May 26, 2008 - Video of Brianna Laughing

Here's the video my sister took of Brianna laughingon her birthday. She was so excited all day, she KNEW it was a special day!

May 25, 2008 - Happy Birthday Brianna!

Well, Brianna turned three on Friday. We celebrated tonight, since Mary was in Wisconsin until last night. It was a good birthday for her. On the day before her birthday, we got Brianna's new Rifton bath chair delivered. It had been sitting in the medical supply company's office for a couple weeks, I guess, because they couldn't track us down. Yeah. That's how long it takes to get approval from insurance. We moved to our new apartment March 20th. And the address on the forms was our old one. So, yeah. It's been a while. But some things take longer. That day, we also got a call to let us know that Brianna's wheelchair is almost ready. It will take about three more weeks, because they have to wait for final approval from the insurance company, which takes 2-3 weeks. Then, I'll be posting pics of Brianna in her pretty purple wheelchair.

On her actual birthday, Brianna had fun. She went to daycare, where they sang "Happy Birthday" to her all day. Then, on the way home, she was roaring at me from the back seat. Later in the evening, she got to talk on the phone with Grammy Mary, who was in Wisconsin visiting her mother for two weeks; and she got to talk to Gramma Betty and Grampa Allen. All that talking on the phone got her really excited, and she spent the rest of the evening squealing and propelling herself back and forth across the living room floor. Then came bath time with her new bath chair. When I got her naked for her bath, she got even MORE excited. Her Auntie Sarah got some great video with her phone of Brianna squealing, arching and flopping, but I have to look at it to make sure it isn't x-rated, since Brianna WAS naked.

On Saturday, we went over to Grammy and Bobo's to do some cleaning (since Bobo has been home alone for two weeks...we expected the house to be a mess...it was surprisingly clean!) and some laundry. I had a pleasant surprise when I checked my bank account, because my state income tax was finally deposited in my account. So we went shopping. Got some groceries. I got some new bedding for my bed, some new sheets, a new bedskirt, and an embroidered quilt, since the weather is warming up, and a comforter is becoming too heavy. After shopping, we came home, and I barbecued and made cupcakes for the neighbor kids, who, by the time they were done, had to go inside for the night. Then, after Brianna went to bed, I set about making her teddy bear cake. It turned out great, and was really yummy.

For her birthday, Brianna got lots of clothes, both from me and from Grammy. She got a cute little sporty outfit from Damien, and she got a rocking horse that sings "Home on the Range" from Grammy. From Gramma Dorothy (Mary's Mom), Brianna got a necklace with a birthstone angel pendant attached. It's a bit big for her, but we can either get another chain for it, or save it until she is older.

All in all, Bri is doing well so far. She's still her contrary self, running into walls with her power chair, turning circles, and going into unauthorized places. But she's happy as can be, so we can't really get mad at her.

May 3, 2008 - 50 Steps!

Okay, update time!

In the past two weeks, there's been quite a bit happening. First of all, Brianna started back at daycare again, so that I can look for work. So far, there've been no interviews or anything yet. But I'm still looking. Brianna does well at daycare, but when I drop her off, she has to do the token fussing and resisting to remind me that I had better come back for her. But as soon as that door is shut behind me, she's happy as a clam. It's like a light switch. Seriously, that fast. No real tears, even.

In therapy, Brianna has been developing a distinctively stubborn and contrary streak, especially when we have occupational therapy at Shriner's. Whether we have OT or PT, Brianna always spends some time driving in the power chair. When we have OT and put her in it, she absolutely HATES to go any direction you tell her to. Ask her to go straight, she turns circles. Say, "Let's go get stickers", she goes to look at the fish. Say, "Let's go look at the fish", she goes towards the sky bridge. If she hears the elevator, she tries to get on it. If she sees a door open, she wants to go through it. Voices are another adventure for her. She'll go anywhere she hears voices. She runs into walls, just for the fun of it. "Authorized personnel only" signs hold no meaning for her. Nor do the words, "Stop" or "Let's go..." And the entire time she is contradicting every word you say to her, she has a great big grin on her face!

Now, in contrast, when we have PT, Brianna is a perfect angel. She drives in straight lines, with minimal crashes into walls or doorways. You say, "Let's go get stickers", and not only does she go to the room, but she does her little circle to turn around and see the stickers, WITHOUT trying to go into the central supply room first! She just tools up and down those halls, as sweet as can be, happy as a clam, minding everything Molly says. Of course, as soon as Denee, the OT, shows up, which she does if she has spare time during our therapy hour, Brianna starts being a little stinker again. And I know it isn't because she dislikes either one of them. She loves them both! She immediately gets full of smiles when she sees either one of them. I think it's just because Denee gives her a little more freedom than Molly does, maybe. When Bri drives with the PT, often Molly will walk along behind, with her hands on the handles, that way she can easily correct if Brianna needs the help. There is no guiding the chair with the handles while it is in drive. It's too heavy. So I know that it isn't Molly keeping Brianna straight through her own force. In contrast, when Denee puts Bri in the chair, she walks along side, or a couple feet behind, so she's a few steps away, close enough to reach if necessary, but far enough away that Brianna doesn't feel like she's being crowded or pushed. It's amazing to compare their different styles of teaching and therapy.

Now, as for the title of this thread...Yes, it means Brianna took about 50 steps! In PT on Thursday, Brianna was NOT a happy camper in her walkabout. She just couldn't seem to get that right leg to do what she wanted it to, so she was standing still quite a bit. So, Molly took Brianna out of the walkabout, and just held her under the arms. And Brianna walked about 25-30 steps away from me that way. Then she walked back to me that way. It was amazing! She was so happy, and you could tell from her grin and the happy sounds she was making that she was proud of herself! She was awesome! I wish I would have remembered to bring my camera. From now on, I do not go to therapy without it. There are too many important milestones that I might miss if I don't have my camera.

Anyway, it's late now, and I'm tired, so I'm going to end this entry here. I'll update on Brianna's progress in speech therapy tomorrow or the next day.

Oh, and Damien, we haven't seen you in a while, but I know you're probably reading, and I wanted to let you know that any time you want to see Bri or spend time with her, all you have to do is let me know. You're more than welcome to come see her, or keep her overnight, or even just for a couple hours, if you want to. All ya have to do is ask.