end of january
Lewis rediscovered his Elmo piano the other day. It has 3 settings, moving from easiest to most difficult. He has mostly played with it using the easiest setting where he just has to hit one piano key to play a whole song. The hardest setting requires him to "follow the lights" hitting the keys as they light up to play a song. He figured out how to do this, and it absolutely cracked him up at first. Now that he's a pro it's not funny anymore, but we're glad we caught him in this moment.
Also this week we finally got to pick a new speech therapist. We chose a man named John Paul something who has a lot of experience in speech therapy, but also with feeding issues which should help us. We haven't met him yet or even set up our first meeting, but we should see him in the next week or so. We feel good about our decision so far! We're hoping that a man may have a completely different impact on Lewis in the area of speech.
We also had Lewis' hearing screening yesterday and he passed with flying colors. Our boy can hear! We figured he could, but wanted to be sure there wasn't a problem we were missing. Lewis' main passion these days is listening to his Laurie Berkner "Victor Vito" cd. We'll all be relieved when he passes through this phase. It's wearing us out!!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
trying not to freeze
We have been cold the last few days! Really, Lewis does not seem to notice the colder temperatures, but it does give him an opportunity to wear all his cute sweaters. Here he is doing his new favorite activity--putting his shapes in his shape-sorter. He's gotten really good at it.
Here's Lewis with some funky hair earlier this week.
Because Lewis has improved so much with his mobility, his therapist (developmental interventionist) is now working on art skills. He's been exposed to markers, crayons and play dough. He liked the play dough best, and has enjoyed chewing on the markers and crayons. He did actually scribble some with the crayons this afternoon, which is a start! He also scribbled a lot on his face as he tried to sneak the crayons in his mouth.
After coloring, he ate some Cheerios, which he has rejected for over a month. I guess that wax got his palette warmed up for a snack. He ate a ton of Cheerios. Here's a close up.
Our meeting to pick a speech therapist has been rescheduled for Monday. We're looking forward to getting that going again. One more random note--Lewis had a molar come in this week. The other three seem to be trying to break through too. He's been a trooper even though he's been going through some discomfort! Hopefully he'll be eating steak in no time. We won't push our luck!
We have been cold the last few days! Really, Lewis does not seem to notice the colder temperatures, but it does give him an opportunity to wear all his cute sweaters. Here he is doing his new favorite activity--putting his shapes in his shape-sorter. He's gotten really good at it.
Here's Lewis with some funky hair earlier this week.
Because Lewis has improved so much with his mobility, his therapist (developmental interventionist) is now working on art skills. He's been exposed to markers, crayons and play dough. He liked the play dough best, and has enjoyed chewing on the markers and crayons. He did actually scribble some with the crayons this afternoon, which is a start! He also scribbled a lot on his face as he tried to sneak the crayons in his mouth.
After coloring, he ate some Cheerios, which he has rejected for over a month. I guess that wax got his palette warmed up for a snack. He ate a ton of Cheerios. Here's a close up.
Our meeting to pick a speech therapist has been rescheduled for Monday. We're looking forward to getting that going again. One more random note--Lewis had a molar come in this week. The other three seem to be trying to break through too. He's been a trooper even though he's been going through some discomfort! Hopefully he'll be eating steak in no time. We won't push our luck!
Monday, January 21, 2008
not today
Our meeting today to pick a new speech therapist was canceled due to illness by our coordinator. We have not rescheduled yet, but are hoping we can pick someone soon because it's been a month since Lewis had speech therapy. The sooner the better! But it gives us all more time to pray so maybe it's not so bad. We'll keep you posted.
Our meeting today to pick a new speech therapist was canceled due to illness by our coordinator. We have not rescheduled yet, but are hoping we can pick someone soon because it's been a month since Lewis had speech therapy. The sooner the better! But it gives us all more time to pray so maybe it's not so bad. We'll keep you posted.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
bouncing and spinning
It took Lewis a while to really get the hang of his Bounce & Spin Zebra, but he's got it now and really loves it! We took a video this week because the last time his grandparents were here, he was so excited to see them that he wouldn't "perform" by jumping on the zebra. So for your enjoyment and theirs, check out this clip.
Lewis is also eating much better these days. We made another attempt at spoon-feeding him vegetables and he is willing to eat them once again. We would LOVE for him to make more attempts at self-feeding, but at this point will take what we can get. This way we at least know he is getting some nutrients (though he's not eating the meat and beans he once did). He is also not starving, which helps his sleeping and digestive system. :)
At the suggestion of his pediatrician, we are picking a new speech-therapist on Monday. Lewis is happy to roar like a lion, but that is his only sound these days and we are hoping for something more for him. We often wake to his growling on the monitor, which is kind of scary! We're hoping for the more pleasant "mama" or "dada." Pray for this meeting with our First Steps coordinator. We have a couple of names (suggestions), but basically will be given sheets describing 10-15 therapists (similar to resumes) and have to make a choice without meeting anyone. It's hard! It will take a special person to motivate Lewis in the area of communication so please pray that Justin and I will have wisdom to make this choice well.
It took Lewis a while to really get the hang of his Bounce & Spin Zebra, but he's got it now and really loves it! We took a video this week because the last time his grandparents were here, he was so excited to see them that he wouldn't "perform" by jumping on the zebra. So for your enjoyment and theirs, check out this clip.
Lewis is also eating much better these days. We made another attempt at spoon-feeding him vegetables and he is willing to eat them once again. We would LOVE for him to make more attempts at self-feeding, but at this point will take what we can get. This way we at least know he is getting some nutrients (though he's not eating the meat and beans he once did). He is also not starving, which helps his sleeping and digestive system. :)
At the suggestion of his pediatrician, we are picking a new speech-therapist on Monday. Lewis is happy to roar like a lion, but that is his only sound these days and we are hoping for something more for him. We often wake to his growling on the monitor, which is kind of scary! We're hoping for the more pleasant "mama" or "dada." Pray for this meeting with our First Steps coordinator. We have a couple of names (suggestions), but basically will be given sheets describing 10-15 therapists (similar to resumes) and have to make a choice without meeting anyone. It's hard! It will take a special person to motivate Lewis in the area of communication so please pray that Justin and I will have wisdom to make this choice well.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
18 months
Lewis had his 18 month check-up on Monday. His current stats are:
Height: 32"
Weight: 25 lbs.
Head: large (don't remember the measurement)
He's slightly below average for height and weight, but his head remains in the very large category.
On the same day, my friend Natasha came back through town on her tour of America. She and Lewis spent some special time together Monday evening so that Justin and I could do the same. Thanks, Natasha!! On Tuesday, Lewis, Natasha and I spent some time shopping, and stopped in for lunch at Spencer's before heading for Nashville--the next stop on Natasha's travel schedule. It was great to have some extra time with her before she heads back to Belarus.
Lewis had his 18 month check-up on Monday. His current stats are:
Height: 32"
Weight: 25 lbs.
Head: large (don't remember the measurement)
He's slightly below average for height and weight, but his head remains in the very large category.
On the same day, my friend Natasha came back through town on her tour of America. She and Lewis spent some special time together Monday evening so that Justin and I could do the same. Thanks, Natasha!! On Tuesday, Lewis, Natasha and I spent some time shopping, and stopped in for lunch at Spencer's before heading for Nashville--the next stop on Natasha's travel schedule. It was great to have some extra time with her before she heads back to Belarus.
Friday, January 04, 2008
pregnancy update: 14 weeks
Today was my 14-week check-up, which means I'm in my second trimester, yay! Everything went fine. The baby's heart rate is still high at 174. At 9 weeks, the heart rate was 183 (I'm pretty sure). Lewis' earliest heart rate was 173 (at 10 weeks), so maybe this will be a girl? We'll have to wait 6 weeks for our next ultrasound to know for sure. My doctor likes to do them at 20 weeks, so I'll have another check-up at 18 weeks and then a separate ultrasound appointment two weeks later. It might be better that way!
Otherwise, everything is going well. He measured my belly and said I'm right where I should be, and could definitely tell my uterus is growing. My clothes are telling me the same thing!
In other news, Lewis has been eating a little better. He has gone back to yogurt and fruit most days, letting us feed him again, though breakfast has consistently been graham crackers. Who wants to fight with a cute boy early in the morning about food?! He's also eating chicken at night, most nights, and even had some chili earlier this week when Justin got brave. He had part of a ham and cheese sandwich today. It all gives us hope that he'll continue to progress in this area.
Speech-wise Lewis is verbalizing less than ever, so I'm not sure what to think about that. Again, it may just be a phase. He seems to talk most after a good meal, so the eating issues may be affecting his speech too. Hopefully if his eating improves he'll vocalize more too.
We're looking forward to warmer temperatures and longer days! :)
Today was my 14-week check-up, which means I'm in my second trimester, yay! Everything went fine. The baby's heart rate is still high at 174. At 9 weeks, the heart rate was 183 (I'm pretty sure). Lewis' earliest heart rate was 173 (at 10 weeks), so maybe this will be a girl? We'll have to wait 6 weeks for our next ultrasound to know for sure. My doctor likes to do them at 20 weeks, so I'll have another check-up at 18 weeks and then a separate ultrasound appointment two weeks later. It might be better that way!
Otherwise, everything is going well. He measured my belly and said I'm right where I should be, and could definitely tell my uterus is growing. My clothes are telling me the same thing!
In other news, Lewis has been eating a little better. He has gone back to yogurt and fruit most days, letting us feed him again, though breakfast has consistently been graham crackers. Who wants to fight with a cute boy early in the morning about food?! He's also eating chicken at night, most nights, and even had some chili earlier this week when Justin got brave. He had part of a ham and cheese sandwich today. It all gives us hope that he'll continue to progress in this area.
Speech-wise Lewis is verbalizing less than ever, so I'm not sure what to think about that. Again, it may just be a phase. He seems to talk most after a good meal, so the eating issues may be affecting his speech too. Hopefully if his eating improves he'll vocalize more too.
We're looking forward to warmer temperatures and longer days! :)
Thursday, January 03, 2008
new year's Belarussian style
A couple of my good friends from Belarus have been visiting the U.S. the last few weeks, and it has been fun to see them and catch up after our long separation. Because they were visiting, Justin and I spent New Year's Eve apart (he had to work the next morning at 7 a.m.!) so that I could attend the Belarussian celebration in Lexington. Several American friends have married spouses from Belarus and most of them live in the Lexington area, so it was fun to be with this crowd to ring in the new year.
The tradition in Belarus is to eat a big meal around midnight and basically stay up until 6 a.m. celebrating. This group only made it until about 2:30 which was pushing it for me! Due to the craziness of all this, Lewis spent the holiday with his Aunt Ellen, for which we were really grateful!
Here are some pictures:
Andrei Golubev holding Lewis at my dad's house in Louisville. Andrei stayed with dad and Martha for a few days before Christmas.
Dad and Lewis playing a new game.
Lewis and I; Natasha Rybinskaya; Val, Heather & Annabella Morozov; & Tasha Caruthers at our house in Bowling Green last week.
Me, Tasha and Natasha having an interesting New Year's Eve dinner at Nagasaki Japanese Grill in Lexington.
Our blurry group photo (not sure what happened here, but I'm hoping someone has a better one that can replace this one!) Front row: Yura Metelsky holding Val Jr., Val Morozov, Tasha Caruthers and Andrei Golubev. Back row: Natasha R., Heather and Annabella, Lovell and Vera Fouchee (our hosts) and Lovell's mom.
A couple of my good friends from Belarus have been visiting the U.S. the last few weeks, and it has been fun to see them and catch up after our long separation. Because they were visiting, Justin and I spent New Year's Eve apart (he had to work the next morning at 7 a.m.!) so that I could attend the Belarussian celebration in Lexington. Several American friends have married spouses from Belarus and most of them live in the Lexington area, so it was fun to be with this crowd to ring in the new year.
The tradition in Belarus is to eat a big meal around midnight and basically stay up until 6 a.m. celebrating. This group only made it until about 2:30 which was pushing it for me! Due to the craziness of all this, Lewis spent the holiday with his Aunt Ellen, for which we were really grateful!
Here are some pictures:
Andrei Golubev holding Lewis at my dad's house in Louisville. Andrei stayed with dad and Martha for a few days before Christmas.
Dad and Lewis playing a new game.
Lewis and I; Natasha Rybinskaya; Val, Heather & Annabella Morozov; & Tasha Caruthers at our house in Bowling Green last week.
Me, Tasha and Natasha having an interesting New Year's Eve dinner at Nagasaki Japanese Grill in Lexington.
Our blurry group photo (not sure what happened here, but I'm hoping someone has a better one that can replace this one!) Front row: Yura Metelsky holding Val Jr., Val Morozov, Tasha Caruthers and Andrei Golubev. Back row: Natasha R., Heather and Annabella, Lovell and Vera Fouchee (our hosts) and Lovell's mom.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Christmas pics
We enjoyed Christmas this year, although Lewis and I were both fighting off infections which made things a little less fun than usual! Lewis did not get into opening gifts, but sure enjoyed the gifts once they were no longer hidden behind that boring paper.
He also learned to climb stairs at his grandparents' house and got lots of practice since we were visiting plenty of people with stairs over the last couple of weeks. He really loves climbing stairs.
Here's Lewis with his grandpa in Shepherdsville. He loves this ball!
Here is Lewis at the Reitmeyers' celebration, sitting in a sea of unwrapped gifts.
Aunt Ellen read Lewis his new book about Elmo.
Along with the holiday cheer and our illnesses, Lewis also has developed some food issues. He would be happy on an all-liquid diet. Besides pretzels, there are few things he will eat consistently, and most of those foods have no real nutritional value. We keep putting a nice array of options before him, but most of it hits the floor (which is not so fun), and he is becoming more independent, not wanting to be fed like a baby, and yet not able to use a spoon himself. All of this adds to the fun of parenting these days. We're just grateful for Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise which helps him get fruit and vegetable servings each day. Fun times! :)
We enjoyed Christmas this year, although Lewis and I were both fighting off infections which made things a little less fun than usual! Lewis did not get into opening gifts, but sure enjoyed the gifts once they were no longer hidden behind that boring paper.
He also learned to climb stairs at his grandparents' house and got lots of practice since we were visiting plenty of people with stairs over the last couple of weeks. He really loves climbing stairs.
Here's Lewis with his grandpa in Shepherdsville. He loves this ball!
Here is Lewis at the Reitmeyers' celebration, sitting in a sea of unwrapped gifts.
Aunt Ellen read Lewis his new book about Elmo.
Along with the holiday cheer and our illnesses, Lewis also has developed some food issues. He would be happy on an all-liquid diet. Besides pretzels, there are few things he will eat consistently, and most of those foods have no real nutritional value. We keep putting a nice array of options before him, but most of it hits the floor (which is not so fun), and he is becoming more independent, not wanting to be fed like a baby, and yet not able to use a spoon himself. All of this adds to the fun of parenting these days. We're just grateful for Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise which helps him get fruit and vegetable servings each day. Fun times! :)
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