Elliot's in Kindergarten!! Say What?!?

I cannot even fathom how the years have flown as fast as they have. One minute I was nursing my beautiful baby boy and the next I was walking him to his class on the first day of kindergarten! It is so cliche to say but they REALLY DO grow up so fast!!

Elliot is really enjoying kindergarten. The first couple of days he shed some tears, as I expected. But now he jumps out of my car every morning like champ. His best friend Aislee is in his class and I think this has really helped him to adjust.

One of my biggest fears of sending him to school was how others would react to his port wine stain. In preschool it wasn't AS scary because he was only around kids his age. However, since our kids attend a charter school he is surrounded by all ages of students. I asked him after his first week of school if anyone had asked what his birthmark was, and he said "just Emma's friend Teagan on the bus" and that was it. He is lucky to have his own little group of supporters at school. Not only does he have his siblings, but also my best friends (Alisha) 3 kids and all of our neighbors.

Elliot will be having another full strength treatment in December. We had considered stopping at the doctors request, however after a summer full of LOTS of outdoor time and not enough sunblock it seems that the mark is beginning to darken again. When we lived at the apartments I was diligent in applying sunscreen almost every single time we walked out the door. That's because going outside was a process that involved me ALWAYS. Now that we have our own house and yard the kids are in and out constantly from the moment the sun rises. This has caused frequent sun exposure without proper sunscreen way too often. I have decided to put a small shelf by the front door to hold the sunscreen products and hats...with a sign to help Elliot remember that we HAVE to put it on before walking out.

That's all of the update I have for now. I really appreciate all of the followers that his blog has gained since it started, and I truly hope that our journey has helped even one person who was given this path in life.

xoxo
Jena

Elliot's eye appointment 7/28

Elliot had his 6 month eye appointment today with Dr. Luparello. He was in quite the silly mood today and was being VERY hyper. But for the first time in probably 1 1/2 years he actually sat still and let them check his pressure! His pressure today was 18 which is in the normal range. She said everything looks great! I'm so thankful that his eye has not been affected. :) We will go back in January for his next check up.

We're thinking about doing another treatment in December on winter break. This summer has been rough for keeping sunblock on 24/7. I feel that his PWS has darkened back up slightly, so we will get another treatment to help lighten the effects from this summer.

Here are some cute pic's from his appointment!

Summer fun!

We're having a fun summer in the Thorp house! Elliots port wine stain had seemed to darken a little because we haven't been as diligent about sunblock. :( We will most likely get another treatment this year once summer has ended.

I hope you're all having a great summer!

Summer break and a video!

Elliot graduated preschool! Ahhhh! Where has the time gone? Seems like just a short time ago that he was a newborn. He's learning his letters, numbers and sounds and doing great. I'm very proud of him!

Appointment Canceled

Just doing a quick update to let everyone know that we have canceled Elliot's laser appointment that was scheduled for tomorrow. The weather has been beautiful here in Michigan and it's so difficult to keep him in doors for the time needed following treatment. Also, he has his Kindergarten orientation on Monday and he's beginning to feel self-conscious with his dark spots. Doctor Orringer said last time that we're good to take a break for a while and he feels this first initial phase is complete.

Elliot has just a few short weeks left of preschool and then he will be done! It's just so hard to believe how quickly he's growing up. This week he learned to ride his bicycle without training wheels! I had to choke back the tears as I was celebrating. He took off within a day like he had been riding forever. :)   I can't wait until Elliot is older and can peruse the blog and see all of the posts. So when you're reading this buddy...Mommy LOVES you!!

Elliot's first stitches :(

Just had to share Elliot's first injury and some cute pics. This week he was jumping on a friends trampoline along wit several small toys. Their German Shepard was trying to "fetch" the toys from underneath it, when its tooth went threw the trampoline and into Elliot's foot. :( he had to have 4 stitches but he watched the whole time and handled it like a champ (like always!). Then he had two shots the next day :( It's been a rough spring break for him!

Project time!

Elliot is painting a birdhouse today, hoping for Spring to come soon!

His spots are taking a little longer to fade than I anticipated this round. He has been back to school this week and it's not bothering him at all. :D