Happy 3rd Birthday Cyrus!

It's your turn to shine now, you are finally 3 years old too. I can see it already, the 72 plus hours between you two will drive you nuts, hehe, but what amazing results those hours gave you for your health. Only three extra days made you strong and proved your determination (and perhaps some of your defiance, :P); look at you now. Big and strong, healthy as can be. You can charm your way into anyones heart with your boyish ways, able to say about anything and you understand people so well already. Everyday you impress me with what you know. You love to give hugs and kisses, say "please" and "thank you," and "sorry" when you think you've done something wrong ( even if its running into a piece of furniture!). I love watching you cuddle up with ALL your blankies, and just about any blanket will do, the more the merrier. I love that you love to cuddle with me and cover me with all your blankies. LOL

With all your preemie issues and shunt problems you have dealt with, so many surgeries, you never let it keep you from trying new things and climbing new heights, literally! You are very social, gregarious, and dramatic, apparently a lot like me when I was your age, according to Nana. :) You will likely be the class clown, adored by teachers and classmates alike, but also the one who gets sent to the office for not sitting still. Thank you so much for wanting to love life and fighting so hard to be here now. You make everyday exciting, and even when I hate it, I LOVE IT because you are here. Happy Birthday Cyrus, my shining star, I love you!

And just a reminder (again- for myself and everyone else :P ) Cyrus was born 1 lb. 15 oz. and was 13.25 inches long... and now he is 32 lbs. 15 oz. and 37 3/4 inches!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Collin!

You are three today, my little smarty-pants. So much you have endured and overcome, yet you still remain a happy spirited and loving little boy to all. I cannot believe how amazing you are, outshining all potential problems for what "could have been" that you faced due to your situation. You are patient, attentive, impressively intelligent, snugly, determined, stubborn, so very hard-working. Simply a beautiful soul.

Your obstacles are nothing for you as you face them head on, continuously out performing all expectations for what you are capable of. And even though you may not be able to speak with words, you still have an amazing talent at getting your thoughts across. Who would ever have known that knowing four sign language signs (all done, please, thank you, and music) and just nodding your head yes or no would only be a small part of how you are able to talk to everyone. Your body language speaks volumes and your ability to use the PECS cards just remind me once again how much is really going on inside that quiet head of yours.

So here is to you my lovely little boy, my Collin. Happy 3rd Birthday to an amazing person who I believe will continue to impress people until you are old and gray. I love you.

And just a reminder (for myself and everyone else :P )

Collin was born 1 lb. 12.5 oz. and was 13 inches long...

and now he is 29 lbs. 6 oz. and 36 inches (3 feet tall, and hey, he's 3! hehe)

What did you say? Its my birthday? Awesome!

We are going to a dog park on my birthday,
how cool is that!?

Our Chosen Device- The DynaVox V

So the past two weeks representatives from different companies have been coming to Collin's Speech Therapy. After learning about what each had to offer, seeing how he reacted to the different devices and speaking with the therapist, I have decided on the DynaVox V. It is really easy to use and has a ton of options that will grow with him. Both reps said that they think Collin has at least average to above average intelligence and needed a device that would accommodate his growth over the next five years, since that is about how long these types of devices are expected to last. My Collin is SO SMART! :) The Springboard Plus that I had mentioned before apparently is already too simple for him. The rep said that he would be starting on its most complex level and therefore would end up limiting him within a year. The DynaVox rep said the same with the MiniMo. How cool is that!? Collin is smart enough to use the bigger more complicated devices!! Anyway, I was just very excited and had to tell everyone!

Collin's will be blue like the one on the left, but the smaller size.

Collin and Cyrus love their new tiger pajamas.

Do a little dance... oh no wait, he is just about to fall over. LOL

My studious Collin is deep in his reading material.

Cyrus hated it at first, but then I let him
see what he looked like in it...
He is a caterpillar, by the way.

Speech Here We Come!

Collin has been approved by insurance for his ACC Speech-Generating Device (SGD) and for the the two Speech therapy sessions we will be working with reps from DynaVox and Vanguard to determine which device will best suit Collin's needs. This is so exciting!!!!! Collin has developed some of his own signing to talking, like putting one hand over his ear when he hears something and then pointing in the direction of the sound. But once he has his SGD I have a feeling he will become as chatty as Cyrus.

Just to give you an idea of what he will likely be getting, these are the top two on my list this far, having not had any professional input from the reps. The Springboard Plus is a Vanguard product that looks excellent for his needs, allowing for lots of growth. They also come with keyguards that have raised edges so Collin wont mistype the PCS (Picture Communication System) icon he is trying for. The other I am looking into is the MiniMo by DynaVox. It is simpler and may have fewer options, but so far it has been the only one I have found with a child-neutral voice on it. Still very cool though, allowing for lots of growth as well.
So wish us luck, in the next two weeks we may have Collin's SGD ordered!!!

The MightyMo/MiniMo by DynaVox

The Springboard Plus by Vanguard