Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Falling Down & Up Again

As Nash tries walking more he falls a lot more... This is hard for me to watch my child fall again and again. Cry, get frustrated, a few bruises, and then crawls over to an object to stand up and try again.

I found myself standing at a distance with tears in my eyes at least three times yesterday. It just hurts my heart so much to see him trying sooo hard and his body fails him... I then say.. "Great job walking Nash... Get up and walk more. You can do it!" He looks at me and off to find a object to help him stand. Then I shed more tears, because of his determination. He could just sit there, but he doesn't, he wants to walk. It amazes me and inspires me. I think of this is just one of many ways his body has and will fail him and I am SOOOO thankful that God gave Nash the personality, spirit, and determination to get up and keep trying.

Also thank God for knee pads... which as covered in mud from being outside. Nash is exploring the yard! He loves to be outside. He has been going to the door and saying.. "Outside.' More like "ouhside."

Got to run... The boy ate lots of veggies off the grill last night and I smell they have worked their way through... Fun fun!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Our WI Vacation!

Nash and I went on a vacation with my family. Nate had to work, because he is hunting in South Dakota with his father this weekend. We miss him since it has been a week since we saw him!

My parents and siblings have not been on a vacation together since the summer of 2001 in Texas, so it was great to get together again. We were in WI Dells, which in only three hours away from our house. Perfect ride for Nash!

We skiied one day. Mom skiied for the first time in her life at 50 years old. The day before she turned 51. She did great! Jordanne's first time skiing too. My second. Evan was like a pro... Turning circles and going down the bunny hill backwards. Still the dare devil of the family. Jordanne's boyfriend Nick was pretty good too! Evan brought Emily... The girl he is dating and it was her first ski trip. So some beginners and pros... What was neat about it was we had the entire place to ourselves. It was on a Tuesday so nobody was there. We LOVED it! Nash and Dad (Gpa) hung out in the ski lodge. After checking out the entire place ten times over he passed out on gpa (picture below).

Our hotel had an indoor water park which Nash LOVED! Also had a hot-tub in our room, which we had a hard time keeping Nash out of. He spent hours each day in the water and loved every minute of it. We also went to the hotel arcade one night to play games. Nash thought that was pretty neat with all the lights and music. He became VERY hyper and giggled non-stop. Cracked us all up.

It was good to get away. Feel alive again. Breath fresh air. Overall I think my family had a good time. Relaxing with a little adventure. Since we have been home Nash has been having hot-tub and grandparent withdrawals. He is looking for a hot-tub and asking for gpa and gma!

Well, I need to run... I hear him getting into trouble upstairs!
Jayme

Friday, March 13, 2009

Sleeping with Gpa

They are off Skiing and Gpa and I are sleeping!! Maybe some day I will ski, but for now this feels nice!! I have to catch up on my zzzz's so I can play in the hot tub!

Cake in the Hot Tub

Eating Evan's B-day cake in the Hot Tub!! This is the life!! We need to vacation more often!

Jamming!!

Listening to My Headphones on Vacation to WI! Part of my therapy! I love these songs!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

March is in like a Lamb!

So far March has been great! We spent several hours outside this past week. Nash had a BLAST! I took his walker outside and set him down in the driveway... He looked up at me like... "Seriously mommy I can just go?" I said, "Go go go!!" His face lit up and eyes sparkled. Giggled and took off! It was no time before he was playing in the mud! Which I totally didn't care! I wanted to join him, but thought raking would get me further on my chores. I figure I have a few more Spring days to play in the mud with Nash... Which I do tend to do... Of course I am a farm girl, playing in the mud is AWESOME!

Friday... When Daddy was off work we headed down to one of the farms... Call it Buzzy's farm.. Named after the guy Nate's dad bought it from... Anyway that is one of the place Nate hunts. We were shed hunting... For those of you who don't know... Shed hunting is.... Buck Deer lose their racks each year and Nate loves looking for them. We spent a couple hours wondering around and walking in the mud. Nate and Nash found one!! Their first ever shed found together. Nate took Nash out of the hiking backpack and asked Nash what it was and he said "Buck Deer." Nate was THRILLED! They have been practicing that for some time now!

It was great to get out and breath some fresh air. It has been raining the last couple days and the small creeks around us are flooding... Scary thinking it is looking like last spring. I hope and pray it does not flood downtown CR and surrounding areas again.

Nash had 8 appointments last week... BUSY week! One of these appointments was the doctor. Nash weighed in at 24 lbs. Gained 2 lbs in the last month and a half. Awesome! He is in the 3% range for weight, 20% range for height, and 10% for head size. So those 2 lbs helped him get on the term child chart!!

Dr Nau was impressed with Nash's development. In six months Nash went from only 8 words to around 100 to 200 words. He is taking steps and is getting much better with balance. It is just sooooo exciting to watch him. He says ABC's, counts to 15, and knows his colors, and shapes. His favorite colors are yellow and purple. Nate is wanting it to be camo, but has not convinced Nash at this point. He loves ovals, stars, and rectangles. He has trouble saying more then one letter or number at a time so is getting three to five in a row and needs me to say one and then says a few more. We used to say every other letter or number, but it is getting better.

Nash does have Acid Reflex back and is on medication again for that, which I think is so far helping. His leg mobilizer and foot brace is going better at night. He is making it to mornings. And has been able to roll over a couple times on his own. (You see he is having trouble rolling with the braces on).

He is doing a great job working on self feeding with a spoon. He almost did an entire meal without assistance. We have been working on this for what seems like forever, so it is sooo great that he is finally getting it. His wrist are what causes him the problems. He still shakes pretty bad at first, but after a few bites he gains more control and gets the food to him mouth. Scooping is still tough, but there is no doubt in our minds that soon he will get that concept too!

For now we have decided against the medication to help loosen his leg muscles. Dr Nau said the results we not much compared to the side affects. We don't want to harm him and he is making great progress so we will keep on the path of PT, OT, Massage, Chiropractor, warm baths, leg braces, vestibular brushing and listening, and practice practice practice. His hard work is paying off! Which brings tears of joy to my eyes...

Dr Nau did feel this summer was the right time for Nash to have his eye surgeries. He however wants him to be in a hospital, because he does not trust Nash's lungs... Since he heard him squeaking when crying and breathing hard when walking and moving a lot. I would have to agree. I get nervous enough with surgery... Having a medical team nearby would make me feel a little better.

Nash made another break through today... Made it through nursery without crying for mom. It was great! I heard the entire sermon! It was a sermon I needed to hear.

Well, I better get packing... Nash and I are going with my family to WI Dells tomorrow. We are excited to go on vacation. We are going skiing while dad baby-sits Nash... Could be interesting. Dad is not big on poopie diapers and Nash poops with the best of them. They'll be fine together. Mom is excited to take Nash to the indoor water park in our hotel. I bet Nash will LOVE it. He loves water and asks about the Hot Tub every day! I am looking forward to getting away.

I hope to post pics when we return!
Love
Jayme+