My Hero

Lydia Cassels Poché is now officially my new hero! We just got finished with her shot...I gave it all by myself...and she did not even let out a full-fledged cry...just a little whimper...then, as soon as I started talking to her, she smiled and cooed at me. It's like she was saying, "We're in this together." I think she knows that it's hard for me to do the shot, and she's trying to be strong for me. I didn't hesitate quite as many times as I did yesterday, but it did take a little time for me to actually get it there. What a trooper she is!! I can't even imagine some adults being as tough and brave as she has been through all of her ordeals.

We had our PT appt with Susan today. Our homework is to work on thoracic extension, which I think has been one of Teresa's main goals for her. Susan showed me several different positions that this can be done. (It really helps me to write this all out soon after the visit, so that I can remember better.)
-hold her high up on my shoulder (switch shoulders often) and press against her back
-lie her on her stomach over my thighs...with her head hanging off the end of my leg
-sit with my knees up...sit her up in my legs with her head hanging off the end of my knees
-burp her leaning a little forward; pat her high back

Other things:
-Have her sit in the boppy pillow with a smaller boppy pillow in front of her to rest her hands and push with her hands
-During dressing time, lie her on her back...rotate trunk in each direction.
-During massages, turn her feet and hips in..(they turn out automatically at all times)
-When using the ball, don't rock it...she is not ready for that...put her on her tummy at a 45 degree angle...hold her chin and hold her hands down on the ball to allow her to push herself up. She normally pushes with her hands and then pulls them back...if we hold them in place, she will start to bear weight on them.
-hold her in standing position...alternate weight on each foot. (This is to help stretch her ankles like Dr Hollman asked.)

We talked about massage class last week, and Susan said that Lydia wins the prize for the baby who enjoyed it most. I told her that she's been like that every time we've done it. My cup overfloweth for her! :)