White Rose Blooming (3 Years)

This is a little late, but better than never!

You are now 32 inches tall and you weigh around 24 lbs!

This past year has brought some incredible new experiences for you. You stood up without any help for the first time just before you turned two, and over the next few months you learned how to cruise around by hanging onto the edges of furniture. You also were given a walker that helped you learn to use your legs and take bigger steps. By April, you were taking a few steps all by yourself, and by the end of the summer you were walking everywhere on your own. You continue to use your AFO ankle braces to help keep your feet flat on the ground when you're wearing your shoes, but we think you'll be out of them before too much longer.

In the past few months you've begun to climb steps using hand rails, and you can even go up and down one step all by yourself without falling. You love to jump, and if there is anything nearby worth climbing, you'll give it a shot. You also love to hang from things like a monkey...the kitchen table, door nobs, playground equipment and anyone who will offer you a hand to swing on. You are a daredevil for sure, afraid of nothing, and always getting back up without any tears when you fall.

You received your first hearing aids (pink, of course) in February, and quickly became comfortable wearing them, although you do like to play hide and seek with them in the car...you hide them, Mama and Papa spend a few hours seeking them. Although you can hear very well with your left ear without the hearing aids, you do have trouble hearing anything with your right ear. You began spending time once a week at home with a special teacher, Miss Heather, who helped you learn how to listen and how to speak using sign language and spoken word. Your verbal vocabulary has grown this past year from about 5 words to well over 40, even if just Mama and Papa are the only ones who can understand most of what you say. You can even say a few words together, and love using your signs and spoken words to communicate what you want or need.

You love to wear your glasses, and sometimes even refuse to take them off when it's time for a bath or to go to sleep. But, with or without them, you love to see and explore new things. You still love to read books, and you are fascinated with watching other children play. You are particularly in love with anything that involves Dora, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Elmo, Yo Gabba Gabba, and especially Toy Story...Woody, Buzz, Jessie and Bullseye are happy to go with you anywhere.

You still love water. The ocean, the pool, the bathtub or even just a cup of water to dip your fingers in. Your favorite part of every day continues to be bath time...we literally have to drag you out of the tub sometimes. You took swimming lessons in the spring, and we spent a lot of time at the pool this year. And, anytime we go to the beach and walk over the dunes and see the ocean, you can't contain your excitement.

You have spent a lot of time with your friends and cousins this year. You love to play and dance with other children, and you are so good about sharing toys and getting along with others. You made several trips out of town to visit family and friends, and you are never scared about meeting somebody new and offering them a hug and a kiss. Your hugs are famous...you love to squeeze as tight as you can and let others know jut how much you love them. And, if a hug and kiss aren't appropriate, you also love to give out high fives and fist bumps.

In December, you began to attend a special preschool program twice a week at one of the local elementary schools for children just like you. You LOVE school, and you always come home ready for a big lunch and a long nap. You've also graduated from the nursery at church to the preschool Lil'K classroom. Even though you're the smallest and youngest in the class, your teachers say that you love to participate and are totally engaged with everything around you.

Turning three also means that you had to say "bye bye" to some people. Miss Donna, Miss Tanya and Miss Jenn have been spending time with you at home each week for the past three years, helping you to learn to speak and walk and play. You have loved your time with them, and they have been a huge part in your development and progress.

In the coming year we look forward to hearing you continue to develop your vocabulary as you grow in your ability to communicate with the world around you. We are anticipating that your time in school with be a huge help as you learn to play and socialize with others. We think that you might be running by the end of the summer. We'll spend as much time as we can at the beach and the pool this summer!

We Love You!

Mama and Papa

Snow At The Beach

Here are a few shots of a recent little snow storm that rolled our way a few weeks ago. We don't get much of the white stuff, and even when we do, it doesn't stick around for long. But, it sure is pretty to look at.








Nate

Photos on the Beach!

Tricia and Gwyneth and I got to spend some time on the beach a few weeks ago, enjoying some warmer weather and celebrating Gwyneth's birthday!























Nate

Pink & Brown Day Photos

Thanks to everyone who participate. Several people put photos on Facebook as well, but I don't want to use those photos as I wasn't given permission to do so. Gwyneth had a great birthday, definitely the best ever!







Nate

FaithHopeLovebugs

Tricia has a new blog! I've finally talked her into blogging about all the things she loves (starting with me!). You should go check it out, right now at FathHopeLovebugs.blogspot.com.

Nate

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

For the past 2+ years, since shortly after we arrived home from the hospital, Gwyneth has had some very special people in her life. A group of therapists and teachers have been coming to our house each week to work with Gwyneth and help her grow and learn as she overcomes her developmental delays.

There isn't any way that we can thank these women for the impact they have made on Gwyneth and our family. Gwyneth fell in love with each of them and would look forward to each and every visit. To her, it was play time, but Tricia and I can see the difference that each session made in Gwyneth's development.

When she turned three a few weeks ago, Gwyneth officially graduated from the care of each of these women and transitioned into a special pre-school at a local elementary school for children with disabilities. We are truly going to miss our time with them each week, and we know that they will miss Gwyneth. To do what little we could to say "thank you", we took this incredible group out to eat last week, and snapped a few photos so that Gwyneth will be able to remember forever.

Miss Donna, speech therapy

Miss Heather, hard of hearing teacher

Miss Tanya, physical therapy

Miss Jenn, occupational therapy

Nate

Changes

Yes, I'm making some changes to the blog. No, it's not complete yet. Yes, I am going to post photos of Pink&Brown day ASAP, as well as a few other things. Thanks for your patience!

Nate

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

"Oh yes, You shaped me first inside, then out; You formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—You're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, You know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, You watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before You, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day."
(Psalm 139:14-16)

Below is what a 24 week "fetus" looks like. I only wish I could describe to you what it feels like. I have no doubt that anyone who could have held that tiny hand would truly understand just how sacred every human life is, born or unborn.

Nate

Happy Birthday, Gwyneth Rose!

Happy birthday Gwyneth Rose! You are the most beautiful gift from God. The joy of our hearts. Your smile is infectious, and your laugh is contagious. We love you beyond words and are so excited to show you how much fun being three years old can be. You continue to grow in your own incredibly special way, and we wouldn't trade being a part of it for anything in the world.


Love, Mama & Papa

Gwyneth's Birthday - Pink & Brown Day 2011!

Guess who will be three on Saturday!?!

You might remember that we invited everyone to celebrate Gwyneth's birthday the past two years by wearing either pink, brown or a combination of those two colors on January 8. Before she was born, we chose the combination of pink and brown to use for Gwyneth's room and other things. As it would turn out, the vast majority of her clothes are also pinks and browns, which is totally cool with us.

We have had so much fun inviting you to celebrate the day with us...we can't wait for Gwyneth to be old enough to understand how fun this day is for everyone who participates. Like Last Year, we're inviting those of you who are participating to email us a photo of yourself wearing your pink and brown on Saturday, January 8th.

Please email your photos to PinkAndBrownDay AT hotmail DOT com

Thanks! And, check back in this weekend for an update on how our little preschooler is progressing.

Nate