One of the exercises PT Patty (yes OT and PT are both named Patty) showed us was to take her hand and bring it down to touch her knee to begin stimulating her to discover the rest of her body. In this picture she is looking at her feet. It has taken a week of knee touching to advance to feet. She is concentrating so hard she has her tongue out--so cute looks like Maemo when she hits a tennis ball. By the end of her sponge bath and therapy she usually is tired and ready for her morning nap.
Morning nap time is my window to get the house organized for the day. I save the laundry to do with her because we play "Where's the baby?" In this laundry game I place her with her head elevated on the bed and as I take a towel to fold, I'll place it over her and say, "Where's the baby?" then she starts kicking as I slowly pull it down to uncover her face and say, "There she is!" Sometimes she smiles and other times she opens her mouth wide and gives the sweetest sighs ever heard.
Another good day
3/23/2013
Anabelle had a good night sleep and woke up happy. In this first picture she is lying on her changing table in her room. This is one of her favorite spots because she is close enough to see our faces and has good lighting. The stuffed puppy dog toy near her is musical and she expects it to play for her during her diaper changes. This was a Christmas gift she received form Children's hospital during her stay.
We start our day with a little wash up and do our oral care. She enjoys the oral care. We have little sponge toothettes we use and then we do the oral activities our OT Patty has shown us. She is unable to swallow because of risk for aspiration but she can enjoy a little flavor. Yesterday she had her first taste of a lime "dum-dum" lolly pop and she kept kicking her little legs as she opened her mouth like a little bird.
Next, we do our message to feet and legs, follow with hands and arms. She loves this and who wouldn't. I can see her become more alert after the therapy and begin using her hands and kicking legs more.
After her nap we were able to go four our walk. It's a little overcast here in New Orleans but the temperature is perfect. Today we tried it without the extra head positioner, and she was able to hold her head in mid-line. I am so grateful that she is making progress. If you would have asked me in January if I thought we would be doing this, well, I wouldn't have been this hopeful, but now she is tolerating the feedings which is making it possible to grow. So far, she is responding to the OT and PT. Today we walked down Magazine Street and enjoyed the fresh air.
Now she is napping again so I take advantage of this to write to you. This evening we will do our rolling and practice sitting up. She also enjoys "Baby Einstein." I use YouTube app my iPhone making a mini baby TV and let her watch while I rock her. Then she gets her bath followed by evening message and then off to sweet dreams.
I have received lots of messages. I feel the love everyone is expressing for Anabelle.
Thank you all so much!!!
Good night
