God Isn't Finished With Me Yet!

I feel like a reoccurring theme in Max's update status is that he is doing amazing...growing, developing, and getting stronger! I often get questions on how he is doing and if he is healthy which is hard to explain to be honest. When you see him in person, he is looking more and more like a 2 1/2 year old than a baby...

Isn't he a cutie with those big baby blues? Physically: he has had a major growth weighing around 26 pounds (which is HUGE for him) and 33 inches in length. Exciting news is that he finally moved into 18 month clothing! Health Wise: he is still considered medically fragile and home-bound until next Spring. I like to say that he is healthy for him and is progressing with his BPD (lung disease) where we are almost off oxygen 24/7 rather than just the daytime! Cognitive: this area is a little bit harder for his momma and daddy. While he has grown leaps and bounds in this area since his last surgery (really, within the last 3 months)...he is still only about a 10 month old. It is hard for us as parents because we see him looking more like a toddler and actually having mini-temper tantrums like a two year old when he doesn't get his way, but yet we see how much of a baby he still is. There are several things he doesn't understand and has already been passed by little lady in most areas...but, the good news is that God isn't finished with him yet! We are super proud of Mr. Max because there are several areas where he has progressed like being able to sit up for about a minute now without any assistance...

He still army crawls, but is now faster since he learned how to use his right side (weak CP side) and has been trying to push up higher on his arms...

Mr. Max still loves to pull up to his knees and then to standing with minimal support...he will only try pulling up on people unless he is seriously motivated by a toy sitting on the couch :). Daniel and I have really challenged him by going out into public this summer and even working with him to sit in a high chair at restaurants rather than his stroller...

One of my favorites of the summer has been him going to church with us...

Max normally cries or gets his super sad pouty lip during the first few songs, but then calms down and rocks it the rest of the time! It does this momma's heart good to have our entire family there together rather than leaving a piece of it at home :). He still hasn't grown verbally or saying any new words, but Max does love to repeat growls and fake coughs with anyone who is willing to play.  For feeding, he is still tube fed through his Mickey button but I am super excited to say that he is bolus feeding 3/4 of his feeds everyday and only on a small amount over the pump while he sleeps! For those of you who aren't familiar with tube fed babies, this is a major growth area for him. Our fabulous nurse is still chugging away at oral feedings and true to his "independent, 2 year old nature" he isn't having it :). He will take at most 5 bites a day, but Miss Patti has been so sweet to let him try a little himself...

and yes, he is wearing Zoe's bib...hey, that's just life when you have multiples at this stage together :). While he doesn't get that spoon anywhere near his mouth, he loves being able to make a mess and bang the spoon around. What else does he love? Well, he has quite a few favorites! Max has really fallen in love with music and bright lights. Therefore, he loves to steal my phone away when I turn it on his favorite monkey app that sings to him...

He also is mesmerized by the TV and I notice him watching Mickey Mouse the most. At the tip top of his favorites list would be his light box...

Do you see the pure joy of excitement on that adorable face? Max usually goes berserk when he gets to play with his blocks that have colored Plexiglas in the middle on his light box. For awhile now, Maxers has really been enjoying patting and flipping through books...

I still think the funniest one of his favorites for me is his serious, serious love of all things hard and cold. I can't even begin to tell you how many times you will find this little guy in this position at our house...

If you put him on carpet, he wiggles himself either to our hardwood or tile floors to play, beat his toys on, or to relax. My most favorite of his top list is his love for his family. Max lights up when Kason or Zoe come to play with him, but I think recently he has been enjoying the special bond between him and his daddy...

It seems like either one of these guys can get enough of each other. I will sometimes find Daniel sneaking Max out of bed late at night if he isn't asleep (since he has a weird sleep schedule) so he can have a little more one-on-one time with him. So all in all, my little thumb sucker...

is doing well considering where he has come from. We are proud to see his inner strength and perseverance as he works to overcome so many obstacles that are before him. I mean, just look at how big he is now...

I still can't get over it...he's huge! While he still has a ways to go, I will leave you with two new developments that I'm still astounded he can do. One: when getting him dressed, he will try to help out and put his left arm/left leg through his clothes and will even lift his left foot when he hears you un-velcro his shoes. Two: he will wave bye-bye!!! *Sigh*...this boy melts my heart! When I tell him, "Max say bye-bye", he will move his little left hand and try to wave. Wow...our God is incredible!