May 5
Luke is back. Yay. He's chatty again, initiating conversation. Pulled out some cookies from the fridge tonight, on his own initiative, and said, "I want one". I can't remember all the words and snippets of conversation, but he's totally back from his two-week stomach virus regression. Always a relief.

May 13
Just a couple quick stories on how Luke's progressing:
We were early for preschool one morning so he sat on my lap and we talked about who would be in preschool that day. I mentioned "Daniel" and "Abby" and then paused for a while. And he was thinking and thinking and finally said "Wren" in a shy cute voice. Wren's a petite little blond girl that is often written about in Luke's back-and-forth preschool book. I was overjoyed that he was providing his own part of a conversation... so hopeful and proves that he is totally coming around.

The other story is about the hearing test. We've gone 2 times a year for the past 3 years and they've always been somewhat frustrating and in the end "inconclusive". This time Luke behaved (as always) and performed the required task all by himself (had to touch a small wood cylinder to his cheek and when he heard a noise he had to put it in a designed pegboard hole). The lady guiding him explained and coaxed him along, and in the end he was totally cooperative and amazing. They've tried this "audiology" game every time before and he just didn't get it. I had gone into the hearing appointment with pre-conceived disappointment, and left with a report of no hearing issues (except for a waxy-somewhat plugged right ear that prevented him from hearing lower frequencies, but would resolve/unplug itself over time). We don't have to go back there, unless we request another test. I can't believe that something in Luke's life is finished and we can close the door on something! Wow.

May 16
Luke has been beyond unbelievable. His speech is better and better everyday. It was Joel's birthday this weekend and both sets of grandparents were here... Luke sat on Grandpa B's lap for a few mealtimes which he's never done before. He would go up to Grandpa, grab his hand and say "Come on the trampoline" and Grandpa would play with him. He would answer questions in a timely and appropriate way. He would put a fork across the top of his cup and say "I build a bridge" (such imagination). He kept asking to go to the trailer (we have a trailer on a lake half an hour from here and we're going next weekend). He would ask for specific food when he wanted it. His behaviour is pretty close to that of a typical child, and I feel nothing but relief and look very forward to a regular lifestyle with two very beautiful boys. We're in an amazing place right now and I am so grateful to God for what he's done for Luke... absolutely unbelievable. Luke does have a few quirks still which we will continue to work on, but knowing we have 2.5 more months of 22 hours of ABA per week and then another year of 6 hours of ABA a week and kindergarten (half days), makes me know in my heart that come Grade 1 in September 2011 Luke will be even more amazing!!!

The other phenomenal "experiment" was that we gave Luke a piece of Joel's horribly chemical-filled and sugary birthday cake (with the yucky icing – Joel picked it out). I have been reading a book about ENZYMES and the women was tired of the GFCF diet, so she tried enzymes prior to an "infraction" (dairy or wheat) and her children and herself (she was treating her own lifelong migraine issue) had no negative reactions. So I gave Luke an enzyme before the cake and so far no reaction. We'll keep an eye on him over the next few days. I totally believe his stomach is completely healed and with the help of enzymes, he can cheat on occasion. Time will tell. In the book, the children get to the point of eventually not having to take the enzymes either, which just gives us more hope. So exciting.

May 20
Went to Dr. Wagstaff on Monday and Luke's (bad) yeast has flared up again which I had suspected. This seems to be a result of the oxygen therapy. So he's on antifungals again, combined with the probiotic he always takes, and hopefully things will be resolved within a month's time when we go back. Luke was a little bit bratty during the appointment which really annoyed me. Ironically, it totally impressed Dr. W. ... he was very amazed because of the amount of cognitive power it takes to intentionally misbehave. I laughed, even though I was angry with Luke. Seems like "even when he's bad, it's good" haha. Anyways, Luke's developed an allergy to the current pollen in the air (indicated by a stuffy nose and confirmed with the testing). Dr. W. also asked if we've been renovating? I said yes, we took a half wall down between the kitchen and dining room. He nodded knowingly as it's affected Luke from an allergy point of view (the drywall dust I assume). Dr. W. was also fine with us stopping the B12 shots as per Dr. Bratt, however we must keep an eye on Luke as it may be necessary to resume them. I also told him about Luke eating a piece of Joel's birthday cake and that we gave him an enzyme first. He said the enzymes will greatly dimish the allergic reaction but will not prevent it completely. So we can use this option on occasion for special foods and parties.

Another interesting note is that yesterday Luke insisted on wearing his "black" shirt. And again today. It's a Batman shirt. Luke has never before cared about what he wears (except to say he wants to change pants/shorts because they're too tight or got wet), so I think this personal taste expression is a pretty big deal. And that it's a superhero shirt, which seems more typical for a boy his age.