Landon is 18 months old now. Hard to believe. He is walking about 80% of the time now. He learns new words everyday (too many to count now) and is becoming more independent in everything he does.
He recently underwent developmental testing. A few things that stuck out to me (Gary). He is 71st percentile for weight (25.5 lbs for those scoring at home). A minor miracle in itself. He was born underweight and spent the first month of his life struggling to eat. Dr. Hoover (his pediatrician) said it was a miracle at how well he is doing.
Further, they concluded that cognitively he processes things like a 24-month old. It's a huge blessing to see him thrive. Allison said that we shouldn't enroll him in Harvard quite yet, but to be six months ahead of schedule is really awesome.
Unfortunately, we're not done yet. He still needs one more surgery. I think about it a little more everyday. It will be happening sooner than I want to believe, but not fast enough so that it can be over.
On the surgery note, Landon had his cardiology appointment with Dr. Brames. Everything is progressing well and we got the first timeline guesstimate as to when his third surgery would occur. He stated that this next surgery is mostly based on size. Dr. Brames said that November could be a time-frame that we look to do the third surgery. Dr. Brames wants Landon to be between 12 - 14 kilograms when it is performed. Landon is currently 11.6 kilograms. Basically, if Landon gains around a pound a month (which has been his pace lately) he would be 14 kilograms in six months.
Here are some of my favorite things about Landon currently:
I can look at him a certain way that says I am going to tickle him and he starts laughing without even being touched.
He loves stacking blocks and making the noise an elephant makes and acting out the trunk motion with his arm.
He loves many different foods. While not a perfect eater, he mostly loves to eat.
Elmo rules the day. If sending a gift, wrapping an Elmo in Elmo wrapping paper is cloud nine for him.
He loves to blow you kisses when he is saying good-bye.
He loves his plastic rings. It's like his rubik's cube. I can relate :).
He loves books, especially the ones that make sound. Animal sounds are the best. See elephant comment above.
He loves to talk. Many things that are said now have a meaning.
But what rules almost everything, and might give Elmo a run for his money, are baths. Landon absolutely loves being in the water.
He surprises me with something new that he says or does just about everyday. I think one of the best questions that Allison and I can ask each other everyday is "Did Landon do anything different while you were around him?"
What an honor it is to call myself his dad.
Gary
