Last Week Before Spring Break

This was our last week before Spring Break, so I decided it would be a good idea to continue going through Theo's old items and donating them to my local "Buy Nothing" FB group. 

Getting rid of all my pumping things was a little hard. Theo wasn't able to breast feed, so I pumped and fed him for months. It was hard, but also very rewarding. I know all these items are going to a mom in need and hopefully she will get a lot of use out of them.

On Wednesday, March 24th, Josh went and got his J&J vaccine shot. He had a little arm soreness and a headache for about 24 hours, but other then that he did great! I'm so excited to get my second shot on April 3rd! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

When I picked Theo up from school his aid told me that he did really great at school EXCEPT for his short sitting. He was not very cooperative and just didn't seem too happy about it. So, when we got home I sat him on the stool and we played catch with "dadadada!"

[Blowing kisses]

[Hands open. ANNNNDDD...]

[CATCH!]

[ANNNNDDD...]

[THROW!]

Theo loves to play catch with his dad!

Theo had school picture day on Thursday, March 25th. His aid, Ms. Tammy, told me that they were able to get a few cute ones of him smiling! I'm excited to see them!

On Friday, March 26th, we had an e-learning day. Theo likes watching school videos and doing school work at home. It's nice that it's not an every day thing now!

[Watching some school videos]

I have a YouTube playlist for Theo that has a bunch of music videos from Disney movies. Right now his favorite videos to watch are from Aladdin. He always laughs at Abu when he has the sword! It's so cute!

[This week Theo learned how to turn pages!]

Theo is getting too tall for his smaller desk, so his PT brought over a new one. It's perfect! And he doesn't have to lean over too far to get his button or see his videos.

[Can't wait!]

[😭🤣]

Our "New Normal"

The last two weeks we have finally settled into our "new normal," which is school five days a week, private therapy four days a week, and the occasional doctors appointment.

[Coloring]

[Vaccine side effects: sore arm and a small bruise for a couple of days. It was 100% worth it!]

[YAY!]

I have purchased numerous rompers from Tinker Tyke Threads. They are awesome and will expand as Theo grows. I recently ordered two more: a purple one and a light blue one. The owner contacted me and asked if I would be willing to substitute the purple one for a black one, a robot one, and a few pictures of Theo in the rompers. Twist my arm! I'll do it!

[Theo in his yellow, XL, sleeveless romper]

[Such a great model!]

[Theo in his new black, long-sleeved, XL romper with added diaper fabric]

[She added some extra fabric for those bigger kids that are still in diapers]

[PT with Ms Becca]

[❤️]

Chicago dyes the river every year for St Patricks Day! It's sooo green!

💚☘️💚🍀

I went through Theo's 0-6 month clothes a couple of weeks ago and gave all the "gender neutral" items to Ryan and Kayleen who are expecting a little girl. On March 14th, I decided it was time to give his little boy clothes to a little boy in need. I was pretty sad going through his little clothes, but it was the right thing to do.

On March 15th, we got to experience rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, ice, snow again, hail, rain again, and more freezing rain. It was a pretty wild ride!

[Ice on the window]

[Hail]

I was told a couple of weeks ago that Theo's Developmental Specialist, Dr. Sue, would be taking a job at Shriner's and moving to Texas. I was so bummed to hear about this, but I was glad that she wanted to see us again before she left. On March 18th, Theo and I worked on some school work and then made the long drive to Peoria for our final 6 month check up with Dr. Sue.

[Elmo helping]

[Peek-a-Boo Barn always gets Theo laughing!]

When we arrived the nurses had to get Theo's vitals and he was pretty upset about that. But right after we were able to go into the exam room and I gave Theo his iPad. I loves to lay on it and listen to his music.

Occasionally, he will use it to hide from people. It's so stinking cute!

We spoke to Dr Sue, and her APN, Anne, for a while about Theo's progress and how we are doing. Dr. Sue was very happy with everything she heard and then Dr Sue and Anne did a physical exam of Theo. After the exam we talked about increasing Theo's medication and him needing to wear his SMO's and AFO's more because his left ankle is tight. Then came the part I was dreading: what was going to happen to Theo after Dr. Sue leaves? I had heard that there was another Developmental Specialist in Peoria that wasn't very nice and often made parents cry. I was hoping that she wouldn't make us go see him, but we may not have another choice. BUT it turns out we did have another choice! APN Anne! Dr. Sue said that since Theo is being followed by so many doctors (13 to be exact) she didn't see the need to send him to another doctor and APN Anne could see him instead (if we are okay with that). We love Anne and I am so excited to continue to see her every 6 months!

[Hi, sweet boy!]

INI, COVID Test, Ear Procedure, ABR, Vaccine & Harry Potter Room

This week Theo's school went back to in-person learning FIVE days a week (up from four). I am so ready! Wanna guess how many days Theo attended this week?

Zero. That's just how it goes sometimes.

March is CP Awareness Month:

On Monday, March 1st, Ms Becca came over for PT.

After PT, Theo and I drove down to Peoria to see our Vascular Neurosurgery friends at INI. Nurse Julie chatted with us and then checked Theo's head. She is very happy with how he is doing and he will have an angiogram in November.

After we got home from Peoria, Theo watched some school videos and worked on homework.

[Thanks dad for helping!]

On Tuesday, March 2nd, I took Theo to OT. Right after his session we drove to the hospital in Ottawa so he could get a COVID test. He was NOT happy.

After Theo got his COVID test we had to quarantine. Theo spent the next two days doing school virtually. 

Funny story: When Indiana Jones first opened at Disneyland we waited in line for HOURS to ride it. Yes, this was before Fast Pass. When we finally got to ride it I was so scared that I closed my eyes for the ENTIRE ride. It's my favorite ride now, though.

We got more Tonies! Theo loves them all!

On Thursday, March 4th, I received a call from the hospital letting me know that Theo's COVID test was negative (YAY!), but his procedure was scheduled for 8:00 AM and they needed us at the hospital at 6:00 AM (UGH!). Sleeping in a hotel with Theo is not fun, but I had no desire to get up at 2:00 AM, so Josh, Theo, and I headed to our favorite hotel in Peoria for the night.

Friday, March 5th, was another long day at the hospital. 

[Kisses for his iPad]

[This kid is all over the place!]

Before the procedure we spoke to the ENT doctor. He informed us that he was going to check both of Theo's ears and he might replace both tubes depending on what he sees. After the procedure the Audiologist will come in and perform an ABR. 

We then met with the anesthesiologist. I told her that last time Theo had an outpatient procedure he woke up MAD and confused. She said that is super common, but she would try to give him something to help with that.

While Theo was in his procedure Josh and I watched the season Finale of WandaVision! It was AMAZING! I can't wait to see our Scarlet Witch in the next Dr. Strange movie in 2022!

After the ENT doctor was done we went into a conference room and spoke to him. He said that both of Theo's ears were pretty "clogged and gnarly" so he cleaned them out and replaced both tubes.

An hour later we met with the Audiologist. She said showed us his test results and she was very happy with how his hearing has improved. 

[ABR results from 3/5/2021]

[ABR results from 10/30/2019]

A few minutes later I got called down to recovery to see Theo. I brought him his iPad and the first thing he said when he saw me was "Dadadada?" It was so sweet.

Theo recovered quickly and wasn't angry at all! We were released from the hospital and made it home in time to jump on Theo's live school Zoom at 2:15 PM.

Saturday morning I headed to a local church for my Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. I was in and out in under 30 minutes (appointments are AWESOME). The system was perfect and the military was there to assist. I made an appointment to come back in one month for my second shot. WOOT!

[Valentine for Theo from cousin Teagan]

That night Andie and I hosted a Zoom Baby Shower for Kayleen (and Ryan) and baby Hayden. We had a few aunts and cousins join in. It was fun to see everyone and to get to know Kayleen a little bit more. We are so excited to meet her little one in just a few weeks!

Josh is in charge of "date night" which lately (due to COVID) just means he has to provide dinner on Saturdays. Sometimes he picks up Mexican or sushi and other times he will cook. I love it when he makes surf 'n' turf!

[😂]

It's a few months in the making, but we finally finished our Harry Potter guest room! I LOVE IT!

It's my favorite room in the house!