Conner's New Ears

Conner, the day before surgery on his ears.  Such a happy guy!  

When Conner was only three months old a craniofacial doctor in California told us that he could "fix" Conner's ears.  I was a little shocked, because I had never thought about my baby needing his ears "fixed" and this certainly was not something I wanted to think about.  Conner had just had stomach surgery, and a g-tube placed in his stomach in order to feed him because he would not eat.  The appearance of his ears was not our primary concern at this time.  However, since that conversation with the doctor, I thought about it occasionally, and Keir and I talked about it a few times.  Conner has been teased on several occasions by other kids about his ears, and even though he never understood - I did.  I cried on a few occasions, wondering when Conner would start to understand, and realize what the other kids were saying.  I would do anything to help him avoid these tough times growing up - kids can be really mean.  But, I wasn't quite sure about surgery . . . .   Well, our decision was made for us when Conner's audiologist encouraged us to have a consult with the ENT surgeon at Children's Hospital - Conner's hearing aids would not stay put on his ears, and we could never get a great ear mold - due to the shape/floppyness of his ears.  So, we did it - or, Conner did it!  He is such a brave boy and has been under general anesthesia more than any adult I know!

Here is Conner with his new ears!  Sorry, this is not a great picture, and his ears are still a bit swollen.....I will get some better pictures soon!

Since many have already asked - the surgery was just to tack his ears back, and give them more stability to be able to wear his hearing aids without too much trouble and discomfort.  He will be able to wear his hearing aids in EIGHT weeks, once he heals.  This is a long time....and I pray that his speech does not regress during this time - although he loves not wearing them - maybe because Allie is still in the screaming phase??

Sorry, this is getting long.....one quick story from the day: Conner gets very nervous/anxious around any doctor or nurse.  Can you blame him with all that he has gone through.  Anyway, he was so anxious we could not get a blood pressure before his surgery, so they gave him a liquid dose of Versed to calm him down.  As it was starting to work, I was reading to him.  He stopped me, and said, "Mom, I am going on a trip!"  I asked where he was going, and he answered, "Las Vegas!"

One last picture, added later - I know it is not pretty, but it was not as bad as it looks.  I was a bit shocked at first.  I did not realize it would be so bruised.

Say Hi

Allie loves to say "hi" and usually does so with her hand up to her ear (with any object to act as the phone) and head tilted to the side.  She says it over, and over, and over, and . . . . .

So adorable.

Preschool Graduation

Conner and his teacher, who we love dearly, Ms. Elli.

All the graduates with Ms. Maria and Ms. Elli!

Allie thought Conner's hat was hilarious.

Keir helped out with the pinata.

Dad finally had to take a few turns....otherwise, we would have been there ALL day.

Mr. Rick (Conner's speech pathologist) took a few turns as well.

Cayden thought he got the best prize - Shrek's leg.

Allison Walking

Allison had taken a few steps here and there for a couple weeks.  However, while Keir and I were out of town, she became a "walker"  and now walks everywhere, no matter how far the destination.  So sad that we missed it, but Tiff sent us video clips to keep us updated.  She is so proud of herself!

Name the skyline

Keir and I took a trip without kids (Thanks Aunt Tiffy!!!!) to explore an opportunity we have.  

More to come on this later.

Allie Grace Crawling...sort of

Allison wore a long dress to church last Sunday, and couldn't crawl so she learned to crawl despite her long dress...and she's been crawling like this ever since.  You also see her first time standing up without a wall, a hand or piece of furniture to hold on to.

Cayden's Suggestion

Cayden: Mom, Allie needs to get a hairdo!

Cayden is probably right on this one, but I am at a loss.  She will not leave clips of any kind in her hair, and she loves to put her food in her hair.  Any suggestions??

Saturday at the ARC

Saturday we spent a fun day together at the ARC (Aspen Rec Center) swimming, jumping, climbing, and playing with friends.  We are lucky to have such a fun place to go to, but I guess since there is snow on the ground more than half the year here, we really need the ARC!  Conner, Cayden, and Allie all have very different comfort levels in the water, but they all have a great time!

Conner and Cayden both did a great job climbing, and I predict they will soon be able to climb to the top and ring the bell. 

New words

Allie has said "mom" for a while now, but until recently, this was her only word.  (She also uses the sign for milk regularly when she wants a drink.)  She has expanded her vocabulary and will now say:

• dad
  
• bye (while waving)
  
• Hi (usually with a play telephone up to her ear, with her head  tilted to the side - no joke!)

I hope that her vocabulary continues to increase, and the quicker, the better - she has learned to really use her voice, and is screaming very loud at everything.  She is not crying, in fact, she is usually smiling and laughing while she screams.  I think she just found out how loud she can be and thinks it is fun.  The rest of us however, really hope she learns some more useful words in the very near future.  Cayden and Conner are often found in the car with their hands over their ears, asking to sit farther away from Allison at dinner, and closing their door when they play.  All this, and we still love her to pieces!

Walking...almost!

I will try to get some video tonight when I have assistance, but before I forget, Allison let go of the couch yesterday (with no prompting) and walked 5 or 6 steps all by herself.  She has done it a few times this morning as well, but of course, I did not have the camera in my hand.  Sometimes I think moms should wear headcams so we could catch all the funny/exciting stuff on tape, but then I realize how silly I would look . . . .

Eating Machine!

I began with child number one who wouldn't eat a thing, and was fed through a gastrostomy tube for three years.  I was completely shocked when child number two, tired of baby food very quickly, and began eating whole avocados, baby back ribs, and ANYTHING he could get his hands on.  Well, Allison, child number three, has topped that.  She truly is amazing.  For a few days, the boys have only wanted pb&j for lunch.  The first day, I gave Allison one tiny bite - since we hadn't tried peanuts yet.  She was fine.  Yeah, no allergies so far!  Today, she kept demanding more, and ended up eating an entire pb&j sandwich BY HERSELF!  The boys always share one sandwich, since they only eat half, so this was a complete shocker.  Not to mention the bowl of peaches, cheerios appetizer while making the sandwiches, and big glass of milk....it was probably more than most adults have for lunch - and she is 13 months.  I have never had to cut my children off from food, but maybe I should think about it.  :)

Oh, by the way, her typical breakfast is a yogurt, an entire banana, some cheerios, a glass of milk, and then pancakes/french toast/waffles or whatever I have made for the boys.  AND, she usually cries when I take her tray away and get her down - like she wants more food!  

Weeds or Wildflowers

Today we were out on the front porch waiting for Conner to be dropped off from school. Cayden was riding his bike (which he picked up soooo quickly, and is already trying to do tricks - another post to come...) back and forth in front of the house, and Allie was playing on the grass.  Beautiful day!  Anyway, at one point, Cayden kept looking back and forth at our lawn and the neighbors lawn.  He then asked, "Mom, why do we NOT have pretty flowers like them?"  I had to laugh, because Keir takes great pride in our lawn, and it is always the greenest, healthiest, manicured lawn in the neighborhood - and of course, we do not have any dandelions, because they are weeds, and spread like crazy, and take over the lawn.  Cayden however thought they were pretty, and that we should have some.  I was tempted to tell him how to blow the dandelion puff thingy to make them spread on our lawn, but I didn't.  Keir would have killed me!  :)

On a little side note - we have had this conversation in our neighborhood many times because our neighboring town is Carbondale, and their "town flower" is the dandelion, so getting rid of your weeds or flowers (whichever side you are on) is probably considered a crime.  Good thing we do not live there. 

Neighbors lawn/dandelions

Our lawn

More Fun at the Park

We are really getting used to this beautiful weather, and have been to the park almost every day!  The only negative, is that I have to keep Allie out of the playground - she eats the rocks!

Cayden and Charlie, best buds.  They insisted on sharing shoes and socks this day.  Not sure where the second pair of red crocs went??