Maggie Update

It's been awhile since I've posted anything about Maggie's progress and therapy schedule. The Tennessee Early Intervention System contracts agencies to send therapists out to family's homes. A developmental therapist, called a teacher, works on everything from social to physical on children with a variety of disabilities. Kellie comes to our house once a week and every time I tell Maggie Ms. Kellie is coming, she says "play!" It's so cute.

They work on sitting, a little standing and some speech all while interacting and playing with toys. Very similar to when our B'ham therapists would come out to the house- have Maggie sit while stacking blocks or unzipping a bag or pointing to animals on the iPad. And oh my word, does Maggie love the iPad! One of the first things Kellie said at our first session (would've been back in January, I believe) was that she was not expecting Maggie to be as bright and mobile. She's never worked with a child with CP like Maggie. And there's one game they recently played on the iPad she told me none of her other kids can do. She always talks about how smart and determined Maggie is, it's very encouraging, just like in B'ham.

Keeping her right hand open while using her left pointer. She's been sitting well on her bottom lately- I think I've finally got her back to a point where she doesn't argue with me every time I have her tailor sit (she loves that "w" sit). A proper sit is better for proper posture; look how well she's standing below, and that's without her AFO's!

To see Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapists we have to go somewhere, similar to our outpatient experience in B'ham. We go to Lyttle Fox Therapy and love it! Maggie enjoys going and I'm continually amazed at how much stamina, focus and work ethic she has. She gets PT and OT twice a week and speech once. This is in addition to the weekly home visit. And she's making some great progress; I can see more trunk strength and her fine and gross motor skills continue to improve.  Her speech has probably seen the greatest improvement, she is certainly determined to be heard! She's getting great at 3-4 words sentences, her individual syllables/sounds are improving and her blends as well. The last several weeks Kellie has been super impressed with how well Maggie is talking. Her SLP says she's doing great, as well. :) I know I had my doubts when we first moved here because change can be scary and I was so impatient to get things going, but I'm really happy with our setup. Maggie is clearly making use of her time! Praise the Lord for therapists who care and love what they do!! I don't think I've taken any pictures there yet (fail) but here's some home shots.

This. Is. Huge. Maggie has been able to drink out of a sippy cup for a long time, but always with straws or in a reclined position. Here she's sitting in her booster seat- which doesn't provide a ton of support- and actually lifting her cup up and drinking! I'm just amazed by my little girl and so proud of her!!

 She pulled up to a stand all by herself and check out those flat feet! 

She starts to lose it a little when she tries to move, but recovers. She can't stand up here for a super long time without support, such as me holding her and/or putting on her AFO's, but she's making it happen.

Will was lying on his belly to color, so Maggie had to as well. I don't know if this means anything motorically but it certainly speaks to her determination. :)

 Love seeing this sweet girl color. It's one of her favorite things. :)

So that's my Moosie girl! I hope to post many more improvements in the near future. Most of all I'm so proud to call this sweet girl my daughter! She has such a sweet disposition....when Will gets in trouble, she starts to cry and often goes to console him. She loves that big brother!!