Meeting Goals

Today, we had Morgans ARD meeting at the school. It was so positive! Everyone focused on her improvement in the last year. We went over her previous goals and discussed new ones. The PT said " Morgan has mastered all her previous goals for PT!" This is so amazing. Especially because this is the same PT that said last year at the ARD, that she couldn't get Morgan to participate at all with her and she wanted to reduce her therapy sessions. It is so amazing, I will say it again. I am just remembering the ARD meeting last year, which was right after we had come back from the Houston doctor that gave us the devastating diagnosis. I was just so sad then and don't know really know how I got through that time, only by the Grace of God. But today, such a different meeting, for such a different Morgan! Her teacher, ST, PT, OT, developmental specialist, and principal were there. They all had new goals for her, and new ideas. The PT will now be working on more advanced trunk stability and balance activities on the bolster swing and eccentric quad strengthening with descending stairs. The OT will be working on more independence with feeding, and Speech therapy will be working on communication. The ST wants me to take pictures of Morgans things around the house, and things she likes to do and email them to her. They will be working on association with objects and pictures, and the PEC communication she has worked on before. They all spoke about her improved receptive communication, her understanding, and her improved awareness of her surroundings. Also, she is so interactive now and expressive of what she wants. It was such a positive meeting, and geered toward helping her progress. Again, so very thankful for Morgans wonderful team of teachers and therapists,and so thankful how far Morgan has come I the last year!

Happy

Morgan has been happy today. She has been at home with our nurse and in her comfort zone. She has been doing lots of babbling, and different noises, so that is encouraging. She has been smiling and trying to get me to chases her. So glad she has been happy and not agitated. And also not real hyper! Also, her balance and coordination just amazes me. Now, she loves to walk up a big pile of dirt/sand that we have in our pasture. She takes my hand and leads me over there. I used to have to help her up it. It is a steep incline and very uneven terrain. Yesterday, she walked up and down it three times by herself. Also, the other day, I walked in her room and found her standing by herself on her platform swing. Kind of scary, but she was holding on. Still of course, so thankful for no seizures!!! I will be posting soon about where she used to be on that, to show even more so the miracle God has done.

Adjusting

The last two days at school have been a little better for Morgan. Her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Brooks, has come up with some ways to get her to sit. She made her a little activity belt she puts around her waist that has some sensory toys on it. Morgan will sit still with this for a time. She just always has to be "fiddling" with something. Anyway, it is helping. Her teacher is so wonderful in coming up with new ideas to help Morgan adjust. So this week, she is still climbing on everything at home and still has a temper and gets mad when she doesn't get her way. But, at least she is sleeping well at night. I am thankful for that. I remember all the sleepless nights. It means so much to be getting a good nights sleep now. Also, I am so thankful Morgan is signing some now! She signs "more" when she wants to jump more on the trampoline. It is so cute. She will get up and come over to me and sign it as she looks right at me. She knows what she wants, and now she is starting to communicate it. I know the temper and frustration must be from not being able to talk and tell us what she wants. So thankful, that the communication is improving in some areas.

Pictures with Brother Will

Knowing what she wants!

Morgan knows what she wants and knows how to get it. Last night she came and grabbed my hand. I was tired and I thought she was probably wanting to drag me outside again for a run. It was a little early for bed, so wasn't sure what she wanted. I got up and let her lead me to where she wanted to go. She led me to her room, went straight up to the light switch and turned off the light, then went to her bed, and got in it by herself! Billy and I were really impressed. It is neat to see her doing this to be more independent and to communicate to us what she wants. Today her teacher told us that Morgan did better sitting at school. One teacher held her in her lap and Morgan stayed sitting! They are all learning what works best. So very thankful for such patient and caring teachers and assistants. They are wonderful with her!

Wanting the best

As a parent, you always want the best for your child. And I think it's only natural to worry about them. I have my moments, and Billy does too, but thankfully it is usually at different times. That way, the other one can lift the one up that is down. I had my moment, or should I say moments, last week. Yes, she has improved in so many ways since the surgery, but she still has so far to go. It is so hard when I see kids her age and younger doing so much more. She has to be able to learn at school, but she won't sit still to participate. I am praying that we will be guided in what to do next. If there is another doctor, treatment, test, etc. that we need to do to try and help her. We have stopped with the testing, as we have a diagnosis and are fine with that. We are glad we don't have to drag her around to different specialists anymore. However, if there is another doctor or treatment that could help her, we would definitely take her. Our current doctors keep saying, "this is a marathon, not a sprint". This literally means that it takes time for her to heal. Lord, I really need patience. When it comes to your children, it is especially hard to wait on God's timing. I have seen His hand on her throughout, so I am very thankful, I just want the best for her.

Active at school, calmer at home

Our nurse was with her all day yesterday at school, then followed us out to the house to help at home. She really sees the difference in Morgan with just being in her comfort zone. She says Morgan is very active at school and still agitated some. But at home, she is happy and much more calm. I think she is still getting adjusted to being back in the routine of school. Also, there is so much going on there, with all the kids and activities. Her teacher did say she was sitting some better but still gets frustrated occasionally when she wants to get up and run around, but can't. I have noticed at home she has been more calm lately, so very thankful for that. Our new game this week is playing peek a boo with the towel after her bath. She loves it and will hand the towel to me to play. Also this week, she is now able to turn off the light in her room without us having to lift her up. She stands on her tip toes to reach it, which is a great exercise! Little things, but big things. We focus on the little improvements and are thankful for all of it.