Boo bis

My dog, Rufus, was barking at someone outside of our house today. I would normally cry when this happened because it startled me. "No, Boo bis," I said today, and just like that, I was commanding the dog.

We went to the library to check out some more dvd's. I had to sit in the stroller for my mom to be hands free. I was unhappy the entire five minutes we were there. I wanted to be free! I wanted to touch everything and pick my own movies off the shelf. I wanted to make a mess :D

When we returned home, the door opened and we were greeted, as always. "Hi Boo bis," I said, before my mom even had a chance to. Now that I can communicate with Rufus, we can make secret plans for him to open the door and let me out. Or he can assist me by providing transportation for short distances. Step stool?

I have officially outgrown the green stroller and we've retired it. It is bittersweet to see something you have needed for so long get stuffed into a closet. The key is to consolidate and reduce clutter. Umbrella stroller and/or tired arms/sore back, here we come!

I took some steps in my gait trainer and turned off the tv. I also tried to open the closet, but can't quite reach it yet. Must... stretch... arms.

Thinking of Emma

Please take a moment to pray and send good thoughts and energy to my friend Emma. Little Emma is having heart surgery today at All Children's Hospital. She is the strongest girl I know. Thank you!

More steps

We made some adjustments to my gait trainer. It seems I am really tall now. Everyone noticed at therapy today. "Gavin, did you grow this weekend?" I think I did. I have been restless during the night this week. Ms. Greta has a new intern until August, Lindsay. I like her already. I make googlie eyes at her. She smiles :)

I felt good after my long nap and a banana snack, which I requested. Then, I took some more steps. Check out parts two and three under my Home Video Links (sidebar). We'll be ready for walking outside soon.

Tip-toe steps

I took a few steps in my gait trainer this morning. It's not set on the shortest level anymore, it is one up. I've already grown since I got it. The bumper in front keeps me from grabbing what I want to reach. It's frustrating, but I need all of the support it provides. Standing and stepping are a workout for me, but I can hold my weight a little more each week.

I always say "cheese" to the camera.

Condiments

It all started with a salad. I mostly ate the dressing and left the lettuce. Since then, I have discovered syrup, honey and ketchup. I cringed at the taste at first, but liked them for the most part. They are all good for dipping. Maybe they will inspire me to eat more vegetables. It's an interesting idea.

My abuela (grandma) was visiting this weekend. She likes to pray for me. She prayed for a sign that I would walk and it scared her when I suddenly pulled myself to stand on the ottoman. She didn't realize that I had done this once or twice before, though it is still rare for me to do. I am tall enough now where I can lean over the top of the ottoman and mostly use my arms (not my hands) to pull up. Then I complete the motion with my tip-toe standing and leaning. It overwhelmed her, nevertheless. Almost like I stood on queue. I've got to get the timing down. This could be big!

I am finally getting it, I want to walk! Well, mostly. Not so long ago, I desired being on the ground, commando crawling to my destination, and though I still do that, I stay on my knees for longer periods of time. I would say I can four-point crawl now, though it still requires some tweaking. Now, I always want to "step" towards something and become upset when I am placed on the floor. We must be practicing this pretty often because I sent my mom to the chiropractor and my dad to therapy as well. "Oh Gavin, you're breaking my back," I guess they weren't kidding. I am a great traveler.

Cover Shot

Above, I used a pen to draw on my face.

I entered a contest to be on the cover of Parents Magazine. If you would like to vote for me, please click on Links (side column), Vote for Gavin, and rate my photos! If I win, I get to go to NYC. Wish me luck, there are thousands of entries already.

Flower Essences

I went to see a therapist for my leg cramps and restless nights. She specializes in homeopathy, flower essences and acupuncture for pregnant women, women and children. She asked my mom a bunch of questions and tested me through her, since I was too busy discovering her office and not sitting still. My mom placed her hand on me and she examined my mom. It's definitely an alternative way of testing, but she got what she needed. Then, she placed two boxes filled with different bottle droppers of flower essences in front of me. I picked out about six of them myself. She added three essentials (chamomile, calcium, baby blue eyes, clematis) and then she read to us what each one was used for. The most interesting one I picked out was called Evening Primrose. According to the book, "Evening Primrose literally rebirths the soul, providing a matrix of emotional nutrients that were lacking in the soul's earliest feelings about incarnation." This applies perfectly to my prematurity. I got a small dropper of all my essences mixed together. These flower essences could be universally applied to anyone's needs, but we're trying it out since it's all natural and sure beats going on prescription medication (valium, baclofen, etc.). Hopefully it will help me rest better :) and not require the latter.

If you've ever used Hyland's Teething Tablets, they seem to contain some of the ingredients in our drops (they are also homeopathic), but ours are more sophisticated. The drops have no flavor, water-like and I slept well last night.

Check out Links for more information on Flower Essences.

Opthomologist, Take 2

My follow-up appointment was today, in the 8 o'clock hour. Since it was bright and early, I was supposed to feel likewise, right? Wrong. I hardly allowed the doctor to get proper measurements. My hands had to be held back because I kept grabbing all of his instruments and pushing them away. "All done, bye bye," I said, cause that's how I really felt. No tv or animated puppy could distract me. My focus was on the exit.

He noticed my right eye drifting immediately. It seems to happen when I focus on objects far away. He would like to see me again in one month. He thinks surgery is still a good idea. He is now considering doing both eyes and seems super confident in his abilities. Gulp!

Haircut

It was that time again today - time for a haircut. We went to Kidsmania. They had video games, movies, toys, candy, seats shaped like cars... everything to distract and attain a haircut. I did not buy into their trickery. I refused to sit in the car shaped seat and sat on mommy's lap instead. Meanwhile, a one year-old sat perfectly well next to me and didn't mind the clippers at all. Were we in two different worlds? I fought and cried through the entire process. I didn't even allow a cape. He just stared at the tv and remained oblivious to what was going on above him. At one point, I was even placed in a prone position to better reach the back of my head. I got a lollipop, which eased my fears, but only for a moment. How did this happen? Why am I so adamant on refusing everyday things? Finally, it was over and we both left covered in hair. I have come to the conclusion that this stubbornness and strong-will proves I want to be independent.

Stepping progress

I like to stand now and sometimes even step towards my destination. Here I am this weekend at my Uncle Sergio and Aunt Gloria's house "stepping" into the pool. I am still working on supporting my own weight.

I was also at a different pool this weekend where I was encountered by a two year-old girl who liked me very much. I didn't mind her. She hugged me and kissed me and I allowed her affection between moments of splashing and swimming with my dad.

We borrowed an aluminum walker and set it up this past week. A few months ago when we initially got it, I was not tall enough to hold onto it. Now, however, I can hold onto the sides and take a few steps with some assistance. I even stepped and kicked a ball today! I like this walker because there is nothing in front of me. I could potentially reach objects in front of me with ease. That is, when I don't require two hands holding and am less wobbly. I might even like it better than my gait trainer. I haven't decided yet.

Weekend

I took some backwards steps in my walker. Does that count? I wasn't wearing any shoes or braces. I usually just sit in it, slump, stare and snack. That is until I see or hear something exciting (like a song, or Elmo). Then I stand up straight. I require motivation. Sometimes, when I get pushed forward I take some steps. I think I take more steps the old-fashioned way. That is where an adult holds me securely under my arms and we move forward. Sure, it may be backbreaking for them, but my hard work will be more appreciated when we're both tired at the end.

My parents finished a jigsaw puzzle that they had worked on for the past two weekends. After all their hard work and dedication, they gladly allowed me to disassemble it. I picked up an edge and it slowly fell apart. I tried to eat a few pieces, but my plan was derailed. All the pieces ended up back in the box.

I fall often. I fell off the big couch today and my little couch yesterday. I do not enjoy falling. I cry every time. I enjoy books, bubbles, balls and television the most. I am learning to break my falls better though.

I have been a fussy sleeper this past week. Is it growing pains? Am I cramping from over activity? All I know is it makes me tired early and I take longer naps. Hopefully this will soon pass and not get worse. We'll keep an eye out on my sleep patterns.

EEG

I had an EEG on Friday. It was in follow-up to my seizure last month. I had to be sleep deprived for this procedure. It was so hard staying awake in the car. My mom sat in the back and distracted me with flash cards while my dad drove to ACH in St. Pete.

We had a nice lunch outside in downtown St. Pete. I was given crayons, which I attempted to eat, and colored on and off the paper, on the chair as well. When we got to the neurologist's office, I didn't go down without a fight. The lady squirted my head with paste-like goo, stuck an electrode on it (non-wireless) and tape over it. There must have been 20 of them, all while I screamed and my dad held me wrapped in a blanket. Then my head was wrapped like a mummy. A few minutes later, I was safely being rocked to sleep. I passed out pretty fast and I didn't even notice the strobe light in front of my face.

I passed the test. Everything came back normal. I am not prone to seizures. To celebrate, I impressed the neurologist by crawling on all fours across the room. It was more like a scoot/crawl, but I stayed on my knees. She thinks I'm great.