Audiologist

Gavin had his appointment with the audiologist today. His hearing is fine. She said he has some congestion behind his right eardrum, which apparently is different than fluid. Gavin is getting over a cold so it could be due to that. The audiologist wants to see him again in a month to see if it's cleared up. She said if he has congestion in his ear all the time it could delay his speech by making everything sound muffled. The audiologist was very impressed with Gavin's sign language skills and said his receptive language was above average. She said not to push him with his talking and just give him a break until he's ready.

Addendum: One of my friends e-mailed me to ask about Gavin's sign language. I forget that someone reading this blog may not know all of Gavin's quirks. He doesn't do real sign language. Gavin has his own form of sign language he has made up using gestures. We can usually figure out what he is trying to communicate through these gestures. For instance during the testing with the audiologist there was a piece of paper with various pictures on it, one of them being a baseball. The audiologist asked "where is the baseball?" Gavin pointed to the picture of the ball, then gestured like he was throwing a ball, then put both of his hand out to his sides palm up to ask the lady where is the "real" ball - he was hoping to play with a real ball when she mentioned it. Gavin has become quite adept at this form of communication. Saturday Gavin was playing in the backyard and was able to gesture to Jake that he wanted to play on his slide, which was in his bedroom at the time.

Bubbles!

Last week I was cleaning out Gavin's closet and he decided he wanted to try on his Elmo costume I recently bought at a consignment sale. It's still pretty big on hime but he loved it, and threw a big fit when I made him take it off because it was making him hot and sweaty.

This week Gavin has been sick with allergies or a cold or a combination of both. He's been getting upset pretty easily, and not listening to us at all when we ask him to do something. However, bath time always makes him happy. I sit and read while he plays in the tub. This is when I read the Ensign, our church's magazine. I let Gavin play until the water gets cold, but he would stay in there all day if I let him. Also, "bubbles" is his favorite word lately, one of the few he is using consistently.

Today I am so thankful that I get to be a stay at home mom and work only on days that I choose to work. I worked today and will tomorrow as well while Jake watches Gavin. I haven't worked 2 days in a row in a few months, and I am really tired. I enjoy my work, but miss being home with Gavin while I am there. I can't imagine having to work full time and only being able to spend a couple hours a day with my family. I know a lot of working moms who seem to be able to do it all, but I'm glad I don't have to be one of them.

Gavin Helps Build a Shed

Monkey Joe's

Last week was too cold to play outside and by Friday Gavin needed some exercise, so we went to Monkey Joe's. Gavin wasn't very interested in the under 3 area that he prefered on our last visit in September. Instead he liked going on the big slides, with Jake's help to climb up. Both he and Jake got plenty of exercise.

magnets

Play-Doh fun

Untitled from Kelly on Vimeo.

Got out the play-doh for the first time this morning. Gavin loved it, and it held his attention for over an hour. I only had to pick play-doh out of his teeth one time. In other news, he finally got an appointment for the audiologist, but it's not until March 29. Also this week Gavin has graduated out of his highchair and into his booster seat, eating off a real plate now. Yesterday was my 31st birthday. My friend Aleita was nice enough to watch Gavin for us while Jake and I went out to lunch. Then the 3 of us went out for ice cream and to WalMart to buy my birthday present, a new waffle iron.

Checkup time

Today Gavin had his 2 year checkup at the doctor's office. He weighs 27.7 lbs (45th percentile), is 36 inches tall (85th %), with a head circumference of 19.75 in (84th %). Doubling his height at age 2 would give him an adult height of 6 ft. Another height calculator online puts him at 6ft 1in as an adult. The nurse checked Gavin's hearing because of his delayed speech and the doctor said it was a little off. Because of that she is referring him to an audiologist for more testing. If everything turns out alright with his ears he'll get referred to speech therapy next. But the good news is otherwise he's perfectly healthy. And the doctor did say that some kids are just late with their speech development.

2nd Birthday Party

Gavin had a great time at his birthday party. We ate pizza, then cake, then opened presents. He liked the dinosaur cake and the cupcakes, but his favorite part was the m&m's on top. He kept fussing for more after he ate his. He has not learned to blow out candles yet, so I helped again this year.

Gavin's good friend Romana:

His other good friend, Carleigh:

Gavin was able to open all his presents himself this year, which is better than he could do at Christmas.

He was most excited by these toy guns, immediately jumping up and running around making shooting noises.

His other favorite toy of the day - a bulldozer I got from the Waterfront Mission in FL for $.75

In all, Gavin got the guns, the bulldozer, a dump truck, a puzzle, coloring books and crayons, books, the movie "Cars," dinosaurs, a potty seat, a dinsoaur watch, dinosaur magnets, and farm animal magnets, which Jake cleverly figured out work on our front door. Gavin enjoyed having friends to play with, but was upset when they wanted to play with some of his new toys. I personally really enjoyed his party, and am impressed with what a big difference a year makes. Gavin's attention span is much better, he plays with his toys more appropriately, and both his gross and fine motor skills are vastly improved. While his speech isn't great, he does do a fabulous job of communicating his wants, and understands what is going on around him. He can also point to most things I name. Now I just have to figure out how to top the dinosaur cake next year...

Happy Birthday Gavin!

Gavin's birthday party is tomorrow, so today we enjoyed a peaceful rainy day at home, just the 3 of us. Gavin opened his presents from Jake's parents. He got a monkey that has sensors in it so that it moves in response to your movement. Gavin was a little scared of it at first but soon he and the monkey became good friends.

Monkey is wearing the jacket Jake's parents sent for Gavin:

Monkey kisses:

Dinosaur cake I made for Gavin's party tomorrow:

You cant' see me!

Last night Gavin wasn't in the mood for a shower, and decided to hide from me.

He tried two different methods:

Gavin has taken an interest in coloring at home. Up to this point it has not held his attention, and still doesn't at church. Every week he brings home a coloring page home from nursery that is blank with just his name written on it. Some Sundays there is crayon on his face, however. The occupational therapist in me tried to get Gavin to color sitting on the floor, which is better for muscle development, but he insisted on sitting at the table. I discovered Gavin still requires supervision with coloring when I turned around from cooking lunch and found Gavin had bitten off the tip of his blue crayon.