Daniel's on the move!

An unexpected season

Today is the last day of an unexpected season for our family.  Marc got laid off on October 9th.  It was unexpected.  We hit the ground running with the job search, interviews, saving money, etc.  The layoff came on the heels of other major expenses, and so the timing wasn't ideal.  We couldn't take advantage of this time, to go on a vacation, or go anywhere, because we already had many expenses, and Joe has Brain Balance appts.  However, we very much enjoyed the extra time at home as a family.  I joked with Marc that it was almost like a sabbatical.  He, feeling the weight of needing to find a job to provide for our family, didn't agree!  However, this time, although stressful, was also renewing and rejuvenating.  I will always look back on this time very fondly and with a smile on my face.  Between the job searching and interviews, we got to spend a lot of quality time together.  Marc starts his new job tomorrow, and so this season comes to an end.  BUT we are excited as we start this next chapter.  We thank God for his provision for us!

A couple more updates on Joe

More improvements we've noticed with Joe:

*He is starting to compare a lot (higher-level thinking)

*He is way less distracted by ambient noise(air-conditioners, trains in the background, traffic etc.)

Brain Balance

I had lofty goals of writing a detailed post about our Brain Balance journey.   However, I thought better to get a short post in rather than no post at all.  I also want to make sure I'm documenting this journey so we can look back and see how far he's come.

In June, Marc and I first heard about Brain Balance.  Brain Balance is a center/program that helps kids with a functional disconnect in their brain,  We had Joe evaluated in July, and he started the program at the beginning of September. The results of his evaluation revealed to us many barriers that were getting in the way of him processing the world around him, which explains his meltdowns, and low energy.  Marc and I decided that we wanted to tackle and get to the root of his sensory issues, rather than just adjust his environment.

  Brain Balance uses an integrated approach - focusing on nutrition, academics and sensory motor. We were skeptical because there aren't a lot of studies on this program, but we decided to proceed because the program produces results.  And though we care about studies, we care more about results!  

Joe just completed his first 3 weeks and has already made many improvements.  In fact his coach told us on Saturday, that they need to give us new exercises(we were just getting in the groove with the old ones!), because he's doing such a great job!  Probably the most noticeable and exciting change too me is his energy level.  He has way more energy than before we started this program.  We've also seen him become more independent, especially in the area of getting dressed.

I'm not gonna lie, it's been pretty stressful for us as a family - between the diet changes, finding time(and motivating Joe) to do exercises and did I mention the diet changes!   However, it is totally worth it to see Joe making such huge improvements in his development.  I feel like I'm seeing his neural pathways being created before my very eyes!!  I'm thankful to have discovered this program and that it is only 20 minutes from our house.  There is one family I see in the waiting room once a week, and they drive 2 hours ONE WAY, three times a week!  

Some of the most notable things about Joe's Brain Balance journey so far are:

*Much improved ability on focusing on activities like puzzles.
*WAY fewer meltdowns
*Decreased need to be around me all the time
*Increased energy level
*Increased ability in following multi-step directions
*Increased physical and core strength

I'm excited for the rest of his journey, and will try to document it often.

September 5th storm

I meant to include this in my blog post last night, but forgot. It was a little late when I posted. Here are some pics from the storm.

I

 Also a funny and precious story from yesterday...

After the tree fell and a light exploded in the house, I called Marc to let him know what was going on.  During that phone call Lydia started getting crying and getting VERY upset. She was crying and yelling, "It's my fault!"  I told her of course it wasn't.  She said(through tears),"yes it is, I prayed for a storm, I wanted to see a rainbow!"  

First week of school and Brain Balance

It was a crazy week at our house, like usual! But in all seriousness, it really was a bit crazier than usual. It was our first week of school.  Also, Joe started at Brain Balance.  AND Lydia had her first day of co-op. And we celebrated Marc's birthday!  Lots of exciting things!

And then today we had crazy storm and a giant part of a tree fell down in our backyard.  

Though we've been doing lessons for a couple of weeks,we had our official first day on Tuesday.  Lydia woke feeling terrible so the day didn't go quite as planned.  

Our first attempt at FDOS pic:

But by the afternoon, she was a new kid so we did our lessons then!  That is one of the many beautiful things about homeschooling!  (it's not all glorious, trust me, ha!)

Take 2:

Joe also started Brain Balance Tuesday, which I'll have to create a different entry on.  He loves going so far, and we're loving seeing the improvements and huge strides he's been making since we've implemented diet changes and have been doing specific exercises with him.   This kid has got a lot to say!   

Thursday was the first day of co-op. 

I really really try to get nice pics but this is the best I could do!  

Lydia said her favorite class was gym (specifically playing 'Garbage Ball').  She also loved Art and Music and was even drawing all day today using some of the new drawing techniques she learned (see swirled ice cream cone and interesting heart design).  

She also made some new friends at co-op!

It was a great week!

Our budding artist

First L drew a picture of a girl with a fancy heart dress during her free time. 

Later she decided to turn it into a puzzle to do with her little bro.  

She doesn't get the artistic gene from me!   Love watching her create things!

4 months old

There's a lot going on here right now, which I hope to write about later.  For now here's some pictures.  Daniel is 4 months old and quite the mover(compared to the first two kiddos).  He is still smiley and is definitely growing(18 lbs!).  Since I missed blogging at 3 months, I included a picture from then as well. 

Daniel has been flipping over for a few weeks now and just started rolling (as in back to tummy to back) 2 days ago. This is "mid-roll". 

Walking to the park. 

Joe loving on Daniel at the hotel.  

Look-a-likes!

Marc and I think Daniel looks more like Lydia as a baby, but most people say Joe.  One things for sure, they are all siblings! 

 

 

  Daniel at 2 months.  

 

 

Lydia at 2 months.

 

 

 Joe at 2 months.

 

 

The First Six Weeks

Daniel is 6 weeks old today!  It honestly feels like it's been a LOT longer than that (at least today it does!)  It's been a wonderful and exhausting 6 weeks!  Now that Daniel is here (outside my belly!), we can not imagine life without him.  He is so sweet, and already smiley.  The kids love him too! 

The hardest part has been functioning on a lot less sleep!  With the other two kids, I could take at least one nap during the day, but with older kids who don't nap, that just doesn't happen!  Also, I think the other 2 were doing a 5 hour or longer nighttime stretch by this point.  That's just not happening with Daniel right now!  I'm happy if he goes for a 4 hour stretch.  So sometimes, the days are long, but when I REALLY need to close my eyes for a little bit, I can put on a short movie for the big kids (I've done it a couple times).  The first 3 weeks we kept him in our room, and I was really getting almost NO sleep.  I wanted to have him right there, but it just didn't work for us!  We moved him to his crib in his room and that made a BIG difference.  Also, my mom helped us out the first 4 weeks, and I don't think I would have survived without her help!

All in all, I'm enjoying being a mom of 3, I'm just a little tired.  :) 

Here are Daniel's first 6 weeks!  I'm missing week 3.  Oops!

6 years of Lydia!

This post is a couple of weeks delayed.  Sleep was a higher priority! 

Lydia turned 6 on May 12th.  I don't know if it's the fact that she's 6, and will be in 1st grade, or that we have a new baby in the house, OR that she's had a major growth spurt over the last few months, but it seems like she grew up overnight! She is a joy to be around(most of the time!) and adds a lot of laughter to our home!  She LOVES her new younger brother and it's a beautiful thing to watch her dote on him.   She is growing to be a thoughtful, creative, and beautiful little lady.  She loves to help others if they are sad or sick, and this usually comes in the form of a hand-made card! :)

For this next year, we pray that she continues to grow in her understanding of how much God loves her and how much we love her and that she can share that love with others, too! 

Here are 6 years of Lydia!

   Newborn

1 year

 

 

 

2 years

 

3 years

 

4 years

5 years

 

 

 

6 years!

Oldest and youngest.

Welcoming Daniel Edwin Revoredo (birth story and first week pictures)

 Daniel Edwin Revoredo    Born 4.14.14 at 11:02 am   8 lb 9 oz.      21 ½ inches

Today our little Daniel is one week old!  We had been anxiously awaiting his arrival and we were so happy and thankful to finally hold him in our arms.  He truly is our little bundle of joy!

My pregnancy with Daniel was different than the other two in that he was very active in the womb!  Also, I had lower back and hip pain this time around which didn’t happen as much the first two times.  Another difference was that I had two kids who were very aware of my growing belly and that a little one would be joining our family.   That was pretty fun(except that Lydia was upset about getting another brother my WHOLE pregnancy and did not share in our excitement).   I saw two midwives throughout the duration of this pregnancy, which was also a difference.  I enjoyed seeing the same women at each appointment.  It was more personal. 

Labor(warning: if you don’t want to know the nitty gritty details, skip to the next section!!)

Due to having a very fast labor with Lydia, I had some anxiety about going into labor.  I was nervous I wouldn’t know if I was in labor, or that if my water broke, I’d be giving birth on the side of the highway, or in my house!  I also had some  anxiety (and excitement) because this was the first time I was going to attempt a natural delivery (no epidural).   I went past my due date with both Lydia and Joe and up until my 39 week appointment, I thought I’d go earlier than my due date.  But as my due date (April 15) got closer I became doubtful that I would ever have a baby, lol! 

Well, Monday morning(4.14.14) at 1 am, I had to go to the bathroom.  I had some bleeding, which is one of the only signs I had when in labor with Lydia.  This was exciting for me of course but it was the middle of the night and I didn’t want to unnecessarily wake anyone up so I went back to bed.  The contractions started soon after that.  And they very quickly became close.  In the course of the next hour they went from 12 min apart to 5 min apart.  I called my doula first a little after 2 am, and then I called my midwife.  The midwife thought it would be best if we got going to the hospital.  I was relieved to hear this as the contractions were moving closer together very quickly.  Thankfully my mom was already at our house, and we didn’t need to wait for someone to come be with the kids.  We finished packing our bags and headed to the hospital.  It was all very surreal and exciting.  We got to the hospital around 3 am.  The nurse checked me, and I was 5 cm dilated, and my bag of waters was still fully intact.  I was very relieved that I was truly in labor and wouldn’t be going back home without a baby.  They got me settled in our labor and delivery room (which was HUGE!!).  By 5:30 am, I was 7 cm, and we were all anticipating a baby to come very fast.  If my water broke, it would be even faster.  Well, the next few hours went by and I did a lot of walking, and sitting on the birth ball, but my contractions were getting further apart.  When the midwife checked me, I was 8 cm and she found that Daniel was crooked in my cervix, which was what was causing labor to slow down.  She had me lie on my right side and breathe through 5 or so contractions and then get on all fours and breathe through a few contractions.  At this point the contractions started getting really intense and painful.  I found it much easier to lie on my side rather than be on all fours, so that’s what I did.  And somewhere around 10:30, the urge to push came.  I was afraid I wouldn’t feel it.  I needn’t have been afraid!  J  The pushing was the hardest part for me.  It was a little awkward pushing while lying on my side, but I think my midwife didn’t want him to come out too fast and cause bad tearing.   I think the hardest part about pushing was not knowing how long I would have to push.   When I felt his head come out and heard his cry, I was overcome with relief and thankfulness.  The midwife let him stay connected to me via the umbilical cord for a few minutes, and then Marc cut the cord.  Then we had some precious skin to skin time where I was able to nurse him and hold him.  Unfortunately my body was still in a little bit of shock, so I felt very weak.  But as I reflect back on that hour, it was beautiful. 

Hospital Stay

The rest of our stay went without any hiccups.  For that I am very thankful.  Marc and I enjoyed our time bonding with Daniel in the hospital.  We were home by mid-morning Wednesday.  The kids were the first ones to meet him Monday afternoon.  Lydia, after months of telling me she did NOT want another brother, was in love with him from the time she laid eyes on him.  This was such a relief and joy to me, as I was sad she wasn’t excited at all during my pregnancy with him. 

First week

So far, Daniel is a pretty easy baby.  He just loves to eat and sleep!  He’s already outgrown his newborn clothes and is even experiencing his first growth spurt.  He ate on the hour every hour between 1-5 am this morning.  He’s still got his days and nights mixed up, but we’re working on that!  I’m very tired, and hoping this growth spurt doesn’t last too long as I’d like to catch some more zzzz’s.  The kids just love him, and we are really just enjoying him as the gift from God that he is.  We are so happy he’s here! 

Psalm 139:13-14

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

 

 

Mommy & Daniel are both a little tired!




Kids meeting Daniel for the first time!





Daddy getting some bonding time :)



Day 2 Visit from kids.......kisses!





This picture pretty much sums up how Lydia feels about Daniel.



Going home!



Lots of snuggles and love from big brother and sister those first few days!






The kids have been taking a ton of pictures of him!  Here's one Lydia took.



Easter 2014 as a family of five!



Already getting big!