In honor of Ava's 5th birthday I made a slide show of her journey to help raise awareness. Ava had a hard time watching the beginning of the video, she does not want to see herself in a cast again. Hard to believe my baby girl is growing so quickly. I am so proud of her!! Enjoy! XOXOX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVHOMIwHTOw
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Step in the right direction...
Over the last week Ava has made huge progress. She is gaining more confidence in her legs and herself each day. The transformation day to day in amazing. I have lost count of the number of time tears have come to my eyes just watching her. Being home with Ava almost 24/7 over the last four months has been a whirl wind of emotions but over this week I can finally see the light. Ava has relearned to crawl, pencil rolls every where, scoots across the house on her bottom, gets up stairs, stands at the sink to brush her teeth and stands without assistance. In the past I took each of these achievements for granted, all children hit these milestones with out much fan fair. Heck 6 months ago Ava did all this without a thought. I now realize how precious life is, Ava has struggled and showed tremendous courage to achieve each and every milestone. As hard as it's been we are lucky to relive each one for a second time but this time she gets all the fan fair!
Yesterday was a huge leap in progress for Ava and excitement for our family. Of course the one day a week I work Ava decides it's the day...always in her own time. I received a text from David stating "Check my FB page." I knew instantly what this meant, Ava did something big. I'm the obsessive FB poster of the family documenting each and every step of Ava's recovery. This was big if David posted. There I was in the middle of the salon watching a video on my phone with tears streaming down my face. "My baby did it! She took her first steps!!" I can not even express the joy I felt inside. One of my first thoughts was "Of course, on the one day I work." Then I became so excited for David, he has seen many of Ava first accomplishments in pictures or videos. This time he got to share the news! On 10/11/12 my girl took her first steps almost four weeks after her cast removal...there's no stopping her now.
Life is slowly but surely getting back to normal. In the last 24 hours Ava has practiced her walking skills over and over. I still watch in awe each time she takes a step. At times I feel sad to see her struggle just to take a few steps but then I see the determination on her face and I know she is so strong and brave. Ava is feeling so confident we even joined her Pre-K class Pumpkin picking today, I have to say it was nice to do something normal in our life. She had a blast seeing her friends and teachers and was so proud to show them how she is relearning to walk. Thank you once again to everyone who has been routing for Ava these last four months. It means so much to me and my family. Everyone has giving us so much strength and every kind word of encouragement touches my heart. We are almost there!!! All our love. XOXOXOX
Yesterday was a huge leap in progress for Ava and excitement for our family. Of course the one day a week I work Ava decides it's the day...always in her own time. I received a text from David stating "Check my FB page." I knew instantly what this meant, Ava did something big. I'm the obsessive FB poster of the family documenting each and every step of Ava's recovery. This was big if David posted. There I was in the middle of the salon watching a video on my phone with tears streaming down my face. "My baby did it! She took her first steps!!" I can not even express the joy I felt inside. One of my first thoughts was "Of course, on the one day I work." Then I became so excited for David, he has seen many of Ava first accomplishments in pictures or videos. This time he got to share the news! On 10/11/12 my girl took her first steps almost four weeks after her cast removal...there's no stopping her now.
Life is slowly but surely getting back to normal. In the last 24 hours Ava has practiced her walking skills over and over. I still watch in awe each time she takes a step. At times I feel sad to see her struggle just to take a few steps but then I see the determination on her face and I know she is so strong and brave. Ava is feeling so confident we even joined her Pre-K class Pumpkin picking today, I have to say it was nice to do something normal in our life. She had a blast seeing her friends and teachers and was so proud to show them how she is relearning to walk. Thank you once again to everyone who has been routing for Ava these last four months. It means so much to me and my family. Everyone has giving us so much strength and every kind word of encouragement touches my heart. We are almost there!!! All our love. XOXOXOX
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
In Her Own Time...
On Friday it will be three weeks since Ava had her cast removed. That morning she has an appointment with Dr. A for an x ray and to see how things are progressing. The change in Ava's movement over the last three weeks is incredible. Most of her pain has subsided and slowly but surely she is gaining confidence in her legs. Physical therapy is going well and has helped tremendously with rebuilding her leg and hip strength (although she still has a ways to go.) In true Ava form everything is happening in her own time... At PT Ava takes everything in Miss Jill shows her. She cooperates for the most part but often says "I'm tired" and wants to stop whatever exercise going on at the moment. Or other times she says "I can't do it. I'm scared." But when we get home, look out! Ava does everything Miss Jill showed her but on her terms. This kid is stubborn!! (Some say she gets that from me.) She doesn't want help and she really doesn't want anyone watching her. Ava has always been fiercely independent and this girl got her independence back! She is determined to regain her ability to walk and she's on the right path.
This whole process has taken a toll on me that I had not expected. I knew it would not be easy but I didn't expect it to invade every inch of who I am. I am looking forward to life going back to normal (well a normal as normal gets.) I have become consumed with her recovery. I forget things, I become anxious easily and I find it hard to find time to do things for myself (like exercise & I guess I'm not losing that 15 lbs for my upcoming 20 year HS reunion. Oh well!) At the same time I would not change it for the world. Watching the determination and strength Ava has helps me get through each and every moment. She's navigating territory that in the past was easy for her and watching her struggle can make me so sad. Then Ava gets a look on her face of such pride for her accomplishment that I quickly remember how strong my daughter is. In three weeks Ava has relearned to sit on her own, crab walk, bend her knees, crawl, pencil roll and pull her self up on things. She's slowly taking steps (with help), peddling a tricycle and kicking a ball. Her achievements are outstanding! Ava is on her way to being completely healed and will be up and running in no time. I can not say enough how proud I am of her! My daughter is AMAZING!!
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| Crab walk. |
This whole process has taken a toll on me that I had not expected. I knew it would not be easy but I didn't expect it to invade every inch of who I am. I am looking forward to life going back to normal (well a normal as normal gets.) I have become consumed with her recovery. I forget things, I become anxious easily and I find it hard to find time to do things for myself (like exercise & I guess I'm not losing that 15 lbs for my upcoming 20 year HS reunion. Oh well!) At the same time I would not change it for the world. Watching the determination and strength Ava has helps me get through each and every moment. She's navigating territory that in the past was easy for her and watching her struggle can make me so sad. Then Ava gets a look on her face of such pride for her accomplishment that I quickly remember how strong my daughter is. In three weeks Ava has relearned to sit on her own, crab walk, bend her knees, crawl, pencil roll and pull her self up on things. She's slowly taking steps (with help), peddling a tricycle and kicking a ball. Her achievements are outstanding! Ava is on her way to being completely healed and will be up and running in no time. I can not say enough how proud I am of her! My daughter is AMAZING!!
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| Love this girl! |
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