Theo's 20 Months Old

Today Theo has his YEAR evaluation for Early Interventions (I can’t believe it’s been a whole year). Our Case Manager and most of a Theo’s Therapist met at our house to discuss his progress. The therapist each took turns to discuss Theo, their concerns, and their goals for him. It was all very overwhelming, but the therapist are hopeful. They all think that once Theo gets his head under control then the rest will fall into place. Now that we’ve gotten his nutrition in line, Theo is gaining weight and getting stronger. I know I’ve been saying this for MONTHS, but hopefully we can get him holding up his head soon. We are working so hard and I would love to see just a little bit of progress.

[Reports from all of Theo's Therapist's]

THEO UPDATED THERAPY:

- Physical - Twice a week (60 min session)

- Occupational - Once a week (60 min session)

- Chiropractor - Once a week

- Vision - Twice a month (60 min session)

- Nutrition - Twice a month (75 min session)

- Feeding/Speech - Twice a month (60 min session)

- Development - Once a month (60 min session)

Theo is also 20 months old today! So it’s time for a family update:

This months been a rough one on our little Theo. We tried a few different G Tube foods, and it did not go well. First we tried Nourish, which is a bean-based blended food. I started by adding one once per day to Theo's diet. It gave him terrible gas and stomach pains, so I stopped that pretty quickly.

I then had a lady contact me about donating some G Tube food to Theo. I told her he takes Compleat and she said she could send us THREE boxes full of Compleat food! Yay! Once the food arrived I noticed that it had a different packaging then what we have, but it looked close enough, so I started giving it to Theo. That's when all hell broke loose! Theo threw up ALL DAY LONG. After his second dose of the new food, I sent a picture of it to Theo's Nutritionist. She said that the food has dairy in it and I shouldn't give Theo any more. UGH! Theo threw up for FIVE days. It was horrible and I felt so bad for him!

[I tried sitting Theo up during feeds to see if that would help... it didn't] 

Once we got the food situation under control and I got the award for "Worst Mom EVER," Theo started doing much better. He's tolerating his feeds better and we ended up having a great therapy session with his Feeding/Speech Therapist. Theo was able to relax (thanks, in part, to his weighted blanket) and he not only ate apples and prunes, but pumpkin too! He took most of the food via his paci (since it has to be his idea), but I managed to get him to eat a little off of his Olábaby spoon. He even let his therapist hold his hands, which he is usually VERY protective of. It’s been such a hard week (Theo’s been throwing up after most meals), but I’m glad we ended on a high note! His Feeding Therapist also wants to see Theo more often. She is happy with how he is progressing and she thinks we will be able to get him eating orally soon.



[Sitting in his "big boy" chair]

[Trying to get him to roll to the right by putting all of his fun toys over there. But he would rather be on his left and look at a black box.]

[Showing off how he can get his toes]

[Working with the HeadPod and switch]

[He doesn't like the HeadPod very much]

[On March 17th we got a Spring snow storm! It was really pretty!]

 [Theo doesn't like to hold a lot of things, but he really liked to hold this small container. Don't worry, I didn't let him have it for long.]

[I ordered a bunch of G Tube supplies off of Etsy. They are so awesome!]

Theo has also been struggling with sleeping. We were warned that the phenobarbital weaning process would have side affects, but I wasn’t ready for this. He will be up for hours at night and then want to sleep a bunch during the day. I hope once the weaning process is over he will get back on a good schedule. 

[Oops! I forgot to put the gate up!] 

 [Theo LOVES Star Wars!] 

  

[Theo likes to "help" when we are changing his diaper, so we bought this. I think it's meant for smaller babies!]

[Two toys at once?!] 

This month Theo, Josh, and I were able to make a quick trip to Ohio to see Missy and Tyson get married. AND I was able to sneak away one day too see Captain Marvel! I can’t wait for Endgame! Speaking of nerdy stuff, I’m so excited to see my family this week and go to STAR WARS CELEBRATION with my brothers! If you see Darth Vader and some Stormtroopers walking around downtown Chicago don’t be alarmed - us nerds are just gathering! MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

While we were in Ohio, I was able to retrieve some things from my parents basement (our wedding pictures, Star Wars pictures, and the tapestries I bought in Peru). I was so excited to get these pictures hung up in Theo's Star Wars room. There is plenty of empty space so maybe I can find some more cool pictures at Celebration!

[We are trying to find a good place to hang this HUGE tapestry.]

[Late Valentines Day present!]

[I got a jewelry organizer on Etsy! Love it!] 

[I've be focusing on eating healthier so I got this huge glass jar so I can infuse water.]

[Josh came back from Galena last week and is now the Chief of a job just 40 minutes from home. We love having him home every night!]

I'm excited to see what the next month brings for our little Theo!

Missy and Tyson's Wedding

Theo and I left early Wednesday, March 27th, and headed southeast to Ohio. Our drive went smoothly and we only stopped once so I could fed Theo. I decided that a good place to stop would be a Starbucks in Lafayette, Indiana. It was pretty busy so we sat at a small table and I hooked Theo up and started to "gravity feed" him. This drew the attention of the elderly couple at the next table. They started asking questions about Theo and I started telling his story, while crying (it's honestly hard to talk about without getting emotional). They were so kind to us and even said that if we are ever in the neighborhood we can always come to their church if we needed help. I love how kind strangers can be.

After feeding Theo, we got back in the car and continued to my parents house.

We arrived just in time for "Taco Wednesday!" This is where the Brooks (my parents neighbors) and Missy and the boys come over for tacos and (if it's warm outside) s'mores! It was so fun catching up with the Brooks and meeting Tyson! He's so kind and great with the boys. I'm excited for him to be part of the family!

The next morning (March 28th), Missy, Jamie, Kendra, and I all went and got massages at the Woodhouse Spa. I got the 110 minute hot stone with a sinus pressure facial massage. It was heavenly! After our massages we met in our own "Quiet Room" where we chatted before going back to the locker room to get changed.

[Jamie, Missy, Kendra, and me]

After our massages, we walked up the street to the European Cafe (a recommendation from Tyson) where we got gyros. They were HUGE and delicious! Jamie, Missy, and I then went and got pedicures. It was fine, but not worth the $45. Oh well! I still had a lot of fun hanging out with Missy and her friends!

The next day we hung out at my parents house and then that night we went to Missy's house for dinner. We reunited with the Brisco's and then met most of Tysons immediate family. They were all so kind! We had Qdoba for dinner and Nothing Bundt Cake cupcakes for dessert! Welp, there goes my diet! 

After dinner Brady preformed/sang some songs for us from Greatest Showman. He is so talented and definitely NOT shy!

[Theo in his "big boy chair." Do you like the pool noodle addition?!]

[The boys love to play with Theo!] 

While we were at Missy's house, Josh called to tell me that he was going to drive down that night so he could be at the wedding. Yay! He arrived after midnight, but I'm glad he came to support family!

The next morning we all got ready and headed over to Jeremy's (Tyson's friend) GORGEOUS house for the wedding. 

[Dane, Brady, and Cole with their matching outfits]

[How handsome are they?!]

[Gotta say "hi" to Theo] 

[The many faces of Cole] 

Before the wedding started, Tyson came up to Brady and Dane and asked them to hold the rings. It was SOOO sweet!

Kendra and Jeremy than got up and told some stories about the early parts of Missy and Tyson's relationship. It turns out there were A LOT of people trying to get these two together!

The Bishop then brought Missy and Tyson over to the arch and married them!

YAY! Congrats to the happy couple!

[The Brisco's]

[The Neilson's] 

After the ceremony we were invited to have some cookies, fruit, and small sandwiches to hold us over until the luncheon. One of Tyson's brothers came over and offered to watch Theo for us so that Josh and I could get a snack. Seriously! What an awesome family!

We then all headed to Jeff Ruby's Carlo and Johnny for the luncheon. Josh, Theo, and I sat at a table with my parents, Dane, Brady, and the Brooks. We had salads, steaks, mashed potatoes, and cheesecake. YUM! 

After dinner, Tyson and Missy got up and thanked everyone for coming. Tyson said that no one was being replaced, we were just adding more people to our family. I loved that! Even though we are technically the ex-in-laws, we are still part of the family. Missy has been in the family for 12 years. I consider her my sister and that's not going to change.

We then spent the next few days hanging out at my parents house, playing with the boys, and seeing the house that my dad and Kenny are flipping. The house looks amazing and I'm excited to see it once it's done.

[Theo sharing his iPad with Cole]

["I'm a Keeper!"]

On Tuesday, April 2nd, Theo and I headed home. Thanks mom and dad for hosting us!

Congrats again to Missy and Tyson! Welcome to the family Tyson!