motivation

That is what Athan seemed to be lacking for a while - motivation to be mobile. Scooting was enough for him.

But that is all changing so quickly right now! Athan's awareness of the world around him seems to be growing, and he seems more willing to work hard to experience it in new ways. It is so fun to do exercises with him, and get giggles instead of groans and grimaces.

He can pull to stand completely unassisted. :) His strength is improving, showing us small new milestones almost daily. He is more willing to play while kneeling, and to spend some time on his hands and knees. He takes more risks, which means he learns more about balance as he rocks and wobbles around in space more often.

His therapists have long assured us that his verbal skills would likely boom when his mobility did, which is also proving true. He is talking, talking! He sings and sighs and answers questions and makes requests and remembers names and repeats words... So fun!

I'll try for some visual/audio evidence of these things to post soon. Just wanted to share a few words of celebration of his new-found motivation with you, the pray-ers who have fought for him to be here! ;)