It has been quite a while since I last posted, but life has been full speed ahead! So, this post will probably be as random and jumbled as our last few months have been.
Laik is famous! He is currently smiling all over Chattanooga and the surrounding areas on billboards!
"What's the smile of a little boy worth?" To me....everything in the world! Siskin Children's Institute is fabulous and if you want to know more....just visit the website
www.siskin.org and if you feel the urge to donate to an institution that is helping children with special needs, tell them Laik sent you!
Since beginning in December at the Institute, we have seen such improvement with Laik!
Also, notice the "Champy's Fried Chicken" sign in the lower right corner of the photo....it's a great place to eat if you are in Chattanooga....go on in and let Laik smile at you while you gnaw on some chicken!
Laik is also beginning to really get some golden locks! On this afternoon in the car, I couldn't resist snapping his picture.
Sitting in the big chair at The Best ENT Office in Chattanooga! Dr. St.Charles is great with Laik!
A ENT update: after having about 4 ear infections, Laik had tubes inserted in March 2011. Since then, no ear infections! Yeah, but at this visit, we did learn the the tubes have moved into the ear canal, so it is a watch and see game....more tubes might be in our future. But so far, so good.
Laik is all about feeding himself these days. It is a mess for sure, but it does make me so happy! He is making improvements with his feeding/eating. He does great getting food off the tray and he will even take things from my hand in the car!!!!! (remember, a few post back, I mentioned that it would be so nice if he I could hand him things....now I can! Thank you Lord!) He will grab a fork or spoon, but would rather bang it on the table than scoop food and bring it to his mouth. We continue to work on that.
Holding his bottle!!! Is the fat lady singing? She should be. The days of constantly having to hold his bottle for him are over! I do still have to hold it for him sometimes, but he is MILES better than before. He is also in the process of making the transition to a sippy cup. I wanted to skip the sippy and go straight to the straw, but oh well. Living with Laik and planning is like having a "birth plan"....it is gonna change or not happen.....So take it in stride and deal with it!
Another reason for the fat lady to sing.....NO MORE THICKENING! Laik just passed his most recent swallow study last week! Good-bye ThickIt! He is a smidge uncoordinated with his swallowing, but he isn't aspirating! GO LAIK!!!
Again, just a sweet little pic of my smiling boy! His smile is infectious! I love it!!! This was one evening at about 11:00 pm....I have a night owl. Not always, but he does seem to know when Friday and Saturday night roll around. (My mother has teased that my first words were, "Here's Johnny!" so the late nighter in him must be from me.)
Doing a little artwork on the playground. Then he chose to use the pink chalk as a brow liner?!?!?
And, doing a little "patrol detail" on the playground. Laik enjoys being in the cozy coupe police car, but currently, his only gear is REVERSE. But all that is about to change, I think. Two weeks ago, we had a fitting for a gait trainer. Once that arrives, he will be in boot camp training with his PT and I'm sure it will be GAME ON. Game on to see which one of them is the most stubborn. Will Ms. Lisa give in or will Laik pop the clutch and grab 2nd gear, and start moving forward? I'll keep you posted.
As always, Living Leffew is busy, but Laik sure is taking us places. Places that I never thought I would have to travel, but the scenery is great each time we land. The flight and landing can be rough, but the destination remains enlightening, because Laik is there!
The big 2nd birthday is just 11 days away. I can't believe that our journey with Laik has already been two years, but I can't imagine life without him.
Summer has always been a time for fun. With Laik Leffew, it is certainly happening....Fun.
Fun with a capital F!
