Back from our first excursions!

    We're back home! Haven't had an appointment in weeks, and still going strong!

    Being at Wayumi and the cabin with a little one was very enlightening. I knew in my brain what to expect, but you also just have to experience it for yourself to fully process the limited freedom, new priorities, and self-sacrificing necessities. I don't mean to sound dramatic, though. It was a good time.

    Leo did so good! Wayumi was definitely over-stimulating for him at times. I tended to remove myself from the group in the afternoons and get some quiet time with Leo in our room to do some therapy and nap. He didn't always sleep the greatest during the day, but at night he was a champ! He met lots of new friends, too. That presented another new experience of telling new people about Leo's story. Basically, I just wanted to tell anyone who held him about his high muscle tone because you don't expect a baby to be that strong. People were very encouraging and loving to Leo. It did feel good to go from Wayumi--where I am watching him 24/7--to the cabin where a family member could hold him and watch him at any point in the day. 

    Leo is continuing to get stronger in his neck muscles. He is holding his head up when he's held and turning it. Still a little wobbly, but definitely doing it. I'd say the biggest thing that we saw over the last week was more and more smiles! We are seeing more moods more clearly. For the first time he responded to my kisses with smiles. And once at the cabin he looked at my mom, heard her voice, and smiled. It wasn't even in response to a physical touch. And he's been making HAPPY NOISES. No clear laugh yet, but some almost giggles and for sure happy noises. 

    It was so sweet to get to share Leo with people, and get a break from him at times. It was wonderful to be able to do fun things. And it was also wonderful to come home. We are continuing to do physical therapy and work with him on his eyes focusing and tracking. At our next pediatrician appointment, I will be asking for a referral for vision therapy and/or an eye doctor for Leo. That's what the physical therapist recommended. 

    The biggest things I'd ask for prayer for are still his eyes and his muscle tone. It's hard to hold something up and try and get him to focus on it and track it because it just doesn't seem like it's getting better. But I do believe it's a slow process and working on it every day is a good thing. His muscles still seem to be extending fully, too, so that's a praise. But please pray against spasticity and that therapy will continue to go well for that. 

    Some photos from the last week. It was pretty fun to see a lot of our family wearing their Leo t-shirts. ALSO, thank you for praying for my dad. He is recovering from bypass surgery really well and feeling much better!