Sorry to post twice in one day. I realized with that last post that I recorded more what he needs to work on and less what he has learned recently. This first picture is significant for many reasons. He is looking at me in the picture. That is huge because we don't know how his vision was affected. He is actually looking at and focusing on me. (not the camera) He is smiling and has a twinkle in his eye. He is smiling!!! I love that he will play, focus and interact with me mor...e now!!!

Even a week ago he was always curved when sitting because the right side of his trunk was not engaged. This week his trunk and core are straight! He is equal in his tummy and core muscles!!!

Last week and before he would ONLY look to the left, and after great coercion to the right. This week he volunteers to turn to the right. Notice in the first picture he is playing with me and his head is turned to the right! According to his brain injury that right side should not exist.

Today he said "Hi." So clearly the therapist and I both looked at each other shocked. It brought tears to my eyes. Again according to his scans, speech should be impossible. The brain is truly amazing. The right side will take over those areas that the left side controls that were injured. He said Hi!!!

In this last picture, every time I kissed his cheek during speech, he would turn and kiss my cheek. It melted my heart. Granted it was the open mouth slobbery variety, but I loved and cherished every moment.

He also answered to his name today.

He really is miracle baby. One priesthood blessing he received said that we would see God's hand made manifest. It manifests everyday. And I am so grateful.

 

 

Both the therapist and doctor said Parker won most improved this week. He is doing really great. He also has a long way to go, but he is well on the right track. The biggest things that need to improve right now is he needs to engage his right arm and start drinking more. Please pray for that. His left arm is getting pretty good now, so much so that he is not even trying as much with his right. He often will snatch whatever toy we put in his right out with his left and put i...t in his mouth so we resorted to pinning his left arm down today. The therapist kept laughing because as his right arm would try so hard, his left arm was just wiggling trying to get out and help, or take over, whichever way you want to put it.

His left arm has improved so much over the past month and I really don't want his right to fall too far behind. I feel like this is a crucial time for it to engage. Please pray his right arm and leg can really engage this week.

With his tummy, he still throws up occasionally, but not nearly as often. The last time was because since he is teething molars, he keeps trying to stick his hand back as far as he can to chew on it and gags himself regularly. The nice thing is that it has only caused him to throw up once. Before even if he started coughing his cookies were coming up.

His appetite is improving, but he is still only getting about 60-80% of his caloric needs, which is fine for short term. The problem is he is not drinking hardly anything. I have bought multiple sippy cups, we have tried straws, all different kinds of drinks... Right now he gets IV fluids overnight, but if he does not start drinking he will need to get a g tube before he goes home and we would love to avoid that. Please pray he can start drinking.

We appreciate you all so much. It means so much to have so many friends rooting for him and praying for him. We really feel so loved. He is a fighter and a trooper. He works so hard and complains so little and is just a delight. Thank you.

 

I need to take a poll. It looks like since Parker is so young and his trunk control has improved so much he will likely not need a wheelchair, but I do need to find and get a really good quality stroller. What are your favorites? It needs to have good support through the trunk, have a place to support his feet, be maneuverable with one hand and have a great basket underneathe. And collapse easily and well.
And/or if you have seen any really great crocheted or knit caps or hats, I am looking for fun ideas for those, too. Thanks!

I have much to be grateful for today. Amazing therapists who care, delicious lunches at the RMH ( today was BBQ chicken pizza and salad bar with brownies), a beautiful sunny day, wonderful kind ladies who clean my room each day and ask about my baby, amazing grandparents who drop everything to take care of my kiddos, an amazing supportive husband, that Parker is beginning to eat a bit more and is now cleared for all liquids because he is protecting his airway so well, and a wonderful morning of water play in speech therapy. I am really blessed.

This was wonderful. I am so grateful for the wonderful man I married. There is no one I would rather hold hands with through this trial.

The most overlooked characteristic of who you want to marry

There is one vital characteristic you should look for in a spouse but unfortunately, it is often forgotten.

familyshare.com|By Kevin A Thompson

I see a Y in our near future...

Tablets are truly amazing inventions. After some rambunctious rounds of throwing the suction ball on the window amidst raucous laughter, we are now having a nice calm quiet Sunday morning in the hospital... We will break out some games soon, but I think we all needed a few minutes of calm. I haven't posted what to pray for recently. As we start looking towards bringing him home eventually, he is eating better, but only just over half of what he needs to be eating and drinking. Please pray he will start drinking more especially. He still throws up, but not nearly as often as last week. Also pray he can really engage his right side and begin working towards some form of mobility. Thanks! Happy Sabbath!