Terry was eating his oatmeal this morning, with lots of raisins!  He dragged raisins into a pile and picked up a spoonful (took about 20 minutes to do that!) and ate them!  A few minutes later I noticed he had switched hands and was eating left handed!  That's never happened before!

This afternoon he was working with his Occupational Therapist and she was having him throw a ball to her.  I was standing there watching and he said, "Deborah, don't you want to take a picture of me?"  So, of course I grabbed the camera and clicked away!  Another amazing day!

About 4am this morning Terry called my name!  When I answered him he said, "Will you help me get out of this bed?"!  I turned him and talk to him a few minutes.  I think he just needed to move.  He went right back to sleep.

It's so exciting to hear him talk like that!

Here is a post I wrote May 18.  Can't remember why I didn't post it, probably wanted to write more.  But I'll post it now...

Well, I want to take a few minutes and try to share some of the things Terry has done in the last six weeks.  I know I'll miss a lot, but just to give you an idea of how much he's improved!

The first major change was eating.  When we left for Charlotte he was still getting his nutrition from the tube feedings.  On the way I had the pump running feeding him during the day.  While we were there it was the same for the first week or so.  Then he started eating.  It was like turning a switch.  He wanted whatever I was eating, and so I shared my meals with him.  It wasn't long before I stopped feeding him through his tube because he was eating enough food!

The second major change was speaking.  He just started responding to being spoken to.  When asked how he was, he would answer and ask how are you?!  While we were in Charlotte he spoke here and there, enough that everyone was trying to get him to talk just so they could hear his voice.  The last day we were there he talked to everyone!

After we got to Mississippi he was quiet for a couple of days then started talking again.

We arrived there on Friday evening.  On Sunday afternoon my sister Theresa came down from Alabama.  When she walked in the door he spoke to her!  They've called each other Ralph and George for years and he say "Hey George".  First of all I was surprised to hear him speak without being asked a question, and I was really surprised that he recognized her!

All along I've talked to him just as though he understood me and could answer.  I always ask him what he wants to do, go, watch on tv, etc.  Of course I was accustomed to getting no response and making every decision for him.  Just imagine how I felt when he started answering me!  When I asked if he wanted to sit on the balcony or walk down to the beach and got an answer it was wonderful!

When I give him choices for a meal he can tell me what he prefers!  If he's thirsty he'll say "You got any coffee? or coke?" or whatever he wants!

He makes jokes!  Rolls his eyes!  Smirks!  Raises his eyebrows!

Tonight I was putting him to bed and was about to move him from the wheelchair to the bed with the lift.  I hooked up the sling and had the control in my hand.  He said, "Give it here."  So, I handed it to him.  He tried to push the button but he couldn't, so finally I pushed it while he held it.  After I got him up and over the bed, I showed him the down button and he pushed it!!!!!!

Yesterday (Saturday) the power went out for a few hours.  Terry was sleeping, so I took advantage and took a nap, also.  When I woke up he was watching me and I ask if I was snoring.  He said, "Sorta".  Don't know how you sorta snore, but wasn't that sweet?  That's my husband! the master of tact and diplomacy!

This morning at Church he sang!  We were standing for a song and I heard him singing!  I wish I could have videoed him!  He did the same one other time, but this time he sang more.

Terry is fighting another urinary tract infection so he's been a little quiet this week.  He has still made improvements, however.

We have Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy working with him again.  He has a long way to go but he rreally works hard!

This week I gave him a page with shapes and stickers to match. He was able to match them!  Of course, it took a while, but he did it!  He makes jokes, shakes hands, eats anything and everything!  He reads! He even signed his name one day!

We've been home from Mississippi 2 weeks already!  I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update on here.  My excuse is I'm too busy enjoying watching Terry grow!  It's like watching a toddler learn new things every day!

There is so much to report about him.  I'll try to get my thoughts in order and post often.  But first I wanted to show some pictures from our trip.  I've tried to put them in order as you scroll down, which is opposite for posting.  There are quite a few so be sure to click on "Older Posts" to see them.  It was hard to choose....I took over 700 pictures...no I didn't post them all!

If anyone that came to see us has pictures that you want to put on here just email them to me and I will post them.