Party and Puddles

Oliver turns two on May 1st!! I can't believe my little guy is two, or maybe I can't believe we have made it through two years!! Guess it depends on the day. We had a small party for Oliver on Saturday. John and I were both anticipating the worst as Oliver does not really like a lot of stuff going on. He did end up having seizures at the end of the party and has been having them since. It just reinforces our feelings that from now on his parties will be just the four (soon five) of us. Not that we don't love celebrating with others, but it is Oliver's Birthday and a gift we do not need to give him is a seizure. He was in the ER last week for a quick visit, he has been biting his hands so bad that his hand was swollen twice the size it should have been. We got restraints so he would not be able to bite, yes, he loved them!! We also went to see another of his many docs who is following up with other docs from around the country about Oliver. Apparently some of his genetic tests have rarely or never been seen, so many are interested. They have banked some of his blood to do more tests in the future. This way we don't have to keep going in for random blood draws. There was much more from this doctor, but it would be a short novel if I wrote it all. She does feel we need to see a sleep specialist for Oliver. His sleeping situation continues to worsen. Five out of seven nights he will only sleep for about three hours and not nap the following day. Not sure how he does it really.
After Oliver's party there were some perfect mud puddles. Mine and Adina's favorite thing to do after the rain is jump in puddles of course! Nothing better than getting all muddy and messy. It is also fun to explore after the rain. Adina has been coming with to Oliver's therapy appointments at Gillette Hospital. I like having her there because she sees so many other kids in wheelchairs and their siblings. Today she went up to a little girl and said, "Hey, you have a really neat wheelchair." When we walked away she asked if she could get one like it! She also got to see one of the therapy dogs, Adina LOVES these dogs. Adina's newest career's in the, "When I grow up" game is a duck, teacher, piano player, rhino, piano (yes, the actual instrument), and a french fry maker at McDonald's. I told her whatever makes her little heart happy. That is what life is all about, happiness!!

Oliver finally crashed hard after his seizures. When he has seizures he sleeps like this everywhere. This is right after I changed is outfit, diaper, and fed him. He slept through it all!


YES!! Look at all this mud! We had to pour the water out of her boots after this.


Jump...

Jump..

Love the hair!





Snuggle time with daddy!


Birthday Cakes. Adina helped add the sprinkles. Clearly we are master decorators!


Opening the squeaky toys from Adina.


Adina loves to help her brother.

Spring

It has been a fantastic spring in Minnesota! We have already had many days in the 70's, which is just right. It has been so long since we have posted but I figure that only can mean good news. Oli is doing really well. Still has seizures but he always will. It is just kind of normal to have them every now and then. The big ones are scary, but we have the oxygen and other equipment and meds in the house so we are prepared. Adina knows how to silence the alarms and continues to want to help push his meds (with mommy helping) and is now pouring his food. It is not an everyday thing but when she asks I let her. I think it is very sweet the ways she takes care of Mr. Oliver and he loves her so much.
The nurse has been FANTASTIC!!! She comes twice a week and Adina is now asking when it is her turn to stay with the nurse! It has giving me a chance to do some days with just Adina and take her to do special things. Also, I have a chance to do things that I before took for granted. Like, doing laundry during the day, cleaning while Oliver is still awake, running to the grocery store during the day... things like that.
Adina is three going on 13! We are not always prepared for the attitude that comes with three. The time out corner has been getting good use lately!! It has been great to get outside where she can play with all of her friends and burn off all of that energy! She has decided that when she grows up she will either be a doctor or a turtle. I told her that whatever makes her happy, a mechanic, a teacher, an explorer, or a turtle I guess!
Oliver will start getting Botox injections in his legs at the end of June. It is to help reduce his spastic movements and help him stretch those little legs better. I am happy we are trying this before starting another medication.
The count down is on for baby number three. Adina asks the baby every morning if it is ready to come out yet! We have about 4-5 more weeks to go!!
Happy Spring!

We went roller skating with our church. Oliver took a spin around in his wheels!


Adina skating and falling. She refused any help. She wanted to do it, "all by myself!"



Oliver's new big boy carseat. Took a while for insurance to finally approve this huge thing! He loves it!


Maybe she really can be a turtle. I believe this is where the inspiration of becoming a turtle came from. The children's museum!


Adina's favorite part is the dinosaurs! Daddy apparently was excited too. John is not wearing make-up, Adina painted his face!


My favorite picture of beautiful Oliver.


Adina's first real haircut. She help my hand tight but after they gave her a sucker she wanted another haircut!


Easter! Family pictures are never easy.


Our two bunnies.



Strike a pose!



Painting Easter Eggs.


Very serious business.