Christmas is just right around the corner, and we are definitely in the festive mood around here. I love watching the joy and wonder in a child's face. There is definitely a sense of magic this time of year! The biggest and most exciting thing for us lately is that Leah finally got her new wheelchair. We are so, so happy that it's here. It came on Thursday, and she spent the entire weekend exploring new parts of the house, including new heights, that she hadn't been able to access before. She helped out with setting the table and doing dishes, and got into a bit of trouble when she pulled things off the counters. New problems that we hadn't experienced before! She's taller than she is in her walker, and even with the rolling stander, her forward reach is limited. This means much more freedom! It also means that we need to set higher expectations for her to start helping out more around the house and being more independent, as a normal 4-year old would do.
The other part I love about the chair is how light it is. I can pick it up with 1 hand, and she's able to go much faster. It definitely gives her a greater sense of mobility and independence. Today she used it for the first time at school, and she said she had a great day. It also comes with a pushbar, but I'm hoping that we won't need it much and that she'll be able to steer herself much more. I want her to feel normal, and now she's sitting up taller and can be at the same height as the other kids. It's so, so important for her to continue seeing herself as a peer, an equal to other kids her age. This goes a long way in making sure she can keep up.
The new wheelchair was a shining light in an otherwise yucky week. Leah woke up last Tuesday morning with a fever and was sick all week. Her fever spiked at 103 on Wednesday, and didn't break until Friday. Not the time of year to be getting sick! Ty went to her school on Thursday to pick up all of her gear, and the class was only about half-full, as many other kids were out, too. She had a fever and awful cough, so thankfully she's well on her way to recovery... except Ty and I are now under the weather. Here's hoping get better soon before Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our friends and family. We have been so blessed again this year, and hope for continued fortune in 2016. Be safe, and enjoy being surrounded by the ones you love. Thanks for your support of our family!
