It doesn't appear so in the pictures, but Henry actually warmed up to this boat/swimming/water experience towards the end of the week-long trip! He has a healthy fear of water, but GG (Grandma Simpson) had him blowing bubbles in the pool towards the end of our week together! (GG, this has even continued during bathtime!). I've mentioned that grandparent's magic in previous posts!
Henry is back in school and loving it. He talks fondly of friends and teachers at school when he's home with us, which of course we love. We had a chance to visit the school again last month for a "back to school" event and got to see him dive right into playing in familiar surroundings... he even kept saying "bye bye Momma"! After 6 months I'd say he's adjusted well, which we're very thankful for. Henry was evaluated by an Occupational and Physical Therapist last month with the KC school district in order to anticipate ongoing therapeutic needs once First Steps ends at age 3. The therapists were very friendly with us and were amazing at keeping Henry's attention during the testing, which eased our worry about this big transition. The OT relayed after the evaluation that she believed he would qualify for ongoing services at least for OT, and he will be evaluated next week by Speech and Cognitive Therapists to determine his level of need in those areas. As a parent you hope for no barriers in development, but also that any needs are identified for early intervention- which the First Steps program literally held our hands through. This next step will be a little more tricky, but we've gotten wonderful guidance from our providers in advocating for Henry along the way. In the next couple of months we will be deciding how best to meet Henry's therapy needs after age 3 either within the school district or otherwise. Change will be challenging, but we're happy that we have options at this point and that Henry's needs are being identified adequately in effort to keep support in place in all these areas.
Henry had a Cardiology appointment with Dr. Raghuveer in July which seemed to go well. Not many changes with Henry's heart- still the small muscular VSD and larger right ventricle (post surgery). No change is okay from the doctor's standpoint at this time, though they will still hope for the VSD to completely close and the RV to reduce in size/remain the same size as Henry grows. We didn't have to schedule to return again for four months- which is a wonderful sign! Henry had a follow up hearing evaluation last month which identified no hearing problems, which we were pleased to hear (pun intended!). Especially after trying to keep him still and only "using his ears" for the testing.
Henry is an extremely active little guy these days, which we are also very thankful for! He loves to climb everything and everyone... from playgrounds at school and in the park to stairs at our house and sometimes while chasing our cat:). Henry continues to love to play with his trains, cars and firetrucks, loves to read books, loves to go for walks to the the park (or anywhere), loves to be with family and greet people, and loves to play in the sandbox and water table in our backyard. He has a new found love for space shuttles (maybe starting with a book we read?) and can now do the countdown backwards starting at "5" with wonderful sound effects. Very cute! Henry has become quite the "chatty Kathy" and now tells you what he sees (including all the "super letters"), hears and smells. My favorite thing Henry says right now is "I love you too"... which melts my heart every time. He's a great "high five"er, and just plain loves to be engaged with folks around him. He is definitely all boy at times, but has a very sensitive side and loves hugs and kisses. He is still very into PBS shows and has his Mommas prepared to sing just about any intro song to most all of them (don't ask us to give you a rendition- it's really scary:) for encouragement. We feel like he gets stronger and more energetic everyday, and attribute this to all the love and support that surrounds our family. As always we thank you for your love and support and wish you all a beautiful fall!
Much love,
Kate Julie and Henry
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