Wow - what a year 2007 has been! While there have been many joyous moments and incredible experiences, we are relieved and ebullient that this year is coming to an end as well. We have been so thankful that Finn did so amazingly during his surgery and recovery, but of course we never imagined a year ago that this is what 2007 would look like for Finn and our family. Nevertheless, the year is ending on an incredibly good note. We all had a fantastic Christmas – including Finn who loved catching snowflakes with his eyelashes, pointing at Christmas lights, unwrapping gifts, and listening to his sister sing carols – and we know that 2008 is going to be filled with even more joy and wonder.
Already, Finn has been making some astounding progress as the year draws to a close. First, he has started feeding himself! For a long while, he would just mash up food in his hands, but now he picks up food with his fingers and gets it into his mouth! This is huge! It takes him a little while and sometimes the pieces fall, but every day he seems to be getting better and better at this. We love to watch him eat! He is also pretty much eating what we are these days. We still make sure the food pieces are relatively small, but for the most part he can eat just about anything now. It is truly wonderful. Additionally, Finn is pointing at everything! This is a wonderful use of his fine motor skills and communication. He has even started making the sign language sign for “more.” He doesn’t always use it appropriately, but the great part about this is that he is learning that a gesture like this can be used to communicate. He also attempts to clap when you say “yeah,” when we has done something cool. And he started playing ball with his grandpa too when he was visiting recently! He’ll throw a ball to you, and he giggles with delight at this game, especially when you say “hot tamale!” when throwing the ball.
Finn has also been making some huge strides when it comes to his gross motor skills. He now “commando crawls,” using both arms and legs (as opposed to the inch-worming he was doing before where he was just pulling his legs) to get around. He has also been getting up on his hands and knees by himself and rocking in that position. And most excitingly, he has started pulling himself up on low-lying furniture and his activity tables! He has just started doing this over the past few days. Twice this morning, he went from being flat on his tummy to getting up into a standing position at an activity table. I can not even begin to convey how incredible this is. It brings tears of joy to my eyes and prayers of thankfulness to my heart every time. He is really doing it! He is really progressing and developing. The fears and doubts are being washed away and I am rejoicing in the simple beautiful truth of what we are witnessing. I am so thankful for this miracle that is my son. I know many people love John Lennon’s timeless Beautiful Boy as much as I do, but I have felt its poignancy even more strongly as of late. “Every day in every way, it’s getting better and better.” This is Finn’s life. This is Finn’s future.
We welcome in 2008 with the widest of open arms and heart. It is going to be an extraordinary year for Finn. We KNOW he is going to walk, talk, and catch up with his peers. I bet he will be running and jumping around at this time next year. We hope you will remain part of our journey with your prayers and thoughts. Best wishes to all of you and your loved ones too for the best year ever!
Oh, and we’ve got some new pictures up too in the Winter 2007/2008 Gallery. Enjoy!
