Together

I love that my children are now friends.  It took two full years, but they now play together-possibly more than they fight, too!  I am ever thankful!

Guess what they were doing!

They were reading!

Be sure to read our Thanksgiving post below.  I shared about some big news with our family.  No-not that big news.  But still big for us!

New Thanks

God has blessed my family incredibly.  We've had great health for a full year now, other than the occasional cold, stomach virus, or ear infection.  I wrote a little list of a handful of things over at the other blog, but I wanted to share about something new this week.

Since the spring of 2008, Meghan has received weekly speech therapy.  In February 2009, Meghan was diagnosed with the verbal dyspraxia.  Her therapy was increased to two speech and  one teacher (for additional support) session per week.  She also had occupational therapy twice a month to help with some eating issues.  Upon her third birthday, Meghan began attending a speech and therapy preschool classroom.  She attended four mornings a week and and three speech therapy sessions.  At the end of summer, she stopped attending that classroom and now attends a local Christian preschool and receives two ST sessions there each week.

Meghan was recently evaluated again for her speech.  She no longer needs speech services and tests well withing normal speaking ranges for a four year old!  We still have problems understanding her at times, but within a structured environment, like school, her teacher does not have any problems understanding her!  Though we're a bit concerned about this transition, she will be monitored for four months to check for regression.

In all of this we will continue to trust God's plan for our little ones.  

Ironically, Evan will begin receiving physical and speech therapy in the next couple of weeks.  He tests at age 18 months physically.  Though he is very active, he needs some help strengthening his core muscles.  He is only a tad behind in speech and there are no huge concerns like with Meghan, but we will use the therapy services until he is less frustrated.  Yet, in all of this, we give thanks to God.

Wherever you are and whatever you do on this Thanksgiving, we hope you will find hope in our Lord and Savior!  Happy Thanksgiving! 

Ready!

It may be a little early, but this morning while I was in the shower, Meghan packed!  She came in to tell me that she was all packed for Grandma and Grandpa J's house.  Too bad she has a few days to wait!

I also suspect that a few more items may be needed.  But she did pack the essentials: her blanket and Teddy.

Lighthouse

We had such a great time with Jenny and her family.  I was pleased that the children got together so well and that the children, namely Meghan, shared!

Monday was a bit dreary, but we headed out to Elk Neck State Park in Maryland.  We hiked out to see the Turkey Point Lighthouse.

Though we took the stroller, Evan refused to use it on the way out.  He wasn't exactly quick in his rain boots.

Eventually we made it!

Not only did we see the lighthouse, but also the Chesapeake Bay.

This was our family picture.  Hmm.

After our hike, we were all exhausted!  Our children napped at home while I took them to see a covered bridge that's just a couple miles from our home.  Then we made our way through Amish farmland to Good's Store.  It has a bit of everything-everything practical, anyway.  It serves the Amish and English community well.  I spent way too much in the children's book section for Christmas gifts, but that's no surprise.  We love their selection of books and toys.  

We had a low-key evening at home.  Tuesday morning we took the Herr's Snack Factory tour.  It was really awesome...and free!  (It was definitely better than the Ben and Jerry's tour we waited two hours to see!!)  I learned a lot, including green potatoes are fine to eat...but they were exposed to sunlight instead of growing underground.  

We were all sad to say good-bye after lunch, but we do hope to see Jenny, Ryan, Tornado, Dash, and Sissy again.  I'm sure Meghan will be asking very soon for a trip to Arkansas! 

I wrote a bit about the visit (different perspective) over at the other blog.  You can read about how I fed our vegan friends and some other stuff there if you'd like.

This morning I was going through Meghan's backpack since I forgot to yesterday.  As I was reading a letter to the parents, I found out that Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK!  Somehow, I thought it was still two weeks away.  Thank you, Mrs. S. for reminding me that it's time to get packing!

I'm sure this happens to others, I'm just not sure who!

First Thoughts

I already shared how my blogging friend, Jenny, brought her family from Arkansas to Pennsylvania.  The family's end goal was NYC, but we were "along the way," so they were willing to come to our home.  They arrived after dinner on Sunday night.


Can I just tell you how much anticipation Meghan (and I!!) had to meet Sissy and her family?  Before we even knew that they would be coming Meghan informed us that Garmin (our GPS) could find the way to Sissy's house!  That is how much Meghan thought about her.  I guess she doesn't realize that it takes willing parents to make the trip, too, and Derek and I are just not willing to travel that far with our two children.


We knew they would arrive after dinner.  Then there was a knock on the door.  It was so neat to see five happy faces smiling back at us when the door was opened.


The children were immediately comfortable and playing in the toy room and upstairs (and getting along!) while the grown-ups got acquainted.   Jenny was very much what I expected her to be like, and of course her husband, Ryan, was quite nice, too.  (Oh, Jenny and I both had striped socks on when they arrived.  hehe)


Eventually it was time for bed.  Evan is still young enough to sleep in his pack and play, so we moved him to our room so Dash*, age 5, and Tornado, age 10 would have their own space and wouldn't be awakened during the night by Evan.

Dash (standing), Meghan, Tornado, and Sissy

Meghan had her first sleepover with a child with Sissy on her bedroom floor!  Sissy used the crib mattress that we don't use any more.

These girls were so ready for this! 

After the girls were all tucked in and the lights were out, there was suddenly crying...from both girls.  Jenny and I went upstairs to see what the problem might be.  Meghan was sobbing, so it was hard to understand, but she said, "We're going to be apart-FOREVER!"  Sissy was crying because Meghan was crying.  So cute, though it wasn't the last time that night that they cried.

After breakfast, the kids and dads went outside to play a bit.  Unfortunately, the grass was really wet, and it was misting a bit despite the lovely weather forecast.  Only Meghan and Dash lasted long enough for me to grab the camera.  I think everyone needed dry socks, shoes, and pants before we went to Elk Neck State Park in Maryland.

I'll save that for another post though!

Sissy, Dash, and Tornado are not their real names-just in case you were wondering!

Weekend of October Fun

Um.  Yes, this post is really late.  The last weekend in October was lots of fun for us, and we've been really busy since then, so I haven't shared this, but thought I would before I continue on sharing about our more recent adventures.

Our church had a Fall Festival.  Children were allowed to go dressed up, so Meghan wore her princess dress over her regular clothes and sneakers.  Her hair was in a bun.  Sadly, this is my only photo of Meghan in her dress.  Shortly after, the dress had to be removed because it was in the way of completing the obstacle course.

Whew.  Freedom from the dress!  Though the fall festival was like a small scale free carnival (open to the community...even the food was free), this obstacle course was all that Meghan was interested in.

Evan was not happy there.  Honestly, it was probably too cold, though we were wearing winter coats (when not completing obstacles).  Not to offend the many Philadelphia Phillies fans in our church, but Evan wore his new (to him) NY Mets jersey and baseball cap.

On Sunday we went to our friends' home for a Halloween party.  We had lots of fun, though this is the best picture I got of Evan.  Meghan was gone much of the evening, so I didn't get any pictures of her with her little friends.

                                                 

The next day Meghan decided to try on the costume she wore when she was a year old.   Let me tell you for a girl that wears size 4 and 5, I was pretty impressed to be able to snap 2 of the 3 snaps on this size 18 month size skunk costume.

(Yes, I know.  I have fabulous pictures of her in it.  But I'm tired and want to post this.  The pictures are on a different computer.)  Evan refused to consider putting it on this year.  Just like Meghan did at age 2.)  

I do have pictures from last year though, right here on this computer!

Evan, as a skunk!

This was right after his hospitalization, so it was awesome to see him standing and walking a little.

Super Meghan and her trusty side kick, Evan the Skunk!

The skunk outfit was a definite must have for us when we saw it.  My mom has a slight obsession with skunks.  Before I was born (or maybe shortly after?) she had two pet skunks.  They were both descented.  She says they acted like cats.  I'm not sure if you can legally do that these days, but I think it's pretty neat.

Real Friends

Blogging friends have become real friends.

Meghan, Jenny, and Sissy*

Wow.  What fun we're having!

Jenny and her family arrived Sunday night from Arkansas.  Monday has been full of fun!  I'll share more later, but just had to share these sweet pictures of their bedtime book.

You can read more about Jenny and her family at their site Academy at Thousand Oaks or their Vegan food blog.
*Not her real name

Naptime Blues (or Boredom)

Someone refused to take a nap.  Guess who!?

He emptied his hamper, baskets (diapers), and two bottom drawers of the dresser.

Apparently, Evan's dresser also doubled as a step-ladder.  He climbed to get his wipes from the top.  Thankfully it is a solid wood dresser and did not topple over.  (My great uncle made it for me when I moved in with my dad in sixth grade...good and sturdy!)  Time to anchor that to the wall!

Meghan's First Book

Meghan enjoyed books as a baby, and we have always read to her.  Her love of books has never diminished.  Though we have heard her read to herself when she is in bed, she has never been interested in reading a book to us.  She will often tell us the next word in the story, but has not been interested in trying to pretend-read from her memory to us.

Well, Meghan has now read her first book to us!  It is a book designed for early readers and is part of a set.   It's called Mat and is a BOB Book.  Though she didn't read it perfectly, she did very well READING the words and did not struggle!  For this first reading, Meghan read to her dad, her mom, and her little brother.  I was so glad Derek was there to hear it!

I also wrote about this over at the other blog.  If you are interested on hearing more about why we thought she was ready to read and the type of book it was, you can read about it here.

Just Like Daddy-Super!

Super Meghan-to the rescue!

 And here is Super Evan, her brother.

 Super Siblings! 

We're ready for bed!

They take after Dad!

We entered our wedding reception to the Superman theme.

Probably a year and a half ago, Derek's mom bought some Superman pajamas.  I think they were intended for Evan-some day.  However, Meghan saw them and fell in love.  Though she has never seen a Superman movie, comic strip, or TV show, she has seen Derek in his Superman t-shirt a couple of times (not often) and recognized the symbol immediately.

We knew that her days with those Superman pajamas were limited, and now she has a new pair, AND Evan fits (well enough) into Meghan's old pair.  Evan refuses to wear his cape, but that's okay. 

Aren't my children and husband SUPER?  

(I wish my Superman pajamas that Derek gave me shortly after we were married still fit...then we could be the Super Family.)

Some Plans

We met with Evan's neurologist this week.  He was pleased with Evan's physical development and how sturdy our boy is.  He did suggest a speech evaluation for Evan.  This did not surprise me, though I'm not sure if he will qualify for being in need of therapy.  (There are no big, obvious concerns like Meghan had.)   

Evan's EEG was normal.  Yea!  With having only had the one seizure, some doctors wouldn't have Evan on anti-seizure medication.  However, with the seriousness of the seizure, he has kept Evan on Keppra for the past year.  This will continue for another eight months, and then we will meet again.  With no additional seizures, the current plan is to begin weaning Evan from his medication in 8 months.  (This is a long process.)

You might wonder why I never use the word epilepsy when discussing Evan.  Epilepsy does not mean a certain type of seizure, but to have epilepsy means that you've had two unprovoked seizures.   Evan has had one status epilepticus seizure (Epilepsy Foundation's definition: severe, potentially life-threatening non-stop seizures, not always related to epilepsy; status epilepticus can result from acute brain injury).  Even after seizing for hours, there is no brain damage that we can tell.  (Meghan had two febrile seizures, but febrile seizures are due to a fever, so that is not a big concern-nor is it epilepsy.  When Evan started seizing, I thought I knew what was happening based on the experience with Meghan...I was wrong!) 

We still use monitors when Evan is sleeping.  We still give Evan medication twice a day-and have alarms to remind us.  We still instruct his new caregivers about him and what to do in case of a seizure-but emphasize that he has been seizure free for a year.  I have started carrying his Diastat (a med that is supposed to stop a seizure if the seizure continues for more than 3 minutes) in my purse since it is a pain to always have his backpack with us. (When we take Meghan to preschool we're only gone for about 20 minutes, and that includes walking Meghan into her classroom.)

With all that said, really Evan is just a typical 2 year old.  We're just typical parents, thankful for our days together.  We know God has blessed us greatly with these two lovely children he has trusted to our care.