So Much to Celebrate

Ah, we are LOVING this gorgeous weather! We are all so happy summer is on it's way. We are enjoying the sunshine and longer days. Life is busy as usual around here. I had a wonderful Mother's Day that included breakfast in bed, gift card for a pedi, a nap in the sun, and dinner at a Japanese steakhouse. I am the luckiest girl I know to have these three boys in my life. While they can all be challenging in their own ways, they are the best, and they're mine :o)

This weekend we are celebrating FOUR years of Mitchell! We can't believe how time has flown. He is the funniest, goofiest, wildest boy I know. And I can't imagine my life without him.  He has really impressed me this past year with his patience and resilience after Dominic's surgery. It was a difficult year for him too, and I'm so amazed by him. I thought for sure he would harbor resentment and jealousy. But he hasn't. He truly loves his brother and as a Mama, it melts my heart to watch them interact. He is actually super protective of Dominic and often tells me "Mom, stop yelling at Dominic. He's sorry!" I remind Mitchell I'm not yelling, just telling him "no", but how funny is he? Such a sweet soul.

He was so excited to take in his vanilla cherry chip cupcakes to school for birthday treats today and he's pumped for McDonald's birthday dinner on Sunday :o) Oh, it's the little things in life, right?

Such a good big brother!

My goofball

Mother's Day dinner

Dominic is doing well, after a bout with hand-foot-mouth last week. He handles sick pretty well. I wasn't really sure what was wrong with him except that he spiked a 103 fever. Then the he started getting blisters all over his body. But I guess after all he's been through, this is nothing for him. He's feeling much better and is back to getting into everything. We call him "The Inchworm" because that's exactly what he looks like moving across the floor. And he moves fast! He's also curious. I was surprised to find him sitting in the hallway holding the carbon monoxide monitor. I have all the outlets covered but never thought I'd have to worry about him pulling the monitor out of the wall, especially one-handed! I've had many people - doctors, therapists and friends tell me that if he had full use of his right side, I'd be in big trouble. His PT told me today I'm still in big trouble, he's just taking longer to get there. She's right, he's a strong, stubborn little thing. But I'm sure these are qualities that will help him through life.

Workin' it at OT

Met Dad for lunch downtown. Love being able to eat outside again!

Dominic's most recent progress is pulling himself to his knees. He pulls up on everything - toy bins, coffee tables, ottomans, entertainment centers - you name it. This is where his curiosity comes in. He wants to see what's going on. At this point though, he get stuck because he's not really sure how to pull to stand with a weak arm and leg. So, we're working on it and he'll get there. He's taking amazing steps (pun intended) with his walking as well. He doesn't like to sit still or be held much, he wants to walk so badly, he's just got to build up his butt muscles more. But he's got the stepping down and you can tell he really likes to walk.

Believe it or not, my almost 20-month-old STILL refuses a sippy cup and is on the bottle. He's been attending a feeding class at the Campus Early Childhood Special Ed school with his Early On OT and a feeding specialist. Not only will Dominic not drink from a sippy, he also only eats about 10-15 foods. I'm not super concerned because he's by no means malnourished, but it's annoying. He can't be 3 years old and still drinking from a bottle. Plus, it's not that he can't, he just won't. He doesn't like me, or anyone else for that matter, trying to make him do something. The only way he'll eat his veggies is pureed from a spoon, because that's how he's always had it. He'll yogurt with anything in it because he loves yogurt. But put watermelon, strawberries, kiwi, grapes, corn, green beans - heck any fruit or veggie, on his tray and he just throws it over the side, looks at me and says "uh oh". And don't get me started on meat - no kind of meat. Not even hot dogs! What kid doesn't like hot dogs? Again, here is Dominic's stubbornness coming out. The feeding class breaks for summer but I'm assuming we'll need to restart in the fall. Until then, I am most grateful we got rid of the carpet in the dining room as most of his food ends up there. Much easier to clean than the carpet :o)

Here comes trouble!!

On a final note, someone posted this on Facebook yesterday and I just loved it. It makes me look at the c-shaped scar across his scalp a little differently now...

Never be ashamed of the scars that life has left you with. 

A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed, 

you endured the pain and God has healed you.