My Marvels

Blake 2005

Barrett 2008
You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel.

-Pau (Pablo) Casals

Let's Hear It For The Boys

Dinner with the Duncans promises one thing... a house full of boys! Mandy and I are outnumbered when we get these boys and their daddies together. It is fun to sit back and watch them play (the daddies included).

The piano was Luke's favorite toy of the night. (where was he when we had our concert the other night?)
Blake sat out and chatted with the daddies while they grilled our dinner. He thinks he is as big as them and has lots of big things to talk about.
We had a good dinner, dessert, and fun playing with our friends!

Practice Makes Perfect

Look at Barrett go! He has been practicing sitting up. He hasn't mastered it yet, but is getting better. He topples over some, but also catches himself some too. Good thing he has plenty of protection from bumping his head!

McIntire Music Makers

One of Blake's favorite things to do is play with his musical instruments.... but not by himself. Each family member has to play a different instrument while we sing. Daddy always plays the maracas, Mommy the tambourine, and Blake the triangle. Barrett was finally old enough to get to join the McIntire Music Makers... playing the bells.

Barrett was not real sure what was going on, but he got the hang of it.
Barrett was in awe of how wonderfully loud Blake can play the triangle.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Psalm 100:1

Popsicles

One day while we were playing at Lana's house, we ate homemade popsicles (made by Tara and Lana). Blake loved them! The next time we went to play, Tara and Lana surprised Blake with his very own popsicle holders. Blake and I put them to good use!

Blake poured the Orange Juice and put the holders in. We put them in the freezer.
The next day... he enjoyed one!
Yum Yum!
Thank you Tara and Lana!

Peek A Boo

Where is Barrett...

Peek a boo!

Busy Boy

Barrett has another new tooth! Two teeth within a few days... he has been a busy boy!

Handful of cheek anyone?
Sweet Eskimo kisses

Puddles

Thunder crashes

Lightening flashes.

Rain makes puddles,

So I can make splashes.

Alpha-Bits Morning

Holly and I have been searching for a few years for Alpha-Bits cereal to use in our teaching. After a phone call to Post, we were told they no longer made them. Thanks to Holly for spreading the word that she had found them back on the shelves recently. I just found them at our local grocery store and could not pass them up! It took Blake a lot longer than usual to eat his breakfast. He thought he needed to tell me each letter, the sound it makes, and something that starts with that letter before every bite. I finally had to tell him to just eat them! He found a B... for Blake and Barrett

Look What I Got

When Barrett woke up this morning, I did our routine tooth check... and this time he had one! His little bottom tooth finally made it's way through the gums.

I know this picture is kind of awkward. I was trying to show his little tooth, but he kept putting his tongue in the way... so this was the best I could get. I can't believe he is already old enough for a tooth!

A Hard Night

Our first night with the new hat was a hard one. I don't know whether it was the tooth he is working on, or the hard plastic contraption on his head that kept him from being content. He had a very hard time getting to sleep and then was awake every few hours throughout the night. Today he has done much better napping and playing. He has been wearing it three hours, and then off an hour to let his head get used to it. It has been rubbing pink spots (the doctor warned us about this). He cries when we have to put it back on, but is ok soon after. It has been breaking our hearts. Tomorrow is his first day to wear it the full 23 hours with no breaks. Tonight we are happy that he is content and sleeping peacefully.

How Do I Look

Today was the big day... Barrett's DOC Band was ready. We made our way to Dallas for our appointment this afternoon. I have been very pleased with Cranial Technologies. They are very friendly and do everything in a timely manner. When the doctor came in and put Barrett's band on for the first time, Robert and I both got a little emotional. Although we know it is something minor, it was still unexpectedly hard for us to see him in it. It didn't take long for us to be ok with it when we saw this sweet smile!

He had to wear it for 15 minutes to check for any spots that might be rubbing or need adjusted. We had plenty of time for pictures while we waited!



They had to trim some off the front so that it didn't come down in front of his eyes so much, and a little trim over one ear. Daddy and Barrett loved on each other while we waited for the adjustment.

The adjustments were made, instructions were given (he has to wear it 23 hrs a day and we continue his physical therapy until he is 18 months old), appointment made for our check-up next week, and off we went.

He took a nice nap in the car after his big day!

Our Camper Is Home

Blake left Tuesday evening and got home this morning from camping with his Gram and Papa. He had the best time. He got to play in the dirt, ride his scooter, play putt putt, and watch the raccoons at night. He said his favorite part was riding his scooter and watching the raccoons up close.

Apparently last night some teenagers had fun with our tree. When Blake got home this morning he could not believe we had toilet paper in our tree. He could not wait to get it down.

Blake told us that he was our little camping boy. We sure missed our little camping boy, but we are glad he was able to do something so special with his Gram & Papa.

Happy Birthday Presley

Tonight we celebrated Presley's 3rd birthday. We had a break in the rain just long enough to have a wonderful celebration.

Because of the rain right before the party, no one was at the sprinkler park except for all of us! The kids ran and played, having the best time.


Barrett and his stroller club

Daddies and their babies

One of the best parts of the evening... the cake!

A table full of happy boys and girls

This smile says it all... it was good cake and a fun night.

As we drove back home, the clouds became darker and the rain started again. We stopped to get gas once we got back to our town. I was saying a prayer of thanks for the rain, and decided to get my camera out to take a picture of the wet parking lot and rain drops. It has been a while since we have seen this... it was much needed relief to our dry, hot land!

Happy Birthday Presley and thank you God for the rain!!

Olympics and Cookies

Blake has been enjoying the Olympics. Tonight I made him some cookies to eat while he watched. In true Blake style, he can't just sit and watch, he has to ask a lot of questions. He wants to know who, what, when, where, and why about everything. He wants to know what they are doing, why they are wearing that, what they are going to do next... He has really enjoyed the "gynastics" and the "racing without boats" (swimming). When I told Blake that I used to do gymnastics like those girls, he asked how I used to jump up there and do that... to which I replied that I wasn't quite sure now how I used to move like that!

I am a big fan of the Summer Olympics and have enjoyed watching and sharing this time with him.

Generations of Friends

Allison and I have been friends for 29 years. Our mothers were friends for years before we were even born. It is so fun to now watch our boys play together. Thomas is a year younger than Blake, but that didn't slow them down. There were lots of truck, cars, tractors, and trains to play with!

We had a wonderful visit with our "old" friends this afternoon.

Prayers

As always, James, Kacey, & Jaden are so heavy on my heart. My heart is rejoicing that they are home now, 4 months later... but still hurting for them and what they have endured. I wanted to give you a run down of the procedures Jaden went through. Twenty-two hours from birth he underwent open-heart surgery to repair five heart defects. Four days after surgery a grade 3/4 brain hemorrhage was discovered. He then underwent a series of three brain operations and has two more heart surgeries to face. I know everyone was praying and trying to keep up with each update and procedure. The power of prayer is amazing. Thank you for your prayers for this family as they faced these terrifying days. It was very hard for us to be so far away (they live in KY) when the people we love so dearly were facing some of their darkest days. We didn't know what to do, so we poured out our hearts in prayer before the Lord. Thank you for joining us in praying for healing and comfort for this special family.

Home Sweet Home

Look how good HOME looks on this boy! We got our first pictures of Jaden since he has come home. I couldn't wait to share these with all of his prayer warriors.

I will give Thee thanks forever, because Thou hast done it. Psalm 52:9

A New Journey

When we went in for Barrett's 4 month check-up, the doctor confirmed something Robert and I had already been noticing... Barrett's head was getting a flat spot. The doctor recommended some repositioning and other things. After a month of that, there was no improvement. We were referred to Cranial Technologies for a consultation. We had our appointment today.

Barrett waiting... always smiling and happy!

Getting images taken for measurements (look at that body!)
A close up of him in his pretty stocking hat.
I didn't get a picture of it, but he was smiling and trying to lick the stocking that is covering his face.
The diagnosis: Barrett has a very tight neck muscle on the left side. The doctor said this is due to his time in the womb. I have to do 2 different physical therapy exercises with him 5 times a day to stretch it out. Due to this tight muscle, his head naturally tilts and looks to one side, which has made that side of his head flat from always laying on it. He has moderate plagiocephaly which has impacted his ear and facial asymmetry.

The solution: DOC Band treatment for 2 months.

They will use the images taken today to make his band. We will be going in 10 days to get it. While Robert and I wish he didn't need one, we are thankful for the doctors who talked with us and we know we are doing what is best for our little sweet pea.