October

During October it started getting colder and we decided we'd better spray our house for bugs before it got to cold to have the windows open.  So one Saturday we bit the bullet, moved all our furniture to the center of each room and I sprayed the perimeter.  It takes 4 hours to dry so we went and had a picnic and enjoyed the park.  Alex thought it was awesome to be out with both mommy and daddy for so long. Steve enjoyed a book about Java Script and even tried out Alex's pillow.  :-) I read Minnesota Travel guides to find out fun activities in the area. Alex explored the leaves and grass.  We also brought a frisbee and he enjoyed watching us throw it back and forth.

Alex has been working at Functional Kids with going through tunnels and he's discovered he loves them!  This one is especially fun because it's so bright and makes noise as you go through.  :-)  Isn't it a great picture?  It was the last one the camera took before the battery died.

We're working with Alex on responding to the word "No." His therapists told us to make the biggest frowny, stern faces we could when we said it, and keep looking at him til we get a reaction....I definitely think we got a reaction, don't you?  It's working though, he is really obedient...most of the time... and we've been able to break him of the habit of pulling out all the DVDs.

Alex is also trying to explore his food a little more. This is a HUGE deal!  He's also giving the spoon a chance.  Usually he'd just grab it and throw it off the tray.  Fingers crossed...maybe he'll start to feed himself soon.

One of my favorite things about Minnesota is that there are so many nice, big parks, EVERYWHERE.  This one is within walking distance from our home.  Look at those amazing clouds!!  Another thing I love about Minnesota.  We like to take walks as a family when Steve gets home (can't do that much after daylight savings). We'll even have family night out here sometimes.  

Alex has started being seen by a really good ENT, Dr. Barbra Malone. Alex's hearing tests weren't very good again, and after examining him, Dr. Malone decided it would be best to remove his adenoids and replace his PE (ear) tubes. I guess one tube had fallen out and the other was clogged and not functioning.  His Adenoid glands were enlarged and blocking his eustachian tubes (the tubes that drain your ears to your throat). She was hopeful that his would resolve the eustachian tube dysfunction and restore his hearing. So October 25, we headed down to Children's Hospital of St. Paul. Alex was awesome!  He was so happy the whole time, smiling at everyone and singing as we walked down the halls.  I was able to hold him as they put him under anesthesia (not a very fun experience, but I'm glad I was there to comfort him). His surgery went really well, and he and I enjoyed the recovery room together.  Thank heaven's for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and the pillow! They helped make him feel better quick.  It was so nice, they had a bed for me and crib for him since we were supposed to stay over night; Alex mostly hung out with me on my bed.  Luckily, Alex was doing well enough by the afternoon that we were discharged and able to go home.

 

Look how cute he is with the body pillow :-)  It allows me to escape every now and then.