Looooong update

Whew. We've been very busy since the last update. Bachan was nice enough to update the holiday photos. So, that was Christmas/New Year's in California. We had a great time and KP got to play with his cousin and they had lots of fun on the stairs...for hours! :)

When we got back, it was straight back to work, and time to search for a new caregiver. :( Mrs. Laura's last day was February 13th. The slideshow below has some of the pictures that she was kind enough to give us. There are a few more from their Valentine's celebration that just didn't make it on here. She also gave us a few videos that are sooo cute. She was a fabulous caregiver, and we were completely spoiled by her. Now I think our view of all other caretakers will be forever tainted because she has set our expectations so high! So, if you know anyone in Keller that needs a caregiver, I can give a GREAT recommendation! :) We will miss Mrs. Laura A LOT! The really cute thing is I have shown KP these pictures, and asked him where each kid is and he smiles and points to them. :) It's pretty cute.

Anyhow, once we got back we also got to play the doctor game again. Once the craniofacial doctor and the ENT talked doctor to each other, they decided to go ahead and take out KPs adenoids before the palate repair. That was scheduled for January, but then KP came down with bronchiolitis, so that pushed us to the beginning of March. So, we'll be in the PICU again on March 2.

We also saw a geneticist in January, and aside from KPs nose being small (but incredibly cute), she does not see any additional syndromes present. Also, for any additional children, there is a low chance of recurrence. That was higher than what all of the other doctors have told us, but I know that we can handle whatever may come our way. Our appointment actually turned more into an appointment for me rather than KP. So, early screening time for Mommy. Woo hoo.

We've been seeing our AI teacher for Deaf Ed once a week, and KP has been making lots of progress. He is now signing more, daddy, ball, shoes, car, help, bottle, up, out, and he has a few more in development. :)

We have also been seeing a Speech Therapist once a week, and KP has been making lots of progress there, too. He can now say: t, m, b, p, and d. This is HUGE since d is the only consonant he has been saying since he was 3 months old. So, the addition of all these others is encouraging. He is also babbling more conversationally now. I think he really thinks we should understand him. I brought him out to the couch the other morning and got him tucked in, and he demanded "Yo Ga" for Yo Gabba Gabba, and once I got it turned on demanded "Ba". Hmm...maybe I'm not ready for this whole talking thing. :)

As you know, we've been doing timeout since he turned 1. This week he finally "got it", so when he does something wrong, we can now tell him to go sit in timeout, and he does. We have to monitor him pretty closely because he still thinks it is a game, but he knows where to go and that he has to sit with his legs crossed and his arms down.

He's also dancing all the time and helping around the house. He "fetches" items when you ask for them. :) And because I'm very particular about cabinet doors being closed and drawers being closed, he will go behind me and close anything that is open. :) He will also open drawers that he's not supposed to, get whatever he wants out, and then close them behind him. It is very cute, but it is also difficult to tell where he's been. :)

This is a really exciting time for us right now because he is developing so rapidly. He loves playing his piano also. He pretty much plays it at least twice a day. I tried to teach him chopsticks yesterday, and he got the first two notes. Still, pretty impressive for an 18-month old. :) I think, musically, he is starting to figure out that the notes go together. So, I think it's time for us to get the stickers for the keys.

Anyhow, I'm rambling now. One last thing and then I'm gone. KP took a tumble at his new daycare. He is okay, but his cute little face is a little banged up. He'll heal, and I think we notice it more than him...of course.

Thanks for checking in with us. :)
xoxo
Margot