Saturday, September 29, 2007

Videos, videos, and more videos!!!

First - My nicknames for the boys have been Dillon aka "Turkey" and JayDonn aka "Monkey" I cme up with better names, though. Jay is my "Chunky Monkey" and Dillon is my "Low-fat Turkey!" HAHAHAHA I LOVE IT!!!

Now - some pictures!
These first two are of Dillon sitting in his special chair with his adaptive switch. It is a yellow button that turn the vibrating pillow on. When he takes his fingers off the pillow turns off.

My boys laying together on the living room floor!
Jay loves the swing! He often falls alseep in it, but sometimes he likes to just sit there and watch things go by.
They got their hands together all on their own.
Isn't it sweet?!
Okay, now for the videos - I know most of them are of JayDonn, it is hard to get videos of Dillon since he doesn't move too much. When he does do something, he normally doesn't repeat it long enough to get the camera out. I am going to try harder to get more of Dillon:
He got ahold of the tube all on his own, maybe he wants me to suction him more, or maybe he thinks if he is holding it I can't use it!)
He is using his head while taking a break and sucking his thumb!)
Daddy would kiss Dillon then Jay leans over and kisses him. It was so sweet. He was doing it even better before I got the camera out - of course!
Well that ought to be enough to keep you busy for a while! Enjoy!

What a BLESSING!!

Praise the Lord for all the improvements we have seen with Dillon. I think this, however, is one of the biggest improvements we have seen. Dillon went for another hearing test today. He is no longer considered "hearing loss" he is considered "developmentally delayed." What this means is that Dillon's ears are now hearing everything in conversation and even as low as a whisper (before he could only hear chain saws, lawn mowers, and air planes). The test showed that his brain is now responding to sound at these levels. This does NOT mean that he understands what he is hearing, nor does he react as a "normal" child would. Just like his eyes, his ears can hear and his brain may not be able to understand. He may never be able to comprehend language. However, this means he does not need the hearing aids -at least for the time being! The audiologist believes the improvement is due to removing the tonsils, putting the tubes in his ears, drying up some of his secretions, and that he is getting bigger. She also thinks, however, that part of the improvement is due to his brain making new connections. It is such a huge burden lifted to not have to try to put the hearing aids in him. Dillon's hearing will continue to be checked about every three months as it can get worse but it can also get better!

All we can do is read, talk, and sing to him, and of course KEEP PRAYING! Dillon has been cooing more, maybe this is because he can hear himself now. We also see his heart rate go up and/or his blood oxygen drop sometimes when JayDonn is crying right beside him. Plus, he woke up and started kicking and moving his arms today when the audiologist put a loud noise in his ears. These are the reactions we have to start looking for to see if he is understanding what he is hearing as there is no test that can help us with that.

Thank you for praying for him, even though there are physical reasons that may be contributing to his improvements, ultimately it is God that is allowing these factors to help! The doctors can try to use these things to explain his improvement, but they can't argue with his brain making new connections - only God can do that!

I Corinthians 1:26-31 - For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Friday, September 07, 2007

Pictures and Videos

I just love the digital camera/youtube world! What would I have done 10 years ago without such easy access to these things? Better question - what would YOU have done? I see the boys everyday! hahahaha

Daddy with his two Boys (from our 2nd Anniversary)

Dillon and I

The family!

(Last year on our 1st Anniversary we got a picture with the three of us, this year - for our second anniversary we got a picture with the four of us! And NO we aren't going for 5 next year for the third anniversary!)

Dillon doesn't look so big next to Jay anymore. Dillon is 17 pounds 6 ounces JayDonn is 13 pounds!

Jay was crying so I put him right down next to Dillon. I let him kiss Dillon's head and he stopped crying and went right to sleep. I think he knows his big brother.



Now for the videos:
(For those who aren't sure how to view the videos - click on the blue title that is underlined and it will open it up. If anyone still has trouble, let me know.)

Speech Therapy
Dillon started jerking his head when Miss Sue used the vibrator on his lips. He was doing it much more before I got the camera, but at least we got a little on video.

Daddy and Jay
Josiah was playing with Jay the other night, it was so cute. Jay is starting to get his personality. He is going to be a people person I think. He loves to watch people and or be moving at all times.

Jay and Dillon's Therapy
I decided to see what Jay thought of Dillon's vibrator. He clearly does not like it!
Dillon and JayDonn
Dillon was talking a lot so I tried to get it on video, but nothing. So of course as soon as I turned off the camera he started again. I tried to get it again, but he didn't talk too much. I was holding JayDonn at the time and he was kicking my arm so I apologize if you get sea sick while watching!

Dillon Singing!
This is my favorite one from today. I don't know why, but Dillon was singing. He is going to have a beautiful voice - just like his Daddy. He kept talking for several minutes after this, then all of a sudden he stopped and hasn't made another peep! I just can't figure this kid out!

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

You'll love this video....

Josiah took this last night, Labor Day. JayDonn is becoming more and more fun. Although he is becoming more work too as he likes to be sitting up watching people else he cries.
Saturday we took the boys on a bike ride since Dillon was having a good day. Our neighbor was afraid Josiah was going to pull them with the motorcycle! It was a lot of fun. We went all the way to Wal-Mart and even stopped to see Mrs. Y on our way home! (I have a picture, but it is on the other computer so I will have to try to get that on sometime)
Yesterday we took the boys for a 2.5 hour walk around Pottstown then Josiah worked in the yard and I did some ironing. Then we pretty much rested the rest of the evening. It was so nice to have time to relax together. Of course, today I have a ton of laundry that needs done, a sink full of dishes, carpets that need vacuumed, etc. But at least I had some quality time with my husband.
I just saw that I never did put the video of Dillon standing on me in my blog. It took forever to upload and then I forgot!

Hope ya'll have a great and restful labor day!