Ramon is mobile! Yes, he's actually moving himself around. Using his arms to propel himself, he slides his little butt across the floor, little legs stuck out straight in front of him. He turns and waves as he leaves the room ... and then he's gone. Looking for whatever peaks his interest ... his basket full of toys ... a kitchen cupboard full of Tupperware ... the moon and stars shining through the kitchen window. But whatever it is, he's a little guy on the move. And he is so proud of himself. His face just beams at his own accomplishments.
He's come a long ways since he spent a month with us back in July. While he could sit on the floor and play, he could not move himself forward. He could turn around in circles, but not forward. We could see that he was motivated to move ... he would sit and try to rock himself forward, but his arms didn't seem to have the strength to actually move his body. Well, that has all changed. We knew it wouldn't
be long, and when Marilyn first told us how he was moving, we looked at each other and said "we knew it ... we knew it was going to happen real soon." He's also got a little wheeled cart he can scoot around on. One of the guys over at the Big Orphanage in Vicente Guerrero specializes in wheelchairs and he made this cool little mini scooter cart that Ramon can sit on and propel himself around, using the same principle as a wheelchair. It only sits a few inches off the floor so it's perfect for him. He's starting to get the hang of it too.
Stan and Marilyn have put so much time and effort into his development and it's paying off hugely. He really tries hard to speak, learning new words every day ... it's still hard to understand a lot of them, but you know that he knows what he is saying. And he's so proud of himself. He calls to you and then says his new word. He goes around the table or room, making sure each one of us has heard him individually, needing to make eye contact or be acknowledged before he will say the word and move on to the next person. He is such a comic. He calls out "Dad", and when Stan acknowledges him, he'll say his word. They he calls out "Mom" (still sounds like "Dad") and when Marilyn acknowledges him, he'll repeat the word. And then he just gets this great big smile on his face that lights up the whole room.
And oh ya ... he loves his music. He was born to "rock and roll". He's got rhythm ... very talented he is. One day he will likely play some kind of instrument. I think Marilyn is hoping it won't be the drums, but hey, you just never know. He's into the Newsboys right now. If you know their music, you know the song "Devotion". Well, that's one word he's got down ... "devooooootion", at least the "ooooootion" part. Another one of his favorites is "Strong Tower" ... you'll hear him sing the word "Tower". Yes precious in the sight of our God!
One little life created absolutely uniquely, just because God wanted to make someone extra special for Himself.
One little life created absolutely uniquely because He knew it takes the little Ramon's in our lives to open that part of our hearts that can only be opened by witnessing the miracles of God each and every day.
One little life ... Angel Ramon.
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