8.6.12 Strangers and Family

This post coming to you from San Rafael, California courtesy of strangers and family, including the following:
-sweet chevron employee who allowed the kids, Alyssa, and I to take refuge from the heat in the little gas station corner
-compassionate man who helped Ed get the van off the side of the road to cool into the shade
-dear, amazing family who chauffeured us, sheltered us from heat, fed us, laughed with us, and worshipped with us Saturday and Sunday until it was cool enough to drive
-generous stranger friends who rescued us by loaning their car seats and their van
-AAA truck driver and his friend who not only towed the van, but looked it over
-Auto Zone employees who helped diagnose the car trouble
-Dear Caleb who showed patience well beyond his months
-Our lovely niece Alyssa who has been such an invaluable help with Caleb

We had car trouble on the way down and ended up only driving in the morning and late at night to avoid the high temperatures. I never realized what a challenge it would be to break down with a passenger in a chair. We made it into our hotel around 1:30 this morning and as quickly as possible got the kids in bed. Our first lesson was at 9 this morning and oh boy were we tired. Still are.

Aimee had two lessons today at the therapy center. After working with Aimee, the therapist described to us what he found. He said that when a baby is small and wiggly around their brain is actually mapping out their body and how it all connects to their spine and works together. In Aimee's case, there is a big section of her spine that has never been mapped, specifically from her pelvis up to her upper mid back. Through this week, their goal is to help her brain to discover it and how it functions with the rest of the body.

While we are here, we've been instructed to allow Aimee to play in her most comfortable position (on her back) as much as possible and to not do therapy exercises. We are simply to observe and note any differences in the way she moves or acts.

As of tonight, we have noticed the following:
-attentiveness
-extended cooing conversations (back and forth 4-5 times)
-lifting her hips off the floor while kicking legs
-turning head back and forth with less noticeable favoring of the left side

Excited to report more changes to you soon!