Words

The word from Ethen's Occupational Therapist is that today during his OT session, while listening to an "Old MacDonald" cd he said "Quack Quack" - or something close to it!! She wasn't sure, so she played it again, and again he said, "QUACK QUACK"!!

Yes, a HUGE deal! He has also recently started saying "UUUUPPPPPPPPPP" when he see's anything he wants that is not quite in his reach (ie: something on the kitchen counter that's been pushed back so he can't reach it).

So proud! If you don't have a non-verbal child, this might seem like a small thing considering that he's 3.5 years old, but the biggest question in Ethen's development has always been his ability to speak - if he will, when he will, or even if he will, so needless to say, when I got the call today at work that this had happened I was literally in tears, and pretty much have been every time I've thought about it after that.

Here are just a few more pics of the kids over the last 2 weeks or so...

Is That "Days Since Ethen's Last Seizure" Counter Right?

Yes it IS!! It's not something we talk about too much, because I'm just supersticious like that, but dang it - it's time for a big WOOP WOOP! that's 15 months my friends -- come on - say it with us WOOP WOOP!!

See Below - More of the Whole Buncha Pictures

A Whole Buncha Pictures Since I've Been Such A Bad Blogger

1 Year

I've written these before - you know, the "One Year Together" where we celebrate the fact that we've been a family for 1 year, 2 years, etc. -- a big milestone in the land of adoption at least...

This "1 Year" post isn't about adoption, or being a family, although I'm profoundly changed by those things...

This "1 Year" is about my youngest child -- you know, the one with epilepsy -- who's last seizure happened 1 YEAR AGO TODAY!!!

W're halfway there folks, another 365 days and we hit the big neurological milestone -- 2 years seizure free. It's such a huge thing. I have to be honest though -- you literally live each day wondering and somewhat holding your breath because the one that breaks the "anniversary count" could come any time, and then your held breath must be let out, and we start over -- such is life with this thing called epilepsy.

Despite the frustration that is neurological affliction, I am so thankful to have been given the gift of Ethen -- he's a fighter, he's stubborn as hell, and I am so proud of him every day. He continues to make great progress, and is about 2 weeks away from being on 1 seizure med (he's been on 2 for the last year, and clearly way over medicated). He will start his 2nd year of public school in about 2 weeks, and I suspect that next May will bring us a child that we hardly recognize -- and I can't wait!

I love you Ethen T.!

SPOON Foundation - Vitamin Project Needs Your Support!

As the mother of 2 children born in Kazakhstan (both early life residents of baby houses), I have become passionate and active in a foundation dedicated to ensuring early nutritional support for Kazakhstan baby houses adorable residents.

Below is a link to a informational page as well as a short video from the SPOON Foundation asking for support in their first fundraising effort. If you know us (or if you don't!), and are able, I sincerely ask you to consider supporting this very worthwhile cause. $16 per month will support one orphan in a Kazakhstan baby house thoughout this effort - please consider sponsoring an orphan, or donating any amount that you're able.

Kazakhstan Vitamin Project

Nine Months

Check out the "Days since Ethen's Last Seizure" counter...

That's 9 months folks!

We continue to be amazed and thankful for this time, and the amazing gift of Ethen himself!

Now A Beatle Bites The Dust...

First a Jonas, now a Beatle! Ethen has followed in the footsteps of big brother Jackson and gotten his lovely locks shorn in preparation for summer in the ATL. My little baby is not a little baby anymore!

I don't usually do this kind of thing, but there is a blog that I read all the time called "My Charming Kids". The family has a new baby named Stellan who is a sort of miracle baby just by being here, but is now, at 5 months, in very bad shape medically. I wanted to take a moment to share this story, and ask you to visit their site, and if you pray, to pray for the family, and for Stellan -- today is not a good day, and they need all the thoughts and prayers they can get.

Here is their blog -->http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

A visit with THE Jack...

I had to go to CMH for work, and after finding out that airfare was only $59 each way, decided to take Jackson with me. My Dad, Nan, and my Aunt Mary Lou are headed this way via car on 3/17 to celebrate Ethen's 3rd birthday, so I came home on Friday, but Jackson stayed and will be driving down with them on Tuesday. He never gets to spend that kind of 1-on-1 time with his Nana and Pop, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity. I talked to him this morning, and as expected, he is having a blast!

We all went to a fund raiser on Thursday night at the Columbus Zoo, and ran into one of my Dad's old work buddies - Jack Hanna! Jackson had never met him in person, and to say he was blown away is an understatement. He and Dad went back to the zoo the next day to spend more time with Mr. Hanna, and it sounds like my Jack may have cleaned out the entire promotions cabinet with gifts from Mr. Hanna...go figure ;-)

I asked him on the phone if he had told Jack Hanna that he wanted to be on his show, and he said "Yes" - when I asked what he said in return, Jackson said "he just laughed" -- damn, I was going for the big time ;-) !!!

Here's a few pictures from our first visit with Jack Hanna...

He got it all CUT OFF!!

Jackson decided his days as the forth Jonas Brother were OVER! Here's his new look...

Jack & Ruby -- Ruby & Jack!

We had a great visit from a dear old friend and her little girl Ruby! We love them, and it was great seeing them!

Best Buddies

Jackson and his best buddy Landon at the 1st baseball practice of the season...

There's a car under there somewhere...

Here's how it goes...strong, strong winds, huge tree, little car, and KABOOM!!!

The Best Pop

My dad came to visit and help us out while my mom was recovering from some post surgery complications. The kids think he's the best -- and so do I!

Wiggle Your Ears

can you?...

Question of the Day...

Is it just me, or do all 4.5 year olds answer every statement you make with a question?

Example:

Me: "Jackson, you need to get in the car."
Jackson: "Car?"
Me: "Yes, now."
Jackson: "Now?"
Me: "Yes, now, we need to get going."
Jackson: "Going?"

See the pattern? Or should I say the VERY IRRITATING pattern? What is that??!!

Repeat after me ... "I am so blessed, I am so blessed, I am ..."

New Lens

A while back I bought myself a new DSLR -- the Canon XSi-- and love it. I'd been jealous though of some friends pictures they were taking that just had the "it" factor that mine didn't. Found out it's the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II - which I bought, and LOVE. Take a look...