Persistence, persistence

Sheena is rapidly improving with her walking. She is very keen at the moment in getting into standing to walk without holding onto anything. She managed it very well tonight, and persisted at it for half an hour. I was exhausted just watching her, its like watching a gymnast's floor routine, because its not the usual pattern of squatting then elegantly standing, it is much more impressive than that - and involves a remarkable amount of acrobatics. She was puffing and panting by the end of it, and I was offering her milk just to get her to sit for a while.

Thankfully, her parachute reflex of putting the hands out to catch her falls is working remarkably well for a little girl that didn't ever crawl. Her arms and shoulders have never had that opportunity to build up the strength to catch her falls, but Sheena doesn't seem to bothered by that.

The Year Begins on a Good Note

Sheena is back at creche. She'll be going 2 days which I'm trialling now that she doesn't need as much sleep during the day. We are all going to miss her carers from last year, who took so much interest in her, but hopefully the new ladies in charge of the room are equally as nuturing.

This week, Sheena had a review appointment with her Neurologist. She got the all-clear, and we don't have to make another appointment with him. Given that at at 9 or 10 months she was having 150 seizures a day, this is an outstanding result. Her Neuro was delighted with her overall development, and said that this can sometimes happen with Infantile Spasms - especially in children with DS. While usually considered a catastrophic form of epilepsy, if tackled aggressively enough with medication, it can have no ongoing significant impacts. Looks like our Sheena has fallen into this category. I never thought I'd ever be greatful for Prednisolone - which made her so sick and unhappy, but it was her miracle drug.

Yesterday, she walked all the way from the TV to the couch at Nan's house - which is about 5 meters. She can only get into standing by climbing up on something. She hasn't yet sorted out squatting, then standing on her own.

Toddler Time

A lot has happened to Sheena since the New Year. She's turned 2, and she's started walking. The day before her 2nd birthday she took her first independent steps, and now its at every oportunity. She doesn't like me putting her into standing - she has to get there on her own, work out her balance, then take a few steps between A&B. She's managed about 5 feet so far - going towards food that time of course.

I see the sea

It would be an understatement to say that Sheena enjoyed our holiday at the beach over Christmas. We took her to see the seals, the koala reserve, she had a few ocean swims, and lots of bike rides. We had lots of time to practice spoon feeding - which is taking us a long time. Holidays are good for that of course, as there are no appointments, and everyone is relaxed. Her hands are really soft like marshmallows, so spoon feeding is proving to be quite a challenge, but she is progressing well. Just happy to have some progress.