G-R-E-A-T N-E-W-S !!!

I just got the call....and....

TESSA

WILL BE GETTING

A

POWER CHAIR!

Oh my goodness we are so excited!! Let the fun begin!!!

~Whitney

Love Tessa's Talking

I finally got Tessa on video making our most favorite sound in the world! It is the greatest thing to get to hear her sweet little voice...and this sound has become her consistent 'talking' and we absolutely LOVE it!!!

~Whitney

Wardrobe Complete

Tessa's wardrobe would not be complete without a pair of these....

A tiny pair of Pink Converse just screams "walk in me"...

There is a chance we'll be capturing these pink beauties in action...

In the mean time, I'd say they're just down right adorable and our Little Miss sports them like a champ!

~Whitney

Too Much Fun at Church!

Tessa has such a ball in her Bible Buddies class at church!

Here's some proof......

She fell asleep the minute we got her in the car after church and even stayed asleep for the transition to her stroller for lunch!

Here's my sleepy girl waking up to join the fun...the crazy hair says it all :)

We are so grateful for Ms Michelle and Ms Beverley! The love and compassion they have for Tessa and for us as a family is an amazing thing to experience every Sunday!

Thank you ladies for who you are and what you do! I pray that you truly know the impact you have on the people you so willing share your lives with!

~Whitney

Yay for Ice Cream!

We had an exciting first yesterday...Tessa's first ice cream! She was a little unsure at first and the cold definitely caught her off guard...but I was so proud of her for giving it a chance! And the smile at the end says it all!

Equipment Talk

I've been doing lots of research on http://www.leckey.com/, http://www.pridemobility.com/quantum/manualwheelchairs/kids_fast.asp and http://www.primeengineering.com/. The products we have been looking at are the Mygo Seating System, the Squiggles Seating System and the Kids Fast/Kids Rock (all stroller/seating systems) and the KidWalk (a walker). Melody recently brought a Mygo Seating System on a Hi-low chassis, pictured below. The demo she brought is not sized for Tessa, but it at least gave us an idea of the options that are available for us. Tessa desperately needs a more comfortable seating option than the strollers we use now. We trade off using a Graco Travel system stroller and Jogging stroller that we have had since Parker was born, and the Maxi Cosi stroller (pictured below) that we got for the option to have her face us instead of out. The Maxi Cosi has been a great option, but Tessa is getting stronger and postures into extension so much while she is in it...that it is very difficult to keep her comfortable and in a good position. Our goal is to get Tessa a Dynamic seating system that will allow her to move into flexion or extension in the chair while maintaining proper pelvic positioning and therapeutic support. Kids with high-tone like Tessa will stay more comfortable and be able to sit longer in a system that has some give to its frame/structure, than one that sits static and forces them in the position they are in.

Maxi Cosi stroller that we use now

Mygo Seating System on a Hi-low chassis - obviously too big for her, and of course her's would be pink~!

Here is a picture of a Dynamic Seating called a Kids Fast

Here's a picture of a KidWalk Dynamic Mobility System

Since we're already talking about equipment, here are a few pictures of the too-big-stander they delivered this week. Tessa was such a trooper through the fitting process...especially since it was a bit of a ridiculous attempt anyway!

Sizes 1 and 2 side-by-side

Here's a picture of Tessa in her new Manatee Bath Chair. The blue demo we used didn't have all of the supports like her new red one...she was quite comfortable :)

And finally, here's some pictures of her new DAFOS and shoes we got last night at therapy! Her new splints are basically just like her old ones just bigger and made with a stronger material. Her shoes are decorated with hearts and cupcakes...a cute selection by Ms Joanne.

We have to keep the DAFOS sized a little longer than her foot so she has room to grow, so we went up in shoe size from a 3 to a 5. The shoes will look a little disproportioned for awhile, but it's necessary so that we aren't ordering new splints every time we turn around.

Like I mentioned in a prior post...Tessa is changing SO MUCH! She looks like such a big girl in her new DAFOS and shoes...it's almost a little difficult for this mama to get used to! I guess the realities of moving out of infancy into toddler-hood is hard for any mom...but for some reason, for me, it reinforces some of the physical disabilities and struggles for our little Miss. We are so excited about all of her upcoming opportunities to continue to grow and change! She is a miraculous little girl!

~Whitney

A Theme...

I think we have a theme.....P-I-N-K! Ha ha...hope she doesn't grow to hate it!

~Whitney