8.8.08

It is an amazing date, the day my baby boy turns 1 and a half. It's also the start of the Olympics. Did you also know that the Chinese think the number 8 to be lucky? In Maderin, 8 and wealth are the same word---which in and of itself is a true testament to Jackson, he is my "wealth" and he was born on February 8.

I truly cannot believe that almost year and a half have past since we welcomed our sweet baby boy into this world. He continues to stun and amaze our medical team and family and friends. It's not that he doesn't amaze or stun Jon and I, it is just that we expect it, we always knew he would do great things (even prior to our diagnosis); it's just that our "great things" are what others would call "small things". When Jackson does the smallest of tasks, like pushing a toy with his left hand, we are overjoyed and when he does things other children would get in trouble for, like turn the light switch on and off a hundred times, we congratulate him like he just won a gold medal; so much so that now when he turns the light on and off, he looks at us and says "GOOD!" The kid is truly amazing!

He is learning and exploring his world and discovering new things everyday and he has so many words no that it is hard to keep up---his word of the week though is "COOL!"---Silly boy! He is also getting to the point where he will carry on conversations with you or OVER you, whichever is most convenient at the time. Just last night on the way home, he and I had a conversation about what we had both done all day---he started the conversation and then I asked him, if he wanted to hear about my day and he responded "yes"----what a truly remarkable accomplishment---there was more jabber than anything else, but I know the day is coming soon when we will be able to have full conversations and I can't wait.

On the medical update front, we are awaiting Jackson's new KAFOS and built up shoes, so that we can start using the walker, which me, Jon and Gayla (our PT) have modified to make it more comfortable for Jackson. Once we have the braces, I will post pics of him in it.

I will try to post pictures tonight----not sure how we are going to "celebrate" just yet...

xo,

the heckerts