Under Reconstruction

Happy Birthday, Princess!

We love you and everything you add to our family. Wishing you a year full of
happiness!

Snuggie™ Blanket - Official Site - GetSnuggie.com

Snuggie™ Blanket… the Blanket with Sleeves™! Blankets are OK but they can slip and slide, plus your hands are trapped inside.The Snuggie™ Blanket keeps you totally warm and gives you the freedom to use your hands. Work the remote, use your laptop or do some reading in total warmth and comfort!The Snuggie™ Blanket is made with super soft, thick, luxurious fleece with roomy, oversized sleeves that let you do what you want while still being totally wrapped in warmth.

via www.getsnuggie.com

Trying out a new Typepad feature...something we purchased while "school shopping." Afterall, who doesn't need a Snuggie to go to school? And I have to say, I used it today and...I LOVED IT!

Mower Boy.

Five years ago, Zachary became obsessed with a new game, "Mower Boy," after seeing a lawn service mow Grandma and Pop's lawn one day at lunch time. When he came home that day he immediately started playing "Mower Boy" and was entertained the rest of the summer. He used empty detergent bottles and milk containers for his gas...he had quite the imagination, for sure!

 

Today he doesn't need as much imagination as in years past, but he certainly thinks he's as much of a big shot as he did in 2004!

On Second Thought...

Since the boys will be starting back to school in 9 days (and 3 hours, 6 minutes) Jasper's days of having buddies to play with during the day are numbered (but who's counting?). We've begun the preparations, and gotten him a kennel for while we are away, while the weather is still nice out, anyway. Winter is TBD. Zachary, Nicholas and Pipi but the kennel up effortlessly on Wednesday, and after I had the dinner dishes done, I went outside to find this:

 

 

Is it wrong that I paused to rethink who's home this should really be? And is it wrong that I had wished we had gotton this the day school was out for the summer? This, my friends, could have been a terrific "time out" area! I kid, I kid! or not.

A Summer of Milestones

Throughout the years, Nicholas has been in many therapies. He's been in speech therapy since he was 2 for apraxia. But before there was speech, there was occupational. At his 4-month old checkup, I told the pediatrician I noticed he wasn't putting any weight on his legs. Thus began his "career" with Early Intervention and private therapy. He was diagnosed with having a gross-motor delay, and by the time he was 15 months old, he was walking, but not without a lot of hard work. I remember those therapy visits. The therapist would make him put weight on his legs and he would scream. And when we left, the people in the waiting room would look at us with sympathy, because they all heard the screams from where they sat.

Because of his global apraxia, he has also had fine motor delays and has been in occupational therapy again two different times. His pencil grasp is what has concerned us most recently, so back to therapy we went this summer (thanks Mimi and Pipi for making sure he got there each Monday). What we found interesting was that his therapist mostly worked on core exercises with him, telling us that if his core wasn't strong, his hand strength wouldn't be either. So we did situps (I could have done a few more) and we did jumping jacks (I could have done alot more) and we did pushups (I have weak wrists and I'm sticking to it!).

And weeks ago he surprised us with coming home from therapy and could tie his shoes! We celebrated! He was so proud of himself and I will never forget the smile of satisfaction he had on his face.

And fast-forward to today:

I love the determination on his face:

 

And if there was ever any question on who his father is (which there wasn't!)...

 

Nicholas Robert, we are so proud of you!!!

Back by Popular Demand

Jasper. Who knew I'd be that person to bore you with pet pictures?!?

But he's just too cute.

This was Sunday, you know, the day of the "Dog Days of Summer." And this is where you could find him if he wasn't in the sprinkler. Where exactly is he?

 

Under the steps in the garage, of course. Where else would he be?

Come on, Jas...you can get out! It's time to get out and play! You know what? YOU go play. I'll watch from right here.

 

It won't be long before he no longer fits under here!

Four Years Ago...

I thought it would be fun to look at what we were doing on this day four years ago.

We were at Kelley's Island and the boy's were digging in the dirt in their pajama's. :::sigh::: They look so small!

Dog Days

I'm pretty certain that today qualifies as one of the "Dog Days of Summer." I think Jasper agrees.

 

Today is definitely the hottest day of summer that we've had. Which is one of the reasons I'm taking the time to update...and because I had a request from Aunt Jane.

Thankfully, not much has been going on. We've been enjoying summer and enjoying the stress-freeness (this must be a word...Typepad didn't underline it to alert me, so I'm going with it!!!) of nothing medical going on. Nicholas' ear continues to heal and I've even noticed a bit more definition. He isn't home right now (errands with Daddy...those two make quite the pair...on the go, go, go!) or I'd take a picture to share. There's a notch on the edge where Dr. Jones had to shave a bit of cartilidge off during the second failed skin graft, where it became exposed. But you know what? I don't care! He's healing, he doesn't care, and it adds a bit of character! Perfection is over-rated!

I've been keeping busy with a combination of "Extreme Home Makeover" and "Clean Sweep." A couple of weeks ago I decided I was tired of the outdated dining room, so it went from hunter green to "crabby apple." I have to say that I love the color, but I forgot how much of a pain it is to paint red. Once it's all done (the paint is done, still deciding on some wall art) I'll be sure to post before and afters! Up next is the foyer, although we are waiting on a price from a painter since it is two-stories. Neither Scott or I are up for that challenge at this point in our lives!

It's hard to believe that school is starting in a couple of weeks. I think we are all ready though...but then the homework arguing will begin again!

Thanks for checking in on us!

Fulfilling a Promise

Last Sunday we fulfilled a promise we made to the boys, at least two years ago, for after Nicholas' surgeries were over. Meet Jasper:

We weren't planning on Jasper, but he was the right price, and the right time. And too adorable to pass up!

He's 12 weeks old and is a great dog! He is crate-trained, knows how to sit, fetch and walk on a leash. He's already the boy's best friend.
But if he wants to be my best friend, he has a bit more work to do!
To be fair, I probably shouldn't have left my book laying on the chair when I came inside! At least he only chewed pages I have already read!
I think Jasper is going to be perfect for our family!

Meet Frank.

Frank found us about six weeks ago. The boy's love having Frank around. I had just bought new cushions for the patio furniture. The Princess does not enjoy cat hair on her chairs! Anyway, it appears Frank is sticking around, so I thought I should introduce him. (Zach came up with the name...it was either Frank or....wait for it............Jim)