Toby doesn't think ornaments belong on the tree. They are obviously new toys for him.

Toby enters into the holiday spirit by staring intently at dessert. No fear - he didn't bother eating it.

The past two weeks have been busy ones for our small boy. Every day he is learning new things. One of his most significant achievements is that he can now crawl! The therapist had told us that he would most likely go straight to walking and then learn to crawl later, but Toby chose to continue his route of unpredictability and learn to crawl and walk at the same time. He still is not walking completely on his own, but we often see him letting go and walking unaided from one piece of furniture to the next. He also enjoys breaking free from his tether and hauling himself up the stairs. He grows stronger every day.

Saturday was a day stuffed with adventure. Toby pulled the button out of his stomach and earned himself a trip to the emergency room where the medical staff rigged up a temporary tubing system (constructed mainly of a catheter). Today, he returned to the hospital and got a brand new button.

The rest of the week will continue to be busy. Two more trips to Ann Arbor are on the books - one for his assessment and one for his speech therapy.

Hearing Test

Toby had his hearing test today and did well! He has some fluid in his ears- maybe from the cold he's had. The pediatrician will check it out and see if it is a temporary problem or ongoing and he will have a follow up test in March. But no cause for concern now.
Smiles all around!

MRI Results

White matter changes in MRI are evidence of injury in utero or early days and correspond to parts of the brain related to motor development. This is a possible explanation for the gross motor delays we are seeing. Toby will see the developmental doctor again at the end of January at which time she will judge the progression of his gross motor skills and consider additional diagnoses. This finding means that he is at risk for more problems in the future.

Meanwhile, Toby has begun seeing a physical therapist and speech therapist in Hillsdale. Neither of them are the pediatric specialists he would have in Ann Arbor but do seem like they are good local sources. We are thankful to have found them and pray that Toby makes progress under their tutelage.

The MRI report is not the one we were hoping for. But we still know that God is good. Has been, is, and will be. And Toby is still the same sweet, little boy- just wearing a new label.