Congratulations Graduate!!

CONGRATULATIONS SETH

Today was a BIG day for everybody. After almost 6 months of physical therapy, Seth "graduated" honors with distinction!!!

When Seth first went in, he could only turn his head to the left, had a tilt, and was behind developmentally because of his limited range of motion. He was also lacking strength.

The tilt

Seth now has full range of motion, is stronger than me, and has met all of his goals including the new ones made at his mid-point evaluation. In his gross motor testing he scored age appropriate or advanced across the board.

Seth will still be following an at home program to maintain what he has already accomplished as well as prevent any new issues from cropping up, which apparently can happen during growth spurts. One of his at home exercises includes a ball so as a graduation present he got a new Buzz Lightyear ball. I let him choose between this one and spider man and when I couldn't tell which he liked best, I chose myself!

At his PT today, he found a toy he LOVED. It turns out, we had almost the exact same toy in a closet waiting for his first birthday. If we leave the legs off, it becomes a floor toy he can easily play with. I guess we need to come up with a new Christmas present!

Seth has started moving around like crazy in his crib. This is REALLY good news because our worries about him lapsing once he no longer has PT are now way less. He no longer only sleeps looking to the left and has learned to sleep on his side without props. (all good news)

Oh ya, did I mention that Seth sits up like a pro? He loves to play patty cake with me sitting across from him.

Seth had a play-date with two of his friends. J made it very clear that L is his girl! Seth didn't seem to mind, I think he has a crush on another friend who he only needs to look at to start giggling.

Look at these two buddies. Only 2 weeks apart, both born early!

And here are 2 pictures that are just too cute for words along with our newest family photo by one of our favorite photographers, Uncle Mark.

The ball pit in his physical therapy gym.

As close as we can get to a 4 generation

Yes, I do own other outfits but this was a spur of the moment thing...

The fastest 6 months of my entire life!

I can't believe I'm saying this but Seth is 6 months old, half a year! It has gone by faster than I could ever imagine. He has gone from an itty-bitty 6 pound 18" preemie to a whopping 20 pound 28" baby.

Seth blows raspberries when he is frustrated or tired

Did you think those cheeks could get any bigger?

He LOVES books, balls and water bottles.

His favorite food is pears but he also likes peaches and watermelon rinds. He tolerates green vegetables but will only eat orange ones if I mix in a pear or banana, go figure!!

 Seth is very close to sitting, he sits on his own, but is very hunched over. He loves to stand with help.

Seth LOVES the beach. He smiles every time a wave comes up and hits him and giggles when it goes back into the ocean, sweeping his feet from under him. I hold his upper body and let the water carry him and he thinks its the best!

Beach day with aunts, uncles, and cousins

You have heard of "the strong silent type" and the "social butterfly," well Seth is both an observer AND an interacter. He smiles and babbles to everybody and anybody but is also constantly looking around trying to figure out the world. While in Utah he got to play with his cousin "Wallaby". Every time Wally started army crawling Seth would intently watch and ever since he has been trying to do it too. He is not strong enough yet but he has the motion down.

Seth doesn't have any teeth yet but his gums are definitely bothering him. He is constantly soaking wet with drool and always wants something rough in his mouth.

Seth has become attached to his dog blanket and sucks on its ear while he falls asleep. He likes to put the blanket part over his face which scares me so I usually go take it away once he's out.

Seth sleeps from 6pm-7:15am making me one happy mamma.

I let him take his naps on his boppy since I could watch him and he prefers some lift when he sleeps. His mattress at home has a wedge on it.

We are SO blessed to have this little guy as part of our family. We are realizing now the love of parents for their children and can't wait for that love to just keep on growing. Seth's great uncle David took some awesome shots of him while we were in Utah and we have some family shots pending from his great uncle Mark. We are so lucky to have such great photographers in the family!

Such a thinker!

Wait, I heard a noise let me check it out!

Brandon and Seth's traditional pose. I'm hoping to get one of these every year until Seth is too big... then we can get a funny one of Brandon trying to do it!