Brotherly Love

Generally speaking, Ryder, Harvick, and Jarrett, interact very well together.  Of course, they all have their moments, but overall, the brothers get along well.  A few random pictures, from the past week or so . . .

This scene played out for a good 20 minutes - they all were chasing each other (and "laying" on each other when caught), and laughing!
(Harvick in blue, Jarrett in orange)



Ryder is a good sport to let his brothers "read" with him.  They want to be a part of any activity he is doing on the floor!
(Harvick looking at the camera, Jarrett with his butt to the camera)



In the past week, Ryder has decided that he should help feed Harvick and Jarrett.  Patrick or I will generally help get the grains/veggies fed, and then let Ryder help with the yogurt/fruit.  He really does a great job, and both Harvick and Jarrett think it is great fun to get fed by him!
(Jarrett is getting fed by Ryder, Harvick by Patrick)

Harvick & Jarrett . 45 Weeks

45 weeks old
22 pounds, 2 ounces (Harvick)
21 pounds, 3 ounces (Jarrett)

(Compare to Ryder at 45 Weeks)

Seriously?!  45.  FORTY FIVE. Weeks??  I know it is always said that time flies, especially with children, but I think the past 45 weeks of our lives has gone by faster than I could imagine.  Our lives are busy (and loud!).  And, seeing that number makes me happy I have taken the time to record something about each of the boys every week of their first year.  I'm often teased for taking so many pictures, but I can't imagine not having so many of the ones I've taken.

These boys want to walk.  And, I'm not ready.  Harvick is pulling up to stand, using anything and everything he can.  Jarrett doesn't pull himself up to stand as often, but he is able to do it easily.  Both boys, but Harvick more frequently, are starting to take steps as they hold onto the couch/chair/etc.

Tooth counts remain at three for Jarrett, and just one for Harvick.  They both want to eat more pieces of food, but the lack of teeth makes it difficult - especially for Harvick.  They continue to be great eaters, and great sleepers (once they are actually completely asleep!).

We're often told that Harvick and Jarrett each take after one of us - however, who each boy looks like changes, depending on the person talking with us.
These pictures made me laugh because of the expressions - Patrick's was accidentally similar to Harvick; and I was yelling back at Jarrett when he was yelling at me - he thinks its hilarious!

Harvick!

Jarrett's reaction to having any skin touch the grass is the same as Ryder's reaction - not a fan.

After church on Sunday we came home (no errands!) to enjoy some sunshine.  Harvick and Jarrett are comfortable sitting in the grass (reference the picture above!), as long as they have toys to entertain them.

Getting a picture of Harvick and Jarrett together is becoming nearly impossible.  Luckily, they still are willing to let me take a picture of them individually!
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Apraxia of Speech . Week 11

Ryder had a break from Speech Therapy this week.  After having three sessions last week, and possibly two next week, it worked out for the best.

I'm cautious to say we are seeing improvement.  I mean, we are.  But, it's so very gradual.  Speaking for myself (although, I know Patrick feels similarly), the hardest part is seeing children the same age as Ryder, talking 100% more than he does.  Apraxia of Speech is such a minor disability when compared to other issues children face, yet it is so completely major, when compared to other "typical developing" children.

To be honest, I want to be angry.  I want to allow myself to be sad when co-workers/friends/family tell us about their young child/grandchild/friend/relative, and the funny things they say.  The made-up stories they tell to their parents.  The words that they repeat, that the adult is embarrassed by.  It's hard for me to not long for Ryder to do the same.  The thing I have to continuously remind myself of, is that while Apraxia of Speech is a disability, it doesn't have to be debilitating.  Ryder is so smart.  So smart.  And, for that, we are grateful.  We have to battle his ability to speak, but we don't have to battle with a lack of comprehension.  We are fortunate.

The more positive Patrick and I are about any attempt Ryder makes at a word, the more he continues to try.  Asking him to say "train" (well, "tain", really) would throw Ryder into a tantrum just a week ago.  We have encouraged (and, at times, will bribe) him to say it for months now.  Just this week, he will attempt to repeat the word.  It is rarely close to accurate, but he is so very proud of himself when we make his attempt a big deal.  Watching as Ryder becomes more open to "parroting" (repeating a sound/word when asked), I am able to remain positive about his prognosis.

One-step-at-a-time.

Duck Pond . 03.04.2012

Seeing that the weather is starting to turn a bit warmer here, the weekend before last we did all our errands on Saturday, leaving our Sunday morning (after church) free.  We have been saving bread for awhile now, and thought it would be a good opportunity to take the boys to the nearby (only a few blocks away!) Duck Pond.

Hanging out on the blanket.
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

Ryder, throwing bread to the ducks.

The geese and ducks at the pond are very used to people, and several will even eat out of your hands.

More bread throwing.

Harvick and Jarrett first thought they were ducks, eating the bread - then, once the bread was gone, they decided to play with the rocks!
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

One happy boy!

We love having a Duck Pond nearby - I'm sure we will visit it near countless times in the years to come!

Harvick & Jarrett . 44 Weeks

44 weeks old
21 pounds, 11 ounces (Harvick)
21 pounds, 3 ounces (Jarrett)

(Compare to Ryder at 44 Weeks)

Harvick and Jarrett are always (ALWAYS!) on the move.  Harvick still doesn't properly use both legs/hips when doing the army crawl, but he is able to "four points" (hands and knees) crawl without issue.  Jarrett is four points crawling more frequently, but still prefers the army crawl.  Harvick has started to stand using any, and every, thing.  Jarrett will stand if prompted, but rarely does it without encouragement.

On weekends Harvick and Jarrett have started to eat the same breakfast we are eating (rather than the oatmeal w/fruit and yogurt) - they love it!  We are starting to substitute some of their dinners as well, but not yet consistently.

Harvick and Jarrett were interested in the cooler, so Patrick stuck them in it!
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Playing with their walkers.
(Harvick on the left (notice he is actually walking, and not in the seat), Jarrett on the right)

First thing in the morning.  Since Harvick started standing, we lowered the mattresses.
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

Sleepy babies - after nursing, before bed.
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Crawling around.
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Ryder is a GREAT big brother to Harvick and Jarrett!  Here, he is sharing his (favorite) puzzle - when he needed the shapes they had, he would switch them for one that he wasn't using.
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

Apraxia of Speech . Week 10

Ryder had a record amount of therapy this week.  Primary Children's on Tuesday morning, private Speech Therapy at school on Thursday, and the school district's Early Intervention this afternoon.

Patrick and I have decided to alternate Ryder's weekly Speech Therapy - one week with Primary Children's, and the next with private Speech Therapy at his school.  We will also continue the Early Intervention (twice monthly) until Ryder's 3rd birthday.

The structure of previous weeks posts will have to change - we will no longer have a singular focus of a sound/phrase/theme to follow.  With multiple therapists, Ryder will be receiving multiple forms of therapy.  We are convinced that Ryder will do well with the change.

We were notifed this week that our insurance has "withheld the denial" for Ryder's Speech Therapy.  You see, the Master Policy only allows for Speech Therapy to be covered when the speech delay is a result of physical illness or injury, such as brain trama.  Or, a congenital defect, affecting speech, that resulted in surgery.  Insurance bases all appeals on this policy.  Apraxia of Speech has no known cause.

So . . . all this to say . . . we are figuring this thing out one-step-at-a-time.

We will continue Speech Therapy at Primary Children's for now, but have decreased frequency.  In place, we have added the private Speech Therapy.  So far (one consult, and one therapy session in), we have been impressed with the Therapist (and, not just because she has a link to the blog to read about Ryder's speech history!).  She comes across as eager to work with Ryder, actively engaged in finding ways for him to communicate daily/important words, and is positive about the therapy.

Ryder's Early Intervention ends with his 3rd birthday.  At that point, further therapy options depend on Ryder's development.  We meet later this month with the school district to review possibilities.  Depending on Ryder - he may be further evaluated as we approach his birthday.

One-step-at-a-time.

Review: Previous Weeks

Two Brothers

Ryder has two Sunday School Teachers - since the campus we attend opened last fall, the same Teachers have been in his classroom.  Ryder loves attending class, and is the child who is sad to leave when Patrick or I pick him up.

 

This past Sunday, his teachers told me, as usual, Ryder had played well with the other children, and was well-behaved.  But, this week, they also had a story . . .

 

There are a handful of dolls in the classroom.  Several children were playing with them, and Ryder was just watching them.  One became available, and he grabbed it.  He waited around, still, watching.  When a second one became available, he grabbed that one too.

 

He took the two babies over to a clear spot on the ground, found a toy bottle, and then "fed" each of the babies, taking turns with who was drinking.

You see, he wasn't interested in playing with just one doll.  He thought he needed TWO.

Kevin Harvick Fans!

For the first race of the season (even though it ended up being rescheduled) - all the boys in the family wore their Kevin Harvick apparel (I did my part, wearing the black/gray/red color scheme!).

Would it be too much if everyone wore this every race day?!

Dad Shirts

Last week Patrick dressed each of the boys in Dad-themed shirts!

LEFT: Ryder: DAD'S NUMBER ONE RECORD BREAKER
TOP RIGHT: Harvick: MY DAD ROCKS
BOTTOM RIGHT: Jarrett: DADDY'S Speester

Such cute boys!!!

Harvick & Jarrett . 43 Weeks

43 weeks old
21 pounds, 11 ounces (Harvick)
21 pounds, 3 ounces (Jarrett)

(Compare to Ryder at 43 Weeks)

Harvick and Jarrett seem to get more mobile by the day!  They are expert crawlers (still mostly doing army crawling, but are both fully capable of hands/knees crawling).  Harvick is more willing to attempt to stand on his own, and is getting quite good.  They have both also mastered going from laying/crawling to sitting.  Like Ryder at this age, their least favorite position is sitting (since you can't be moving around the room).

Crawling over each other - in these pictures, Jarrett is the aggressor, but don't be fooled - Harvick does it just as often, I just didn't get pictures!

Harvick, happy while I hold him over me.

Jarrett, petting Kate.  He loves the cats!

Cute boys.
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Sad boys.
I only take pictures of them crying when I have the camera out anyway - they both have such sad expressions, and it rarely lasts more than a few seconds.
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

LEFT: Harvick did NOT like Jarrett sitting on him.
RIGHT: Both boys thought it was quite funny when we switched their positions!
(Harvick in red, Jarrett in orange)

Harvick and Jarrett have started eating the same breakfast we do on the weekends - Sunday it was Blueberry Chocolate Chip Multigrain Pancakes, yogurt with flaxseed, cantaloupe, and eggs (just the yolks for them).
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

Happy boys in their highchairs - they were snacking on Cheerios after their dinner.
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)