Learning Lots Right Side

Carter has really been learning so much lately...WOw does he amaze me lately. He is retaining what things are so much...He knows the words to so many songs, he has been walking so much now! And so much more steady than what he was before.
His swimming OT, Kari, said on Monday...that Carter is doing so well shes afraid she wont see him much longer...I told her I thought we could find things to 'work' on...But I gotta tell you as a mom how nice it is to hear that! I don't think Carter wants little brother Camden to pass him up so he has been working extra hard lately!
He was calling everything blue for a while...he now calls it either blue, green, or yellow! He can count to 14...He has been learning his ABC's (and is almost there!)...He is always singing the "5 Little Monkeys" song! Last night he was showing off for Grandma and Grandpa Struve by walking around the living room (back and forth, round and round!) while singing for them...He really was showing off!
He has had a fascination with being outside..Just this morning he said while getting out of bed " I wanna go outside!"...I head to tell him it was COLD and DARK and then change the subject!
Carter has been learning to go potty in the toilet since last monday also..so its been almost 10 days...He has been going for me lots...already 3 times today...I think it is saving on a few diapers too... I have to tehlp him button or snap (unsnap) and zip (unzip) his pants though...He may start getting more OT beings he still has trouble with turning lids or pulling off lids...opening drawers, etc...but this too doesnt worry me...I KNOW he will get there...He has been meeting his goals!

Also, I had him weighed at Child Health Specialty Clinic on Monday..he was 36.4 pounds...and so he has lost atleast 1.6 pounds ...I am happy about this..I really have been trying to feed him healthier! His sugars have been limited...More fruits, veggies, etc...The veggies sometimes have to be 'snuck' in...Anyways...He still has a few pounds that he could stand to drop...so I am going to keep helping him in the effort to revert the possible synthroid effects!
Thanks for reading!

It feels like a monday...

Today feels like a monday...Maybe its the fact that I slept horribly last night or maybe cause its rainy and dreary outside this morning. Carter has been testing me this morning...hes been constantly getting in Camden's face..not giving him any space! I love my Carter but he is ORNERY this morning...! :)
We have been trying melatonin for Carter but it does not seem to be benefitting Carter at all...He still wakes up every night from what seems to be nightmares...It breaks my heart that he wakes up with horror in his eyes...This sounds horrible, but I still blame Omaha Children's Hospital after they let a student doctor try and do a spinal tap on Carter in January..he had 9- yes NINE pokeholes in his back when they brought him back...(they didnt put him out!-they held him down!)...More to this story ...but ever since this we havent gotten Carter to sleep well...I dont know what else we can do?...We keep thinking time will help but now its been 8 months and he doesnt seem to be sleeping any better.
Please pray for Carter. Thank you, Jessica

Leaps and Bounds

I wanted to write this morning to talk more about my Carter. Carter has began potty training this week and has done remarkably well! The first time I tried it took about ten minutes and finally he went after I started the water in the bathtub...Wow..I was in shock that he actually did it and boy did I praise him! :) Yesterday, Carter went potty for me twice! He went alot quicker also..a couple minutes each time...Some of my family got to witness him pottying yesterday! Daddy has yet to see Carter man go potty.
I know that Carters learning style could mean repetition more than the average child..so I figured it was time to start because Carter has sparked more of an interest in his...well you know. :)
Carter has also been doing more and more walking...seeming to show off more for me and for my family. IT is exciting! On Monday, he went from the living room recliner clear into his bedroom...yay! That is the furthest yet (that I have seen anyways!)..Way to go Carter man. Leaps and Bounds I tell you...Some people may call this ordinary, I call it extraordinary! Who knew..God is good and faithful and I thank HIM for all he does...I know he has an awesome plan for our Carter and that He is going to take Carter exactly where Carter should be in life.

After thoughts

It has been over a week now since we saw Dr. Wilkerson and the concern of his weight was raised. SInce this, Carter has dropped a pound or so. He was 38 lbs and I now have him weighing in at 36.5 pounds. My goal for Carter is 33 or even less. He is currently about at the 95% for weight and 3-4% for height. My goal would put him at around 65% if he can drop a few more pounds by November 20, his 3rd birthday. It probably needs to be gradual, obviously. Cody and I have really been limiting and watching what we give him. Chocolate milk (ovaltine) is now a "treat", not an everyday item that was occurring at times. I just want to have my Carter healthy. :)
Carter has been doing pretty well for Barb, his Physical Therapist lately. He showed off on Tuesday by sitting on the green ball, all by himself...and even bouncing on the ball and testing his own balance...he also did a little bit of walking for her. Its amazing how much better his balance has gotten lately. :)
Yesterday, Carters SLP (speech language) came and visited. Her name is Wendy and she only comes once or so every 2-3 months. Things went well with her visit considering she had a sheet and was giving Carter things to 'do'..to see if he understands,etc...to kind of evaluate where he is at and what things we need to work on. The main things we are going to work on is 'pointing'...asking Carter questions while looking at pictures or books and getting thought processes/functions more developed.
Yesterday we also had a respite representative come to the house and explain to me more in depth things regarding respite. It was a good meeting and I now have the forms to give to some choice ppl to watch Carter when I need help or time to do other things.
Today we get to stay home or possibly go get some groceries..I am just happy we have no appointments!

Interesting turn of events...

Okay, I have always known that Carter is a little "chubby". I am not going to tell you I don't think hes chubby...I have always leaned on the fact that he hasn't grown very much height wise. Over the last year, he has only grown 1 1/2 inches...While other 2 year (almost 3) olds are around 36-38 inches tall, Carter is only 34 1/2 inches tall...Last September (a whole yr ago) he was 33 inches...That is not very much growth. I should mention that when Cdoy was 3 yrs old he was 38 1/4 inches and 35 pounds. Carter is 37-38 pds.
It seems he has a few things working against him as far as weight goes. #1. He is just starting to walk (and its only here and there, not fully)...so Cody believes that his metabolism isnt getting up there like the avg. 2 year old who is running around. #2. He hasnt grown any length wise. #3. He was put on synthroid by an Omaha Endocrinologist and now our new Sioux Falls endo. took him off, not sure he needs this medicine. Synthroid side effects include weight gain, I did my research.
We saw Barb Wilkerson yesterday and she is concerned that he has gained 7 pounds since January...Really that is ALOT for a 2 year old, about 1 pound a month. Cody and I dont believe that we overfeed him like some may think, but we have decided to NOT give him any sweets...Natural sweets are fine...but no cookies, bars, chocolate, etc. at ALL. He has been on skim milk for the last year also so we cant cut that back. So please people, family members esp., NO SWEETS FOR CARTER (kindly!)..
I dont want Carter at risk for obesity or diabetes, etc. Barb Wilkerson was going to fax Carters new endocrinologist Carters growth chart so he can see how his weight has dramatically increased...Maybe we will hear back and this will start growth hormone treatments? What do I know, it could happen?!
If its not one thing its another...this week started with Carter SHOULD have made it on to the BI waiver and now new concerns of weight...Please pray for Carter. Thanks!

One thing is for sure

They say nothing is certain but death and taxes..well I believe that nothing is certain but the worries that come being a parent. As a parent I want the very best for Carter and for Camden....so when something doesnt go as I would like its scary, sometimes sad. Yesterday Carter fell off the couch, today the same thing happened...When will this lil' boy learn? Doesn't he know how scary it is for us as parents...Its the not knowing. We have had three shunt malfunctions since his shunt was placed at 8 days old, and I don't want a fourth! Anytime he falls and hits the back of his head, Its nothing but worry until he starts acting like himself. His shunt is the reason he is alive and doing so well BUT his shunt is also the reason I get worked up when he falls...Its metal! I dont like that he has metal in his head, but what can I do...the shunt has definitely helped Carter beyond measure.
Ok, on to other things. Carter is doing AWESOME at walking..I absolutely LOVE to watch him walk...The look on his face is great, how he says 'good job' to himself when he is done, etc. Carter has so much determination and I love that in him, I think that has helped his journey so far. His speech is great too, I have heard this from a few people that last couple of days..which is reassuring. I have heard that it is so much clearer, etc. Well this morning I had a woman from Dickinson County DHS come and go over things with the Ill & Handicapp Waiver for Carter and also another lady from CHSC come and let me know some things that we are eligible for..Thank you Ladies!)) I did find out that Carter can have his speech evaluated at this point and see if he is in need of more therapy or not...and medicaid will pay for this...yay!
Camden has been learning how to scooch! (sp?) He tries to scooch down in his glider and also his car seat and smiles while doing it! Its funny...Carter is already teaching Camden things...
Anyways, Carter wants to go out on the deck so I better go!