A few pictures

Well I do believe the warm weather is about done for. Cold weather is going to be here this week.  I didn't get many fall pictures as my camera hasn't been taking clear pictures.  I'm hoping to purchase a nice camera after Christmas.

The boys are doing good and continuing to grow.  They were both weighed and measured last week.  They are very close in size.  Isaac is 36 inches tall and 32.4 lbs.  Caleb is 35 1/8 inch tall and 31 lbs.  Caleb is catching up to Isaac very fast!

Both boys have been good at using the potty when we ask but they aren't to the point where they tell us when they have to go.  The other night both boys insisted on wearing big boy underwear.  I let them do it for a little while as bath was going to be soon.  I know Isaac isn't ready to be potty trained yet. He had wet his pants and didn't even tell me.  I found a wet spot on the floor.  Caleb stood up and told me he had to go potty and ran to the bathroom but it was too late and he made a big mess in his pants.  I'm pretty sure Caleb will be ready before Isaac but at least they're attempting.  It's definitely a start!

Well here's some pictures from this fall and a few pictures with all 3 of my "men" in their blue shirts.

Happy Halloween

I had picked a couple Halloween outfits up a few months ago and pulled them out a few days before Halloween.  I realized one was a size 24 months and the other 2T but they looked small.  Thankfully they did fit the boys but Isaac was almost too tall for his.  They were the cutest frog and duck I've ever seen, but then again I may be biased.

I was afraid Isaac wouldn't wear it because of his sensory issues but he was so excited I could hardly get the outfit off of him before bed.  He really got into trick or treating this year.  He would run to the houses yelling "trick or treat" before he even got to the door.  Caleb was shy and stuck by Mommy but loved it too!  The third house we went to was quite scary and we learned our lesson to not go back there again, at least not until they're older.  It was hard to convince Isaac to do more trick or treating as he thought they would all be scary.

It was a good night for trick or treating in Milford and Ross got to go with us which was really fun for us.  Grandma went for part of the time and Daddy finished with us.  What a great night!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAAC AVERY!

10/20/2010

Is it really possible?  My baby is three years old!  It still feels like we brought him home from the hospital.  Isaac had a great birthday.  We celebrated on the 17th at our house.  We had Papa Murphy pizza, chips and of course cake and ice cream.  Isaac requested a tractor cake just like Caleb had.  My Mom made the tractor cake and Ross' mom made the chocolate cake that Grandma Winter used to make.  We had a lot of fun.  Grandma and Grandpa B, Grandma and Grandpa K, Uncle Nolan, Aunt Gina, cousin Caden, Great Grandpa W, cousin Kim and Emily were all able to make it. 

We had gotten Isaac a jumpolene for his birthday which he loved and played in it at his party.  But we found a hole in it that night so it went back to the store and we replaced it for a big tractor and wagon.

Isaac moved to the 3 year room at daycare and the transition went pretty well.  We had a few rough days at home which happens with any type of transition as it's all related to his sensory processing disorder.  Caleb had a hard time too and was quite upset the first day of daycare without his brother in his room.  They're both adjusted now so that is really helping.  The boys really need their time apart as they're together all the time so it's nice when they are in separate rooms.

Isaac is a busy boy and hyper as ever.  He loves farming and riding in the truck.  He has spent quite a bit of time with Daddy this harvest which is really nice for him and for Mommy.  He's talking quite a bit and telling lots of stories.  He's counting up to 10 and is singing songs.  He knows most of his colors and is doing awesome at matching.  He has his last developmental screening with Early Intervention and he passed all screenings with flying colors!  He's considered "too advanced" to receive anymore services.  We are beyond thrilled about that but that also means we need to look into private occupational therapy for his sensory issues which we haven't done yet.

We're still working on potty training.  Isaac isn't real interested right now and I'm not pushing because everything we want Isaac to do becomes a power struggle.  He may be 4 before he's trained but I know I want him to do it when HE is ready.

Sleeping is still a major struggle and we're not really sure why.  We may do a sleep study this winter but haven't really made a decision yet.  We've been giving him melatonin to fall asleep which works for a few hours but then he needs to sleep with us in our bed which becomes quite crowded.  It's a process and he's still young. 

Isaac will have his check up on Friday so I'll get his official results then but I am sure he's about 32 lbs by now and 36 inches or so.  He's still a small fry and is still in 24 month and 2T clothing.  So much for him passing his clothes onto his brother as Caleb is into 2T already.

On Isaac's actual birthday Mommy and Grandma took the boys to Sioux Falls.  We picked up Isaac's pictures and went to eat at McDonalds.  It was a good time and I think Isaac enjoyed his birthday!

We love you Isaac Avery~ you are the most precious, amazing, smart little 3 year old we know!

Clay County Fair

9/12/10-

Another year at the Clay County Fair.  The boys really enjoyed it this year.  It was a beautiful day for the fair.  In fact a little too warm for my liking.  The boys were so excited to see all the animals and test out all the tractors, combines, lawn mowers and any other type of farming equipment with Daddy.  The boys behaved really well.  We stayed about 4 hours and they missed their nap so I think they did great.  Once we got in the car to head home, I don't think we were out of the parking lot when they crashed and slept all the way home.  Then it was a little tough to get them to bed, but not as bad as it could have been.

Of course I got some pictures of them by the tires of the tractors.  I wanted to get Isaac by the John Deere but by the time we saw them he was not in the mood for pictures- oh well.

September photos

Is it really September already?  Wow.  What a change in the weather the past week.  We wake up to 50 degree weather and so I've already pulled out some jeans for the boys.  Let me just say, that adjustment was not an easy one for Isaac.  He has a hard time with transition and going from shorts and t shirts to pants and sweatshirts wasn't easy.  We still have battles when it comes to pajama's but at least he's accepting his jeans and sweatshirts for the day.

Ross had purchased an old tricycle at a garage sale last summer.  I just brought it out this weekend because I didn't think Isaac could pedal yet.  Boy was I wrong.  He took off on it like he'd been doing it forever.  He doesn't have the hang of pedaling on his hot wheels at Grandma's but the tricycle was a whole different story.  Now we need to buy another because Caleb wants it too!

It's hard to believe Isaac will be 3 years old next month.  Time has just flown by.  He still isn't potty trained but he's getting there.  I really haven't pushed the issue at all because with his personality it could really backfire on me.  I have let him lead the way so far and he usually is willing to go when I ask.  In a few weeks I might pull out the big boy underwear and let both him and his brother wear them and give it a shot. 

We had a good Labor Day weekend.  Saturday the boys and I spent almost all day outside.  I didn't mind because the weather was perfect.  The little house that we own has been vacant for a long time.  We had someone buy it from us to add onto his current home.  The demolition took place Saturday and the boys loved watching the John Deere take it down.  Sunday after church we headed to the lakes and stayed with my parents for the day up at West Oaks.  It was a good time.  Ryan, Bjorn and Daryan made the trip down so we got to see them for a little bit too!!!  Unfortunately we arrived at nap time so Bjorn and the boys didn't get to play...next time!  Sunday night we went back to my parents house and stayed over and then hung out at West Oaks on Monday.  We stopped at the flea market but it was rainy and chilly so we didn't stay long.

Here's a few pictures from Labor Day weekend!

Boys outside Arnolds Park

Boys being silly outside on a nice day

Watching the house demolition

Wow a tractor to watch too!

Cute little Caleb Benjamin!

Riding the trike is fun!

Ready to go swimming!

He looks so innocent!!!

Sponge Bob swimmers

Watching the boats from the patio

One of the 4 kittens

Sensory Processing Disorder

I debated whether or not to put this out there on the blog.  I decided why not, if someone else has a child with similar symptoms then maybe that will allow someone to realize their toddler isn't just being a "typical toddler" going through the "terrible two's". 

Isaac has not been diagnosed with anything nor have I taken him anywhere to be diagnosed.  I am not a doctor but I can tell you from doing my own research that I am about 95% sure that Isaac has what is called Sensory Processing Disorder, a/k/a Sensory Integration Dysfunction. 

Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from one or several of the five senses.  For those with SPD, sensory information is sensed but perceived abnormally.  Unlike blindness or deafness, sensory information is received by people with SPD; the difference is that information is processed by the brain in an unusual way that may cause distress or confusion.

Some symptoms of SPD include:

• Fearful, anxious or agressive with unexpected touch
• Becomes fearful when touched from behind
• Resists friendly or affectionate touch from anyone besides parents or siblings
• Dislikes kisses
• Avoids messy play
• excessively ticklish
• Distressed by clothes rubbing on skin
• Distressed by seams in socks
• Distressed about having hair, toenails or fingernails cut
• May refuse to walk barefoot across grass or sand
• May crave touch, needs to touch everything and everyone
• Frequently hurts other children or pets while playing
• Avoids/dislikes elevators
• Afraid of heights
• In constant motion, can't seem to sit still
• loves being tossed in the air
• Always jumping on furniture, trampolines, etc.
• is a "thrill seeker" and dangerous at times
• Likes sudden quick movements
• Seeks out jumping, bumping activities
• Kicks feet on floor or chair when sitting at a desk or table
• Likes to be tightly wrapped
• Prefers clothes to be tight
• Loves roughhousing
• Frequently falls on floor intentionally
• Loves jumping off furniture from high places
• Frequently hits, bumps or pushes other children
• Seems to do everything with too much force
• Plays with animals with too much force
• Distracted by sound not normally noticed by others
• Often does not respond to verbal cues
• Needs directions repeated often
• Sensitive to bright lights
• Easily distracted to other stimuli in room
• Enjoys playing in the dark
• Difficult getting along with peers
• Difficulty accepting change in routine
• Can't go from sleeping to awake without distress
• Severe/several moodswings throughout the day

These are just some of the symptoms and Isaac does not have all of them but he does show the majority of them.  Raising a 2 year old with SPD and raising another 2 year old is not easy.  What causes SPD is unknown.  Can it be related back to his adoption?  I suppose so but who knows.  Isaac was adopted at 3 days of age, so no he technically won't remember being separated from the woman who carried him for 9 months, BUT unfortunately odds are that he will at some point in his life feel a loss.  All adoptees experience loss at some point, because they have lost a relationship with parents that God intended to occur.  It's up to Ross and I as his parents now to help him through this loss he will experience.  Is he experiencing a loss now?  It's possible but I don't know.  Isaac seems to have some anger built up inside of him and trying to understand the mind of a 2 year old is tiring.  He can't express his feelings in a way that we understand so we are going to find the help we need. 

Until then we're trying to be as patient as we can and figure out what things work best for Isaac.  Isaac is a true blessing to our family.  A little more than 3 years ago I thought I'd never be a Mother.  Then we were placed with Isaac.  The ironic thing is that we received the call about Isaac just 4 days after another expecting mother looked at our profile and chose another family.  Within days I was bonded to Isaac and I felt at peace.  All the feelings I felt during our wait had vanished instantly.  I had even told my family that if I never gave birth to a child I would be fine with that because of the deep love I had for Isaac.  I can't explain it, but it didn't take long for me to feel like he was my son and some days I honestly forget he's adopted.  Of course you all know how the story continues, God had more exciting plans for our lives with another precious boy.  My boys are true miracles in our lives.  It's not easy raising them.  Each stage in their lives is different.  The infant stage was hard because Isaac was still an infant when Caleb came along.  Then things got a little easier after they turned 1.  Now things are getting a little harder with having a 2 year old and almost 3 year old.  They are at very trying stages of growing up but I wouldn't give it up for anything in this world.  There's never a dull moment at our house and it's insane sometimes, but it's worth every cent!