Great Week!

This last week was so good. We finally had the long-awaited appointment with the geneticist, the results were in, and everything is fine! We thought that was going to be the result and it was nice to hear the news.
So, this doctor did her last exam with Samuel. She was so impressed with how well he is doing. Because the results came back with great news though, she doesn't need to follow up with Samuel any more. So, 17-months ago when Samuel was born we had a cardiologist, hematologist, gastroenterologist, and a geneticist all of whom have cleared Samuel. We have a healthy little guy who doesn't need all these specialists any more. Woohoo!!!
The day of this appointment we also stopped by the hospital to donate some of the extra ostomy supplies that we had and of course no longer need. We have been holding on to them because, well, there were always the what ifs. We let those go and now those supplies can be used by families who need them. We gave them to Sally, a nurse who cared for Samuel the whole time at the NICU and would also pop in to visit us when we had the other hospital stays. She couldn't get over how big Samuel is getting.....he is 6 times the size that he was when they first met after all! Samuel is now 24 lbs and 28 inches!
This week we also had appointments with Samuel's speech and physical therapists. This was Samuel's best speech appointment yet....he actually made noise! Usually in his speech appointments he is so quiet. This week he tried to say words and jabbered.
Physical therapy went really well. Samuel is on target in physical therapy. Actually, he is now advanced in his skills! He is on a 20-24 month level on many of the things that he can do. So, we no longer need to go to physical therapy. Hooray Samuel!

Another Hair Cut

Samuel got his hair cut last weekend and I meant to post pictures earlier, but I just didn't get around to it. He did have as good of an experience this time. I think that Disney just must do a better job, and surprisingly it was cheaper to have it cut at Magic Kingdom where he also got mouse ears then it was to get his second hair cut.

Samuel had kind of a rough week this last week. On Wednesday he came down with a fever and wasn't acting like himself at all. He would sleep most of the time and when he woke up he would just lay in his bed not wanting to get out or if he got up he would lay on the floor and just look at his toys. It was sad to see him so sad. Luckily he is feeling better now. Plus, he got some time to just be home with Mom on Wednesday afternoon and all day Thursday, and then on Friday he was home all day with Dad.

Such a Good Boy

Samuel really is such a good little boy. Being his mom is quite easy because he is so agreeable.
Sadly Samuel got a sinus infection and therefore he has been on antibiotics again. Antibiotics give his already sensitive bottom terrible diaper rash....really it is awful. I have never seen anything so terrible in my life and it happens so quickly. Anyway, because of this terrible rash, this evening after Samuel's nap, but before dinner, Samuel got to have some diaper-free time. He loves to watch his Baby Einstein movies. He just sits and watches and gets so excited. It was so cute to see him sitting there so I took a picture!

Samuel had speech again today. He still isn't saying any words. He understands them though which is great. I am trying not to worry. We are working with him and he is very smart, so in his own time I am sure he will say some words. Maybe he is waiting to say words until he can speak in complete sentences :)

Also, we got the lab tests drawn a few weeks ago for Samuel's testing. I am hoping that the Geneticist will call us soon to let us know the results. Why is it that the waiting is always the hardest part? I wish that they could just take the blood without any of us knowing and then when we go in to the appointment be able to tell us the results. Having to wait for the insurance to approve the testing (that took about 2 1/2 months) and then having to wait for the results (already 3 weeks) is really terrible - especially seeing as I don't really like using what patience I have.

Look Who's Walking!

Safety First

On Friday we met David's cousin and her family at EPCOT. Before they arrived we decided to ride the monorail. Samuel saw David holding on to the pole so he made sure to do exactly what Daddy does. Our little Mr. Safety. Holding on for dear life.
Samuel is getting so big. He has 8 teeth now and is well on his way to walking. Crawling is still the preferred mode if he needs to get some where quick, but he is walking pretty well. He still goes to physical therapy every other week, but that will likely be cut down to once a month at this next appointment because he is doing all of the things that a boy his age (both adjusted and actual) should be doing.
He goes to speech every week. He really has started making so many different sounds and he is doing so well and eating or playing with all sorts of foods. Unfortunately, he just doesn't want to make any sound what so ever when we are at speech. He is so quiet there and then the minute we leave the room he is back to being a jabber box. He doesn't say words yet, but he is now understanding that words refer to things (i.e. he knows binky, blankie, nose, eye, George, Mom, Dad, shoes, socks, feet, etc) which is wonderful to see him now associating words to things and responding to his name!
Samuel is doing really well. He is sick right now with a bit of a cold so we kept him home from church and have been doing breathing treatments. Hopefully he will be feeling better soon. Poor little guy - the only thing worse than being sick myself is seeing him not feel well!

4th Anniversary Celebration

On Saturday we went on a lunch cruise on the Gulf. It was a beautiful day and we had a really great time.
Here is a picture of Samuel and I before we got on the boatAnd here we have David and Samuel exploring the second deck of the boat

Just Some Stuff

I really don't think there is anything that Samuel does that I don't think is cute. That is likely not a good thing, and yes, Samuel is probably a bit spoiled. He is just such a good little guy that even if he does something that he isn't suppose to do (i.e. play with my dry sink) I can't help but laugh at his mischievous grin.
Here is Samuel sleeping. For those of you who haven't met Samuel, let me assure you that he does have two legs...He just likes weird sleep positions. While we were in Washington, Papa bought Samuel a little cheeseburger. I didn't think Samuel would even try it, but he did! He thought it was great. So, I got him another one. He thinks he is pretty neat sitting a the table eating his cheeseburger. He just nibbles at it and doesn't eat the whole thing of course. Actually, most of the time that he is "eating" is really just him taking it apart bit by bit!

Samuel likes to share - here he is offering me a bite!

Last week David had his birthday. We got a carrot cake and sang to him - Samuel thought it was quite the show....just look at his excited face!!! (He really did like it - and he LOVED the carrot cake, I just must have snapped the picture at a funny moment.)This week Samuel was moved up at school to the next class. He is now in the toddler room. He is doing well learning the schedule of the new room. He loves the other kids in the class - he plays really hard and when he comes home, he is absolutely exhausted.

He is up to 4 teeth now and I think he is working on getting some more. He is still our happy little guy and so much fun to have around.

Also this week Samuel was awarded a scholarship at school! Woohoo!!!

Tomorrow David and I celebrate our 4th anniversary. A year ago today I was in the hospital not doing well at all. This past year has had its challenges and while it was hard, each day I became more and more grateful for my wonderful husband. He has been such a comfort and a strength. What a lucky girl I am! Through all of the challenges we have become stronger together! In summary - I love my David!