Happy Easter!

Mom and I went to brunch at the Wood and Wine with Grandpa Ken, Grandma Cookie and Great Grandma Frankel this morning.  There was so much new foods to try (and throw) but I liked the cookie the best.

 

I stayed home with Cookie while Mom did some errands.  We had dinner before Mom had to go to work. Uncle Kyle came by for a visit and helped me play the piano.

Navigating the stroller

This task kept me busy for a good hour!  I pushed the stroller all over the house and only got stuck a few times.  Mom was impressed.

Music Baby

I'm actually winding down.  I was pounding up a storm before Mom could get her camera from the car.  I'm a happy, happy boy!

Easter egg hunt with Grandma

Mom and Cookie took me to the North Park for the Kiwanis egg hunt.  I didn't get any eggs.  We were too late because I threw a tantrum earlier in the morning.  But I got to see the Easter Bunny and Spring Squirrel.  I was a bit scared.

Cookie took us to lunch at Cracker Barrel after.  Mom ordered me the famous chicken and dumplings but I wanted to eat their yummy pancakes instead.  I guess I know what I'm having for dinner.  Grandma said I'm a good boy in restaurants.

Reading time

Every evening Mom and Dad read a library book or two to me before bed.  I even know how to climb on Mom's lap first before she starts reading.  My favorite library book is "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck".

Silly faces with Spaghetti

Speech and jargon

Mom took me to speech therapy today.  Deborah observed me on three parts - hearing my name and sounds and reacting to it; comprehending words and their meaning; and actual speaking of words.  She said she wants to work with me so I can start speaking words and catching me up to an average 18-month old. 

Mom is excited to get me started but I have to wait a couple of weeks before my weekly sessions start.  For now, Mom has to say words every time I touch something or do anything.  No more baby sounds.  More homework!

1st MILESTONES: Standing on my own!

Mom can't believe she caught me on camera!

Morning madness

Aloha Kakahiaka!  Yes, I need a haircut badly, but Mom and Dad are not allowed to cut my hair without the permission of my birth parents.

 Mom combed my hair down so now I'm ready for school. Mom keeps calling me a cutey!

Linden School classroom

 Tutu asked for pictures.  She asked, she receives!

 I sleep on the blue cot on the left since I'm one of the older children in class.

Where's Dad?

1st MILESTONES: Eating from a plate

Mom is working on me not throwing my food, plate, sippy cup and spoon from my tray when eating.  It's a work in progress, hence the plastic on the chair and carpet!  If I throw something over, Mom thinks I'm done eating and will take me off my booster seat.  I get very mad.  I guess I shouldn't throw anything on the floor from now on.

OKC... or not

Mom told me we were suppose to take a plane ride today to visit Dad in Oklahoma City.  It's her spring break so her and Dad thought it would be nice to take a little vacation out of state to visit Dad.  But with all this transitioning happening and me getting to used to it all, Mom decided I wasn't ready to take a plane ride yet.  I'm too wiggly to sit in her lap for several hours.  Besides, I've been throwing little tantrums lately because I need to learn to walk around on my own instead of being carried around everywhere.  Mom said I'm a big boy now and I need to explore.  I think she's right. 

Mom and Dad will try and plan another short trip when summer comes before our big trip in July.  Guess where I get to go!?!

Jack the Pirate Tiger

Thanks Allison for my pirate tiger!  Mom said it's from the Caribbean.

Guess who can sit on his truck on his own now?  Now if I can just propel forward or backwards on my truck...

Children Services update

Michelle gave Mom and Dad the news that I have an Aunt in Florida who has met me before and says she can take care of me.  My Aunt will have to go through the same background check and home assessment as everyone else and because she is in another state, the process will take several months before I can be relocated.  Poor Mom, she's sad again. It must be tough having to care and love me, knowing that I may be taken away soon.  And just as I am getting used to my new home. 

Michelle is going on vacation so we won't get any news soon.  I guess we'll see.

Hangin' out with Cookie

Since Dad left for training out of state yesterday, I get to have sleepovers at Cookie's house while Mom works her late night shifts.  I like hanging out with her and Grandpa Ken because there's lots of room to crawl and walk around, and there is a piano I can play!  I love pounding the keys and making music!  They also love carrying me around and giving me cuddles.

1st MILESTONES: Hoppin on the fire truck

Mom tossed my leg over the fire truck so I could sit on it and the next thing you know I'm trying to sit on the truck on my own.  Mom is so proud of me!

See you later alligator!

Dad is leaving for another training session tomorrow.  This time it's 3-1/2 weeks long in Oklahoma City!  I don't want him to go!

University Hosptials and Help Me Grow

Mom and Dad drove me to University Hospitals in Cleveland today.  I went to visit Dr. Arnold who was the doctor overseeing my surgery.  Even though Mom called several times and talked to his secretary about this special visit they didn't have me on the schedule.  Mom was mad but the doctor was kind enough to fit us in.  He said I'm doing well but he's still concerned that scarring may occur on my esophagus.  So I'll have to do the barium swallow again and see him in another 3 months.  Boo!!

Later today a Help Me Grow program coordinator is stopping by to assess my situation.  This program offers physical, occupational, speech and mental health therapy and services when needed by children.  Kelly will see if I qualify for all services and will set up therapists to come and visit me in the next 2 weeks.  Mom is excited because she's anxious to get me caught up with 18-month old tasks that will help me in my future.  I think she's right.

Not so happy St. Patrick Day

I was not happy being woken up from my nap to get ready and go to another sibling visit in Amherst.  I wanted to sleep another hour or so.  At least I get to see my brothers today.

Hurricane Nate

... passes through the living room every day, twice a day!  

Look who came for a visit? Grandpa Rick!  I like his beads.

Later Mom and Dad dropped me off at Cookie's house so they could have dinner with friends. I guess they deserve a break and have fun.

Baby moments...

Michelle gave Mom the news that the lady who wanted to claim me did not qualify.  Mom is so relieved!!  I am too.

Ball play

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today Mom and Dad took me to occupational therapy.  Kristen observed the tasks I can do with my hands and compared them to normal 18 month olds.  She said I'm slightly delayed but with the help of my foster parents she thinks I can catch up on my own.  Mom and Dad have some homework on what to work on with me, like stacking blocks, throwing a ball and putting things into a basket.  We all know I'm great at taking things out of the basket!

More fun in the basket

Luv-luv!

A wondering eye

Mom and Dad took me to see a pediatric ophthalmologist this morning.  I appear to have a lazy eye that drifts slightly outward on occasion.  As luck would have it my eye did not want to wonder today so Dr. Marcotty did not see it.  Since Mom says it occurs less than when they first got me, the doctor thinks it's not a big problem yet.  I'm still growing so if it occurs on occasion they don't have to correct it.

Over time it should remain the way it is but more likely get worse. They will need to correct it with glasses and maybe a patch.  I'll have to see the doctor in 6 months.

Children Services update

Michelle notified Mom and Dad that someone who knew my family wants to now claim me.  She isn't a family member or even communicating with my birth parents.  It makes Mom upset because she and Dad went through the proper process and took classes to be licensed in order to foster and adopt.  But Michelle assured Mom that Children Services will pick what is best for me, and right now Michelle thinks I'm at the best place to be.  I think she's right!

Fun in the basket

Mom likes to put me in the basket with some of my toys.  It takes me some time to throw all of my toys out before figuring out how to tip over and get out.  I enjoy myself for a good half hour!

A serious side

 

Mom kept me home again because I was running a slight fever.  She let me play and sleep until I had to go for my first physical therapy session in the afternoon.  Geri said she was happy to see me crawl around and climb up on things, as well as walk around with their fancy walker.  She said I'm only slightly delayed and thinks I'll be able to walk on my own with the help of Mom and Dad's encouragement.  I don't need weekly sessions and will see Geri in a month for a follow-up.  Yay!