Popcorn Park Zoo

On Friday Stu, Brandon, and I went to the Popcorn Park Zoo. Stu's parents came with us. It was my first time going to that zoo. It was great. The animals are all up close and most can be fed popcorn. All of the animals at the zoo were either abandoned, injured, or abused. They had tigers, lions, bears, camels, deer, goats, horses, cows, birds, and some other animals. Peacocks, geese, and ducks roam free in the zoo. Brandon loved running up to them and trying to catch them. The only downside to our trip to the zoo is Brandon's hand was stepped on by a goat. He was hysterical and it was a big goat so it must have really hurt. The good thing is he didn't break his hand or fingers from the weight of the goat. Brandon had his hand on the fence and the goat pulled to stand so that its back legs were on the ground and its front legs were on the fence. He put one of his front legs right on Brandon's hand.


This was the goat that landed on Brandon's hand- right before it happened Brandon was smiling at the goat

ENT and Pulminologist

On Thursday morning Brandon had an appointment at the ENT and at the pulminologist. I made back to back appointments since I was off and he was due for appointments at both doctors. The ENT said one of his tubes will probably come out in the next few months since it isn't in as tight. I asked him to check his tonsils and adenoids since when he had his speech evaluation a few months ago the person who tested him said that sometimes when children have speech delays it is because of those. He said if he doesn't snore his adenoids are okay but when he looked at his tonsils he said they are slightly enlarged. The ENT said that they find that in a lot of preemies. So he will keep an eye on them and see if they need to come out eventually. He goes back in 6 months.

We then went to the pulminologist. He said Brandon looks good. Brandon gained a pound and grew an inch in the 3 months since we had been there last. He weighed 23 pounds, 8.8 ounces. He said to keep Brandon on the singulair through the winter since he hasn't needed to use the nebulizer since he started on it. He goes back in 3 months.

Halloween

On Halloween Brandon, Stu, my parents, and I went trick or treating. Once Brandon realized he was going to get something at each house he got very into it. The cutest thing was at one house where they were giving out bags of pretzels. The lady said to Brandon, "What do you say?" and Brandon signed more because he wanted more pretzels. We trick or treated around our neighborhood and then went to Stu's parents house to trick or treat there and at some of their neighbors. Brandon decided part way through trick or treating that he wanted to eat some of his candy. He loved the kit kats.

Hannah and Avery's Birthday Party

Last Sunday Brandon, Stu, and I went to Hannah and Avery's second birthday party. It was at their house. A lot of our other preemie friends were there too and a few of Brandon's primary nurses from the NICU. Brandon had a lot of fun at the party. He especially loved the bounce house.

Hannah

Avery

Brandon and Brandon




playing with the ball with Ava

Brandon and Kate, one of his primary nurses

Brandon and Lily

wagon ride with Ava

Halloween Parade

Brandon went to a Halloween parade on Friday with my babysitter and her two year old daughter to watch her two older kids. He had a great time at the parade and even let Erin put the dog head on his costume which he wouldn't let me do.

Brandon and Erin, his babysitter

Brandon and Mia


Brandon the dalmation

Climbing

Brandon is such a monkey. He loves to climb. Yesterday he pushed his toy ride on firetruck behind the couch and stood on top of it so he could climb over the top of the couch. When he wanted to get off of the couch he scooted backwards and climbed over the arm of the couch. Both ways have become his new favorite way to get on and off of the couch. You can click on the videos to see.

Jen's Birthday Party

Stu, Brandon, and I went to Jen's birthday party today at Allaire State Park. It was a train birthday party so we got to ride on the train around the park. It was Brandon's first time going on the train there and he loved it. He cried when it was time to get off. Brandon especially loved playing with the rocks near the train.

Before the party we had a short visit with Uncle Brian and Aunt Laura who stopped by on their way home from a wedding. It was nice seeing them.

excited to see the train coming


the birthday girl with her grandmother, mom, and baby sister



the birthday girl with her parents

Stu and Brandon on the train