Angela's Blog

We got more sleep and more restful awake times.... however, we also have more impulsiveness and Angela's ever-present, can-do attitude.   The girl asked if she could get out of bed at about 3:00am.   I told her to wait for Josh.   She said OK and then proceeded to scoot herself around inch by inch until she vaulted out of the bed and onto the floor.   Sigh....   no one hurt !n but what a ruckus we caused with me on the floor holding her on the floor and the Aides all going crazy because they now have a mound of paperwork to process! ! !    All I needed was help getting her back into bed.   Of course she slept after that treat...tuckered her right out.    Course I did not sleep another wink totally freaked out that it would reoccur.   The girl is strong, determined, and still knows how to get what she wants.

Another totally enjoyable shower today but the BIG HIGHLIGHT was two appropriate uses of the bathroom.   BIG EVENT if you have ever been in a situation where you had to re-learn this taks or if you have little ones that finally break the diaper habit.   It was total cause for celebration ....even with reminders that we will not be 100% successful each time.   It is quite an ordeal to move from the bed to the wheelchair to the comode back to the chair back to the bed.    Tires everyone out especially in the biting, pinching, kicking, punching stage.....   Josh and I look like we have been blackberry picking or were involved in a cat fight.  OUCH! ! !    

We were laughing today as we recalled promising to enjoy any complaining or bad behaviors when all we wanted was for her to wake up.   Josh said, "I guess I didn't know what I was promising."

We had about 11 visitors on Sunday and Angela knew 10 of them on-sight.   The 11th one was her second grade teacher.  Even so, Ang and I had fun talking about second grade in the middle of the night.   Thanks Sam! ! !  You triggered a lot of memories.

Reading to Angela is going well.   She appears to drift off and really relax with a good 20 minute stamina time.   Today, Joanne stopped and Angela's eyes opened and she requested to keep going so it was soothing to her.   Don reported that she just plain drifted off to sleep.   Kathy has noticed her increased stamina in being able to stay engaged because Kathy has read to her when she was still at Harborview.   We really appreciate your reading and helping with the item.   Josh and I both got to eat lunch during the story time today!

Your cards are much appreciated.   She has articulated how "funny" some are - including Uncle Mark and Auntie Sue's dog card and even gets the jokes on the "cheetah".   No laugh yet but she and Josh were making faces in the mirror and she is working on those facial expressions.   

Our OT guy also let us know that the use of fingers maps across many, many areas of the brain and is one of the hardest areas to make sure all the connections occur.   This will be our next huge challenge in both learning as well as in remaining patient for the "perfect time" to have it all work.

Well, I am off to sleep so I can fend off the feisty little one tomorrow.    Thanks for your ideas about helping with sleep naturally.   Know we research all of them.   Some will become possible when she can have thin liquid.....so far, milkshakes are OK but no water ! ! !    Maybe tomorrow.

Teresa