Childcare and Development

Hi!

Emaleigh and Michael are doing terrific.

Michael

Is cutting his first top tooth today and is kind of cranky. He was also up at 3:40 this morning (not sure why) but we were able to get him settled down and back to bed by 4:30. He is doing terrific with moving around the house and is quite fast.

Emaleigh

Here upper tooth is finally through and she is cranky today too. Michael woke Em up at 3:40 too, so that was a treat. Emaleigh is crawling!! She's still slow but knows that she can get around now. She is also pulling up on things like a pro. She still has some difficulties with her larger leg and getting around when sitting/crawling but she's adapting.

We're also working with social services and medicaid to get child care help with Em but not sure how that will work out. Basically they told us that a provider can watch Emaleigh but not Michael during the dedicated 5 hours a day. I'll be talking to the case worker to see what we can do. I'll keep you posted.

Em's Bracelet Fundraiser

A couple of quick updates!

Emaleigh waved  to Tiffany's brother today!! She hasn't waved to us yet but I hope I see it soon.
We posted Emaleigh's fundraiser bracelets on ebay, we have 45 right now and another 500 on order:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170541008167&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Em's Bracelets

We are officially selling Em's bracelets for $3.00. I have attached a picture if you are interested in helping out please let me know. Phyllis, Tiffany Moore, Chris, and I have some for sale. JoDee will have some next week.

I actually placed another order for 500 more.



Thanks for the support again and again - you all are amazing!

11 month Update

What a busy week and a 1/2.

Michael

• He is now 28.5 inches long (we get mixed measurements but it's between 28-28.5)
• Weights 17.5 pounds
• Follows me crawling throughout the house (look below for the video)
• Is drooling A LOT we expect to see another tooth soon
• He is starting to get very animated, if I look at him an smile, he will giggle and smile back!

Emaleigh

• Is 26 inches long
• Weighs 17 pounds
• STARTED to crawl today!!!
• Em's bracelets came today that we'll be selling as a fundraiser (I hope to get everything together soon)
• I talked to the doctor about her surgery in Boston so check out www.caringbridge.org/visit/EmaleighBlankenship

Baby Update 9-3-10

The babies are doing terrific!

Michael-

He's thinking "Yeah I got this"!!!

He is pulling up on everything. He even let go to reach for daddy, that ended in a face plant but no tears on that one. (Chris didn't see him).

He did take a nose dive out of his chair, it was in the middle of the bed but I guess he leaned forward enough to come out of it. No brusies, bumps, or blood, and I watched him closely. He's doing just fine.

He starting saying Ma a couple of weeks ago but this week he said it and looked at me. I'm not 100% sure he knows what it means quite yet.

Michael LOVES bathtime!!!

He is starting to crawl now and is getting around to follow balls throughout the house. Tiffany told us that he really loves playing with the sit and crawl ball.

Emaleigh

She was interested in my tootsie roll pop.

Her upper tooth is starting to break through, it looks painful.

She said Ma yesterday and looked at me (still not 100% that I can count that as a first word)

She has been trying to pull herself up, she's not great at it but she's giving it her all! She is doing terrific at sitting now.

She not really crawling but she gets where she wants to be through scooching, turning, and sitting.

Part 2 - that big pop is IN her mouth!

We're hitting some major roadblocks with the CLOVES organization    but I think we can put something together that will help try to find alternatives to surgery or even a cure. We'll probably have to continue to fundraise for Emaleigh seperately. I purchased some Em CLOVES bracelets that I'll be selling soon (if anyone is interested in selling or purchasing some, let me know). We are also planning on designing some window decals and having a golf tournament in the spring.

The other thought is a collection jar in stores close to our home, they all have met Emaleigh, maybe they will allow us to put a jar there (we'll have to make something great)

We are on stage 3 food now, both babies are picking up puff's and putting them in their mouths. We are also reorganizing the spare bedroom to have more "open" space for the babies. Of course we'll childproof that room too and make it a spare/play room for them.

I'm working with Bill's Pastries to make their 3-D Mickey Mouse birthday cake. The birthday party will be on October 9th (yes I know... the first day of bow season ~ dont care!~ my babies turn 1.. once). I'll be sending out invites soon.

He is going to be my BIG helper, I can tell already!

Daddy brought home these horrendous onsies from the Gap

As we prepare for our Boston trip, if anyone can think of any quick and easy fundraisers, I would appreciate it. The support has been tremendous and we love you all! Thank You!