayed up until 10:30pm and then turned in sleeping in our sleeping bags in nice beds. In the morning we had breakfast and a hike in the rain. We made a lot of fun crafts such as stepping stones and gourdes. It was so much fun and great quality time with Nico.

I am sad to say that Brian is going through a rough time. Please say prayers for him that he can get himself together. It breaks my heart to see him hurting so and he refuses to help himself by not taking his medicine he needs to take. I love my sweet boy and miss having him here with us.

Nico and mommy on the night hike looking for frogs. (well, posing here, but the hike was looking for frogs).

Playing checkers. Nico did not know how to play until last night. He learned chess when he was 4 and found checkers to be boring.Nico all snuggled in this morning. Still so adorable when he is sleeping.Nico painting his gourd.Our finished gourds.

Luca gets into the TV.

Green Eggs and Ham

We had a fun filled St. Patrick's day. The day started with the cooking of our green eggs. Yes, the shells of the eggs were a tint of green. They were farm fresh eggs bought from a friend. (gotta love the country).

We then proceeded to the classroom where Nico made his own green eggs with rhyming words. He also drew his own leprechaun (because no one has seen one he was able to draw what he things one looks like).

Anyone for green eggs and rhymes!

Silly me, the one with a 1/4 of Irish in me, didn't wear green, but I dressed my 100% Guatemalan boys in green! I told Nico, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day.

These boys melt my heart (yes, Luca has a helicopter in his hand..he is very into them already too)

The weather was FABULOUS! A beautiful 78 degrees. We spent a lot of time playing outside and I went snap crazy with the camera, here are only just a few.

Tree climber

Fun new ways to catch a ball.... too funny...he picked up the drain hose and entertained us with fun ways to try to catch a ball.

Praise to the sun god, also to the ball god, I love ya man, you make my day!

Michael decided to build a bonfire and had dragged a bunch of old boards, wood, and doors out. Nico helped by dragging out this huge board. However, Nico was going to first use it as a ramp. Daddy turned it into science fun (although Nico didn't realize it), by making their own teeter-totter! How fun is that! (Just look below)

Pure JOY!

To end the day, I was looking back through my pictures and decided my shaggy little Luca needed a hair trimming. I decided to trim the front and sides of his hair on my own. It didn't turn out too badly. I still couldn't bring myself to cut the curls in the back. I think he looks adorable.

Before

After (Do they get any cuter!!!!)

SPLISH-SPLASH We are taking a bath!

Nico absolutely loves his little brother Luca. They play so well together. Nico is always coming up to him and giving him kisses and hugs. I shouldn't be surprised, but I am and love seeing the outpouring of love that goes both ways. Luca was truely meant to be with us. He fits so perfectly. He will go up to both big brothers and give them hugs on their legs or roll up next to them and just let out a yell. It is so much fun to watch them all.

Nico takes a bath with Luca and is such a great big brother he even washes his little brothers hair for him. What seven year old does that??? Nico also likes to use my almost empty shampoo bottles to create LOTS and LOTS of bubbles. This week both boys ended up throwing the bubbles at each other, clapping in them, and having a splashing good time (as you can tell from the photos).

Pardon the blurry photos. The only camera readily accessible was my sony cybershot....I hate the photos it takes....but at least they are photos.

I love my boys. Daddy just keeps asking, "You didn't get water all over the floor did you?" "It will come through the ceiling downstairs!"

Brian's upcoming surgery

We had a 3 hour doctor visit Friday for Brian's upcoming jaw surgery. Brian has an open bite which he has always had. He has never been able to actually 'bite' into a cheeseburger, slice of pizza, ear of corn, or an apple. He always has to use his back molars to bite and tear instead of his front and canines. This is all due to his congenital myasthenia. www.lifewithcms.blogspot.com is the blog I started that goes into detail Brian's history and living with CMS and also being misdiagnosed for 7 years.

Brian has seen this surgeon, Dr. Marsh, several times over his 16 years. We visit frequently for team evaluations, especially when he was younger. He was not originally going to do the surgery, but my wonderful company changed insurance companies this year on me. The original surgeon does not take my present insurance, so we are back to Dr. Marsh. However, I feel this is a blessing in disguise as Dr. Marsh is said to be 'the best of the best'. I just hope the new insurance approves it all. (It was all approved under the other insurance).

Brian is really scared but was excited about it, but now not so much. It is totally understandable when you are talking about breaking and reforming a jaw. His lower jaw is too big and set off the right side. The back molars hit first causing the front teeth to remain open with a big gap. He will not be wired shut as the dr. said they try to avoid this. However, no chewing for up to 6 weeks. Brian cannot afford to lose any weight. He only weighs 98 pounds as it is. I will be forcing lots of veggie and fruit shakes fortified with wheat germ and flax seed. Plus he will be able to drink creamed soups...his favorite cream of broccili (yummy-St. Louis Bread company soup!- with a little more pureeing).

Not only does the open bite cause problems for biting, he also breaths through his mouth as he cannot close his mouth comfortably. The speech pathologists was highly impressed with the way he is able to self correct his speech. She mentioned what a good ear he has....he has a great ear for music too (if he would only use it to his fullest potential).

We will know more in a couple weeks when the final report comes out. The orthodontist also has to send xrays and molds to Dr. Marsh so everything can be coordinated. They were preparing to take Brian's braces off, now they need to stay on until he is completed healing from the surgery.

Nico is so funny because he keeps saying, "I am not going to recognize him!" He will definitely look different and I am very excited for Brian to have this done. I think it will help his self esteem ALOT. Plus, I can't wait to scrapbook the page of him BITING into his first peice of food!