Anyone who knows Abby personally or has been reading this blog for a while, knows that Abby's strengths are her cognition and health. From the time that she was born, Abby has always been super healthy. Which a total blessing. Heart problems, GI problems, hearing, speech, vision, etc etc etc... there can be lots of medical issues associated with that tiny little extra chromosome. But to date, Abby has had none. We thought she might have Celiac Disease for a little while, but to make a long story short, she does not as of right now. (If you just went and read that post, no, we are not doing the gluten-free diet. It was suggested, but its an extremely difficult diet to maintain in a large family if its only "suggested". And so far she seems to be doing just fine with her love affair with bread. Though we will continue to monitor for Celiac every year.)
And her cognition is... well, its a little too good sometimes. ;) Just kidding! Abby's a pretty sharp and witty kid. She might not be able to fully, verbally express her thoughts, but boy are those wheels turning. At her first IEP meeting they told me that she scored so high on her testing that if she'd hit even one point higher that she would not fall within the range of "mentally delayed" and wouldn't qualify for special education services! lol! (If her speech were better than it is, there's no telling where she'd land.) She knows exactly whats going on and whats being said to her, most of the time. Her comprehensive vocabulary is really high, even though the expressive is lacking. Even her delayed speech (which is improving almost daily) she makes up for with signs, expressions, and whatever other creative devises she can use to help us understand what she's thinking. Very bright girl, my Abby. :)
But for Abby, her struggle has always been gross motor skills. Abby was the most limp little rag doll you ever saw. I didn't think she would ever bare weight (is it bare or bear? hm) on her legs. If you can believe it, she didn't start walking until after Micah came home. Its been exactly a year and a half. The thing I'm working on the most with her right now is stairs. Its so incredibly hard for her to find the strength to put weight on one leg and push up the rest of her body. And when she's laughing, you might as well forget it. Completely limp! lol!
Did I say really quick history? Sorry about that.
The last few days though, she's got a new trick. And she's so proud of herself, she's doing it all the time! She's walking around on her tippy toes! But bless her heart, I can tell it makes her tired because she'll walk around on her toes saying "Mommy, uh-aa ME!!!" (*Mommy, look at ME!*) For which I'll squeal and cheer, much to her delight. Occasionally she'll even bow a couple times and give a "Thank you... thank you." And then she'll go sit on the couch for a while and I'll notice her looking at her feet or touching them. Abby doesn't very often tell me when she's hurting, I have to watch for it.
I have a feeling she learned this new trick at ballet. "Yaa-yay." But I haven't had a chance to talk to her ballet teacher about it yet. ;) I'm wondering if she's been doing it for a while at ballet and just recently thought to show me at home.
I'm so proud of my big girl for this new accomplishment. :) Having a child with Special Needs isn't easy. I feel like we fight daily for Micah and Abby to accomplish new goals, just to try to keep up with their peers. But when they do reach little (or big) accomplishments, oh the joy! Way to go Abby Grace!!!!
oh how adorable! yeah on the tippy toes! one more milestone to mark off!! she is so cute, amy!!
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