Landen's first beach trip...

Well, I was hoping to come back from the beach and post all these cute pictures of Landen playing in the sand and splashing in the pool...NOT SO MUCH! This was Landen's FIRST vacation and he was miserable. He hated the sand, was not fond of the heat, disliked the pool and had an allergic reaction to the pool water.( I assume it was the pool water)We went out on the beach for like 20 minutes and Landen was sitting on a towel most of the time, we then left and went to our pool and was in the water for maybe 10 minutes. Ron noticed that Landen looked like he had a sun burn on his face so I took him up to the room to clean him up. When I got him undressed, he had a severe rash from his face to his waist and his face was swollen and getting worse. Ron went to the drugstore to get benadryl for our sweet baby and about an hr or so later, he was fine. I do not think we will be planning any more beach trips in the near future for our vacations.

He had a great First Easter though!!! The Easter Bunny brought him a baseball basket with lots of suckers and chocolate bunnies.( The only two things he can eat and he's not allergic to)

Now it's time to get things ready for his BIG 1st BIRTHDAY PARTY on Saturday. I can't believe my baby will be 1 on Thursday. How time flies by. He is such a blessing to us. I can't even remember my life before we brought him home nor do I want to remember. He brings so much happiness to our little family.

Here's a few pictures from the beach of all of us. Ron, Lexi, and Zach had a great time while we were there.(Glad someone did) =)   I'm not complaining because we get to go to the Mountains instead of the beach from now on. =) 

                                              RIDING WITH MY BIG SIS

                                            GETTING ALL STICKY FROM THE SUCKER!

                                               LEXI AND ZACH ON THE BALCONY

                                              LANDEN'S FIRST TIME ON THE BEACH

                                                 

                        JUST WAKING UP WITH SIS

It's about time for an update!

Catching up!!

I haven't blogged in quite some time and I am sorry to those who have been asking for some new updates and pictures! What's been going on at our house? What's new with Landen?
How's the rest of the family?

1.We had hard wood floors put down in our house which took a total of 2 weeks and it drove me insane!(My OCD got the best of me during that time) During this 2 weeks of he--, I wondered how in the world can people become hoarders??? Seriously for 2 weeks I had heart palpitations, SOB(no I'm not talking about the person who laid the floor)(shortness of breath people =), anxiety(from dust being everywhere) and Landen stayed sick the entire time b/c of the dust. Thankfully that is over and my house is back to being clean! YEAH... I can breathe and the heart palpitations are gone! This is mainly why I haven't blogged in so long. Plus, I just can't find time to sit down and put my thoughts together.

2. Landen now says "A Duck", "was sat" (What's that) and lello (Yellow). He's so stinkin' cute MOST of the time. He has acquired a temper and has thrown a temper tantrum... IN PUBLIC! Gasp! a 1 yr old throwing a temper...what? We were at Greenville hospital and he was hungry(I couldn't feed him though b/c he was getting ready to have a swallow study). He would scream for a toy so I would give it to him, then he would throw it down as hard as he could. I would give him another toy and he would throw that one down too(as hard as he could) I kept telling him NO NO and he would look at me and throw both hands down while tightening up his body. Cuteness can only go so far! =)

3. We are STILL waiting on his stander. I personally think that he'll be walking before we get the stander.( I hate insurance companies).

4. Swallow study was Monday and he does aspirate his food/milk into his lungs. They were shocked he hasn't had pneumonia yet(That is what usually happens when children aspirate their food). Now we have to thicken ALL his foods with baby cereal. It has to be in the consistency of a thick milk shake. He already has texture issues and DOES NOT like any vegetables. Looks like he'll become a chunky monkey just eating baby cereal, formula, pears and peaches.

5. He has significant sensory issues which we are working on as well as his therapist. He does not like grass, sand, anything mesh, feather dusters, bees(not sure if it is the sound of it or the bee itself)dogs, nothing over his head (like an enclosed area)rough or rigid things etc. We are learning more and more of the things he is sensitive to. I am doing deep tissue massages and brushing as well as joint compressions so hopefully that will help. It's amazing at how much you learn from a child with different abilities. For example, I may hear the buzzing of a bee sound whereas Landen may hear a VERY loud siren sound. It's odd but interesting. Next week for Spring Break we are headed to the beach for both Landen's first vacation and Ron's birthday. Landen and the sand may not be a good combination! We are excited to see how he does and enjoys his first vacation! Pictures to be posted after Spring Break.

6. Landen's 1st birthday party is coming up on April 30th. Yeah! Can't wait to post pictures of that day!

7. As I said before, we went to Greenville on Monday for the swallow study and post op with the Urologist. It NEVER fails that every time we go to Greenville, Landen has a massive blow out...EVERY TIME WE GO TO GREENVILLE! OK, so I am rushing to get to Dr Teague's office(Urologist) for a post op appointment. I park, grab the stroller, get Landen out of the car seat and put him in the stroller. Grab diaper bag, shut doors, lock up etc. As I am walking, almost jogging b/c I am running behind, I look down at my feet and see this wet brown spot on my foot. I wonder, what the heck is this? I bend down, wipe it with my pointer finger,look intensely at it and think,"oh my goodness!" (This is gross y'all so I apologize). I smell it. Yep, I smell it. It's Landen's dookie on my foot! So I wonder, how the heck did it just drip on my foot? As I inspect more closely, I see it's all down my slacks. OK, I am standing in the parking lot giving myself a baby wipe bath while almost having a breakdown because I'm already running late. I go inside, go to the bathroom, completely undress my son who has dookie all over him except for his feet. Again, I give him a wipe bath and as I am almost completely finished cleaning him, he pees everywhere! So now not only does he smell like turd, he is sitting in his own urine AND people are knocking at the door wanting to use the restroom. APPARENTLY they only have one bathroom! Instead of crying uncontrollably, I start laughing like an insane woman. Landen starts laughing at me and I can't stop. I have a WLB ( weak,leaky bladder) which laughing doesn't make the issue any better. I'm standing there, laughing and praying that I don't pee on myself too because I don't have a change of clothes!!! When I left the Urologist's office, my makeup was gone(from all the laughing/tears), I smelled like crap, my son was hungry and it was only 10am. Oh and we never even saw the Dr because he was running behind.  All that rushing around and anxiety that I was feeling was for nothing. I didn't even reschedule, I just left mad! Then we rushed to the hospital where he was having his swallow study. He throws a tantrum and is very tired and all because he's hungry too.
I'm telling you, mine and Landen's Greenville trips are never dull at any moment. Now if I can just talk my Dr into giving me some xanax or valium before every trip to Greenville we should be fine. =)

8. The rest of the family is doing great! Zach is playing baseball and loving every minute of it. He just got his courses for Middle School next year and he is in ALL advanced classes. Way to go Big Z! I'm so proud of you. Ron turns the big 40 next week. It's hard to believe he's 40(He still acts like he's 20). Lexi is doing great and driving more and more. She just got her first job. She starts this summer at the YMCA working with Camp Little Feet. She's so excited. And of course Landen is getting bigger and bigger and his little personality is coming out more and more.
Ron and I are discussing adopting another baby with Spina Bifida; if the Lord is willing and I'm still sane by then. So, if any of you readers hear of anything, please let us know. We would love to have another angel in our family.

That's all for now. Will post pictures of our upcoming events soon.

Love,

The Blacks

Please Consider Alternatives to Abortion

(A letter that will appear in the Herald's Voice of the People)

Approximately one year ago, our family received a phone call from our social worker informing us that we had been chosen to adopt a baby boy with Spina Bifida. This past year has been an unbelievable joy filled with happiness, love, emotional highs, and blessings! It is hard to put into words the beautiful journey we’ve encountered with our beloved son.

Needless to say, the past year has been very educational; neither my wife nor I knew anything about Spina Bifida when we received the phone call. Since April of last year, we’ve spent a tremendous amount of time reading and researching this condition that affects our baby. During this same time, we’ve been blessed with medical experts who have committed to helping our family.

Just recently, our family has discussed the possibility of adopting another baby with Spina Bifida. While recently reading additional information on Spina Bifida and adoption, we were terribly saddened to learn that at least 50% of pregnancies with a fetus diagnosed with Spina Bifida are aborted (http://www.spuc.org.uk/students/abortion/disability reports 90%)!

If you or someone you know is considering aborting your fetus that has been diagnosed with Spina Bifida (or any other condition), please STOP immediately! Instead, let us know. We’ll be glad to adopt your baby. Check out our blog at www.littlelanden.blogspot.com. Feel free to contact us at ronandtosh@comporium.net.



Sincerely,

Ron Black

Landen's surgery

Most of you know that Landen had to be at Greenville Memorial Hospital yesterday for his circumcision. We left Rock Hill at 4:30am and made it to Greenville by 6:30am. We headed straight to pre-op where they gave him this cute little gown and Ron and I had to wear the ugly gowns and cap so we could walk him down to the OR. After we met with all the Dr's, nurses,  and anesthesiologist we made our way to the OR where we left our baby in GREAT hands! Let me back up....before we left for the OR, we played in the room for awhile and his old Neuro nurse that took care of him after he had his shunt placed came in to see him before AND after the surgery! WE LOVE GREENVILLE HOSPITAL!  Ok, so after we left our sweet baby we went to the waiting room where it seemed we waited  forever but actually it didn't take long at all. After they extubated Landen we got to go to post op and wait for him to wake up. It didn't take long for him to wake up because I started rubbing his little face and talking to him. =)    Once he woke up he asked for his ball! (gosh I love that boy)
He was STARVING b/c he couldn't eat anything after midnight the night before the surgery. We were able to give him some sugar water before we left post op.  After we left, we went to NICU to see Landen's old nurse Sharon. She was so excited to see him and I'm so mad at myself for not getting pictures of her and Craig (his Neuro nurse) before we left.

He's doing great and he hasn't skipped a beat. He is a little more grouchy and fussy but who wouldn't be after getting cut on. Thank goodness he doesn't have alot of feeling down there. They think he might have some "spotty" sensation down there which is why he is fussy. (thank goodness for tylenol with CDN)

We still have to go back in April for a swallow study because he is still choking on food, milk, spit, air etc.
Here are some before and after the surgery! Is he not the cutest little booger you've ever seen.

We would like to thank Greenville Memorial for being so great to us and Landen. Levine's is NO comparison to Greenville which is why we would much rather travel the 2 hrs to get excellent care!!!!!

Tidbits about the Blacks

Ok, so I usually blog about Landen simply because we want to raise awareness about Spina Bifida and the joys of raising a child with Spina Bifida. We want to reach out to those individuals who might be pregnant and just finding out that they are about to embark on a different journey than they planned on. Our purpose is to give hope and encouragement to those families. BUT.... yesterday my daughter asked me WHY don't you have a blog about me and Zach? Why don't you ever talk or write about us? I said to her, "If you were to read Landen's blog then you would know that I do in fact write about you and Zach." I also explained to her that there are individuals out there who are contemplating on having an abortion or give their baby away because the simple fact that they are pregnant with a child diagnosed with Spina Bifida and we don't want that. So long story short she understood and was ok that I don't have a specific blog just for her(even though she totally deserves one!)   =)

Lexi...Where to begin? She's 15 yrs old and 5 mos. She's beautiful,smart,witty,funny,mischevious,caring,loving, sensitive,modest,a good listener, a great sister, has lots of great friends and when she drives she rides the white line(makes me nuts)... I could go on and on and on. She makes me proud, makes me laugh(she has LOTS of blonde moments) and I am oh so lucky to be her mom. On a daily basis I will catch her reading the scriptures, being a therapist to her friends(I told you she is a good listener)doing laundry to help me out, and complaining because "we have no food in this house" really what she means is... we don't have Mcdonalds fries or nuggets. She's the greatest and I love her so much!

Zach... well, he just got a hair cut and looks Sooooo handsome! He's a sportsaholic(is that a word?) He just finished basektball and is already playing baseball and he's already trying to figure out what's next after baseball. He lives for hunting and you can catch him in his deer stand shooting squirrels that are just trying to get a nut(as Ron says!) He loves Reece's, grits,cocoa pebbles,yogurt,ice cream, Mcdonalds,CiCi's and macaroni. (he's not picky or anything =)
He LOVES scaring people but HATES being scared???
He wants to be either a professional baseball player or Hockey player. Either way he has agreed that when he makes the big leagues, he'll provide Ron and me with $30,000 a month and a motor home so we can travel around and watch him play. What a deal!!! He told Lexi he would give her $10 a month. =)
He's a great big brother and Landen LOVES him more than he loves anyone else in the family.(not joking) Landen will totally look up to Zach!  I am so lucky to be his mom!

Landen... He's 10 mos 2 weeks and a 1 day. He's awesome! He loves oatmeal and pears, Good Start formula, cheese puffs, Mcdonalds fries, his wagon, ANY ball of any kind. Soccer ball, basketball, baseball,football,soft ball, hard ball, pink ball, green ball, ANY BALL! We've actually changed his birthday theme from monkeys to balls! His new word is ball and sometimes it sounds like he is saying "my ball".  He loves watching people, children play at therapy, being outside,chewing on whatever fits in his mouth and getting his way!

Ron... He's a loving husband and father(the best). He too is a sportsaholic(again, is this a word?)He loves his Clemson Tigers =) (ha ha ha ha ha) just kidding. He loves his Gamecocks and Winthrop Eagles. He loves a ball too, just not pink. He likes to travel, SHOP(I know right), he likes to eat out, play cards,watch t.v, shoot his new gun(no it's not a BB gun and yes it is put up in a safe place away from the kids and on lock for those who may be wondering)He's smart, funny, loving,kind, protective, trustworthy, amazing husband with lots of other great qualities! I have been blessed with such a great man.

Me...I don't like to talk about myself but I will say that I am a loving mother that adores her family and would do ANYTHING in the world for them. I am an over protective mom, I don't like being judged before you meet me (judge away after you meet me.) I used to be this shy little girl who didn't want to speak her mind for fear of hurting someones feelings but as I have gotten older, I speak my mind and if you don't like it, I don't care. I am a home body who loves to clean. I hate cooking but I like to bake.  
I love being a mom of a child with different ABILITIES! I am a krispy kreme junkie. I love flannel blankets and flannel pj's. I prefer the mountains over the beach UNLESS we are in the Bahamas. Dislike Zumba b/c things go one way when it's supposed to be going the other and things jiggle in places they aren't supposed to. I love the smell of my husbands cologne, and the smell of Landen after a bath and a dab of baby lotion. I am a GREAT mother and I know what's best for my children!

We are a down to earth family with lots and lots and lots and lots of love! Family is the most important thing to us. We would love to adopt another child with Spina Bifida but would take any child that just needs to be loved and cared for regardless of what "ABILITIES" they may have! We thank God for all that we have and give thanks to him daily!

Just a quick FYI~

For individuals who may read my blog and not like something that is posted or you don't like the pictures that I put up then please move on to the next blog! I've taken down pictures in the past b/c some people didn't like the pictures and questioned my ability and knowledge of taking care of my Landen. I realize that everyone is entitled to their own opinions(just don't post them on Landen's website! We have listed our e-mail at the top of the page so if you have concerns or questions regarding my knowledge to care for my children please contact me via e-mail b/c I would love to respond to you. Again, this blog is about raising awareness about Spina Bifida. This blog is to show others just how happy,smart,healthy,and normal kids with Spina Bifida are. This blog is about Landen and our family and how happy, blessed,lucky,and how totally in love we are with our baby that was born with Spina Bifida!

With lots of love,

The Blacks 

My baby is growing up =(

Feb 28th, 2010 Landen turned 10 mos old! My baby isn't a baby anymore =(  

He's graduated from an infant car seat to a toddler car seat, he got his AFO's (which are oh so cute!) He will be getting his stander in a week or two, he has 4 teeth. (2 on top and 2 on bottom) and he's learning new things every day. He has learned how to do Pat-a-cake Pat-a-cake(we worked on this for about 2 months and he's finally doing it) It's the most ADORABLE thing ever!! I would post a video of him doing it but as soon as he sees the camera come out he stops!

He LOVES a ball...any ball and he's getting really good at throwing it. We were on our way to Greenville Monday and I saw him swinging his arm up and down but I wasn't sure which way he was going to fling it so I was aware that I might get hit in the head with a foam baseball while driving but he ended up throwing it all the way in the back of the van. =)   He was quiet upset and couldn't understand WHY I wasn't getting the ball and giving it back to him. (he has strawberry/blonde hair so he has a temper too!)

We got to Advanced Prosthetics in Greenville where they put the AFO's on him and as we waited 30 minutes to make sure they fit his cute little feet and legs perfectly with no redness, we met some wonderful people from Virginia that had brought their sweet,handsome, and very smart soon to be 14 year old son named Cameron who also has Spina Bifida. He was also getting his AFO's. He walks unassisted, plays church basketball and baseball, catherizes himself and is very independent. His level is L3 which is a step higher than Landen's. How amazing is God?

After leaving Advanced Prosthetics, we headed to the Gaffney outlets to get him some new kicks. We finally found some at Stride Rite b/c they were the only place that had extra wide shoes. He's now in a 4 extra wide. They make absolutely no cute shoes in extra wide. WHY NOT? We went to babies R us this past weekend to get Landen's car seat and we found some AWESOME converse shoes but NO EXTRA WIDE.Oh well, some things are more important but I want my boy to wear cute shoes! Ron says we should just go to wal-mart or k-mart and get him some "smacks" ha ha ha....My boy WILL NOT wear those!

There are still many things to come for Landen. March 14th will be a very busy day for him. We have to be at Shriners at 9am for them to measure his right leg that is shorter than his left(hip dysplasia) and put a lift on his R shoe. Then it's next door to Greenville hospital at 9:30am for a swallow study to make sure he is not aspirating his food b/c he chokes and gags on some foods. I personally think it's just different textures that bother him.(we shall she!) Then he will be circumsized after the swallow study... thank goodness he has no feeling down there! PLUS.....Big L likes to yank and pull on his peeper. I'm not quiet sure why b/c again, he can't feel it. I guess it's like a new toy for him. I'm just concerned b/c he will have sutures in his peeper until they disolve or Landen yanks them out. Let's hope they disolve!

Landen LOVES LOVES LOVES LOVES his brother. Did I say LOVES? I have always wanted him to be a momma's boy and he is but he is his brothers boy! When he's with Zach, he doesn't have a care in the world and could care less where momma is! When Zach is holding him, he will not go to anyone else and will wave bye bye to you because he wants you to go away! I think it is the sweetest thing that he loves his "bubba" so much!

We went shopping yesterday at a huge consignment shop(For Every Season) they hold it 4 times a year(hence....4 seasons)
and I found lots of goodies for monkey. It's getting harder and harder to shop for the guy b/c 12 mos clothes fit but some are a little snug so we bought all 18 mos clothes that are a little big???? His wonderful Aunt(who loves him oh sooooooooo much bought him a cute bathing suit, some sandals, and a train with animals (which he played with for an hr after we got home!) We had a wonderful time shopping and Landen enjoyed it too!

RECOGNIZING MY DAUGHTER~

My daughter (Lexi) is such a great sister, daughter, and helper. I couldn't do it without her. She has grown into such a wonderful young woman and she is going to be an amazing mother some day! THANK YOU LEXI FOR HELPING ME ALL THE TIME WITH HOUSE WORK, LANDEN, ZACH'S HOMEWORK, LAUNDRY...ETC. You are the greatest and I am so proud of you and the person you have become! I love you.

That's all for now!

                                              Monkey with his ball!

                                          

                                    

                                                Enjoying a solo game of basketball

                                           His new leg warmers (AFO's) and new kicks

                                          Getting lost in his clothes while cleaning out his closet

                      His SEXY legs with his new AFO's

SHRINERS VISIT

It was a long day of seeing Dr's but alot was accomplished. His Urologist says that his bladder/VCUG test was good so we still don't need to cath him and we are waiting for his scheduling nurse to call so we can get Landen's circumcision set up.

His Neuro (Dr Troup...who we LOVE) said everything looks great with his shunt, it's working like it should so we don't have to have another CT for another 3 months.

Ortho... Landen was fitted for his AFO's and we will be picking those up on April 28th. They didn't have any real cute boy patterns so we did the white AFO with a Gamecock on the back. I'll "boy" it up when we get them.

Little Monkey has learned to shake his head no, so when Dr Troup peeked his head in the door yesterday, he asked Landen if could come in and Landen shook his head NO, and kept shaking his head no! It was so cute and Dr Troup thought so as well.

After we were finished at Shriners, we were sent down the road to this prosthetic/orthotic place where Landen was casted for his AFO's. I wish I had had my camera b/c bless the young guys heart who was trying to put casts on both of Landen's legs. Landen has limited movement is his R leg and he moves the L leg really well...Wellll, he decided to be a wiggle worm and kick his legs like a crazed lunatic while the boy was trying to cast him. He had to start over 3 times b/c Landen wouldn't be still. I can't remember the guys name but he was trying to talk to Landen and preoccupy him while he did his job but everthing he said to Landen, Landen just shook his head no! I assure you I wasn't just sitting there laughing I was indeed trying to help.
Oh...and don't let me forget to tell you about his little "accident" before we were even seen by the Dr's @ Shriners.

Let me just start by saying that my nose has been stopped up and I can't smell anything or taste anything right now but I DO know that when my son is really quiet and sitting still he's making a really dirty diaper for me. Landen was extremely quiet for the last 15 minute drive to Shriners but I didn't think anything about it b/c he has been sick himself plus he had just awakened from a long nap. Well, I get the stroller out, play peek-a-boo for a minute with him before I reach in to get him out of the car seat and I smell something funky and his diaper is a little more squishy than normal and his legs feel a little wet..."Oh crap" literally!
We get upstairs wait to check in(because there are several people walking in, I want to get checked in first so we don't have to wait so long)Now the smell is not really bothering me b/c my nose is stopped up but it has to be pretty bad b/c I smell it a little(sorry to the people behind me)... Landen is getting a little cranky( I find it amazing that he HATES to have a dirty diaper but he can't even feel anything from waist down??)He knows when he has made a dirty diaper some how?? After we get checked in, bracelet on, Landen got a stuffed animal(as he does everytime he goes)we head to the changing table..dun dun dun..... I take his shoes off, then the socks, pull the pants off and the poop is EVERYWHERE!!! All down his legs, up his back, up his front side."Geez kid, could you not have waited until we got home so I could have given you a bath"? It took me 20 minutes and an entire bag of wipes to get him cleaned up. It's not easy trying to clean a boy when all he wants to do is grab his "peeper". I'm trying to hold 2 legs up, wipes in the other hand, and keep him from grabbing a poopy peeper.. not easy!!! He had poop all on his hands etc. Needless to say, the clothes went in the trash can and I disposed of that trash bag.(sorry people of Shriners hospital if you used the bathroom after Landen was in there..sorry for the stinch, and sorry that you had no trash bag in the trash can)

What a day...What a day!!! Going to Shriners is always an adventure for us!! Will post pictures of our sweet monkey later!