Ever ponder the thought..just want things to get back to normal? What is normal exactly? The life we once had, the life we hoped it would be or the life that is in fact reality? For all of us, there are varying degrees of normal and the reality is nothing is ever really normal. I read a blog earlier that stated "the only thing that is normal is the setting on the dryer". Never really thought about it like that but it makes sense.
Where am I going with this? Well, we went to a family reunion earlier today and everyone was so excited to see the boys. We don't get out that often with both of them so it was interesting to see them interact with people they haven't even met. This went very well considering their limited social interaction. Riley ate as well as to be expected and Carter ate as well (by the tube) and fell asleep in the stroller. Carter is not that graceful to be walking around and eating at the same time so I strap him in to feed him.
Curiosity peaked some, especially the little ones, and trying to explain it in the simplest of terms can be rather difficult but I think they get the point - I hope. We try to seclude him as much as possible while he is eating as not to upset the other children but the curiosity gets the best of them and most are pretty calm about it.
Neither one seemed to have met a stranger and went to everyone that wanted to hold them but they were so curious of their surroundings that they could not sit still for long. Carter slept the most of the time we were there and Riley was into everything. Everything is an understatement to what this child can do. The word NO is not part of his vocabulary. I wish Carter would have stayed awake longer but the sleepy genie took over.
As we all know, our boys are developmentally behind. We work with them everyday and soon the day will come when others will consider them "normal" and in line with their peers. But for now we are normal, as normal as we can be considering all that we have gone through to get to this point. Fortunate that they are here, they are thriving and in good health.
It was a great day and we are getting them out and about more often as too not overstimulate them too much. We are enjoying the nice cool front here in August, a rarity during this time of the year, and getting them outside more to play.
On the medical front, Riley has his new glasses! I went with the regular style this time instead of the ear pieces that wrap around his ear for easy removal. That is the new thing learning how to take them off and then put them back on properly. Still working of the back on part. He is having a time adjusted to the new prescription since is has changed a good bit since last year. Changed so much so that his lenses are now special order. Special Order meaning additional cost -
Woohoo. Not that I am complaining, he needs them to see. He can only see about 6-12 inches in front of him clearly and when he is not wearing them, he trips over things, runs into walls etc. As far as how bad, well - right eye: from -5.00 to a -8.50 and the left eye: -7.00 to a -10.00. He is still having issues with his left eye turning in and if things don't progress in the next 4 months then we will have to begin some patching to strengthen the eye muscles. But that's in 4 months.
Carter is doing well also. Not wanting to drink a whole lot by mouth so we are going to start trying the
periactin soon. Lets hope this works and helps Carter learn that food in mouth is okay. He puts toys in his mouth just fine until it is accompanied with a smell. Carter goes to the eye doctor next week and I fully expect the Dr. to put him in glasses. Last year, he could see about 4 feet clearly but I feel that his vision has decreased since then as he only concerns himself with his surroundings and nothing across the room unless it's an open door.
Enjoy the pics coming up in the next post.
