So It's been a Year

Apparently it's been a year since I updated this blog. I've gotten so used to using Facebook to update people on our lives, but part of me is drawn back to the blog. Sometimes I need more than just a status update to explain what's going on. In the last year, things have been crazy, tiring, but good. We had LOTS of visitors to our new home in Colorado. Uncle Kyle and Auntie Heidi, Uncle Rob and Auntie Kristy, Papa Alan, Mema and Papa, Tracie and the kids. It was a lot of fun!

We went camping on 3 different trips to break in our new trailer. Let me tell you, camping with a toddler and a preschooler is interesting. But we had fun and have 3 more trips planned for this summer :)

I (Lisa) also travelled to Kansas City and Tulsa to see my nieces and brand new baby niece Elsie, and California for my sister's baby shower. In October Mema and Papa came to watch the kids for a few days while Matt and I went to Washington D.C. on a much needed mini vacation!

Sprinkled in between there, Matt traveled to Europe a number of times (about every 6-8 weeks) and was gone for 7-10 days at a time, Emma started preschool in September, and the Ethan saga continued. Soon after his allergy testing, he started getting a number of ear infections and sinus infections. They were persistent and he wasn't responding to antibiotics, and the fluid on his ears was greatly affecting his hearing. So in January of 2014 he had tubes put in. It was life changing for him and us! He started cruising along furniture and using his little walker around his first birthday, but never took those first steps that every one waits for.

Between his 12 and 18 month appointment, he only gained about a pound. At his 18 month appt he still wasn't walking independently so we got a referral to an orthopedist who referred us to physical therapy.   We've been in physical therapy for about 6 weeks and have seen a great improvement! He still loves to push his little walker around, but now he practically runs behind it. He will push that thing for hours! But in the last week he has started taking a few steps here and there, and now it is much more consistent. His little feet roll inward a great deal so he has a harder time balancing than most toddlers. But he's starting to put a little bit more weight on and making huge strides in his walking, which we are so thankful for. 

I'll try to update more regularly, but for now, you are mostly caught up on things in the Lomicka household. We are having a great spring and getting ready for many adventures this summer!