After Walking

 It's interesting to me how much Vada must have been focusing on learning how to walk because for awhile all other activities seemed to almost come to a stop, that is until she finally mastered the fine art of walking, now I couldn't get her to crawl even if I bribed her with candy (which I wouldn't . Don't get me wrong, she still played and learned but I noticed especially with her therapies that nothing seemed to hold her attention for any real length of time. Now that she is an expert walker, she seems to be doing something new everyday and I couldn't be more proud of her or more excited of her daily accomplishments and let me tell you, everyday if filled with them!

Saturday at GiGi's, while we were waiting for Vada's friends to arrive, Jasmine decided to put on a puppet show. While introducing the puppet that she had named "Bob" (who by the way resembled a killer doll from the eighties movie Dolls),

Vada eagerly stood up and said "Hi Bob!" and then quietly sat back down as if she hadn't done something both shocking and amazing. She had never said that before. She does say "Hi Mom" and "Hi Papa" but never before had she said Bob and so quickly after Jasmine had introduced him. Its random, I know but it is also new and it is speech.

During breakfast this morning Vada signed "more cereal please", that was the first time that she has ever signed a three word sentence before. And then tonight as Justin was heading off to work she said "Bye Papa".  And then Kiliegh was saying that she was cold so Vada got up and walked away, only to return to Kiliegh with her coat! She's blowing our minds, this girl of ours! Tonight, before dinner I said something about someone turning off the t.v., guess who did it.., yep, Little Miss, she went right to the t.v. and turned it off then walked t the dinner table!

 Oh! One more. I almost forgot! V shakes her head for "no" now. So this Saturday when the DT came for the very first time she was surprised by Vada because when she would ask Vada if she would like to do this or that Vada would shake her head for no. Ha! It took the therapist three times before V said yes to something. I guess the third time really is a charm.

I love this age and stage. I feel like I have waited a long time to see all of these things come from Vada but the wait has been well worth it! So much has come in this last month but especially after walking. I cant wait to see whats next!

Therapy (Cell Phone Post)

Yesterday Vada had physical therapy with Kim. Her developmental therapist sat in to see how she is doing because we will be starting DT in January. Justin had the day off so he came as well, which was a nice change. I think that yesterdays session was the best yet. Kim is so great and Vada works so hard with her. Kim tried new things with Vada yesterday. 

 

They did treadmill therapy first, as usual, but instead of holding Vada Kim decided to put Vada in the harness. I have a video that I will upload later when I'm home. Vada did great for it being her first time. Vada is pretty easy going when it comes to changing things up or trying out new things, which is such a blessing. The second thing that they did differently was the ramp or the slide-- its kind of a multi-purpose piece. I stood back and let Justin do all of the helping. I love being a part of her sessions so I thought that he would enjoy the involvement as well and I'm sure that he did. Truthfully, I think that Vada worked even harder because he was there. The DT was also thrilled with what Vada was and is doing. She said that Vada seems to be doing everything that she should be doing (besides the walking) but that she would still come once a month and if all else fails they would play together. That way she might be able to give me some ideas.

We pay twenty dollars a session after insurance pays their portion and while I don't usually discuss our finances this isn't that big of a deal to me. My point in telling how much therapy is costing us is that I would rather pay the twenty dollars to be reassured that were doing everything we can to help Vada reach her potential and to assure ourselves that she is not missing out on anything. Plus having the therapist comes gives me peace of mind as well and i find it comforting to have them to talk with and ask questions about any kinds of concerns that i may have. They may be Vada's team of therapists but they fall in a category of support for me as well. And the value of twenty dollars, in this case becomes priceless.

Anyway, when the DT said how impressed that she was with Vada my heart felt like it was about to burst!

And then at the end of the session when the DT had already stepped out Kim said how proud she was of Vada. She said she felt proud of her like she gets with her own children. What an amazing compliment and a testament of how much she cares. Vada is in good hands for sure!