We are just about 4 months out from our stem cell journey. 4 months ago today we were arriving in Panama. I had to share this picture of Colt riding his bike to school because it has a funny story to go with it. The school rule is you can't ride your bikes unless you're 3rd grade and up- well, Colt is 4th grade but little brother is 1st grade. So we had to stop riding to school. Colt was not happy with this arrangement, so he was giving me a hard time about it relentlessly. I finally told him to take it up with "the man." Go talk to the Assistant Principal if you don't like the rule. I was kidding, of course, and I never in a million years thought he would. I was trying to get him off my case. 

Sure enough, he marched up to him that week and negotiated his case. Last school year, Colt would barely say hi, let alone strike up a conversation like this with an adult. The Assistant Principal told me he was so shocked by the conversation, he ended up telling him that as long as they had an adult with them- they could ride again. So today we were back at it!

We also had the 3rd annual Special Olympics. It was such an amazing experience. He was so much less nervous, and really into it this year! Here are a few videos of the school yard, the olympics and lastly.......this kid got on a dirt bike by choice and rode it. HE HATES LOUD NOISES. We couldn't get him to even sit on it while it was off a few months ago. He rode it! And loved it. I am floored. Just absolutely shocked and SO grateful. 

I received the email today from Panama to update them on our progress. I can’t believe it’s been three months already. It’s hard for me to put to words all of the little changes we see- but they all add up. Language is probably the biggest change, he’s using so many new words and phrases. He was recently retested in speech, and when compared to his October test scores- he’s made some great progress in Expressive Language.

He’s been much braver and trying more new things. He’s been watching little brother do crazy things and not to be outdone, started trying some new stuff on the bike. That’s a pretty big deal for this kid who is normally extremely cautious and timid for things like this.

He’s also been wanting to be more independent. Dressing himself, taking showers and handling most of his own personal care needs (teeth brushing, hair washing, etc.). Pre-SCT he wanted us to do everything for him. And I’d bet he still would like the help but he’s been much more eager to try on his own.

We were told it could take six months to see any changes so I’m looking forward to potentially more changes. He recently had a cold/fever and it was very tame compared to how his body would normally handle a cold. Stem cells can do wonders for an immune system. I hope this is the new normal for him, as we have a history of being sick pretty often.

Okay, so I have been terrible about updating this. It's mostly because it's very hard to put to words what I have seen change. It's all very small things since that last epic dentist visit. A lot of little things. But don't they say- it's the little things that make life sweet?

One big change around here, we ditched the electronics. We took the games off of the iPad about a month ago, and then two weeks ago just ditched the devices entirely. I have seen a MARKED improvement in his behavior. Both of them really. Very little pushback from them too, which is fantastic. I am reading a book called "Reset Your Child's Brain." If you want to be scared to death about what cell phones, gaming and electronics are doing to our children's brains- read this. Colt is at a higher risk of this given he has developmental delays, ADHD and behavior issues. We notice a huge difference in negative behavior when he's just had iPad time.

Back to the update.....he's taken more of an interest in doing things like writing. See below. A totally unprompted session of him getting the paper, stapler and wanting to write math facts. I did help with the math a little, but the fact that he WANTED to do this is completely new.

He's also started wanting to be more independent. He has fine motor trouble, and gets frustrated very easily with things like zippers, socks, etc. He's been dressing himself for the last two weeks since school started- and what's more- he doesn't want my help when I offer it.

He's also been eating a little better. Not a lot. But definitely an improvement.

Can't wait to see what else unfolds. Hope everyone is having a great start to 2019!