Just wanted to post a few videos to share the progress Rachel is making. She is doing fantastic!! She walks in her walker at school again. And at therapy they are focusing on independent standing, pulling up, side stepping, stairs and of course walking.
I took these videos on Tuesday and Thursday of this week. She went from holding on while standing to arms up in the air for 20 seconds! I am amazed! Check them out!
There really is no other way to describe the events of last night. Time of her life!!
It was magic from the very beginning of the concert. (My accounts are mostly second hand because Rhett, my mom and I had different seats). She was in awe from the minute the Fresh Beats took the stage!
We could see her bouncing and dancing to the songs. She knows every word by heart. Twist (the guy in yellow and blue) stopped his speaking part to tell her hello when she yelled "Hi Twist". Her seats were front row right next to the stairs in the middle of the stage. During some parts of the performance the band comes into the crowd. Shout ( the boy in orange) came straight to her and gave her a hug!
Rhett was in shock I think. He sat with his jaw open and bug eyed for the first 15 minutes or so.
He warmed up though. And let me tell you, this boy has his mom's dancing genes ;) (again girls, you are welcome!)
Well.... Ok, maybe we need to hone these skills a bit, but at least he is willing to bust a move!
The played it loud like a rock star....
And we all reached for the sky!
Then for Rachel and Bruce the fun really began. We had gotten her VIP passes to go back stage and meet the band. Now by meet the usually mean you stand in line, sit in a chair in the middle of the band, smile and have your picture taken. Well, in true Rachel fashion, this was taken a few levels beyond a meet and greet! This girl now has 4 new best friend!
They requested that she be first in line!!!
And she got to spend some SERIOUS quality time with the band!!!
Best friends, I tell you!!
She even got a kiss on the cheek from Shout and a big hug!!
These actors did not have to do so much to make her day. Just a hand shake and a picture would have put her over the top. They completely when above and beyond to give this special little girl of ours the time of her young life!! I know the time they spent with her means the world to Rachel! She will always remember how wonderful they were to her!!!
Thank you Fresh Beat Band for making this an unforgettable experience for Rachel!!
And a big thank you to grandma for helping make this experience possible!!!
PS, Rhett, I am so sorry I didn't buy you the VIP tickets too!! Worst mother of the day award goes to me for that stellar decision!! I will make it up to you buddy!! Xoxoxoxox
A little progress here a little progress there. I will take it! Any progress is good progress. Rachel is doing very well recovering and getting back to pre-op activities. We have been very busy traveling to and from therapy and keeping up with all the at home therapy. We have gone from barely taking a step or two with the walker to walking several laps around the house in a very short period of time. I told our therapist it is like watching years worth of progress happen in just weeks. I though I would post several progressive clips of Rachel Walking. Here goes....
I am sorry for the awkward angle, I was afraid to get too far in front of her at this early stage. When ever she stopped walking she would collapse.
And this last one was taken on Friday at therapy. I hope you can see how much she has changed in just a week!!! Blows my mind!
And check out the bench Bruce made for us to do all our sit to stands and other fun workout therapy moves!!!
The best news as far as Rachel is concerned is she gets to start back to school tomorrow!!! She is so ready to see her friends and her teachers! We will start with half days and see how she does. And the cherry in her cupcake is getting to go to the Fresh Beat Band concert on Wednesday! She is more excited about this than anything ever!! Should be interesting!!!
I love holidays! And it was always my hope that my kids would love them just as much as I do. I want to craft, bake, see lots of lights, sing, dance, and come up with family traditions that will carry through to the next generation, maybe even further. I am talking full on Southern Living, Family Fun, magazine worthy holidays!!! My sister and I did a good bit of this as kids. We got to make ginger bread houses, we always had a big complicated puzzle to work on over the break, games to play, lights to see. My mom did a good job starting traditions with us.
The first few years after Rachel was born it was hard for me to get into the spirit, even though I really wanted to and I wanted to start big traditions early!! It was just difficult. And Rachel has just never been one to get really excited about Santa, presents, the Christmas season, or any holiday season really. Who knows why really, most likely do to overstimulation.
Then along came my little Rhett-ster!!!
I think this pic from our card last year says it ALL!!!! Oh, yeah! I finally have a partner in holiday crime! Watch out world, this is one holiday lovin' boy!
(To Rhett's future spouse: you're welcome! ;) )
His excitement was evident last year starting with Halloween. But this year it's on a whole other level! Every pumpkin, no matter how small, got recognition, every witch, ghost, monster and goblin was pointed out and deemed "spooooooooooky". Then it was on to thanksgiving, not as big of a fan, but was still excited. I'll work on that.
Now it is time for Christmas and this child of mine can hardly contain his excitement!!! Every bow on a lamp post, snowman, wreath, house with lights, and anything the least bit festive gets a nod from Rhett. He has to make sure you know he has seen it and that you see it too. He kinda reminds me of Buddy from the movie "Elf"
This is so Rhett!
We got out the boxes of decorations and I physically could not keep him from opening them and starting to decorate!!! He knows exactly where everything should go...
It all needs to be at Rhett level! So he can interact with it on a hourly basis.
Wreaths go on the inside of the door on the handle, right? Sure! Why not!
Everyone should have snowman buddy to carry around and help you make decorating decisions. It's essential!
A snowflake pillow for your chair...
Got to have a reindeer, too!
Now! To sit back on a snowman pillow and admire the handy work!
This year will be awesome! Can't wait to see how decorating the tree turns out!!
