Wordless Wednesday!

(Zachary's art and he even signed his name!!)

A First For Jacob!

Zachary pretty much potty trained himself last summer so it's been about a year for him being out of diapers. (Yeah Zachary!! Mommy and Daddy thank you for making that milestone so easy for us and we're so proud of you! :) )
Jake's special needs and differences have sort of put his potty training on the back burner since he doesn't tell us when he needs to go or when he has gone. At Jake's special needs preschool they put all the kids on the potty a few times a day but Jake's teacher says he's never gone in the 6 months he's been in her class. Brian and I put him on the potty occasionally and before every bath but without much luck. I don't want to push him hard if he's not there yet so I've been waiting for him to give me some signs that he might be ready. Over the past month or so his communication has improved and he's talking with more purposeful and intentional conversation so I thought I'd take a chance and put him on the potty the other day (8/12/10) when I saw the signs that he was getting ready to go #2. He was a bit resistant and very squirmy. After about 5 minutes of him dipping his cheeks into the bowl water and not being able to sit still I was JUST about to give up when all of a sudden he stopped, got really still and then I heard a splash and then saw the biggest smile on his face! I've never been so proud to look at a #2 in my life!! My Jacob had just gone poop on the potty for the first time EVER!!! We screamed with joy and laughed and jumped and danced and had a great celebration with stickers and a few M&M's.....all after a good hand washing that is. I've tried him on the potty a few more times since last Thursday but with no luck. We've been continuing to talk about going on the potty and about using big boy underwear and really trying to get him to understand how cool it will be for him to be potty trained. Tonight I decided to put him in big boy underwear to help drive the point home. He seemed to like it and was dancing all over the place and excited for himself. When it was time to put jammies on I put him on the potty since we make Zack go potty before putting his jammies on. He sat there and squirmed like he always does and was resistant but just as I was about to take him off I looked down and saw #1! That was the first pee that I witnessed without me putting his hand in a cup of warm water or pouring warm water on his boy bits to prompt him to go. AMAZING!!! My Jacob is getting it so I think we'll keep trying!!! I don't think it will be smooth sailing like it was with Zack but it's two firsts in a week and that's a huge victory in my book! :) Here is a little video of the proud guy in his big boy underwear!

"Grammy, Grandma, I went peepee on the potty!"

Great Day With a Good Friend

Today my friend Frances visiting from Idaho for our 20th High School Reunion came over with her two little girls for a BBQ. Thankfully the sun made an appearance and it was plenty warm. Not really warm enough for shorts or the pool like we'd hoped but I'll take whatever sun I can get these days out of Mother Nature. The kids had a fun time playing in the backyard and I enjoyed catching up with a dear friend that I've known since we were 12 years old.

After Frances and her girls headed out we decided to take a tricycle ride around our block to soak up a little more sun before dinner. Zack and Jake are doing GREAT with their pedaling and are getting the hang of it along with steering at the same time. Before I know it, they'll be on real big boy bikes!

And here's the boys in action showing off their great skills!

Wordless Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday!

Owie :(

Jake had his tonsils and adenoids removed today for obstructive sleep apnea. :( The surgery went well and he is on the road to recovery and hopefully snore-free-deep-sleep.

Here he is in his little hospital gown waiting to go into surgery. That was a LONG 2 hour wait.

And here is a post-operative video of Jake singing. It took 3 doses of morphine to get him comfortable when he woke from surgery. After we got him home he must have still been feeling pretty good because he was talking a lot and even singing. What a trooper! :)

Jake Has MAD SINGING SKILLZ!

There is no doubt in my mind that Jake will be a musician of some sort at some point in his future. He LOVES to sing and loves to play instruments. Some day we'll all be able to say, "I knew Jacob before he was famous!"

This first video is what I woke up to this morning. :)



Yes, you heard it correct. That would be Jake singing, "Play That Funky Music White Boy" by Wild Cherry at dark o'clock in the morning.
What a fun way to wake up. :)
But when I didn't think I could be more proud, Jacob, accompanied by Zack, decided to treat me and their Daddy to a dinner show. Here they are in all their funkadelic glory belting it out!



I'm his number one fan. :)

4th of July Block Party!

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Summer Fun!

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Nemo?!

I see a future in showbiz!
Jacob the triple threat.....dancing, singing AND acting. :)

Spelling Their Names

Here is some video of Jacob and Zachary spelling their names at 3 years and 4 months. The video was actually taken on May 11th but what can I say other than I'm behind on my blog :/
Not sure how old kids normally are when they start this but of course I think my kids are GENIUSES!

Disneyland With Grammy

Had to squeeze in one last trip before our annual passes ran out!

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Thank you Jill

My dear friend Jill shared this with me the other day and it really speaks word for word what I feel on a daily basis. It's written by another mother that has special needs children.
You're such an amazing friend Jill. Thank you for being you and letting me be me.

From a Parent

Be Gentle with Me - I may be grieving (especially at first). I may need time to accept, then hurt over, the loss of the "normal" child I thought I would have.

Be Patient with Me - Remember that I have as many as 4 to 20 professionals telling me what I need to do to help my child. It's often overwhelming.

Respect Me - You are the expert in therapy, medicine, or education. I am the expert on my child.

Listen to Me - I spend hours thinking about ways to make life better for my child. I generally know if something won't work at all. I have a lot of good ideas. I read a lot, too.

Encourage Me - Take the time to tell me what I'm doing right. I never feel like I'm doing enough. Point out even the smallest progress you see, because sometimes small progress is all there is to keep me trying.

Understand Me - Understand that as hard as things get sometimes, I would not trade this precious person and all he adds to my life and family for a normal child. He is special, as all children are special, and I know that, even when I'm struggling.

Remember Me - If I burn out, I can't change my job. No one else will step in and take over for me. I am in this for the long haul, so I need to pace myself.

Thank You - Thank you for choosing to be a part of my child's life. Thank you for your patience and dedication. Thank you for caring.

- Robin Prince Monroe

Happy 4th Mother's Day To Me!

Today I celebrated my 4th Mother's Day and it just keeps getting better every year. Probably because I make a list of my demands known ahead of time like, sleeping in, no diaper changes/potty assistance, no dishes, that sort of stuff. Every year my list gets longer. ;) By the time Zack and Jake are in high school I'll probably be celebrating Mother's Day alone...on a secluded beach....drinking a fruity cocktail....being selfish. Hey....everyone deserves a selfish day at least once a year right? Might as well make it a day that Hallmark recognizes with a card. Here is a picture chronicle of my last 4 Mother's Days spent with the cutest twin boys in the history of the world. I love Zachary and Jacob and love Brian for making me a Mommy.