A visit to the zoo

Mom and Grandpa took me to the zoo, but they didn't want to take me out of my stroller because I hate getting buckled back in. So, they tried to give me the best view possible...

Mr. Mischief

Evaluation by Early On

Today Grant had his evaluation with Early On, an early intervention program for kids with medical conditions and developmental delays. I think they did a great job and saw a pretty accurate picture of Grant. They said he's on track for most things (he can throw a ball better than most 18 month olds!), but he shows signs of a speech delay, crawling issue and stiff muscles. Hopefully these things can be corrected with different kinds of therapy. We've got more appointments set up to evaluate him further. She did think that Grant was a ton of fun, especially when he'd do something, smile and clap for himself. :)

Unfortunately, Grant has the flu. We're trying our best to keep him hydrated and will have to see the doctor tomorrow if he's not better. Please pray for a speedy recovery.

Grant and his buddy Jack

Congratulations Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Josh!

What's with this goofy crawl?

Grant started crawling yesterday on all fours. He loves being able to get across the room and into everything that he's not supposed to!

Unfortunately, when I say crawl, his crawl does not look like a normal baby crawl. He is crawling using three limbs and dragging his right foot behind. At first we thought this was kind of cute, but after further discussion with our OT, we realize that it could signify some sort of problem in the brain. Since he was born Grant's right side of the body has been behaving differently than the left. Nothing huge, just the way that he grasps things and moves them. I have mentioned it to our ped, but she didn't see anything that made her concerned.

We'll try to get Grant in to see someone next week. In the meantime, please pray for peace for me. I'm not sure I can handle one more doctor or one more serious problem with my little boy. And, as always, thanks for your prayers for total healing.

"Welcome to the attachment phase!"

Grant is MR.Clingy these days. He loves to be snuggled by his mommy all the time. When the phone rings and mommy answers it, he cries. When she puts him in his pack and play to make dinner he raises up his arms and grunts. Did I mention Grant is clingy? It's nice to know I'm loved and all, but sheeeeh, how do moms of 8 month olds get anything done???

Between knocking over stacks of blocks and eating anything he can get his hands on, Grant is scooting all over the room on his bottom. We're still working on exercises everyday to develop skills for crawling and walking. He's getting closer everyday.

Two docs today

Today Grant saw both the pulmonolgist and the GI specialist. The good news is that Grant's lungs are clear of signs of pneuomonia. The not to great news is that his lungs still look just as bad as they did at our last visit, despite the new medication.

I asked if there is anything we could do. To quote the doctor, "There are some kids who we just don't want catching colds and Grant is one of them, so carry hand sanitizer with you everywhere." So, we continue to be super careful and pray that his lungs will heal.

Grant continues to enjoy his solids and is drinking a couple oz a day from a straw. The other day when our occupational therapist was working with Grant he started crying, (She was making him work!)so we offered him some Gerber puffs and he stopped crying immediately. She looked at me and said, "did you ever think we'd be bribing your kid with food?!" We've come a long way!

Grant and his friends from far, far away...

Grant with his friend, David, who came all the way from Norway to visit! (In case David thought he was going to steal the show, Grant took action)

Grant with his future wife, Hailey, who currently resides in California

A trip to the feeding specialist

On Friday we went to Ann Arbor to see a "feeding disorder specialist." It went great. She gave us helpful hints on how to fatten Grant up (add olive oil to his veggies and butter to his fruit) and was very encouraging. She thinks that Grant has great "straw skills" and is encouraging us to keep offering Grant water with a straw throughout the day. At this point he can only take a few sucks and then spits much of it out, but the doctor thought this was great. So, we'll keep at it.

She wants us to keep "dream feeding" Grant as long as possible. She also really liked the fact that we were giving Grant chicken broth by syringe. She said that this is what they do in Asian countries to wean their babies and it is a very good practice. Who knew?! She thinks that we're going to be able to avoid a g-tube in his stomach because he's made so much progress in just the last few weeks. (She watched a dvd with him eating over the course of the last month.)

The doctor had a few concerns about Grant's health (other than the feeding stuff), but nothing major. She thinks he's lacking in upper body strength (he has never really liked "tummy time") and that his lower legs are too tight. (He stands on his tip toes.) So, she is contacting a physical therapist to come to the house to work with Grant a few days a week. Over all, these things would probably correct themselves, but she wants to be proactive about them. As long as they come to us, I'm okay with it. Grant loves meeting new people so he'll be delighted.

Health Update

Grant: On Tuesday we went back to Beaumont to get follow up chest x-rays to make sure Grant's pneumonia was gone. Unfortunately, the x-rays show that his lungs are no different than when he had pneumonia two weeks ago, even though he isn't showing any symptoms. The doctor said that this is okay, because sometimes even after the symptoms go away it takes a while for the lungs to heal. Please continue to pray for full healing for his lungs.

Shannon: Remember the ankle that I sprained 4 months ago? Well, I've been doing physical therapy ever since I got my cast off and it still doesn't feel better. So, after visiting the doctor twice in the last week they've decided that surgery is my best option. So, on August 30 I'll have ankle surgery to repair the torn ligament. I'll then be in a nonwalking cast for 2 weeks, followed by a walking cast. I'm wondering how I'll keep up with Grant since he is only days away from being "on the move"... Gosh, when I told God I needed a break I didn't think He'd take me so literally. :)

I love my "grant-sized chair!"

Almost crawling

"I love to eat!"

We still need some improvement with the fluid intake, but here is a brief look at today's menu:

2 cups of grandpa's barley soup
3/4 of a banana
1 piece of string cheese
1 oz. goat cheese
5 apple wheat puffs
1 oz. of soup broth via syringe
1/4 cup avocado
1/4 cup rice cereal
1/2 cup squash
1/4 cup green beans

Wow! And we still have one more meal to go....

Feelin' Better!

I wanted to share this song by Elisha Hoffman that I read today in my prayer book. It brings me great comfort.

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what peace is mine,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
leaning on everlasting arms.

A good report

Grant has turned the corner! Today the doctor said his lungs sound better. Thank you so much for all your prayers. This was such a scary experience. I never want to go through it again, but it helped to know that so many were praying for us. Today we are celebrating 7 months with Grant.

A visit from the nurse

Our visiting nurse came today to check out Grant's lungs. She said that there is a small pocket that sounds faint (for those who are nurses I'm sure there is some more scientific way of explaining it), but it is good that there is some noise coming from there. When he was first diagnosed with pneumonia there was no noise in one part of his lung (I guess this is where all the fluid was hanging out). So, there seems to be an improvement. He has now been on antibiotics for 72 hours. He is laughing again, which must mean he is feeling better. I guess I never knew how much those smiles kept me going until he stopped smiling. :)

Grant is still dangerously close to being dehydrated. Our occupational therapist also came today and was trying to get water down him with a medicine dropper. (It felt like the old days again.) She gave us some tips to work on Grant's swallow because even when he sucks he often spits the water out again. He has obviously been out of practice because he is only used to sucking while he's sleeping. Unfortunately, our dream feed days are numbered. He barely has a suck now while he is sleeping. Babies supposedly lose their sucking reflex in their sleep at about seven months. He'll be seven months tomorrow. We're praying that he keeps the suck long enough to master the water bottle or sippy cup.

No major changes

There are no major changes in Grant's health. He is still coughing a lot and it seems as if this causes him a lot of pain because he always starts crying after he coughs. (Which makes him cough more) The motrin seems to be helping with the pain. A nurse is coming to our house this afternoon to listen to his lungs. Thanks for praying.

Still suffering

Grant really appears to be suffering. We went to the doctor today and there has been no change. But, Grant's cough seems worse to us. He's miserable and tonight he choked on his snot and turned purple. We put a humidifier in his room and he finally went to sleep. Please pray for some peace for us so we can get some rest as well. It is so hard to watch Grant struggling like this. Please pray for wisdom for us too, so we would recognize signs of if/when we should take him to the ER.