Ethan and Ainsley Quarterly Updates

Okay, so I don’t really have official “quarterly updates”, but I feel like it’s time to do an update on Ethan and Ainsley.

Ethan

We can’t believe that he will be 3 years old in June! That is absolutely insane…. where did the past three years go?! Ethan has progressed so incredibly much in the past few months. Not only is he talking, but the kid won’t shut up. I don’t get a moment’s peace during the day because he always has something to talk about, especially numbers, letters, shapes, and colors. He learned the alphabet many moons ago and he has now learned how to make the shapes of the letters with his hands. Hard to describe, but very entertaining. He can count to 100 and he makes sure I am aware of the entire process. Just today, he learned how to trace and now loves to trace all his letters, so I am pretty certain that he will be able to write all his letters really soon…. in fact, he can already write the capital “H”. Very impressive! Just recently, he has gotten the hang of using crayons and chalk and wants to “draw” all day long. Sure, he doesn’t stay within the lines, but who does? Staying in the lines is so boring. Ethan can spell his name and Ainsley’s name. He can also read lots of words, including “Baby”, “Mommy”, “Daddy”, “Emmy”, “Grammy”, and “Wave”.

Ethan still receives therapy 3 times a week…. speech therapy, occupational therapy, and educational therapy, however, that will come to an end once he turns three years old because of how the system works. It will be bittersweet because these therapists have known Ethan since he was a baby. They have been coming to our house weekly for so long, and it will be strange when they are no longer here to keep me company and give me advice on what to do with him. At the same time, it will be refreshing to move onto the next stage in his development, which will be PRESCHOOL!!!! I can’t believe my little baby will go to preschool really soon. He’s going to do great and I will make sure that whatever teacher he has understands his Autism.

Speaking of Autism, we have been questioned several times about “if he will get better”. No, he will always have Autism, it doesn’t just go away…. it’s the nature of the beast. And strangely enough, Garrett and I are totally okay with his diagnosis. It’s what makes Ethan, Ethan! He wouldn’t be the same Ethan without it, if that makes any sense. We do everything we possibly can to help him “overcome” many of the Autistic traits, but nothing can cure it and we accept that. Our only hope is that he continues to thrive and learn and be just who he is. He is our little buddy.

Ainsley

Well, my goodness! Ainsley just turned 7 months old yesterday and I am still in shock. Sure, there are certain days where it feels like an eternity since I have gotten a solid night’s sleep, but I seriously can’t believe she is 7 months old. What a big girl!~ It almost makes me sad because she will be our last child, but I am also so excited for what the future holds for us as a family.

AND to mark the momentous occasion of turning 7 months old…. she has a tooth! Yup!~ I just saw it pop through this morning. That would explain her multiple night wakings last night, but that still doesn’t explain her multiple night wakings for the last 6.5 months. hahah. She is going to be so cute with her little bottom tooth…. let the teething begin!!!!

Ainsley seriously has the best personality ever! She is always smiling and happy and full of laughs. Her cheeks are so squeezable and her thighs are huge and perfect. As the days go on, her hair gets blonder and longer and I have a feeling she is going to have my hair (yay!). She is crawling (but not perfectly), loves to say “Mama” when she is upset, gets so excited when she sees Garrett and Ethan, enjoys pulling Reggies ears and tail, and is super happy when it’s meal time.

We only just recently started solids with her and she definitely enjoys them, but we have to be careful because of her food allergies. So far, it seems like she is tolerating the foods, but there is always that chance an allergic reaction could occur. I make most of my own baby food, but she still gets some jarred food once in a while. Oh, and she can drink out of a straw cup, just like her big brother! She enjoys getting some water in her cup and feels like such a big girl! Ainsley STILL doesn’t take a bottle, so I am the only one that can provide the milk. At least I don’t have to pump!

She is the most adorable little girl I have ever laid eyes on and I can’t wait to see her grow up!

Hayley
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Hayley

Hayley Crouse is a wife, mother and multifaceted designer. Her love of sewing, crafting, cooking and interior design infuses her daily life and naturally spills over into her online presence. She pushes the envelope of her creativity and hopes that others will be inspired to do the same. She currently authors the Welcome to the Mouse House Blog, is the pattern designer behind Mouse House Creations and is a collaborative designer with Willow & Co. Patterns.
Hayley
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