Quick Pictures of Carson

I took Carson to Sears this week for updated pictures. Can you believe he is 7 1/2 months? I am kind of biased, but he is definitely CUTE!




Carson is scheduled to start Physical Therapy this Thursday. The state of Kentucky has a great early intervention program, First Steps. They are unbelievably reasonable in cost and the therapists come to our home. At the time of his assessment, Carson was not rolling from back to tummy (with lots of coaxing), required moderate support for sitting and appeared to be stiff at the trunk. He didn't bring his knees to his chest as easily as most babies; however, this could also mean that his muscles are more developed in that area. He was also standing with support and taking some steps; this was more than what was expected for his adjusted age. He is now rolling without any coaxing and is so very close to sitting. He can sit for a few seconds if we place him just right. He hasn't figured out how to use his arms for balancing and propping. He now stands and takes steps with less support, too. After meeting with the team on Thursday, we don't think he will be in the program for long (unless his needs change). We also are scheduled for a full assessment at the Good Samaritan Hospital NICU clinic on Tuesday, October 2. They often refer to First Steps when necessary. I am anxious to hear their thoughts.

what to do with a yucky toodle-doo?

For those of you that don't know, Ella has a security blanket with an elephant on it. I taught Ella that an elephant makes a toodle-doo sound - how else can you explain the elephant sound? She started this blanket attachment around the age of 1 and if she is holding the blanket, her thumb goes in her mouth. She is a thumb sucker, but only when going to sleep or when she's upset such as when she gets hurt. Toodle-doo was a huge part of her adjustment to preschool last year; he soothed her. As she began to take him to school, I began to worry about losing toodle-doo. Since they didn't make him anymore (Aunt Debbie bought him at Target as a shower gift), I paid $50 for a new one with tags on eBay. Crazy, but worried...

When she had some unexplained nightime vomiting (now believed to be teething & sinus related), toodle-doo became yucky and I had to substitute feel-better-giraffe. This worked - thank goodness : ) Aunt Sara bought the giraffe for Carson and I bought a second one just in case; although I did hear that the manufacturer is keeping a quantity of security blankets available for sale on hand for desperate parents. What a smart idea! Anyway, sometimes Ella drools on toodle-doo and makes a corner yucky. When she goes to bed or is getting sleepy in the car, she wants the yucky toodle-doo. Well, the yucky toodle-doo is getting a much needed bath in the next day or so and I am sure that will make for a terrible two tantrum.


I promised more about preschools and the decision is not yet final. Last year, Ella attended SonLight Preschool at Erlanger Baptist Church. Although there was a transition period, the staff and teachers are loving. Ella adored Ms. Barbara and Ms. Jeannie and she still talks about her friends from school. The hours and perfect (9:30 - 1:30) and the cost is reasonable ($140 per month for 2 days). This is one of the only mothers' day out programs in the area that accepts one year olds. Our plans were to continue with this program this year; however, we began to have concerns at Orientation. The classroom is half the size of last year's room without a window and she pretty much knows what they plan to teach. We recognize that social skills are a big part of her development and yes, she still needs to work on them, but Ella loves to learn. When we talked to the teacher, she commented that many of the kids in the older two class did not know their shapes, letters, colors or how to spell their name; Ella can do all of these things. The teacher did say that she would try to introduce some of the older two concepts to Ella on an individual level, but I don't feel that is very feasible given the ratio of 10:2. Ella was placed in the younger twos based upon the birthdates on the kids that enrolled. Most preschools would have classified her as an older two because her birthday falls between Sept 1 and March 31.


Because I was pregnant and not thinking rationally and therefore not capable of making decisions at the time of open registration for another preschool, Creative Beginnings, I reserved Ella a spot in this program. This program is quite the opposite. It is highly structured and very academic. You receive a monthly calendar with the activities (story, music. art) identified by day. They work in 15-20 minute cycles which seems very quick and not allowing for much transition. I have not seen this in action so I am trying to be patient. The hours (9:00 - 11:30)are not near as convenient/flexible and your days are set (Mon & Thurs/Tues & Fri). It stays this way through next year. The 4 year olds go three days a week. They do provide for drop-off and pick-up so that I don't have to drag Carson into school. The director is very on top of things to the point of providing me with 30 minutes to decide whether I wanted to switch days or not. She called me at minute 31; I was feeding Carson and she was next on my list. Again, this school is very recognized and they had a waiting list so she was able to fill the spot that same day. This is the same school for which a parent arrived around 3PM on a Friday to reserve a spot in the 3 year old program; registration began at 8AM on Saturday.


I have also looked at the Goddard School and the Little Red Schoolhouse in Richwood. I hope to tour the new Little Red Schoolhouse in Edgewood this week and then we will make a decision. Ella would be moved to a new classroom between 34 and 36 months at these facilities so we may change schools at that time if nothing else is working out. For now, she is attending both Creative Beginnings and SonLight Preschool. Next year is a whole new ball of wax and Montessori schools and other church preschools will be considered. Decisions, decisions...

First day at SonLight Preschool on 9/4/07

Now, onto a few more fun pics...


who is who?




Carson then Ella





Ella then Carson - yes, Ella is wearing blue!

therapists, preschools and giggles

After Carson's 6 month check-up (at which he weighed 11 lbs, 11 oz), he is now taking adult medicine to ease his constipation. He is taking a newly OTC drug called MiraLax which has been working wonderfully. He is now regular (without explosions) and his hemorroid has significantly shrunk - RELIEF! His iron is still not up to par so we will continue multi-vitamin drops through 9 months and check his iron level then. He is gaining weight, but we are going to keep him on the 22 calorie formula through at least 9 months to make sure his weight gain continues. We asked the doctor about his preference to use his left arm over his right arm and he referred us to First Steps (a state of Kentucky program). Hopefully, the professional evaluations will put our mind at ease. After meeting with an RN, an evaluator played with Carson to assess his skills (gross motor, fine motor, cognitive and social). He checked out fine in everything except gross motor and fine motor; he was on the borderline for normal. Remember, Carson is being assessed as a 4 month old (his adjusted age). The next step is to have a physical therapist evaluate him; this appointment has not yet been scheduled.

Carson started rice cereal with applesauce about a month ago and goes crazy for it. After we got the MiraLax under control, we started vegetables. He despises green beans which follows in Vic's footsteps because Ella and I are huge fans. I know it can take several attempts for a baby to learn to like a new taste, but I am not seeing any signs of improvement after four days. He coughs them up, spits them out, closes (more like locks) his mouth shut, and makes the most awful faces. Come to think of it, he makes the funniest faces? Did I mention how he makes the biggest frown? Vic and I have tried to imitate his frown and we can't come close. We'll have to catch that on camera. Carson has also learned to fake cough so he gets our attention - it works! He thoroughly enjoys Ella. He laughed while she jumped over my legs and giggled when we were doing pattycake with her. He loves to grab our faces especially our noses and my hair and successfully removed Vic's glasses from his face. Everything goes into his mouth. And he is a BIG flirt with men and women. While we were eating at PF Chang's, he smiled and cooed at two gentlemen dining together until he captured their attention and elicited some conversation. He is definitely getting a personality.

And then there's Miss Personality herself - Ella Nicole! She now knows her full name and can spell her first name. She also knows that her family is Momma Gregory, Daddy Gregory and Carson Gregory. And since we started preschool today, she now informed me that God loves Mommy, Daddy, Carson and Ella and that God made us. She can successfully do a somersault and is fond of trying it wherever (couch, bed, etc.) so we are in the process of setting limits and helping her understand that she can't do them into the cabinets. Potty training - we really focused in June/July, but decided to back off because we were getting into power struggles. After consulting many books, we decided that SHE needed to make the decision to go potty because we can't make her go pee/poop in the potty. We know she can do this, but we are having mixed results. She has successfully gone in a potty at two restaurants (does McDonald's count?) and she told me she had to go and held it until we made it there with Carson in tow. She also says "please change me" after she goes and she waddles around until she is changed. So, we are encouraging her but waiting for her decision to do this! The preschool selection process continues. More about that next time...

Some funny Ella stories...

• After listening to me tell Carson how handsome he is, Ella says "I wanna be handsome."


• I definitely shop and talk too much because she identified a Wal-Mart commercial before me and pointed out that her raisins have Kroger on them (because they're Kroger brand).


• While we were at Old Navy, I said something about not being able to find socks in Carson's size. She calmly reassured me and led me to another sock rack. She said, "Don't worry, Mom. There are more socks right here."


• Ella is addicted to Dora & Diego fruit snacks. She can identify the animals (Sammy the Sloth, Sea Turtle, Baby Jaguar, etc.) I don't think I can identify a sloth : ) Anyway, after eating Baby Jaguar, we had this conversation:

Ella: where's baby Jaguar?

Tonya: in your belly.

Ella: I want him to come out.

Tonya: (thinking quickly to avoid a meltdown during which he might come back up) he'll come out in your poopy.

Ella: (inquisitively) he be nasty?

Attached are a few overdue pictures of Ella at 2 years and Carson at 9 weeks: