Physical Therapy

PT went very well! Ellie is a champ! She's still cheating at some things, she'll act like she wants to knock over the tower of cups, then stop, then roll on her back like she doesn't want to play anymore, and then knock them over because she's closer now. Karen the PT called her a turkey lol. I called her a cheater. Anyway, the step stool we bought her (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JVZWY4) works like a dream. She has to put her legs side by side underneath it to use it as a table. So we do that and make her look up and down while maintaining balance. She also has to sit on it, keeping her feet flat while looking up and down. We also get her to kneel at it for a minute or so. We still have to have her lay over the boppy and reach for things. It seems to be working though because we've been practicing those moves for the last 2 days and she acts like she doesn't even need to do them. Her balance is amazing! She was even up on all fours rocking again for a bit. She hadn't done that in a while. I was so happy!

Physical Therapy

The PT lady was nice enough. Ellie has a very weak trunk and weak joints, which is probably due to the Sticklers. Ellie was also very shy and reserved. She didn't want to talk much, or really do a lot of anything. It was still a good eval, I guess. The lady said that Ellie had low tone but that it was easily correctable. However, it was interesting to note, even by her, that Ellie seems to have all the necessary skills but for whatever reason won't compile them all together so she can do more. PT Lady noted that Ellie clearly shows a desire to do more, but for whatever reason just can't coordinate it well enough to do it. I mentioned Ellie can get up on all 4s but only in her crib. She said that she was working with another kid who will only walk unassisted when on the couch or bed. The minute he touches the floor he sits like he's fully incapable. Welcome to the party, champ. She also said to keep going to my free sessions of gymboree, it can't hurt and if nothing else will help ease the stranger/separation anxiety Ellie seems to have. At any rate, Ellie was showing enough that it seemed to me PT Lady got what she needed. She saw Ellie roll around, coo, get up on her elbows, put her butt in the air, keep her hands up like she's being robbed at gunpoint, sit for a long time, play with toys, etc. She showed me how to get Ellie up into sitting position from laying down. At least it seems this is one thing that's not my fault. And if she's right, easily curable. Just still makes me sad.

physical therapy and babbling

On the plus side, her babbling really has picked up. We hear new sounds, new volumes all the time. I wasn't sure how her hearing and speech would pick up since she's only 7 months but it really has made a difference.

A small piece of her stitches fell out this morning. It didn't seem to bother her at all. I was just glad to see she's healing.

I'm currently losing a battle with my pity party. I fight it pretty constantly, and some days I'm able to look at the silver lining and just revel in the fact that I have a gorgeous, well-behaved, good-sleeping, happy baby girl. Other times, I just cry about how life isn't fair, and how such a darling girl doesn't deserve so many problems.

My friend just came back from her ultrasound. She has a beautiful baby boy on the way, and I couldn't be happier for her. Of course this just reminds me of the nightmare sonogram I had, and how unfair it is that my girl has problems. And I don't want to hate her or be jealous of her, and if I even start to feel that way it makes me feel even worse for thinking it.

Today I also got a call from our social worker that in 1 month Ellie will have her physical therapy evaluation. From my observation she needs it, which breaks my heart.

To add fuel to the fire, my husbands grandmother died. Time to go host my pity party.