Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Look Who Just Turned TWO!

Last week, Ben turned 2.  (correction: 2 months ago, he just turned 2--that's how behind I am!)  His doctor appointment was on his birthday and we got out relatively quickly without totally trashing the place and causing a ruckus.  That's pretty successful in my book.  He did, however, open every drawer and cabinet he could find and constantly turned on the water, but there was no slamming of the drawers, removal of the file folders (who puts that at a child's height and doesn't lock it anyways??), or hitting of doctors.  That's just a glimpse of  his behavior at Ashlyn's last appointment.  You're probably thinking that your child isn't so bad right now.  It's ok.  If you ever need a reminder, just call me.  I'll be happy to trade for a few hours. :)  Anywho, since Ben is behind on his language skills, I expressed my concerns in a non-hysterical way and the doctor gave me the usual "it doesn't matter how fast they get there, just as long as they get there.  Learning to talk is not a race."  I get that and that's why I'm not hysterical.  BUT, I do think he's behind and I'm not going to sit around until he's 3 when the doctor really gets concerned.  I asked for a referral to the early intervention program from the state for an evaluation.  The doctor suggested a hearing test.  I thought he could hear just fine because he responds to you, even if he can't see you, and he follows directions well, and can point things out in a picture.  So I decided to humor him.  Guess what?  He did NOT pass.  Now I'm waiting for an audiologist to call me back.  It seems as though either surgery (yikes!) or hearing aids may be in his future.  I don't want to psych myself up for something that isn't in the prognosis, but I'm a little nervous.  Yet relieved to possibly find an answer for his lack of words.  We'll see.  He is 27 pounds and 35 inches tall and definitely 2. 

**update:  His hearing is perfectly fine, according to the audiologist.  He will be starting speech therapy here soon though.


His favorite toy of the night

A wooden train

Cake balls!  They were yummy but not very pretty

Sometimes climbing on the box is just as fun

Sleep

My precious boy Ben has decided that sleep is not for him.  Ever since Christmas, he screams like he's absolutely terrified when we put him down to sleep.  Imagine my dismay since this was my child's only redeeming quality--he was an excellent sleeper.  He'll only sleep if you lay down with him.  Of course I usually fall asleep first, wake up around 1am, sneak out, and then get woken up again by Ashlyn who thinks she needs to eat during the night.  This wakes Ben up and we all sleep on the living room floor.  Ben hasn't been taking afternoon naps and I have a bunch of things I want to get done.  I'm cranky because I slept on the hard floor and I don't get any "me" time to get stuff done/relax/burn some calories.  I'm sure the extra cortisol in my system is storing up even more fat.  That's ok...I like a challenge.  Ben pushes all of my buttons all.  day.  long.  I'm starting to think my kids will not live past age two.  Or maybe I won't.  This seems to be a VERY long phase.  But it's just a phase, right?  Kids do eventually grow out of the "I'll do exactly what you just told me not to do, look at you, and laugh when you get really mad" phase.  At least that's what I keep telling myself.