Do you see what I see?

Obviously this is a video of our little cherub enjoying one of his favorite activities: puddle splashing.

And I'm sure you also noticed I allow him to run around the yard in only a diaper for this activity. To save face I will mention he is in the back yard and the main reason I strip him down is to preserve his dry tennis shoes since he can't wear the orthotics without them. And, I admit, I love seeing chunky baby nakedness.

You probably also noticed the giant moose-dog. Jacob and Bella are very rarely far apart. She thinks Jacob needs extra supervision even with mama watching and Jacob thinks she is the next best thing after siblings. So they trot around the house and yard together when sibs are at school.

Did you notice anything else?

I did.

And I watched it over and over and over again.

Because it is beautiful!

Heels

on

the

ground!

After one full month in the orthotics and two weeks of physical therapy under our belts Jacob can walk with his heels on the ground! At least part of the time.

knee bent and toes up in forward motion

both heels flat at the same time

correct motion in hips, knees, and ankles

no more dragging toes!!

Jacob has started taking single steps down (and attempting to step up) through indoor/outdoor thresholds and pool decks without putting his hands down or even holding on to the doorway or an adult's hand.

Would it have bothered me to have a lifelong "toe-walker"? No. Am I completely and totally thrilled that he is developing the ability to walk without dragging his toes, falling constantly, and beating up his beautiful face? You better believe it!

In two short weeks of working with the physical therapist Jacob has learned to brace himself when he falls. So now, on the occasion that he does trip, he knows how to put his hands out to keep from smashing his little forehead into the asphalt. But he has also been working on balance in his therapy play and the proper motion of walking and stepping without tripping himself up. So falls are much fewer and farther in between anyway.

I've only seen her in action twice, but I love his physical therapist. She is amazing with him and has the best play ideas to encourage his motor skills. He loves popping bubbles with his toes (balance), stomping bubbles on the grass (balance and placement), squatting to pop bubbles with his fingers (stretching and strength). And we have learned so many cool new ways to play with his collapsible tunnels, bouncy balls, and pillows. I have so many more fun activities to do now.

I love watching my boy change!

Splish, Splash

The weather is finally cooling, fall is on its way! But before the heat subsided we were able to sneak in a little water park play.

 

 

I love where we live.

Over a year ago now...

I wanted to write this post the day after my birthday. Because last year on the-day-after-my-birthday I met the most precious, adorable, handsome Russian I had ever seen. And even though he wasn't "mine" officially yet, I fell head-over-heels in love with him.

But, since my computer died and we had trouble recovering our videos (all the pictures were there, but no videos) the post had to wait. Since I am married to superman, the videos were recovered. So even though it's been more than a year ago now, I can't stop thinking about that day. The very first day I held my boy. And it's time to share.

  

It's a box...

Thursday evening Brad texted me this picture with the caption: "Look what Daddy's bringing home!"

To which I replied:

 

What is it about big boxes that kids enjoy so much?

 

 

 

Our Idea of Fun

Brad is home very rarely these days. The rich blessing of side jobs unfortunately brings the consequence of little time as a family. So when we finally confirmed that he would indeed be home on Labor Day we excitedly thought about what we could do together as a family. We love getting outdoors so our first thought was a hike. Yes, definitely a hike.

Monday morning we woke up to the most beautiful sound: rain drops! It was a light rain and even though the forecast included thunder showers we still anxiously prepared for our hike. As we got closer to the time we planned to leave the rain came down a little harder. And then a little harder. Brad asked me what I thought we should do. "Pack towels and jammies for the kids to change into after our hike." Done.

As we drove up the freeway into the foothills the torrential downpour began to pelt our windshield. Brad called out to the kids in the backseat, "You may have noticed there is a slight precipitation today." To which the looks of worry and dread faded and smiles and giggles emerged. The kids realized this was going to be fun.

As it turned out we managed to get ahead of the heavy rain and there was not a drop on us for the first half of our hike. It was too hot for the jackets we had brought and the kids had a great time playing in the waterfall.

Then as I was strapping on the last shoe on the 4th kiddo I heard Drew say with shear delight in his voice, "Mama it's raining again!" Sure enough, as we hiked back to the car our heavy rain cell caught up with us.

It was fantastic! The warm humid air cooled and we enjoyed the walk back to the car in the down poor. We put jackets on the kids but it was warm enough for Brad and I to just stay in short sleeves through the end of the hike.

Once we got to the car everyone dried off and settled into their jammies. We had lunch on the way home and soaked in the giant smiles on our little-people's faces.