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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Chugga Chugga Two Two!

My little Zilla man is two years old.  Here are some snippets from his birthday party, the little things I want to remember, and other random musings about the past 6 months.
 
Partay!
I had just hosted a wedding shower two weekends before so we were in full party hosting mode.  Zilla's current favorite things are planes, trains, and anything with wheels, so of course we made this the theme for the day.  We had so many wonderful family and friends come and visit with us! I continue to be so thankful for all of the love they show our Zilla.






 
 
Zilla, here are the little things that make you, you:
1) I love the way you pronounce yogurt as "logurt"
 
2) I love the way you hug me while I dry my hair because the hairdryer is just a little bit scary
 
3) Your incredible memory never ceases to amaze me.  Sometimes this becomes a struggle when we are trying to distract you from an object or activity you can not have/do and you are simply not one to be distracted; but I hope it serves you well in the future.
 
4) I will never forget the day your teacher at school told me you have the best vocabulary in your class and are one of two in your class who knows all of his colors.  Did you know there was a time I was not sure you would develop strong language skills at all?  You blow me away everyday!
His ABC's!!

5) I love the way that you can make all of the animal sounds; but my favorite is when you say "meow" because you always say it in a way that makes a cat sound so sad. (at 54 seconds on the above video he does his animal sounds)

6) I love how you love tractors, automobiles, and those "Airplanes in the sky!"  You are so observant and will spot one before we even hear it coming.
  
7) Even though this can make therapy a struggle, I am so impressed with the way you have learned to use your right hand.  Ms. Jane will give you a new activity thinking it will force you to use both hands, and the next thing you know you've found a way to do it with just your right.  You're stubborn little one, but you sure are talented.
 
8) But I am also equally proud of how far you have come with you left hand.  You used to use your mouth to hold additional items and now you don't even hesitate to pass them off to your left.  
 
9) Zilla, I love the way we hold hands while in the car on long road trips.  Even though it can make mommy's shoulder hurt, I will never let go unless you want me to (and even then I'll hold on in my heart)
 
10) Recently you started putting your face next to my lips while I sing you to sleep.  The vibrations must tickle a little because you will do the sweetest, softest little laugh.  It is the best.
 
11)  I love the way you greet Dada and Momma when we come home. "Dada's here!"
 
12) I think it's so cute the way we kiss Jesus goodnight each night, but really you point out his "owwies" and then gently head-butt him before saying "Lush you, Jesus"
 
13) Again, although also a struggle, sometimes I find it funny the way you narrate Mass in a very loud voice. "SIT DOWN EVERYBODY" "GUITAR!" "YEA!" "JESUS!" 


14) I love when you are singing Steve Earl and you say "hup!" and pump your fist in the air just like daddy does.  
 
15) I love the way that you say "hold you" whenever you want mommy or daddy to pick you up. 
 
16) Although not the most polite thing, I love the way you say "yup" when people ask you questions
 
17) I love when you ask mommy to sing to you
 
From Dada:
18) I love how you sway your head during every song you like. And when you try to dance. And how you make Dada pick you up so we can dance together.
 
19) Your suspicion of strangers is admirable and also very cute. You give them the judgiest faces.
 
20) I'd also like to make an apology for every time you try to help and break or spill something and I raise my voice in frustration. Its those moments when you are just trying to be more than a child, and I treasure them.
 
21) This conversation every week at Mass: "Zilla, can you whisper?" (Yelling) "YES!"
 
Zilla's Favorites
Book: At night he loves listening to the book his Nina made for him.  It has her voice recorded so Nina gets to read to him.  During the day he loves his truck book from his aunt and uncle.
 
Song: Don't even get me started. Steve Earl's "I Ain't Ever Satisfied" is played at least 5 times a day in our house.  Heaven help me.
 
 

Toy: Without a doubt, his guitar.  
 
Activity:  Being outside, all of the time, cold or hot. This includes going to the park, going on walks, playing soccer...etc.

 
 
 
 
Zilla's other favorite activity is going down the street to visit his Aunt Berly, Uncle Jwag and cousin Roodle.  We barge in on them unannounced at least once a week.  I don't know how they feel about this.  But Zilla really enjoys them.
 
 Food:  This one is a little harder at 2 years old.  I swear his taste buds change daily.  But the pancakes mommy makes and his waffles are pretty standard favorites. Yogurt & pizza never seem to go out of style, either.
 
Chore:  Zilla is pretty good about cleaning up after himself when it comes to spills.  We try to let him drink from a big boy cup as often as possible, so when he does drip some he almost always goes to get towels and clean up.
 
Clothes:  Zilla wore the same two shirts for a solid month (other than those days I fought him to wear something different).  Of course they were the two shirts he owns with an airplane and a motorcycle on them.  Thank goodness Mimi got him some new guitar and automobile shirts, we can start to expand our horizons.










Yeah, I think you get the picture. 
 
 
Quick Zillupdate because I'm terrible about updating all of you lovely people:
So the last we talked we had just had our MRI completed.  Yeah, it's been that long.
Results indicated what we had expected.  Zilla has some scarring on the right side of his brain.  The neurologist said he actually would have expected his legs to be more impacted than they are.  There may be some sensory integration problems, which could explain why we noticed him becoming easily overstimulated (thanks a lot books that recommended letting him sleep in noisy environments for the months and months of an overstimulated, cranky baby.  I kid.  Mostly).
So therapy carried on and like I said above he is really doing so great!  His language is no longer a concern and he is SO SO smart.  I mean, all parents say that, but his therapists are constantly commenting on how far ahead he is with understanding conversation and problem solving skills. His left hand has really come a long way too.  He's able to open it and do basic manipulations.  Our big goals right now are finger isolation and supination on the left side.  
At our follow up with Scottish Rite they indicated that his diagnosis, which is currently hemiparesis, will likely be reduced to monoparesis over the next few years.  Which is great because this means he may not have any lasting affects to his left leg!  Woohoo!  I'm just so proud of all of his hard work.
 
 
And that's basically all I've got.  We've had the best two years.  Seriously, the best.  I can't imagine life without this little guy in it.  He brings so many laughs on a daily basis.  He is just this little joy who keeps on giving more and more amazing things to look forward to! I love to look at you and see what mommy and daddy's love created and continues to create.  We love you little guy with all of our hearts.
 

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Vrlyfry-Day: Week 8

Day 46: 2/16
I love Zilla's hair in the morning.  I know he needs a haircut, but I love it.

 Day 47: 2/17
 Zilla dressed himself in Mommy's sports bra and he was so proud. He ran into the kitchen shouting, "Zilla did it!"
Day 48: 2/18
 It's Ash Wednesday! Daddy went to Mass in the morning and Zilla and I went with Roodle and her family that eveining  #ashtag
Day 49: 2/19
Y'ALL He's two years old today!  We woke him up with a crib full of balloons (yes I know we need to transition him to a real bed eventually) and a special airplane balloon.  He was thrilled!
Day 50: 2/20
 We made a quick stop at the store and when we got back to the car, I started to take him out of the sling to put him in his seat.  He wrapped his arms around my neck and laid his head on my shoulder and then said "sing momma."  And so of course I did.  After I wiped away the mommy tears.
Day 51: 2/21
 We had Zilla's bday party today!  This is the cake I made him. Thank goodness for Pinterest.
Day 52: 2/22
Zilla and Roodle provided some musical entertainment during Sunday Night Dinner.


Monday, February 16, 2015

Vrlyfry-Day Week 7

Day 40: 2/9
Dada has school on Mondays, Momma worked late, so it was a Whataburger dinner kind of day for the Zilla.  He wasn't complaining.  I figure, it was working on bilateral hand coordination...or something.
Day 41: 2/10
 We made our happy little way back to Scottish Rite today!  I can't believe how far we have come in less than a year.  The doctors were so pleased with all of Zilla's progress.
Day 41: 2/11
 Zilla insisted on using this spoon to eat his yogurt.  You just have to pick your battles sometimes.
Day 42: 2/12 
 I had a girls' night with some coworkers.  I am so blessed to work with people who are also my friends!
Day 43: 2/13
 Mommy finally remembered that Zilla's highchair can detach and become a booster seat.  Big boy status! Also, the return of the ridiculous smile.
Day 44: 2/14
The sweetest Valentines who ever lived! We went big on Valentine's Day and ate at Pluckers.

 Day 45:2/15
These kids love playing with their uncles.  I'm glad I caught all four of them, even if Mini B is just a blur.

Monday, February 9, 2015

Vrlyfry-Day: Week 6

Day 33: 2/2

Zilla has been joining me at GND more, now that Hubskie has school on Monday's.  It worked out great this week, because he got to play with one of his favorite friends.
 
Day 34: 2/3
SATRS GAME!  And even more exciting, I got to see my sweet friend. We need to see each other more often.
 
Day 35: 2/4

The weather started to get a little better this week so we got to venture out on some walks.  LOOK AT THIS SMILE!
 
Day 36: 2/5
Zilla really really wanted to be held a lot tonight.  So I pulled out an old pouch sling I never really used because it was way too big.  But now that he's a toddler it works in a pinch.  I just love wearing him :) (please excuse the nasty mirror) 
 
Day 37: 2/6
Another nice day for a walk...So nice Zilla decided to try and take off his pants in the middle of the sidewalk.  So yeah, we're at that stage.
 
Day 38: 2/7
On Saturday morning I did 5K number 2 since having Zilla.  I used to do a lot of races and longer distance races before the little one, but have a hard time finding time to train these days (it would help if I was more of a morning person).  I did 2 "training" runs for this 5K and finished with the stats above.  I have to say I was really proud...I was by no means the fastest girl out there, but it's comforting to know I can still get a sub nine minute/mile 5K without really training.  One day I'll really get back into my groove.

Pic 2 for Day 38
My friends are getting married in May and we gave them a Game Night themed shower.  I love decorating for these and coming up with fun themes!  In another life I'm a party planner/Etsy invitation vendor/Doula/Lactation Consultant. 
 
Day 39: 2/8
My heart just smiles every time Zilla asks his aunt Berly to hold him.  I mean, it is just so sweet, and he loves her so much.