Proud

Aviana is such an amazing inspiration! She is the hardest working Boo Boo in the business. We put her through the wringer everyday and everyday she is such an amazing sport. She doesn't cry or complain very often (except on the inclined floor.) She just does what she knows she has to do.

Through the program she has:

~ strengthened her head control

~ is much more aware of everything around her

~ moves her head all over, especially on walks

~ sleeps on her stomach every single night

~ has still not "tossed her cookies" since January 25th

~ has been able to start eating very small amounts of pureed food

~ her swallow has gotten stronger from all of the masking and practice with food

~ she moves her head from side to side while sleeping to get comfortable

~ she has lost 3 pounds of her weight gain, she still has 5 to go

~ we eliminated one of her medications completely (for rigidity)

~ her nurse said her lungs sound better than a well 3 year old

~ she is doing better coming down the inclined floor

~ she kicks her legs much more

~ she uses her arms (a little) on the floor

~ she has continued to give kisses and has even extended her ration to Dave and her Nana, sorry Gary :o/

~ she has graduated from all of her hospital equipment (suction machine, feeding pump, etc.) It was like a breath of fresh air to move them on out

~ we can feed her so fast now, we used to feed her extremely slow and pray she wouldn't throw it up

~ if I put Tom & Jerry on, she will actually watch some now

~ she pays much more attention to her reading cards than ever before

~ she sometimes will move her legs to help me put her pants on

~ she tolerates and even enjoys many things she didn't when she came home (bath, brushing teeth, etc.)

~ she has an amazingly healthy glow, she used to look so puffed up and was always sick :o(

She has come so far in such a short period of time. I have The Institutes to thank for every bit of progress. I, of course, would love to thank Trina as well, for revealing this hidden treasure to me. We would be lost without them.

I know I may sound crazy, maybe even kind of like a cult member of some sort, but I have to admit, I have been known to jokingly say, "If Glenn Doman (founder of The Institutes) asked me to drink the Kool-Aid, I WOULD!!

How can you not partake in the tasty red beverage when you have been witness to what we have?

Finally, ponytails again!

Dave says I always take pictures of her when she is sleeping. It's true, but it is really the only time I have to take pictures!