My Grandson
April 23, 2007
Mark Xavier woke up this morning with a sleepy smile. I just happened to be upstairs so I went into the bedroom to pick him up and he looked at me and said “Mama Car”! What a wonderful feeling to hold our little grandson and that he recognizes us even though we hadn’t seen him in person for nine months. He is almost three now and weighs close to 30 pounds and is three feet tall. His parents have kept us in the conversation and have called us frequently so we can talk to him. He calls us “Mama Car” and “Papa Car” because we used to take him in our car when we lived here. We don’t have a car on this trip so he thinks it strange – asking where the car is.
MX is a sweet loving little boy who is doted on by his parents and anyone else who knows him. He never meets a stranger and is known by all the storekeepers and neighbors because of his friendliness. We just in from a walk in the neighborhood and to do last minute shopping before leaving tonight and we took him in his stroller. One of the storekeepers gave him a piece of candy and said that he didn’t know Clayton or me but he knew “Marcos” (his name in Spanish).
Right now he is watching the movie “Cars” which must be the 20th time that it has been on since we got here 10 days ago. He loves the movie that Uncle Eddy and Aunt Pat sent by us. He is a “Cars” fan since first eyeing the “Cars” logo on the orange juice box. One of Laura’s students brought him a “Cars” replica toy which makes sounds when hit. He asks for the “Cars” movie as soon as he wakes up. He will watch something else when pressed by one of his parents but as soon as that is over he is asking for the “Cars” movie. I can tell you that I am tired of watching it but can now recognize the characters in it!
He understands and speaks both Spanish and English. He can count to ten in both languages. He only wants his dad to speak Spanish to him and his mom to speak English. Javier knows lots of English and Laura speaks both languages fluently. It is interesting how he switches from one to the other without missing a beat.
He recognizes and is learning the colors and plays with his blocks. It was neat to watch him stack the blocks and put them in “perfect” order or at least try to. He and Javier play the counting game with the blocks and he loves that.
He has been diagnosed with a mild form of cerebral palsy which has affected mostly the right leg. He is now being fitted for braces and will have botox injections on May 4th. The twenty or so injections directly into the leg muscles (below the knee) will relax them enough along with the braces to aid him in walking. The CP has seemingly not affected anything else except for a slight weakness of the right hand which has improved with physical therapy. He does go to a PT twice a week and his parents continue the exercises at home daily.
He is a loving little boy who has a wonderful hug and lots of kisses which he blows from his hand. It is so sweet to watch him do that. He will wave “bye bye” and blow kisses as anyone walks out the door. It will be difficult to see him wave that last “bye bye” as we leave tonight!
Mark Xavier woke up this morning with a sleepy smile. I just happened to be upstairs so I went into the bedroom to pick him up and he looked at me and said “Mama Car”! What a wonderful feeling to hold our little grandson and that he recognizes us even though we hadn’t seen him in person for nine months. He is almost three now and weighs close to 30 pounds and is three feet tall. His parents have kept us in the conversation and have called us frequently so we can talk to him. He calls us “Mama Car” and “Papa Car” because we used to take him in our car when we lived here. We don’t have a car on this trip so he thinks it strange – asking where the car is.
MX is a sweet loving little boy who is doted on by his parents and anyone else who knows him. He never meets a stranger and is known by all the storekeepers and neighbors because of his friendliness. We just in from a walk in the neighborhood and to do last minute shopping before leaving tonight and we took him in his stroller. One of the storekeepers gave him a piece of candy and said that he didn’t know Clayton or me but he knew “Marcos” (his name in Spanish).
Right now he is watching the movie “Cars” which must be the 20th time that it has been on since we got here 10 days ago. He loves the movie that Uncle Eddy and Aunt Pat sent by us. He is a “Cars” fan since first eyeing the “Cars” logo on the orange juice box. One of Laura’s students brought him a “Cars” replica toy which makes sounds when hit. He asks for the “Cars” movie as soon as he wakes up. He will watch something else when pressed by one of his parents but as soon as that is over he is asking for the “Cars” movie. I can tell you that I am tired of watching it but can now recognize the characters in it!
He understands and speaks both Spanish and English. He can count to ten in both languages. He only wants his dad to speak Spanish to him and his mom to speak English. Javier knows lots of English and Laura speaks both languages fluently. It is interesting how he switches from one to the other without missing a beat.
He recognizes and is learning the colors and plays with his blocks. It was neat to watch him stack the blocks and put them in “perfect” order or at least try to. He and Javier play the counting game with the blocks and he loves that.
He has been diagnosed with a mild form of cerebral palsy which has affected mostly the right leg. He is now being fitted for braces and will have botox injections on May 4th. The twenty or so injections directly into the leg muscles (below the knee) will relax them enough along with the braces to aid him in walking. The CP has seemingly not affected anything else except for a slight weakness of the right hand which has improved with physical therapy. He does go to a PT twice a week and his parents continue the exercises at home daily.
He is a loving little boy who has a wonderful hug and lots of kisses which he blows from his hand. It is so sweet to watch him do that. He will wave “bye bye” and blow kisses as anyone walks out the door. It will be difficult to see him wave that last “bye bye” as we leave tonight!
posted by Charolette at
6:38 PM
1 Comments:
I've really enjoyed your informative posts. Marcos is a doll! I appreciate you taking some of your precious time with them to update us all back home. I read your updates, eagerly. Love you!
Khrista
By
Khrista, at 8:07 AM
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