Will and Jack's Graduation

Today was the boy's preschool graduation program. It was great fun. Both of the boys One of the boys had a speaking part and they Will sang a few songs. Then they got diplomas and had refreshments at the reception. I just can't believe how big my babies are getting!! Can I just tell you, these two melt my heart!!

This was after the program was over. They gave the kids out candy for doing so well....I'm guessing Jack got candy for just being so dang cute.

This is Tommie, Will's girlfriend. They are absolutely smitten. She has him wrapped around her little finger. She says jump, and he says how high??

This first video clip is of Jack trying to explain to BOTH of his teachers that he had changed his mind, and would NOT like to talk in the microphone. The teachers spent about a minute or so (which seemed like FOREVER) trying to convince him, but he was having NO part of it. It just melted me, and at the same time it was gut wrenching....I could see the terror on his face, and his little lips were just quivering. I wanted to run up to that stage, scoop him up, and make it all better. Oh, and please watch Will (far right in blue shirt) at the end....he lifts up his shirt and shows his belly to everyone. Silly boy.

The next clip is of them Will singing. Please notice that Jack is still traumatized after the whole speaking part situation (which was at the beginning of the program). He turned around toward the teacher the rest of the time, while everyone else sang and carried on. He pretended like he wasn't there. It was precious......both of them. So fun to get to see them side by side in a situation like this, and look at how differently they react to the same situation.

The last video is of Will saying his speaking part. You can't hear him very well....I took the video with my point and shoot camera. But, he did the closing prayer, and a fabulous job I might add. It went something like this:

Let us pray (I didn't get that part on video). Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day and we love you. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen. It was the cutest, sweetest thing ever!

C.E.L.E.B.R.A.T.E.

We are celebrating Will today, with a little trip to the ice cream shop....

because....after 3.5 years of hard work
....today marks a huge milestone for him/us.
My baby boy graduated from.....
physical therapy!!!!
Yay Will!!!!!!!!!!

I am teary eyed as I type this. For those of you who know us, know that little Willie has gone to physical therapy every week since he was three months old. He has mild cerebral palsy, and has always been developmentally behind his age group of peers. Well, not anymore (when it comes to gross motor skills)!!! Today was his yearly re-evaluation for P.T.....and he no longer qualifies. This is like a dream come true for me.

When we got the diagnosis of cerebral palsy (he was about 18 months old), I was filled with many emotions. I was crushed, of course. I wanted to have the ideal "perfect" child....and this made me admit that my baby wasn't "normal". On the flip side, I knew that it could be so much worse. I DO realize this, and thank God every day that he is able to run around and play. We have worked so hard, as a family, to help Will get stronger....and to be able to do all of the things his brother and sister do. Well, today was our payoff. He still will be seen by our physical therapist one time per month, and will still go and get fitted for the braces he wears on his feet. Once a month seems so refreshing!

Now our focus will be on Occupational therapy. We go every week to work on fine motor and sensory integration issues. We have a long way to go in both of those areas, but feel confident we will make progress.

We have decided to go ahead with the developmental evaluation in NW Arkansas. We were referred by our O.T. and Pediatrician. They will be conducting a series of screening inventories to determine the possible causes for some of Will's social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive issues. I wasn't sure if I was going to go this route, but we decided that it was best for our family to move forward with the testing. I guess I am struggling with this decision because I just feel confused. I have a hard time articulating to others, the problems we are encountering. I often wonder if the brain injury he has is a factor. I have read some things about kids with PVL often have behavior and social issues. So, that may be just it, although I'm not sure. But at the same time, I need some help parenting. I need tools and strategies that will work for our family, and help me to be a better mother. But......more on that later, when I finish filling out the PAGES of paperwork for the appt.

Anyway, I'm so proud of my little boy.....and commend all of his hard work and always striving to be independent. Hopefully, this is the first of many huge accomplishments he will make in his lifetime!!!!

Those were the days....

....when all I had to worry about.......... was which dress up clothes I was gonna wear!!!!!!!
Oh, to be young and carefree again!!!.....and to not stress about posting a picture where you can see all the trash lurking under my couch. Couldn't crop that out! Oh well, that's just how I roll.

****BTW--I took Will to the doctor today. I noticed a rash on him last night. It didn't go away, so we headed to the pediatrician. It was strep throat......WHAT?! We've had strep throat PLENTY of times around my house. I know what the strep rash looks like. But, usually the rash is accompanied by sore throat, fever, crankiness, etc. So, I never anticipated it was scarlatina. Will's symptoms.....only a rash!! So weird. He doesn't act like there is a thing wrong with him. Good for me---bad for daycare. He has now effectively exposed his entire class! So, you might ask, is he going to school tomorrow? You better bet he is!!!! I mean, the damage is already done, right?....and he'll have already had 3 doses of antibiotics by the time he goes to school in the morning.

It's MY birthday.....no, it's MINE!!!

This seems to be the conversation happening at our house. This is the first year that the boys are starting to figure out that they have the same birthday. It's funny to me that they really don't make the connection that they are twins, and have to share everything......even a birthday!

I can't believe that my BABIES are turning 3. Where has the time gone? It makes me so teary eyed to think that they are getting so big. I am looking forward to the time ahead of us, but I just can't figure out how they got so big so fast!!!!

We had a small party for the boys today. They had a great time. Jack just ran around the house screaming, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! So cute. Here's some pictures of birthdays past and present!

They blew the candles out together in perfect unison!
Do you see how thrilled Ella and Caroline look? Good thing their birthdays are coming soon!

This was a hit. Thanks Grammie and Pa. It's still running.......4 hours later!

Will loves this cool transformer mask!

This was their 2nd birthday. Look at those baby faces.

This was their first birthday. The curls and chubby cheeks absolutely melt me!

The day they were born. This is Will. It's hard to believe they were so tiny.

Here's Jack. This is/was hopefully the only birthday they will ever spend without each other!

Gotta love Willie!

The boys got new hats and mittens recently. Of course Will is obsessed with them. This is him after his bath, in his jammies with his hat and mittens on. Go figure!

New Balance.......

Okay, I know this sounds frivolous to most everyone else except me......but.....New Balance brand tennis shoes have changed my life!! I just found out that SELECT styles in these shoes come in an extra wide.

I am constantly looking for shoes that Wills braces will fit comfortably in -- and strap somehow. Let me tell you, not an easy feat! We have been settling for a wide shoe that is just not wide enough. The only other shoes wide enough for his braces are Stride rite (which are a fortune!), and orthopedic shoes that my insurance does not cover (which are even more expensive!)

I ordered these shoes for a very reasonable price at zappos.com, and they work perfectly with the braces. They just slide right into the shoe......no struggle whatsoever! I'm not a big fan of Velcro--but they fasten, so I can't complain! It's just the little things in life that make a big difference!!!!!
Here are Will's "chunky" new shoes with the braces in them. Of course, Jack got matching ones too.....just not in an extra wide!!

Kistler Kids Day

Saturday was Kistler Kids day at the Oktoberfest. It is a day where all the families of children who receive services at the Kistler Center come together for a day of fun and excitement. There were pony rides, bounce arounds, and many carnival like games. The kids had a blast. It was a good opportunity for us to go and support all of the wonderful things that the center does for many families, including mine. Jack received therapy there for about 1 year, and Will has been receiving therapy there for about 2.5 years.

When I was a teenager I used to take a little girl I babysat to the center for therapy. I was always in awe of how cool the place was, and how caring all the therapists were. It always struck me as a fun place for the kids to do their work necessary for them to be healthy, happy, and functioning as normally as possible. Little did I know, I would have my own child who goes there twice per week, learning the skills necessary to be a happy, healthy little boy!

This is Will bowling. He was very serious about knocking those pins down!!
Caroline loved the ponies. The boys DID NOT.
Jacker was "fishing" for a prize. He was pleased with his catch.
Eating lunch after a busy fun filled morning!

Will's a Big Boy Now!!!-- UPDATED

It's official. Will is a big boy. We went today to buy big boy underwear. At first he wanted no part in underwear.......until we got to the store. Then he liked the idea when he got to pick his own out! We'll see how it goes. Hopefully he's as ready as I think he is.

Jack, on the other hand, was doing so great potty training--and now has just lost interest. He is doing great at school and staying dry, but at home not even candy motivates him. Lazy little boy! I'm hoping when he see's Will in underwear, that will motivate him. We'll see!

Picking out his first pair of new undies! I know, I'm a freak for carrying my camera around and taking pictures of my kids in the middle of stores. What can I say??

**UPDATE** We had our first day and night wearing our new underwear. He is hysterical. He did not want to wear pants or pajama bottoms to bed, because he couldn't see his new undies. The first ones he picked to wear were red with a dinosaur on the behind. He ran around chanting, "I have a red bottom," which was precious. Jack, on the other hand, has enjoyed wearing the undies on his head like a hat. I'll try to get a pic. of that and post it soon.