Louis is always grabbing his feet and he has gotten really good at rolling from him belly to his back (still working on the other way around), and he is working hard on independently sitting. He has weekly visits from his physical therapist who helps us learn ways to strengthen his muscles so he can catch back up. [...]

Louis had his first Easter egg hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Ribbens house. He found 5 eggs (his mama and dad may have eaten their contents). He got to snuggle up with his grandma and grandpa, Jojo and Papadooty (still working on what we'll call them). And he got to meet his great grandparents Papa Jim and Grandma Shirley. He also spent time with his other great grandparents and played with all his cousins and aunts and uncles. [...]

Louis has started trying new foods. He really likes bananas and oatmeal. He has two teeth that he loves rubbing everything on. His favorite chew toy is a celery snack or his wooden giraffe toy. [...]

We took him on his first adventure to the  library and showed him around. We also spent a nice afternoon outside while he napped and fed wrapped up on me, walking the White Pine Trail. [...]

He loves to snuggle and he likes when we read to him. We are still reading through the Chronicles of Narnia. I will hold on to those precious moments of reading to him before bed for the rest of my life. [...]

Louis had check ups and EKG's and echocardiograms and blood work done this week and everything is going well. We don't have to see the cardiologist for three months now! That is both a relief and also scary. [...]

Louis is 4 months old today. He has just started to discover his hands and is grasping things and putting them directly into his mouth. He's also started tummy time, though it makes me anxious and him frustrated. He lights up when he catches Dan's eye or when I walk into the room. He's just begun to laugh too. What indescribable joy and love and pride I feel when my son smiles at me, knowingly. This is my son. My son. My courageous and sweet and strong and gentle son. I'll never have the words to tell him what he has been through and how it has affected me and how deeply I love him. You bet I will spend my whole life trying. [...]

Late at night, when the whole house is quiet, I think of all Louis has been through. Maybe that's just how I process; slowly and in bite size pieces.
It doesn't feel a whole lot like Christmas this year. Though I am grateful to have my sweet baby home and healthy, I am missing my family and all of our traditions. We decided to stay home, as I am not ready to be far away from Louis' doctors and I don't want to risk any sickness for Louis during flu season.[...]

Louis had his check-up at the cardiologist today. They did an echo-cardiogram (ultrasound of his heart), an EKG, and they did some testing on his pacing device. His cardiologist says everything looks good. His heart function is great, and they would like to start weening him from the blood pressure medications he is on. The electro-physiologist said Louis' device says it has 8 years of battery remaining. Pacemakers are unique because their longevity depends on how much power is used. Louis' pacer could need to be replaced anywhere from 5-8 years. After about 8 years they will want to replace it regardless because he will be so much bigger. I am still half hoping his heart electricity will return. We'll see. [...]

I am sitting on the couch in my pajamas. Louis is taking a nap next to me and Dan and I are toasting to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, the incredible staff in the Pediatric ICU, the skill of Dr Haw, Dr Hillman, and Dr Giedruis, Louis' surgeons. [...]