Wow it's almost 4 months since I've updated!  Mama has been busy! 

EOS and food- Sam's scope in August came back clear for any eosinophils!  We got the go ahead to restart new foods again. He ate cucumber for a few days and it clearly gave him too much acid.  He woke up a few nights vomiting and we stopped that.  Bummer since he really loved them!!!  Started apples again and he's been doing well with those.  He's also now eating freeze dried strawberries, red grapes, cantaloupe, and cape cod potato chips along with banana and carrots which he was already eating.  He still only eats 2 x a day and small amounts.  We tried sweet potato fries with him a few days and he loved them but then he got a cold.  Need to try those again along with regular potatoes for fries, mashed or roasted.  Going to try turkey with him for this thanksgiving. He did love that so I'm hoping he still will and he doesn't have any reations!   Working on cutting back his formula- he's still on EO28 splash and usually drinks 28-32 ozs. a day.  We've had problems getting the splash approved again through insurance due to Sam's biopsies being clear, him gaining weight steadily (60th% now) and he's over 2.5 years old.  Harvard Pilgrim denied it several times.  We are now with Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA and I'm waiting on the approval from them.  Thankfully we had some great friends, the GI doc and Nutricia themselves help us with formula and we've gotten a good supply at no cost.  Each case cost $115 with no insurance and that's only 27 individual boxes which would last just over 6 days!  Craziness!  I need to check in with BCBS to see what the hold up is!!!

We finally got MassHealth Commonhealth supplemental insurance approved for Sam!  That is a huge relief!!  I originally applied for him back in April and kept getting denial letters.  Finally got a contact (from another EOS mom) and got some much needed help with the disability portion of MH.  We even got them to backdate the start of coverage day to April when it was finally approved in October!  Waiting on some reimbursements now for co-pays we've made to docs and the pharmacy!  Finally something good for us and we are very thankful!

ABA update- We changed ABA providers in September and are very happy with the 2 therapists.  He receives 10 hours a week from them.  They are a bit different than the last provider in that they don't do as much table work.  They are able to run trials with whatever he is doing and even if we go out into the community to get him used to going to different playspaces.  Next on my list is to visit a restaurant with him and the therapist. 

Daycare- He has been going to daycare 3 mornings a week since September and does well for the most part. He's come a long way from when he first started.  He tolerates the other kids being around him, sits for circle time, plays appropriately and even initiates some peer interaction. With the help of the ABA therapists we had the Providers start using PECS with Sam while he's there.  He really thrives on a routine and knowing what's going to happen next.  I think that's helped him and them out tremendously with less tantrums or frustrations.  Some mornings I have to literally "drag" him out of the house to go but then I come back to pick him up and he doesn't want to leave.  My goal for January is to try and get him to nap there but we shall see.

Speech- every day he has been saying new words, even little ones like "eye" and "toe" yesterday!!   He has been repeating words upon request a lot recently or at least attempts to.   His speech is still very delayed though and he hardly ever puts 2 words together besides "all done" or "go outside" for instance which he usually doesn't say either.  He had a re-eval done by early intevention at 30 mths and he tested at 16-18 mths.  It is hard at times hearing how behind he is to his peers and that we can't have even a small conversation with him.  But we are confident that he will catch up with the continued services he gets at home and hopefully at the integrated preschool he will start at his 3rd birthday on 3/29/11.   The 1st steps have begun for his evaluation which should take place between January and February.

Sam does continue to be a very bright, energetic and affectionate boy!!!   He is the biggest mush ever and loves hugs and kisses!   He loves being tickled, hiding under the blankets on the couch and playing with us, dancing, using his imagination to play with his stuffed animals (pretends his diapering them or cleaning them up), going shopping with his cart, bag and keys, loves coloring and playdough, puzzles, cars and trains and of course let's not forget he still LOVES watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and now Timmy Time!!!   All he ever says is "Ickey or T" for Timmy!  

As Thanksgiving approaches we are very thankful to have such a special child in our lives who makes us see what the important things are and makes us better people every day!  Love him more than anything!!!