Whats new at the Stevens

It has been a long time since I last posted. Two reasons...First our computer broke down and the new one doesn't have card readers so it takes a really long time to get to my photos. Second, we have been working hard with Max.
About three weeks ago, I took Max to his 18-24 month appointment. I had several questions for the Doctor regarding Max's behavior. There were little things that caused some concern. For example: he lies down and watches the wheels of cars for 10 minutes at a time just rolling the car in front of his face; He stopped speaking to me and Curtis but will still talk to babysitters; he will not respond to his name - no matter who calls to him. We have been connected to an early intervention group and have had two specialists to our home. These women have been perfectly wonderful. They play/interact with Max and teach me and Curtis fun and new ways to play with him but teach him at the same time.
There is nothing wrong with Max. He is a really smart kid. He is so smart, he has figured out he doesn't need to tell us what he wants. He just has to hum. Curtis and I know what he wants from that - so why waist time speaking to us?
We are currently working on eye contact. We offer Max two choices, one held in each hand about 6 inches from our face. Once he chooses what he wants we hold the winning item closer to our face and repeat the name of the object two or three times. This brings attention to our face and what we are saying.
Another activity is when he knows he wants something - like going outside. A week ago he would stand by the door and hum. When he would do that we would say things like, "what do you want? do you want to go OUT? Out?" or "should we go out? is that what you want? out? out?" at first he would get really antsy and hum louder and two step. But now he says out when he wants to go out...so we reward him by going out for a little while.
I hope you enjoy the show. This is our happy little boy. The movie kinda drags on. It is over a minute of him laughing but I love it.

Heber Creeper

Last Wednesday my work chartered the Heber Valley Railroad. They were using it for a leadership conference for our consultants, however, there was 2 extra cars so they invited the employees and their family.

Curtis and I have been wanting to take Max but we have never agreed with the pricing. We could not turn down free so I signed us up to go. (you should take a second look at this lamp. It has trains along the top tear, tracks, Heber then RXR along the bottom)

Curtis took off work early, we picked up my mom and dad then headed to Heber.

We arrived about an hour and a half before the departure time but we had packed a pick-nick and wanted some time to take pictures of the trains.

Max loved the first half of the ride. He left sticky hand prints on the windows and bounced from one seat to another.

Yep, that's my dad. We had a shoot off. The man in the vest is Jon. I'm sure he had no idea what danger he was in.

After the first half of the ride, Max was ready to enjoy the outside car. This is where most employee family's ended up. The ride was beautiful. Thanks Heritage Makers.

Gift for you 2

Last year, my friend Monica posted that she would make a gift for the first 5 people who commented on her blog and posted that they would do the same on their blogs. I had a lot of fun making things for friends and family. Here is the post from last year:

My friend posted this on her blog and I couldn't resist so here it is:
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. (I'll try to get it done soon)
4. You have no clue what it's going to be.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so, and leave a comment telling me they did, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! *Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!*

So here we go with year 2. There is one gift I still have from last year. Julie, I promise to get it to you as soon as I figure out how to ship it.

Sprinkler

Today we played in the yard. I love spring!

Jack Jay Finch

Welcome new baby Jack! We are so excited to finally have you here. Congratulations Jared, Julie, Alivia, Rex and Lucy. We already love this little guy. Each of the Finch kids have a personality all their own and I can't imagine life without any of them. I am sure this little one is another priceless addition.

Shoe?

I made cards for Max to give his Grandma's for mother's day. I was a little surprised when I opened the card and found a spelling error. Sorry Grandma's, I guess you have some amazing shoes. I don't think I can get them reprinted on time. Now the dilemma, do we throw away the cards or do we give them out anyway?

Mother board

Technician Ben came to our house on Wednesday and took apart our computer....Diagnosis: the motherboard is broken.
I'm posting from work today. I am working a 13 hour day and had a little down time.
When I heard the issue was with the motherboard I instantly though of this cartoon on PBS. Me and Max watch it when he wakes up too early. Mother Board has been given a virus by "The Hacker" and these three kids and strange bird try to stop Hacker from all of his bad deeds. The program does teach a lot about Math.
Once Ben told me it was the mother board I looked at Curtis and said Hacker got our computer too.
We hope to be back up and running soon.