Ahh the beach

So after a month of asking Jhonny to bring the camera home from school so I could upload, I finally got it out of his hands. September 25, 2014 we took a spontaneous family trip to Houston to celebrate my dad's retirement from 19 years of working at the LDS Welfare Peanut Butter Cannery. Since that took place on Wednesday and my parents were leaving for Omaha a few short weeks later, we decided to stay a while and take that trip to the beach we missed in July when Gavin broke his arm. The weather was perfect for the beach! Not too hot, not too cold and not too many people to trigger my claustrophobia. A fun, relaxing, exhausting day was had by all.

 Galveston, oh Galveston, here we come!

 This look kind of says it all!

 The kids had a glorious time at the beach. For most of them it's the first time they have been to one that they can remember. I can't believe we've deprived them all this time. Just seems like yesterday we were living in Venezuela right on the beach. Oh. . . well I guess they have been deprived. Pobrecitos.

 It was difficult to keep Ammon from eating sand. By the way he just turned 16 months the week of this trip!

 The kids joined in with another family's sand castle fun.

 I think Lily felt a little free after a while. We stayed for a few hours soaking in the sand, sea and sun.

 This is the life - taking a nap in mommy's lap on the beach!

 Playing with daddy in the water! We were offline all afternoon!! Yippee!

 Like father like son...

My first and last babies

 Looking for crabs in the sand

 Freedom!

 

 Me and my baby!

Me and the kids! Lily is letting us know how she liked the beach.

 

 The Strand

 Souveniers

 The Museum of Fine Art - free Thursdays. After this pic, I told Jhonny it's probably illegal to take pics in the museum.

 Saying goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa. Happy retirement to Dad. Farewell! and off to Omaha they go!

Mr. Beardy, our bearded dragon who hangs out at our house and at Jhonny's classroom. I guess he missed us while we were gone.

My summer pics finally came in the mail. . .

Ammon is 17 months!

 Ha ha! I climbed up here all by myself!

Tomorrow that is. . .
He has made some progress! These past few weeks, Ammon has attempted standing up by himself in the middle of the room unassisted. Then he usually takes 1-3 steps and falls back down. He also likes climbing up on his little play table and has learned to get back down after bumping his head a couple of times. He has also learned to climb down the stairs. But because he is so small, I keep worrying he will loose balance and tumble down them. yikes.

He is making more babbling noises. Nothing real substantial yet, but kind of sounds like "hi", "yes", "Jessica", "I did it" and "all done." He says them in a way that you wonder if he is really saying something or not. He seems to be understanding more too. He is pointing to his picture when we ask to point to the baby or Ammon. I'm hoping he understands his own name. It's hard to tell.
He's getting more vocal in one area for sure - every time he has a bowel movement. He screams and/or cries like he's giving birth. It doesn't matter if it's soft or hard. It hurts him. It breaks my heart to watch him go through it. I don't know what is up with his digestive track, but it's certainly not normal. However, he's already had a GI scan and it did come back normal when he was a baby. So I attribute it to diet? Just what exactly? I don't know.
So the last week in September we got in to see a Neurologist. He ordered two DNA tests and an MRI. The MRI and one DNA test came back normal. The last test is a Chromosome analysis. I think this is the only test that would be able to pick up Mosaic Down Syndrome, which is what I suspect he might have. The last I checked it was undergoing dialogue between doctors. So, the jury is still out on that one. I'm nervous about the news. I would love some answers. If it comes back normal too, then I'm back to ground zero and I've run out of resources for figuring it out.
Some people don't think there is anything wrong with him. If you are just around him, he seems normal. But when he is around his peers, it's so obvious he is behind. If it is MDS, then that would explain his low muscle tone which would explain a whole lot about him inside and out, but again - I don't know.
I just got called into the nursery. So I've taken Ammon with me. Today, we went for a walk around the church. I had to carry him of course because he can't walk yet. The rest of the kids were pretty competent in this area. And more than one are just starting nursery. He is eligible in one month. They've all been doing this walking thing for a while. *sigh* Not that I care that he is behind. It's just frustrating to see that and have no explanation and then have people tell me nothing is wrong with him. Really? It would be so much easier to say - he's got "_____" so give him a little time to catch up, please.
Besides being behind though, he is such a happy boy and brings us so much joy. He is kind of laid back and takes most things in stride. I absolutely love him. Sometimes, he climbs in my lap and lays his head on my arm or lap or chest and smiles at me kind of dreamy like. I know he loves me and I love him right back. I wouldn't trade him or what he is like for the world. I would just like to know if I'm seeing things that are really there or if I'm making it up.
I finally got his 1 yr old pics in the mail! So cute!

41 isn't much different than 40

We could have just gone on this year without celebrating really. .  but I kind of really like my birthday. Call me weird.
Jhonny left Wednesday night for St. Louis. Thursday I was praying I would survive the day. I managed to get all the kids to school on time. That meant 4 different stops. Then I left work early to get Gavin and take Lily to dance lessons, picked up Ammon, went back for Lily. Then we rushed home for a quick meal and I decided the kids better get bathed then. Then it was back in the car to see Jessica at school in her concert. We were there for 15 minutes before rushing to Gattis for the Dual Language social, then back to CD Fulkes to get Jessica (she couldn't leave early). That's when she reminded me she had dance lessons. Ugh! I had forgotten! I rushed her over there and then headed home wondering what to do next. I called my neighbor and they lent me their son. So I put the kids to bed and left to get Jessica. I thought we were done. That's when she informed me she had homework. We were up til 10:30 doing that. To wind down, I watched a show and went to bed by midnight.
Then we got up early to get the kids all to school on time again. I had an early morning meeting, so I couldn't let it slide and come in a little late. When I saw the birthday cake in my suitemate's office, I actually teared up a little on my way to that meeting. My other suitemate brought brownies. They gave me a birthday card. I felt the love! So sweet.
I left work early again and picked up all the kids. When I picked up Jessica from the Mabey's, Betsy asked how it was going and I shared with her the update so far. She offered us a frozen lasagna for dinner. Woohoo! That was just what I needed.
After dropping the kids off and getting the lasagna started at home, I went to the store for a few items like milk and icecream. Then my alarm went off reminding me Jessica had girl scouts. Oh no! I took her over there and begged for someone to bring her home. Everyone was so helpful.
The rest of the kids and I watched Epic and ate ice cream. It was the perfect movie to share with my little guys!
The next morning, Gavin and I braved the COLD wind at his soccer game at 8:30am. We came back home and I didn't leave the house again, but I had plenty to do around here at home. Around 5, my friend came over with her daughter and we had a little informal birthday celebration. She took me online shopping for my birthday with her rewards points from work. She was quite generous with those. I should be getting my present in the mail sometime this week. Wow. I felt pretty special.
This morning I woke up earlier than I wanted to. I was kind of sad that Jhonny wasn't home and that he'd missed the past three days. We had breakfast - Lily made the waffles! She was pretty proud of herself. As I was cleaning up and getting dinner ready for after church, Jhonny walked in the door.
He brought some fudge from the arch. Happy birthday to me!
It's been a rough week, but I'm grateful for thoughtful friends and neighbors who've made it a little better.

My boys

 Gavin's first soccer game. We were just coming to support the team. Due to a miscalculation in days, he missed the last practice where they handed out the uniforms. However, despite the doctor's orders, Gavin swapped shirts with a fellow team mate and jumped in the game to play a little. I got there after the fact, but figured it couldn't be worse than his normal horse play.
I can't keep this kid grounded if I tried. On Wednesday, I brought him back to school and he was scowling and grumbling about how boring school would be because the doctor said to keep both feet on the ground. He couldn't imagine recess without climbing. The principal got a hoot out of his dramatics and long face. Good thing everyone has a sense of humor. Now for trying to keep this kid from reinjuring himself. . .



In other news, my boy Ammon is progressing nicely with his ECI therapy. He is crawling very nicely and standing up correctly. Today he even stood on his own for up to 6 seconds. I caught him here in mid stance. His drop to the floor was almost controlled. Good boy!!

Jammin Ammon on the recorder!



First day of school 2013

 Lily's teacher makes a visit. (Her teacher is Mr. Marcano)

 Lily ready for 2nd grade!

 Kids are ready to go!

 My boys.

 Gavin and Lily getting their ride with Daddy to school.

 Jessica and Ammon going with Mom to school and daycare.

 My little second grader! Looking forward to hanging with her BFF's.

 First day of Kindergarten! He was so nervous and anxious about having a broken arm and making new friends. He came home and reported. "It turns out Cambrie and I are not so shy." Cambrie is the Bishop's daughter that is in his class. Her mom was worried she would have a hard time adjusting as well. They both did great! His only complaint? Recess was too short and he didn't get to play with the blocks.

 My kiss! Love this boy. Last year, as I dropped him off at Ms. V and Ms. D's, he and I would exchange blown kisses every morning. Sometimes it took two or three before he would make his way inside.

 Jessica is ready for Middle School. She was nervous about finding all her classes on time. No need to worry - she has her schedule down and memorized now and loving life as a 6th grader so far. She likes all her teachers and is making new friends.

Feeling a bit nervous as dad drops him off in the cafeteria. I'm wondering where that pic behind the desk is at, but I guess this will do.