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Thought I'd show off 2 of my new favorite pictures.

OK so in one he's naked (practically) but I love these pics! And he isn't showing off anything! Though he might not appreciate this picture when he's a teenager.
On one of my groups there was discussion about showing off your childs Spina Bifida. Adults who recount their parents showing their scars off to strangers. While I hope I don't do that when Nickolas is older - I must admit I do it now - but his scar is looking so good!
I think it's important to realize that these kids may not want their nitty-gritties exposed to the world, in say, a blog. As an infant, I think it is fine, I hope I'm not sharing too much, just normal mundane stuff to keep people informed and show off what Nickolas can do. And as he gets older, who know's what I'll do. I also write for myself, about me and my family, both Katheryn and Nickolas. I started the blog when we found out about Nickolas, but I don't want our whole lives to revolve around SB. It is a part of our lives, but at the moment a small part.
So in talking to strangers and others about spina bifida, I don't look at it as something to hide, I am proud to have a son with spina bifida. I welcome the experience to say, this is what spina bifida looks like. I'm currently trying to work out how to explain it to children, when my cousins kids were down but they did notice his shunt, but they didn't ask me about it.

YUM!!!

If this picture doesn't say YUM! I'm not sure what would.

Yes we finally tackled the solids! I said in another post how I was a bit nervous, worrying about the Chiari and choking/gagging as well as starting bowel issues. But things went great! OK it's been one day... but I'm so excited! I was going to wait until 6 months, but we started 2 days early.

He absolutely loved the food! I started him on oatmeal (it was suggested on the SB Kids board NOT to start with rice because it could constipate him. Good thing I checked, because that was one of the cereals I bought. He couldn't get enough of the cereal! I started him with 1 tablespoon, and gave him half, to start off slow. Today he inhaled the whole tablespoon AND then wanted more. He got so excited when he saw the bowel and spoon!

But at 20 lbs did we have any doubt he would like food? - not so much!

I'm also breastfeeding too, and feeding him first so he's not hungry and angry when we start. So far so good.

Nickolas has also discovered the art of the 'raspberry' and enjoys sticking his tongue out at everyone and blowing bubbles. Can I say again what a happy baby he is!

Thank you to a great grandma!

Thank you to my grandma and my kids great grandma!

My grandmother passed away May 2. Olive Phillips, she lived a very full and loving 86 years. She loved her family and she loved her great-grandkids (she has 7). Nickolas is her youngest great grandchild. 

She didn't always remember that Nickolas had spina bifida but she was a proud supporter of everything he did. When I talked to her about the Spina Bifida Walk - the Spirit Wheel Walk Run, she was the first person to pull out her wallet and donate. When I talked to her about banking Nickolas' cord blood, she gave us the money so we could do that, and hopefully have a use for it in the future.

Nickoals is a big baby, and he is hard to carry around. But grandma would hold him, and they would sit in the chair and stare at each other. That is how I will remember grandma. I thought I had a more recent picture, but this is grandma when Nickolas was 2 weeks old.

Food ... The next big step

Nickolas is almost 6 months old. That means he has a big milestone coming up! Introducing solids - exciting right? Right?! Yes and no. One side - my little boy is growing up. The other side - solids means potential problems.

So I've been dragging my feet. Getting excited and buying the necessary supplies - new bowls, little spoons and some different cereal. But they are just sitting there. Waiting until he is exactly 6 months old. What's the big deal? What could solids really do? It's not like we can stay on breast milk forever!
Just to name a few issues I'm trying to avoid: bowel issues and chiari issues. Oh yeah and the potential allergies associated with latex. It depresses me, it depresses Kyle too. He keeps asking if we should start and I keep delaying him.
Maybe Nickolas won't have any problems. But the potential is there.
Good thoughts! And we'll see what we get in 2 weeks!

Swim Time

Nickolas has swimming lessons every Tuesday morning. He really likes it! He is such a laid back baby that he just lies there and enjoys the water.
He doesn't kick at all. Katheryn was a little older when she was in swim class and she kicked more. But that will come I'm sure. He brings his bum up and floats, and will go on his back or his belly, either way he just likes the water.

He doesn't have any problem going underwater. Not that he likes it, he comes up with this wide-eyed shocked look on his face - like What was THAT?! But no crying. I tell you - the most laid back baby ever!
Not that he won't tell you when he is upset or angry - mostly regarding food.

He's a great water baby! (Of course - he is a scorpio). Come summer time we're expecting to spend alot of time at the cottage and in/by the lake.