Now that Noah is Mr. Active these days his relationship with big brother Trey is so cute to watch. I love how they interact together. Noah cannot get enough of Trey. He screams in delight the most for Trey, smiles the most for Trey, and wants EVERYTHING Trey has.

Trey has really stepped into the role of big brother. He always tries to make Noah feel better when he is fussy. He never wants him to go down for a nap. Sharing though has become quite the topic conversation these days. Now that Noah is moving all over the place he is getting into all of Trey's toys. The brotherly fighting has already begun in this house. I always hear "No baby Noah that is not yours!!!" "Stop!!" But Trey has quickly learned that words are not going to stop this crazy determined little man.

Noah has already successfully pulled out Trey's extension tubing that attaches to his g-tube, dislocated his elbow and pulled a lamp on himself. Two totally different personalities and demeanor's. But that is what makes life interesting.

Hilarious series of pictures....

Awhile back Noah woke up from his nap and Trey wanted to get in the crib with him. Trey thought it was so cool to be in his old crib and Noah was tickled to pieces that Trey was that close to him. I put some toys in there and they played 30-45 minutes together. I had our video monitor going while I fixed dinner so I could keep an eye on them. Trey begged to stay in longer and Noah was more than content. I thought why am I just now trying this. Whatever works right??

Sometimes I swear they secretly get together in the morning and come up with a game plan of how to literally drive me crazy all day long. But I love them to pieces even on the hardest of days.

I made a recent video of the boys... Enjoy.
CLICK ON LINK BELOW

Copy of brotherly love 4


This is the video I posted of the boys on Facebook awhile ago if you didn't already see it....
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brotherly love 2

Las Vegas

**Very Late Post**

Curtis and I celebrated our 5th year anniversary this past August 5th. Curtis and I haven't been alone on a vacation since before Trey was born. Curtis brought up earlier that we should get away for a long overdue vacation. Of course I wanted to but I wrestled back and forth with leaving Trey behind with all his tube feeding and medication responsibilities. And Noah was only 5 months at the time too. But after much encouragement from my husband, family and friends we booked our tickets to Vegas. We were only going away for 2 nights and 3 days and to most I am sure that seems like nothing. But if you know me...I am a control freak and giving up the responsibility especially of all Trey's medical needs is huge for me.

Trey and Noah were going to stay with my parents while we were gone. Luckily before we left the boys and I had already spent almost a week and half at my parents due to all of Trey's appointments and Curtis being on his trip to Australia. It was perfect because my parents were able to get the boys schedules down. They each decided to take a kiddo to focus on. I thought that would be less confusing with Trey and Noah's feeding schedules. My dad decided to take on Trey's medications and tube feedings because he does better with a strict routine. My mom took on unpredictable Noah. They did a wonderful job while we were away. Which I knew they would. I only called a few times to check in :)

I never realized how important it was to get time away from the boys and really spend some quality time with my husband. We had an amazing time and I was treated like a total princess.

Curtis got us a convertible to cruise around in.

We stayed a block away from the strip at the Mariott Grand Chateau. It was nice because it didn't have a casino so we could get away from all the busyness of Vegas.

 

We had an amazing room.

We did a lot of sight seeing, eating way too much wonderful food and just enjoying each others company without any interruptions.

 

We went to see the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage Hotel.

 

 

One night we went to a really nice dinner at the Center Cut Steakhouse followed by seeing the George Wallace Comedy Show at the Flamingo Hotel.

 

 

We had an amazing time together. I seriously was not ready to head home. We could have totally used a couple more days away. I am sad that Curtis and I waited this long to get away but we have had a lot on our plate these last couple of years. But now I realize the importance for Curtis and I to take time out for ourselves so we can be better parents to the boys. Curtis and I will often look at each other on hard nights with our little rascals and say remember when we walking the strip....

 

I hope time away is something we can make possible every year.

 

 

Trying to be cool....

 

 

Halloween

Well the next series of posts are going to be SUPER old. A blast from the past. I have been meaning to post them forever but with Curtis's season underway, a trip up to Tacoma for Trey's follow up appointments, and Noah now mobile, my alone time has been very limited these days.

We all enjoyed Halloween this year. Trey was super excited to dress up this year and go trick or treating. We did pumpkin carving ealier in the week. Noah fell asleep before we started but I know he would have enjoyed making a huge mess. Big brother Trey was not at all interested in getting his hands messy this year.

Nothing too special but enough for our little guy.

I had some cute little Halloween goodies set up for the boys when they woke up. I felt bad because I knew Trey wouldn't be able to try and eat majority of the candy because of all his allergies. So I went a little overboard with gifts.

 

New plate hoping to encourage more eating.
 

OK enough pictures already Mom...

I decided to put the boys in their costumes earlier on in day to get the endless amount of pictures I love to take. I knew meltdowns were a huge possibility after trick or treating.

Here are a few favorites...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lily the triceratops

Impossible to get all 3 to sit still.

After dinner we met up with our neighbors up the street to walk around together.

Noah excited for his first time trick or treating.

Trey and Noah with their buddy Milo. What a great costume!

Only in Pullman...

It was fun day with our little dinosaur and monkey!!!

Since We Have Been Home...

Well like Trey we were all super excited to be back home after a long trip away. There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed. Trey felt like it was Christmas because he was rediscovering all his toys he had missed.

Behavior was quite an issue when Trey initially got home from the hospital. Rightly so and to be expected. Being in the comfort of his own home helped get things  back to normal for Mr. Trey.

Right when we got discharged from the hospital Trey was super motivated about food and drinking. He talked about food nonstop. He would tell us all the things he wanted to try. We had to explain to Trey that the surgery affects his ability to swallow the first few weeks after. There are certain foods he has to avoid that could hurt him and slow healing (ex. hard, crunchy, sharp foods for sure). Trey has done incredibly well with understanding that there are some limitations right now. He usually asks "The doctors say I can't have that because of my surgery?"

Initially I was a little overwhelmed myself because I thought oh my goodness everything Trey really loves he can't have. But it has encouraged him to try some new textures he in the past totally would refuse. So now that we are almost 6 weeks post-op he can have things with slightly harder textures. Example, soft breads, soft cooked noodles, finely ground meat, cereal that is slightly soggy, and his french fries but only the soft parts.

As we reached his caloric and volume goal for his tube feedings his appetite and drive to eat has tapered off quite a bit. But we have to beef him up right now. He has lost quite a bit of weight and is so tiny. Once we reach a safer weight gain we can back off a little bit with his tube feedings to get that appetite drive going again.

But we are super excited to report that even though Trey isn't taking in large volumes of food he definitely is wanting to experiment with a lot of foods at the present time.
Here are a few things that he is enjoying...

soft waffles with blueberry syrup
Gerber puffs
cold cereal with rice milk
strawberry smoothie
soft english muffins
sliced thing turkey lunch meat
all kinds of soft breads
any kind of potatoes
some pureed fruits
almond milk ice cream

This probably seems like a limited list to most but huge to us considering before surgery he would barely eat or drink anything.

Trey has enjoyed helping prepare some of his meals and snacks. He loves to ask tons of questions as we go. We practice smelling different ingredients or touching different textures.

The other day while we were cooking together I had Noah on my back in a carrier. Yes Noah insists he be involved in the activities too. Trey decided to carry one of his stuffed animals in his backpack that holds his tube feeding. Too cute.

Of course before surgery Curtis and I were totally apprehensive about making this choice for Trey. But we have no regrets with our decision. Trey's refluxing episodes have decreased GREATLY. It is amazing. If he does have any it is usually during a tube feeding. We can tell there is a huge difference in his comfort level. We are so excited to see with time as Trey begins to experience less discomfort how much his eating will pick up even more. The sky is the limit for this little boy. He deserves to feel safe eating and we hope he grows to enjoy it someday.