ALEX:
Alex went to the eye doctor on July 3rd and we finally scheduled his strabismus surgery for September 13th. I really thought it would have been done by now but the Doctor was waiting to see how strong his muscles would get. They have gotten stronger over the three years, but there is still crossing and his left eye is more dominant. Both eyes will be operated on to strengthen the muscles. Hopefully it will only have to be done once. He is having it three days after he starts preschool but it is on a Friday and hopefully he will recover pretty quickly.
He also went in for another round of Botox on July 19th. The first round was done in on February 15th on his adductor muscles. This time we had his hamstrings done. The Botox blocks the nerve to that muscle so it stays relaxed and doesn't tighten up. It's amazing what a difference it makes for him. He is able to sit better and we are hoping it will encourage him to walk more in his walker. I am sure I has to feel better for him as well. It isn't a pleasant feeling when your muscles are tight!
His Physiatrist (Physical Therapy Doctor) keeps telling us how good his looks and how well he thinks he is doing. You have no idea what that means to us.
We haven't seen his neurologist in a year and a half and that appointment is coming up in three weeks. I always have mixed feelings going into that appointment because I feel like it could be a really good appointment or a really depressing appointment. Areas where Eric and I think Alex is doing well the Doctor may just crush us in saying something we wouldn't expect. He is all about statistics though, so I try not to look to much into it. There is no telling what Alex is going to do.
As I have said many times in previous posts, Alex is an amazing kid. He has a smile that not only can brighten your day but it can melt your heart. He's happy, funny, adorable, lovable and determined. He isn't walking or talking yet, but he knows his peeps that's for sure. The other night before bed, I asked him where daddy was and he turned his head looked at Eric and smiled. I asked him where Evan was, he did the same and once again when Eric asked him where mommy was he turned around and looked at me. Of course we made a big deal out of it and he got super excited!
Thankfully Alex is a content kid. He is happy with his favorite toys, his favorite foods and his Mickey Mouse. He will occasionally get frustrated with his AFO's if they have been on all day or if a toy falls off his stander tray or in the car. He definitely has a voice even though words aren't coming out yet! Most importantly, he loves his brother.
I am so proud of Alex's hard work in therapy and all of his accomplishments and seeing him struggle with certain things is hard, I wouldn't trade him for anything! He is my little monkey!
EVAN:
Where do I begin? Evan has two sides to him: the loud, busy, stubborn mischievous side; and then he has the adorable lovey dovey side to him. He loves hugs and kisses and making his brother laugh is a daily duty for him.
Evan likes to get into anything and everything that he shouldn't. He wants to be independent and thinks he can throw a tantrum to weasel his way out of things. He is a handful and there are days where he runs me ragged.
He is a really smart kid. He knows a lot for just turning 3 - and I would say it's all happened in the last 6-8 months. His words are starting to form sentences now, he knows all of his colors, his ABC's, he counts to 13 (then starts back at 7!) He is excellent at the Find it books and puzzles. He knows a lot of objects visually and isn't afraid to get what he wants. He loves his brother a lot and like Alex, he is also very determined.
He just recently started pedaling his tricycle and he now rides it on our walks. He LOVES the mall - any mall. He is fascinated with the place - I don't get it. He enjoys going to the park and more recently can't get enough of the beach. He has no idea how much he is going to love our vacation at the end of August when we go to Myrtle Beach. He is NOT going to want to leave!
I am so proud of all of his accomplishments and although he gives me a run for my money nearly everyday, I wouldn't trade him for anything! He is my Pit bull!
Having twins is both challenging and fun all rolled into one. Seeing how different they are just amazes me; how they have the same DNA and are closer than the average siblings but are so very different. I think it is neat how they differ and that they look like brothers but aren't identical.
So that is all for now. Hope everyone is having a nice summer!!
Enjoy it because it will be over before we know it!
