Break Update

Hello!  Today is Grace's last day of her break from school with me (I start my "long" week at work tomorrow).  We have been busy, but have had SO MUCH FUN!

We celebrated Grace's little cousin Lydia's first birthday, had fun with friends from out of town that we haven't seen in forever, had a trip home to visit with my parents, played in the pool, had Grace's first dentist appointment, and worked really hard with therapy.

Grace started water therapy during her break.  She has done really well with this, and her teacher is amazing!  Being in the water is so beneficial, not only for her muscles, but it also has helped her to build up her confidence and her social skills.  We have one session left.  I hope to continue the skills I've learned from her teacher in the pool for the rest of the summer.

Grace has continued to do well with pulling up and cruising.  She still isn't really pulling up much on her own except for at our babysitter's house (on her leather ottoman).  So I ordered us a leather ottoman to encourage her to do this skill independently!  She is doing well with cruising, although not independently yet.  She is sitting in the "w" position less and less, and is really learning how to swing her bottom around to sit correctly.  She is also putting her feet down on the ground more and more on her own.  All of these things are leading up to our next big deal: WALKING!  Our PT told me to bring Grace's walker to our next appointment (next Friday)!

Straw drinking.  We have worked off and on with this all break.  Basically, we have been working hard for Grace to tolerate the straw touching her lips, and for her to understand that her juice comes from the straw.  This took a while, but I've finally found the trick!  As long as she is distracted by her favorite app (Scout's Music), she does really well!  She has even started sucking from the straw some!  I am so proud!  I was getting really discouraged for a while, but God knows how to encourage and lift me up at just the perfect time!  I have prayed for patience for us, and He has provided it.  That is just like Him, He always provides our needs, but yet knows how to help us understand our dependence on Him.  Until Grace really "gets" straw drinking, I will continue to enjoy bottle feeding her in between meal times.  One of the benefits of prolonged bottle feeding is snuggling with an otherwise nonsnuggly toddler.  I love how she touches my face and plays with my wedding rings.  And then after she lays her head on my shoulder and puts her arms around me as I sing rockabye baby.  I hope we can wean her soon, but for now I will enjoy this lack of independence.  I'm sure one day I will wish she was more dependent on me.  :)

And some pictures.  These are from our visit at my parents.  Thank you for praying for us over this break.  We have LOVED it!