2016 In Review

2016 with the Vandevord Boys

It's been a long time since I've done this blog thing.  I'm not even sure I will continue after this post but it's always a good way for me to save and reflect on things I want to remember.  It's also amazing to see how much each of them has grown in 1 year.  I really really wanna do the 365 day project this year.  I've started off a little rocky but will try to get it in gear and post on here.

January

My explorer

Momma's Target shopping buddy!!

Jaxon celebrates his 1/2 birthday at school in January.  This give summer birthday kids a chance to share treats with their friends.

February

Our blue eye little boy

I admit I hated this hair cut.  Its the only one he's ever had.

Music class!!  This has always been a favorite activity

Young Athletes Special Olympics.  Jaxon has really grown while doing this programs.

March

Finley has such a big personality.  He is so carefree!!

Our Picky eater.  He is still 99% g-tube fed.

April

Tractor riding is always a favorite for Jaxon.  He loves spending time on the farm.

Finley is at the climber stage of his life.

May

Luke Bryan concert was a huge hit.  

Sitting in his own seat at the Luke Bryan concert like a big boy!!

Loving the beautiful weather and exploring at Lake Shawnee

Happy Happy Boy

June

These two have a special bond even I can't explain.  But as their Momma I'm so proud of them.

Finley was finally starting to enjoy swim lessons here!!

Mommy's little fishy

In June Jason and I went on a trip to Alaska kid free.  It was one of our best vacations!!

July

Jaxon loves all things water.  He swam in the pool nearly everyday during the summer break.

Collins Park parade is always a big hit.  The boys love it!!

And more water......

August

Jaxon has been riding horses.  It's a type of therapy called hypotherapy.  He has a love/hate relationship with it.

Our Little Wildcat!!

September

Jaxon and one of his favorite Nurses (Lisa)

He just looks so big riding Maggie his horse

We went to a sunflower farm in Lawrence for the 1st time.  It was a blast.

He was smelling the sunflowers and got pollen on his nose :)

October

Buddies for Life.  I can't exactly explain their bond.  It's just something God is in control of.

This little boy loves to tag along with Daddy on the farm.

A Little Pumpkin Patch Fun.  The corn pit never fails us.

Halloween costumes.  Finn really got into it this year!!

November

He loves to hand me the phone and tell me "take a picture"  He loves to see the results.  He is one very special boy.

An unusually warm day in November.  He learned to blow bubble all by himself.

December

We all fit int he tractor!!

This is our wild and crazy boy.  He thinks pants are optional

One of my favorite pictures ever of these two.  It was a wonderful Christmas 2016.

Potty Training Again

I haven't done a post in a really really long time.  So I'm really doing this one for myself so I can keep track of this information.

Jax is still not potty training AT ALL.  He just simply is not ready.  I hope over the summer he will be ready.  He has been showing some major developmental milestones in the last couple months.  Taking him off one of his seizure medications seems to have helped with his speech tremendously.  Also having him on a feeding pump is another challenge in potty training because it's really hard to give him fluids and expect him to understand when to go potty.

Below is something I pulled from an article.  And honestly it sounds about right.  However, Jax isn't doing any of these things.  He is starting to want some alone time.  But he could really care less if he's dirty or wet.  And he does exactly what the last bullet says.  He can sit on the potty for 30 min stand up and pee on the floor.  Sooooo we will wait a little longer.  I guess until he can at least meet a few more of these


When will I know my child is ready to potty train?
Your child will show you tell-tale signs that they are ready. Here are some things to look for:

- Your child will tell you when their diaper is dirty.
- Your child will tell you right before or while they are going that they are going.
- Their diaper stays dry for about two hours at a time during the day.
- Bowel movements come at regular times.
- Your child will typically stay dry through the night.
- Your child may show an interest in the toilet and an interest in underpants.
- Your child may take off wet diapers themselves because they're uncomfortable.
- You may notice your child making a face before peeing or pooping.
- You may also notice that your child is more independent, wants to do things for themselves or do them their own way, and probably enjoys some alone time.
- Your child is not ready to potty train if they are resistant or afraid of the toilet, have a bowel movement or urinate right after you've had them sit on the potty, or wet their diaper in less than two hour intervals

Easter 2014

Jaxon had a great Easter.  We went to church in the morning and then followed up with a cook out and Jaxon's 1st Easter egg hunt.  He has never really understood hunting eggs before and this year took some encouragement.  We decided to grill because I only had about an hour and half to eat and help Jaxon hunt Easter eggs before work.  We had a great morning as a family.

Of course you must stop and pick the pretty flowers!!

Daddy's such a good helper

He is getting so BIG!!!

Watching for the Trains

Jaxon loves trains, fire trucks, police cars and ambulance's.  He loves anything big and makes lots of noise.  So I took him to Overland Station to watch for trains.  It's a great spot for little ones, you can get fairly close to the tracks but there's a fence to keep them from getting to close.

Just waiting

Soaking up a little sun while waiting

Having fun getting his picture taken

My sweet little boy!!

In this park they have a set of fake tracks and Jaxon was very fascinated by the rails.

Big Brother Jaxon

Jaxon is going to be a big brother on September 6th.  We are trying to prepare him for what is to come but he really doesn't understand.  He says "Big Brother"  and EVERY time you ask him if it's a brother or a sister he always says Sister.