Tube Time....Finally

Tomorrow Dominic will FINALLY get his tubes! After being rescheduled several times, I finally had to open a can of whoop-a** on the ENT office. They kept rescheduling his surgery and last week tried to push it to December 19th. Finally I said no way, no how. The poor kid has been through enough in the past year and if Children's Hospital of MI can schedule major brain surgery (which is only performed there 10 times a year) in less than two weeks, they can schedule a 10-minute tube procedure in less than 2 weeks here at DeVos Children's. The nurse called me back and said 'how about this Monday?' So, tomorrow at 11:45 hopefully Dominic will be able to hear after four months of feeling like he's underwater. And hopefully no more ear infections.

Aside from ear infections, the only issue we're dealing with these days is teething. Hallelujah! Dominic is doing great. He continues to amaze us and he is such a joy. He is the happiest thing we've ever seen. My mom said he's like "a ray of sunshine". The kid just seems so happy to be alive.

Mike and I got away this weekend to celebrate my big 3-0. My folks came up to watch the boys and Mike and I got to enjoy a nice steak dinner, some wine tasting and a night at the Amway hotel. It was fabulous! The best part about it was that we no longer worry the entire time about Dominic. We actually got to enjoy a night together, laughing and reminiscing without constantly checking our phones or checking in with my mom. It was the best way to spend my birthday, especially considering this time last year we were just getting released from the hospital. It has been such a gift the past few months to be free of the constant worry and anxiety we've been slave to the past year. Plus my parents had a great time playing with their two little guys without the worry and stress as well!

The Amway all decorated for Christmas!

At Reserve, the wine bar I've wanted to go to for months!

Mike playing with my new birthday present

The D-man with Grammy

Life has been pretty clam lately. We've had a fair share of illness - I've had a cold and laryngitis for 13 days! Dominic has had colds and ear infections off and on, and Mitchell had the stomach flu. But other than that, we keep up our routine of school, work, OT, PT, and doctor appointments. We saw the neurologist last week and they are thrilled with how well Dominic is doing. We just started month two of his Clonazepam wean. In 3 months Dominic will be on ONE seizure med!! I never thought I'd see the day! We have an appointment this week for Dominic to get casted and fitted for his AFO (ankle foot orthotic). Now that he is standing (assisted), his PT wants him to get an AFO to make sure his right leg/foot are in correct alignment. He continues with treadmill training at PT and uses his gait trainer at home. For the first time ever, the other day Dominic pushed all the way up on his tummy so that his arms were straight. This is a big step for him since his right arm is so weak. It's proving he is getting stronger on his right side and is able to use his right arm to support himself. Crawling will be a challenge for him because of how much he needs to use his right arm, side and leg; but I don't doubt he'll do it. He'll figure out a way. It's so obvious now how much he wants to move. He can turn himself in a complete circle but gets pretty frustrated ending up in the same place that he started. But he'll get there, I know it!