Thankful House Full!

Thanksgiving is such a special time to spend with family and friends.  This year, Todd and I welcomed my mother's side of the family for dinner!  And the house was filled with great food and laughter!  To be exact there were 45 of us this evening, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!  

My most precious two, Todd and Laik!

People were spread out everywhere to eat!

And the line begins!

The kitchen table crowd!

Todd and Laik, who looks like he is getting ready to enter a sweet potato coma!

More eating!

I love this crowd!

This picture really doesn't show just how many cars were in the driveway...

One more of the smiling boy...

Now, these are the people that continually support us.....Todd, Laik and I are very thankful for each and everyone that entered the doors this evening!  These are the folks that make our journey joyful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

New Territory!

I quit reading the "what to expect the first year" book when Laik was about 2 months old.  So, I do not know exactly when an infant is truly expected to self feed.  But today, Laik did it!  This afternoon was the big day....put a check beside MILESTONE MET!  We have been working on this for a while.  He has done it before, though by accident....slobbery hand + dry puff = stuck to hand!  Needless to say, Todd and I are very proud of Laik.  Upon sending the picture to close friends and therapists....one replied, "Food is the way to his skills!"  I could not agree more.  The Leffew family is all about tasty treats as motivators!  So, celebrate with us and enjoy a cheese puff!

More Good News:

Several weeks back, Todd and I agreed that it was time to pursue getting Laik into a center based program.  I sought out advice from a few close friends and professionals too.  We were all in agreement, it was time.  Laik has progressed and he has been doing great, he just isn't too motivated to move!  We think that being around other children his age, non-typically and typically developing, will ignite a spark in our boy to get him moving.

After a few phone calls and lots of prayers, Laik was approved for two days a week at Siskin Children's Institute.  He hasn't started yet, but we should know very soon when he will begin.  Todd and I are a bit anxious for his start at Siskin for multiple reasons.

• This will be Laik's first time in childcare outside of our home.
• We will have to say goodbye to our current EI, PT, OT and FS....all of whom we LOVE!!!
• We will be meeting Laik's new therapists and teachers....
• We will be getting ALL 3 of US showered, dressed, packed and out the door by 7:30 am daily!!  (This could be the most difficult of our MY concerns!?!?!) 

It is going to be a new experience for us, but it is certain to be an adventure!  Because Living Leffew is always just a bit different from the norm!  Join us in the laughter, tears, celebrations and blessings to come! And please, add us to your prayer list, especially those of you that pray each morning!  :o)

Halloween Bubble Bath

I realized the other day that it has been a long while since I have posted!  Sorry about that!  Things are going on around here and we are busy.  Laik is doing great! The toes are healed and Laik is wearing shoes much more now! :o) He is babbling A LOT!  Such a great noise to my ears, he often uses  babababa, mamamama!, hahahaha, and an occasional daadaadaadaa!!  He has finally started rolling more and he is eating more and more table foods (smashed) but we are still working on self feeding!  Things are constantly improving and that makes me oh-so-very-happy!  And we are looking to begin attending Siskin's Childrens Institute at least 2 days a week.  (You prayer warriors out there:  add that to your list, please!)  

But what is going on today!  It's Halloween!  Todd and I knew that neither of us was capable of carrying Laik all over the neighborhood to trick-or-treat, so I used the Radio Flyer as our very own bubble bath tub!  A little foam board and some balloons, plus a rubber duck, a bath tray, Laik's robe, and shower cap and WHA-LA....we had a Halloween costume that was going to be easy on the back!

 And we are off to the first house we go!

 He wasn't too sure of the shower cap, but he was a trooper.  I did have to adjust it numerous times to keep him happy.  And we had to have a few toys too!

 I'm not sure that it gets much cuter than this baby!  I couldn't stop smiling when I looked at him!

 About half way through our planned route, Laik fell asleep.

  OR did Addie the Witch cast a spell on him?????  

 It was a fun night for all, but Laik knew it was past his bedtime!

 Pulling in to finish our evening of Trick-or-Treating~

 Are we back yet?  I think I see him sneaking a peak.....he knew a bottle was at the end of the trail!

Needless to say, once again, we had a great Halloween.  Last year, Laik was a Bunch of Grapes.  This year, he had his very own Bubble Bath on Wheels.  Who knows what our next Halloween costume will be?!?!?!?  But what I do know, Halloween is more fun as an adult parent than it ever was as a kid!  I hope your night was full of TREATS too!  

Happy Halloween!...Now, there's a bubble bath waiting....