Psalm 139:13-16

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Therapy Progress

Happy Thursday.  It's the day before I begin my long weekend of working, so it's not so happy for me!  :(  I think I'll just hold a baby all day!

I just wanted to update on Grace's progress with therapy.

We are seeing our speech therapist, ML on an as needed basis.  Grace is doing really well with many different foods and textures.  She does great with both smooth and lumpy foods.  I often use a food mill to make food for her.  I also mash or cut up different foods.  She is still eating baby food mixed with crackers, and she is handling that texture really well.  She still gags on slippery foods, like peaches.  We are currently working on getting her to transition from the bottle.  I thought it wasn't going so well, but according to ML, Grace is doing good with transitioning.  Haha...just goes to show you that I still really don't know a whole lot about ST.  Who knew eating was so complicated?!  Grace will take thin liquids, such as juice or milk, from a spoon, as well as from the edge of a cup.  She still refuses a sippy cup.  It's hard to really understand sometimes when I may be pushing her too hard versus just behavior.  She sometimes fusses when I am working with her, but we do have to work on it, so I push past the tears without (hopefully) pushing too hard!  We are also desperately trying to work on self-feeding!  This is a combination of ST and OT.  We are finally making progress with this!!  For the first time ever, Grace let me help her feed herself a puff last night!  I videod it today (see below).  She used to totally refuse for me to bring her hand to her mouth during feeding times.  I think we are making progress!!



Our physical therapist, KC is helping Grace learn how to crawl!  I posted a video of this a few posts back.  Grace continues to make progress with this.  Our main task currently is finding something to motivate Grace with to crawl.  KC and I are stumped!  She has definitely learned what to do to crawl, she just is very content to sit where she is.  :(  Any suggestions are appreciated!

Our occupational therapist, KP is helping Grace learn how to hold onto objects for longer, as well as use her hands together.  Because of her ACC (agenesis of the corpus callosum), Grace doesn't really use her hands together.  But she is learning!  She is using her hands together to grab balloons, as well as one of her favorite toys, a red bowl.  Sounds boring, right?!  Who knew I could've just saved all the money I've spent on buying her fancy toys?!  Balloons and a red bowl.  Haha!  Here are some pictures of Grace doing really well for OT at home.

 Both hands!
 KP says this is a higher level skill
 Rrreeeeaaaach!!!
The infamous red bowl! 

I am very pleased with my sweet girl!  She is such a hard worker and has so much strength and determination!  Anytime I'm feeling tired and not really wanting to do her therapies, I just think about her strength, and I am able to continue working hard for her.  I won't fool you into thinking this is easy...it is NOT!  We go to therapy every Wednesday and Thursday (did I mention we don't live close to our therapy place??), and we do daily therapy at home.  I try to make everything teachable but fun for Grace.  I've said this from the beginning, but she is my feisty fighter!  Go, Grace!!  :)

And here's one last picture of my baby girl!  Isn't she just beautiful?!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Easter

Our Easter 2012 in pictures...

Our family enjoying the beautiful day
My favorite person!  :)
Picture time...checking out my Easter basket from the Easter bunny
Being silly
This bunny is just sooo funny!
Happy girl!
Loving on my Papa during Easter lunch
Too cool in my new shades!
Hey!
Kisses from Daddy

We had a great Easter celebrating with our families (minus my sister) and our church family! 


In Christ alone my hope is found.  He is my light, my strength, my song.
This cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
  
What heights of love, what depths of peace when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all, here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness scorned by the ones He came to save.
  
Til on that cross as Jesus died the wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on Him was laid, here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay light of the world by darkness slain.  
Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me.  
For I am His, and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand.
Til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I stand.