Communication

It is amazing how much Kelsey has been communicating.

Ever since we learned that she could choice make using "left" and "right" reaching, it has really opened things up. She also is way more vocal lately. It could be that her head congestion is finally better or maybe that she sees we really are listening.

We have a cute video that I will have to try to convert of her telling us "ya" to things she likes and "ooH" (no) to if she likes bedtime. In that video, I ask her if she likes dad and instead of her usual "ya" she says "offfv ad" (love dad) It is really sweet.

Yesterday with Kristen, she was ready to be finished with a peg board, but Kristen and I were asking her to do one more thing. She sat there and didn't try. Then she signed "all done" with BOTH hands going high and up. (usually just the right hand does the "all done" sign) and then she verbally said "un" (done)

She is laughing more and more spontaneously and it is absolutely precious.

Can't wait to hear "offv ahma" all the time. :)

Kelsey Repeats Laughs

Remembering A Very Special Visit

Two years ago, Kelsey was just two months old. We had been given a poor diagnosis at birth based on her MRI on her brain. When we took her home from the hospital at birth, we had Carousel coming to see us weekly to make sure that she was growing, etc.

There was a very special man who volunteers his time to come out to the houses of kids who can't or shouldn't be out and in line to see him in the malls, etc.

He was the real Santa Claus.
I can't explain to you what he gave to us that Christmas. Everything was still so new and so scary. I held my precious baby and knew that she was "in" there and that I would find her. I knew that she would "make it" and that she would be ok, despite what we may have been told.

When Santa came to our house, he knew it too. He held Kelsey in his arms like I am sure he has held a thousand before. He was so comfortable with her and with us. He had jingle bells you could hear coming down our sidewalk before he rang the doorbell. He had a key around his waist for those without chimneys. He was the real Santa.

He told the sleeping baby Kelsey to "Always remember that Santa loves you." and we felt loved too.
I got his address thinking I would get a thank you off to him. Somehow in those early, overwhelming days there was never enough time to do that. But I have thought of that visit often.Today, I found this website via some other site, clicked Kansas and sure enough Santa John is there spreading more love and hope than I can explain.



Merry Christmas Santa!

This Week's Thankfulness

* I am thankful that Kelsey was able to hit the button of a toy while sitting without help and only being supported at the wrist of the opposite hand. (And I am thankful that Mo (her PT in class at school)suggested trying this!)

(Related to this I am so very glad at how much stronger Kelsey's trunk muscles are getting)

* I am thankful for how much Kelsey loves all of her teachers.

It was such a joy to see Kelsey with Debbie at the Christmas program and how excited she was after 3-4 weeks without seeing her.

She just has so many special people in her life and I love that she loves them and works so hard for them.

* I am thankful for how much more she is "talking" this week and how much more opininated she is these days. (I *think* I am thankful for that ;) )

* I am thankful for the progress she has been making in the last six months, that she now has some pretty good ways to communicate her wants and feelings, and that she continues to grow and learn.

* I am thankful for the Christmas program for her school, how cute she was as a little Christmas elf, the opportunity she had to be on stage, and the visit with Santa Claus!

* I am thankful for the children that are older than Kelsey that I get to watch grow and achieve. It gives me so much hope for Kelsey's future.