Austin, Austin, Austin....where to begin.
Austin is in the first grade now and seems to really enjoy school. Like all of us, some days aren't as good as others, but he has learned many good things from school. The best one of all...Austin can ride the bus now without his wheelchair. Austin has learned to walk up the bus steps all by himself. Learning to come down them is a work in progress..some days he trys his best to come down, other days he likes to play the sitting game on each step, but it still means that he doesn't need to be transported to and from school in a wheelchair. He has learned to love all sorts of vegetables being at school. He turns the water on to wash his hands. He goes over to the changing table at school when he needs to be changed and can even climb up onto the table himself. He is even learning to pull up his pants after getting changed. He recently received an IPAD and we are in the process of learning how to use a chat program on there to help him communicate. Communication is an area in which we are really focused on right now. Lately he is communicating alot more using eye contact, grabbing things, pulling on our shirts or grabbing our arms. With that said, he is also showing more frusteration when we can't figure it out. He makes loud noises, slides down on the couch or chair or sits on the floor and kicks his legs when he is mad or frusterated. Sometimes I feel like sitting right down next to him and doing the same. We are hoping that the IPAD will help him communicate with words and/ or pictures by giving him choices and making him choose. We definately see that he is starting to make connections to different things. It's great to see that his little brain is working. He likes to help himself to things that are within reach. So after many a spilled glasses, many a broken items, we are learning that Austin is MOBILE and nothing is safe. He leaves a trail of destruction. We always can tell where Austin has been. It's all good though and we wouldn't change it for the world. He has become a climber and likes to try to climb anything and everything. He can walk to bed now, climb in the bath (with assistance of course), walks to the car and with a little boost can get into the big SUV by himself and scoot back in his seat. Austin seems to be eating much more orally, so we don't use his feeding tube nearly as much as in the past. Hopefully in the next year or so, we can say goodbye to that. Austin is a very happy little boy. He loves to play with his brother and Dad and loves to cuddle with mom. He has made so many accomplishments in the past year. He has so much in that little body and brain of his. He still has many more hurdles to overcome, but with his continuing progress we always see HOPE!!!!

Day 8
Therapy in Santiago
Well, where do I begin. Austin had a laughing type of day at therapy and has discovered new sounds and the desire to say the "H" sound. He is so darn cute when he trys to do it. Not only is therapy going great, Austin's appetite is very good and his desire to try different ways to communicate with us seems to be greater. The other day Austin ate two hot dogs in twenty minutes. For those of you that don't know Austin too well, he is very picky, most of the time taking a single bite of something and then throwing the rest to the ground, very rarely eating enough to make up a whole meal. Just two more reasons that Cuevas Medek Therapy is so beneficial to Austin. Not that we needed any other reason. Morning session was great for Austin today, but afternoon, well lets just say that Ramon said "diffictult, but good". At times Austin was laughing so hard during an exercise, that Ramon made a joke that "Austin is making mockery of me!" Poor Ramon, Austin just had a big case of the giggles, and if you have ever heard Austin laugh, he can get a whole room laughing!!! Although Ramon didn't seem to want to laugh with him. I will post pictures tomorrow, although not very many from today. Early bed time tonight. I can only imagine how Austin feels.

Day 7 Therapy in Santiago Morning session. Excellente!! We were all proud of Austin. Ramon was able to do some more experimental exercises with him. To Ramon's suprise Austin surpassed his expectations!!!!! Ramon said "Something just told me to do this exercise with Austin and I wasn't too sure what to expect, but had a good feeling and WOW!" When we see the responses Austin is having to therapy it is such a great feeling. Sometimes words can not describe. Great Morning Session

Well, may have spoke a little too soon. Afternoon session was difficult, but a good challenge for Ramon. Austin was just not having the afternoon therapy. At first he laughed with each exercise, then he would just sit. Per Ramon, "partly because he just didn't want to do it, partly because he wasn't "clicking" with the brain and the other part because he was still processing all the input from the AM". Guess every session can't be the same. Overall still productive. Wish we could figure our little man out sometimes and what he is thinking.

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Day 6 (Continued)
Therapy in Santiago

Here is Austin's best session by far. He ROCKED it! Way to go buddy! So happy for Austin and all his accomplishments so far. I also want to thank Big brother Zach who has been such a great kid for his grandparents this past week or so. It was very hard the day we had to leave for Chile, but he has been having a good time and being a great helper. We are proud of you Zach and can't wait to see you. XOXO

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