Aiden walks!!

Hello Friends. I am so sorry that I am having a hard time keeping up with you all. My class is taking longer than I expected and I am working hard to organize some help for our family. This all having been said I do have a couple of updates for you.

First and foremost, Aiden is walking. He's not just using his gait trainer with great agility. He's not cruising around the living room. He is actually walking; on his own! Seriously, he stands up (still using a chair, couch,etc. to get up) and he goes. Sundays are probably his favorite days. In church we have a wide carpeted area with lots of room to walk. Thus his love for Sunday. Aiden just goes and goes. This past Sunday I had to grab him several times as he headed down the center aisle. A friend teased, saying that maybe Aiden was heading up to give his testimony. I believe that in truth Aiden is a testimony of God's faithfulness.

We took Aiden to MCV on Monday for a second MRI. I have not yet gotten any results and our expectation is that nothing will be different from the first done in April. However, since we are considering adult stem cell therapy it is imperative that we make sure Aiden's problems come from brain damage, not genetic difficulties. (We have also been to the geneticist to have a more in depth gene test done.) Aiden did very well with the actual test process. He had to be anesthetized (that makes me terribly nervous), but they did not have to intebate him to insure an airway.

I brought home a CD of the MRI scans. It is rather amazing to look at the inside of my child's brain. Through my class I have looked at brain research and the areas of the brain. This information has definitely come in handy in the last week. In looking at the MRI I was able to identify several of the internal parts of the brain. It was really neat (for lack of a better word). This having been said, I really don't know what I am looking at, nor do I know what I am looking for in terms of Aiden's brain damage or functioning. We will have to wait for the doctor to let us know what the results are. (Just so you know, I don't wait well!!)

There is still no speech from my little man. I am struggling with being very negative and frustrated about this. It is not just that Aiden is not speaking, it is that he seems unaware of the process of language. He does not seem to understand that either sign, pictures or vocalizations equal a response. I have certainly cried many tears wondering if my little guy will ever really get it. But this week speech therapy was different. Usually I put Aiden down and he immediately heads out the door. This week he took his therapist's hand, walked into the therapy room and found the toys. What a difference a day (or a week) makes.

For me, speech seems to be the next big step; the next developmental milestone that we need to pass. To long for the sound of your child saying, "I love you", and not knowing if that will ever happen can be heart breaking. I realize that there are others, parents of children who are much more involved than Aiden, who will never hear those words; for them my heart hurts. I have learned, however, that in the grand scheme of things, those words are not the most important. Instead it is the state of the heart of the child and the love of the parent that really matter.

I do question when I will get to the point when the love I have will override the worldly expectations in my heart. It is ultimately unfair to Aiden and the rest of my family for me to focus on my own desires for him. I am learning to focus on the blessings.....Dave who supports me with both Aaron and Addison and with Aiden.....Aaron and Addison who (mostly) bring great laughter, fun and joy......Aiden who's smile lights up the sky and who teaches me about hard work. Please continue to pray for this work in my heart.

Thank you all so much for the prayer support that you provide. Your prayers are being answered!!! Aiden is walking!! I am learning!! We are growing as a family in our understanding of each other and the Lord!

Blessings to you all,
~Christa