Well Hello everyone and a very Happy New Year to all my followers! the start of another year and we are hoping for a good one! as the end of last year wasn't the best as I wasn't very well! and the kids have been full of colds and viruses too, but saying that we have settled into our new home and we are very comfortable here and the kids love it.
We had a great Christmas and the kids were spoilt rotten, Santa got Blake a special friend called scout! he thought that it would be a fabulous toy and would help him with his speech and interaction! and it went down very well they are good buddies already (fantastic toy which can be connected to the internet and I was able to download his favorite food, colour, songs, sounds and objects as well as his name!) Christmas was great because there grandparents were down as well, my Mum and Dad, which made it that bit more special as we don't get to see them very much with us living so far away, to me that was the best present and a great end to a tough year.
Blake had a good note to his end of 2012 as his 18 month check up went brilliant with the cleft team, at Salisbury Hospital, he was a big show off! and made us all laugh. Blake is now saying lots of different words and pronouncing them very well even his Sh's and Th's like shoes and there' or Theo which is defiantly his most favorite word! they asked lots of questions about Blake's habits and behavior and were pleased with our answers, especially that he's been drinking from a beaker since 9 months! they played with toys with him and he interacted well.
The speech therapist listened for words and babbling noises, he said several words in the session which was brilliant. Blake still sometimes lets his tongue pop out to the left, but they were not concerned as it doesn't affect his speech and it doesn't cause a rash or irritation I think its a concentration thing.... just something he finds comforting and will grow out of with time. We make sure we brush his teeth and that he is registered with a local dentist to make sure his teeth are OK this is very important.
Blake has a huge appetite and eats pretty much everything you give him, pasta being his favorite! which is brilliant as you can try different things he is very fond of cookies hence the post title!! I swear every time we visit someone hes straight in the kitchen waiting to be offered a biscuit ! its so funny. Gets one then toddles off..... then suddenly reappears expecting another little fatty! we do know that Blake hates the word NO!say no and then the bottom lip pops out.... but we must stay firm and think of his teeth and his pot belly and that is why we call him 'The Cookie Monster!' Personally I blame my friend Nykki who started him off on custard creams lol!
He interacts with other children brilliantly and loves playing with Tia, he's a boy though and does like a good play fight haha! I often catch them rolling around on the floor tickling and giggling, he now knows what and where his hair, nose, eyes, ears, toes, and mouth are and will point to them and hes very fond of telling us where the lights are! he understands pretty much everything we say and will bring his shoes to us when we ask and puts on his coat! he is a delight to be honest and im super duper proud!
The cleft team were very pleased with Blakes progress! and will be seeing him again when he is about 3, but were very supportive and said we can get in touch at any point if we have any concerns. We are waiting for a follow up appointment for Blakes hearing to see if there is any chance with his Glue Ear, so we will hopefully hear something soon. I don't have any concerns for Blake at this moment in time and as a mother I feel hes exceptional and bright as a button, he's always on the ball and you can see the clogs turning in his head... mainly when you can see he's up to something but that's oik us mums have eyes in the backs of our heads don't we!!
Thank you for reading :) much love to you all and happy 2013!
Blake and his pal Scout!