New Year, New Things to Do

It's been awhile since my last post so I thought I give a quick update. For the most part, all is well here. We had a wonderful Christmas season - spending time with both the Dunlaps and Jurgensens. The boys were spoiled this year and loved every moment. The big gift was the bounce house ball pit that currently takes up the majority of our basement. But it's great fun and helps the boys get their energy out during these long winter months.

We had a wonderful Christmas!

Mitchell is back in the swing of things at school and is excited for a field trip this Friday. Dominic is back at therapy and after 3 month hiatus, he is going to be starting up PT again. Robin noticed his gait when he was working with Sarah last week and is concerned his hip is a little tight. He has a very pronounced limp right now. When he stopped seeing Robin, he had a pretty even gait. So, back to work!

Speaking of walking, Dominic continues to get closer and closer but I know it will take awhile before he walks. He doesn't quite trust his right leg and doesn't have the balance yet. But just yesterday he took six steps by himself before he sat down. So, he is progressing and I have no doubt he'll get there soon enough.

Dominic is also now seeing a speech therapist. She comes out to the house on Wednesdays and we are following The Hanen Program. This means I have homework I have to do :o) But I think it will be good for him. Both Mike and I have noticed he's made huge strides in just the last several weeks in speech. He can communicate what he wants now, which means a lot less screaming.

Dominic is also showing his true 2-year-old colors. He has gotten pretty feisty and lets you know when he's not happy or doesn't like something. He constantly takes things from his big brother and throws a tantrum when you tell him to stop or take it away. I guess this is typical behavior, so that's good to see, but what happened to my content, quiet baby? I supposed he's growing up and not controlled by heavy medication anymore! All good things :o) I'll take it and I do think it's good to see some fight in him. He'll need that as he gets older. He also FINALLY drinks from a sippy cup!! Not a lot and not at every meal, but he does without a fight. He also now feeds himself with a spoon! At this point it's just yogurt, but I think that has more to do with his picky eating habits. About half of it makes it into his mouth but he's trying and doing pretty well with it.

This kid has come to love chips!

His new favorite food, especially when feeding himself!

We're all doing well aside from the fact that I sprained my ankle for THE THIRD TIME this year. I'm one of the clumsiest people alive, but this is getting ridiculous! We spent Mike's day off yesterday in the ER getting x-rays. At least it's not broken, but it puts quite a cramp in our lifestyle. I can't pick up Dominic and getting them dressed, fed, bathed etc. is difficult to do without Mike. So, he had to work from home today to help his gimp wife :o) Hoping to be back up and running soon! Especially since I have a weekend trip to Florida planned with my mom in February! Would not be fun (or possible) to be limping up and down the beach.

Ouch!

At the end of this month we see Peds Neuro and the Nephrologist. I'm hoping at the neuro appointment we can schedule the 48 hour EEG that will determine if we can wean him off the Keppra. Other than that, it's a low key month of doctor appointments!