Here is the latest on our family...

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Welcome to the Year 2012!

We have had a whirlwind six months since Gus's arrival. While getting used to life as a family of four, we have had many adventures.

Aunt Peggy accompanied us on a trip to the Anat Baniel Method Center in San Rafael, California in September. We cannot thank her enough for all of her help. Henry had a week of intensive therapy with Anat Baniel and some other practitioners. Peggy and Gus became fast friends while Henry was otherwise occupied with his lessons. Henry responded positively to the lessons, and we hope to return to the center in 2012.

We live not far from the Glenview Public Library. Henry is the proud holder of his very own library card:

20111011 - Henry Library Card

We also live near Wagner Farm. Here, Henry got to pet a cow:

20111015 - Dad & Henry & Cow Wagner Farm


Over Halloween weekend, Gus had his first long road trip to Pennsylvania. He also saw his first snow. He and Henry were subjected to costumes appropriately humiliating for their respective ages:

 20111030 - Halloween 2

Here is Gus on Pap's lap:

20111029 - Pap August


We snapped a quick family portrait at Thanksgiving:

20111124 Thanksgiving


Henry turned 3 on November 26. We celebrated with his first real birthday party.

20111128 - Henry bday cake Mom Henry Dad 2

20111128 - Henry bday let's eat cake



The most major event since our last post is definitely that Henry aged out of the Early Intervention program and officially became a schoolboy. His first day at the NSSED Pleasant Ridge Early Childhood Education room was Monday, November 28. He attends school daily from 9:15 - 2:45. He has a wonderful aide, Miss Carolyn, who rides the bus to and from school with him and is with him all day. Henry participates in Speech, Physical, Vision, and Occupational Therapy throughout the week with various therapists. His teacher, Mrs. Kay, along with Miss Carolyn, see to it that Henry is included in group time and play time with his classmates. He's even done a couple art projects (proudly displayed on the fridge). This has been a significant transition for all of us, but the reports are good, and we are excited that Henry has the opportunity to be with his peers and to experience school.

20111128 - Henry first day of school mom dad

20111128 - Henry Dad first day of school

20111128 - Henry first day of school on bus


Sadly, Meade's uncle Toby Potter died in August after battling leukemia since last spring. We (Sean, Meade & Augie) were glad to be able to go to Portland shortly after his death to be with Meade's aunt Jenny and cousin Stu. Meade and Augie went back in December for the memorial service; it was good to be with all the family.


Juna
20111204 - August Juna Portland 1

Jana & Lauren
IMG_20111204_075505


Gus's first Christmas (and Henry's 4th!) was a lot of fun. As always there were many wonderful gifts for both boys and lots of family time.

20111225 - Christmas kids Kate

Big Don & Holly
20111225 - August Big Don Holly

The last major bit of news to report on is that Henry had adductor myotomy surgery on December 28. Since Henry has throughout his life consistently pulled his legs inward, in adduction, the heads of the femurs are not seated properly in his hip joints. Therefore, his hip joints are at risk of becoming malformed. In Henry's case, the problem is much worse in the left hip than the right. This surgery helps weaken the adductor muscles, allowing greater range of motion from the hip joint. The idea is that, over time, with practice in weight-bearing activities such as standing and walking, the heads of the femurs will come into place. We have our fingers crossed for that; if this process is not successful, hip and leg reconstruction could be necessary.

After he had the surgery (while still under anesthesia), he had another ABR (auditory brainstem response) test. He had one in January 2010 which showed poor auditory processing in his brain. This one showed near-normal hearing in the left ear, but did not get interpretable results from the right ear. This result is consistent with the improvement we have noticed in Henry's responses to sound over the last several months/year.

Lastly, here are a few pictures of some of our recent visitors (as always, you can see more pictures on our Flickr site.) We love to have company and hope to see many of you in 2012. Happy New Year!


Bret
20111217 - Bret August

Melissa
20111206 - Melissa August

Diana
20111126 - Mom Augus Diana

Kate
20111225 - Meade Kate Augie

Joan
Joan August 20110824

Heather & Jason
20110814 - Heather Jason August

Owen, Michelle & Diane
Owen Michelle Diane August 20110811

Nanna
20111214 - Nanna Gus Balloon 1

Paul
20111213 - Paul Dad August Henry

Grammy & Nanna
20111213 - Family Grammy Nanna

Rob & Todd
20111230 - August Rob Todd


1 comment:

Smilen Champ said...

Hi Henry
My name is Jenna, you are a brave, courageous fighter and an inspiration. Gus is sure adoreble.
I was born with a rare life threatening disease, and have 14 other medical conditions, and developmental delays.
I wrote this poem
Each of us are Special
Each of us different,
No one is the same
Each of are us are unique in our own way,
Those of us who have challenges, we smile through our day.
It doesen't matter what other's say
we are special anyway.
What is forty feet and sings? the school chior
http://www.miraclechamp.webs.com

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