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It's been a beautiful week, here in Indy. There's been a noticable lack of humidity and a surprising surplus of sunshine. It's been nice and warm, but not too warm and that's been nice. Last week's adventures brought many things. Friday started with a package in the mail from the Meeksarosa. Among other things that we left behind, Mom sent a newly-nosed Clifford dog that we found in the attic. Clifford was my dog, many years ago, and it's been fun to share him with Amos. Also in the box was a red beanie baby dog that resembles Clifford. So now we have Little Clifford that we take with us quite easily. Amos immediately loved on Clifford, played with him, showed him the piano and gave him a drink from the teacup. I think he has a new best friend!!Friday was a good day; better than Thursday. All day on Thursday, Amos whined and cried and was just not happy. After chowing down that night at dinner, he played a bit and then got really crabby, crying and wanting to be held. No sooner did I scoop him up did he start throwing up his dinner, all over me. When this happens, he usually cries and doesn't understand what's going on. So we go upstairs and sit on the changing table until it all passes and then we undress and assess the damage. Since I was still in my bathing suit, I decided we both needed to get in the bath and Amos started feeling much better. And that night, he ran around, happy as can be, eating well and playing happily. We finally put him to bed, happy that he seemed to feel better.
So on Friday, we excitedly anicipated the arrival of Uncle Terry and Cousin Joe. Terry is my dad's oldest brother and Joe is Terry's youngest son. They were driving through on their way to a family reunion in Southwestern Indiana. We were happy to have space to accomodate and enjoyed catching up, as it had been a few years. Too, it was their first time to meet Amos and of course were taken with him immediately! Amos warmed up quickly to them too, noticing a familiar look and voice about my Uncle Terry. He closely resembles my dad and I think Amos picked up on that too.
All day we cleaned the house (which was really needing to be done anyway and having company really motivates me), Amos painted pictures for Father's Day and we awaited the arrival of our guests. They rolled in just after dinner and they were happy that Amos was still awake.Saturday morning, they treated us to breakfast at a great little cafe and then hit the road. We spent Saturday walking around the Talbott Street Art Fair and Independant Music and Arts Festival (IMAF) and then went back home for a giant nap! Later, after dinner, we went back to IMAF and heard some more great music. We played this festival, in 1993, and enjoyed reminiscing about it. The sound guy that day turned out to be our sound guy all those years back and we had a good laugh about how small the world is.
Sunday was Father's Day and we had the great gift of having Nathan home with us that morning and sitting in church with us, too. He had the day off of doing music and was glad to see what it's like for the rest of us, as we worship. At home, we opened presents (the Third Portishead record and paintings from Amos) and at church, he got to hear how things sound, watch the musicians and get a feel for how to improve things. Amos did extremely well in church, sitting, in the pew, for the whole thing. Usually, he and I make it to the sermon in the pew and then when Nathan joins us, they play in the back. I think having Nathan with us the whole time took away a level of excitement that Amos gets when Nathan joins us and overall, we really enjoyed church. I did really enjoy being together as a family, but don't feel any hard feelings for Nathan not being there the rest of the time. I don't know if I'm used to it (Nathan has always led worship, even going back to my first Sunday at Green Lake as his fiance), or if God has given me peace about it or both. So far, I feel like he is too gifted not to be up there, and it is his job! So that's how I feel about it now...see how I feel if I ever have to wrestle two kids in the pew! Sunday afternoon, after another good nap, we went to the grounds of the Indiana Museum of Arts and found a beautiful place to hang out. We ran into some friends there and Amos had a blast running around with their kids. After hanging out for some time, we packed up and headed home, narrowly escaping being stormed on! Before bed, Amos spent some quality time in his stuffed animal toys drawer, trying to be one of them!
On Monday, I decided to get out the blowup pool. It was not too hot out but warm enough in the sun to have fun playing in the water. We had lots of fun splashing around--Amos didn't really start having fun until I got in with him! He had fun pouring water into cups and did a little guitar playing on his plastic shovel (see the guitar-playing face below). We have yet to head back to the big pool--this week has been so nice that we haven't really needed to go.
Yesterday and today we've had good therapy appointments. Amos has started to get a bit restless during them, and I've had to really reel him back when he's ready to move on to something new. I am not sure if he gets bored (he's so smart that that's possible) or that he just doesn't like it anymore. In any case, he does do what he needs to do, and the therapists end up being happy with his progress. Today, Christine was happy that Amos is stepping over a pool noodle with ease, getting better at jumping, or trying to, and is walking up and down steps more easily. We've really been practicing those skills and she was really happy with his progress.
Yesterday, Hannah was glad to hear Amos' very pronounced "Yes" and "No" (which he says all of the time now...), was happy to see that Amos knows more than 10 body parts (something they don't need to do until the age of 3!!) and that he's saying other words with more clarity. Amos' NO!! saying is a good milestone to reach, Hannah reported, and showed me how to help him distinguish No from Yes in appropriate times. It's just been a bit unnerving to hear him say it but am not worried, as he has lots of time to learn that he doesn't say No!! to his Mama or Dada. ;) Overall, both appointments went well, so we're glad to be helping Amos to continue to learn and grow.
This morning, after our appointment with Christine, we went to have Amos' feet evaluated for some little shoe inserts to help his feet not roll in. The doctor said that Amos didn't look too bad but that the little wrap around supporter would be helpful in bringing his feet up. He also said that Amos' loose joints (from his dad!) are probably contributing to this and also may be why he W sat and took so long to walk. The doctor did report that Amos had good muscle tone (something we already know and are grateful for) and that he may only need to wear them for a short time to help his muscles pick up the ligaments' slack. So, we'll be on the lookout for lowtop Converse shoes, which apparently will probably fit with the little inserts!
This weekend, we plan to take Amos camping, a first for all of us. A group from church is going to the Hoosier National Forest, and we're excited to get out there in trees! The weather, (thank God!) is supposed to be nice--highs at 80 degrees and no rain. Let's hope that actually happens!!
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