Woo Woo

Alex is fascinated by trains. As we were leaving my husband's hometown today after a visit with family, we hopped out of the car to snap a few shots of Alex on the train tracks. He was so excited. Here's one of my favorites.

..Hopeful.. Excited ..Confident..

We met our new and hopefully final therapist on Monday. She is young and very sweet, but most importantly very knowledgeable about apraxia. We had a great session. Alex worked very hard. I'm excited to say that we'll be working out plans so that she can see him twice a week. Alex's IEP is set up so that he attends preschool four days per week. Since we are going to be going to Vanderbilt twice a week, we'll probably cut back on one day of preschool. I'm also considering if we should decline the additional small group therapy they offered us twice a week for 30 minutes through the school system, outside of his preschool classroom time. I'm afraid it all may be too much for Alex. Before last school year ended in the spring I was struggling with the fact he wasn't getting enough therapy. I can hardly believe that just several months later we're actually considering declining services. I'm confident that he will be getting appropriate therapy in a private setting more so than he will in the school system. He loves his preschool and it has helped him so much in other ways such as with his independent, social and motor skills, so we will definitely keep him enrolled for the Fall. Just a couple of more weeks until school starts! I'm hopeful and excited about what's going to happen for Alex in the coming year and I'm feeling more confident that we're finally on the right path.

New Therapist

Alex's therapy appointment this week consisted of more testing. This time it was for receptive language delays which he sailed right through. He stayed on task very well and went way beyong what is age appropriate. Since we know we were going to have a scheduling conflict starting in a few weeks with our current appointment time, the therapist wanted to go ahead and put us on the waiting list for a time that worked better for us. She said it would mean a possible three or more week wait period, but just as we walked in the door at home from our appointment the phone rang with great news... we start with a new therapist on Monday mornings at 10 AM. Alex will attend preschool Tuesday through Friday, so he won't have to miss school, and we'll have plenty of time to get to our appointment once we drop off big sister at Kindergarten. I truly believe God's hand is in all of this. He's answering prayers and things are finally coming together. It's amazing how much has happened in just a few short months. I can't wait to see what the next year will bring!

He is Faithful

My sweet boy laid his cheek softly against mine as I held him this morning in church. I was reminded once again of God's promises as we worshipped through song...

He who began a good work in you
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it
He'll be faithful to complete it
He who started the work
Will be faithful to complete it in you

If the struggle you're facing
Is slowly replacing
Your hope with despair
Or the process is long
And you're losing your song
In the night you can be sure
That the Lord has His hand on you
Safe and secure
He will never abandon you
You are His treasure
And He finds His pleasure in you

Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

First Day of Therapy and More Progress

Our much anticipated first day of therapy has come and gone. We look forward to going back next week. Our first day was very casual as the therapist just wanted to let Alex get comfortable with her and the therapy room, and interview mom a bit. His therapist was so nice and worked well with Alex. She was just amazed that he had mastered some very hard sounds such as /l/ and /r/, yet couldn't begin to utter some that were usually among first sounds for young children. He continued to over use the /b/ sound. She was able to continue some testing that he didn't finish during his initial evaluation. He did so well and I was so proud of him. We took the first opening for therapy that was available but in a few weeks we may actually be back on the waiting list for another specific day and time. Alex's sister, Sarah, will be starting Kindergarten in a few weeks and the current times are conflicting. Alex will also be starting preschool again four days per week. It looks like we would wind up having another therapist pretty soon anyway as the one we saw last week was due to have her first baby soon. She looked precious and it reminded me of how quickly the time passes. It seems it wasn't so long ago when I was eagerly awaiting our baby boy. I was so relieved when he appeared to be perfect at birth. I had no idea what would lie ahead for us. I will have to say that I couldn't imagine loving him any more than I do if he WAS "perfect." I am so pleased to be able to say that Alex continues to show progress. In the past few days I've actually heard a couple of full sentences. Yes, I said full sentences! As we were leaving the hospital after Alex's first therapy session we went back through the waiting room where they have a playroom for the kids. Alex said "Own go pay, kay kay, Mama?" (I want to go play, OK, Mama?) You bet I let him go play! It was just a couple of months ago we were still struggling with putting two words together! He still has so far to go and doesn't speak clearly enough that strangers would be able to understand him, but just the fact that we as his family are able to understand his wants and needs more and more everyday is such a blessing. I love this blogging thing. It really helps me to look back and see just how far we have come on this journey already!

Some Intimate Thoughts

I stumbled across a wonderful quote today I wanted to share...

Stop telling God how big the storm is,
Instead tell the storm how big Your God is!

Wow, how many times have I cried out asking God why this is happening to my baby. I know in my heart there has to be a plan... God's plan for his life. I keep reminding God how big our "storm" is asking him to heal my little boy. I will continue to be hopeful and faithful in prayer. However, my prayers are changing somewhat. I am learning to be more patient and realize that God will work things out in His timing and not necessarily the way I would have wanted. I still don't understand it all, and I can't see the "big picture", but I trust that God has given me this very special child whom I love with all my heart. Ultimately I want this journey to give Him glory. So we'll take the next step into the next day and see where God takes us and blesses us along the way.

Insurance Coverage

Disney was spectacular. No better news could have come after a magical vacation that the news I received today that our insurance will begin covering private speech therapy 90% with unlimited visits. Alex's first speech therapy session will be at 9 AM on Wednesday the 13th of July. He will start off with one hour per week of therapy until they get a grasp of his strengths and weaknesses to determine if more therapy is needed, up to twice a week. This is nothing less than a miracle. God is so good and as a friend reminded me recently... this is all in God's hands anyway. I can only continue to pray and have faith that His Will be done in Alex's life. I am feeling so blessed and encouraged today.