Life Lately!

Hey everybody!

It has been a little while since I have posted, and I want to update you all on life! Aiden will be 2 in just a few weeks, which is hard to believe!

Since I last posted, Aiden completed another #DMI intensive, had a few intensive occupational therapy sessions, DMI sessions, and continued on with his weekly physical therapy, speech therapy, feeding therapy, and occupational therapy sessions. Needless to say, we have not been bored!

When this year started, my main goal for Aiden was to get him to start walking. My personal goal was for him to be able to walk down the aisle at my cousin's wedding on July 15th. I was so hopeful because he was showing so much progress, but unfortunately, we are still not there. He is basically running with his push toys but lacks the confidence to do it independently. Even though he won't be able to walk down the aisle, I am so proud of all the work he has put in thus far into the year, and I know his day will come, and there will be no looking back!

Another skill we have been working hard on this last half of the year is Aiden's drinking abilities. Back in December, he did a swallow study which still showed silent aspiration. We had to take a few steps back and start him on thickened liquids and eliminate thin liquids. It was determined that we would start working with moderately thick liquids at home and work with thinner liquids in therapy. Aiden has gradually been able to work his way down from moderately to mildly thickened and now to slightly thickened! He is still struggling with anything thinner than that, but again I know he will get there on his own time! For the time being, we will continue on our journey with his Gtube.

Speech has been challenging for Aiden, also. He is still struggling to make new sounds other than the "G" sound. He babbles all day long but is yet to say any words. Jeff and I are patiently waiting to see if he will say Mama or Dada first! I can tell that his lack of ability to speak is starting to become frustrating for him. You never think you are going to have a nonverbal child until you have a nonverbal child, and really, no one can prepare you for it. As Aiden approaches 2, he is becoming more and more aware of his surroundings and what he wants but gets frustrated when he can't communicate it to us. He usually just starts whining or gets upset until we can figure it out. We have been implementing sign language, and that has really been helping! He can point, wave, clap, sign for more and all done, and he will push things away if he is not interested or doesn't want something. His voice will come one day, and we are ready whenever he is!

Aiden has finally gotten to a place with his weight that his doctors are happy with! He is still bottom of the chart for his size, but he is making progress! He officially hit 23 lbs.!!! We went to his most recent GI and dietician appointment a few weeks ago and, for the first time ever, did not have to alter his diet!

Aiden is the happiest little boy you will ever meet, and to know him is to love him! He makes everyone so happy and can cheer anyone up instantly with his contagious smile! I am so lucky to be his mom!

New products have been added to our shop! Check them out and help support Aiden's therapy!