March 28, 2011 - Pop Rocks

Happy 2nd Birthday Caden!
Caden (2 years) Griffin (12 weeks)
they must be brothers......that love to stick out their tongue!
Caden coming in for the attack.......it's either the face, head, or mouth.

So Caden turned two on 3/11/11! Although we celebrated with just a little family get-together it was once again a big day to celebrate how far he has come. We have finally started to see some improvements with his speech so after months of months of speech therapy I'm happy to see the key was Pop Rocks. You read right - Pop Rocks. So I'm no expert on language development, but who would have ever thought this fizz/pop candy would be the key to get our boy to start talking more. You might be puzzled just like I was the first day our therapist sprinkled it on a lollipop and twirled it around in his mouth. Imagine what I was thinking.....I'm paying for what? Well, call it a coincidence, call it time, but it works. This candy causes mouth awareness. Awareness as to where your tongue is at in your mouth. It makes your mouth alive as the therapist says. Once she gets Caden to understand where his tongue is he can move it more to complete sounds/words. Although it sounds funny, I'm sure there is a more scientific explanation of this and of course she know how to help him with his speech needs, its not all about this cheap candy, but interesting none-the-less. So, speech is getting better. Thanks Pop Rocks!

As for everything else. Caden is enjoying being a boy and he is ALL boy. He plows into things, over things, on things, and occasionally throws things. There is nothing dainty about this boy. I'm sure all of David's rough-housing has something to do with that. I have enrolled him in a Music and Art class at Gymboree while I'm still on maternity leave. It's a nice way for Caden to have some for himself as we still have some jealousy issues with Griffin being around. These classes are fun for him, and so far he seems to enjoy them.

Caden is weighing in at 25 pounds, in a size 4 diapers, and 2T clothes. We still struggle with mealtimes (me personally) with wanting to do the right thing (let him not eat if he doesn't like the food) versus making other food, or giving him the food I know he will eat. We still supplement with Pediasure in the morning and occasionally right before bed to get extra calories and nutrition.

While I'm still on maternity leave I'm going to enjoy the time with the boys and then my mom and mother-in-law are going to watch the boys alternating weeks until I finish school. A great big thanks to the two of them for helping out for these last few weeks until the school year ends. Although I'm excited to have some adult conversation and see the students, I am a bit nervous on how I'm going to do this with Griffin still not sleeping well. I finally got him on some prescription acid reflux meds so hopefully that will help with the sleeping situation a bit. Poor little man doesn't like to be flat at all so it has made sleeping and night time pretty difficult at times. From what the doctor has said, in a few weeks we should notice a difference in him being more comfortable. Thanks to the swing and the arm of the couch which have saved me most nights.

We continue to be blessed each day. Happy Spring ~ even though it still feels like winter.

Love,
Melissa