Time is just passing us by

I can't believe Summer is in a regular ol' car seat now! It seems like no time at all ago that I was putting the extra cusion around their necks so their heads wouldn't flop to the side in the infant seats. Time seems to fly by much faster when you have growing babies to guage things by.



Chase will get there too eventually. In the meantime, he's just going to have to be my little peanut. Dad called me "peanut" forever, come to think of it. I don't think I ever was a tiny little thing though so not sure why I was called "peanut", but it stuck.
I have a hockey stick and I'm not afraid to use it!

Jack and the beanstalk

So we had 18 mo. check up appointments this week. It was probably the easiest round so far but WOW was Chase ever a little stinker!! He cried from the time he got weighed 'til the time he got his prize (a very colorful stuffed worm that he loves). When we finished they were going to wait 10 minutes before bringing any other patients back because they were afraid what they might be thinking in the waiting room about what was being done to the poor child! Apparently, he's having some serious seperation anxiety issues right now. (I think I've been saying that for about 10 months now. LOL.)

Here's their height/weight. I'll let you figure out who is Jack and who is The Beanstalk!

Summer = 24.2 lbs 33 1/4 inches
Chase = 18.8 lbs 31 1/2 inches

Chase has gained half a pound in a little over 3 weeks though. YAY!!! The Dr. thinks I'm nutty for worrying about his weight. Since he's been below the 5th percentile for weight since birth, he says it's just going to be his body type. But I'm still going to keep up the pediasure whether he likes it or not!

They have both been within 1/2 inch of each other since birth. Summer has definately had a growth spurt!!!

He also graduated from his helmet this week. YAY!! He's not perfectly symmetrical but it's made a big difference and looks good. It's fantastic to be able to snuggle close to him, kiss his head and face as much as you want and get him dressed w/o the on/off procedure.

Lastly, since his surgery, his eyes have healed better than the Dr. expected and normally sees. They were really amazed! He says the alignment is perfect now.

YAY for Chase.
Yay for Summer.
Yay for Daddy for going to ALL the appointments with us!!!

It's been a good week!

Who's Your Daddy!

Frankie has had a transformational few weeks! A year ago he had been home from rehab just 3 months, just had surgery on a broken hip, was unable to get in/out of bed by himself, had trouble remembering and naming all the kids, was not always sure where we lived, was unable to remember probably 50% of his life prior to the accident, had short term memory of approx. 5 minutes, was unable to do daily living things on his own (showering, preparing meals, etc.) and was doing PT and OT 8 times a week. Other than therapy, which I forced him to do, he wanted to sleep or stay in bed the rest of the day. He was still in a hospital bed and required 24x7 hour care.

Just a month ago he was talking much more, initiating more, remembered the kids, usually remembered where we lived unless he was tired, was able to help around the house, set the table, fold clothes, shower on this own, etc. It was still all I could do to get him to wake up though. He also didn't like going outside or on trips very much.

Fast forward to this week, he seems to be remembering things alot longer, even some things from day to day, he has more energy, he's more engaged, he's laughing more, interacting with the babies more, wanting to help me out and wanting to go out. All good things! Very good things!!!

Here's a few pics of Daddy playing with Summer. He just grabbed her, pulled her up to his lap and started playing with her. That was a first! For further information on the lack of hair on Frankie's head, please refer to previous post from May 12, 2008 :-)

Hey! Wait a minute, he's my Daddy too!

Thanks Grandma E for the new outfit! Do you like how I look in the cranky rhino shirt!! Aren't I cute? My Mommy sure thinks so!!

He moves in mysterious ways!

When Chase was initially developmentally tested, the Drs. said he was 5 months behind in gross motor skills. We've seen that difference between he and Summer for about the past 8 months. But... we also were told it was possible he may not walk or there were larger issues than just a developmental delay. After more testing and even though most of the doctors now say they don't think that's true, it still lingers in the back of your mind.
So now every time Chase does something new; crawls on his knees, pulls to a stand, free stands, I feel the excitement I felt when Summer did the same things for the first time, the excitement of seeing your baby develop, grow and move forward, plus the joy in knowing that Chase is going to be ok and in seeing the glory of God's work right in front of me.

Hey Mommy! Let me out of here!


Summer's clapping YAY for Chase, he didn't used to like this!

I love having true Double Trouble!

Chase is pulling up on everything now. He's always standing at the gate, or at the couch or the ottoman. It's so fantastic to see him moving all over the place and getting into trouble!!! Yesterday I took them both to Walmart and as I loaded a case of diapers into the bottom of the cart and pushed away, I noticed he had no socks and shoes on! He ripped them off and threw them down in about 30 seconds! This was the first time he'd done anything "naughty" like that. Summer ... well she's perfected naughty! LOL.

When we got home, Chase followed me from the living room to the kitchen, I was putting Summer in the high chair first and he pit stopped in the dining room and pulled all the books off the bottom of the book case before I even noticed anything was going on. He was just giggling up a storm waving books in the air! LOL.

Lastly, tonight Summer was giving Buster some of her turkey rolls. I told her firmly "No" and locked my eyes with hers (I've noticed if I keep my eyes on hers and make her turn away she is more apt to listen to my "Nos"). All of a sudden I hear a "thump" and a "Thtop!". Chase had banged his hand on his tray and told me to "stop" telling his sister "No!". Just in case he wasn't clear the first time... he did it again! How can you not laugh at that!

Chase is going next week to be measured to see if he can graduate from his helmet. His head definitely looks better! The orthotist, Jim, says we'll probably be done because even though he may get a little bit more correction, it won't be worth keeping it on and dealing with it. So we'll see.

We also have 15 month appts. next week meaning they'll both have shots. Ugh!! I dread these appointments. I get so stressed out about it and doing it just takes it out of me. I even take them on different days now to try to minimize the stress but it doesn't seem to help enough. It also has been taking 3-4 days for them to recover. It takes a lot to stress me out so I think it's funny that I get so wound up about it, but I do!

They've also perfected the fake cough and are using it constantly. They've figured out that EVERYONE stops EVERYTHING when they cough to make sure they are not choking. Well now they know it's a surefire way to get some attention! I need to start reading them 'The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf'! LOL.

Just Chillin'

Not only do I love it when we get a package from Omaha Steaks from Mom and Dad but Summer and Chase love it too! The coolers the food comes in keep them busy for hours. It's too bad the styrofoam starts to crumble, maybe I could try to shilac them next time?! I don't know... that's a little too 'crafty' for me... Martha Stewart I'm not!

Summer really likes Buster and Kitty. She's learned how to be real gentle with them, finally! I just LOVE the back of Summer's hair!! It reminds me of Lexi's when she was a baby. Except she was blond.


Summer decided if this spot was good enough for Kitty to crash and take a nap, well it was good enough for her too! --- Notice Kitty's paw sticking out from under Summer's head. She literally was on top of his paw. He didn't seem to mind though. Kitty is a super sweet kitty!
And speaking of super sweet .... Look at Chasey .... isn't he cute!! :-)