It's the little things...

Last night Brendan and his 5 year old sister had a wrestling match. It was really funny to watch. Brendan worked really hard and had a blast. He didn't want it to end and kept yelling one more time, one more time! He even took his sister down a few times. While this may seem like nothing for many kids it is huge for Brendan. It took a lot of effort but he really enjoyed it. Once again therapy and play rolled into one! I still get sad from time to time when I think about his struggle in life but that is only when he is not in front of me because when he is he doesn't let you feel sad. He is ALWAYS happy, smiling, laughing and just enjoying life. He cracks me up daily. The wheelchair has become part of him. It is his legs and he is fine with that, at least that is what it seems. He wheels around this house like a pro. I hardly yell at him for wheeling into walls anymore. Brendan is going to be Bounty Hunter for Halloween. He has been batman for 4 years so I really happy he wanted to be something else. We had to be creative and make his costume which was actually kind of fun. It may seem like an odd costume for a child but he absolutely loves that show. He know the lingo and probably every episode by heart. He doesn't watch much television but has two favorite shows, ICarly and Bounty Hunter. It is great to see him progressing in little ways. His pretend play has really progressed this past year. He can even entertain himself in his room with his tool bench. This has been a goal for so many years and he has finally met it! He achieves so many things and although they may take months or years while it only takes days for other kids his age he does it which makes one proud mama! Brendan is an inspiration, he truly is!

My boys and My girls

I love being able to say 'my boys' now. We have always referred to Chloe and Makayla as 'the girls' and since I always pictured myself having 3 boys it is nice to finally say 'my boys'. What I love most about Brendan is his lack of self pity. He does not have a jealous bone in his body. He loved watching Makayla meet all her milestones over the past 5 years and now he already loves watching Drew smile, talk, and just be a baby. He has nothing but love for his siblings and it makes you feel like you are doing something right. I enjoy listening and watching all of our children interact with each other. We have a very close family even though we aren't all 100% blood related. The kids would never think of each other anything but brothers and sisters and I love that. Chloe has started gymnastics and is amazing at it! She was the best in her class and she just started. She has self taught herself cartwheels, one handed cartwheels, round offs, and the splits. She practices all the time and has really perfected her skills in mere months. We were able to view her class last week and we are amazed. The teacher wants to move her up a level already. Now we just need to afford it but how can you not try when you find a natural talent in your child. We need to enroll Makayla in dance class because this child has danced since she was an infant. She can't even help herself. If music comes on that child is dancing and she has moves! She can feel the beat and dance to all kinds of music and we love watching her. Time for some coffee and get these kids ready to head to the shop! Our consignment shop is going well and I think we are finally going to take Sunday's off! If you ever want to check out pictures of what we have ( we can ship items!) check out our facebook page www.facebook.com/tivertontots. I have shipped two items already to children with special needs. Everyday baby gear that can make our lives easier.

Brendan is always progressing! Drew is 7 weeks already!

Brendan never stops progressing and for that I am forever thankful. He is really growing up on me. He will be the big 10 NEXT MONTH and I see a major difference from last year. He has been paying a lot more attention to movies. We have 'family fun Friday movie night' and a year ago Brendan would talk through the whole movie and not even watch it. Last weekend we watched Garfield and he was quiet and was watching the t.v. the entire movie! I was shocked. He recently told me he saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid and it was funny and we should watch it. Who is this child?! He is growing so much and is so heavy. I lost some of my muscles from not lifting him during my pregnancy and for a few weeks afterwards. I can barely move him now. Just getting him from his bed to his wheelchair takes effort. He outgrew all his size 6 pants over the summer so I think he had a growth spurt. I love watching him grow up but it also scares me because I never thought I would already be at the point of wondering how much longer I will be able to lift him. I knew this day would come but I didn't think it would come so soon. This is where being 5'1" is not a good thing. Does anyone else worry about this? Maybe we will just always be able to lift them from shear determination? Drew is already 7 weeks old...where did the time go? The days do not stop. We are busy busy busy. The house is very hectic but Drew fits right in. He likes the craziness all around him. Working has been difficult with him. He doesn't sleep as much as I thought he would and has been crying a lot. We bought some gas drops and he had a great day at work yesterday so maybe that was the issue. It is a bit strange having a boy that is developing normally. He is smiling, cooing, making eye contact and is a great addition to our loving family.

Baby Drew is here and already 4 weeks!

My life has been crazy~in a good way! 4 weeks has absolutely flown by. I surprised myself and adjusted immediately. I wasn't sure how having a newborn would be with my youngest practically 5 years old but I guess parenthood is like riding a bike...you never forget. I really enjoy it, more than I thought I would. I think I am treasuring every moment because I know he is my last. This is really my last baby and it is somewhat bittersweet. He was wanted for years and he is finally here after a horrible pregnancy. I feel very fortunate to have made it 38 weeks and to hold him in my arms when I know not everyone gets that dream fulfilled. Drew fits right into our family. I am so in love with my little guy. He is a really good baby. He came into this world on August 16th at 3:35pm and was 7lbs 14 ounces!! Labor wasn't all that bad because I got the epidural. I was in so much pain already at 3cm and I hit 6cm fast and furiously. Delivery was a great experience. The Dr. was so busy delivering other babies that a midwife delivered him and we did delayed cord clamping...something I had researched and really wanted. We got to bond with Drew for a long time before they took him away to do anything. It was very special and am so happy I was able to experience it. I am pretty sure he is already over 10lbs now, he eats like a champ. He is going to follow suit and become super chubby like the other kids at a few months old. The kids absolutely adore him and are very helpful.

I will try and blog more but between the family business and having 4 children (still sounds crazy to me!) I have little time for myself. I am pretty much non stop from morning til night but in a weird way I love it! Interesting little fact: All of my children were born on a Thursday afternoon. I just think that is neat. Makayla and Drew were born within minutes of each other.

Still pregnant!

Well I have had a ton of contractions but so far no arrival. 31 days or less and I can not wait. I am all belly and he is killing me with his kicks and movements. I have a beach ball inside of me and let me tell you it is not comfortable! Brendan's addition is nearly complete. The wood floors were just finished so we can't go in the area for a few days. Minor details are left and then he can actually use it!!!! This project started back in October so I am very excited to get my house back. I can't wait for him to pick out everything for his new room. I am ready to get his therapy room together and not have contractors at my house at 7am. Should be perfect timing for the arrival of this little one. Brendan is doing awesome lately. He is growing up by the week it seems. His sentence structure and thought process for what he says is constantly improving. The summer is flying by and between opening the business and being super pregnant I haven't had time to enjoy it. I love the Fall anyway so I am looking forward to some cool weather and lots of walks with the kids. Can't wait to post pictures of the completed addition and our new bundle of joy.

Contractions Contractions Contractions

Like clockwork I had contractions last night. I just turned 34 weeks on Sunday. I delivered Brendan at 33 weeks and had preterm contractions with Makayla at 33 and 34 weeks. I got a bit nervous. I have been so uncomfortable and keep saying I hope he comes a little early but 34 weeks is a bit too early. I don't want a NICU baby. I want a healthy baby that comes home with me. They lasted from 2:30am-7:30am and were 6 min apart for the last hour which almost had me going to the hospital but somehow I ended up falling asleep and they slowed and stopped. Not sure if they will stay away or not but every day counts. If it happens again and they don't stop within an hour I have to go in to get checked out. I guess those weekly shots I have endured since week 16 aren't going to work for me. BOO

Life has been BUSY! Update on life

I have been beyond busy lately. Opening your own business 8 months pregnant has been a challenge but we are doing it! We work 7 days a week right now but things are going well. I think we had the right idea for our area. Word is spreading and we have had a lot of business. We haven't spent any money on advertising yet but between facebook, craigslist, drive-by's, and word of mouth we have been doing alright! I am already 33 weeks pregnant! This has been a very difficult pregnancy. It hasn't gotten any easier let me tell you. He is already 5lbs and kicking my butt. My stomach is the biggest it has ever gotten with any pregnancy which scares me because I still have 7 weeks to go. He is very active and likes his space. I am hoping he comes a little early because I am so uncomfortable. I can't bend over, I can't walk for very long, I can't stand for very long....the complaints go on and on :). It will be all worth it. I can't wait to meet him. My sister had her baby boy 4 weeks early so he has already arrived. I was holding him and just can't imagine that baby fitting inside of me but he is only 6lbs 3 ounces so it would be possible. Brendan's addition is ALMOST finished!!! I can't wait. His bathroom is just about done. The plumbers and electricians are supposed to come tomorrow and finish up and then the hard wood floors have to be finished and all that will be left are final details. He is so excited to sleep in his new bedroom. His custom made vanity was just installed this past weekend. I will take some new pictures soon. It all looks amazing and I can't wait for him to settle in. His equipment I ordered also came in on Friday. He loves his dynamic stander and wheels to go get the mail everyday. We also have a new kaye bench and wheelchair desk. The lift in the garage was also installed recently but we haven't used it much because his temporary bedroom doesn't allow him to fit through the door into that room yet. It is all coming together and has been a very long process but will be so worth it. I will have to post videos and pictures soon!