March Madness

Life has been getting very busy these past couple of weeks so forgive me for not posting more. Like I've told many- my blogging frequency depends on many factors (like SLEEP! Luke was teething badly last week...) so the number of posts will vary from week to week. So please don't forget us and I promise to keep the Luke-info coming!

Last week, Luke's occupational therapist, Lori, got him all strapped into a splint for his right hand and arm. The splint keeps him thumb out to encourage him to recognize and use his right hand and the strap up his forearm is to assist in using the whole arm. It doesn't bother him (it's very soft material and velcro) and but he only wears it for a little while (1-3 hours) each day and usually while laying on the floor playing.

On Friday, Luke and I went up to San Jose for the first time since Christmas so I could see a play on Saturday afternoon (with Godmother Aly!) and attend Heidi's 30th birthday party that same night. After 2 months of no traveling, the 3 hour car ride up was interesting but overall Luke was a good boy for Grammers and Grandpa John and enjoyed Cousin Aidan's old highchair. Notice Grammers' dog Murphy looking dejected on the right side...
While in San Jose, Grammers and I worked on teaching Luke hand movements to the musical classic "Five Little Monkeys." At the verse "One fell off and bumped his head!" Luke would bonk himself a couple of times (lightly) on the head. I managed an action shot of the smart little guy.
This morning I decided it was time for Luke to try "real" food. After weeks of bite sized baby crackers (they literally melt in your mouth) I presented Luke with his first Cheerio. I held my breath waiting for the inevitable choking and- to my delight- nothing! He just crunched it up like an old pro! Now he just needs to learn that it is not necessary to insert your entire hand into your mouth when placing food inside. As more teeth appear, different foods are eaten, songs are learned and favorite toys emerge, it's becoming more and more real that Luke is going to be a year old next week. It's so encouraging that he's bright, alert, deteremined and HAPPY which is all Matt and I could hope for from our child, regardless of abilities or disabilities. We are confident that he will continue to progress physically but understand he will do so at his own rate. Luke is just our fabulous little man and we thank God that we were chosen to be his parents!