Our first zoo visit...
We decided to check out the petting zoo near us. Anna was really excited while trying to feed the animals, unfortunately her throw is a little weak and the animals were not impressed. She was able to see and hear animals that she had only seen in her books...pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, a camel, monkeys, kangaroos, chickens, a turtle that daddy got to feed by hand, and many others. It was a good day, great for her first experience. Next time we will try the safari they offer with more animals running around the wagon.
updates...therapy is going well. Anna loves to swing there and squeals with delight! When we get there she signs and says "I play" and says the OT's name, Darcie. She's talking a lot more, and we are really starting to understand her wants and needs which helps with her frustration level. Her feeding is still the same, no improvements, and we did just take a step backwards in therapy. Where-as she used to touch purees so that she could play with a car or a particular toy, that has become too hard for her once again and she is refusing. So, we are letting her play with baggies with puree in them, no mess. She doesn't mind that once she realizes it won't come out of the bag. She has eaten pizza crusts on more than one occasion recently and we have noticed her wanting to touch more foods and unfamiliar textures, so that is good. We want to plan many more little day trips and also incorporate her sensory play into daily activities.
Well, our family vacation for 2013 was a successful one! We went to Hilton Head Island with my parents and really enjoyed ourselves. The weather was perfect by the way! Lots of running in the water and sand, Anna just loved it all. One thing Anna loves is the water and she just could not get enough of it. So we had to take turns, she could go all day! Lots of dinners out and we even played putt putt golf, Anna was more concerned with trying to get into the little water traps so we had to pop her in the stroller, she had fun watching everyone and carried her club and ball the whole time. We have some great pictures and memories, hope you all enjoy them too!
This past week we were at the beach having a family vacation. After fun in the sun one day we were pushing Anna around in her stroller. What happened soon afterwards I will remember always, so i wrote it down to share...
"I met a Marine today at the beach. He was talking to us about It being Memorial Day, and we thanked him for his service and had light conversation. Anna was in the stroller...just out of the pool. He looked over at her and said, "who is this?" I told him her name and such and he said, "what is that scar from?" I hadn't noticed that her bath robe was wide open exposing her open heart surgery scar...I told him what it was from. He bent down on one knee and kissed her foot, and he said, "wow you little miracle! You already have your own battle scars don't you? You are one tough little girl!" Anna smiled at him. Here I was with a war vet and he was bowing down to my little girl, praising her for what she has been through...thank goodness I had sunglasses so he couldn't see the tears in my eyes... So, I am wishing all the military personal health and safety and sharing what modest and true heroes they are. |