Once upon a time, weekends were for some relaxing! We almost never have the TV on other than with a DVD or netflix so I almost forgot this was groundhog day. It certainly is different than this day last year. The groundhog predicted early spring, we already have nice spring weather here!

Trevor watched intently as Bill mowed the yard and cut up some bushes that were damaged in the freeze.

I thought I would occupy the boys with a walk around the block. They were both feisty and whiney this morning so I was hoping it would help us all calm down. We didn’t get past the end of the driveway and I had to come back in. Brendan was having a full blown panic attack and wanted no part of the stroller or being outside. His breathing was so out of control that I put him back on the ventilator until he could calm down. Once he fell asleep, I took Trevor out for the walk.

Somebody was just missing!

When he woke up from his nap, you would never know anything was wrong. Brendan was silly and doing fine back on his mist collar. He has started enjoying his baths again.

He was OK with me putting lotion on his legs and feet today which is improvement. He was laughing at me and showing off all the teeth he is getting in!

He is playing the crash-and-sit game. He falls over on to one of the pillows and then has to sit himself back up.

I tried to take more pictures of Trevor, but there was something on my lens.

Trevor is fascinated with the mosaic effect in Photo Booth!

Brendan was up in the night for hours, playing and smiling but still not sleeping. He only took a tiny nap this morning, so he should be ready to get some good sleep tonight!

It was just me and the boys this morning while Bill worked, but they were good to me. Brendan was taking measurements in the jungle, maybe he plans to hang curtains?

Brendan had speech therapy today. He wasn’t upset, but he definitely was giving the therapist the “I am not interested” vibe. He would not make eye contact or give her any smiles. He just played as little as possible. Meanwhile, Trevor was just laid back, havin’ a snack.

Brendan was playful and happy with us this afternoon. He is always excited when Bill is done working and comes to play.

Trevor helps with photography, I don’t know how I would do it without him!

Trevor gets wound up, and “goes crazy!”

Now that Brendan is starting to get past his withdrawal, we have to move back to working more on his PMV valve for speaking. We have given him a break because he hates it so much. It is hard on him and all of us having to push him through this. I took some video today, but it is sad to watch.
(Bill blowing on Brendan is just a “trick” to try to get him to inhale and not hold his breath)

This video of Trevor makes me laugh tears and I had to watch it many times, especially the part right after he tries to pull his bib off. He cracks me up.

Brendan is sleeping better at night and woke up with smiles. He took one nice long nap today. It could be a good pattern to fall into. I didn’t get the break like I did yesterday but for a Friday, it was all good.

Bill had to go in to the office today for a presentation and in-person meeting. I am very grateful that our night nurse worked an extra extra long shift to stay until just after noon so that I wouldn’t be alone. It makes the day a lot less stressful!

The boys had a pretty darn good day! Brendan didn’t sleep very well last night, he seems to have these spells of withdrawal-like symptoms that come and go. He seemed like he was going to be a mess this morning, but then he ROCKED his PT session. He was all smiley and playing and showing off what he can do. He worked on transitioning from sit to kneel to pulling up to stand at the couch (with lots of help!). He did lots of sit-to-stand exercises on the jungle and plenty of his sit up from lying on the floor practice too.

We continued the daily messy-play meal time today for lunch. Brendan got to try pureed beef. I thought it would be a different texture and flavor type for him. I wish the camera had been ready for the first bite. He gave this hilariously pathetic look of sheer offense. I couldn’t stop laughing. He left the glob of beef-goo dangling from his top front teeth and his mouth was open like he didn’t want his tongue to touch it.
He eventually tasted it and got more used to it, but he wasn’t thrilled about eating it and only got down maybe two bites.

We have to allow Trevor messy-play time too! He doesn’t mind one bit.

Trevor took a THREE HOUR nap today! Hooooray!! Brendan took a 2.5hr nap!! Unheard of!! The miracle is that they did it at the same time!! Mommy did a happy dance and really enjoyed the quiet house!

Trevor woke up from his nap with a little hair issue.

Brendan woke up and decided that he was not interested in having a glow toe anymore.

Maybe the butterfly needs its oxygen level checked?

Trevor was supposed to be having some Kix as a snack.

Brendan had to get Daddy caught up on what he was doing in PT.

Brendan was fascinated with his own image on the iPad camera. He was making cheese faces at himself so I had to let it take a picture! It takes decent photos!

Trevor thought he needed a suction.

Trevor figured that messy-play extended in to dinner time too. (There is chicken cooking in a pan behind the camera, hence the sizzling noise). Trevor was completely entertaining himself here. He found that peppering his highchair tray with little droplets of garden vegetables was hilarious. He was really cracking himself up, he had settled a bit by the time I got the camera.

I showcase some of Trevor’s naughtiest antics because they are entertaining, but I should also point out, just for the sake of future Trevor, that he really is a VERY good baby. He has such an established bedtime routine that he gets in to his crib awake and plays with his aquarium and musical seahorse until he falls asleep. He only wants to be rocked and held a few minutes and then he will point to his crib that he is ready for bed. He is a super good eater and a smart problem solver.

One year ago today, we were checking Brendan back in to the hospital for “just a quick evaluation” that ended up being a four month stay. How things change!
We hope that we continue to stay far away from the hospital!