Houston, we have steps....AND A 2 YEAR OLD!!

That's right....steps AND a 2 year old! So much to celebrate right now! 2 years ago almost to the minute Jake came into our lives and changed us forever. We are so blessed to have him as our own. He is the light of our lives and the best thing that we could have imagined in our lives. Tomorrow we will celebrate with friends who have always supported us. We wish more family could be here but know that your influence and prayers have helped us through these 2 incredibly bumpy but joyful years. So here's to everyone who has been in our lives and in Jake's life. Thanks to all of you. Cheers!

On to the next best thing....J is taking S-T-E-P-S!! Seriously?!!! Where has he been hiding this huge trick?! He got his AFO's and sure steps about 2 weeks ago so we have been putting them on him for an hour + a day to get his feet used to them. We found the cutest little Vans that actually fit his orthotics! He is the most stylin' little toddler on the block! So, he has been letting me pick up his foot one at a time and move them forward while leaning on me-what a tiring job! He is still getting used to the feeling and weight of all of the things on his feet. Needless to say, he has not been too thrilled with me "walking" him around he house. While Bailey is super motivating for him, she doesn't stay still long enough to actually walk over to. This is when I have to get creative-especially on nights Bobby works until 6 and I do therapy practice on my own. Monday his PT, Allison, came over and I showed her what we were working on. I feel kind of silly thinking back considering what J-man did next. She grabbed him and had him face me and she just so slightly tilted one hip forward (causing the foot to naturally go forward too) and he took the tiniest step. The best part was the look on his face-"Wait, I just did that? Did that just happen?" Too funny. So she tilted his other hip forward and the other foot took a step! WHAT??!! By the end of PT that day he was crying (as he always does by the end) but taking huge step and bending his knee on-his-own!! We officially have a walker! We have been practicing like crazy and while it isn't his favorite thing, he is taking steps like a rock star! The next step is having him hold hands while being assisted (hip tilting/twisting) and then steps without hip tilting/twisting. He still hates having his hands held to do anything so that really will be quite the challenge. Amazing news, right?!

In OT he is doing a lot too! He is now signing (sign language) for please. He does it in two steps with "more" and then "please" which is a huge accomplishment  for him. We are now working on 2 step directions. He does great with one step directions. His therapist asked Jake to give me the paper with our week's "homework" and he did it. Then I asked him for a toy he was playing with and he transfered form one hand to the next and gave it to me. These seem like little, unimportant things but the fact that he is doing these things is bigger then big!

He is in for a busy day tomorrow with his birthday party and more importantly, cake! I sent cupcakes with him to day care today and when I picked him up he smelled like a big cupcake. He had frosting in every crevice you could imagine-and that was after she basically hosed him down! Our little man loves cake, what can we say! Thanks for all the birthday wishes, card, and gifts! I have taken pictures of everything and will make sure I email you some good one! He loves cards because they seem like books-if only we would have bought him a ton of music-playing cards! :) Happy Birthday sweetest boy in the entire world. You make mommy and daddy so proud. We love you more than anything and can't wait for what the future brings and your third year of life. XOXOXOXOXO