A-V-E-R-Y

For the first time Avery got to the letter "R" while writing her name. Mind you, she's no penmanship teacher, but she does have the concept of "A-V-E" down. The A often looks like an "H", and the "E" often has five or six horizontal lines, but hey, ya gotta start somewhere. The important thing tonight, in my opinion, was that she made it through "R-Y" all by herself. Then, Devon & Avery worked on actually making an "R." Stick, loop, stick. And a "Y." Small "V" with a stick.

The first try, while she thought no one was watching.

The second try, with a full cheering section. I think she got a little too excited towards the end, so Devon helped her out with "R"s & "Y"s for awhile after this. She's getting the hang of it.

It's amazing the things we take for granted each day. It takes forever to build the muscles, dexterity, and brain power just to write letters, never mind learn how to read them all put together in words.

Another thing we're working on: getting dressed by herself. She can do it, but she just isn't interested. I mean, why waste time putting on clothes, with all those rules (shirt on top, only one leg in each pantleg, tags in the back, etc, etc.) when there are soooooo many other things to do in the world. Tonight I brought her pajamas to her in the playroom & told her to get them on. These are her kitty jammies that nana Noma made her for Christmas, and one look brought on a "no, not those, those jammies make me tired. I don't want to go to bed." However, since they were made by nana, they do have one thing going for them -- no tags. Small steps.

Noooooo, those jammies make me tired!

As for Jordan, she's doing very well. Avery had a "cold" for the last couple of weeks, and Jordan didn't even get a hint of it.* She's hardly coughing and barfing, her neck is getting stronger and stronger being in the wheelchair & the stander, and she can't get enough sucking. Her hands, a bottle with water, fingers, even a binky, if you're willing to sit there and hold it in. She's still not very good at it; her jaw opens too wide and even 'snaps' a bit, but hopefully we'll get some guidance with that next month at feeding clinic. Also, I think we are going to try some very soft foods over the next few weeks. It's worked for other g-tube kids -- skip the liquids and give some soft, flavorful food a try. Tonight Devon started off a little too strong, I did not recommend the cookie, and even though it seemed as though she was into it -- she wasn't! Soon it was all over the both of them. But she did seem to enjoy chewing on it.


*Consequently, Avery has an appointment with a pediatric allergist on Thursday. . . .