Michael

Michael has started eating with utensils by himself. He has been feeding himself for a while, but mostly using his hands. I still had to help with many things, things that weren't easy to pick up or required a spoon, etc. He has been stealing our forks for a while, but mostly just playing with them. Trying to poke his dinner, but not really getting anything. And then last weekend at Lynne's, he had his fork and my fork - one in each hand - and started actually getting some bites in his mouth. He was actively trying to feed himself with the forks. Then, to show how serious he was about his new, emerging skill he worked hard on some chocolate chip ice cream and really put a dent in that bowl with his spoon.
Before this weekend,I would periodically work on this with him - help him scoop something and move his hand to his mouth. But, I wasn't worried about it. I was not really trying to get him to do this. In therapy, there are exercises and things we would work so hard on and then as he accomplished them, we were so excited. This feels different to me. A different excitement, one that makes me cry. Michael decided by himself that this is what he wanted and he worked on it and tonight at dinner - ate stir-fry by himself. This gives me hope.

On a different note, the physical therapist and I think his right leg is shorter than his left. He always has his weight on the right with the left bent. We measured as best we could, he doesn't like other people - mostly doctors - touching him. But, it seems there might be a 1/4 inch difference. Sometimes, the bowing of the tibia occurs in those with neurofibromatosis, so we are going to see an orthopedist, get an x-ray and check it all out. Just what I was hoping for - one more specialist to add to the list of doctors that he needs to see periodically. Did I mention he hates going to the dr? :)

Emily's Birthday

We went up to Phoenix to spend some time with family and celebrate Emily's birthday. We had a really fun time. Jeremy took some professional quality pictures and we played games. We hope you had a fun time, Em. I had to include the photos. They make me smile. You relax your face completely and shake your head quickly while someone takes a picture!

Dress Code

During General Conference we have a very strict dress code. Michael was a little above the curve. He wanted both of the ties. It was a wonderful conference, even if I am a little late in posting about it.

Lately, I feel like Heavenly Father has really been listening to me. I am so grateful. I feel like he is aware of me. Last week I went to the temple. I have been worried about Michael lately. I kept obsessing about why his fontanels have not closed. They usually have by his age. So, naturally I am afraid he has a brain tumor that is growing (one of the reasons fontanels do not close on time), this is something that sometimes happens with people with Neurofibromatosis. I know that is not natural, I know that I am a worrier, it will most likely close in time. But, this scenario (the brain tumor - not the fontanels) is the one I have been afraid of since his initial diagnosis. I have been afraid I will lose him. That he will not survive. I was fasting about him and praying in the temple. I had the thought (one that I have heard and should know by now) that I needed to have faith, that faith is the absence of fear. And that Michael has a journey he needs to take, the reason he was sent to earth. And that whatever happens will be what Heavenly Father has planned for my Michael. And that I am blessed to be a part of this journey and that it will be filled with joy. I literally felt my fear be replaced with faith and joy. It was like a little ball of happiness inside me. So, who knows what is to come - I still have no idea if he has a long full life ahead of him or just another year. By the way, he seems to be really healthy right now. But, I know that Heavenly Father knows and is in charge and wants us to be happy.

The Diary of Anne Frank, the play that Jeremy directed at the University of Arizona closes this weekend. I went to see it with Lynne and we both thought it turned out really well. I was so proud of him and to see his name and picture next to the title of Director. It was a crazy time, but I think it was really good for him. Hopefully, another directing opportunity will come again. But I am grateful for now to be seeing more of him and for some of the stress to be relieved.