Rule #116: It's good to be on the charts

Last week both Evan and Graham had a visit to the doctor. I loved being able to schedule them for the same time, it was so efficient!

Evan was fairly anxious during the visit, so we started with Graham, hoping to give him some time to warm up.

I'm happy to report that Graham is doing very well.

Weight: 19lbs 1 oz (25%)
Length: 29 in (75%)

OFC: 18.8 in ......wait for it.....(95%)!!! We're back on the charts!

His head has only grown 0.3 inches in three months! Which is great, it means that his shunt is working and that eventually he will grow into that giant noggin of his. :)

Graham is still, for the most part, a very happy boy. He's been having a few night at bedtime, or in the middle of the night that he is very upset. We would handle it differently if he didn't have his shunt, but since he does, we don't let him cry for too long. That kind of prolonged pressure isn't very good for his shunt. I hope this won't be a more frequent occurrence, but we'll just have to wait and see.

He has started to be a mama's boy. He eats slightly better for me, and wants to be around me all the time! (which is flattering) His smile still melts my heart, and I will snuggle with him as long as he lets me.

He can roll from front to back and back to front. He still isn't crawling yet, but I'm not worried. He is an inquisitive boy, and he'll get there. To be honest, after his shunt, I didn't really give him many opportunities to explore his own movements, I just didn't want anything to happen to his head. So in my mind, he's only had 8 months to figure out this crawling business. :)

Still no teeth yet, even though he drools all. day. long. It never stops. He eats baby food pretty well, and has started eating a few small table foods. Tell you what, he thinks regular food is WAY better than baby food. If he would just get some teeth, I could give him more options...until then, my hands are tied.

He's a darling baby and we love having him in our family.
Next was Evan's three year appointment.
I know this is blurry, but I love this kid's grin

Weight: 28 lbs (10%) nice and steady

Height: 38.25 in (50%)

Evan has made some amazing progress over the last year. He is now officially kicked out of Early Intervention (because he is three). We haven't been concerned about his communication for quite some time now. His issues remain his anxiety and social skills.

He was evaluated for the school districts program, and didn't qualify. Which doesn't surprise us at all. It's extremely difficult for a kid with solely social issues to qualify, because we have no way of knowing how the issues will impact him in school. The plan is to enroll him in the district's preschool, and observe him for 6 weeks. At the end of the 6 weeks the teacher will decide if his anxiety and delayed social skills impede his ability to excel in school without added help. Even is he still doesn't qualify (which is highly likely) he'll get to stay in that preschool, we'll just start paying for it. I'm very pleased with this plan, and he will start school in Sept.

Evan has also become very attached to me, and only wants me to put his shoes on, or play with him, or give him food etc. It gets to be a little exhausting, but it is nice to be wanted and loved. I just feel bad for Alex, we need to bring a girl into this family to get super attached to him!

Evan is becoming very independent and wants to do everything himself. Except use the toilet. He has no interest in become THAT independent. *sigh. Some day.

He is a very loving brother, giving Graham toy after toy, until Graham has no more space around him. And he LOVES to make Graham laugh. I'm certain it's the highlight of his day. When Graham whines/cries, and I don't respond fast enough (in Evan's eyes) he yells out "Graham got sad!" until I remedy the situation.

He's been watching a few more movies these days. His favorite is Sandlot (not entirely proud of that one...but he loves it), he also watches Sleeping Beauty, Sword in the Stone, Winnie the Pooh and our wedding video (Mommy in the White Dress)

He loves puzzles of all kinds, playdoh, spinjas, anything he can throw high into the air, his bath toys and books. He "reads" to himself for long periods of time before he falls asleep. Sometimes he wakes up in the middle of the night, reads a book then falls back asleep. Silly kid.

Evan is a riot and he makes me laugh every single day. Sometimes I struggle disciplining him, because it's hard to keep a straight face around him. And even though he can be a bit of a bully to me, he will also randomly run up and give me kisses and hugs, just because. That does a mom's heart good.

Love this kid!