Behind on Updates

Again I'm a bit behind.  Eli was in KC earlier in the week.  He had his PH probe, as well as his kidney ultrasounds and urology appt.  We are still waiting on the results of the PH probe.  His kidney was still very large BUT looked slightly better than his last scan.  His doc wants to redo in a few months.  We will begin discussing his next testicular surgery. 

Since coming home he's made a huge advancement.  He has learned how to hold onto something and go to standing.  He's such a big boy!  Once he even figured out how to get back down to his bottom once.  It makes me nervous as crap.  Everytime I just keep thinking about his blood thinners.  I sooo can't wait until he's off of them.  He's still as exhausted as ever though.  He is napping every few minutes, and every few crawls.  I feel so bad for him.
He also had his next speech appointment.  Finally we are all on the same page.  The hearing aids don't appear to be making a difference.  He isn't responding to more sounds, he isn't making any more sounds, and he still isn't responding to sign language at all.  It has been decided to start Eli on a switch with pictures.  We will be trying the basic "real life" pictures instead of stick figure drawings.  If that doesn't work well for him we will switch over to actually pictures from OUR home.  Right now his switch will be super big with a very large picture, since his eyes are so horrible.  She will start him with 1, and then advance up to 2 or 3.  I'm excited to try but also so nervous.  What if it doesn't work?  He is almost 17 months and has ZERO communication. 

Today was/is my birthday.  It has probably been the worst birthday of my life.  I'm so glad that it's the end of the day and can't wait for it to be over.  I will say that some special people in my life rallied together to help save the end of the day.  Emily baked and decorated a cake; Paula, Eli's nurse, brought flowers, card, and a cake; and Sasha, the kids babysitter, brought a pamper mommy gift basket and a card!  Thank you guys for helping end the day on a better note!