Most kids get a Tonka truck...Ella get's a Tonka Horse!!!
1st Haircut!
We took Audrey to get her 1 st haircut this weekend. She did really well. I am so glad her hair is not in her eyes anymore. I'm pretty sure Audrey feels the same way. Enjoy the pictures!
Waiting and observing (notice the hair in eyes)
Sitting with daddy (she would never have sat still with me holding her)
How cool is the 2 headed cover-up?!?
Not really sure about the whole process...
Much better!
After she put the smell good gel in her hair
The finale... bow is included. I'm sure Audrey was thinking the bow was over the top, but she tolerated it well. She isn't a fan when I put bows on her, but again, she tolerates it well.
Sitting with daddy (she would never have sat still with me holding her)
How cool is the 2 headed cover-up?!?
Not really sure about the whole process...
Much better!
After she put the smell good gel in her hair
The finale... bow is included. I'm sure Audrey was thinking the bow was over the top, but she tolerated it well. She isn't a fan when I put bows on her, but again, she tolerates it well.
Where are the Horses???
Well, I will post pictures of Ella riding her horse just as soon as my sister posts them...or sends them to me. So feel free to bug her so we can all see them. We took the pictures right before I went in for lasik so I havesn't seen them either!!
Changes, Changes, Changes
So there have been alot of changes going on around here Changes and some "firsts".
Audrey is 8 months old and ready to start crawling any minute! She is so cute when she gets on her knees and starts crawling. Followed shortly by a nose plant into the floor/bed and crying. It's tough trying to be mobile. She also talks so much. I'm pretty sure she gets that from me. She can talk the whole way to daycare, screech at her friends in daycare and then talk all the way home. I'm not kidding. The teachers at daycare tells me she talks all day and gets louder when the other kids are actually taking their naps. That's my girl!
I went on my first overnight trip away from Audrey. For 2 nights and 3 days I was in a pretty intense training in Chicago. It was fun, but I am not interested in leaving anytime soon. It was hard not seeing the cutest face ever! I'm talking about both Audrey and my husband!
Next, I said goodbye to Vivian. She has driven her last mile as of last Friday night. She was a great car and lots of fun (she was a convertible), but sadly, no more. Instead, we now have the number 1 rated car in safety........ a Taurus. It's actually a nice car. Drives well, very quiet, roomy and well... safe. I cringed every time we put Audrey in the convertible. The new car, not so much.
Tomorrow we get new energy efficient windows. Yeah! Maybe it won't be so hot in the summer months.
I have more, but I must save it for another day.
Audrey is 8 months old and ready to start crawling any minute! She is so cute when she gets on her knees and starts crawling. Followed shortly by a nose plant into the floor/bed and crying. It's tough trying to be mobile. She also talks so much. I'm pretty sure she gets that from me. She can talk the whole way to daycare, screech at her friends in daycare and then talk all the way home. I'm not kidding. The teachers at daycare tells me she talks all day and gets louder when the other kids are actually taking their naps. That's my girl!
I went on my first overnight trip away from Audrey. For 2 nights and 3 days I was in a pretty intense training in Chicago. It was fun, but I am not interested in leaving anytime soon. It was hard not seeing the cutest face ever! I'm talking about both Audrey and my husband!
Next, I said goodbye to Vivian. She has driven her last mile as of last Friday night. She was a great car and lots of fun (she was a convertible), but sadly, no more. Instead, we now have the number 1 rated car in safety........ a Taurus. It's actually a nice car. Drives well, very quiet, roomy and well... safe. I cringed every time we put Audrey in the convertible. The new car, not so much.
Tomorrow we get new energy efficient windows. Yeah! Maybe it won't be so hot in the summer months.
I have more, but I must save it for another day.
Good News
Ella took more than 30 steps yesterday...she took 12 consecutive, 11, then 11 more...she impressed her therapist and also Joe and I...she is doing MARVELOUS!
Joe and I took Ella to A Child Can Do All Things yesterday afternoon. It's an amazing facility in a very close location to our house. We got to meet the director, Karissa, as well as the Conductor, Timi. They don't call it therapy, they call it a method of learning. And the staff isn't therapists...they are Conductors and Conductors Assistants. When we got to watch the class yesterday it was one-on-one CA to student...which is great. It doesn't always get to be that close...usually it's 1-2 CA to students.
So, the details of our assessment. Timi, the conductor, warned us ahead of time that there could be a chance that Ella isn't cognitive enough to actually follow directions. They cue the child with directions and then if they see the child trying to follow the command they help them with the rest of the task. As we walked back, both Joe and I knew that Ella's cognition was low and that this would probably be our biggest task to overcome. While we sat and watched her walk Ella through different drills and commands, my heart ached for Ella to impress her (and even us) with what she did and how she responded. There were small things I saw that I don't usually even look for, but overall she was typical, smiley, happy, loving Ella...but unfortunately at a very low cognitive level. There biggest concern was that Ella would need so much more help being cued that the other kids.
Timi informed us that there was one spot left for the July session/camp, which is what I was hoping to get Ella into. She said that putting Ella in that spot will depend on their staffing. If they can hire another person or two then they will give Ella the spot (with the chance that they may tell us in 2 weeks that it's just not working out). So, we will find out in the next couple of weeks if there staffing will accommodate for Ella.
My heart aches. I want her to at least be "with it" enough to be able to follow instructions so that she can get the help we desire so much for her.
Prayer Requests:
So, the details of our assessment. Timi, the conductor, warned us ahead of time that there could be a chance that Ella isn't cognitive enough to actually follow directions. They cue the child with directions and then if they see the child trying to follow the command they help them with the rest of the task. As we walked back, both Joe and I knew that Ella's cognition was low and that this would probably be our biggest task to overcome. While we sat and watched her walk Ella through different drills and commands, my heart ached for Ella to impress her (and even us) with what she did and how she responded. There were small things I saw that I don't usually even look for, but overall she was typical, smiley, happy, loving Ella...but unfortunately at a very low cognitive level. There biggest concern was that Ella would need so much more help being cued that the other kids.
Timi informed us that there was one spot left for the July session/camp, which is what I was hoping to get Ella into. She said that putting Ella in that spot will depend on their staffing. If they can hire another person or two then they will give Ella the spot (with the chance that they may tell us in 2 weeks that it's just not working out). So, we will find out in the next couple of weeks if there staffing will accommodate for Ella.
My heart aches. I want her to at least be "with it" enough to be able to follow instructions so that she can get the help we desire so much for her.
Prayer Requests:
- That we will be aligned with God in such a way that my hearts desire for Ella will reflect His desires for Ella. (Psalm 37:4)
- That Ella's brain will begin to heal itself and that she will be able to follow directions and think through processes (Matt 15:30)
- "Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust. (Proverbs 4:23-27)
I want so much for Ella, and selfishly for me, I have to be reminded every day that it's not my desires that matter...it's the Lord's.
Step it Up!!
Ella set a new record today...she took 18 consecutive steps with her gait trainer! Here she is with Julie and a student intern. We are SO proud of her!
Kristie turned around and saw Ella standing up today at home...so I grabbed my camera and took a quik picture. She did the same thing in Sunday School last Sunday...we are SO proud of her for working so hard!
Bargaining QUEEN!!!!!
I must say that I came across the best deal of my entire bargaining life (which is not extensive) Sunday. Some would say (probably most) that this find was just plain luck and I would agree. I rarely do 2nd hand shops b/c I can never find what I like and I can ALMOST ( I stress almost) always find it in a store for super cheap. I'll also be honest that if it is something I really want, I'll suck it up and buy it at full cost--- this rarely happens though. I do sell my stuff at 2nd hand shops though and this is how I found this deal. I took Audrey's clothes to a place called kid 2 kid on Sunday. They called me Monday with an offer of either cash or store credit. Now they are running a special deal this month for 30% store credit.... or something like that (again I don't do this often enough to grasp the full concept). When I was in Sunday, I saw this kitchen play set and thought it would be a good gift for Audrey's 1st birthday. It was in great condition, but was missing the accessories (plates, silverware, pots, food, etc.). I left, but kept thinking about the kitchen play set. When the lady called Monday with my offer, I asked her if the kitchen was still there. It was , so I asked her to hold it for me so that B could go and look at it. I also asked her what the estimated full price of the kitchen was new and she said she thought it went for around $220. I then went on-line and discovered that you can buy the missing accessories, which got me pretty excited. So B and I went to look at it and decided that along with the store credit I had for Audrey's old clothes it was too good to pass up. So to all my pro-bargaining friends... I got this kitchen (see picture below) for a total out of pocket expense of (drum roll please) $47.88! Yes, that's right folks..... a steal in my book and we have Audrey's first b-day present all ready to go with the exception of the accessories, which we will buy closer to her birthday. Can I get a WOO-HOO!!!!
Long Time, No Write
Sorry everyone for the pause in blogging. I have had some things come up that took priority. Audrey is doing good. She had a little cold last week, but got spoiled by the grandparents and is doing much better! I'll post pictures soon and hopefully will blog a little more faithfully.
Until then.........
Until then.........
80's Event For Charity
As I mentioned, we are hoping to get Ella in the Summer session for ACCDAT. They are having a fundraising event in May that will be SO much fun: http://accdat.org/product.php?productid=24&cat=8&page=1. I have also heard that the Spazmatics are performing...so it will be a BLAST!! This is for a GREAT cause and we would love for as many people as we know to show up and have fun with us, while raising money for these children to make the cost of therapy to parents lower.
Ella Update
Okay, so I know you all love pictures, but here are some updates on our Ella Bella. She is working on walking and standing EVERY day...she has a rough time holding her top half up while she uses her bottom half...we'll get them both stronger. One way we are going to work on this is by putting her in Hippotherapy...no, she will not be riding a hippo. She is going to be riding horses. How cute will that be. You know I'm going to have to purchase her some adorable horse-riding outfits. We are visiting Equest on Thursday...I'm so excited!! It's all going to be out-of-pocket so we need to make sure it's the best use of our money. Mainly because we might possibly be combining it with a new method of therapy call Conductive Education. We are hoping to get into a 4-week summer program with A Child Can Do All Things. Again, this is out-of-pocket and not covered on insurance so we just need to visit both of these places (we visit ACCDAT next week).
I'm really excited about both of these new therapies. Ella will continue with our amazing therapies at Our Children's House, except for the possible 4 weeks at ACCDAT. We will no longer be doing therapy with ECI once Ella turns 3-years-old, and will be getting signed up to take part in the PPCD program with Richardson Independent School District...GREAT opportunity.
I think that's it for now...we'll update you as we get more information and make more decisions.
I'm really excited about both of these new therapies. Ella will continue with our amazing therapies at Our Children's House, except for the possible 4 weeks at ACCDAT. We will no longer be doing therapy with ECI once Ella turns 3-years-old, and will be getting signed up to take part in the PPCD program with Richardson Independent School District...GREAT opportunity.
I think that's it for now...we'll update you as we get more information and make more decisions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)