Parker's Promise

I am realizing the problem with not updating regularly is that then you get grossly behind and it becomes overwhelming... So I will trick myself and say I will only update a little. :)

Parker is doing well! Thank you for all the prayers about his right side. He is now gripping with his right hand and putting some weight on his arm. It comes and goes for sure, but it is much better than it was. Please continue to pay that right side will awaken and become stronger. One of my favorite things he will do is when he is holding a toy with his right hand is he will take his left and help lift the right to bring it to his mouth. Mmmmmm yummy.

Some wonderful improvements this week. He is saying or indicating "more" more consistently- whether saying more, vocalizing, reaching, opening his mouth, or hitting his hands down. He asks for more bubbles, food, bouncing, banana... Friday I was giving him the choice of banana or cracker to eat. He reached for the banana and said "nana!"

He is getting better at "looking" and focusing on things and on us. If we say "look" he will specifically look- which is cool. His eyes are also doing a much better job of aligning and looking in the same direction. Poor kid probably sees double a lot.

He has been working a lot on his sitting balance and he is getting close. It is amazing to think back several weeks ago at how floppy he was and now how well his trunk is doing. His left hand is excellent at "balance response"- or reaching it out to catch himself. The right is getting there, too.

Thursday was the first time he laughed in response to something without tickling!!! Today we were using a vibrator to waken up the right side of his mouth. As cute as his crooked half smile is, we want him to be able to smile with both sides. Today I saw the simple on his right side for the first time in weeks!!!

He likes to chew on toys and play with water. He will be getting some good chew toys for Christmas. He really focuses a lot better and works harder if he has something wonderful to chew on.

Thank you soooooooo much for your prayers. We all feel them so much. So things ebb and flow. Some days he jabbers a bunch. Others he is silent. Some days his right arm is loose and engaged, others it is tight and tonal. Some days he eats great, others he throws up. Overall he is improving everyday... Sometimes baby steps, others huge strides. He works so hard. He is happy, sweet and climbing that mountain.