Nelsonblog

Evan hasn't actually SAID "One, two, three" yet, but he WILL mimic us saying 'uh, uh, UHH' coming down stairs or the like.  Today, I was drawing with him and wrote 1 2 3 on his paper while saying 'One, two, three' at the same time.

Evan immediately took the pen from me and wrote a '1' (just a straight line) saying 'uh'.  Followed by two more 'uhs' to complete the sequence, hos 2 and 3 were scribbles.

Nevertheless, that's progress, right?   

Merry Christmas!

Wow, it was truly a great Christmas! I was blessed with one of the greatest gifts I could ask for – I didn't have a headache on Christmas eve or Christmas day! Merry Christmas to me! I was pain free on Christmas! I cried when I realized I wasn't in much pain – I had a minor headache – but nothing too serious! Also, the test results have all so far come back just fine – what a relief! I had a series of blood tests done and the doctor was even concerned of a possible hole in my heart but we have been ruling things out as we go with tests and more tests. I was also put on a daily medication called Topomax -used for Seizure patients and migraine patients – we are taking it slowly because the side effects can also be somewhat extreme (my fingers are numb as I try to type this – a result of the medication) but I am feeling SO much better. I am SO much happier and the joy is returning to the Nelson household – it is such a blessing to feel 'normal' again. I'm still dealing with minor headaches and seeing the doctor regularly and will probably increase the dosage of my medication still – but I am SO happy to report it is working and that life is getting back to being more normal. I even got to go Christmas shopping the day before Christmas – yes, it was chaotic – but I got to get out and be among people which I've been avoiding because all the pain and the foggy head feeling I've had. I'll be on the medication for at least 6 months before I go off of it.

Well, enough about me and the drama I've been facing these past six months – lets talk about something much more happier – EVAN!!!!

Evan sure enjoyed Christmas this year! He was like a fish to water when it came to opening presents. Chris and I weren't sure how he would react to opening presents – last year he really didn't care and ended up falling a sleep while we opened presents. Well, not this time. Evan was the first to kick off the night of opening gifts – we were at my parents house with my family and the ritual is the youngest starts first. Chris handed Evan a gift. We thought we might need to tear a corner to get it started – or maybe open the first one to demonstrate to Evan what we were doing. But Evan did not require a demonstration. He grabbed at the paper and began to shread the paper away. He was so excited about opening the present that he wanted to help everyone with opening their presents. We had to tell him that they weren't all for him. He got so excited opening the present from his Grandma and Grandpa Christensen – it was a Little People Car Wash/Parking Garage – he squealed with delight and was bouncing up and down. The box was about as tall as him and he was trying to figure out how to open the box once he tore all the paper away. He was so impatient that the box wouldn't open that he pushed it over and sat on top of the box and continued to bounce on top of the box- so happy and excited about his new toy.

He is still very excited about his new toy garage – it's about three feet wide and a foot and a half tall. He tries to drag it around the family room and he thinks it should be up on the couch when he plays with it – we've had a few words/grunts in disagreement about this.

This was the first Christmas that Chris and I did not travel to spend the holidays with family – ever since we met we have always traveled out of state/out of country to spend the holidays with family. Well, this year we only had to go a few miles. It was really nice being able to sleep in our own house Christmas Eve and wake up Christmas morning in our house. We had left a few presents for Evan to open in the morning – so we sat around our tree in our pajamas and enjoyed the morning. Chris and I are enjoying creating our own traditions – we have the Christensen and the Nelson traditions – and now we are creading 'OUR' traditions. We are looking forward to many more happy traditions in our home.

The greatest gift this year was truly the restoration of my health and spending time with my family. I am truly blessed. I have a beautiful son – his eyes light up as he explores his world. He is truly amazing – he breaks my heart – the curiousity that he possesses – the wonderment and awe – also the destruction. He is such a gift! I am also reminded – especially at this time of the year what a miracle he is – we could have lost him and I thank God that he is here – he is the gift that just keeps giving! I'm also thankful for my husband – he has had to be my strength especially these past few months when I have been physically and mentally drained from being sick. He has been my strength and my sounding board. He comes home from work – worn out – and takes over with the parenting and gives me a break from Evan so I can do my stretches and tend to the pain. I know that my sickness has been hard on Chris, as well, but he has been my solid rock – honey, thank you so much. I love you. Thank you to the rest of my family as well – for all of their support. It has been helpful having my family close – they have run out at times to help with Evan and watch him for doctor appointments and provide support as well.

I truly wish you all the best and a great year!

Just taught Evan to blow kisses at his Mom.  Hehe.  Now I have to get a mop & bucket.  (she melted into a puddle)

Sorry about the lack of updates over the past few months.  Expect more soon!  I want to be caught up by the new year.

Merry Christmas to the few that still check our blog.  We haven't been very faithful updating our blog lately and are in the process of fixing it.  Please check our Flickr (photo site) soon – we are downloading pictures the next few days of us and of Evan for the last few months.  He has gotten SO big!

I will be posting soon – my health has not been well but is hopefully taking a turn for the better.  I've been experiencing severe migraines for five months now which has made life very challenging.  I just started a daily medication last week that will hopefully bring some relief – I had a few good hours yesterday and today (the first in a long time – hopefully more to come).

Please check back soon for updates on us – especially Evan.  He is amazing and a joy to watch (also a challenge at times!)

Merry Christmas to all and may you have a blessed year! 

Evan is a VERY busy boy lately!  He is SURE a boy!  The weather has been keeping us indoors a lot so we have been finding new activities to do this winter.  A few of Evan's favorite things to do is draw, play on papa's computer, walk around the house without a shirt on, make a mess, and he LOVES to spend time in the bathtub!