Jacob turns 2!

Good times!
He knew exactly what to do with that candle when presented to him!

We had a family party for Jacob on Sunday the 22nd. There were 19 people here! WOW, what a wonderful turn-out of some of the most important people in his life! He had such a good time and received lots of clothes and most importantly lots of new toys. I think his favorite of the day might have been the xylophone from Auntie Rachael, and Josiah's favorite was the Tonka remote control car from Grandma Marilyn. Although, all the toys were played with equally after everyone left and the boys were left to their own "devices."

2 yrs ago today my little miracle was born. He lived through so much while inside me that was truly a miracle! His birth meant so much to me personally, and so much happened within a short time after his birth, I am just so happy that he is the happy and healthy little guy that he is today! Do you all remember the "contest" we had regarding the day we all thought Jacob would be born? So funny! It's the little things that make me smile today. I hope you are all blessed and have a wonderful week!

The good, the salty, and the sweet! What else is needed for a party spread?
I decorated the train cake with ideas given by Jonny, it was fun!

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I also looked back through months of Jacob's early life and we never wrote anything on our blogs about the "guess the day" contest all of my family did. Dawn and I guessed very early dates, and Dave and kids were only a couple weeks early. And Jonny specifically guessed Feb 22nd b/c it was his Aunt Doris' birthday, and Nancy guess Feb 23rd b/c she wanted to guess a date closer to my due date of Mar 1st. So she won that contest too, guessing the exact day he was born! Glad I wrote these things down in the baby book, since some of us obviously don't blog everything. lol :-) Dawn... do you remember the envelope of money we had on the refridgerator for months? We were so funny to actually bet on a day when we are sooooo not a betting family.

New additions to the family

I would like you to meet our new pets...
Walle, Molly, Jolly and Olie. :-) They are white cloud fish. Although, I have no idea why, they have a silver stripe through their middle and red tipped fins.


It all started because Josiah really likes the name Walle, because of his favorite movie he says, (although we all know that The Incredibles is really his favorite movie) so he asked what we should call the others. We decided together that naming the rest of them after Walle would be fun so we made all their names rhyme. :-) We are silly. :-)
Enjoy, and be blessed today.

New interests

My kitchen table, excuse the mess

Jonny and I have some new interests... I guess his is more one of his favorite hobbies. I have been growing some lovely flowers on my kitchen table. The window they are in is fabulous for my orchid plant. I also have been growing an Amarylis I got for Christmas from my sister. All are blooming just in time for Valentine's Day!

My Amarylis almost open

My beautiful orchid~this is the 2nd time I've got it to bloom in this window

Jonny set up his 10 gallon fish tank this last weekend. Josiah and him enjoy talking about it and looking up what kinds of fish they will get. We told Josiah we will go get the boys some fish on Valentine's day. He decided that would be a perfect gift! What an awesome kid! Jacob is quite enamored with the tank already too. He says "feeesh" and taps on the side.
Enjoy our pictures! :-)

My wonderful sister, Rachael, gave these to me for Valentine's Day!
Isn't she awesome?!

Our wonderful, Josiah

After meeting with the Early Education Program this week, we have all agreed to place Josiah with an IFSP (and soon with an IEP with Portland Public schools) within the Autism Spectrum or ASD. He will be recieving help in a special classroom provided by them to prepare him for kindergarten next year. He will get more educated help and assistance and learn skills faster in an environment made for kids like him. You know what I mean... for kids with sensory issues and stuff like that. We thought he would also be ok being around kids like him and possibly kids a little worse off than him. He can learn how to be a good example plus learn more compassion for others. But most of all I think we will be placing him in their special ed. classroom becuase we feel he will learn the skills needed for Kindergarten a lot faster in a safe environment a lot faster and easier than if we went him back to the preschool he was not functioning in. Also this will be a place he will be wanted and not feel dumb (as he so often calls himself now).

(An IFSP stands for Individualized Family Service Plan, and once a child enters public school, it turns into an IEP, or Individualized Educational Plan.)
(ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sometimes easier just to write the acronym)

We all feel that Autism may not fully describe who Josiah really is, and we are not saying that neccessarily is his medical diagnosis either, but what we are admitting is that he does carry enough characteristics to say he needs to recieve services that will help him adapt in certain areas of his life that he has a hard time with. Does that make sense? Josiah is an awesome child who is so unlike others his age. He has the most amazing smile ever! He has a great sense of humor and a super cute laugh! He is an amazing bike rider and talented in many sports. There is so much good about him to focus on during these times when we have to think about the problem areas.

On a side note here I want to let you know he is meeting with the Developmental Pediatrician on February 26th. I'm not sure what she will do exactly but I believe she is the one who can diagnose Josiah with a medical term, and offer what help medically he may need.

Please be praying for our appt next Monday with Early Education Program. Pray that we all agree on the same decision and that it will be what is best for him. This coming Sunday, February 8th, is the worldwide Day of Prayer for the Autism Community and those suffering from Autism and Aspergers. Please remember our family on that day and pray for all those others who are suffering in silence. Thank you for all the support through these last few months, we have made some great steps in bettering Josiah's life but we have so many more to make. Thank you all and may God bless you all!