Where did July go?

I can't believe it... July came and went so fast. Here are some of our July happenings.

First of all... Luke had NO DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS in July!!! yay!

However, Luke started Vital Stim Therapy, which requires hour-long therapy sessions and 2 hours of driving twice a week. The purpose of the Vital Stim is to stimulate coordinated swallowing so Luke can progress toward oral feedings without aspirating. The therapy consists of electrodes placed under his jaw and on his cheek and an electrical current is delivered to the muscles that control swallowing. It feels kind of like a vibrating/pulling sensation. He tolerates it pretty well and we do our best to distract him with toys and his portable DVD player. The worst part of it for Luke is taking off the stickers afterward.





With all these out-of-town trips we've been taking, Luke has been in and out of more stores in the last month than he ever has in his life. It's been so nice being able to take him anywhere and not having to worry about him having a meltdown. We've come a long way!





July was Group B Strep Awareness Month. Luke spent his first two weeks of life fighting this devastating, but preventable, infection. Of all the things Luke has faced, nothing has come closer to taking his life than Group B Strep. We are so blessed that Luke survived this monster, but there are so many little babies that don't.


http://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/

Luke attended his second week of summer school and did very well. Only one day, he left a little early because he was tired. This is the first time in school with his new para, who happens to be Luke's great aunt as well. She's been a para for many years now and we're really lucky to have gotten her for Luke. I can tell she'll do great with him. There are a few other details to work out for the fall, like getting Luke his FM system and finalizing how much time he'll get with his Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teacher. Sadly, I did not get pictures, but I'll be sure to get some when he starts again in the fall.


We have a new addition, or should I say eight, to the Snyder Petting Zoo. Our two cats had baby kittens within 24 hours of each other... four each... eight total. Here's a picture of Alex with one of the mama cats with the eight kitties. Luke has no interest in the kitties whatsoever.



Also, our little friend the fawn, who we now call Dale, has made himself a permanent fixture in our yard and comes for his bottle of milk everyday. Plus he's eaten all my flowers! I think he thinks he's a dog.



Luke, the stairclimber...





We can't take our eyes off Luke for a second these days. The other day I thought he crawled into his room and went to find him half way up the stairs instead. Yikes!





Taylor turned 14 on the 25th. We have yet to properly celebrate her birthday!



I turned 29 again on the 30th.


No big family vacations to talk about yet... but hoping to do something fun in August!