Our house

Our house is very structured.  But it's still a struggle.  We get up at 6:00 - 6:30 am.   We all get dressed and go down stairs for a little Daddy time before he goes to work.  Then it's off to McDonald's to pick up some breakfast.    After two weeks of cooking breakfast at home with no progress I broke down and started taking them to the drive-thru.  I figure it can't hurt to get them out some especially since we are fixing to go on a 5 month lock down at home.  It takes at least an hour to an hour and a half to feed Braden.  So we usually don't get up from the table till 9-9:30.  On therapy days I usually have to tube feed Braden.  Which really stinks because I would like him to be able to eat by mouth if at all possible.  I do get him to eat some just not as much and tube the rest to stay on schedule.  Therapy days are usually on Wed. and Thursday which means getting out of the house by 8:30-9.  Then we will stop at the Sonic after therapy.  Tube feed B before school and then take him to school at 11.  After we drop B off I usually take Grayson to the store to pick up whatever we need for dinner that nite.  Then we go home clean eat lunch and then back to school for 1:30 to pick up Braden.  After Braden gets home he has to be fed lunch.  So I feed him and then put him down for a nap.  Which can be 2 to 3 hours depending how tired he is.... Grayson either cat naps in the car to and from our destinations or occasionally naps with his brother.  Those days are few but awesome.  :-)  While Braden naps I usually spend time with Grayson and do laundry.  Braden gets up from his nap usually around 5.  We talk about his day and then I let him and his brother play while I make dinner.   Or depending on Stephen's schedule I may give the boys their baths and put their PJ's on and then make dinner.  It's one or the reverse depending on his schedule.  That way dinner doesn't get cold but the boys are still able to go to bed on time.  If Stephen works late then I usually feed the kids before he gets home.  They don't generally eat what we eat because neither can chew meat right now and neither like salad or mashed potatoes.  That's right they won't eat mashed potatoes. :-(  But my sister's kids don't like them either so at least they aren't the only one's.  Both boys usually are in bed by 8.  Grayson sometimes go to bed earlier and Braden at the latest 8:30 pm.  On taekwondo nites they both go to bed around 8-8:30 and I usually cook something like tacos.  Quick and easy. :-)  After dinner the boys usually spend time with Stephen before they go to bed.   Both boys still go to bed fairly easily. After the boys go to bed I clean the kitchen and try to spend at least an hour with Stephen then go to sleep around 10-10:30 depending on what else I may need to get done.

 Braden is now in a regular twin size bed and he absolutely loves it and does great sleeping in it.  He loves to be a big boy.  He is helping brush his teeth and dressing himself more and more.  I really think the routines app for Ipad has made him much more interested in doing those task himself. :-)  I love things that assist in motivating him to do for himself.  Grayson has times where he will scream for long periods of time if he is not ready to go to bed.  So I make sure he is ready before putting him in his crib.   He really does have a mean streak in him but overall he is a sweetheart.  He plays independently very well and usually behaves.  He isn't a big fan of going to the store and I usually have to run in grab what I need and go.  But that's really not a bad thing since I don't really need to expose him to too many germs. 

Just one more month till Nov 1st lock down.  I am so sad as the boys are going to hate being home all the time.  I will really have to work hard to do a nice preschool type schedule at home and hopefully work on some areas of development that just can't be done when we are on a tight schedule with Braden's school and therapy.  In home will be much easier for working on Braden's eating skills as we will not have the time constraints that we do now.  1200 calories before bed is a short window when you factor in his schedule, being on the road, his long naps and length of time needed to eat a decent amount.  No one knows that struggle unless you live in it daily.  Even a parent whose child doesn't like to eat but a few foods (Grayson being one of those) cannot understand the struggles with feeding a child who has been vented and tubed and robbed of his natural ability to eat.  He has lost precious time for his oral motor skills and those windows that open the door for speech.  My Mom always wishes that she had the books we have today on parenting.  Well I'd like to say that although I appreciate and find helpful some of those books they don't have all the answers.  No two kids are alike and regardless of therapy and educating yourself on techniques to move your kids forward (preemie or typical) alot of the moving forward depends on the child.  If they aren't willing it will hold them back.  Bottom line if I have to feed Braden in front of the TV to get him to eat I'm doing it.  Some people will say old habits won't be broken.  Phooey people... the only habits that can't be changed are the one's you aren't willing to change.  If  Super Nanny can come in and change an entire family in two weeks than it can be done. 

Walden Farms

This is last years pic and one we took yesterday at Walden farms.  These boys have grown soooo much. :-)

This weekend was so much fun.  We took the boys to Walden Farms.  It was really nice to let them run around and have plenty of help.  Pop John and Nana went with us. :-)

Our boys and their weekend....

We had a really fun weekend even though we just stayed home for the most part.  We went down to the neighborhood park for the first time.  Not really toddler friendly as it has too large of steps and concrete surrounding the play area.  Grayson pretty much smashed his face on the concrete about 10 minutes in so we had to leave. :-(  He is a tough little guy though he barely cried and wanted to keep on going.  We will have to go to the other park from now on. 

Stephen showed Braden how to play in the leaves.  That was cute and I posted a video.  I also posted a video of the boys with Stephen playing on the slide.   The boys do pretty well with taking turns.  We are so proud of them.  Stephen plays with them in Braden's room jumping off the box spring.  Grayson will laugh hysterically everytime.  Braden is the cautious one who will watch his brother and then get a little braver each time.  It's so cute to watch them together.  So nice to see them finally starting to play and fight with one another. 

Quick update

Hello all... Braden has some exciting news to share.  For the first time during therapy not at home.  Braden said "Hi" to a little girl. :-)  His PT and a speech therapist near him both heard him say the word out of his mouth.  He hasn't said it again but hopefully will soon.  Just the fact that he was able to say a word at all is surreal.  We are sooooo excited for him. 

Tonite we have a parent teacher conference.  Hopefully, that will go well and we are working on NO TV in the afternoons.  We have planned activities. :-)  So far it is working pretty well. 

Grayson is doing great and actually ate bananas with his hands yesterday and today.  He is eating so much better.  Braden has been drinking lots of water.  So I am excited that he is interested in drinking again despite being tube fed.  His eating is off and on good and not so great.  But at least he eats something every day even if it's not large amounts.  Next will be trying regular cups for Braden. 


Well gotta go since I am breaking rules by being on the computer. lol  Gotta set a good example for these boys. :-)

Exciting new things....

Well I have to say Braden is really doing well.  We started him on Singuliar which seems to be helping him with his drainage.  I was worried at first but so far so good.  He has been eating really well.  He has even learned to use a fork.  I have to help him with getting the food on the fork but he takes it and will put in his mouth.  That is huge for him.  So exciting and even though he prefers to be fed by me it's still a big step.  He has also moved into a variety of flavors instead of only eating one food at a time.  He is enjoying choices at meal time and that is also a huge step forward.  I really think watching the little girls at preschool has had an impact on him.  :-)  At this last ped visit Braden weighed in at 30 lbs.  Wow!!! I am so thrilled and he has also grown in height to 37".  He can reach things I don't want him too. lol  But that's ok.  He is also using his signs and we have gone away from trying to use pictures.  We are so thankful he is open to communicating now and making more of an effort.  Now we will have to learn additional signs so that we can keep up with him. :-)

Grayson is now 21 lbs and 31 ".  He is into everything and loves to climb into, onto, over and under everything. lol  He is very curious and such an explorer.  He loves the outdoors and is over all so much fun.  He is a big breakfast eater and the Pediatrician said not to worry about his lack of variety but make sure he doesn't drink too much milk.  So he is doing well.  I'm just glad he is eating and feeding himself.  I was really getting worried.  We are also working on teaching Grayson sign language.  It will help his IQ according to research and it will also let him communicate with Braden.  :-) 

I am posting a video of Braden eating with a fork and pics of the boys playing with their new pirate ship water table.  They love it.