Summer 2025 Update: Our Little Trooper Keeps Amazing Us

Hello everyone! It's been far too long since my last update - life with our now 2-year-old Beckett keeps us busier than ever, but in (mostly) good ways. Yes, our Little Bee turned 2 in May! We celebrated with a small family gathering, and it was incredible to reflect on how far he's come in these two years. I realized I had so much to catch you all up on that I didn't know where to start, but here we are.

Plot Twist: That "Bad Cold" Was Actually COVID and RSV

Remember when I wrote about Beckett's rough cold back in January? Well, turns out our little guy was fighting both COVID and RSV at the same time! No wonder he (and we) had such a tough few weeks. Looking back, it makes so much more sense why he was so miserable and why recovery took longer than expected. But true to form, our Little Bee bounced back like the absolute trooper he is.

Therapy Intensives: Level Up!

Since my last update, Beckett has completed his 5th intensive at Canadian Centre for Development in May, and recently wrapped up his 6th intensive in July. The July intensive was a big step up - they increased him to three appointments a day, and honestly, Keith and I weren't sure how he'd handle it. But Beckett? He absolutely crushed it.

He continues to work on his core skills - standing, sitting, four-point positioning, and walking. We're also seeing great progress with his fine motor skills, especially pinching and grabbing. The accuracy in his reaching and grabbing has become substantially better as well. Every session builds on the last, and while progress isn't always linear, we celebrate the breakthrough moments that remind us why we keep pushing forward.

Feeding Adventures Continue

Feeding remains our most time-consuming daily task since Beckett still can't feed himself, but we're celebrating the small wins. He continues to try new textures and foods, and he's actually doing pretty well with variety. The biggest breakthrough recently? He's figured out how to suck pretty consistently on a specific sippy cup! It might sound small, but for us, these victories are huge. 

Pure Joy: Swinging and Spinning

I need to tell you about Beckett's current favorite activities because they bring him (and us) so much joy. First - swinging. The city actually installed an accessible swing in our neighborhood park specifically for him! We can strap his "Special Tomato" chair right into it, and watching his face light up as he swings is pure magic.

But if swinging makes him happy, spinning absolutely sends him to the moon. It's his favorite activity by far. The pure delight on his face when he spins is infectious - it's impossible not to smile watching him experience that kind of joy.

What makes these activities even better is knowing they're not just fun - they're actually great occupational therapy too! Both spinning and swinging help with vestibular development, so Beckett gets to work on important therapeutic goals while having an absolute blast. It's the perfect combination.

Independence Wins

One of the areas where we're seeing the most exciting progress is Beckett's growing independence. He's become a master at maneuvering in his gait trainer (basically a walker with wheels, a seat, and chest support). When he's in it, he becomes this little explorer - opening and closing drawers, throwing toys around, looking out windows, just engaging with his environment. It's incredible to watch him discover his world on his own terms.

And here's something that might seem small but feels monumental to us: Beckett can now sit unassisted in plush chairs! As long as he has a fun toy to keep him distracted and engaged, he can sit independently for quite a while now.

A New Mobility Adventure: Wheelchair Trial

Just last week, Beckett got to try out a small wheelchair. Almost immediately, he looked so keen and determined to start pushing himself around (but the quick trial really wasn’t designed for that)! It was one of those moments where you can almost see the wheels turning in his head (pun intended). We're now being referred to a specialized clinic to get him properly fitted for his own chair. It's exciting to think about the new independence this could give him. Certainly, no parent dreams of the day that their child gets his first wheel chair. There is still grief in our realities, but we try to focus on the positives as much as we can, and making sure Beckett gets the tools required for him to develop as much independence as possible. 

New Wheels: The Go-Baby-Go Car

We recently received an amazing gift from Variety Alberta - a customized Go-Baby-Go car designed specifically for him. We took it camping this past weekend, and it was wonderful having an activity for Beckett to explore and engage with his surroundings. Having that semi-independence and activity option made such a difference for him (and gave Keith and me a bit of a breather too!).

A Note About Little Bee Gallery

I have to mention something that fills our hearts with gratitude. The Little Bee Gallery that my sister Melanie and aunt Suzanne created has been absolutely life-changing for our family. The gallery has covered ALL of Beckett's weekly physio sessions and intensives for 2024 and most of 2025. We're even able to use some of the funds to purchase more equipment for at-home physio - Keith and I are actually planning to build a "spider cage" in our basement for Beckett's therapy work.

The support from everyone who has purchased art or donated has been overwhelming in the best way. It means Beckett gets the care he needs without us having to make impossible financial choices, and that peace of mind is invaluable.

Looking Ahead

Now that Beckett has reached his second birthday, we're constantly amazed by his resilience, his progress, and his pure joy in the simple things. Every day brings new challenges, but it also brings new victories - some big, some small, all meaningful.

Thank you all for continuing to follow our journey and for the love and support you show our family. Beckett is lucky to have such an incredible community cheering him on.

Until next time (and I promise it won't be as long!), Chantale

If you'd like to learn more about the Little Bee Gallery or see the beautiful artwork that's supporting Beckett's care, you can visit littlebeegallery.com.