New Braces = New Gracie

The therapist ordered new, higher braces for Gracie hoping they would improve her walk. The piece in the back of the brace keeps her foot positioned so that she cannot drag her toes when she steps. The braces have truly made a difference. They are not comfortable on her, so I know it will be a fight once the newness wears off. But for now, Gracie now wants to walk on her own. This is new for her. Watch the video below to see Gracie walking, all by herself, in her new braces.

Guess Who Learned to Read?!

Last weekend Gracie learned to read! She asked us why we spelled words somtimes in our conversations. We explained to her that there were times when we didn't want her to know what we were saying. She viewed that as a challenge and asked me to try it at that time. I tried several sentences aloud spelling one word of the sentence. She was able to figure out all of the ones I tried: red, grass, green and rug. Doug and I laughed and said we were going to have to start talking in pig latin. So, the next morning I got out a Bob book (Great for beginning readers!) and asked her to try to read the 6 pages. She did it! Honestly, it wasn't even hard for her. The only 2 words she needed help with were "the" and "on". We are so proud of her! We called her teachers to tell them the good news! Check out the 2 videos!

Skating & Standing

In this video, Gracie is wearing roller skates. It's her first time. Can you believe it, Aunt Lori?! Gracie really enjoyed being on wheels. Her therapist will let her try any equipment, after she finishes her hard work. In the other photo and video you'll see Gracie stretching her legs as she stands on one leg. Her "tickle machine" was hooked up to her legs to help stimulate and contract the muscles. This was hard for Gracie but a great exercise for her legs and her balance! She still sleeps with this same device (Empi) at night (most nights) to further progress her leg muscles.

Working Hard

In the video you'll hear Gracie announce something that she's working on. We have prepared her that 5-year olds don't suck their thumbs. We're trying a "thumb-sucking substitute" which she loves to say. I read in a parenting book that you should give the child something else to do with his/her hands at bedtime. She now has a colorful squeeze ball to sleep with.

Gracie is willing to help all the time! In the photos below you'll see her helping Daddy stain her ramp. She loved that she had to put on "work clothes" just like Daddy does.

Little Diver!

At swim therapy this week Gracie is learning to overcome her fear of going under the water by going after a toy on the walking platform. She was so proud of herself! Laura and I were thrilled, too! She still thinks she needs to hold her nose so it took a lot for her to do it with her hands free. I sure love my little diver!

Supergirl!

In this video you'll see Gracie using her trunk control and her head/neck muscles to fly and swing like a superhero. Thursdays are swing days at therapy. We all know how much Gracie loves to swing. You'll also see her on a pogo swing. You can tell by her smile that she really likes this swing.

After therapy she went to Vacation Bible School. She's attending the program at Woodmont Baptist, where we've been going to church. Her class is taught by the much loved, much missed Miss Christy!! It's just this week from 9 - 12:30. It has been great for Gracie to reunite with Christy as well as some of her classmates from school last year.

Gracie is turning 5!

We have one little excited munchkin in our house tonight! Gracie Elizabeth turns five tomorrow. She has been announcing the number of days until her birthday to everyone she encounters these last 6 or 7 days. I love that she thinks everyone is interested in her life, even strangers. She has big birthday plans. She will have a blast at school tomorrow with her fabulous teachers and friends. My students have even asked her to come to our classroom tomorrow because some of them have gifts to give her! Friday night, we're having a Wild-n-Wacky BYOS Party. Gracie decided she wants everyone to dress crazy and bring your own steak, her favorite food. It should certainly be wacky. We didn't send out invitations this year, so please come if you'd like. We're getting wacky at Dad's house around 5:00. Call us if you need more information. Then, Gracie is sharing a pool party will her friend, Will. They are in class together at Oak Hill. The kids in their class are coming to swim with them at The Collins' new home. In case that's not enough, Gracie is leaving the next day on a trip to Destin with Grandma and Grandpa for 5 days!

For her birthday, we put a white iron bed with a trundle in her bedroom. We also bought her an Air Pogo swing. It is fabulous!!!!

Thanks for loving our girl for 5 years!

Mother's Day at School

Gracie's class had a Mother's Day brunch and program on Friday. It was precious! In the video you'll see her singing about keeping me in a little box. I love her little embarrassed smile!

Happy Mother's Day!

Gracie and I hosted a tea party for our mothers on Saturday. They couldn't all come but we enjoyed our time with the ones who came. In the photo from back left:
Louise (Gracie's Godmother), Karre, Phyllis (Grandma), Hilda (Nan), Gayle (Nana) and Gracie!

New Playground Equipment!

After finding out about a grant called "All Together Kids" funded by the United Cerebral Palsy, I applied and received money to purchase playground equipment. I was awarded $1,000 to purchase new equipment for school. The purpose of the grant is to allow kids (particularly kids with CP) to play more comfortably in a school or camp-type setting. Gracie and many more kids her age at school were thrilled to have equipment they could use more independently. Oak Hill has a nice playground, but the majority of the equipment is better suited for the older children.

If you know a child in Davidson County schools with a severe disability who would like more information on the grant, please email me at the address on the front page of this blog site. I'd be happy to share my experience.

Tooth Fairy

On May 1st, Gracie pulled her first tooth. She was at school with her friends. When I was told by one of the teachers, I ran with my camera to see her. She was so excited! She was told all day about the Tooth Fairy and what to expect. So... when we got home she pulled another tooth! It actually was a loose tooth, but it really took some wiggling for her to get it out. After that, I made her promise me she'd keep her hands out of her mouth.

BTW- Gracie's tooth fairy brought her two $2 bills. She calls the bills "fairy money."

A True Princess!

Gracie attended Grace's birthday party on Saturday. There were princesses and pirates running around everywhere. She had great fun!

Naturally, she found her way to the swing. Swinging in this type of swing is something we are pushing Gracie to do. She still prefers the baby swing. She can swing in the type seen above. We are just working with her to pump her legs so she can keep up her momentum.

I don't know why the video below is sideways. I rotated it in my editting program, and it showed that it was corrected. Oh well. Just tilt your head I guess.

New Favorite Swing

Gracie went to Mary Virginia's birthday party last weekend. She had a great time with her classmates on a beautiful day outdoors. She absolutely loved the Air Pogo swing Mary Virginia had in her backyard! You can see the joy in her face in this video and in the photo. She had no trouble staying on the swing; the hard part was getting her off! She loved it! Gracie has always enjoyed swinging. It's something she chooses to do over any other activity.

Standing Up

In this video you'll see Heidi helping Gracie transition from kneeling to standing. This is hard work for Gracie but she can do it!

Easter Day

Hoppy Easter!

The Zoo

Hello Lily! I posted another page today just for you. I'm sorry I've gotten behind. I hope you enjoy this video and photo of our last trip to the zoo. Gracie loves the carousel.

Some people wish they had bodies like the stars. Well I wish I had arms like my daughter. Check out her muscles! We can't wait until her legs build up too.

Climbing Nashville!

Take a look at these pictures from Gracie's latest physical adventure! We took her to Climb Nashville. We were invited by Charlie, one of my students. His family decided to ask for donations to a worthy cause in lieu of birthday presents this year. So, he had his guest bring donations to the March of Dimes in honor of Gracie who was born 12 weeks early. Is that fabulous or what?

In these pictures, you will notice a couple of things. Gracie working hard, coming very close to reaching the top, and Doug following her up...in his dress clothes! He couldn't resist when Gracie said, "Help me, Daddy!" She proved to all of us, again, how determined she is. We were so proud of her!

Gracie Walks!

View the video below to watch Gracie achieve one of her goals. Gracie is walking from her bathroom to her bedroom using her own strong legs! I am following her simply to spot her. She decided to do this one night over Spring Break. She does this in therapy often, but she does not walk unassisted much at home. We were very proud of her! This happened after a week of walking solely with her crutches. She did it! We put away the walker for Spring Break and required her to use her crutches. Honestly, she didn't show much resistance. Hopefully she knows she is ready for the next step toward independent walking.

Spring Break

Our Spring Break begins today. We have prepared Gracie for a big step... She is putting her walker away over the break. She will be solely using her crutches, pink of course! She has used her crutches for a long time. However, we've allowed her to use the walker, too. She has gained confidence and no longer requires someone to be close beside her when she walks with them. However, she is still fearful and a bit slow. For this reason, she will go back to using her walker primarily at school after Spring Break. We will use the crutches at home.
Because she wanted to (this is huge for her), she used her crutches to walk to her classroom this morning. She took about 300 steps on them. It took us 20 minutes because her classroom is a good distance from the front door. She was commended the whole way! Everyone stopped to congratulate her which caused her to smile the whole way. It was fun to watch her be that proud of herself!
Wish us luck!

Morgan, A Friend

Calling all Gracie fans!
Check out this website: http://www.morgansangelsofhope.com/Home

This is a little girl who has a lot in common with Gracie. We will be praying for her and following her progress.

Snow Skiing in Nashville!

Gracie and Daddy love to play the Wii together. Here's a video clip of him coaching Gracie on her snow jumps! By the time they had finished playing, Gracie had worked up a sweat and "exercised" for 30 minutes. We are all big fans of the Wii.

January into February

Gracie has had a wonderful first month of 2009! She has been very excited about practicing her walking. We are all thrilled! We have often said that once she has the desire to walk, the rate of her progress will increase. I believe this. Gracie has taken 14 consecutive steps unassisted!

I look forward to Spring Break. I'll be the one taking Gracie to therapy. I will get more video of her for the blog. There is a big improvement in what she can do lately that will be more evident in a video clip. Gracie is also not being as adamant about having someone stand close to her when she uses her crutches. Whew!

A friend at school today reminded me that over a year ago I said it was hard to imagine Gracie taking a step on her own. While I realize she has a long way to go, I am very proud of Gracie and the progress she is currently making. I'm so glad my friend made me stop and reflect for a minute.

Magnetic art above by Gracie

A New Year

Up until this point, Gracie has always found comfort in the fact that we could carry her anywhere she wanted/needed to go. The other night she asked me a question that shocked me and excited me. She asked, "When will I walk by myself?" I made a big deal of it and told Doug. We were excited that she was thinking about it and hopeful that her mind would become focused on this goal. Since this conversation, she has been eager to practice walking without assistance. Something she enjoys doing right now is walking between two people, back-n-forth. Her steps are more slow and accurate. In the past, it was more like a lunge or forward stumble.

School is going well. Gracie is happy there and enjoys all of the people she encounters during the day. She still goes to therapy 4 days a week before school. She enjoys her time with Laura, her PT. We do get resistance from her some mornings though because Laura wants her to wear her theratog under her clothes. Gracie complains about it itching her and being tight. I believe her. It would drive me crazy. However, it helps her legs remain in a forward position rather than turned in. We will both be happy when she gets permission to stop wearing it.

Gracie still uses the electric stimulation machine at night and some during therapy. This promotes muscle activity. She doesn't mind it at all anymore.

This is going to be a great year for Gracie! This new interest in walking is so exciting!

Christmas Program

This is a video clip of Gracie's Christmas program at her school. It's a little unsteady but you can still see her with her classmates. She was actually shy on stage. That surprised us!

"Walking Beauty"

I just love the smiles in this recent video! Gracie is walking with her crutches in the hallway at home. We are all viewing the Christmas break as a time to devote to serious progress on Gracie's crutches. Fear of falling has been the hurdle with this skill. However, her confidence is slowly growing. I haven't seen it but her therapist has even persuaded her to walk with one crutch some during therapy!

Doing the Dishes

Gracie loves to help in the kitchen. So, to make this more possible, Doug ordered her The Learning Tower. It's an adaptive stool. She feels very safe because she is surrounded by wood. Take a look at this video.

Christmas Cookie Party

Gracie's class had a Christmas party where all of the kids decorated and ate sugar cookies. She enjoyed the party and certainly the cookies!