October 23, 2005
October 23, 2005 | Updates
Things are a little hectic as we try to get packed for our trip to Salt Lake tomorrow. I have decided to stay at my grandmother’s home in Orem. It’s a farther drive than I was hoping for, but it seems the best alternative since she is home most days and can help me with things and drive up to Salt Lake with me if needed. Also, we have other family close by there that can help. So, all in all, I think it will work out the best. I am just trying to get together all that we will need to stay there Mondays through Fridays. I’ve decided to leave as much as I can there so it won’t be a major ordeal packing back up every Friday and Monday. We’ll see. We certainly don’t pack light these days! 
Samuel had more therapy the end of this week than he had the past few weeks. I think I got a little burnt out the first few weeks home and was really reluctant to call the therapists back after they decided our insurance would pay for therapy. It had been nice and quiet without them.
The therapists were all pleasantly surprised at how much progress Samuel made in the few weeks they didn’t see him. They commented that the last time they were here they couldn’t get Samuel to sit up without a real fight and an ensuing scene. This time, he almost seemed to enjoy being held and playing with them. I have noticed that also the last few days or so. Suddenly, Samuel seems to like to be held! It’s wonderful! All along, he hasn’t really wanted to be held or touched much. Now, he seems to like sitting up and especially if he is on someone’s lap that he knows.
Another thing the therapists noticed was that he was moving his right arm in purposeful ways. They would put a toy on his lap and if he noticed they had, he would quickly proceed to knock it off! It was pretty cool. We have also noticed that if you place anything on his right side when he is laying on the floor his right arm will really get moving as he tries to hit it with his hand. He doesn’t have a lot of control, but it’s pretty clear he’s trying. In addition, he will stick out his tongue when asked and close his eyes. At first, we thought it was just coincidence, but it’s happened enough times now that we’re sure it’s not.
Samuel is also sleeping better at night and he takes a morning nap on his own everyday without any medications. He takes that little nap like clockwork. It’s helping me keep my sanity a little as I can actually get a few things done while he’s napping. Nighttimes have gotten better because I finally figured out that he’s afraid of the dark. Now I leave the hall light on and he sleeps much better and is less upset if he wakes during the night. No wonder he slept better for his nurses than he ever slept for me!
Samuel is also urinating better and started having several bowel movements a day on his own. Before, it would take a suppository for any bowel movements to occur. Seems silly, but we’re pretty excited. He’s also been vocalizing a lot more than in the past few months. He just makes different sounds and really seems to be trying to find a way to communicate. It’s cute.
Well, we’re pretty excited to start the hyperbaric treatments. Our first one is Monday at 1 pm. We’ll go everyday this week. Wish us luck. It’ll be a good opportunity for Samuel and I to just hang out together for an hour each day. And, hopefully, the car rides won’t be too much for him.
Keep the little guy in your prayers. We had a lesson today in church on the tender mercies of the Lord. (I got to go because my dad, step mom and sister were visiting and were nice enough to babysit.) It was interesting to sit and look back on the last few months and see how flooded our lives have been with tender mercies of the Lord. But then I sadly realized how many of His mercies I have probably missed in my life before this happened because I wasn’t paying attention. So pay attention! You’ll see them everywhere!
Love,
The Jewkes
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