Lucas James Stisher: Summer Pictures and a New Stisher

I'm overdue for an update! We are all doing well, and Lucas remains in good health, in spite of another cold for the past two weeks. I can't believe that summer is already over, but we had a great one! Boy, what a difference a year can make from last summer! We actually did things and went places this year! Below are a few of my favorite summer photos that were not included in previous postings. These are just a few of the MANY! I'm working on getting the albums done and posted for the last couple months (as usual, I'm behind)!
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A few new things in the past three weeks... Lucas is continuing to practice his new sounds of "dada" and the "b" sound. He doesn't always do it on command, its usually when we're not paying attention and he'll throw out a "dada", then turn and look at us with a big smile to see if we noticed. He knows he's done something that will get a reaction. Its also really cute to watch Abby say, "Lucas, say Ab-by" and she gets so excited when it comes out sounding pretty darn close. And, he's officially said "Mama". Yeah! He also has a few new tricks, when I say "get Mommy" he'll turn and look at me, and reach for my face, or nose, or whatever he can grab. This is very cool because he is using his newly found hand-eye coordination, with more language reception.
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He FINALLY got another tooth this week... may not sound like a big deal, but some doctors have been concerned about him being delayed in this area, thinking that the radiation from the many CT scans may be playing a part. His first tooth appeared in May, but it is still only half way in. Babies much younger than him already have 4-6 teeth. We're supposed to take him to a pediatric dentist to have a look, but haven't set that up yet.
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His vision continues to improve, and we can tell that he's able to see a little further away now, maybe about 5-6 feet. I have an update on all of our therapies that I'll write separately, as Lucas had his annual review last week with all three of the therapists (there's several things to tell about that meeting). We are also entering a round of doctor's appointments over the next couple weeks, which I'm a little nervous about... he sees the Neurosurgeon on Wednesday for a CT scan (to check the shunt's performance since his surgery six months ago). I'm nervous about this one because of the fluid build-up they saw on his CT scan in the ER in July. We'll find out this week if we have anything to worry about, whether the build up is there due to a malfunction or if it was just a temporary shift after the surgery. Please pray that it is the latter. He'll see the ophthamologist on Monday, who we haven't seen in several months. I always hate that appointment because it hasn't been good news so far. I'm actually about five months overdue on taking him in because I knew it wasn't critical for him to be seen right now, and I just didn't want to hear more bad stuff. I'm hopeful that it will be more optimistic this time, especially with the improvements we've seen. We've been suspicious that he can't see out of the right eye (only the left), but his vision therapist said last week that she thinks she sees some function in that eye and the brain may be finally picking something up there.
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We'll also see the pulmonologist in two weeks after several months of seeing her, I'm hoping she'll finally let us get rid of the apnea monitor. Fingers crossed. Now that he's on oxygen and we know about his tonsils and have a plan for removing them in 6-9 months, I don't see why we need the monitor anymore. Speaking of O2... Lucas is getting too smart! There is not a morning that I walk into his room that he hasn't removed the oxygen (taped to his face, and all). Seriously, EVERY morning it is off! And I can no longer put it on him before he goes to sleep, or he'll take the tape right off at night. Several times lately, I put him down almost asleep, go back in 10 minutes later to check on him, and he has the cannula in his hand shaking it above his head, as he looks up at me with a big grin. Little stinker! I have to make sure he is totally asleep before putting it on him, and who knows when it actually comes off during the night or morning... I'm sure the pulmonologist will be pleased about that!
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Some exciting news in the family... the newest little Stisher arrived last week, Seth and Mary Ann welcomed a beautiful baby boy. We haven't had a chance to get down to visit yet, but we will very soon.
Meet Lucas' new cousin, Landon James Baxley Stisher....