Wow - Time Flies......

It's been so long since I blogged.....life has just been incredibly busy.

We are officially part of the Cerebral Palsy Society now, and the ladies have all been so lovely.  We are on a weekly schedule of Physio, and sporadic OT and Speech assistance.  We have been invited to participate in the 0 - 5 years Playgroup and Hydrotherapy starting next week, and although I'm a little nervous, we're going to attend.  I guess I just feel that compared to so many of the CP kiddies, we are pretty lucky.  Yes, life is much harder than it would be if he didn't have CP, but as his speech, eating and overall upper body abilities are all good, I kind of feel that we don't belong as much as those that have children with a more severe disability.  Saying that, it does feel like I've had a baby forever now.  I still have to carry Darcy everywhere (obviously), I don't have a toddler who can run around or walk to the park, we obviously haven't even contemplated toilet training, and he still sleeps in his cot, as until he can walk, he can't go into a toddler bed.  Hopefully there will be other Mums with kiddies of a similiar age / disability there!

Whilst Darcy has been diagnosed with Diplegia, we're not 100% sure.  We still haven't had a MRI or any X-Rays, and he refuses to allow anyone to examine him.  He gets the occassional tremor, and full body stiffness when tired or sick, so we are waiting until he either gets friendlier, or they feel it's time to put him to sleep, so they can examine him properly, and make a more formal diagnosis.  I feel it's more than Diplegia, but we'll have to wait and see.

We've had loads of accomplishments since my last blog.  He can stand holding on to something, walk along the couch sideways, sort of walks holding my hand for about 5 steps (and then gets tired).  He can zoom around the house pushing a little trolley thing, but tires quickly.  He lacks 'core' terribly, and we are trying to improve that.  Whilst he sits very well, he does tend to be off balanced and rock, and has to catch himself with his arm, or simply lean on it.

His speech is great.  He says loads of words now - although I'm sure this is mostly due to having two older brothers and a sister.  He's not really putting many words together, but names lots of things - light, ball, truck etc.

His eating is also pretty good - and he's in love with dry Nutri-Grain at the moment.

Sleep - not so good.  I'm going to leave it another four weeks, and then if necessary talk to the Sleep Team at the CP Society.  We're in desparate need of some more sleep.  He seems to cry out a lot in his sleep, and I wonder if he's experiencing cramps or something at night.

He's still very clingy....but hoping that will improve a little over the next few months.  He goes to daycare once a week, and whilst hates drop off, he loves being there, and is always having a ball when I pick him up.

No word on when Botox will start as yet, but we are thinking it will be about Feb next year.

That's about all, I think!!  Talk soon!  I've put some pictures below of Darcy dressed up for his cousins 1st Birthday Party last month. :)