Welcome Baby Xander!

Sorel's little brother has arrived, born September 1st, 6lbs 9ozs, 18 inches long. Sorel is so excited to be a big sis!

Family

Our first real family photo-shoot with my good friend and amazing photographer, Lisa Willis....Thank you Lisa for taking such beautiful photos of us and my expecting belly!

Sorel's first Horse Show and she won second!!

Getting so strong!

Hanging out with my friend Todd doing some walking!

Sorel's Christmas Photo shoot

Progress!

Its been a while since I've written anything on Sorel's progress and thought I'd finally take some time to update all of you who love her so much on how well she is doing.  We started preschool, she is in the inclusion program with 2 other special need kids to about 14 typically functioning 3-5 year olds.  She loves it and the kids love her!  She is the only child who is non-ambulatory but the kids love her purple wheelchair, though she's not in it much.  The teachers are making her take steps to and from all activities and working on getting her to use her hands more.  It amazes me that although Sorel does not have words she speaks to these kids with her amazing smile and laughter.  They actually fight over who gets to hold her hand to music class or sit next to her in group time....yes there were definitely some tears shed but happy ones.  I can't tell you how relieved Chris and I were to see the other children react this way, it is so incredible, I cry just thinking about it!  We also have started Hippotherapy and can't wait for our next lesson!  Being on an animal so big will only improve Sorel's core strength and help her become more stable.  She will also take steps across the room, fully supported, but its along way from not even bearing any wait on her legs.  You can actually see her little muscles, its so beautiful.  Our big excitement this last week was the fact that she started sucking out of a straw, this is huge! We've been practicing in therapy with juice, water and milk but she never seemed to get the hang of it and just wanted it from her bottle...well, I decided to pick up one of those chocolate soymilk boxes and wouldn't you know it she started sucking from the straw....its like she was saying "hey mom its about time you figured it out and got me some chocolate milk!" ....hilarious!  Chris and I have been laughing tears at how beautiful it is to see chocolate milk come up the straw and into her mouth and the enjoyment on her face, just perfect.  

We continue to get PT, OT, speech and communication therapy along with hippotherapy and getting her in the pool whenever possible.  Nope we aren't busy at all.....hah!!  I can't tell you all the excitement we feel in the progress she has made, it may be small but its oh so huge!!!  

I love my Mommy!

I love my Daddy!