July 2012

I can't believe there is only a week left in July! This month has flown by faster than others. We had Drew and Michelle Jordan and their kiddos come visit, we all got sick, both cars broke down, Mario went to Houston for a few days for work, and of course the regular work, school, etc. It has been busy!
I'll start with Drew and Michelle's visit. They drove down Saturday and we went to check out Central Market. I've been told by multiple people to go, that its a must do. But when you look into it, its a grocery store. So I had my doubts. It was pretty cool though. It is a grocery store, like whole foods, with a panera-like cafe that opens onto an outdoor stage and patio. They have live music and it backs up to a park with a playscape and open area. We enjoyed the music and the kids loved the playscape. Aaron became the king of the playground with all these kids following him around. Little Mario tried to keep up, but he's just not ready for 3-5 year olds! He was almost waking at the time, so he just walked around and around the play equipment.
On Saturday we went to Barton Springs, Zilker park, and a Nature Park. The Nature park had all kinds of animals that were rescued or taken from people who got them as pets without realizing that wild animals don't make good pets. They also had a dino dig area where the kids could dig out dino bones from sand. Apparently when developing downtown Austin they found a couple of mammoths and prehistoric animals. The had a whole display with pictures on what they found and when. It was really neat. We hit up Chuy's, a really good mexican restaurant. Then we ventured to Barton Springs. This is a natural spring, creek that they turned into a swimming pool. The bottom is all natural, with moss and stones, etc. The water is 68 degrees year round. Of course the kids loved it, even Lil M. Mario and I, not being big swimmers, etc were ready after getting in. :) The kids were swimming and shaking with blue lips, but not ready to go. Everyone was pretty wiped after that so we headed back to our place for naps etc. Then we went to a local taco place. It was very good and unique.
We had a great time and look forward to them coming to visit again!

 Watching the kids dance at Central Market

 Mario and Aaron looking at turtles

 Walking through the Nature Center

 The Jordan's

 The Pereira's

 At Chuy's

 Digging for dino bones

Swimming at Barton Creek

July 4th

So this is a little late, but better late than never. We had a pretty low key fourth this year. Mario had to work and little Man was not in the best mood so we didn't venture out until after 7pm. We drove over to Round Rock to watch their city fireworks. The line to get into the park was over a mile long, so we decided to drive by the park instead and if it was packed we would just go home. When we made it to the park entrance there was 2 lanes to turn into the park, but the huge line was only funneling into one of them, so we buzzed into the second line and went right in. We had our pick of spots and only had to wait 45 minutes for the show. Little Mario loved the fireworks! He watched them quietly, lost interest every once in a while. But when you pointed them out, he watched again. It was a fun time and nice to get outside. Little Mario and I explored a little. He found a rock and was content to just sit on it and talk. He would stand up and walk around it, but always kept a hand on it and would sit right back down on it. He wasn't quite walking in open space a lot then, but he ventured out on his own by crawling on his hands and feet. I think it was a successful Fourth of July.

 Hanging out before the show

 Chilling with Dad

 "Crawling"

 Walking

"Dad, the fireworks are over there."

First Week in school

So we have finished our first week in school full time. I don't know why, but going full time was a harder transition than starting part time. I think it is because I knew he would be home the next day with one of us. But now, he is going all week. I really like the school he is in and they have good records for having kids prepared for kindergarden. I have learned that I am a mom that needs coddled. I need you come talk to me when I pick him  up, I need to hear how he did and what he did, not just a check mark on a form, and I don't feel that I get that here. I think it is because part of me still sees him as my sick little boy, but here none knows the sick baby. He has been healthy and has minimal limitations, so they don't see him the same way. He will probably be thirty, married with kids and I will still see him as needing special care. Look out future daughter in law! :) But aside from my needs, they meet his very well. Though things are different in Texas. They can have up to 16 kids to 2 adults. So he doesn't get the one on one he was getting in Kansas. We also moved up an age group here, so before he would have been in a 5 to 1 ratio. I feel that is a big difference, but they try to keep it closer to 10 to 2. He is sleeping though the whole nap time on a mat (!) and eating lunch like crazy, often multiple helpings.

Last week was kinda crazy. I started work and everyone got sick. Just yucky GI stuff, but first lil M, then Mario and then me. Of course my first week I couldn't stay home and wasn't really sick enough to worry about getting others sick, but I still felt bad and couldn't eat much. Luckily Lil M was ok enough by Monday to make it through school. I am hoping this week we can get into more of a routine, but with July 4 on Wednesday I don't think that is going to happen.

I will post more pictures after the 4th! Have a safe and happy holiday!

Studying with Dad

Lounging on the couch, Love that BELLY!

Mario's eating progress

Hello All! So we finished our last first doctors appointment and have transferred all of Lil M's care to Austin. We have seen the Pediatrician, ENT, Cardiologist, and had a therapy evaluation. So far all is good. Everyone feels he is doing great considering his past. My favorite quote so far has been, "Mario how did you end up in my office." Said in wonderment by his new Cardiologist. Of course I love his new Cardiologist now. If we went back to KC today I am sure most of his doctors wouldn't believe this is the same little boy they just saw a month ago. He has changed and is doing so much more since we left, it is crazy. As of the end of April he was still using a bottle and only eating a little bit of pureed foods. Now he is on the "whatever we eat" diet,  eating almost all age appropriate foods, and using a straw big boy cup (no more bottles!). He still needs thicken liquids and a higher calorie content from his formula, but I'm hoping we can wean off of both soon. He has a test ordered called a swallow study to determine how thin of a liquid he can handle. They will feed him liquids at different consistencies and take X-rays while he swallows to determine where the liquid is going, i.e. is he swallowing it all the way down or is he silently aspirating (choking) or having reflux. I am hoping this goes well. We have tried some non-thicked liquids one sip at a time and he does well, but when I've tried to decrease the thickener for a whole cup, he gets congested. We are having fun experimenting with real food. He comes running whenever he sees us eating anything. He loves avocados! Sometimes I wonder if it is because of the taste or because they are squishy and fun to feed himself.

This is after one of his first chocolate cookies.

He's already trying to steal food off mama's plate.

He is eating his milk through a big cup, i.e. McDonalds, just like Grandpa does.

1 year pictures

Hello! I was just downloading the pics from the last few months off my camera so I wanted to share a few. Tomorrow we see the occupational therapist so there will be more news to share.

These are all from his 1 year pictures:

Their eyes are always closed with the best smiles!

Getting settled in Austin

Hello from Austin! We are finally getting settled. I'd say about 90% unpacked, but I think when you move your never 100% unpacked so I'm ok with this. We have pictures left to hang and little things laying about that will find homes eventually. Mario is really liking his new store. He took over for a manager that got promoted and didn't have to change much with the staff, just get everyone to do things his way. They are running really good numbers and you can see a difference since Mario started there. I got a job as a medical assistant in an Orthopedic office. I start next Monday, the 25. I'm a little nervous going back to work full time and in a medical offfice. It has been a year and a half since I worked full time and as an MA. I'll have to dust off the ol' casting skills. It should come back pretty quick and the doctor I'll be working with is supposedly laid back, so it should be fun. Mario will be going to school during the days. We found a great location right down the street that will give us a four day rate since he will be home with Mario on Thursdays. They have a very good academic program that is linked with the school system so everyone is ready for kindergarden, most are reading when they start. I think he will do well there. The biggest thing I'm worried about is nap time. They only have nap matts on the floor. I think this will be quite an adjustment for him. I suppose its just part of growing up, but still. How will he fall asleep when he can just roll over and go. I can't even get him to lay still to change his diaper! 

I am surprised how nice people are here in Austin. We have been to the park and the playplace and met other families. We exchanged numbers and have even got together afterwards. It has been nice, since we know almost no one here, and a nice change. I can't think of a time I met someone in KC and felt comfortable enough to give out my phone number.

Now for the cute story of the day:
While I was putting up a shelf Mario got into the DVDs stacked by the TV. He pushed them all over the floor and was very proud of himself for finding Shrek. I disciplined him and was busy putting everything up when he went to his ride/push truck, lifted the seat, and brought me a DVD without a case. Apparently I wasn't paying close enough attention to see him hide it there, so he was helping me pick them up. We find all sorts of stuff in that truck: keys, batteries, remotes, etc. I love this kid so much!