Kai exercising

I was actually able to capture Kai doing his "push ups" and getting up on all fours. He has been really working hard on getting up on all fours.

Kai is 11 months!

Kai turned 11 months old on September 14th. I can't believe he is going to be ONE next month. Of course he doesn't look his age at all. He weighs 15 pounds and is about 27 inches long. Kai has been staying healthy so far. He is very active, rolls around all over the place. He is working on getting up on all fours. We have caught him a few times on all fours, but it last like a second, not enough time to snap a picture. He is done wearing the cranio cap. He does not like to wear it and really crabs when he has it on, so we have called it quits on that. He had the cranio cap for about 6 months. He has gotten smart with his hearing aids and is always pulling them out...little stinker!



Our biggest challenge...feedings. We just recently started Kai on some medical food; Neocate Nutra (it's kinda like baby cereal). He tolerates it well and seems to like it. We have changed his diet a little due to him getting irritated by certain foods. We have cut out meat proteins, apples and bananas. So he is on a limited variety of baby foods. He still usually gets 3 oral feedings a day. He takes anywhere from 1 ounce to 4 ounces. He is currently up to 121 mls per feeding. We have been trying to do 5 feedings during the day and then either one feeding during the night or a drip feeding overnight. It's hard to do the night one. At the end of August, GI had decided to put on medicine to help move food along in Kai in hopes to increase his volume of feedings. This really hasn't worked. They have decided to switch him to G-J Tube (Gastrojejunal tube). He currently has a G-tube and that goes right into his stomach. A G-J Tube is a feeding tube (transgastric) that passes through the stomach through the gastrostomy into the jejunum (the second portion of the small intestine). From my understanding his body will absorb more of his feedings this way, eliminate so fussiness and acid reflux. They were talking about doing a continuous feeding (18-22 hrs per day). I'm not sure how this kind of feeding is going to work with a very active baby. Kai is scheduled to have this procedure done on September 24th. We should find out more what his feeding plan is going to be early this next week.

A little update on the house

I wish I was writing that our house is sold, but it's not. It has been on the market now for almost 3 months. We have had 4 showings. This last showing, the people were considering, but are looking at a few other houses. We have not heard back yet. We don't want to get our hopes up, but it would answer a lot prayers if they bought our house. Hopefully we will hear something this coming week.

Update on Gavin and Jace

Gavin wanted "spikey" hair for school
Jace waiting for the bus

All 3 boys playing on the floor together

Gavin and Jace have both started preschool this year. They both are enjoying it very much. Gavin has no problem going to school. Jace is still a little hesitant, but is getting better. Jace gets to ride the bus also. He really enjoys that. Both Gavin and Jace started Sunday school last week. This is Jace's first year, so he was hesitant at first. Of course Gavin loves going. They also started gymnastics last week. Again, Jace was hesitant and then seemed to warm up a little by the end of the session and Gavin had a blast. Jace has also started therapy at Pediatric Therapy in Mankato. He works with OT and Speech and goes twice a week. He is starting to feel more comfortable about going. So the boys keep pretty busy right now.

Kai and his AFO's

Kai got his AFO's on September 14th. AFO's are "ankle-foot orthoses (braces)". Kai is really wanting to be in standing position. Unfortunately, it is not good for him to stand on his on feet without the help of these braces. These will help prevent deformity to his feet, help with the position of his feet, ankles and legs and also give him the support to support his own weight. He will only be wearing these when he is doing standing weight bearing activities. So far he doesn't seem to mind them. Right now he only wears them for brief moments at a time. He really enjoys the ability to be in standing position. He does get very wobbly; at the knees, hips, and upper body. It's a lot of work for him, but he seems to tolerate it so far.

Jace's first day of Preschool 9-14-09

Jace's first day of preschool with big brother Gavin
Jace outside his school on his first day

Jace started preschool on September 14, 2009. Jace is attending special ed preschool this year. He will also be working with an OT and speech at school. Jace was very excited the first day, well until reality kicked in. It was hard for him when we dropped him off. Jace goes to school 4 days out of the week. He gets to ride the bus to school 2 days and then home every day. He really enjoys riding the bus. I think he really likes school.

Kai's 1st Hair Cut 9-9-09

So sleepy!

Wild Hair 9-8-09

Gavin's 1st day of Preschool

Gavin 9-90-09

Gavin and Jace
Gavin standing in front of his school 9-9-09

Gavin in his classroom

Gavin had his first day of preschool on Wednesday (9-9-09). He goes to Little Lambs preschool at our church. He was so excited! Jace was bummed that he didn't get to go to preschool. I kept trying to explain to him that he starts on Monday, but he didn't understand. He was upset because he wanted to go. Gavin did good the first day. He doesn't haven't a problem with just joining in.

Kai has been working really hard on sitting up. He can sit by himself for brief moments. He enjoys it more than he has in the past. Before he would just stiffen up and throw himself back. He is also scooting himself back when he is on his tummy. When he is on the laminate floor, he slides him all over the place. He definitely gets himself around.