Colby Dancing....wonder where he gets his rhythm?

?

Austin walking 2

Austin's sweet eyes

Our Boys Are Growing

We took the boys for their 15 month check up and Dr. Cox was very pleased with their progress. Austin is finally on the growth chart weighing in at 20.13 pounds. Colby is still not on the growth chart but weighed in at 18.8 pounds. Dr. Cox is not concerned about his weight because he is continuing to grow. He received a report from Austin's surgery and was pleased to hear that everything went well and that he is recovering so well. They both got 3 shots and believe it or not once the shots were over with they did pretty well. Of course during the shots it was a totally different story as I had to hold them down and that's no fun. We are probably going to be disenrolled from early intervention next week because the boys are doing so well and because they are almost caught up to their actual age in terms of motor skills, development etc. If they were to ever need it again for any reason the director said there would be no issues getting back into the program. Colby is doing great with his braces. He has realized he actually can walk in them so he doesn't put up much of a fight when putting them on. He and Austin had still rather play with them but I told them they need to find a cheaper toy to play with other than the $900 braces.

School is into full swing and Natalie and Sean started school on Wed. as well. They both seem to like it so far. Natalie is in the 8th grade and for those who knew my Mom, Natalie would make her proud because she is in 8th grade Honor's English. Sean is in the 4th grade and apparently already impressed Ms. Dyer from what she told us last night at Back to School Night.

oh I was about to forget the most important thing for our family recently. Pat and I have been working very hard to get the boys in a night routine. It's hard when we have football practice until around 8:00 or back to school nights etc. But we've stuck to it and we would put them to bed, awake and let them put themselves to sleep. The first few nights Austin really cried, screamed, call Momma many many times but he would finally to himself to sleep. We are glad to say the last 3 nights we have put them to bed and we have not heard a sound from either one. Now that they go to bed by 8:00 that actually gives me a couple of hours each night to get things done around the house or just relax and watch a movie. We are very proud of them to say the least.



Just to show you the O'Leary boys do have rhythm...check this one out. Guess he gets these moves from me. Hope you are all doing well. Lex

Austin's big surgery....what a big boy!

Let me first thank you for all the prayers, emails, phone calls and thoughts for today. Last night did not set us up for a great way to start our day as I ended up putting Austin in the Yukon around 10:00 and driving him around North Salt Lake to get him to go to sleep. He finally drifted off to his girlfriend Taylor Swift. As I tucked him in bed all I could think about was wanting to see his smile when he came out of surgery. We got up at 4:00am and prepared to head to the hospital. We arrived at 6:00am to find one of our local support couples, John and Carla Keller there waiting on us. We got Austin all signed in and off to radiology we went for his CT Scan. He was not wild about that as they strapped him down but we got it done. The CT Showed no signs of any change so Dr.Kestle was ready for surgery. We had a great medical team today that Austin seemed to like as he did not even look back as they took him away from us. Most of you know that is NOT common for Austin who suffers from stranger anxiety.

The surgery lasted no more than 40 minutes and during that time we grabbed a quick breakfast with John and Carla....I needed my caffeine! Dr. Kestle was pleased to report the surgery went as well as it could have. There was no bleeding when he removed the reservoir and he said it all looked great. Austin was in recovery for quite awhile but they finally discharged us around 1:00. He was drinking and eating ok so Dr. Kestle felt fine letting us go home. His head is starting to swell some but he said that is very normal and we should expect even more over the next couple of days. He said if he seems irritable to give him some Tylenol or Motrin but he shouldn't need anything stronger.

Austin has truly amazed us once again as I type he is up playing, walking and talking non-stop. He has taken a couple of short naps but for the most part he has been right back to his normal active self. We are supposed to call Dr. Kestle next week and let him know how Austin is doing and he'll decide then if he needs to see us again.

Natalie and Sean has a cool day at the pool with Jen. Yes, I was jealous. They have such a good time when they get to hang out with Jen and we are so grateful Jen was willing and able to help us out....Thank you Jen.

Colby has been running a temperature the past couple of days but we think it's because he is still trying to cut 2 teeth. Bless his heart his gums are so swollen but they just won't cut through. We are thinking they may be permanent (just kidding). We got a call yesterday from our physical therapist and his braces are in. I informed Lisa that his now walking and she was surprised. She'll still do an assessment and will come up with a plan for his braces. Because they cost almost $900 he will wear them some. Pat said if for nothing else, photos for the blog.

Thanks again for your support.

Boys at football practice

Sean has started football practice and last week they suited up in pads. I think he forgot how hot and uncomfortable his helmet can be. We are so proud of him. Out of more than 60 kids he made the top 20 to be on the A team. He is probably the smallest on the A team weighing in at 54 pounds but he's also the fastest. I just remind him they have to catch you to tackle you. We went to practice everyday and Colby and Austin loved it. They are getting ready to follow in their big brother's footsteps.

Lex

We're walking, Yes in deed we're walking, for all to see!

>

">
So we are sooooooo proud of our boys. They are both walking and I mean walking everywhere. There is no stopping them now. Colby just got the hang of it this week really well and we don't have his braces yet so I don't know if we'll need them now or not. I am just amazed at how well they are doing. They should have just turned one on Aug 7th so age corrected they should be doing what a 10 1/2 month old should do. We had our early intervention appointment this week for Austin and he actually is evaluating at 15 months which is his correct age. We are so proud of them and so thankful to God for taking such good care of them.

We have a very big day on Tuesday as that is the day Dr.Kestle will remove the reservoir from Austin's brain. We'll have a CT scan that morning and then go into surgery. If all goes well and he recovers ok there is a chance he'll come home that night or they may keep us overnight for observation. Pat and I are very nervous as the day he go it (June 14th) was one of the worst days for us in the NBICU. We just pray that God will take care of him as he's done so far and that all will go well.

I'll update as soon as I can but for now enjoy my boys walking. If any of you knows how to show just my video and not all the ones below it that have nothing to do with our family please let me know.

Lex

Anyone seen a bison, elk or bear? We did!!

I know I have some catching up to do. We've been so busy lately with vacations and trips that I haven't been on the computer much (ok so Pat would disagree but it's true). Pat and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on July 26th and thanks to Heather who kept the kids for us we were able to go out for dinner and actually eat at the same time and while it was hot. I told her I would settle for McDonald's as long as I didn't have to get up and do anything during my meal. She asked, "Is that what I have to look forward too?" I said yes, once you have kids especially if you have more than one.

We also took out boat out for the 1st time this summer. We went to Lake Jordanelle which is about 45 miles from Salt Lake. It's a beautiful area but the water was a bit chilly and once the clouds moved in we called it a day. Here is Sean who was headed out to the tube.

For those that don't know Lyndsey, she's in the brown and she is Pat's oldest daughter. She spent a couple of days with us last week. Natalie as always is a fair weather participant and only wanted to be in the tube for a few minutes.

Here is Pat demonstrating the fine art of wakeboarding. Colby hit a big milestone last Thursday. He took his 1st steps on our anniversary. He is doing much better about keeping his heels down but we are still waiting on his braces to come in. I expect them either this week or next. I know he's not going to like them but I do know they will help. Colby can go from sitting to standing all my himself without holding on to anything. Once he takes a couple of steps he looses his balance and just plops down on his bottom.Austin has 4 new teeth coming in for a total of 8 (Colby still only has his two bottom teeth). He is saying Bye, Bye and will wave when he says it. He also said ball a couple of weeks ago for me and Carla but now I can't get him to say it. He is really doing well with his walking. He can walk 5-6 steps and will stop and stand. Colby just claps for him when he does it too.

Here we are waiting on old Faithful to go off. The boys weren't too impressed....guess they are still too young.

Colby loves a ride on Daddy's shoulders.

Last Friday we packed up the Yukon and headed north with the Fontenot Family to Yellowstone. We had a great time. The weather was great and in fact we actually used a heater at night. We stayed in a camper that is available for rent for military members and the Fontenots pulled their own camper. Colby and Austin were great in the car. They took naps, looked out the window and ate. Speaking of eating, they eat all the time. We are moving them into toddler finger foods and some table food. So far they are doing pretty well with all of it. They both think they can feed themselves but it turns into just a big mess. The young horse riding gang...Kayla, Bryce, Natalie and Sean

Mommy and Austin going for a little walk

Austin and Dante going for a stroll

We had such a great time in Yellowstone. On Saturday we spent the day in the park. We saw elk, bison, eagles, moose, rams and a grizzly bear with two cubs. Austin was not wild about the bison and kept making his ooooh noise along with a very concerned look. We had a picnic in the park and just spent the day on the search for animals.

Sunday Pat and Dante took the older kids on a whitewater rafting trip. They had an awesome time and from the sounds Sean and Bryce took a couple of swims thanks to Pat. They both "rode the bull" which is standing at the front and holding onto a rope while the others paddled the boat in circles over the rapids.

Sean talking to Sarge before the ride

On Monday they all went for a horseback ride while Colby and Austin napped at the trailer. Sean who was riding Sarge had a hard time getting him to go. I'm sure Sarge didn't realize he actually had a person on his back since Sean doesn't weigh that much. Natalie really seemed to enjoy the ride and she was thankful not to run into any wildlife.

We headed home after their ride and made it back in time for Sean to go to football camp. He has camp everyday from 5:30-7:30 where they are doing conditioning and football basics. He is so excited for football to start. This will be his 2nd year of tackle and he's already talking about hitting and getting hit.

I am getting ready to start teaching again. My students start the 22nd and this will be my last semester. I fly to FT Carson, CO right after Christmas to out process the Army. What a life change that I am about to experience. I am almost done with my real estate classes. In fact I have 9 left and I will take those next week. Then all I have to do is study and pass the state exam. Pat and I will be doing real estate as a team and we think with our work ethic and discipline we'll do very well. The good thing is that it allows me the flexibility I need to do things with the boys.

Well that should catch you up on what we've been doing the past couple of weeks. Hope each of you is enjoying your summer.

Love to all