It's been such a long time since my last post that I don't know where to start. It was a busy summer for us and life hasn't slowed much.
I didn't realize how much the kids had changed until I saw my last post. Even Owen is looking and acting more grown up. In my last post I mentioned that he was having a hard time adjusting to his new room at daycare. Not only has he adjusted, he has a girlfriend there. A little girl named Preseley LOVES Owen. A couple weeks ago the teachers told us that they have to stop them from kissing each other. Presley talks about Owen at daycare and at home--and is able to say his name really well. Just last week when we walked in the door she came running up to us and said "Ohhwen...hug" with her arms outreached for him. We're not sure if Owen talks about Presley as most of the time he talks in his own language.
Owen is constantly learning to say new things. We will probably have to keep him away from Dad when the Hawkeyes are losing as he would likely learn a few new words. In the past few weeks Owen has started saying Melmo (Elmo), naughny, naughny, naughny (naughty), baby, puppy, no, mine, me, uh-oh. He can tell us that a duck says ca ca ca ca (while flapping his arms like a duck). Unfortunately he thinks that sheep, cows and pigs also say quack quack. Just a few weeks ago he thought that all animals said "Baa" so I guess this is progress. Owen likes to give us a warning before he does something naughty. He often will say "no, no, no" and then throw food on the floor, feed the dog, try hit the lamp, etc. He also likes to say "mine" and then steal the remote or a cell phone.
Avery is growing like a weed. She she loves it when we sit and talk to her and smile. She loves to "talk" back. She also likes it when we shake a rattle over her head and then put it in her hand so she can shake it herself.
Last week we spent 3 days with Avery at the U of Iowa Children's Hospital. She is being treated for a hemangioma growing on/in her cheek that was getting dangerously close to her eye. Most people are more familiar with the term "strawberry birthmark". Avery's hemangioma is growing under the surface of the skin so it looks like a lumpy bruise under her eye. We are very fortunate to live so close to the University of Iowa as it is one of only a few hospitals in the country to take a new approach to the treatment of hemangiomas.
We made our initial visit last Tuesday and learned that the hemangioma had actually caused her eye lashes to turn in towards her eye. They were concerned and asked that we admit her to start the treatment right away. We started treatment on Wednesday and saw lots of doctors. I think some just wanted to see Avery as the treatment she is receiving has only been used for a few years now. After the first day, there was noticable improvement. The doctors told us to expect a big improvement initially and then very slow progress. Avery will be taking medication to reduce the hemangioma until she is 12-18 months old.
