Updates

I haven't taken a lot of pictures lately, and i don't feel like uploading the ones I did take.  I have lots going on though so I thought I would share.

We finally got a diagnosis for Hunter.  He has hypogammaimmunoglobunemia.  Say that three times fast.  Basically he has the immune system of a newborn.  It never matured and he cannot make antibodies, so although he has had all of his vaccinations, his blood looks like he hasn't had any.  He didn't make the antibodies.  The reason he is always sick is two-fold: he has a lot of extra mucus in his head so he chokes on it and it makes him vomit (evidently).  The other part is that he can fight off viruses, but while he is fighting them off the bad bacteria in his digestive tract overtake the good bacteria, causing him to have diarrhea and vomiting.  The good news is that the doctor is planning on putting him on antibiotics permanently and then he won't be sick so much.  Most kids grow out of this between the ages of 5-7.  So that is all good news and I'm glad to know what we're dealing with and how he will fair.

Landon is growing up like a little superstar.  The more I get to know his little personality, the more I fall in love with him.  He is the sweetest little man I have ever met.  He seems kind and cautious in his personality but bold and daring physically.  He is obsessed with climbing - EVERYTHING.  He can climb, cruise or crawl anywhere he needs to go and feels no need at all to walk.  He's saying all kinds of words including: mommy, daddy, utta (Hunter), dog (dah), Thor (Tha), Nala (Naw-uhhhh), keys, airplane (ah-ba-ba then spitting noise).  I'll try to think of the rest of his wonderful words.  He loves being held, specifically by mommy and then by Daddy.  He is frightened of Hunter (for good reason).

Hunter is really into wrestling.  I wish I could enroll him in Karate and find a different outlet for his need to rough house.  At least Landon will be tough!  Hunter is also a good share-r these days and is very thoughtful in trading toys with Wando (Landon) instead of just taking them from him.  He loves to listen to us read books to him, is obsessed with Curious George, and adores Landon.  Even though he likes to wrestle with Landon he actually loves him very much and isn't trying to hurt him.  It's funny that Landon used to watch every single thing that Hunter did.  Now he still watches but he also wants to do his own thing.  Hunter has noticed this new independence and now he watches everything that Landon does.  It seems like he wants to do whatever Landon is doing now.  It's been an interesting change of pace!

These boys are so sweet and I feel so lucky to be their mommy.  For all of the frustration they bring, there is 10 times more joy and love.  I"ve learned so much from them about life and about myself.  As someone said to me at the park the other day: "It's impossible to respect your child too much."  It's true - treat him with respect and he will learn to treat others with respect.