All about Luke - with PICTURES!

Long post ahead with lots of randomness...

These are back from Easter! :)
I got the shoes on him for a cute snap of the camera!

Oh my sweet Luke. I am starting this post (I won't finish) as I sit here in the waiting room at Texas Children's PT clinic. It's pretty humbling, to say the least. I know for sure I need to be humbled from time to time. A lot, actually. Seeing some of these precious children endure what they do, is definitely humbling. I just witnessed a little girl, probably about 4 years old, attempt to peddle a tricycle with a huge distended abdomen, tubes coming from her nose and mouth taped down to her face, and abnormal limbs. She is riding along the hallways with such JOY! Laughter even. Pure innocence. Gosh, to have JOY in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. Isn't that what we are called to do? "Be joyful always. Pray continually. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thess. 5: 16-18 It's a hard thing to do sometimes. Just something to think about.... :)

I have lost count at how many sessions he has been to, but he WALKED out of PT HAPPY today! This is a huge accomplishment! He has cried (the sobbing, non stop kind) the second we arrive throughout the entire hour every time he has been, so for today, we are thankful! His sweet therapist, Kristen was so proud of him. She said he cried off and on but did way better. I hope next week is good too.

We have been BUSY! Luke started the Summer session for Mother's Day Out. For the month of June is has been going 2 days a week! July he will go back to 1 day a week and then for the new school year go back to 2 days. It has been great for both of us! :) He is still with the same teachers from the school year who are wonderful. WONDERFUL! I could write an entire post just about a special teacher. ( maybe another time :))

The first week in June, we had the opportunity to go visit Greg's side of the family...his mom, Billy, Diane, Steve, Devin, and Kelsey. We flew into Virginia (where they all live) and Diane, Greg's sister, picked us up and we drove to North Carolina to the Outer Banks....Corolla Beach. We had a beautiful house on the beach where we spent 7 nights! It was so great to spend time with everyone who we don't get to see nearly enough. Luke DID AMAZING. I honestly don't think he cried one time the entire trip (except a minor fall off the couch and bumping of his head...ouch!) and hardly whined at all. He immediately took to everyone and loved spending time with his Grandma "Mi-Ma" and "Papa." I had taken Luke to his dermatologist the week before we left for a check up and to discuss the beach. She was a bit hesitant about him being in the sand...he has a lot of wounds for sand to get trapped in. Well, there was no way we could travel that far and not let him experience the beach a little...so we did, twice! (with an immediate bath afterward) He LOVED playing in the sand and loved 'looking' at the water. As he gets older, we might have to find a different kind of vacation for him to enjoy, but for his 21 month self, the beach was great!
WILD horses ON the beach! Luke was in love...











on the way from the airport to the beach! still happy!





the result of the fall off the couch





Some other random things...Luke is starting to talk a lot more which Greg and I think is the cutest. He is QUITE the snuggler/hugger/kisser. He actually embraces when he gives a hug and will hold you tightly. I don't want him to ever stop giving me those. EVER. Greg and I were just talking this morning that we are ok with him not being the expert walker (right now). He is pretty cute to watch toddle around....which is exactly what he does...toddle. As long as he doesn't sit and hold his feet in pain and seems happy doing it...it's fine for now. I am, of course, excited for him to advance and get better, but it is what it is so we will embrace who Luke is and what he can do right now in his little life! We are trying to come up with a new table idea for his blister draining/wound care routine. His changing table is not working out that great anymore. He is getting way too strong and the pad thing slides but we can't do it on the floor because I need the bright light. Hmmm....



We don't have too much more planned to the rest of the Summer. We are REALLY looking forward to the newest residents in our neighborhood. Here's a hint...one of them is 2 years old and happens to be Luke's BFF. His initials are JTG!!!!!!!! yes, God is REAL.