11 Months old

Dominic turned 11 months old on Monday, which is just crazy to me. I can't believe he's almost a year old! What a wild year it's been. Part of me has a hard time when people ask me how old he is and can't believe he's almost a year. He looks more like a huge 5 month old because he's delayed in most areas. But if only they knew what he's been through! I am so proud of him and regardless of how delayed he is, he still continues to impress me each day.

He had a great week at OT and PT. He is using his right hand to hold toys and to steady himself on the swing they have. Yesterday he did a little treadmill training and didn't scream the entire time, an improvement since last time. His PT has talked about getting him fitted for an AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis) within the next month. He won't be walking anytime soon, but she's more concerned with making sure his right foot alignment is correct before he does start to stand/walk.

We've been a little crabby...

...and here's why. Four new teeth at once!

We saw the opthamologist this morning and at this point he still doesn't need glasses, so that's great. She confirmed he has absolutely no peripheral vision in his right eye, but we already knew that. Everything else looked good and she was impressed with how alert and interactive he was compared to the last few times she saw him.

We are traveling away from home for the first time since surgery. The boys and I are packing up and heading to Naperville for the long weekend. We have a family reunion with the entire Jurgensen clan on Sunday and I am anxious for all of my extended family to meet Dominic. We might try to hit up the pool one last time before it closes for the season as well.

Next week is a big week for our little Mitchell - he starts preschool! I can't believe I'm sending my first one off to school already. I think it will be great for him and he's really excited. It will give me time to spend with Dominic and attend his various appointments each week without worrying about Mitchell.

I have already mentioned before how Mike and I have witnessed God's hand in all of this and despite the difficulties, there have also been many blessings. But this week I got an email from a mother of a 15 month-old patient of Dr. Chugani. She has Infantile Spasms and Dr. Chugani wants her to have a hemispherecotmy. She is very hesitant and wanted to talk with a parent who's child had been through the surgery. I could not email her back fast enough. I am so happy that I can use our situation to help others dealing with the same thing. I'm not sure how, but I do think this entire experience is something I can use in the future to help others. Maybe I'll be on the board one day of the Epilepsy Foundation, or run a support group or maybe I'll write a book. Who knows, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what God has planned :o)