How to Treat Kids Who Are Different

I want to share with you two recent blog posts from our friend, Ashley. She is mom to Finn and Paisley and wife to Joey. Brad went to college with Ashley and Joey. I met Finn and and Joey at a graduation party for a mutual friend while I was pregnant with Caleb. Meeting them is one of a couple moments I recall during my pregnancy that I think God was preparing me for the "special needs parenting" journey we unknowingly had ahead. I remember watching Joey be the most amazing dad to Baby Finn. And I also remember thinking "I bet that's so hard. There's no way I could do that."

Fast forward a few months and they were one of the first to visit us while Caleb was in the NICU. They brought us a meal. They listened to our worries/concerns, shared advice, cried and prayed with us. We don't see each other often since we live a few hours apart, but I always enjoy reading her blog. I've learned so much from her, and I hope you will too!

https://ourinvinciblesummers.wordpress.com/2017/02/27/how-to-treat-kids-who-are-different-part-i/

https://ourinvinciblesummers.wordpress.com/2017/03/02/how-to-treat-kids-who-are-different-part-ii/

Five Minute Friday

I was inspired to write this "Five Minute Friday" after seeing a friend's similar post on her blog. So here's the deal with Five Minute Friday... set the timer for five minutes and just write...

I'm at work, just sneaking a quick break to grab a bite to eat and jot down a few thoughts. My car is packed and as soon as work is done, I'll pick up the boys from MDO and head south with them to visit my parents in Texas for the weekend. The boys can't wait to spend some time with their grandparents. And I'm running a half marathon tomorrow morning... my eighth. I'll run my ninth in a couple weeks, and I'll run my tenth at the end of April. I'm SO looking forward to finishing that tenth. 10 has been a big goal ever since probably 2 or 3, so I'm excited about getting there soon. After that, I'm not sure what my next running goal will be. I'm afraid to stop and lose all I've worked so hard for... but I think I'm also ready for a little break. Wow... five minutes goes really fast! Back to work...

Happy Heart Day

Happy Heart Day Caleb! We're celebrating four years since his open heart surgery!

Caleb was born with a complete atrioventricular canal defect and needed open heart surgery when he was three months old. He had his annual cardiology check-up a couple weeks ago and continues to be in great heart health! ❤

Tyler - 24 months

Weight: 25lb 8oz

Length: 34"

Clothing size: 24 month shirts and some 2T shirts, 18-24 month pants

Shoe size: Size 7

Diaper size: He started potty-training three weeks ago, so he wears underwear during the day now. He still wears either a diaper or a pull-up at night.

Eating: Tyler still loves dairy... milk, string cheese and Chobani Tot greek yogurt pouches
Sleeping: Tyler goes to bed at 8:00pm and wakes up for the day around 7:00am. He usually takes one nap before or after lunch. A few nights each week, he wakes during the middle of the night and quietly walks into our room. Brad takes him back to bed, and I soundly sleep through it all. 

His days: Tyler goes to Mother's Day Out three days each week. He also tags along to Caleb's weekly PT, OT and speech therapy sessions

His favorite things: Caleb, milk, playing outside, and music (especially "Five Little Monkeys") 

Highlights of the last three months: We switched Tyler's crib to a toddler bed. He started potty training! His speech development has been amazing... he often speaks in sentences, and many of his sentences are 5+ words long! He got a few more teeth, so now the tooth count is at 16. He has everything but the four two-year molars. He had his first dental appointment several weeks ago, and he did great with the dentist.

Potty Time

I just looked back through recent blog posts and can't believe I never posted anything about potty-training Caleb! Caleb wasn't ready to potty-train at the typical 2-3 year old timeframe, but he started showing a few "readiness" signs right before his fourth birthday. So over fall break in mid-late October, Caleb and I got busy with our own little "potty boot camp". He did great and has been in "undies" ever since. He still has the occasional accident, but I'm so happy with how well he's doing.

Tyler wants to do everything his big brother does, so he has been showing lots of readiness signs ever since Caleb started potty-training. I decided to give it a try with him during Christmas break, but it kept getting put off due to busy schedules and illnesses. I finally got around to devoting some time to do "potty boot camp" with Tyler on New Year's Day. He's only 23 months, so I figured I'd introduce it to him but not push it too hard. He picked up on it all right away and has seriously blown me away! He's having a few accidents each day, but he's having way more successes. I wouldn't be surprised if he's potty-trained (day time... not at night) by his second birthday later this month.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from The Johnsons!

Tyler Talk #2

Mommy: "Tyler, what do you want for Christmas?"

Tyler: "A birthday!"

Mommy: "What do you want for your birthday?"

Tyler: "A cupcake"