It’s been a busy few weeks for Henry and Frankie! We’ve had some exciting milestones, a few unexpected challenges, and lots of fun watching the boys grow into their own little personalities.
Frankie Is on the Move!
Frankie continues to amaze us! He’s now doing 15-minute sprints off his ventilator twice a day, and he’s doing wonderfully!
He’s also making great progress with mobility. He’s working hard on crawling, standing, and walking with support. He’s even figured out how to get around independently by scooting backward until he reaches his destination. We’re especially grateful to Shriners Children’s for donating Frankie’s new Go Chair! After completing his very own driver’s education, they built out a powerchair just for him. We’ve brought it home, and while he’s still learning to drive intentionally, it’s incredible watching him discover his own independence.
We’re also celebrating progress with his G-tube feeds. He’s up to 26 milliliters of fluid! That might sound tiny, but we’re already about a quarter of the way to our goal before introducing actual food through his tube. Every milliliter is a victory!
Preschool is on the Horizon!
It’s hard to believe, but we’re already talking about preschool! Frankie will qualify for special education services through our school district. The plan is for him to attend a few hours each week, riding the school bus in his powerchair with his nurse accompanying him. After everything he’s been through, the thought of him heading off to preschool is pretty incredible. I’m still exploring options for Henry, but we’re touring a farm school later this month that sounds right up his alley! The boy could happily explore a tractor all day.
Halloween, Spider-Man, and Pinecone Soup
Henry is absolutely obsessed with Halloween this year! He loves saying “Halloween” and learning about ghosts, cats, bats, pumpkins, witches, and brooms. He’ll even give you some very enthusiastic spooky sound effects: “EEEEEK!”
He’s also recently transformed into Spider-Man. He’s been borrowing a Spider-Man mask from daycare almost daily, and I think it’s safe to say he’s ready for one of his own! When he’s not saving the world, he’s usually busy playing outside, exploring, or cooking up something delicious in his mud kitchen. Mom and Grandma are regularly served pinecone soup and other backyard delicacies.
A Little Bump in the Road
Unfortunately, we were involved in a car accident a couple of weeks ago. Thankfully, no one was injured, and the airbags didn’t deploy. Our van is still in the shop, which has been challenging, but we’re incredibly grateful to family for loaning us a vehicle. The accident shook me up, so we’ve temporarily paused soccer and some of our other outings. I’m just not comfortable driving anywhere that isn’t absolutely necessary right now. Hopefully, we’ll be back to our adventures soon!
Christmas Wishes for the Boys
People have already started asking what the boys might like for Christmas, so here’s a little glimpse into their current favorites!
Henry still loves Meekah and Blippi, but Spider-Man, Buzz Lightyear, Pete the Cat, Mickey Mouse (and his whole gang!), and Paw Patrol are also big favorites. He’d especially enjoy a Spider-Man mask, soccer ball and goal, children’s binoculars, a pretend workbench with tools, a camping playset, or anything involving tractors and imaginative outdoor play.
Frankie is our curious little problem solver. He loves toys with buttons, doors that open and close, things he can pull, and mirrors. Woody is his absolute favorite, especially Woody’s hat and boots,!
He’s also a huge fan of Indestructibles books. He currently has Things That Go, Baby Animals, The Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Let’s Go Outside, Jungle Rumble, Baby, Find the Shapes, and Abby Cadabby. New titles would be wonderful!
Both boys still use their Tonieboxes daily. They already have Pete the Cat, Fantasia Mickey, and Paw Patrol’s Chase and Tracker, but don’t have any Toy Story or Spider-Man characters yet. They would both enjoy Buzz, Woody, Jessie, Mickey Mouse Club House, Minnie Mouse Clubhouse, Spidey, Baby Shark, Caspar Babypants, Blippi, and Abby Cadabby.
Between ventilator sprints, wheelchair driving lessons, preschool planning, and Halloween excitement, there’s so much happening in our little world. Thank you for continuing to love, support, and cheer on our boys. We have so much to be grateful for! ❤️
