Sams Blog

Well, Sam is REALLY trying to talk. I feel like we say that a lot. But now she isn't just repeating words, she is expressing herself more.

For instance, her dad put her in her high chair and she said "hungry"! That was amazing. She could use the word appropriately. When she was watching Caillou, there is a part when he is trying to remember a shopping list (toilet paper, light bulbs, socks for Rosie, and crayons) and he paused after toilet paper and Sam said "lightbulbs" I couldn't believe it! She is coming along. She said "happy" when she was playing with her dad and when he tucked her in at night she looked at him and said "daddy" So she is getting there. I can't wait to hear all that is going on in her head. I really wish I knew. There is a lot in there. I can't wait 'til she can share it.

Last night we went to Family Night at school with her grandma and grampa and she was so happy as soon as we got into her classroom. She was thrilled. She couldn't stop smiling! It was so nice. She loves it so much. We love it too. They are amazing. We met another mom, and she was nice too. It is nice to be a part of something.

It is my spring break, and that is good. I am trying to get a lot of work done. I am doing ok at it. I am feeling much better these days, the break has helped a lot.

So we continue to plod along. We are impatient for her to develop. We couldn't love her more, but we are ready for some new tricks!

Lisa

I love her new school. Her PT is giving her an extra HOUR of private PT after school on Tuesdays. Amazing. It is technically her time to teach us to do what she wants to work on. Sam LOVES her, and loves the session! It is really great. She laughs the whole time!

Everyone at school really thinks she is smart (we knew it!) which feels good. Getting her to express herself is another matter. They are working hard on it! And the PT is really confident that she will make good progress, and is hopeful to move it along a little faster. That would be nice.



Sorry for the brief post but at least wanted to say that school is great and she is making great progress!

So, as it turns out, "wheelchairs" are less scary than I thought. We are getting two kinds for Sam, pending approval from insurance. We have loaners for a week to try them out.

(1) The Power Chair: This is an electric wheelchair that sam can move herself. She definitely gets the concept! She is borrowing one to try out, and there is no doubt she will be able to be independently mobile in no time! It is hard to have to have ramps and such, but alas, that is the price we pay. It is nice to see her be able to get around herself and gain some independence. And research shows that kids with power chairs actually walk SOONER because they get the taste for freedom. So this is a huge step. It is pink, too.

(2) The Adapted Stroller: This is the version of a wheelchair that looks and acts more like a stroller, and can be used to get sam around. It is lightweight and is a nice stroller. It provides more support for her than a regular stroller. Plus, it has the benefit of being allowed at places that don't allow strollers...like the butterfly museum.

So we went to the butterfly museum today. It was our first outing with "the chair" At first it was hard, and felt weird, but then a little girl was so intrigued by it and Sam and was trying to kiss sam. It was so cute. Kids don't care, only grownups do. So it made it a novelty for her, not a stigma. I liked that. But part of it was still hard. It is nice to have something that supports her better and also that has nice steering action! I like that part!

So, we are in the realm of wheelchairs now. It is ok, because she is walking a lot too. That makes it ok. I guess you can get used to anything, if you have to...

Well, let's hope school isn't cancelled tomorrow. She was quite upset on Friday when she didn't get to go to school (there is no school on Fridays!) But she got to go to School on Sat. for a pancake breakfast, and that was pretty nice!

OK, good night!