Learning to Stand

This happens to be Gabe's favorite indoor activity.  Although with the wonderful sunny weather he spends most of his indoor time whining at the door to go out and chase "da ball, da ball, da ball."

Anyway, his chatter in this video makes me smile (so does the standing work he is doing!).

This video was actually taken a couple weeks ago now, but I couldn't resist sharing it.  Notice the couch cushion.  He usually  pulls one down when he wants to practice standing.  I think it is fascinating that the activity is self initiated and shows that he is a bit cautious not wanting to smack all the way to the floor while he is experimenting. Although, he is able to do it without the cushion also.
 
"Balance is not being rigid, but being able to catch ourselves, support and steady ourselves and move on....one of the things we explore is how to use support from the environment (usually the floor, sometimes a chair or the wall) to facilitate effective movement." Clyff Smith

Oh, you want to see more?
Sure!


Speaking of experimenting, while I have yet to catch it on video Gabe has been taking 2-3 steps completely independently when transitioning between pieces of furniture around our house.  Talk about exciting days in our home!

Upward & Onward

Success

 is not a doorway

it's a staircase.

~Dottie Walters

Determination

Take THAT Spina Bifida from Katie on Vimeo.

Rock and Roll

A few weeks back we had a house full of friends visiting and plates full of homemade cheesecake. (Why the heck is that important you ask?  Just wait!) While we were chatting someone asked if Gabe was ready to crawl.  A seemingly innocent question for a parent of a typical 6 month old, but at the time it was a bit difficult to answer, "No, it could be awhile."

"Before he can crawl Gabe will  likely need to learn to roll from stomach to back, back to stomach and to get in and out of a sitting position. Granted we have been encouraging the rolling for quite some time now and his therapist is hoping he is close." 

I walked out of the room to prepare the drinks to serve.  Then, a commotion.  Gabe smiled as if to say, "Whatever Mom!"  He stretched out his arm to grab our friend Dan's cheesecake off his plate and WhOoP, over he rolled.  Smoothly.  As if it done it a hundred times before. I missed it, but the 9 other witnesses cheered.  Running back in the room I grabbed the camera in time to see him do it again.  Back to the cheesecake.  A yummy scene all around.

I bragged to his therapist about the accomplishment, but after that night Gabe decided it wasn't meant to be repeated.  I figured it was because the rewards weren't sweet enough.  Until today.  Here he goes again. 


Untitled from Katie on Vimeo.
{the rock}

Untitled from Katie on Vimeo.
{the roll}