Olivia, Alex & Avery on their way out to play in the snow.
Our yard has several small hills that the kids enjoy sledding down. They are beastly to mow in the summer, but provide much enjoyment in the winter!
Olivia has become a wonderful caregiver and friend to Avery since she has been at home with us these past few months. He treats her like his second mother and she is learning so many skills that will benefit her when she is a mother.
Avery LOVES his pockets!
Alex, as he reached the bottom of the hill on the snow board.
At dinner the other night, we were talking about how Olivia is just naturally funny and Alex turned to her and said, "I wonder if Mom and Dad were funny".
It struck Rob and I as absolutely hilarious that he could not fathom us being funny either now or long, long ago when we were young!
While rocking my little Avery a couple of weeks ago I said, "Mommy Loves you. Do you know who else loves you?" I was anticipating a response like "Daddy" or "Jesus", but with only a moment's hesitation, he responded, "Melanie!"
Avery has been in speech therapy since about September through the Early Intervention program in Davis School District. Melanie Kieffer was assigned as his speech therapist. She comes to our home twice a month and works (plays) with him for 45 minutes and he has fallen quite "in love" with her! He loves when she comes to play with him.
He is also participating in an 8-week music class (which Melanie conducts) with several children and their moms to aid in speech and other kinds of development. The music class is a highlight of Avery's week!
I've noticed that small children love the people who regularly take time to just sit and play with them or read them stories. So, if you're looking for the affection of young children, take time out to sit and play with them and your efforts will rarely be without reward.
I don't know what it is about Strep-throat, but it LOVES our family this year.
We've had strep 10 times this year!
Rob 2x
Nat 1x
Ashlie 3x
Olivia 3x
Alex 0x
Avery 1x
Grandpa 0x
It seems like every time one person recovers, another one comes down with it. I don't know what I'll do when I don't get to see my pharmacist every other week! Although it is a real pain every time someone comes down with it, we are so grateful for antibiotics!
An added complexity is that Rob has strep-induced psoriasis. When he gets strep his psoriasis flares up, then it takes 6+ weeks to recover. The last time he got strep was just before Thanksgiving and his entire body is still - 2 months later - covered with large, red, itchy sores. I would estimate that 40% of his body is covered in red spots of skin that is regenerating at 6 times its normal rate. This "outbreak" is so much worse than the last time; I'm really worried about him getting strep again and I feel really bad for him because he's so uncomfortable and will likely live with this for the rest of his life. His doctor said that the medicine to prevent him from getting strep is $300/month and insurance won't pay for it, so we have to settle with treating it. And get this: the best way to get rid of the psoriasis is to increase sun exposure (or tanning), but Rob has already had tons of pre-cancer spots, so additional sun exposure may create another problem.
On that happy note, cross your fingers that strep will stay away for a while.
