Blake....

I haven't written a blog in quite some time now...in fact I figured I was done with this blog. I didn't feel like I should continue writing about Blake after the first year. Someday he will read this and that worried me a bit. But so many of you have asked for an update and asked how he is doing and I feel I owe it to you all to keep you up on Blake's happenings. Going forward, I don't know how much I will share in this blog and what I will feel comfortable telling you all. But above all, it is important to me to love Blake first and keep his feelings in all oft his at the front of my heart and mind when I write.

On that note, I will let you know that Blake is doing very well. Life is not without its hurdles, but on the whole, Blake is an active, into everything, can't take my eyes off him for a minute toddler! And I am loving every minute of it.

Our initial goal was that Blake would crawl by December. Well, he has surprised his therapists and me by choosing to crawl just a short month after his first birthday. And it hasn't stopped there. He is now pulling up on things and crawling over everything in his path. I am fully convinced he will actually be walking by the time we have our next IFSP. It is exciting and challenging and I am so proud of him. Now on to protect our house and him from anything dangerous!

Blake had a visit at Children's hospital in August. Physically he is doing fantastic and has very little hypotonia or low muscle tone. I have always felt that. He was kicking in that first ultra sound and came out straining to move in every way he could! He is all boy and activity. Our struggles lie in the realm of eating as Blake refuses to make the transition to solid foods. It is hard sometimes, but the doctor says his growth chart is textbook and Blake is beating all the odds physically. So for now, to the chagrin of his therapists and me, he is bottle fed. Heaven help his teeth someday! But we are doing what we have to do to get the calories in that little guy. Actually, I should say "big" guy! He is almost 22 pounds now and in the 25th percentile on a typical growth chart! And still loves to be walked to sleep. I won't complain even when my arm is asleep - I love it and cherish every moment with him.

So here are some pictures and quick update on my little guy. Thanks to all of you who care and ask about us so often. And thanks for loving my sweet little boy. He now has a smile and a giggle that can just melt your heart.