I apologize

I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from blogging for a while. I am hoping to return to blogging sooner rather than later, but for now, apologize for this brief absence. Please check back often, as I am unsure as to when I will start again.

Thanks for checking in, and I hope to be back up soon.

A little of this, a little of that...

I took Cole in for his two year check up (only a month late this time, he was "sick" remember?). He is the same, healthy little boy that he's always been. He's about 24 lbs (small, but still on his increasingly skinny curve) and 33 1/2 inches. His head is still enormous at just around 21 inches (that's huge!), and besides not talking, seems to be hitting all other 'milestones'. He also received one booster shot, and I was encouraged to bring him back next month for a flu shot (which I absolutely will do.) I took him back to his Scottsdale pediatrician (best decision ever) and relayed to her our whole story of ups and downs. By the end, she was rolling her eyes and snickering at the whole ordeal. I have decided that from now on we will make the trek. The poor kid was so traumatized by everything that happened here in Prescott, he had a very hard time warming up to the Scottsdale doctor, and hysterically screamed if her hand even approached him. She was very patient (and understanding) with him, and that absolutely reaffirmed my decision to continue with her practice.

So with all that behind us, we are now preparing for a trip to Utah with my brother and parents. I'm still scrambling as to how I am going to keep Cole entertained (and content) in a car for 14+ hours, but I think with enough pit stops, and enough toys of course, he'll do fine.

So until we get back, I probably won't have much to update with, so until then...

Station 71

Yesterday, I took Cole to tour the fire station with my MOMS Club.

We started out in the lobby, with all their antiques (just like everywhere else in this town- tons of antiques! It's kind of cool though.)

This is fireman Conrad. He had the foresight to dress is in his garb in front of the kids. He said he had made the mistake once of dressing in the hall and then walking in the room with a group like ours, and swore he would never do it again. Even as it was, the kids were all still pretty freaked out (Cole wouldn't let go of my leg!)
After touring the rest of the station (it was pretty small) we went to the garage to check out the truck, with lights ablaze (sirens, again, wouldn't really have worked well with our group of youngins)
Needless to say, Cole finally became impressed.
But then he found something more intriguing...
...a helmet he may be able to snatch for his own!(He didn't, of course.)

They let the kids walk through the truck, and I was surprised that Cole actually did it and actually enjoyed it!
Although he wasn't too sure about fireman Conrad helping him out.

Photo Op!

Again, something more interesting (according to Cole). He also wandered around and found the basketball hoop, the forest service tanker, the FD's quad used on trails (there's a lot of remote stuff up here), and everything else that he really shouldn't have.

The firemen pulled out the fire hose, and inadvertently had water leak out the bottom of truck. Of course, all the little boys went running and splashing.

Cole just thought they were hilarious!

At the end, each kid got a "Firefighter badge." Cole was pretty proud.

And then he went and took his own turn splashing and running through the puddle.
Cole and a great time and was super mad at me when we left, making sure to emphasise the fact he didn't have a helmet (by motion, not words, obviously). He cried practically the entire way home! What was really funny though, was last night, before bed, we read one of his books about fire trucks, and he instantly started signalling about the helmet again. I couldn't believe he remembered! I think I take for granted his comprehension level, since his expressive level is so lacking. Cole has picked up a few new words, though. He started saying "plis" for please on Saturday (of course he said "plis" about 50 times Saturday, and has hardly said it since, especially when prompted to), and then Monday evening, started saying "up." He has been using that word more, and even said "up" when seeing the ladder on the side of the fire truck.

Abe and I swear we hear him saying other things on occasion, but then never hear them again. Andrew, his speech therapist, thinks Cole seems to be making some progress, though. He is definitely jibber-jabbering, the precursor to talking (better late than never, I suppose) and is making movements with his mouth that he wasn't in the beginning. We'll see (though I still have my fingers crossed to have preschool taken care of for him through the AzEIP)

Happy Birthday

to Abe!

Yesterday was Abe's birthday. Cole and I took him balloons to work (I think we succeeded in our ultimate goal of embarrassing him!). Ironically, Abe picked the exact moment we were getting out of the car to go to his car to get something, so he ruined the surprise, but only a little. Cole still got to carry them inside and leave them in Dad's office.

Then Abe chose to have me make him fish tacos for dinner (I had offered to take him out, but fish tacos were what he wanted) I googled a recipe and they actually turned out really stinking good! If I hadn't made them and knew it was fish, I never would have guessed it!

I also made brownies. Abe's not a huge dessert guy, but I knew he would eat at least one, and that Cole and I would enjoy the rest. Sadly, I think our candles are still in a box somewhere (we never officially unpacked everything- especially things we don't use often), so I settled with Cole's #2 from his party (I totally spaced buying new ones while we were at Target yesterday, due to the fact Cole was having a COMPLETE meltdown!) Although the #2 was appropriate since Cole insisted on getting his dad an Elmo birthday card for a "big 2 year old" (we altered the card with some Sharpies to reflect Abe's true age- 34!!!!) I know this pic's a little fuzzy, but Cole was attempting to help Abe blow out the candle! Too cute!
I think Abe had a good birthday (I hope he did, at least!). Cole and I got him 2 new pairs of shoes and a new Camelpak water bottle. We also were down in Phoenix, Saturday, and were able to meet his mom for dinner in Cave Creek. It wasn't too shabby, and we can't wait to embarrass him more next year!

Michigan- Part III- the finale

So this is it for pictures I have. Like I said before, I know there are some others out there, but this all for me.

Here we are enjoying the traditional Geupel cocktail hour before dinner, complete with Schuler's cheese (think Handi-snaks cheese, but for grown ups). Cole even got in the cocktail action with a JuicyJuice.

Cole also got to ring the dinner bell in the dining hall that evening. It's a very momentous occasion, followed by applause from all patrons already enjoying their meals.
We also caught a lucky break in the weather that evening, and were able to FINALLY take Cole out in the Boston Whaler (aka boat)

Here is all suited up...

...and going to catch up with Dad.

He wasn't too sure at first.

His one moment of pure elation, and I just so happened to catch it!

Of the entire week, this is the ONLY picture I have of Cole and myself. I have got to get better about that!

Abe turned the steering wheel over to Cole. We went around in a circle for about 5 minutes, before Abe finally took control again.

This was Cole's preferred mode of transportation around the cottage. Who needs a stinkin' stroller?

Cole really enjoyed getting to play with his cousins once they finally arrived from England.

(I guess, technically, they are Abe's cousins, but with a generation gap.)

We also had a brief memorial for Abe's grandmother the morning we left. The family decided it only fitting that her resting place be the place she loved most, and placed her ashes beneath a White Pine sapling.
Here is the family, in near entirety.
All in all it was a great trip. We had so much fun and are so grateful to John and Paula for making the trip possible. And also, just as grateful, that Ben was able to make the journey with us, although, I think that much time with Cole has made him certain to never have kids of his own...we'll see. It was a once in a lifetime trip (since Ben probably won't ever make it back) but we can't wait to go back next year!

Cole's Health Update

Cole shakin' his groove thang, 4th of July.

I realized (after many people asked me in person) that I never followed up on the "Cole" situation.

His blood culture came back completely negative. The Benadryl really worked (aka made Cole sleep) only the first night, but did seem to ease his crankiness, and so was given to him the proceeding 5 nights (I was trying to be thorough- and maybe get a little extra sleep, haha- that was totally a joke, I'm not one of those moms who dopes up her kid unnecessarily!!!). His rash is completely gone, and we have been back in the swing of things.

After much internal debate, I have decided to take him back to his Scottsdale pediatrician for his 2 year old check up. I haven't taken him yet, due to the fact he was sick, and then I was debating on whether or not to continue with the practice here in Prescott. We go there next Monday (the 10th).

It was just truly frustrating speaking with 4 different doctors on 5 different occasions, and all having differing opinions. So, for now, I think I'll just make the 200 mile trek (hey, at least I can write off the mileage!)