Happy Halloween

Ever since we transformed Tyler's chair into a Viking boat two years ago for Halloween. Everyone has been asking what he was going to be. We took a year off from the more creative side (since last year I was 8 months pregnant and we had just moved 2 weeks prior). So this year we thought we would give it another go. So we created a bulldozer for his chair and since I wanted the kids to correspond with one another Kenna was the traffic controller. I know it's not very girly but we might as well get our say in for Tyler until she wants to be a princess every year, lol. 

The construction worker and the traffic controller.

Pumpkin Carving

 I wasn't sure how pumpkin carving would go this year with a baby and a kid with sensory issues. We didn't even attempt to make Tyler help gut the pumpkins. If he hasn't liked it after 7 years, we figured he wasn't going to change his mind this year. He has never liked the the issue of touching the slimy guts of a pumpkin.So he just enjoyed watching.

On the other hand, this was Kenna's first time and I wanted her to experience it and see what her thoughts were and see her reaction. I figured she would try to eat the pumpkin and I was right. We put it on her tray and she tried putting it in her mouth right away. This kid puts EVERYTHING in her mouth so that didn't surprise me. She then started to pick up the slimy guts and look at it and then look at me with a perplexed look. It always makes me wonder what is going through their little minds. After further investigating she decided she no longer wanted the unknown substance on her tray and began throwing it to the side and off of her tray.

 Eating the pumpkin

Her reaction when I told her not to eat it.

Throwing it off her tray

 

Rolling Along

Back in July, I posted that we were in the process of finding a wheelchair for Tyler. We had decided that the Quickie Zippie was the perfect fit for him and were patiently and ANXIOUSLY waiting for it to come in. We were told that it would take approximately 4 weeks. Well 4 weeks went by and we were still waiting. It was almost 8 weeks before we received it because insurances were going back and forth on who was going to pay for it. I guess I shouldn't complain since it was nothing out of our pocket and the entire time we still had the demo chair that they were graciously letting us borrow. Let's just say that we put that demo chair through the ringer. It was banged into walls, it went camping and fishing with us and it was thrown up in. We had some major cleaning before returning it.

Tyler's new chair is awesome! It offers all the support he needs, the wheels are in a reverse configuration so they are easily accessible for him and it even has his name on it. But my favorite is the color. It's toxic green!!

 

There were a few minor things different from his new chair and the demo that Tyler had to adjust too, but he is operating it like a champ. There are times that he still runs into the wall but overall he continues to get better at maneuvering it every day. He also started taking it to school and is getting around the classroom and through the hallways. His teacher said the first day when they were going down the hallway, Tyler was going really slow and looking at everything (pictures) on the walls. So the next day they let him go roam the halls to explore and give him more practice.

I love all the independence this is giving him. He is one determined little guy when he knows where he wants to go. Especially when you open the door to go outside, he will get there in seconds; but if you tell him to go to the table because it's time to eat he diddle dallies around. So our goal now is to follow directions. We shall see how that goes. I sometimes have to realize that most typical 7 years have problems following directions and don't won't to listen to their parents, LOL.

Kenna - 11 months old

Dear Kenna,

Wow, 11 months already. Seriously, where has the time gone. It's crazy how time goes by. I can't even think back to the time where we were just a family of three, but yet it has only been a short 11 months since then.

You are becoming one independent little girl. You like to hold your own bottle and if we try to help, you throw a fit. This goes for solid foods as well. You think you are such a big girl and can eat with a spoon all by yourself. I'm sure it won't be long before you can do it yourself; but the OCD mom in me wants to say "let mommy just do it, let's not make a mess". Oh how I am learning that kids make messes. 

 You love pulling objects out of containers and that goes for my tupperware drawer too, LOL!

You love watching your brother and following him around in his new wheelchair. Luckily, there has only been a couple of mishap run-overs so far; but I'm sure there will be more to come. I think you like to taunt him because you sit directly in front of him and look up at him and smile/laugh. I guess you will learn that your brother may not have patience for that all the time. For the most part, he has been very nice to you and waits until you move.

Another development you have learned this month is walking. You are not taking independent steps yet, but you walk pretty well with your push-behind walker.

 My oh my, Mr. Bear sure is looking small.

2012 St. Louis Hydro Walk

We attended the annual Hydrocephalus Walk in St. Louis again this year. This is the 4th year that we have participated. I remember the first year we went we didn't know anyone and now this year we met another wonderful family and met up with some old ones.

Tyler's Troops

Everyone gathering for the walk to begin.

 

All those affected with hydrocephalus.

Another hydro family we met up with, Katy & Eli.

 Thank you to everyone who came to walk with us and to everyone that donated.