25 months and CRAWLING!

So...Mama read the book What to do about your Brain-Injured Child by Glenn Doman, and we began scooting ALL THE TIME to follow in the developmental footsteps of well-children.  Gwenny is not a very fast scooter (army crawl, pulling herself with only her arms.) Therefore, getting in a certain amount of distance during the day became time consuming.  I moved toys from one end of the kitchen to the other, sat on the ground and played cheerleader all day (between meals and nap.)   

 A few days after we began hard-core scooting, Gwenny would start from her W-sit, put her hands on the floor, move her left knee forward then her right before flopping to her belly to scoot the distance. 

On the 12th day of hard-core scooting right after breakfast, G started from her W-sit, put her hands on the floor,  moved her left knee forward, then her right, then her left, then her right again!  And kept crawling on hands and knees half way across the kitchen!  Then she flopped to her belly, scooted a few paces, stopped to play with a chair, got back on her hands and knees and CRAWLED THE REST OF THE WAY TO ME. (Youtube link in blue.)

I was teary-eyed and over-joyed!  It was almost a shock that she started crawling on hands and knees so fast after switching tactics.  Again, I find myself frustrated with the medical world on not pointing me in this direction sooner.  But it has taught me something very important- NEVER give up, and if I feel there is something more I can do for my child, but I just don't know what it is, I have to keep looking until I find it.  I need to trust myself enough to be the expert on my child.  I'm already devouring more "alternative" literature to help Gwenny.

Its interesting to note that Mr Doman claims that a child cannot progress physically without progressing in other aspects of development (and visa-versa.)  Since seeing the crawling on hands and knees (Doman calls this "creeping") Gwenny has also used a pincher grasp a few times (development for hands to work towards pointing and holding a writing utensil) and last night surprised us by attempting to pull herself to standing at the couch.  I'm excited to see what the next few months holds for Gwenny Claire.

Here, Gwenny is working on pointing to the picture that is named (Mama or dog.)  Our speech therapist suggested we pick a person she sees all the time and a non-person.  Its hard to tell if she understands, but she seems to be right more than half the time.

As Gwenny starts to show more of her little personality, it has been fun to watch her interact with her Cousin Chloie.

Gwenny's hair is now long enough for piggy-tails! 

Gwenny crawl-scooted (she's alternating) over to help me with the dishes the other day.  This was an exciting moment for me as I've seen other babies be interested in helping with the dishwasher, and now its Gwenny's turn.

Another exciting (and very unexpected) development was Gwenny's first throw at OT a few days ago.   She was happily playing in the ball pit when she picked up a yellow ball with her left hand (barely able to grasp it) and threw it overhand!  We were able to get her to throw again with both hands about 5 times.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get her to do it again at home.

The emerging pincher grasp.

Feeding herself yogurt with a spoon.  She has trouble with the scooping, but can get the spoon to her mouth.

Gwen's PT was "amazed" at her trunk strength and sitting these past 2 visits since we started focusing on scooting all day.

Gwenny's been braver about exploring and trying to escape!



Pa-pop found a grasshopper and introduced Gwenny.

 

We found a used trike with a parent-push handle online for $20.  Gwenny really enjoyed her first ride.  We rubber banded her feet to the pedals and her sitting is now good enough that she can hold her own.  The only downfall is the used trike seems to have a gear issue and doesn't turn very well.  Luckily, there's no need to go fast anytime soon.

23.5 months

Look at this big girl!

Mama is so excited to see her little G-funk lift that little butty off the ground by herself!  We've been working very hard on strength in G's arms, legs and core to be able to do THIS.  I was worried when we had a little set back two weeks ago (she was only able to hold this position for 8 minutes, when we had been doing 10-15 minutes prior to that.) 

 We can now hold hands & knees for 20+ minutes using the bamboo braces on her arms and the SPIO vest on her core.

As Gwenny get taller and heavier its harder for me to do the exercises with her that require my strength, such as her bearing weight standing (this is hard on my back and arms.)  We started experimenting with other things she could lean against besides Mama, as she is now too tall to lean against the front of the couch or chair and stand straight.

  The arm rest of the couch is ok, but you can see how she is still sticking her little booty out, and not putting her full weight on her legs.  This position is easier on me, but I still need to straighten her stance the whole time.

We discovered this solution while at Leslie's house (a big thank you to you, Les!  Everything happens for a reason.)  While G was wearing her SPIO vest and foot braces, I stood her in front of this large window.  She loved looking outside, and she was unable to stick her booty out because her face would go forward into the window.  She was forced to stand straight and surprised me by being able to balance,  with the aid of her hands on the window.  We have now cleared a place by a window at home so we can continue weight bearing on her feet and legs this way. 

 At this point we are at 20+ minutes for standing.  From what I've read, I'd like to get up to 1-2 hours per day.  This would be more ideal with a stander (like a high-chair that she would stand in) but we're looking at FAR too much expense for one of those ($2,000-ish).  I'm hoping to borrow one through a program.  Until then, we'll continue with the window.

Everywhere G goes is a perpetual mess!  She loves getting into things and emptying baskets, drawers or shelves of any kind- toys, blocks, DVDs, books.  I'm loving that she is curious and motivated to do this.  I couldn't care less about the mess.

Gwenny taking a pic of her & Mama.






Every once in a while I get a picture like this, where I am completely struck at how beautiful Gwenny's eyes are.



We took G to a restaurant that we didn't realize was a "nice" tablecloth-type place until it was too late.  She had a great deal of fun driving me up the wall while she played with the tablecloth (including peek-a-boo) the whole time we were there.

Gwenny and her cousin Chloie play so well together. Chloie gives G hugs, and they both give kisses to each other.  They "colored" together this week during a visit.  Gwenny seems to get the idea of scribbling (moving her hand back and forth over the paper) but she lacks the wrist rotation to get the crayon in the right position.

23.25 months

Hooray!



  We've been practicing this movement (raising hands above head) as a turn taking exercise.  (Great for extending that right arm, too, which is still a little tight.)



  G loves to put her hands in and out of sleeves. 

Gwen's favorite exercise at OT, playing with the rings.  Here, the OT put the rings around G's waist and she has to figure out how to get them off of herself, using both hands.





 Here, Gwenny is trying out her new SPIO vest at PT.  Our therapist thinks it's making a big difference in how long she can do the exercises which means her muscles are working longer and she will eventually gain more strength.



Gwenny loves the piano.  I hope when she's older we can have fun working her fingers out on the piano keys.





Pa-pop's drink & G's drink for the Olympics.



G has been OBSESSED with cell phones of late (almost 2 going on 16?!)  Here she is playing with an old disconnected phone that she can dial to her heart's content.

  Gwenny had a blast with this exercise, a parachute, that our VT brought.  G is getting so good at lifting both hands off the ground while she's kneeling.

Just scooting around and exploring.  :)

This is a pic of G sitting on my lap while we get ready in the morning.  She is strong enough to play here, with her back mostly straight, without my hands or her hands to hold her up.  (She's so strong!)  I feel she would be able to sit unassisted on the ground (tailor sit) if her hips weren't so tight.  We'll be seeing a rehabilitation pediatrician about her hips at the end of September. 



This is the "W" sit.  This is the most comfortable way for G to sit, and she is very confident this way.  She can push herself to this position from her tummy and can sit without her hands.  I have had a PT tell me that this is not a "good" way for her to sit due to the pressure it puts on her knees and hips.  BUT, I've had another therapist tell me lots of kids are successful sitting this way and have no issues.  My jury is still out...but, Gwenny loves it and does it without my permission!