Still amazed...

We got home late last night, and the flight was not fun at all. Picture one kid recovering from the stomach flu (Liam) up past his bedtime, and one whose carseat basically touched the seat ahead of ours who decided to kick the heck out of it the ENTIRE FLIGHT! Oh wait, she also peed her pants twice - right through to said seat. sigh. We made it - but just barely.

Today we had appointments at the hospital with the seating clinic to discuss possibilities for a wheelchair for Lola. I guess I'm just not *there* yet. Call it denial, whatever - but I'm going to hold off on ordering one just yet. They could not believe she was the same kid they fitted for a kidcart in December. She was scooting around the floor, playing with toys, etc. They said that she just needs a way to get around, and that she fully supports herself in her stroller. So that's the way we're going for now. We also got measured today for a standing frame. The thing is huge, and I'm sure Liam will spend countless hours in it.

Just a few minutes ago, I heard Steve yell, "Gill! She's walking!" - I figured he was kidding, but I ran from the kitchen anyway to see what was going on. She had been lying on the floor, and he said, "Do you want to sit up, Lola?" He tried to put her in a sitting position by holding onto her hands, but she stood right up and took several steps (across our living room). What a kid! Her feet weren't turned on their sides - she just looked like a baby taking her first steps.

She loves to keep us on the edge of our seats!!

Heading in the right direction!

Lola decided that today would be a good day to get up on her hands and knees and figure out how this crawling thing works. Yay! She hasn't figured out how to make her arms move quite the way she wants to, but she still manages to get around. She's getting very good at going from crawling position, to sitting sideways on her bum. Her balance and flexibility are amazing. I think we might need to put those foam mats all over our main floor - hardwood doesn't feel too good on the ole noggin'...

Amazing Lolly

This wasn't the best video I got, but it's taking forever to upload them. I'll try again tomorrow. You get the idea though - Mary is holding onto her one leg because she started to hyper-extend it when she was getting tired (Lola, not Mary. ha).

Big news!

Check out these stretches!



Phew - that was hard work! Time to relax...

I'm going to upload some video shortly (aka tomorrow hopefully) of Lola standing up in physio today. A friend of my mom's has been working with Lola the past couple of weeks, and though I thought she was too grumpy to be productive in her session today, she sure proved me wrong! The video is amazing. I can't believe she got her to stand! Thank you, Mary - we are so appreciative of your efforts. Everyone was cheering her on! Just before bed (uh, like ten minutes ago) I tried the same position, and sure enough, she popped right up on her own! She is incredibly strong. She also likes to pull my hair when I'm doing this, so she's getting back at me for putting her through it.
Lola also decided to "give hugs" to Jarebear and Mommy. She did this twice for Jare, and once for me. She definitely leaned in and put her arm around each of us. Adorable.
I just had to post those updates before I forgot!

The kids have been having an amazing time this summer. Swimming, check. Hanging out with everybody, check. Lola has started to scoot across the floor on her bum. She really wants to get moving. She's also been eating more bites of yogurt, pudding, chocolate milk - amid lots of protesting! It's still a step in the right direction. She has been working with a physiotherapist once a week - she's been coming to the house and she is amazing. She has gotten Lola kneeling and holding onto the couch (with support) - she's trying to get her to be more stable through her hips and legs as we inch towards standing. She's been trying to communicate with us more, and has been saying "up" when she's ready to wake up in the morning. She speaks volumes with her eyes lately, almost like she's pleading with us to understand. When you tell her stories, or explain things to her, she listens carefully and smiles at all the right spots. She is amazing. She is very interested in watching other kids, and is dying to get up and run after them. She has done a couple of cool yoga moves - ending in some crazy positions. Her core strength is insane. She can do the splits, she can put her stomach on the floor, she can pull her legs behind her head. Future gymnast?