Harvick & Jarrett . 15 Months

15 months old
.
25 pounds (Harvick)
26 pounds (Jarrett)
.
(Compare to Ryder at 15 Months)

Jarrett is (finally) starting to work more, but still relies primarily on crawling - it is just much faster!  However, Harvick walks everywhere, and tests every limit.  Thankfully, they both tend to "come back" without too much issue!

Their teeth count remains the same - Harvick with 6, Jarrett with 5.  They continue to wear primarily 18-24 month clothing, and size 4 to 5 shoes.  Harvick is clearly the better food eater, but Jarrett always drinks all of his milk, and will finish Harvick's too.

Both boys continue to develop their little personalities...it's interesting to see similar traits in them, but also vastly different ones!

These boys make such a mess together...start from the top left, and work to the bottom right...this happens way too often!
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

Playing together!

We pulled an extra chair into the Family Room when we had family over...the boys climbed in it together, completely on their own!
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

(Harvick)

(Jarrett)

My Birthday . 2012

Earlier this month, we celebrated my birthday!  While birthdays aren't all that exciting anymore, it is fun to have an excuse to do fun things together as a family.

You may have picked up on my enjoyment of going to the Aquatic Center with the boys.  While I do enjoy swimming (not the swimming suit part so much), I love to see my boys enjoying the water even more!  After getting home from Colorado, and upcoming work commitments for Patrick, we decided to take off a little early the night before, and go straight to the Aquatic Center!  The boys were a bit confused at our out-of-order schedule.  During the "break" (where they make everyone get out of the water for 10 minutes), we took advantage of the snacks sold there, and picked up a few pieces of pizza and some nachos!  Because the pool closes at 6:00, we still had time for the majority of dinner at home.

SO MUCH FUN!

On my actual birthday, Patrick picked up some Papa Murphys pizza on the way home, and we just spent the time together, at home.  My parents and in-laws all gave me money, knowing that what I wanted most was a new flash!  Patrick found it online for the best price, and ordered it a few weeks in advance...and had it wrapped for me that evening...of course, Ryder thought he should open it for me!

The boys all wore their Mother's Day outfits to celebrate my birthday...until I made them strip down in the Family Room (I was doing laundry!)...

AND - be sure to notice my AWESOME flash was used is all of the pictures, following me opening the gift!

We took the Saturday following to have an "official" birthday celebration - lunch at Noodles & Co, and Red Mango!!  Knowing we needed to get the boys down for a nap (uh, hello, ROY DAYS FIREWORKS was that night!), we helped the boys eat their shared treat, along with a lemonade chiller.  Patrick and I took ours home to enjoy while they napped!

Mmmm...yummy lunch at Noodles & Co, followed by Red Mango!

I had such a great birthday this year!  Spending time with my boys is the greatest gift...although my gifts and lunch were fun too!

Apraxia of Speech . Week 32

What a difference a week makes.  Thankfully!

As we drove home yesterday afternoon, Ryder talked to me about seeing the "train mailbox" - there is a mailbox decorated like a train on the way to Speech (between the babysitter's home, and the library)...

Me: Oh, do you mean the mailbox that we see on our way to Speech?
Ryder: Yes, to see (SLP name)!
Are you going to be nice tomorrow when we see (SLP)?
(sheepishly) Yes.  I sah-we (sorry) mom.  I made me hi (cry) and my mom hi (cry).
That's right, Ryder.  You made mom and Ryder cry, didn't you?
Yes.  I sah-we.  I be nice mom.  I be nice to (SLP) too.

And, at that, I cried again.  Our little boy understands what is happening.  He gets what I am saying (and what I am not).  His verbal expression limits his ability to talk about it.  He takes awhile to process it, and find a way to explain.

Today, we talked about being nice, and trying to talk, all morning and again on the way to Speech.  Ryder indicated he understood.  He agreed to "be nice".  And...he did it.  He participated well.  Of course, as I've commented before, "well" is not perfect.  Well means that he has ups and downs with his willingness, that the SLP has to move from activity to activity frequently.  But, that is part of providing Speech Therapy to a just-turned-3-year-old.

The SLP had a new "gumball" toy that Ryder really enjoyed, and also a set of 7(!) trains.  He was willing to say several sets of words in order to play with the toys.  That, and the goldfish he brought with him, provided great motivation.  When he wanted to stop participating mid-session, I reminded him that he needed to be nice, even when it was hard.  He continued to try.

Then, as we got in the car today...

Ryder: Mom!  Me be nice!  Me be nice to (SLP)
Me: Yes, that's right - you were a nice boy today.  I am very proud of you.
Yes!  I jus (just) hi (cry) ONE TIME mom.
Just one time - last week, right?
YES!  Me be nice.

When Patrick called on his way home from work, Ryder was excited to tell him that he had done well. Patrick told him he was proud, and what a good boy he was for working hard.

Apraxia of Speech is hard.  It is hard having a child that understands everything, but can verbalize very little.  He is working hard, and despite hard weeks (and hard days, and hard months), he is making progress.  We will beat this damn thing.  He will talk.  It just takes time.  It will be easier one day.

And, again this week, I snapped a few pictures when he was engaged (and not noticing my phone make it's picture taking sound (anyone know how to turn that off on a Blackberry?!).

Counting the balls from the gumball machine...saying a few sets before getting another chance to play with the toy...showing his train the words he was practicing.

One-step-at-a-time.

Brothers . July 2012

Oops!  It's August.  We did take the Brothers picture in the actual month of July, I just didn't post it.

When the boys were all wearing their matching (coordinating?) shirts for Ryder's birthday party, it was a great chance for a cute picture!  As shown previously, the boys weren't really in the mood to have their picture taken, but I think it turned out pretty well, anyway.

Brothers . July 2012
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

One Year Ago: July 2011

All Brothers Posts
.

Hogle Zoo with Julie . 07.22.2012

How is it that I am behind on blogging things?!  With as frequently as I post, you'd think I would never get this far behind...

A few weeks ago, when Patrick's step-sister, Julie, was in town, we headed to the zoo.  We have Julie to thank for our family membership there, so we thought it would be fun to have her come with the boys!

As what has become typical, Ryder enjoys the elephants best, and although you can't tell from the pictures, Ryder was given a new shirt - WITH AN ELEPHANT! - he was so happy to wear it that morning!

The zoo was hot, and humid.  We stuck around with the elephants in order to see the show, and only walked around about 1/2 of the zoo.  We, of course, made time for the carousel, and the train!

The carousel!

When you come to the Hogle Zoo, you must get your picture taken at this chart...too bad the only boy to agree with me was Harvick...

The train ride!  Ryder understood he could only ride once, but it didn't stop him from asking to ride again...just in case!

Colorado . 07.30-31.2012 . Swimming & Driving Home

Before going to Colorado, I looked online for a few things we might be able to do with the boys, in case they needed to get out of the house.  Mulberry Pool is a nearby indoor aquatic center, and it looked like it would be fun for the boys.

Monday morning, after breakfast, we headed there.  My parents and Aunt Colleen joined us (remember the post about me being annoying with the camera...yeah, this is one of those occasions...).  The slide was a fast one, and you landed in a full splash of water...still, my dad took each of the boys down, and would just cup his hand over their nose, with someone waiting at the bottom to grab them out of the water.  Ryder was okay with it, but only twice; Harvick didn't seem to mind, but didn't love it either...and, my fish - Jarrett - LOVED it.  He cried the first time my dad walked away from him, without taking him down again.  The water was a bit cool, but the hot tub provided warmth when we needed a break!

Mullberry Pool.

That evening, my mom's friend, Peggy, was going to come out to Fort Collins, but was unable to make it.  We had left the late afternoon/evening to just relax, and spend time together.  The boys played, and Ryder and I worked on his speech for a bit.

Tuesday, we headed home.  We decided to leave just after breakfast...and...instead of nearly 11.5 hours, it only took 10.5 this time.  The boys did well...for being 3 and 1.  They definitely were tired of the car (as were Patrick and me), but stayed entertained with toys, books, their blankets & lambs, and endless games of peek-a-boo.

A picture of the drive home.

One day, I swear this self-portrait thing is going to get easier!
TOP: Proof it was the Utah sign.
MIDDLE: The best shot of the 5 of us, with no proof of reaching Utah (the sign).
BOTTOM: My favorite of the bloopers...Harvick was in such a good mood!

Thank you, Aunt Colleen, for hosting us.  The driving was long...but the trip was so worth it!

Colorado . 07.29.2012 . Train Museum & Kites

While in Colorado last week, Sunday we joined my Aunt Colleen at her church for their morning service.  I took my camera with the intention to take a picture or two, but failed to pull it out of the diaper bag...the boys kept us busy during the service!

Harvick and Jarrett made a mess (over and over) at Colleen's house. Here, they are taking apart a box of magazines (craft ones Colleen gave to my dad for 2nd grade art inspiration).  My dad let them - see those knees in the bottom left of the right picture?!  That was my dad...enjoying watching them "work together"!

We came home for lunch, then decided to let the boys skip their naps, in order to go to a nearby train museum - Greeley Freight Station Museum.  Colleen had heard about it from a co-worker (I believe), and it was such a fun place for Ryder.  The museum was 2 floors - with the second floor only being around the perimeter, so you could look at the train layouts from above.  There was a an actual red caboose you could walk through, a children's train table, and a quarter-operated Thomas the Train layout.  Ryder LOVED it!  Harvick and Jarrett were surprisingly entertained by it as well.

Fun at the museum!

Playing with the train table.

A family picture attempt.

After the museum, we headed over to Claire & Sue's house for dinner.  To be honest, I have no idea how my mom and Aunt Colleen know Claire & Sue...my mom commented this trip about remembering attending their wedding (39 years ago!).  Suffice it to say, visiting Colorado as a child has always meant seeing Claire & Sue!  Sunday, they came over for lunch, then invited us to their home for dinner.  After dinner, Claire pulled out his kites...his MASSIVE kites.  The wind was strong (it actually started raining while we were out), so it was good kite flying weather!  Getting the kite up in the air is less challenging than I had anticipated (someone on the kite end throws it up, and the wind catches it); however, controlling the kite is tricky.  The kite is attached to two strings, each with wrist strips...thankfully, Claire was (super) patient with each of us (adults) as we tried it out!

Kite flying and fun outside!

Colorado . 07.28.2012 . Family

The boys slept surprisingly well in a new place the night before - Ryder has only spent 2 nights in the past 15 months out of his own bed (when his brothers were born), and Harvick and Jarrett have never not slept in their crib.

On Saturday, my Uncle Gary and his wife, Sharon, picked up my grandparents and brought them to my Aunt Colleen's house.  Also, my dad's sister - Dolores, and her son, Jesse were able to make the drive to my Aunt Colleen.

We enjoyed late morning, lunch, and early afternoon with my mom's brother and parents. Unfortunately, they left while the babies were still napping, so I have no pictures of them.  Maybe my cousin (hint,hint) does, and she will send me some!

Dolores was able to stay through dinner (see her pictured below (bottom right) - you'll be able to see why my dad has a hard time calling each of us by the correct name when we are together!).

We ended the boys' family filled day with a bath in my Aunt Colleen's tub.  The tub is at least a foot longer than the one they have at home, and they LOVED having the extra room to play!

Playing together in the morning, before family arrived.

Patrick went to check on the boys while they took their morning nap...they often throw their blankets and lambs out during naps, but rarely throw them out at night!

Fun with family!

Bath time!

Apraxia of Speech . Week 31

Private Speech Therapy this week.  And, without trying to sound too dramatic - I left in near tears.

Ryder and I got to therapy a little early today.  When this happens, we wait in the lobby area, waiting for his SLP.  He was in a good mood.  Being silly.  He walked back to where we meet once the SLP arrived.  But, being asked to sit down threw him off.  He wasn't interested in participating from minute one.  The SLP offered the trains she brings weekly, but was only able to find 2 (of 3) in her bag.  Ryder was upset by this.  She started with the iPad, knowing he is typically motivated by this...he was not interested.  We were able to coax him into participating for about 1/2 of the session.  Then, he lost it.  He refused to practice the sounds/words.  He would repeat "no", or be completely silent when asked a question.  The SLP switched multiple times to different activities, but he refused - he started asking for "robot" - a specific app on the iPad.  She allowed him to use this one, then tried to get him to complete a set of practice sounds/words, and offered to let him see the "robot" again.  Ryder refused.  He cried.  He screamed.  He fell silent.  He repeated again and again.

When we went to leave, Ryder continued to cry much of the way out, but settled once we got outside.  The SLP tried to reassure me it was okay.  It happens.  She is used to this.  He will be better next week.

But, today...today, I felt defeated.  I know Ryder wanted to explain more.  I know it wasn't simply that he wanted a specific app - when it was offered, he wasn't happy.  I don't know what was wrong.  He couldn't articulate it.

I HATE APRAXIA.

You could see how frustrated he was.  But, in the moment, I became frustrated with him.  Angry that he wouldn't settle down.  That he was causing a scene.  That people were looking at us as if he was a horrible child.  The SLP never made me feel this way - I am grateful for that.

When we got in the car, I put Ryder in his carseat, and explained that I was mad.  And sad.  I was upset he would not participate when his SLP tried to work with him.  I was sad that he had been so mean.  He acknowledged me.  I told him we would not be talking until he apologized - and asked if he understood.  He replied, yes.  The car ride was silent to pick up his brothers.  I choked back tears as we drove.  I know I didn't cause his meltdown, but I couldn't do anything to help him.  We picked up his brothers, and I cried as I buckled in the second baby.  Ryder looked so sad.  I was frustrated.  When I got in the car, ready to back out, Ryder looked at me - he said "mom, ne (me) hi (cry) too" - as he wiped tears that were falling down his cheeks.  I affirmed his statement, and asked if he was ready to say he was sorry, and to be nice.  He replied, no.  The car ride home was mostly silent.  We were both hurt.  I think Harvick and Jarrett could sense it - they ate from their snack cups, just babbling softly to themselves.  When we pulled into our driveway, Ryder told me he was "sah-re (sorry), mom".  We talked about why I was frustrated, and what he can do when he gets frustrated.  Once Patrick was home, I spent 15 minutes with him, one-on-one, using his iPad, and the apps the SLP was trying to engage him in today.  He participated.  Extremely well.  When he got distracted, I reminded him that if he practiced nicely, we could be done sooner.  

I told Patrick I felt like a failure.  He reassures me I'm not.  And, deep down, I know it is okay.  Every parent has these moments.  I just wish Ryder could express what he wants, needs, thinks, etc.  His verbal expression limits him immensely.  Days like today make me pray a little harder that Harvick and Jarrett don't also have Apraxia of Speech.  It's something I think about most days.  

Again, the point of this post isn't to be dramatic.  I am fully aware that there are many people who deal with bigger issues.  I get it.  But, in the moment that your child is unable to communicate with you, and you feel overwhelmingly helpless, it is the worst thing in the world.  

Next week will be better, I'm confident.

One-step-at-a-time.

CASNA

Colorado . 07.27.2012 . Driving

After much thought, Patrick and I decided to leave our house early (4:00am) on Friday, with the hope that we could get to my Aunt's house in 8-9 hours.  This would allow us to eat lunch there, and let the boys nap (if they would), or give us time to wear them out!  Turns out, that we didn't make it out of the house until 4:30...and it took us until almost 3:00pm to arrive.

The boys started with their blankets (in their colors, of course!) and their lambs.

Breakfast at Village Inn.

Stretching stop...or as the boys seemed to think - balance beam practice!

Back in the car, with me driving.  The boys got to watch a movie, using the DVD player borrowed from Patrick's mom.  They loved it!

Lunch at Corona Village, where the boys were each given a balloon.  Also known as the worst souvenir to have in a car!

Back in the car.  Harvick enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with me!

WE MADE IT!!!  An attempt at a self-portrait, until someone else pulled over for pictures, and graciously took ours!

FINALLY!  At my Aunt Colleen's house.  The boys took less than a minute to discover her one-step fireplace hearth - which, was thankfully padded! 

More to come...