Visit to AL and Spring Break

Both boys spent Spring Break week in AL this year.  Nick and I had a stay-cation...a much needed break. We traveled to AL and spent time with Nicks family before heading back to ATL solo on Sunday.  The boys spent one night with their Kacky and Papa Dave then the remainder of the week with my family.

For our stay-cation...Nick and I wanted to go out every night since we never go out.  We do not have a baby-sitter so date nights are spent at home.  We just really wanted to enjoy this time together and focus on each other.  And that is just what we did.  

Before break...

powder and bouncy balls are not friends

Mommy, I see you

Friday at Kacky and Papa Dave's

Uncle Mitch

Isla, the assistant

Saturday morning we went to see our nephew, John, play soccor.  So cool!

Big Daddy, Nick and Bradley

Loved it!  Sat in this chair and watched

Mema got him a snack

We also had a belated Easter celebration on Saturday after the soccor game.  The kids enjoyed playing and hunting eggs...

The loot

corn on the cob is where its at

Nick and I left the boys on Sunday.  Monday they had a play-date with their Kacky at the park with their cousins...

My moms birthday was Monday, 4/8.  My parents went to pick them up from Kacky that afternoon.  They spent the week eating yummy treats, playing outside, playing inside, visiting family...



 

A trip to T-Town...to visit family...

Maw Maw Marler

Cousin Keena

Aunt Flo

Time to go...ready to see mommy and daddy...

Our stay-cation started off right.  We made it to a 6:45 movie Sunday night.  We literally got home, dropped off Dixie and our stuff and then went down the road to the theater.  Made it just in time. 

Monday night we went to Historic Downtown Roswell for dinner.  I LOVED this restaurant, Zest.  It is a Sushi and Tapas restaurant.  I had a Pinapple Margarita and enjoyed some sushi.  Awesome!!!





After dinner I got dessert at this little place...Roswell Provisions.  Strawberry Cupcake and White Chocolate Mocha.  Seriously...Spoiled...

Tuesday I got my hair done in the AFTERNOON.  Nick and I went to Cheeky for dinner and took our time...

Wednesday night we ate dinner at LoneStar in Dawsonville and did some shopping at the outlet mall there.

Thursday we went all out.  We had Krispy Kreme for breakfast.  Swallow at the Hollow (bbq) for lunch and Fuji Hana (Japanese steakhouse) for dinner.  

It was a wonderful week to recharge.  So very grateful to our families for taking such great care of our boys. 

Glasses and Easter

Bryant getting his glasses.  These are the ones he chose...

I took this picture last Monday during Bryant's OT session.  I was trying to get a picture of the Strabismus. His eyes look crossed and it doesn't look like he is looking at what he is doing...

He wore his glasses during his OT session yesterday (after a bribe) and Brittany said she could tell a difference, especially using the scissors.  He was able to cut a line much better.  We need to take him in and get the glasses adjusted to fit his face better.  He doesn't have much of a bridge to support them so they fall down his nose...

Let's hope we continue to notice improvements.  He just needs to wear them...we are struggling with it.

We stayed in town for Easter this year.  I am just happy we all made it to church.  Bradley had been struggling with allergy symptoms all week and developed a cough on Saturday.  But, luckly Sunday morning he seemed to be feeling better so we all made it. 

The boys had fun playing outside and finding eggs.

Spectacles...

As most of you may recall we took Bryant to see a Pediatric Opthamologist back in 2011 after his speech therapist strongly recommended he had a condition called Strabismus.  We went to that Dr. who confirmed that Bryant didn't suffer from Strabismus that it was his facial structure causing it to look as though his eye(s) was turning in or crossing.  After that appointment we just left it at that and trusted that his diagnosis was right. 

BIG MISTAKE!!!  Honestly, I never felt like that Dr. had a clue what he was doing with Bryant or that he knew what Strabismus was.  But again, what do I know...I'm not a Dr., I'm just a concerned parent.  Bryant does indeed suffer from Strabismus.  While the Strabismus isn't AS noticeable now as it was then...it does continue to occur which impacts his daily life. 

In addition to the Strabismus, Bryant also experiences what is called Nystagmus.  I have mentioned this in a previous post as well.  Nystagmus is involuntary eye movement...where his eyes shift rapidly, horizontally.  This has also seemed to decrease in frequency, but still occurs. 

While Bryant continues to do well with his therapy; speech and OT, I continue to feel like something just isn't quit right.  His OT received a letter in the mail from a Dr. just starting her practice here in Roswell.  Miss Brittany (OT) strongly recommended we look into seeing this Dr. as she was a Developmental Optometrist.  Who knew?  Kinda cool title if you ask me. I knew she would know what Strabismus was because she spoke of it in her letter.  I called this week and we were able to see her today.  While this Dr is fresh out of med school and has only been running her practice for a month she is still way better than the Dr. we saw before.

Bryant did as well as one would expect at the Dr.  It was A LOT of work, but we made it through the appointment and found that Bryant needs glasses to help with his Vision.  What we see isn't strictly defined by 20/20...It is also how our brain processes or interrupts what we see.

Bryant's glasses will not be like the glasses I wear for nearsightedness.  Bryant's glasses will be prism lenses.  He is to wear the glasses when playing or doing tasks that are close up.  These lenses are to help reduce eye strain and fatigue.  Bryant's right eye is stronger than his left eye...hence carrying a load supporting what he sees and what his brain processes.  He should no longer have to tilt his head.  That is a symptom of Strabismus and Bryant has had a head tilt for a long time.  Miss Brittany is working with him on drawing shapes and using scissors (both of which are very hard and challenging for B).  I hope that the glasses will help with his hand-eye coordination and these skills will improve over time. 

We went shopping for glasses this afternoon.  We didn't make a choice as I want Bryant to pick his glasses and today wasn't the best day.  I am hoping for better luck tomorrow as  I am anxious to get them and see how much of a difference they make.  HE IS SUPER CUTE in glasses!!! And I am not just saying that because he is my baby.  He really looks good in them.   I will post pictures if he will let me take some while shopping tomorrow. 

More to come on this subject...

Touch a Truck...

Touch a Truck is a free event sponsored by local parks and recreation. 



We took the boys this year and it was our first time to go.  Honestly, I had never heard of it.  A friend told us about it. The weather was perfect! and I think Bryant enjoyed some of the automobiles he got to "touch"...

Police car...

Jesus, please never let this happen...

Proud of his badge - sticker

Some sort of big truck that digs in the dirt...

We had to get on the school bus (this is for you Jan/Nana).  Bryant insisted on getting on the school bus and talked about it being like Nana's bus.  He was also convinced he was going to go for a ride.

He was so proud.  I think this was his favorite.

We took a break to enjoy the food...Hot Dogs, Cotton Candy and a Snow cone.  While snacking, Bryant watching the train buzz on by...



Bradley was a trooper.  He sat in the stroller the whole time and never made a sound...



Large tow truck...This one wasn't my favorite.  It had a loud horn that everyone got a toot...made me jump out of my skin...

Firetruck, obviously.  We were on our way out and hit this from the back...

Others we saw but didn't touch:  Cement mixer, Ambulance, Helicopter, etc.  Pretty sure we will do it again next year.  Bradley Bear will be all over the joint.

Long weekend

My parents were able to come into town for a visit a couple of weeks ago for a long weekend.  They were here Thursday to Sunday.  It was nice to have them on our turf. 

Bryant making pizza for us...

Ga-Ga brings prizes...


















 
















Snuggle time with Ga-Ga...

Where did Bryant go...

Learning new tricks everyday...

Snuggle time with Pap-Pap...

Sharing...

Monday morning Skype call with Ga-Ga...

Bradley had his 15 month check up last week.  I had to get a quick update in before he turns 16 months.  He is doing very well.  He is 26 lbs. and 32 inches tall. He has several words and he is using them.  He has learned to climb up the stairs.  He hasn't figured out how to come down, yet.  He enjoys playing kitchen, playing in the floor with his toys, he loves music and dancing.  He loves any kind of ball.  My favorite things he does are nodding his head yes and shaking his finger when we say no to Dixie.  Hilarious!

He is so funny...there is so much he wants to do, but he is very cautions. But, once he figures something out he has no fear...the unfamiliar is what is scary.  He has been walking for a while, but I tend to carry him, A LOT.  I put him down in the church parking lot one day because we were early to pick up Bryant.  He just stood there.  Then I realized he was scared because he had never walked on pavement before.  Weird...I know, but he is mine, so whatever...we are working on it.

Bryant is also doing well.  His articulation has improved.  He is enjoying school.  He is in a "no" phase right now....which needs to end, quickly.  He enjoys being outside...Thank goodness the weather is improving.  He is pretty much obsessed with his iPad.  He and Bradley don't really play together that well, but I think they will eventually get there.  He is no longer interested in potty training....although we remind him alllllll of the time.  I guess it's the "no" phase.  My favorite things he is doing now is when you read him a story that he knows he will pretty much read it for you.  Love that. Also, if it is a song he knows...he sings along with me now.....Never thought that would happen. He has a GREAT memory.  Thankful!!!