December 3, 2011 (Morning)

Stephen and Mandy both spent last night at the Renucci Hospitality House, a little mini-hotel built into the main hospital. Praise the Lord for that place! We're able to stay in the same room for the next two nights as well, but Grandma Cleary will probably use it for those nights. Last night was the first night that neither Stephen nor Mandy was with SD.

When Stephen and Mandy returned to SD's room around 11:00, they found an empty room! Grandma Cleary had taken SD down to the play room in a wagon. SD loved the wagon! SD specifically asked if Emma could get in the wagon with him, which was a relief - he had barely acknowledged her over the last few days, and they used to be so close. We let Emma go in with him and they took a little ride together. Then we took SD out to a quiet area overlooking the city, and he walked (with baby steps) a little more than a foot! He is also much more comfortable sitting up and doesn't act in pain when we hold him.

One of the physician assistants suggested that we encourage him to walk more today; at this point, the more he gets out of bed, the better his chances for getting released early this week. He's been bed-ridden for long enough that he's now considered a fall risk. He acted in some pain when he walked a bit, but we're sure he'll improve as he gets more exercise. After travelling around the floor and walking, SD took a good long nap.

Grandma Cleary tells us that SD laughed a little this morning, when she was stacking pillows on a chair and one of them fell on her head. We're so glad that our boy is gradually returning to normal!