Charlie definitely isn't looking his photographic best these days due to the steroid chubby cheeks and the facial rash and the wandering right eye. However, I had to share the "pleasant expression" that we started seeing yesterday. It's hard to call it a smile because it isn't one yet. The corners of his mouth moved back slightly but do not turn up. My mom was the first to provoke it Sunday afternoon with some "coochie, coochie, coos"- then I was able to get the same reaction last night with some "ahhhhhhh- boo's!" Now remember he is deaf (cochlear implant will be reprogrammed at the end of the month) so it is all about the exaggerated facial expressions not the words. SO what's the big deal you say....he has smiled in his sleep a few times before (really cute, mouth turned up smiles). Well... the big deal is that he reacted positively to something WE did. Up until now we have rated his mood by the absence of things like whining or stiffness. Although sporadic, it's very exciting- maybe all the binky sucking has given his mouth muscles a workout.
35 comments:
What a cute guy. Good luck coming off the ACTH, thats when Hunter has been the most alert ever. We started Hunter on a Ketogenic diet and it has helped with his seizures. We'll keep both these little guys in our prayers.
Bryson
Oh how I love the chubby cheeks! Hunter did ACTH twice for a few months each round and we have lots of pictures of him looking quite rolly-poley. I'm so happy to hear about the little half smiles and the binky progress. Keep updating.
Emily
That smile makes my day!! Thanks for sharing..he is DARLING!!!!
This update has truly made my day today. I check in on your progress and you guys are always in my prayers. I saw our friends Dave and Karen Duzy and family in LA recently and we spoke of you. Know that many thoughts and prayers are with you and I have faith Charlie will continue to progress one small step at a time.
Leane Vandeman and family
Oh Charlie! Now I can't stop smiling.
i love him. this made my day. keep up the silliness and smiles!
That is so EXCITINAG!! I love chubby cheeks more to kiss, kiss!
Charlie is such a little cutie! Seeing his picture and little smile made my day! Keep up the good work Charlie we are proud of you! :) Thinking of you always!
Yay for binkies! Angel & Rob Charlie is strong guy.Love those smiles. Hopefully Britty is great!Shyla in Montana
Yahoo for progress. Keep smiling little fella! Love you.
He looks so CUTE!!! Yay for Charlie Steps :-) You have all of us on the NTU smiling. Thank You so much for sharing this! He's got the BEST parents in the world!
AWESOME. In the figurative and literal sense. Way to go, Charlie!
i don't care what you say his cheeksa re totally worth documenting. He is the cutest thing ever and he is looking so grown up!!!
Hooray for more Charlie steps! Way to go little guy! We love you so much andare pulling for you!
Hooray! Thanks for sharing the great pictures, chubby cheeks, rash and all :-) So this makes me wonder what the status on his vision is if you are able to provoke a response just visually? Still thinking of you guys a lot.
Kara
YAY!!!!! It is very exciting news!
Hooray for 1/2 smiles. I am so glad that he is responding. I bet if you get Grandpa Barlow to do some too, he might get even more smiles. You know how much the grandkids love Grandpa!
Charlie you look so...cute in this photo. I am so glad that you dig that Binkie. My daughter does too. There is just something about those that make them look so cute in their mouths. Glad things are going well.
Tamara
The Bountiful Family
You can call it a 1/2 smile but it makes me all smile! I don't think this is a little something! It looks like he is doing what we call "Hor-ray!" stretches! Yea!This is huge:) Thank you for ending my day with a warm fuzzy in my heart...
I am grinning from ear to ear! I love seeing Charlie trying to smile! These pictures are priceless! I am going to try and send them to my friends in China and Vietnam! I admire all for you SO much. I hope to spend some time with Grandma Cheryl and Charlie sometime soon, as soon as I am cold free!
Connie
oh, i love this so much. keep up the goofy facial expressions and way to go char!
Hooray Charlie! We love you!
Such adorable pics, and the chubbier cheeks the better in my book! I think Charlie is just adorable! I look at these pics, and I just want to jump in them and squeeze his sweet chubby cheekers!!!! And is that the "snuggler" I see in the background that I made for him? YAY! I'm so happy he's still loving it! God Bless!!
Tawnia Allen
Oh, heavens, look out world! That is most definitely a smile, and it just lights up the screen. I'm so happy for you. What a gift.
way to go charlie! he looks darling and how exciting for the family! that is definitely a sweet smile!
yay sweet baby!
Rob and Angel...
This is so great. It is a smile and I can see it through and through. That is way exciting, I think about you guys all the time and keep you in my prayers. You guys are a great example to all, and I thank you for it. Kepp working and never give up!!! He is a tough little guy and again, I am so happy for your family.
Trent
Rob and Angel...
This is so great. It is a smile and I can see it through and through. That is way exciting, I think about you guys all the time and keep you in my prayers. You guys are a great example to all, and I thank you for it. Kepp working and never give up!!! He is a tough little guy and again, I am so happy for your family.
Trent
Hey Rob,
This is Lacey Springer Anderson. I am sorry to hear of your troubles but glad to know that he is making progress. He is so handsom. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love always
Lacey
Great job little man!! Keep up your hard work.. we are all so proud of your every little Charlie Step!
Yay Charlie! That is such good news!
I saw your link on a friend's blog a few months ago, followed by your story on the news and have been a dedicated blog follower since. I've been amazed at the strength your family shows and the strength Charlie shows too. I can't imagine what you've gone through and how your lives have changed. I work in health care and see everyday how lives are drastically changed. Hopefully its the moments like this, when this little guy smiles, that make it all worth it! Way to go, Charlie!
I found the link to your blog on my friend's blog. Your family and Charlie have truly inspired me. I started reading about Charlie from the first post and have just finished the most current post. Charlie has come such a long way and has had a great family sticking by him through it all. You have all been through so much but have stayed positive and hopeful through it all. Too often people become bitter and resentful when trials come into their lives, but never once have I read where you guys have been any of those emotions. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You have taken the cards you have been dealt and are winning with them. You have all turned such a sad thing into a wonderful journey that has inspired me and so many others. Thank you for sharing your and Charlie's story with us. It means the world to me. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, all of the time.
Charlie, you are such a strong boy and have taught us all a lesson or two. Such a cute smile, can't wait to see it more often. Keep working hard! You are doing awesome. Remember, you are a Child of God. Jesus has been carrying you a long way, and he is still walking side by side with you as you continue your journey.
Angel and Rob, you have taught me, as a new parent, that no matter the trials we are given our Father in Heaven is always there for us--big or small. Thank you for being such wonderful parents to Britton and Charlie and for being such a great example to me. I look up to you more than you know.
He's probably only half-smiling because of BYU's loss, but I'm sure once they're back on track he'll be grinning from ear to ear... :)
Hey guys it's Ramon, I was just checking out Charlie's pictures. While I am here... Do you guys need any slushie's???
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