"...We have a lost Mother..."

As I was frantically searching the isles of Walmart for my lost item, running up and down the isles back and forth, praying that it was safe a voice comes over the intercom. "Attention walmart costumers: We have a lost mom in the store, she belongs to a little boy between the ages of 2-3 with sandy blond hair, blue shirt, gray shorts and sandles. Please come to the costumer service desk." Now, before you jump to conclusions rewind 5 minutes. Stetson and I armed with a blue cart where you can sit are picking out a tire guage in the Automotive department. Stetson can easily climb in and out which was fine, but then he made a break for it. I caught him, told him we don't run away from mommy. But instead I think he heard. "Stetson, this is a fun game, you run away from me as fast as your two year old legs can carry your monkey butt and avoid being caught at all costs. Run fast, duck, and hide." Fast foward I am literally running after Stetson calling his name when he ducks into another isle, and hides. Time for a different perspective. (Family), mother speaking to Stetson, "Hi, little guy whats your name? Stetson replies "albjalkd" Mother, "Where's your momma?" Stetson, "Momma go bye-bye" Then the woman frown-smiles at my "abandoned" two year old, finds the nearest walmart employee which is when the irresponsible "lost" mother is paged. As I went to collect my little run-away, half relieved and half mad at this little boy, he looks up at me, grins his biggest Stetson grin with twinkly eyes and all, then turns and books it. Luckily this time I had 5 people to help me get him. Now I know why my little brother had to where a harness!

Feeling Old...?

I have been having a hard time with my age this past year. I just can't get over the fact that I am going to be 27. But something happened the other day that put things into a different perspective for me. As I was at a baby shower (names withheld to protect identities) The women were talking about what year they graduated. Some in 1984-1986 and the rest in the 1990's. They proceeded to ask me when I graduated, laughing I replied 2001.

And the winner is...

Today while I was upstairs making my bed and gathering laundry I hear a low thudding sound with the quiet rustling of a bag, over-powered by the laughter and giggles of two boys, now you're mind can come up with a ton of scenarios when given the opportunity..."They are throwing balls at each other" possible, "They are jumping off the couch into the tent(see post below)" it wouldn't be the first time. "They have a couple swimming noodles and are hitting each other with them", it's been know to happen. "They have the two new loaves of bread I just bought and they are having a bread battle", my mind immediately rejects this theory for the shear idea of how bizarre it sounds. So I finally muster the courage to peek down the stairs and it turns out I was right...needles to say our pb&j's that were on the menu for lunch were: squashed, smooshed, broken, flat, and falling apart. At least I didn't have to cut of the crust.

Tent City

I watch this little boy Ben, I have watched him since he was 1 and a half and he is now 5! Ben is just part of our lives, a built in friend for Stetson. They fight like brothers and they play like brothers. They love each-other! Today they had cabin fever so we set up a "tent-city" and they loved it.






Stetson got these tents for his 1st birthday and he is just now starting to really enjoy them. It has been a fun day!

Stetson

Well, I guess it is time to post about this. Stetson has had a really hard time with language. Especially verbal. He is pretty good with receptive- instructions and such, but struggles with speaking. We started working with Kids on the Move in October and it really has helped when he started he could say about 4 words now he has around 50 with about 30 of those being sign. At first people would ask if he had autism, but he makes excellent eye contact and he is very "present" so that was immediately ruled out. Then after working with him for a while his therapists were wondering if he might be deaf in one ear, which would explain why he wasn't saying a lot. Stetson has had ear infections non-stop, so we had tubes put in last June but he still got an ear infection about every 6 weeks, which they say after you have an ear infection you hear like you are underwater for 6 weeks after it is healed. In February we finally had the ears cleared and tested to see if he was in fact hearing, and fortunately he can hear fine when he doesn't have an ear infection. So then the fact that Chad had a speech delay (he didn't start "speaking" till around 4 or 5), same with my brother, might have something to do with it. I guess it can be hereditary, also there is the possibility that he might have a speech impediment, but those things are so hard to decipher so young. He works with an occupational therapist and a speech therapist twice a month and I have set "games" we play each day to increase his communication. Basically we are just taking this really slow, because Stetson gets overwhelmed. It breaks my heart because I can see him try to make the words and he just cant figure out how to make the sounds. This last month his therapist recommended having him tested for Aspergers Syndrome, so we made a trip to his pediatrician and she said he is right on the cusp, so she referred us to a specialist with primary childrens hospital, when I talked to the doctor she recommended waiting to test him after he is 3, it takes 6 to 9 months to get into her, and cost upwards of $1000.00 out of pocket, and it's really hard to have conclusive results until a child is a little older. So we are waiting, and just playing it by ear. And for right now we will not be putting a label on him. You know, selfishly I want him to talk so bad, because I want to talk to him. It's also frustrating just because he isn't talking does not mean he isn't smart, he is just working on other skills. We are not sensitive about it, it is what it is. And chances are I will probably look back on this in 10 years and laugh at how worried I am. We are not offended when people ask us questions, and we are not afraid to use sign. Thank you to my friend Tanya who let us borrow some of her signing time videos, they help us so much and Stetson loves them. I love them too and am thankful that such a wonderful thing was created. Here are the Lyrics to "The Good" it pretty much sums up how we feel. Thank you for reading this and for your thoughts and prayers on our behalf.

The Good

It was you and me and the whole world right before us
I couldn't wait to start
I saw you and dreams just like everyone before us
We thought we knew what we got

And then one day I thought it slipped away
And I looked to my hands to hold on
And then one day all my fear slipped away
And my hands did so much more

So maybe we won't find easy
But, baby, we've found the good
No, maybe we won't find easy
But, baby, we've found the good

It was you and me and a new world right before us
I was so scared to start
I saw you and dreams just like everyone before us
But how did they get so far?

And then one day I thought it slipped away
And I looked to my hands to hold on
And then one day all my fear slipped away
And my hands did so much more

So maybe we won't find easy
But, baby, we've found the good
No, maybe we won't find easy
But, baby, we've found the good

My Boys

I took Stetson to the doctor yesterday and come to find out he has strep, well this morning I woke up feeling like horrible, I had the worst migraine the kind that hurts with every move you make and it makes you throw up. Stetson was so cute though we just vegged out on the couch, he went off to his room for a second and he brought down 2 blankets and his two little "quackers" his duck blankies. He covered me with the blanket and gave me one of the ducks he then climbed into my lap and covered himself and had the other blankie. He then told me we could watch Harry Potter, because he knows that I love it. He kept looking at me all morning and touching my face, asking in his own way how I was feeling. It was so sweet. Then when Chad went home they went and got me some medicine and sprite. It has taken the edge off so we came downstairs so Stets can play. I am thankful for my 2 boys and what good care they take care of me.

The Hardy's go to the Movies

Chad and I recieved some gift cards to the movie theater for Christmas so we decided to use them for a family date. We went and saw Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D and a couple weeks later we saw disneys UP in 3D. Stetson loved the movie theater it has 2 of his favorite things popcorn and jr. mints. They were both fun days!