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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Putting it together



Footage of Amelia walking down the hallway at UCP.
Not the best quality, as it was taken from my phone...but you get the idea.

We've been back from Long Island for a few weeks now and we're getting back into the swing of it all. Amelia is moving a mile a minute. She can't crawl or squirm around fast enough(still on the belly, but now with her head up and grasping the concept of using her hands and elbows for leverage). All of us -- parents, friends and therapists are in astonishment everyday by the amount of things she is doing. Sitting up and lying back down is a fun activity! I have taken a liking to "wheel barreling" her around the apartment. You remember what that is? When you hold someone's feet so they have to walk on their hands. Yeah, she does that! Nestor and I can't even do that. So, it has become our pleasure to have a little girl who we have to watch each moment -- not because of her secretions (although we do that too) but because she is into everything. YAY!

So, on Friday we went to UCP to play with their adaptive equipment and decide what Amelia needs now. Her stander is too supportive, so we are ordering her a less supportive one -- which is half the size that we will hopefully be able to throw into the truck and take with us when we go up to the house or out of town. We are also ordering the gait trainer, which is shown in the video above, because she did so well in it. She actually walked all the way down that long hallway in it! Michelle, the PT in the video, was giving her input on her back and making sure the gait trainer didn't slide out from under her feet. Other than that, it's all Amelia.

We are borrowing the gait trainer (called a Pacer by Rifton) from UCP until ours comes in. We took it with us this weekend to Evelyn & Carlo's (Nestor's sister & bro-in-law's) house. We put Amelia in the Pacer and let her hang out a little in it -- and she walked across the kitchen. It was amazing!!!! We are so proud of her.

She continues to do new things with her mouth too. She has been sucking on her bottom lip still and pursing her lips together. Nestor and I noticed, oddly enough, that she tends to do most of it later in the day to evening. Don't know why. Anyone out there know why? We are into our second week with Amelia's new Speech Therapist, John. He is very sweet natured and calm. First day, Amelia was cool with him, second day -- a little more fiesty, by the third day and on, poor John is being given a run for his money. She is playing him like a 2-3 yr. old. He is incredibly tolerant, resourceful and is out and out trying very hard to become friends. I think he'll break through once they get to know each other a little better.

Tomorrow night will be our first Team Meeting for Amelia in several months. It will be very interesting with all the new people in her life. We are still searching for an OT -- so anyone out there who knows a fantastic OT who will work in the West Village -- let me know!

Tomorrow is also an extremely important day because it is Spike's Birthday! Yes, Nestor's little boy is all grown up. No longer a teenager -- he's going to be 20. I can't believe it. I met Spike when he was 10. He had never tasted raw cookie dough -- he was innocent. Now he's a Pre-med junior at Lehigh, with a beautiful girlfriend and has maintained his level headedness and sweetness. We are so proud of you and love you so much Spikester and know that the best is yet to come!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Deb,

She looks fabulous! We can't wait to see her "walking around the house" next week--WOW! Kudos to you for being the greatest Mom. We hope Amelia keeps up her terrific work, and it really is hard work for her.
Talk to you tomorrow.

Love Mom

Anonymous said...

P.S. Happy Birthday to Spike!

Love,
Bubbie & Zaidie

Unknown said...

First of all, Amelia is doing incredibly- what an amazing video!!! Wheelbarrowing??? Could never do that! Forget about now! Debbie, I have to tell you that it is HOT that you have a twenty year old stepson...unbelievable. Never a dull moment on this blog. Go girl! thanks for the birthday wishes....love, Jodi

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Debbie, email me at jodi@rallycaps.net I have a name and number for you that one of the moms from my support group gave me. Hugs, jodi

laila said...

OMG WTG AMELIA!!!!! What a great video- she is doing amazing!!! OL I can't wheelbarrow either...go amelia!!! Hugs hun!!!!

Anonymous said...

WoW She looks AWESOME. and you know i was checking out Michelle's chair also! Amelia is most definitely putting it all together. This is GREAT!

Good work, keep it up.

Love Amy

Unknown said...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!