Sandbox and latest video

I got sucked into Craig's List again and got Alex a sandbox this week. She LOVES it! And she was even agreeable enough to smile for me while taking some photos of her playing in it.

And here is her latest walking video from our PT session yesterday. Stephanie adjusted her theratogs in a new way that seems to give her even better support. :)

A few more walking videos

Another couple of walking videos from last night. All three of us are really having fun hanging out at the stores together. Alex has fun looking at and commenting on many things at most stores, and I swear she walks further and further without falls almost every day!

Walking videos

Walking at Borders...

And the next night at Fred Meyer with her theratogs on.

Fun with Grammy and Grandpa

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.