Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Update: Tuesday, 12/6/11

Wow, less than 3 weeks till Christmas, where did the time go?! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... even in Forrest's room. Dad went to the store and bought not one, but two 3' lighted fake Christmas trees to put in Forrest's room. We're supplementing the holiday decorations by downloading Elf, Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer (1964), and of course by playing Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas" over and over again.

Dad, Maylin and I are anxiously awaiting Mom's return late tonight, but from our Skypeing with her she seems to be in high spirits and ready to return. We were graced by a visit from Shayna and Giovanni last weekend. They drove 4 hours from College to see Forrest! It was lots of fun having them tell stories of Forrest and play wii with him. Forrest truly has some incredible friends.

Forrest is working very hard every day. Usually at least once a day he is able to make an effort to fist bump or raise one of his arms on top of a pillow. While we are waiting for the consistent fistbumps and thumbs up's which will make communication much easier, we are focusing on improving his strength and endurance. He continues to spend 2 hours in his chair twice a day, and is doing a few minutes of standing each day. He's holding his head tall and gaining strength in his arms, legs, and core every day. We are still working towards getting him home, even if only for a day trip in the near term. We will keep you updated as we know more.

Love from Austin and Team 44

"Gio" showing him a Mercersburg poster Danny Quinn made.














Shayna and Gio playing wii with Forrest














Even with it raining this morning, the Christmas tree helps make the room feel cozy and warm

6 comments:

  1. How lovely to have the Christmas spirit filling Forrest's room! It's the season to celebrate miracles and we know that Forrest's miraculous healing will be accelerated this month. There are just too many happy aspects of the season's festivities to miss. We're thinking of you every day and so glad to hear of the steps of progress.

    I'm looking forward to the return of our travel warriors, too! Have a good week.

    Love,
    Diane

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your room sounds so nice for Christmas Forrest! What fun to have your friends visit too!!!

    Thinking of you and praying for blessings upon you!

    Love,
    Kelly and Family

    ReplyDelete
  3. I also love the addition of the Christmas tree to your deluxe room (the nurses told me you had the best room on the whole wing!!) And the tree looks really cool. So glad that Mum will be back tonight. I know she will have a lot to share with you about her trip. I hear you are working hard in therapy still...never doubted that for a minute. So very cool your friends came to visit!! Love it and I KNOW you love it. We see it in your eyes...Hurrah for such nice friends. Welcome home Mum. Good job Dad, Austin, and Maylin!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Forrest!! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! One day we will have to hear you sing that song with your wonderful singing voice. Meanwhile, you'll have to join hands with Mom, Dad & Austin and have them sing it. Wish we could all be there to sing along too, and maybe Away In A Manger. That's what the season's all about - the birth of our Lord Jesus!!

    Pictures of the pretty Christmas trees Dad got and put up in your room are wonderful. So nice. I like the gold. While Aunt Lynn was here helping me recover from cornea eye surgery she bought me a black and gold Mizzou tree and black & gold ornaments.and put pretty lights on it. I just really like it.

    You are doing a wonderful job with your therapy. That's really great.

    So glad your Mom's plane is probably landing about now; by the time she reads this to you it will be 'last night' . I know how anxious she is to get back to her boys and see how you are doing Forrest.

    I love you and know you will keep up the good work. Grandmom Allen

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Forrest and Team 44! I'm so glad to hear that you are working on your therapy again Forrest, and holding your head up so strong and proud! How wonderful that Dad brought Christmas trees for your room. You probably have a regular parade of people coming through just to see your decorations.

    It's great, too, that Gio and Shayna got to visit you. Friends like that are like gold in your pocket! I think of you so often, Forrest, and wonder what you are doing right then. I know you are always keeping busy, that's for sure! Keep up the good work!!

    Love, Joyce and Wilbur

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love seeing the photos of your room! We haven't even started decorating yet, although Sajen had glowing Christmas lights all over him for the Christmas parade!
    Keep up all your hard work. We love you!
    The Elgins

    ReplyDelete