Who's the birthday boy?

.. I am of course!!!! I'm 2 today. i can't believe it! I've done a lot in those 2 years, i've had 4 general anaesthetics, 2 heart surgeries, testes descended, teeth done... i've learnt how to walk, how to eat, best of all... i know how to love, didn't have to learn how to do that.

I had a really good time at nursery school today. Mom and se made cupcakes for everyone. They looked really nice but a bit too rich, think they should've held back on the icing a bit. but it was a good effort all the same.

Happy birthday to me!!!!

Ciro

i have a doggy puppet called ciro. we bought him in austria, as a souvenir. I love him, he's cool. he puts on a show for me, he hides behind the lounge door. I get so excited i have to run and find him, but i find mom there instead?

I'm all smiles

I had my teeth done yesterday under general anaesthetic. She did a really good job. My top front teeth are looking nice and white and not jagged anymore. She's re-built my back teeth with special silver stuff and put a flouride treatment on my bottom front teeth. Her work should last until the tooth fairy pays me a visit, and hopefully that'll be my last general anaesthetic for a few years at least. Won't that be nice! I'm not even 2 and i've had 4 of them, some people don't even have one in a lifetime... then again.. i'm not 'some people', i'm special!

getting there...

i'm still coughing a bit. i went to great ormond street today for a pre-op check up. I'm meant to be having some crowns put on my teeth on thursday. Not sure i'll be having it done though... if the anaesthetist doesn't think i'm well enough it will be cancelled. Hope i am well enough cos my teeth are hurting me, i'm constantly putting my hands in my mouth, trying to soothe them. doesn't work though.

I'm poorly

I started getting a temperature on sunday night, then yesterday i thought i was getting better... only to start shivering uncontrollably and my arms, legs, lips and finger nails went all purple. Mom and dad took me to hospital. I seemed to be a bit better when i got there though. They had to get a urine sample from me, well, i was sat on dad's lap for 2 hours with a bottle held by my winkie.. when i did wee mom and dad screamed with excitement, you'd think they'd won the lottery.

they also took a mouth swab, get results on thursday. I was meant to go to great ormond street for a dental check up but mom cancelled. I'm having my teeth done under general anaesthetic next thursday and they tried to cancel it too. Mom asked them to at least wait until we get the results on thursday... cos will be ages before i get another appointment.

i want MORE

I've learnt how to sign 'more'. I don't do it exactly right, but i'm not far off. it's great, every time i sign it mom gives me 'more' food. That's all i've used it for so far.. must think of other ways to use it. Like 'more' hugs and kisses, 'more' stories... uhm.

As soon as i've learnt to say the word 'more', i'll drop the sign. Isn't that amazing? Now mom must teach me the sign for yogurt cos that's my fave at the moment.

George's birthday party

I went to Clown Town today for George's birthday party. It's a big, soft play centre. I had loads of fun, i really liked those small balls that you swim in. Some other boys kept diving into them, it was brilliant. Hope i get some for my birthday. We got lovely party packs to come home with. Mommy ate the chocolate cake. I had icecream though, i'm not really meant to cos it's bad for my teeth but it's not fair if i never have treats.

Things i like to do...

When mom's not looking i go into the fridge, i love cherry tomatoes.. did you know if you sit on them they pop?! Only thing is you get loads of tomato pips on your bottom. I also like the tomato sauce they use in pasta, it's thicker than paint so if you pour it all over the floor it's brilliant for drawing in with your fingers.

I love shoes, especially watching them float in the toilet.

When i go outside i like talking to the holly bush. It's a really good listener.

I love cassettes. If you pull the tape it just keeps coming out, like magic. It goes on and on and on.. that's all they're good for though.

Most of all i love to sleep with mom and dad. I feel safe and snug as a bug.

Oh yeah!

My vocab is growing... i can now say 'hallo', 'oh no', 'oh yeah', mama and dada. I can make a few animal noises too. i like the lion the best.

Just some pics of me looking cute

mmmm tomato pasta

Castles and forts

I'm really into building forts at the moment, they're really good fun. I'm hoping mom buys me a tent for my birthday.

Saw Matty today!

Matty came around for lunch with his mom and dad. I really enjoyed, we played football together and i chased matty around our flat. He played with me really nicely.

Busy day today

Went to mom and dad's friends.. paula and mike for lunch. We got there late, it was pouring with rain. I love rain, it tickles. I had such a ball. there were loads of kids there, including my best mates tara and india. I fell a lot though cos there's lots of steps at their place... good practise! I ate lots of bread sticks and mom made me a pasta. I saw Joseph as well, haven't seen him since he was a little baby. He's nearly as big as me now! Hadn't seen quite a few people since i was tube fed, they couldn't believe the difference in me. I've come such a long way.

not bloggin as much as i used to...

I'm walking now you see so there's lots of things to be getting on with, got a whole world to explore, but i'll try and keep you updated as best i can.

why should i..

... brush my teeth? i don't understand it. At first i really liked it, but now it just irritates me. mom and dad are trying all sorts of tricks ... they're brushing my dog puppet ciro's teeth.. they let me brush his teeth too, they've tried in front of the mirror, different brushes etc.. but they don't fool me. i don't fancy doing it so i just lock my lips tight so they can't get in. i know i have to do it cos it's good for my teeth apparently.. but i just don't want to.

Happy 7th Birthday Hannah!!

see you at christmas time! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I'm not talking yet...

... but i will be soon or at least, when i'm ready to. My new speech therapist came around today. She listened to me, watched me etc and she's happy with how i'm progressing. I'm making lots of different sounds and she likes the way i communicate.. i'm not saying words as such but i gesture really well, have excellent eye contact and expression. A really good apointment generally. Got to keep up with the makaton and dad must keep speaking italian to me... it may delay my speech further but that doesn't matter in the whole scheme of things.

Heart, blue lips and endocarditis

I had a heart check-up today, they did an echo. All's functioning wonderfully and i don't have to go back for a whole YEAR!!!!!!! Every now and then i get blueish lips and finger nails, mom asked about it and it's normal for my age apparently... not heart-related and something i'll grow out of. It usually happens after a swim or when you're cold or eating, mine sometimes go blue when i'm eating. Mom's relieved and so am i. Didn't fancy more heart surgery.

I've had antibiotics once when i cut my mouth after a fall because of the risk of developing endocarditis, mom asked if it was really necessary cos antibiotics aren't hugely good for you. He said i only have to have them if i need stitches in my mouth or if i have a tooth extraction or something like that. So that's a big relief. All in all a really good day.

I'm scooping!!

Only started eating orally in November last year. I'm already scooping with a spoon and taking it to my mouth. In fact... don't really want mom or dad to feed me anymore, it means i'm not eating as much but that's to be expected. Am i clever or what?

Saw my mates on the telly!!!

Nursery was on BBC news this morning. I saw Laura and Elly, they were doing 'water play'. I waved at them but they didn't wave back? There was a programme about child care, they used my nursery schoo. as an example of what childcare SHOULD be like. not surprising really, we're all really happy there.. and otis lets me steal his chips when i've finished mine.

Not gonna be on tv :-(

BBC are doing a documentary on child care and they were coming to my nursery today to film the babies room. But i'm still sick and didn't go in so i'm missing the chance to be on telly. oh well.

Mama and Dada

I'm feeling a bit better today, my rash is still there but not nearly as bad as yesterday. It doesn't itch or anything like that. I'm not eating much which is unusual for me, but i can't be super-eater every day!

I'm starting to get the gist of the whole mama and dada thing. I also tried to sign in makaton.. 'how are you'. I understand more than i can speak. Mom's trying to teach me 'food' and 'drink' in makaton. Once i've mastered those i'll learn new signs like particular foods.

Still feeling horrid

Mom worked from home today so she could take care of me and take me to the doc. We went just before lunch. He's not a very good doctor. Mom had him when she was pregnant with me, she had spd and he told her it was 'normal' and to just get on with things. It was a pointless appointment. Just after we got home i came up in a rash. Think i've got some sort of viral thing going on, mom taking me to the doctor again tomorrow to double check. Hopefully the other doc's on duty!

not going to sleep tonight...

i slept for 5 hours today! I haven't been very well at all. Aunty Kir thinks i'm teething. I think she could be right but going to the doc's tomorrow just incase. I ate some dinner which is good, haven't really eaten much in the past few days.

Temperatures

I've been a snot bucket for the last week, and fighting a temperature all weekend. Poor me. I'm not too bad though, think i'm on the mend although still have bucket loads of snot coming out my nose, not sure where it all comes from?

I'm brilliant at opening doors now. Any kind of door will do... normal doors, fridge doors. I can also walk up quite a high step all by myself, but can't come down yet. That's next i think.

I've got this cool book from my old speech therapist. Mom reads it to me about 3 times a week. I have to copy sounds that she says... I'm getting really good. Today i copied 'mmmm', 'h-h-h' (like a puppy panting), also 'ah' and also aaaaaaaargh. I'm good at roaring like a lion too.

It's all good!

I'm recovering nicely from my op. I'm making mom work! when i come home i check out what post is hanging in the post box, then i get mom to walk me there and i grab it... put it in 'my place' then go back for the rest. There's quite a big step so i need help getting up it, soon enough i'll be able to get the post on my own.

Nursery's going really well. I'm eating loads all by myself, getting much better at finger feeding. I love it there. I'm no longer just walking... i'm running! can you imagine? We've got a beach day coming up in July.. that'll be fun.

Self-portraits

My clever cousin!

My cousin Hannah won the Audiblox trophy. She is the first grade 1 to receive it and was allowed to keep it for a week. Audiblox is part of her curriculum at Topolino school - it's basically a concentration/memory aid tool. She has also been put up into the next class at swimming along with the grade 3's because her teacher feels she has a real talent. Well done Hannah!

Met my new physiotherapist today

Sara came to nursery school to do a session with someone else. She popped in to say hallo to me and to watch me walking. She said i'm doing really well and it looks like i won't need piedro boots! They're boots that give support around the ankles, i'm quite relieved cos it's summer now and i'd prefer to be barefoot. I'll have a proper session with her in about a month or so.

Dying for a bath

I'm not allowed to bath until tomorrow. i've got really bad bruising in my nether-regions, mom has to be really careful when she changes my nappy, if it hurts i let her know about it though.

I haven't been at nursery, but think i'll go a bit tomorrow. Just have to be careful and mustn't try climb onto things.

I'm fine in myself though and had a good dose of vitamin D this morning.

Happy Birthday Maja!

Happy Birthday Maja. You're the big 4 today!!! I can't wait to see you at Christmas time. Here's a pic of Maja with her little brother and my other cousin, Kai.

3 procedures... one general anaesthetic

Had a really long day yesterday. Mom, dad and elisa dropped me at nursery. There was a photographer there taking pics of us. He scared me. I played for about an hour then we all went to great ormond street. I was really hungry but wasn't allowed to eat, i had a nice surprise though, Lizzy, Tara and India came to visit me briefly. They bought me the most gorgeous monkey pj's (cos i'm a monkey), and a cute monkey toy too. It was so nice to see them, i showed Lizzy how i can walk. After they left i went to sleep.

I didn't really say goodbye to aunty elisa, i wasn't feeling great. I was taken down to a room, mom held me while the nurse put a mask over my face. i didn't like it and it smelt funny. i fell asleep really quickly.

I was under for about an hour and a half. My throat was really dry and i was in pain when i woke up. Mom cuddled me and sang my favourite songs which calmed me down a bit. The doctors descended a teste, all went well but it's smaller than my other one. But that doesn't matter. They tried to unblock my tear duct but couldn't. I'm going back in 6 weeks for a check up, they may refer me to moorfields eye hospital for further investigation/surgery. The dentists had a good look at my teeth. Luckily they didn't need to extract any but 4 of my back teeth need crowns so i'm on a waiting list for those. Was hoping i wouldn't need any more general anaesthetic's... but looks like that won't be the case.

I'm feeling ok today, just very tired and in a bit of pain. There's quite a big cut on my groin, i'm not allowed to ride a bike but somehow don't think there's any chance of that!

Waterlow Park

We went to mom's favourite park today. I really like it too, the ducks make me laugh. I did lots of walking and tried playing football with some older kids, but they didn't want me to. Elisa leaves tomorrow. :-(

Look at me walking!

Nursery - day 9

Today was my last day of 'settling in'. It all went really well. I love nursery and really like debbie too. Next week i start officially... will only be going in for an hour on monday cos i'm having an operation. I'm having my testes descended and my tear duct unblocked... they may do my teeth too but doubt they'll have time.

Aunty Elisa arrives tomorrow for the weekend! can't wait to see her, last time i saw her was Christmas.

Nursery - day 8

Had a really brilliant time today. Solomon came. he's a musician and he comes every 2nd thursday. He plays the guitar and we all sing songs. I had such a ball. i ate 2 portions of lunch today, i had lentil bake and mince, it was delicious. I'm really happy at nursery and am making some new friends.

Nursery - day 7

Had loads of lunch today, fed myself most of it. Debbie put me down to sleep, i went down really quickly. there was a fire drill half way through so we all woke up... but then went down again. Mom was around incase i didn't want to sleep, but i slept just fine, in fact, i give mom more of a hard time than Debbie! funny that...

Nursery - day 6

Today i had lunch on my own. We had spaghetti. I fed myself well. Every now and then Debbie would guide my hand to my mouth. Mom came in after lunch then put me to sleep. Everyone else went to sleep quite quickly, i just wanted to play! Mom wouldn't let me though so i got a bit irritated with her, I went down eventually. I slept for an hour and a half and didn't even cry when i woke up (like i do at home!). I think tomorrow Debbie's going to put me down, but mom will be around just incase there are problems. This nursery business is a piece of cake so far, it's fun and the day's go so fast.

Nursery - day 5

Today i had lunch with Zsuska. All went really well, i'm setting in and haven't cried for anyone once. Quite amazing really. :-)

i'm happy here, that's why.

Swimming and hanging out with the guys

Dad took me swimming this morning. He does every saturday but i don't always blog it. We've got a new teacher and she's great, we have a lot of fun. We even jump off the platform into the water, or in my case... dad's arms. After swimming dad and i took a walk to my nursery school. Every saturday they have a meeting for dads and their kids. A free breakfast is laid on, dad and i both had some scrambled egg and toast. Dad had a chat to the head of my centre. He said i'm doing really well, mom and dad just have to decide what support i need. Cos i'm a special boy, i get to have 2 hours of extra support a day. Mom's going to speak to the SENCO and get the paperwork started. Next week is a big week for me. I'm going to be having lunch and sleeps at nursery.

Nursery - day 4

Mom dropped me at 10 and came back at 11.45am in time for lunch. It was my first lunch there. I sat at a small table with Otis (he's my new mate) and Freddie. We had fish fingers, chips, salad and beans. I ate SO well. i watched everyone finger feeding and fed myself quite a lot. I'm really good at taking the spoon to my mouth but have always needed help scooping, well today i scooped for the first time.. all on my own!!! Debbie was really impressed with my feeding skills, don't think she expected me to eat so well on my own. Not bad eh, considering i only started eating orally in October.

Here's a pic of me and Debbie, she's my key worker. I really like her, she gives great cuddles!

Curly locks

Nursery - day 3

Mom took me in today. She left me there at 10am and only came back for me at 11.30am. I was totally fine. I played in the heuristic room for a bit. It's a room where there are no toys, but objects made of natural materials. Things like corks, tin cans, natural string etc etc. Every day things ... things we find more interesting at this age, things you wouldn't be able to find in a toy catalogue. I met Otis in there, he was really nice and gave me a plastic lid. I played really nicely with everyone, mom came and collected me while we were having a sing-song. They are amazed with how well i'm settling in... i'm friendly and sociable and love interacting so it's no suprise really. I'm also walking more than crawling now!!!! Going to post a movie of me walking soon so watch this space. Tomorrow i'm having lunch at nursery. Hope the cooking's as nice as mom's :-) !

Nursery - day 2

Zsuska took me again today, only this time she left me alone for 5 mins, then 10, the 25 mins. I coped really well... i'm really sociable so didn't mind being left at all.

Nursery - day 1

mom's sick at home. nice to have her home all the same, don't usually see her in the morning's except for weekends. Zsuska took me to nursery, only for an hour. The staff didn't want to get involved too much, it was more about showing me around my new space and letting me explore. we did some painting... i love the feel of paint. i threw the sponge at the wall afterwards, just to make my mark. I'm back tomorrow for 1.5 hours then mom is with me thursday and friday. I'l sleep on those days and have lunch too, will be weird not being home but sure i'll cope.

happy birthday!

happy birthday grandpa gunter! you would've been 69 today. mom and dad toasted you tonight. i couldn't cos i'm too young. wish i could post a pic of you, but digital cameras didn't exist when you were alive. maybe i can scan one in one day.

till we meet... x

PALS

Had another PALS session today. Wasn't meant to have any more... but i only start nursery next week so i went along. It was good, Zsuska (my new nanny) and i had a ball. I think i'll be fine in nursery, i love other kids so much, i scream with excitement when i see them. Mom's gonna miss me though... think the whole thing is worse for her than it is for me.