Littlefields of Dreams: Family Update

Now that Jack is beyond a year old, I feel silly posting blog updates, but since we don't really have much of an exciting life, Jack is pretty much the sole reason for the blog. Let me back up. I guess there are some updates to know.

Mark is in school....well that's nothing new. But we are down to roughly a year or so left. A lot of our timeline depends on when classes are offered and if they conflict. Once Mark registers for Winter semester (October) we'll have a better idea of what we have left and the likelihood of being done before 2017. He's working full time and occasionally gets to fly to meet with clients and be all fancy-like.

I am still at home with Jack. We've gotten into our groove of no groove really. For a while we had a routine going for us but life happens. I volunteer every other Saturday at UVRMC and starting this month, I'm volunteering at an adoption agency in the Salt Lake area. Somewhat going through a midlife crisis as I am wanting a career again but need some education to do what I want. Between money, and making sure I don't get stuck with another degree that is useless, it's been quite the challenge to make a decision. Hopefully my volunteer work at the adoption agency will point me in the right direction. No school though until Mark is done. We can only afford 1 tuition at a time- especially when grad school tuition is involved. Yikes!

As for Jack. He is growing and learning so much. Here are some fun facts:

Signs Dad, water, more, please, dog, and baby (though it doesn't mean baby...we don't know what he means by this one. We haven't figured it out yet)
Says "dat" for "what's that". All day long he points and goes "dat". It's a game to him.
Crawls like nobody's business. Walks assisted, but will only take a few steps from person to person.
Weighs 25 pounds
As of this week he drinks cold milk (we had to lower the microwave time each week gradually)
Finally accepts shoes though he prefers life without them
Loves dogs, music, bananas and oranges and chocolate
Does not like cheese or bread

We had our initial intake assessment for speech therapy last week. A nurse came and just took down basic information about Jack, explained the process and probably made a few observatory notes for the therapists. The actual early intervention person was supposed to come this week but we had to reschedule because of our colds. The assessment will take place in the next week or 2, and then they will evaluate with other team members, see if he qualifies (he has to be in a low enough category developmentally), and then will come back with a family-based plan to meet our goals. We'll for sure keep you updated on development with that!

And now for the barage of pictures.