First Week Home, Sweet Home

Hanging at the park by our house

Their first (impromptu) visit to the Capital building

We have managed to settle in well back home, and fall into our routine (somewhat) seamlessly.  We have taken on our therapy schedule fairly well, and have managed to make it to most of the appointments on time.  It didn't even feel too terribly daunting (until I realized I had to add in my prenatal appointments that are already at every two weeks now and some other miscellaneous doctor appointments).  We will be busy, but I think we can manage everything, at least until the baby comes in July. 

Brothers relaxing

Wrestle/hug session, long overdue

Jacob is definitely happy to be home, as am I, and has made improvements even faster than he did in Seattle.  When we had the last therapy session in Seattle on Friday the 15th, Jacob could not stand up by himself from a sitting position, even using a table to pull himself up.  Monday at home, after his Therapist, Sky left, what did he do?  I turned around to see him standing all by himself.  Since then, he has been standing up (without using anything to help him up) and walking all over the house (by himself) for long periods without falling too much.  He has even been learning how to fall without hurting himself.  He has also learned how to sit himself down (most of the time) from a standing position.  All of this and in just one week at home!  I do realize that some of this seems like easy things to do, but considering how much he has had to re-learn, and how little use he has had of his right side, I am very proud of him!

Josh in front of "his" new Van

Another big event of the week was that we had to make a decision on our car situation.  I have always liked my Durango very much and it has been a very good vehicle for us, until right before this Seattle trip, when we had to take it into the dealer for a thumping sound in the front end.  After a couple of days at the dealer they said they had found the problem and replaced the front wheel hub bearing assembly (and an unrelated water pump) to the tune of around $900.  On the way out to Seattle, the thumping was back.  They had not fixed the problem, and probably needlessly replaced something that was not even a problem to begin with.  So as soon as I got home it went back to them, only this time, they had it for two days and could not find any problem with it (maybe it is haunted).   We decided we should probably take the plunge and look into getting a minivan (my first instinct of course was Ewe!).  Needless to say, we did some homework on the Internet, found what we wanted to look at, and Saturday went out to look.  As it turns out, our top rated van was a Honda Odyssey (used) with low miles and a good price and after finding out the dealer (who was one of those rare bottom line price no haggle dealers) was willing to give us exactly what we wanted for the Durango, we took the plunge.  Josh was so Happy with the van!  He even had to check the garage Sunday morning to make sure it was still there, and then asked if he could eat breakfast in it.  I am going to miss the Durango, but I have to admit, the Odyssey sure makes getting boys in and out of much easier and will be much better when the baby comes.  

Jacob (not so interested in) hunting for Easter eggs

To end the weekend, we colored eggs (a bit late I know), and then went over to my sister Erin's house for dinner with family and friends, where we also had a Easter egg hunt.  The boys enjoyed it, although Jacob was a lot less interested in collecting any eggs than Joshua was, and we pretty much had to just pick some up for him and put them in his bucket.  He had fun being outside though and hanging out with everyone.   

This next week I will try to get some updated video of his new feats, and try to post more often, so I am not writing a novel for every post. Now I am off to bed so I can be ready to start the new week and to try for making it to every appointment on time.