What we're up to this week

One of Alex's favorite meal-time past-times is "reading" the Cheerios box.


At hippotherapy this week, we got to go on a short trail-ride outside. Riding up and down the hill provides a different challenge to her core than simply riding around the ring. The horse farm is beautiful, and Alex likes to point out the other horses we see grazing in the pasture. :)

Alex is starting to really get into her tricycle! I still push her a good 80-90% of the time, but she likes to "be naughty" and drive herself into the dirt and touch the plants. Most of all, she is requesting longer and longer rides, whereas it used to me pushing the activity and getting her to go around the block one time. Very fun!

More Hippotherapy videos

Alex continues to really like hippotherapy. Yesterday, in addition to riding Ladybug and playing the ring game she played last week, Alex got to play catch with one of the volunteers:

walk Ladybug to her stall (she was SO tired after her session--it's gotta be a good workout for her!)

and feed Ladybug carrots!!!

Alex's first day of hippotherapy

Alex seemed to have a really great time at hippotherapy yesterday! I had been counting on needing several sessions before she would be willing to get on the horse and ride with people she didn't know, so I was totally amazed that she had no hesitation at all. She even participated in a ring toss game with them (this is the girl who is so shy she has trouble asking for snack at preschool!) I think all of her positive experiences with the kitties in St. Louis really helped us on that front! Alex's horse's name is Ladybug, and she will get to ride her every week. While it is still a bit cold and rainy, we will continue to ride in the covered arena, but when the weather is nice she will get to ride outside on the trails. The PT who worked with her said she was the perfect hippotherapy candidate, and she is optimistic that we will see an improvement in her core strength in the not so distant future.

Spring trip to STL

Alex had a lot of fun visiting family in St. Louis. Ever since we got back to Portland, Alex has asked about everyone and when we can go back. Very fun!



Playing with Aunt Rachel



Aunt Sarah taught Alex all about computers!

Alex was sick for much of the trip and more interested in hanging at home than going out to see the sights. We did make it to the science center and had a great time. I was a little nervous when Jim wanted to show Alex the great big moving dinosaurs, but Alex was completely fascinated by them and told us it was her favorite part of the museum. :)

Alex LOVED Grammy and Grandpa's kitty and all of Grandma's kitties. She especially loved nuzzling them with her forehead, touching their noses, and getting them to twitch their ears (these were very tolerant kitties!).

Alex was highly motivated to walk by her first Easter egg hunt, so we ended up having one almost every day of the trip!