Peas Mama

Peas Mama (orig. published 1.19.09)

Phew it’s been a long time!

Sorry to everyone who reads this – I have been so busy I haven’t been able to update this lately.

The last entry I noted that Colson decided he would finally use grown up words and communicate with us. Well, it hasn’t stopped since then by any means! He said his first “sentence’ on Sunday November 30th. “Hi Dada” he goes, out of the blue. He will say “Oh Mama” when I say “Oh Colson”. He has learned the power of the word please (“peas”) (what wonderful things it can get him!). He has learned that when a camera is held in front of your face you need to smile and say cheese (“cheeeeeeez”). And he has learned to problem solve by asking for help. It goes like this “Mama?” he says. “Yes Colson?” I respond. “UH-OH!” he yells. “What honey?”. “Peas?” he says and looks at the TV, which is loaded with various screens from pushing all the buttons on the remote. I then hit cancel numerous times to clear the screen and Colson says “tink tink” (thank you). Ah, how fast they grow. I adore the things that come out of his mouth, and I can’t wait to see what else he comes up with. Colson also thinks he’s a pirate “Ahhhhh Meeee!” he says “Arrrrrgh” (Ay Matey, Arrgh) .This morning, we were watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse and they say “Oh Toodles!” so he said “Oh toooooos”. Yesterday, we played with Bella and Sarah, and Bella and Colson had their first conversation.

It went like this:

Bella: Socks (sticking her foot in Colson’s face and staring at him in all seriousness)

Colson: TOES!

Bella: SOCKS!

Colson: TOES!

Bella: Pants (changing the subject)Colson: Pants!

Bella: Pants!

Colson: Toes!

The Tabbert family has been busy! Let’s see…

Colson got his casts removed, and some new fiberglass splints made. The knee surgery was successful, unfortunately, the aftermath was not. His splints were somehow either made wrong, or we weren’t using them correctly (depends on who you ask J), and his left foot has regressed and his toes are now pointing downward again. Dr. Lyon assessed his feet in October and indicated he may need surgery again on that foot. We have been serial casting since November to re-straighten his foot, so far it looks as if it’s working (no surgery?) and this Friday, the 23rd, we will go pick up his new and improved splints. I hope they keep things “in line” this time!

Halloween was exciting. It was beautiful weather here for it, and although I didn’t take Colson out trick or treating (he would probably have just been scared of everyone), he did sit on the porch with me and help hand out candy. Colson was a Navy Aircraft Carrier for Halloween. Yes. You read that correctly. It was pretty neat.

The 2nd weekend in November brought us some visitors from just outside of Chicago, Peg and her son Owen. Owen has AMC too and he is 2-1/2 years old. Peg is filming a documentary on Arthrogryposis and travels around visiting and interviewing families for the video. Owen was so sweet and so smart, and Colson just loved watching him and seeing what he was doing. Colson and Owen shared a love for toy cars, and Colson got in his first “it’s mine” sharing fight which was actually really cute. I don’t remember who won. We let the boys play and then Peg interviewed Nick and I on what it’s like to have Colson with AMC, and all the various things that go along with it. We are grateful to her for the hard work and dedication she is putting into this educational documentary.

The 3rd weekend in November brought us to Lexington, KY for the Shriner’s Hospital visit. Colson went on his first airplane ride as well. He did remarkably well on 3 of the 4 flights. The first flight was from Appleton to Detroit and they wouldn’t let him have the seat we paid for, for him, so we had to hold him. His payback was to scream his head off the whole time. Heh heh heh. We got his seat on the remaining flights. They must’ve radioed ahead. J.

We met with Dr. Burgess at Shriner’s – he was very nice. He said we were doing all the right things and had high hopes for Colson. He thinks he will easily learn to adapt and feed himself, and most likely won’t need any surgeries. Yay! We will meet with him again for continuing follow up on June 5th of this year.

While in Lexington – we stayed at the Lexington Hotel Downtown – it was wonderful, and it was right in the middle of Triangle Park and right next door to Rupp Arena, and within walking distance of tons of stuff. We didn’t make it to Rupp arena unfortunately (we were going to go on Saturday, but there was a game!). We took Colson to the Children’s Museum, and he loved it. He sat on a life sized horse, and listened to its heartbeat. He played with the water games, and he learned about rivers and dams. He sat on the moon, right inside a crater! And he learned about shadows in the darkroom. We also took him out to the Kentucky Horse Park and viewed the “Southern Lights” Christmas light show which was expensive, but beautiful, and a very very big display that must’ve taken at least a ½ hour to ride through. We then went inside where there was a petting zoo, and a gift shop. Colson loved the goats and the cows, and we bought him his very first racehorse.

Christmas this year was a blast. Colson figured out (on his own) how to unwrap presents with his teeth! And he was having more fun unwrapping presents than he was playing with the toys. “Peas peas peas peas peas” he would say so he could get another present. He made a haul of course, and is still enjoying cycling through all his toys.

Oh, and Colson got his first haircut! On New Year’s Day, at Cost Cutters inside The Wal-Mart. Ha-ha. (It was the only place open). He did well once one of the girls started blowing bubbles, and he looks so grown up now!

Oh, one more thing.

The Tabbert Family is expecting!

Colson will be a big brother on or around August 5th. He’s sort of on the fence with the whole thing. If you ask him if he wants to be a big brother, he will say yes some days, and no on others. We also found out that Colson’s Uncle Adam and Auntie Paige are expecting too! She is only 3 weeks behind us! So he will be a big brother and a big cousin! We are very excited for them too. AND! Auntie Jamie and Joshie are expecting too! AND! – Bella’s Mommy and Daddy are expecting too! So Colson will be a big brother, a big cousin (twice), and will have a new friend!

PHEW!

Ok – I hope everyone had a happy new year and a beautiful holiday season. We love you all!

I promise to keep this more updated in the future too!

Love, Nick, Jennifer and Colson