Kevin Laue

I can't tell you how many times people have made comments to me like "At least Gavin will be able to play sports like soccer." And I usually respond that he can play soccer if he wants, but he might prefer to play hockey or basketball.

It is natural for people to wonder how someone with one hand could play those sports, let alone be GOOD at them.

That's why I was so happy when I first saw a video of Kevin Laue, an LBE (left below elbow amputee) who was rockin' the court on his high school basketball team and proving everyone wrong! I was even more excited when I saw this video today of Kevin who is now playing center on a scholarship at Manhattan College!

"Its a sport I grew up struggling with at first.
I got into the sport just because I was told I couldn't do it."

Mr. Independent

We have been working on potty training for a while and it has been quite the ride. I think I could write a book called "Adventures in Potty Training!" We have so many stories that I'm sure Gavin will just LOVE hearing about when he's older!

In the last few months Gavin made the transition from diapers to underwear! He was still in diapers at sleep time for a while longer, but that didn't last long.

Yesterday I finally organized all his diapers and put them away for when the new baby is ready for them (we use cloth). It was a little bittersweet because the thing with cloth diapers is that I got a little attached to them. Yes, I know they are just poop-catchers, but some of them are SO adorable.

While I am SO happy to have a break from washing diapers for a few months, it is a little sad that I will never see him rockin' a big, cloth diaper butt again. But I'm happy that we will get to use them again on his baby brother or sister. AND I get to "aww" over all the teeny tiny newborn cloth again. :)

Anyways, so Gavin has been GREAT about telling us when he has to use the potty and we are SOO proud of him! Normally he will come to us and tell us, "I need to pee!" and we will take him to the bathroom, pull down his pants and underwear, put his Diego potty seat on the toilet, and lift him up to do his business. That's pretty much how it goes.

I thought pulling his pants off would be kind of tricky with one hand. Even though I knew he could do it and would HAVE to learn to do it, I was afraid of taking the time to let him try in case he took too long and had an accident.

Then today I heard someone go into the bathroom and shut the door. A few minutes later I realized it was Gavin. I went in to see what he was up to, and he was sitting on the toilet going about his business! He had gone in by himself, pulled down his pants and underwear, put the Diego seat on the toilet and used his stool to climb up...all by himself!

All this time we have been helping him with what he can clearly do by himself! (Except the wiping part. He is not to be trusted with that yet!)

Baby Fingers

A few nights ago Gavin and I were cuddling and I pointed to the little fingers on the end of his left arm and asked him, "What's that Gavin?" I was curious how he would respond.

He told me, "Those my fingers."

Then in a tiny, quiet, little voice he whispered, "My baby fingers."

Next he held up his right hand, spread his fingers and said in a big, loud voice, "My BIG fingers!!"

I laughed, so of course he continued to repeat it over and over, whispering "my baby fingers" and pointing to his little ones and then loudly saying "My BIG fingers!" and holding up his hand!

A few minutes later he looked at my hands and asked, "Baby fingers?" I told him I only have big fingers and reminded him that Gabby has baby fingers like him. He smiled and seemed satisfied with that answer.

I love him so much! I only hope he can always be so proud of his adorable little baby fingers.

Obsessed much?

Most kids sleep with a nice, soft stuffed animal or a favourite blanket.

Not Gavin. My kid prefers to sleep with a big, hard, plastic firetruck.

BLOOM!

What better way to start off the New Year than on the cover of BLOOM magazine?!

Open publication - Free publishing - More parenting

About BLOOM:

"Parenting a child with a disability presents unique challenges and rewards not often addressed in mainstream parenting literature.

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (Holland Bloorview) created BLOOM to bring together the wisdom of families and professionals in childhood disability treatment, research, real-world programs and education at Holland Bloorview and beyond.

The name BLOOM conveys our belief that every child blooms in his or her own unique way.

BLOOM is published twice each year and covers “top of mind” issues for parents of kids with disabilities. These are often unspoken or taboo topics that require specific “how-to” information. BLOOM focuses on issues that are common to parents of children with a variety of physical and developmental disabilities and highlights practical resources (web sites, books, videos, community programs) that support parents and their children.

BLOOM is mailed to parents of Ontario children who have visited Holland Bloorview in the past year as well as professional, disability, academic, government and community partners. Other parents and professionals who wish to subscribe can contact BLOOM.

BLOOM relies on an editorial committee of parents and professionals to brainstorm story ideas, network with families and disability organizations and generate feedback. Please drop us a line with your story ideas, comments or feedback.

Click here to read stories from the BLOOM archives."

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has thoroughly enjoyed their holidays! We have been busy around here. Christmas came so fast this year. I don't think December has ever flown by so fast for me in all my life! But before I knew it, it was here. It came so fast that it didn't really feel like Christmas. But once we were up north with my parents, that started to change. There is nothing like going home for Christmas. And I love all the beautiful snow. There is nowhere else I would rather be this time of year.

On Christmas Eve, Gavin left out chocolate milk and cookies for Santa and some celery for the reindeer (we were out of carrots). He was so excited in the morning to come downstairs and see that Santa came!

Each time he opened something he liked, that was it. He was good. He didn't want to open anything else. There were some animal markers in his stocking and he was satisfied with that. Soon he got into opening presents...until he opened the fire truck from Uncle Brian. It was over!

He was sooo happy! This fire truck has a fire fighter, ladder, a hose, sirens and even a radio! Gavin was in heaven. He played with his fire truck all morning and had no interest in opening any other presents.

I think this picture does a good job of capturing his overwhelming joy!


I also love this picture (taken with my new camera! YAY!)


We got all bundled up and Grampa took Gavin for a ride in his new sled and it was so priceless to hear how he laughed and giggled in delight! He loved it!

Our New Years was quiet. I have been fighting a cold and didn't feel like going anywhere and John had to work. So Gavin and I cuddled and watched TV in bed until we passed out around 10:30pm.

Now there are less than 3 months until the arrival of our new little bundle of joy! We are eagerly anticipating his or her arrival! (We chose not to find out the gender this time around).

2011 has some wonderful surprises in store and we are so excited!