Up for Air..........

ok.......breathe! 

Work, school, homework, Dr. appts., dentist appts., OT, PT, SP, errands, laundry, 3 very energetic children, a husband, Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping..............just to name a few things that have kept me busy these past 3 weeks (causing me to neglect my precious keyboard:)  I was so anxious to join the world of blogging and then I neglected my duties shortly after.  But I'm back..............well, I had to come up for air!

First off, I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with those you love.  We at the Gomes household hosted our 4th Thanksgiving dinner for 13 family members.  Landon celebrated his 1st Thanksgiving with an Earth's Best Apple Turkey Cranberry meal which he absolutely loved, topped off with vanilla custard for dessert which he loved even more! (pics still to come)  Mason and Elijah officially ate their 1st Thanksgiving dinner (it was so nice to not have to serve spaghetti with parmesan cheese)..............their menu is slowly growing:)  It was a wonderful day with good food and even better company.  I am  so very thankful for all that we have: family, food, clothes, a roof over our head, our health and.......Landon's EI team for believing in Landon's abilities and giving him the tools to reach for the stars . 

Landon's EI team came to our house the day before Thanksgiving for his assessment.  It was time to re-evaluate his IFSP, (in which he met all of his 6 mo. goals - "hooray for Landon"),  to set some new ones.  And of course Mr. Landon does not perform on cue.........he has a mind of his own and only performs when "HE" wants to.  Fortunately, his team is well aware of what he "is" able to do (regardless of when he chooses to do it)...........that little bugger!  In a nut shell, Landon did very well.  He excelled in most areas with no delays but still showed a delay in the gross motor area (which was expected).  No surprises!

Landon has shown such great gains in the past 6 mos. and has tackled each hour long therapy session with such will and determination.  My heart feels heavy for him at times seeing how hard he has to work to do the smallest of things (things we just expect our children to do - naturally).  I just wish the mountains weren't so high sometimes.  I can only hope and pray that his struggles are few.  It just seems so unfair!!   We take so much for granted.   But, in retrospect, I am so excited for all that Landon  "is able" to do.  So profoundly proud of each and every achievement.

I get to leave work every Wednesday to go home and observe Landon's therapy sessions...........yes, that's right, me and my camera. I have been taking pictures of Landon's sessions to show others how he is progressing.  Thanks Lauren (Landon's OT) for being so patient and having such a great sense of humor.  It really is amazing (looking back at these photos) at all the tools that are used to help Landon to meet each of his goals.  He is such a trooper!  I am just so happy that some of my excersise equipment is getting some use.....even if not by me.  I can happily justify the expense........ok honey!  lol 

So, as I inhale and dive back into the craziness of the Holidays, I will leave you with this slideshow while you await my return! 

Sorry that the slide show showed up below as a separate post.................I am still trying to figure this thing out!