Dakota Update

MRI reports are still showing the same thing which is great news. The doctors thought that maybe more damage was done and it just hasn’t showed up yet but of course they were wrong! ;) We have had some very spiritual days these last few days and have felt the strength and love of the Lord so much.

He is continuing to make progress little by little but to us it seems so huge. It is amazing how as a parent you take for granted every tiny thing your child does like being able to breathe on their own, look at you, smile, move, and yes even cry. I can’t wait until I can hear Dakota do all these things, even cry.

Wednesday was a huge day for us. He has been pretty sedated on drugs and his face and body swollen. So to open his eyes before was very rare and when he did it was like half way and not for long. Wednesday was the first day that he opened them wide and for a long period of time. It was amazing and I could see my little Dakota in those eyes. Since then, he continues to open them for shorter periods of time but he is still not focusing on things. He continues to make little movements which we LOVE to see. He has started to cough on his own which sounds so simple to all of you but is so exciting to us because he was not having a cough or gag reflex on his own before which was concerning to the doctors. His vital signs are all going down and they are beginning to decrease the breathing ventilator and oxygen and if he continues to do well will hopefully be able to take it out in a few days. That will be great. It is so sad to see a huge tube in his mouth and I know it is uncomfortable for him.

On Friday Doug and Vicki (Zach’s parents) were in the room with him and his head was facing forward and tilted to one side a little. Vicki was on the opposite side above him and started talking to him and he turned his little head all the way over to her. This was so huge for us because for one, he doesn’t move his head a whole lot and two, we know he was responding to her and he hasn’t shown a lot of signs of response to stimuli yet! It was SOOOO good to hear. He hasn’t done it since but we know he hears us every time we talk, sing, and read to him.

Yesterday was so special as well. They have an ASU student come once a week to do music therapy and she came yesterday. She was LDS so she knew all of the primary songs and she came in and sang a lot of them to him. We loved it and she had the most beautiful voice. She came back a second time so we could all hear her sing to Dakota and she asked me what his favorite song was. Of course…it’s Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam…he sings it so dang cute. So she started out with a couple of others and he had been totally asleep through the whole thing. Even the physical therapist was moving his little legs and arms around and he was still out through it all. As she finished some of the others she started singing Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam and immediately his eyes opened. It was the most beautiful sight in the world and the spirit was so strong in the room. Even one of the cute nurses had to step out because she was crying. He kept them open for most of the song and then he was asleep again. It was a tender mercy of the Lord and I know my little Dakota is going to be just fine. I am so grateful to that sweet girl and for her sharing her beautiful talent with us.

It is still just a waiting and watching game as we wait on Heavenly Father and Dakota to decide how fast and what they want to do but we are here trying to be as patient as we can.  It is hard because I just think of all the cute things he does and says and I just want to grab him out of that bed and hold him in my arms but I know that it will come so I will be patient and trust in the Lord because He knows what is best.

Please keep up the faith and prayers. I know that they are being answered because he is here with us and miracles are happening daily. We feel all of your love and prayers and it has given us strength beyond our own. The first day that all of this happened I was SO empty inside. I thought I could never feel happiness again. It was the worst feeling in the world but I feel so much joy and even though things aren’t perfect right now, I feel that happiness inside that I didn’t think I could. This is the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel my Saviors’ love for me!

We love you all and are SO grateful for all you do for us!