Walking with the Cooks: 2018

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

These Feet Were Made For Walking

- We first noticed that things might not be on track with Anna as a baby. When we stood her up in our laps, her legs were like noodles. She wouldn't put any weight on them. The same was true in the jumper. She loved being in it, but wouldn't stand up much.

- I brought my concern to her pediatrician at her 9 month visit and was told to keep an eye on it. If she wasn't progressing I was to give them a call before her 12 month visit to get the ball rolling.

- At 11 months I made the call. An x-ray was taken of her hips and all was determined to be well. (Interestingly, she had an ultrasound of her hips at 6 weeks because she was breech.) We then were put on a waiting list for an evaluation for physical therapy at Wendell Foster in Owensboro. (For the record, my other option was someone coming to our home. I was told our wait would be longer. Turns out the wait was quiet long at WF and I never dreamed we would be going weekly for more than six months!)

- At 14 months we got the call that Wendell Foster has an opening and scheduled an evaluation. We met Nicole for the first time and were relieved to hear that nothing big stands out to explain why Anna doesn't put weight on her feet. It is on Thursday, September 7.

- On September 24 Anna pulled up for the first time.

- At 15 months insurance has cleared and we begin a weekly trek to Owensboro for PT from 4-5pm on Fridays. Her first session is on Friday, October 6.

- On November 11 she starts cruising. She went back and forth playing with plastic cookies and cupcakes on the coffee table.

- Anna commandeered a sucker just before bed on Sunday, March 19. I pried it out of her hands and she angrily followed me to the trash can. It sparked an idea!

- After naps on Monday, March 20, I opened a little pack of jelly beans, stood Anna up, and gave her one. Then I backed up and held a jelly bean out. Sure enough, she shuffled her sweet little feet to get that jelly bean. Josiah videoed, and she probably walked six feet. This was significantly more than she had ever done before. When Dave got home we did the experiment again the long way across the living room giving her pieces of a chocolate chip cookie as she walked.

- Our physical therapist was out on Friday with a sick child, but the therapist filling in was familiar with Anna and had watched our journey. Everyone in the room (who administers or receives PT during the same hour) rejoiced with us. Anna was brave and delighted. We were told that her arm placement (low guard) and ability to squat and stand back up were great for a new walker.

- On April 20 Nicole did another evaluation and Anna made a significant jump up the scale. I think it placed her at an 18 month level. Skills she could do were walking down a line and walking backwards. Nicole said that was a biggie for a new walker. Biggest news- we are slowing things down and coming back in a MONTH!

- At our May 18 appointment Anna was not up for our games to get her to do the things on the Nicole's checklist, such as sidestepping and going a certain distance in a certain time (she did this!). She threw a big fit over a corded play phone- she would have had a hard time being tied to the wall to talk! We had the option of being finished, but decided with Nicole's advice to come back in three months to see how she has developed and try to master the checklist.

- August 17- our last appointment. Nicole watched Anna work, then we went to the playground and played. She then said she had done all she felt like she could do and didn't feel like Anna needed to be monitored further. We felt the same way, had a round of hugs and high fives all around, and left Wendell Foster for (Lord willing) the last time. Anna was given a SUPER ACHIEVER shirt, a reminder to me of how far she has come over the past year.

We are incredible thankful for the respect and care of all those we met at Wendell Foster. God is good, a tender Shepherd. While waiting on Anna to progress and trekking to Owensboro weekly wasn't easy, we certainly appreciated each milestone in a way we wouldn't have otherwise. That is, we are grateful for the open eyes we were granted over past year of Anna's life.

September 24
Anna pulled up for the first time!

October 4
Now she can play with the big kids better.

October 13
First she sat in a walker.

October 20
Then Anna stood in a walker.

November 10
Anna learned to love pushing the shopping cart.
The cart was filled with weights to keep it grounded.
Anna wore light ankle weights for "input"- or to keep her grounded!

November 11
She cruises! She moves her feet!

November 22
Working hard to color with the big kids at Thanksgiving.

December 1
Once Anna started moving her feet, she graduated to the reverse walker.

January 5
It became her favorite PT activity.
The walker and the slide :)

February 19
We even got to bring one home. She got really good at maneuvering it through the house.

We took it outdoors on an unusually warm February day. . . this was just before my silly girl went headfirst into the pavement and earned her first busted lip.

March 12
Anna started walking holding on to the end of a rag at PT.
A fall on the carpet resulted in a carpet burn on her nose, which turned into quite the scab.

Our SUPER ACHIEVER after her last PT appointment!

Monday, September 10, 2018

Happy 4 years, Lydia!

When I think of Lydia, I think of emotion. She is full of joy, full of feeling, full of wonder. Her presence is satisfying. Her snuggles bring comfort. Her antics bring belly laughs. Her serious dancing brings quiet contemplation of how the Lord might use her brightness for His kingdom. This year Lydia has made a leap from toddlerhood to, more often than not, being one of the big kids. In some ways, she has to grow up fast to keep up. In other ways, the big kids care allows her to hang on her to little kids status. Big or little, time is definitely slipping away with this one. We love you watch you grow, Lydia, and love the beautiful little girl you are and are becoming.

Weight: 48.2 lbs (98%)
Height: 41.5 ins (85%)
BMI 99%

Clothing: 4-6T
shoe: size 10/11

Likes: dancing, doing a presentation (like the big kids do for CC), dress up, princesses, puzzles, coloring, helping cook (aka licking the beaters), accessorizing

Dislikes: being rushed

Schedule:
7am Time to come out of her room. After breakfast, she gets ready for the day and plays while we start school.
12:00 Lunch
1:00-3pm Nap (This is 50/50, but she does well wether she sleeps or not. If she does't sleep, she is allowed to read at 2:00.)
3pm The kids play together, often outside.
5:30 Dinner
7pm Bed

Sleep: Lydia is a good sleeper, albeit a little chatty going to bed. Every once and a while she wakes up with a bad dream. Otherwise, she is a consistent sleeper.

Physically: Lydia is quite active and regularly on the move, rarely in a straight line. Even walking through the grocery store she bounces from one side of the aisle to the other, spinning and hopping and singing. Her hair is long and blonde, but getting darker. She has just a little curl at the end.

Food: Lydia is probably the best eater of the Cook kids. She doesn't tend to be picky and is much more focused on the conversation than wether or not she likes what she is eating. When she has sweets she is focused and follows through to the end. It can be messy and comical.

Communication: Lydia is a story teller and full of words, much like her older sister. She bring drama and flare to her storytelling. She still loves to sing.

Fun things:
- Lydia continues to dance through Sunday morning worship, though she has toned it back some and takes more notice of what is happening on stage. I think being tall enough to see over the chairs has helped her be more engaged.
- She has starting preferring showers to baths and no longer shutters in fear at the mention of hair wash night. We spent most of the year discussing days of the week in proximity to Saturday, the dreaded hair wash night.
- In some ways, Lydia seems to be becoming just a little more thoughtful with her words and more prone to listen before she speaks.
- I love that she is tough. When she falls down, she is quick to say "I'm OK," brush herself off, and keep going. It appears to be part of being the little sister and needing to keep up.