Getting caught up...

It's been quite a while since my last post.  There's been a lot going on, and yet not much at all.  I know, such a contrary statement.

Since my last blog post my best friend got married and I was so blessed to have been a part of that beautiful day!  Wynter and I flew up to Washington for the occasion and were able to spend time with friends and family that I love and miss terribly.  While there I hatched a plan for our whole family to visit Washington next fall, and hopefully we can make it work.

Ferry docks, at Vashon Island I believe.

Oliver was evaluated and diagnosed with speech delay by a speech pathologist at Tucson Medical Center.  We had his hearing tested, and he passed easily, so we're still searching for answers.  I'm not convinced there is no reason behind his speech delay yet, though it is possible.  We're trying to get him some form of speech therapy either through the hospital or through the Blake Foundation here in Tucson, but the process is going rather slowly.  Partly due to the fact I hate making phone calls of any sort to set appointments or whatnot.

We've been teaching Oliver sign language for communication, and he seems to take to that so easily.  He recently started saying "no" but he doesn't always use it.  In fact it's been a few days.  I'm getting him back in to see the doctor to discuss other areas of possible delay just to be sure there isn't an underlying issue.

The speech delay we're dealing with has been a surprise for us.  Never did I expect to be dealing with something like this.  It makes me sad because I can't communicate the way I had expected to and the way I want to with my little boy.  It has, however, caused me to be more involved, more creative, and more focused on finding other ways to communicate, teach, and play with Oliver.

Wynter is almost 10 months old, and has come so far!  She's crawling, standing with the help of furniture and cruising very well.  She's recently begun to stand on her own, without help, and I'm sure walking is not far off.  She's very vocal, and very loud about it too.  She shakes her head "no", although it's more for fun than to say "no".  Sometimes she nods her head for fun also.  She's very curious about everything Oliver does.  When he's coloring she wants to join in, and perhaps for that reason has already figured out how to scribble on paper.  She loves her brother so much, and it shows in how she wants to be near him, and play with him, and copy everything he does.  They play with cars together, and chase each other around; she steals his sippy cups, and tries to eat his food if it's within her reach; I think she's learned things by watching him that Oliver didn't learn/do until later on.

Parenting is such an experience!  Oliver and Wynter are as different from each other as they are alike.  They need different things sometimes, and the same things other times.  There is no one day exactly like the last or the next.  There are also days, like today, when I see it as an adventure, but there are many days when it's a trial and I feel frustrated and emotionally spent.

The next several weeks hold many more things for our family.  We're taking both children trick 'r treating for the first time ever!  Oliver will be dressed as Thor, and Wynter as Wonder Woman.  Then in November we have Thanksgiving which is one of my favorite holidays, and at the end of November our current lease is up and we're planning on moving someplace bigger and more family friendly.  December brings my favorite season of all, Christmas!  It will be filled with baking, and singing, and joy.  We'll go to Winterhaven (a neighborhood of Christmas lights), and Summerhaven (a little town atop Mt. Lemmon) where we'll introduce Oliver and Wynter to snow for the first time.

I'm hoping to blog again more regularly as it is something I truly enjoy doing, but if not then know I'm still around, struggling and enjoying the adventure of parenthood.